Vehicle side door opening control mechanism including an inertial locking weight with a fusible portion

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening control mechanism comprising a support bracket (10), a handle rotatably mounted on said bracket, a lever (30) rotatably mounted on said bracket and coupled to said handle such that said lever rotates when the handle is pulled, a weight (40) rotatably mounted on said bracket and capable, in the event of a lateral impact, of assuming a locking position in which a stop portion (41) of this weight comes into contact with said lever so as to prevent its rotation, and anti-return means (50) capable of retaining said weight in its locking position; said stop portion being attached to the main body (42) of said weight by a frangible weakening zone (43) configured to break when a tensile force exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on said handle, while said weight is in the locking position. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Opening control mechanism for a vehicle side door comprising an inertial locking weight with a fusible portion technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to opening control mechanisms intended for use in the side doors of motor vehicles. More particularly, it relates to such an opening control mechanism equipped with an inertial locking device. Previous technique

[0002] Generally, the closing of a side door of a motor vehicle is achieved by engaging the bolt of the lock in a strike plate located on a door frame. When opening from outside the vehicle, the bolt is released from the strike plate by activating an opening control mechanism.

[0003] This mechanism includes a support bracket intended to be rigidly fixed to the structure of said door, as well as a handle mounted for rotation on said support bracket and capable of being pulled manually from outside said vehicle by a user to open said door.

[0004] Such a mechanism also includes a control lever mounted movable for rotation on said support bracket and coupled to said handle so that, when the latter is pulled, said lever is driven to rotation by acting on a cable connected at one end to this lever and whose second end is connected to the bolt of the lock.

[0005] Thus, the action exerted on the handle results, through the kinematic chain of the external opening control, in the release of the bolt from the strike plate and therefore in the opening of the door. When the user releases the handle, it is returned to its rest position by a return spring.

[0006] When the vehicle is subjected to a side impact, the inertial force due to the mass of the handle can reach, or even exceed, the pulling force normally required to operate the lever and open the door. Such a side impact is indeed capable of generating instantaneous accelerations on the handle of several hundred times the acceleration due to gravity. The stiffness of the handle's return spring is therefore insufficient to counteract the opening force exerted by the inertial force in the event of a side impact.

[0007] In order to overcome this problem, it is known to equip such an opening control mechanism with an inertial locking device comprising a A weight is mounted to rotate freely on the support bracket and, in the event of a lateral impact and under the effect of a change in acceleration, is capable of assuming a locking position in which a portion of the weight's stop contacts the lever, thus preventing its rotation. A return spring returns the weight to its initial position at the end of the impact.

[0008] These reversible inertial locking devices have the advantage of allowing the door to be opened manually using the handle after the impact. However, they are particularly sensitive to lateral acceleration in both directions as well as to rebounds, so there is a significant risk that they will return to their rest position during the impact, thus allowing the handle to rotate and the door to be opened.

[0009] Irreversible inertial locking devices are also known, ensuring that the rotational locking of the handle is maintained throughout the duration of the shock.

[0010] Document FR 3 133 873 Al thus discloses such an inertial locking device equipped with anti-return means, consisting in this case of a deformable tab and capable of retaining said weight in its locking position so as to ensure that the locking of said lever is maintained during the entire duration of the lateral impact.

[0011] These irreversible inertial locking devices have the advantage of not being sensitive to variations in acceleration during the impact or to rebounds, thus guaranteeing that the door will not open. However, they have the disadvantage of no longer allowing the door to be opened intentionally after the impact.

[0012] In order to combine the advantages of these two types of inertial locking devices, document EP2616616B1 proposes an advanced type inertial locking device with anti-return means and in which the portion of the lever which comes against the weight forms a mechanical fuse attached to the main body of this lever by a frangible weakening zone configured to break when a tensile force whose intensity is greater than a predetermined threshold is exerted on said handle, so as to allow the rotation of the lever and the opening of the door when the weight is in its locking position.

[0013] This type of mechanism, such as an advanced opening control mechanism, requires specific development, resulting in high design costs. Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0015] To this end, it proposes an opening control mechanism intended to be fitted to a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a support bracket designed to be rigidly fixed to the structure of said door; - a movable, rotating gripping handle mounted on said support bracket and capable of being manually pulled from outside said vehicle by a user to open said door; - a control lever mounted movable for rotation on said support bracket and coupled to said handle so that, when the latter is pulled, said lever is driven to rotate to cause the opening of said door; - an inertial locking device comprising a weight, mounted movably to rotation on said support bracket and capable, in the event of a lateral impact and under the effect of the variation of acceleration, of taking a locking position in which a portion of the stop of this weight comes into contact with said lever so as to prevent its rotation; - anti-return means capable of retaining said weight in its locking position so as to ensure that the rotational locking of said lever is maintained throughout the duration of said lateral impact; characterized in that said portion of the stop of the weight forms a mechanical fuse attached to the main body of the latter by a frangible weakening zone configured to break when a tensile force whose intensity is greater than a predetermined threshold is exerted on said handle while said weight occupies its locking position.

[0016] This opening control mechanism thus allows the door to be opened voluntarily after the vehicle has suffered a side impact.

[0017] Furthermore, positioning the fusible stop portion on the weight allows the use of a single control lever reference for the opening control mechanism according to the invention, as well as for reversible (weightless) and irreversible (with a conventional weight lacking a fusible portion) opening control mechanisms, the installation of which in the side doors is mandated by regulations in certain countries or regions of sale. The invention thus facilitates the development of different versions of such an opening control mechanism.

[0018] According to preferred characteristics of said opening control mechanism according to the invention: - said predetermined threshold is between 100 and 300 Newtons; - said portion of stop is in the form of a tongue attached at one of its ends to the main body of said weight; - said tongue extends along a mean plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said weight; - said frangible weakening zone has a thickness less than that of said portion of fusible stop; - the thickness of said frangible weakening zone is at least twice in- less than that of the said portion of fusible stop; - the main body of said weight is hollowed out around the periphery of said fusible stop portion so as not to interfere, regardless of the position of said weight, with the rotary stroke of said lever, so as to systematically allow the opening of said door as soon as said fusible stop portion has separated from said main body of the weight; and / or - said anti-return means comprise a metal blade elastically deformable in bending, fixed by one of its ends on said support bracket and capable of deforming during said lateral shock to retain said weight in its locking position.

[0019] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a side door of a motor vehicle comprising such an opening control mechanism.

[0020] The invention finally relates, in a third aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such side door. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.l] schematically represents, in a cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane, an opening control mechanism according to the invention intended to equip a side door of a motor vehicle; - [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] are enlargements of a part of the mechanism of [Fig.1] illustrating two successive stages of its operating kinematics when the vehicle undergoes a lateral impact; and - [Fig.4] is an enlargement similar to those in figures 2 and 3 but illustrating the rupture of the frangible weakening zone of the weight when the handle is pulled manually by a user after the occurrence of such a lateral shock. Description of the implementation methods

[0022] Fig. 1 represents an opening control mechanism according to the invention 1 intended to equip a side door not shown of a motor vehicle.

[0023] By convention, an orthogonal frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular in pairs is defined with respect to this opening mechanism 1 in its configuration mounted on a side door of such a motor vehicle, namely: - an X axis, defining a horizontal longitudinal direction, parallel to the ground and coinciding with the general direction of movement of this vehicle; - a Y-axis, defining a horizontal transverse direction, also parallel to the ground, which, together with the X-axis, defines a horizontal XY plane; and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the ground and to the horizontal XY plane.

[0024] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the frame defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinally" shall refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms "transverse" or "transversely" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms "vertical" or "vertically" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0025] On the other hand, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X axis, which by convention points forward.

[0026] Finally, the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially longitudinal" indicates that a deviation of approximately 15 to 20° from a strictly longitudinal orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0027] With reference to this [Fig.1], the opening control mechanism according to the invention 1 comprises a support bracket 10 intended to be rigidly fixed to the structure of a side door of a motor vehicle, between its outer panel and its inner lining.

[0028] This opening control mechanism 1 also includes a gripping handle 20, suitable for being pulled manually by a user from outside the vehicle to open the side door, and mounted movably for rotation by a first of its longitudinal ends (in this case its front end) on the support bracket 10 around a first vertical axis Ab. The second longitudinal end of this gripping handle 20 extends inside the opening control mechanism 1 by a transverse extension 21.

[0029] The opening control mechanism 1 further includes a control lever 30 mounted movable to rotate on the support bracket 10 around a second vertical axis A2 parallel to the axis Ai and elastically returned by a first non-visible spring to its rest position illustrated by [Fig.1].

[0030] The control lever 30 includes an arm 31 (see figures 2 to 4) whose free end is coupled to the transverse extension 21 of the grip handle 20, so that this transverse extension 21 causes the rotation of this control lever 30 when a user pulls on this handle 20 from its rest position illustrated by [Fig.1] and in a transverse direction oriented outwards from the vehicle.

[0031] The lever 30 is further coupled to one end of a traction cable (not shown) and connected at its other end to the bolt of a lock, so that the rotation of this lever 30 caused by the actuation of the handle 20 causes the engagement of this bolt of the strike plate of this lock and therefore the opening of the side door.

[0032] When the user releases the handle 20, the lever 30 and the handle 20 are returned to their rest position by the first return spring.

[0033] Still with reference to [Fig.1], the opening control mechanism 1 also includes an inertial locking device comprising a weight 40 mounted movably to rotation on the support bracket 10 around a third vertical axis A3 parallel to the axes Ai and A2.

[0034] Advantageously produced from a single piece molding of a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, this weight 40 is elastically returned by a second spring, not visible in the figures, to its rest position illustrated by [Fig.1] and in which it does not disturb the stroke of the lever 30, so as to allow it, when the handle 20 is operated by a user, to rotate freely to a position causing the door to open.

[0035] In the event of a lateral impact suffered by the vehicle, the weight 40 is able, due to the intensity of the inertial force related to its mass, to leave its rest position to occupy a locking position illustrated by [Fig.2] and in which a portion of the stop 41 of this weight 40 comes into contact with the lever 30 so as to prevent its rotation forced by the handle 20 itself subjected to an inertial force pulling it towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0036] This portion of stop 41 is in this case in the form of a flat tongue attached at one end to the main body 42 of the weight and advantageously extending along a mean plane parallel to the vertical axis of rotation A3 of the weight 40.

[0037] It will be understood that the conformation of this weight 40 will be adapted according to the minimum intensity of the inertial force from which we wish to block the rotation of the lever 30.

[0038] The inertial locking device also includes anti-return means capable of retaining the weight 40 in its locking position so as to ensure that the locking of the lever 30 is maintained during the entire duration of the lateral impact.

[0039] These anti-return means comprise in this case an elastically deformable metal blade in bending 50, fixed by one of its ends on the support bracket 10 and extending substantially longitudinally to the weight 40.

[0040] In the initial rest position of this weight 40 and as illustrated by [Fig.1], the blade 50 occupies a constrained position slightly flexed outwards from the vehicle in which its second end rests against a support wall of this weight 40.

[0041] In the event of a lateral impact suffered by the vehicle and causing the weight 40 to move towards its locking position, this support wall moves longitudinally away from the blade 50 which comes back to its unconstrained rest position as can be seen in [Fig.2].

[0042] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the free end of this blade 50 then constitutes a stop for the weight 40 preventing its return to its initial rest position during and after the lateral impact.

[0043] According to the invention and in order to allow the voluntary opening of the door after such a side impact, the stop portion 41 of the weight forms a mechanical fuse attached to the main body 42 of the latter by a frangible weakening zone 43.

[0044] As illustrated by [Fig.4], this frangible weakening zone 43 is configured to break when a tensile force whose intensity is greater than a predetermined threshold is manually exerted on the handle 20 by a user while the weight 40 occupies its locking position.

[0045] The investment required to implement the opening control mechanism according to the invention 1 proves to be limited,3 since it differs from an irreversible type opening control mechanism only by the particular design of its weight 40.

[0046] Furthermore, positioning the fusible stop portion 41 on the weight 40 allows the use of a single control lever reference 30 for the advanced opening control mechanism 1 according to the invention, as well as for reversible (weightless) and irreversible (with a conventional weight without a fusible portion) opening control mechanisms, the installation of which in the side doors is mandated by regulations in certain countries or regions of sale. The invention thus facilitates the development of such an opening control mechanism.

[0047] The predetermined threshold ensuring the rupture of this frangible weakening zone 43 will be chosen so as to avoid any risk of unintentional opening of the door under the effect of the inertial movement of the handle 20 during the side impact, while allowing a user to be able to voluntarily open this door by manually pulling on this handle 20.

[0048] In practice, and in order to meet these two opposing constraints, this predetermined threshold will advantageously be between 100 and 300 Newtons.

[0049] As can be seen in the figures, this frangible weakening zone 43 has a thinner thickness than that of the fusible stop portion 41, this thickness advantageously being at least twice less than that of this fusible stop portion 4L

[0050] It will also be noted that the main body 42 of the weight 40 is hollowed out around the periphery of the fusible stop portion 41 so as not to interfere, whatever the position of this weight 40, with the rotary stroke of the lever 30, so as to systematically allow the door to be opened, as soon as this fusible stop portion 41 has separated from this main body 42 of the weight 40.

[0051] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the anti-return means suitable for retaining the weight in its locking position may differ.

[0052] These can, for example, comprise an elastically deformable metal blade in bending fixed, not on the support bracket, but on the weight, and suitable for example to cooperate with a corresponding element provided on this support bracket.

Claims

Demands

1. Opening control mechanism (1) intended to equip a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a support bracket (10) intended to be rigidly fixed to the structure of said door; - a gripping handle (20) mounted movably to rotate on said support bracket (10) and capable of being pulled manually from outside said vehicle by a user to open said door; - a control lever (30) mounted movably to rotate on said support bracket (10) and coupled to said handle (20) so that, when the latter is pulled, said lever (30) is driven to rotate to cause the opening of said door;- an inertial locking device comprising a weight (40), mounted for rotation on said support bracket (10) and capable, in the event of a lateral impact and under the effect of the variation in acceleration, of taking a locking position in which a portion of the stop (41) of this weight (40) comes into contact with said lever (30) so as to prevent its rotation; - anti-return means (50) capable of retaining said weight (40) in its locking position so as to ensure that the rotational locking of said lever (30) is maintained throughout the duration of said lateral impact;characterized in that said stop portion (41) of the weight (40) forms a mechanical fuse attached to the main body (42) of the latter by a frangible weakening zone (43) configured to break when a tensile force whose intensity is greater than a predetermined threshold is exerted on said handle (20) while said weight (40) is in its locking position.

2. Opening control mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined threshold is between 100 and 300 Newtons.

3. Opening control mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said stop portion is in the form of a tongue (41) attached at one end to the main body (42) of said weight (40).

4. Opening control mechanism (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said tab (41) extends along a mean plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said weight (40).

5. Opening control mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said frangible weakening zone (43) has a thickness less than that of said fusible stop portion (41).

6. Opening control mechanism (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the thickness of said frangible weakening zone (43) is at least twice less than that of said fusible stop portion (41).

7. Opening control mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the main body (42) of said weight (40) is hollowed out at the periphery of said fusible stop portion (41) so as not to interfere, regardless of the position of said weight (40), with the rotary stroke of said lever (30), so as to systematically allow the opening of said door as soon as said fusible stop portion (41) has separated from said main body (42) of the weight (40).

8. Opening control mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said anti-return means comprise an elastically deformable metal blade in bending (50), fixed by one of its ends on said support bracket (10) and adapted to deform during said lateral shock to retain said weight (40) in its locking position.

9. Side door of a motor vehicle comprising an opening control mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one side door according to claim 9.

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