Automotive trunk lid locking / unlocking assembly

Abstract

Locking / unlocking assembly for a vehicle trunk lid. The invention relates to a locking / unlocking assembly for a vehicle trunk lid, comprising a roof panel (7), said panel being movable between a closed position and a fully open position reached when said panel is folded down onto said roof panel, said assembly further comprising a locking / unlocking device (9) for said panel, movable between a closed position capable of locking said panel in its fully open position and an open position unlocking said panel. According to the invention, the roof panel has at least one receiving space (11) for said locking / unlocking device (9) arranged so that said device (9) is flush with an outer wall (13) of said roof panel (7) when said device (9) is in said closed position. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Locking / unlocking assembly for a motor vehicle trunk lid technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a locking / unlocking assembly for a trunk lid of a motor vehicle. Previous technique

[0003] Some motor vehicles include a flap, or trunk lid, adapted to be opened and folded completely down onto the roof of the vehicle, or roof.

[0004] This type of arrangement makes it possible to free up space in the trunk of the vehicle, space which can be used to transport bulky items, in particular items with a height greater than the height of the trunk.

[0005] US patent 4,184,709 A discloses a vehicle having a trunk lid adapted to fold down onto the roof of the vehicle. Once folded down onto the roof of the vehicle, the lid is held in its folded position by means of clips extending outside the roof and each having an upper hook that engages an opening provided on an inside side wall of the tailgate, and a lower hook that engages a lower edge of the front window frame of the vehicle.

[0006] This type of fixing does not allow the desired aesthetic result to be met.

[0007] Also, the fact that the clamps protrude significantly from the roof creates aerodynamic disturbances which lead to overconsumption of energy by the vehicle.

[0008] Moreover, the risk of untimely removal of the hooks relative to their respective openings is not negligible, given that the hooks are directly accessible from outside the vehicle, which is extremely dangerous when the vehicle is in motion.

[0009] There is therefore a need to provide a solution, allowing the tailgate to be fixed in the folded position on the roof, which is more compact and discreet than that proposed by the prior art, which does not disrupt the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle when the tailgate is in its open position and which does not present a danger when the vehicle is in motion. Description of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a locking / unlocking assembly for a trunk lid of motor vehicle, said assembly comprising a roof, said trunk lid being movable between a closed position of said trunk and a fully open position reached when said trunk lid is folded down onto said roof, said assembly further comprising a locking / unlocking device for said trunk lid, movable alternately between a closed position capable of locking said trunk lid in its fully open position and an open position unlocking said trunk lid, said assembly being notable in that said roof has at least one space for receiving said locking / unlocking device arranged so that said locking / unlocking device is flush with an outer wall of said roof when said locking / unlocking device is in said closed position.

[0011] Thus, by providing a locking / unlocking assembly in which the roof panel includes a space for receiving a locking / unlocking device arranged so that said locking / unlocking device is flush with an outer wall of said roof panel when said locking / unlocking device is in said closed position, the aerodynamic disturbances generated by prior art fastening systems are limited, thereby improving the fuel consumption of the vehicle equipped with such an assembly. Furthermore, the desired aesthetic appearance requirements are met.

[0012] According to optional features of the locking / unlocking assembly according to the invention: - said receiving space consists of a cutout made in said pavilion and defining an opening for receiving said locking / unlocking device; - said locking / unlocking device consists of a toggle system; - said knee joint system comprises a control lever, a connecting rod and a locking / unlocking bolt, said control lever being rotationally movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and comprising a fixed axis of rotation relative to said bell, said connecting rod being pivotally mounted at one of its ends on said control lever and pivotally mounted at the other of its ends on said locking / unlocking bolt, so that said locking / unlocking bolt is alternately translationally driven between a locking position reached when said control lever is in its locking position and an unlocking position reached when said control lever is in its unlocking position,said locking / unlocking bolt being capable of cooperating with said trunk lid when said trunk lid is folded down onto said roof and when said locking / unlocking bolt is in its locked position; - said locking / unlocking bolt includes a locking / unlocking finger cooperating with a strike plate of said trunk lid when said locking / unlocking bolt is in its locked position and when said trunk lid is folded down onto said roof and releasing said strike plate when said locking / unlocking bolt is in its unlocked position; - said knee joint system comprises a housing mounted in said receiving space, said housing receiving said control lever, said connecting rod and said locking / unlocking bolt; - said locking / unlocking assembly includes a rotating movable protective piece on said housing between a closed position ensuring aerodynamic continuity between said locking / unlocking bolt and said housing, and an open position creating a space between said locking / unlocking bolt and said housing; - said housing is connected to a drainage system of said motor vehicle comprising at least one drainage pipe leading to the outside of said motor vehicle; - said locking / unlocking assembly includes a locking / unlocking means for said control lever designed to alternately allow or prevent the passage of said control lever between its locked position and its unlocked position; - The said locking / unlocking means for the control lever includes a locking index and a receiving orifice for the locking index, which receives the locking index when the control lever is in its locked position. This significantly reduces the risk of accidental unlocking of the locking / unlocking device. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] partially shows a motor vehicle according to the invention, seen from the side.

[0015] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of zone II of the vehicle's roof, seen in perspective, the trunk lid and the locking / unlocking device are obscured.

[0016] [Fig.3] shows the locking / unlocking device mounted in the space of reception of the pavilion and illustrated in the closed position.

[0017] [Fig.4] is a side view of the locking / unlocking device in position opening.

[0018] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the locking / unlocking device in opening position.

[0019] [Fig.6] shows an example of an embodiment of a locking / unlocking means of the control lever shown in the locked position.

[0020] [Fig.7] shows an example of an embodiment of a locking / unlocking means of the control lever shown in the unlocked position. Description of the implementation methods

[0021] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0022] Reference is made to [Fig.1] partially showing a motor vehicle 1 seen from the side.

[0023] Vehicle 1 includes a locking / unlocking assembly 3 for a flap 5 trunk, or tailgate, of vehicle 1.

[0024] The locking assembly includes a canopy 7 in the upper part of the vehicle, or roof.

[0025] The trunk flap 5 is movable between a trunk closure position, an opening position allowing access to the internal volume of the trunk, and a fully open position reached when the trunk flap 5 is folded down onto the roof 7.

[0026] Positioning the trunk flap 5 in the fully open position allows the loading of bulky objects whose dimensions do not allow them to be loaded into the internal volume of the trunk when the flap 5 is in its open position.

[0027] The locking / unlocking assembly 3 further includes a locking / unlocking device 9 that is movable alternately between a closed position (shown in [Fig.3]) capable of locking the flap 5 in its fully open position when the flap 5 is folded down onto the pavilion 7 and an open position (shown in Figures 4 and 5) unlocking the flap 5.

[0028] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing an enlargement of zone II of pavilion 7 seen in perspective, with the trunk flap 5 and the locking / unlocking device 9 obscured.

[0029] According to the invention, the pavilion 7 includes a receiving space 11 for the locking / unlocking device 9.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, two receiving spaces 11 of two locking / unlocking devices 9 are arranged in the locking / unlocking assembly 1.

[0031] In one embodiment, the receiving space 11 consists of a cut made directly in the pavilion 7 and defining a receiving opening for the locking / unlocking device 9.

[0032] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing the locking / unlocking device 9 mounted in the receiving space 11 and illustrated in the closed position.

[0033] According to the invention, the receiving space 11 of the locking / unlocking device 9 is arranged so that the locking / unlocking device 9 is flush with an outer wall 13 of the pavilion 7 when the locking / unlocking device 9 is in its closed position.

[0034] Thus, in its closed position, the locking / unlocking device 9 is capable of closing the reception space 11 arranged at the level of the pavilion 7 when the flap 5 is not folded down onto the pavilion 7, and is capable of locking the flap 5 in its fully open position when the flap 5 is folded down onto the pavilion 7.

[0035] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the locking / unlocking device 9 consists of a toggle system 15.

[0036] In addition to [Fig.3] to which reference continues, reference is made to figures 4 and 5 showing the locking / unlocking device 9 in the open position, respectively seen from the side and seen in perspective.

[0037] When the locking / unlocking device 9 is achieved by the knee joint system 15, the knee joint system 15 includes a control lever 17, a connecting rod 19 for transmitting the movement, and a locking / unlocking bolt 21.

[0038] The control lever 17, the connecting rod 19 and the locking / unlocking bolt 21 are for example received in a housing 23 mounted in the receiving space 11 arranged in the pavilion 7 and having for example a cup shape.

[0039] The housing 23 can for example be made of a plastic material and can be mounted in the receiving space 11 for example by screwing or clipping.

[0040] The control lever 17 has a fixed axis of rotation 25 relative to the housing 23, and therefore fixed relative to the bell 7, for example substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction of the housing 23.

[0041] The control lever 17 is movable in rotation around the axis of rotation 25 between a locking position shown in [Fig.3] and an unlocking position shown in figures 4 and 5. The actuation of the control lever 17 can, for example, be obtained manually by a user from outside the pavilion 7, as described in the rest of the description.

[0042] The connecting rod 19 is arranged to transmit the rotational movement of the control lever 17 to the locking / unlocking bolt 21.

[0043] The locking bolt 21 is arranged so as to be movable in translation along the housing 23 of the toggle system 15, according to the arrow 27 shown in figures 4 and 5.

[0044] The translational guidance of the locking / unlocking bolt 21 along the arrow 27 shown in figures 4 and 5 can, for example, be achieved by means of an index (not shown) extending transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the housing 23 and engaging a guide groove (not shown) made in the housing 23.

[0045] The connecting rod 19 is pivotally mounted at one of its ends 19a on the control lever 17, around an axis of rotation 28 for example substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the housing 23.

[0046] The connecting rod 19 is also pivotally mounted at the other end of its 19b on the locking / unlocking bolt 21, around a rotation axis 30 for example substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the housing 23.

[0047] The connecting rod 19 is arranged so that the locking / unlocking bolt 21 is driven in translation along the arrow 27 alternately towards the front or towards the rear of the vehicle when the knee joint system is in position in the receiving space 11.

[0048] Thus, the locking bolt 21 is mobile alternately between a locking position reached when the control lever 17 occupies its locking position and an unlocking position (represented in figures 4 and 5) reached when the control lever 17 occupies its unlocking position.

[0049] In its unlocked position, the locking / unlocking bolt 21 occupies a forward position relative to the vehicle compared with a rear position it occupies when it is in its locked position.

[0050] In the locked position, the locking / unlocking bolt 21 is likely to cooperate with the trunk flap 5 when the flap 5 is folded down onto the roof 7, and to lock the trunk flap 5 in its fully open position.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the trunk flap 5 has a strike plate 29, for example a strike plate wire, which can be articulated around an axis 31 between a folded position on the flap 5 and an unfolded position (position shown in [Fig.4]) in which the strike plate 29 is capable of engaging the knee joint system 17.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locking / unlocking bolt 21 has a locking / unlocking finger 33 cooperating with the strike plate 29 of the trunk flap 5 when the locking / unlocking bolt 21 is in its locked position and when the flap 5 is folded down onto the roof 7, and releasing the strike plate 29 of the flap 5 when the locking / unlocking bolt 21 is in its unlocked position.

[0053] According to a particular arrangement of the knee joint system 15, the control lever 17, the connecting rod 19 and the locking / unlocking bolt 21 are adapted to be as close together as possible, taking into account their respective operating clearances, in order to limit water entry into the knee joint system 15.

[0054] In one embodiment, the locking / unlocking assembly 3 includes a protective piece 35 adapted to further limit water entry into the knee joint system 15.

[0055] For this purpose, the protective piece 35 is mounted movably in rotation on the housing 23 between a closed position (represented in [Fig.3]) and an open position (represented in figures 4 and 5).

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the protective piece 35 is mounted to rotate freely around an axis 37, for example substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction of the housing 23.

[0057] In its closed position, the protective piece 35 ensures aerodynamic continuity between the locking / unlocking bolt 21 and the housing 23 when the locking / unlocking device 9 is in its closed position.

[0058] In its open position, the protective piece 35 creates a space between the locking / unlocking bolt 21 and the housing 23.

[0059] The passage of the protective piece 35 from its closed position to its open position is achieved by the action of the strike plate 29 against the protective piece when the trunk flap 5 is folded down against the roof 7 and when the locking / unlocking device 9 is in its open position.

[0060] A torsion spring can be mounted on the rotation axis 37 of the protective part 35 so as to permanently return the protective part 35 to its closed position.

[0061] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control lever 17 lacks a gripping area, in order to give the locking / unlocking device 9 a flush appearance. The movement of the control lever 17 from its locked position to its unlocked position can, for example, be achieved by providing a spring arranged under the control lever 17, for example at its axis of rotation 25, so as to constantly return the control lever 17 to its unlocked position.

[0062] To compensate for the force exerted by the spring located under the control lever 17, the locking / unlocking assembly 3 may include a locking / unlocking means for the control lever 17, movable between a locked position, preventing the control lever 17 from moving between its locked and unlocked positions, and an unlocked position, allowing the control lever 17 to move between its locked and unlocked positions. The locking / unlocking means may be fitted to the control lever 17 independently of the presence of the spring located under the control lever 17.

[0063] Reference is made to figures 6 and 7 showing an example of an embodiment of a locking / unlocking means for the control lever 17 respectively illustrated in its locked position and in its unlocked position.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking / unlocking means for the control lever 17 includes a locking index 39, which can be manipulated from outside the control lever 17 by means of a manipulator 41, and a receiving orifice for the locking index 39 (not shown) which can, for example, be arranged in the housing 23.

[0065] In its locked position, the locking index 39 is received in the additional receiving orifice and the control lever 17 occupies its locked position.

[0066] In its unlocked position, the locking index 39 releases the additional receiving orifice and the control lever 17 is able to occupy its unlocked position.

[0067] The movement of the locking index 39 is carried out along an axis substantially transverse relative to the longitudinal direction of the housing 23.

[0068] Insofar as the locking / unlocking device 9 may include a housing 23 having a bowl shape, water may accumulate in this bowl. In one embodiment, the housing 23 may be connected to a drainage system of the vehicle 1 comprising one or more drainage pipe(s) leading to the outside of the vehicle 1, for example to the front and / or rear of the vehicle, for example at the front and / or rear pillars of the vehicle.

[0069] The operating principle of the invention is as follows.

[0070] When opening the trunk flap 5 into its fully open position is desired, the trunk flap 5 is first opened and the latch 29 is unfolded.

[0071] The locking / unlocking device 9, initially occupying its closed position, is deployed to reach its open position.

[0072] To do this, the locking index 39 is moved from its locking position to its unlocking position, allowing the control lever 17 to move from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0073] The rotation of the control lever 17 around its axis of rotation 25 causes the connecting rod 19 to rotate, causing the locking bolt 21 to move forward in the vehicle, thus freeing up space in the housing 23 of the knee joint system 15.

[0074] The trunk flap 5 can now be folded down onto the roof 7. The action of the latch 29, in the unfolded position, against the protective piece 35, causes the protective piece 35 to move from its closed position to its open position.

[0075] The rotation of the trunk lid 5 continues until it reaches its fully open position. The locking / unlocking device 9 can now move from its unlocked position to its locked position. To do this, the control lever 17 is rotated around its axis of rotation 25 towards the rear of the vehicle, causing the connecting rod 19 to rotate and the locking bolt 21 to move towards the rear of the vehicle, thus locking the strike plate 29 in position and locking the lid 5 in its fully open position.

[0076] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the only embodiments of this locking / unlocking assembly for a motor vehicle trunk lid, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) for locking / unlocking a trunk lid (5) of a motor vehicle (3), said assembly (1) comprising a roof (7), said trunk lid (5) being movable between a closed position of said trunk and a fully open position reached when said trunk lid (5) is folded down onto said roof (7), said assembly (1) further comprising a locking / unlocking device (9) for said trunk lid (5), movable alternately between a closed position capable of locking said trunk lid (5) in its fully open position and an open position unlocking said trunk lid (5),said assembly (1) being characterized in that said pavilion (7) comprises at least one receiving space (11) for said locking / unlocking device (9) arranged so that said locking / unlocking device (9) is flush with an outer wall (13) of said pavilion (7) when said locking / unlocking device (9) is in said closed position.

2. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said receiving space (11) consists of a cutout made in said pavilion (7) and defining a receiving opening for said locking / unlocking device (9).

3. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said locking / unlocking device (9) consists of a toggle system (15).

4. A locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said toggle system (15) comprises a control lever (17), a connecting rod (19), and a locking / unlocking bolt (21), said control lever (17) being rotatable between a locking position and an unlocking position and having a rotation axis (25) fixed relative to said bell (7), said connecting rod (19) being pivotally mounted at one of its ends (19a, 19b) on said control lever (17) and pivotally mounted at its other ends (19a, 19b) on said locking / unlocking bolt (21), such that said locking / unlocking bolt (21) is alternately translationally driven between a locking position reached when said control lever (17) is in its position locking and unlocking position reached when said control lever (17) is in its unlocking position, said locking / unlocking bolt (21) being capable of cooperating with said trunk flap (5) when said trunk flap (5) is folded down onto said roof (7) and when said locking / unlocking bolt (21) is in its locking position.

5. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said locking / unlocking bolt (21) comprises a locking / unlocking finger (33) cooperating with a strike plate (29) of said trunk flap (5) when said locking / unlocking bolt (21) is in its locked position and when said trunk flap (5) is folded down on said roof (7) and releasing said strike plate (29) when said locking / unlocking bolt (21) is in its unlocked position.

6. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said toggle system (15) comprises a housing (23) mounted in said receiving space (11), said housing (23) receiving said control lever (17), said connecting rod (19) and said locking / unlocking bolt (21).

7. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a protective piece (35) rotatably movable on said housing (23) between a closed position ensuring aerodynamic continuity between said locking / unlocking bolt (21) and said housing (23), and an open position creating a space between said locking / unlocking bolt (21) and said housing (23).

8. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said housing (23) is connected to a drainage system of said motor vehicle (3) comprising at least one drainage pipe leading outwards from said motor vehicle (3).

9. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a locking / unlocking means for said control lever (17) designed to alternatively permit or prohibit the passage of said control lever (17) between its locking position and its unlocking position.

10. Locking / unlocking assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said locking / unlocking means of said control lever (17) comprises a locking index (39) and a receiving orifice for said locking index (39) receiving said locking index (39) when said control lever (17) is in its locked position.