Vehicle door safety device

Abstract

To eliminate safety risks caused by a vehicle user, especially a child, opening a vehicle door from the inside while the vehicle is moving. [Solution] The present invention is a safety device for a safety mechanism of a vehicle door latch, the safety mechanism having a locked position in which the safety mechanism cooperates with a mechanism of the vehicle door latch to prevent the vehicle door from opening, and an unlocked position in which the safety mechanism unlocks the mechanism of the vehicle door latch to allow the vehicle door to be opened, the safety mechanism having a control pin (5) that moves between a first extreme position (PPE) in which the safety mechanism is in the locked position and a second extreme position (DPE) in which the safety mechanism is in the unlocked position, the safety device (1) having a locking mechanism (L) that locks the safety mechanism (L) in the first extreme position (PPE) and a second extreme position (DPE) in which the safety mechanism is in the unlocked position, the safety device (1) having a locking mechanism (L) that locks the safety mechanism (L) in the first extreme position (PPE) and a second extreme position (DPE) that locks the safety mechanism (L) ... and the second extreme position (DPE), and when the force applied to the friction element (16) when the control pin (5) is moved is less than a predetermined value, the friction element (16) functions to prevent the control pin (5) from moving between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE), and when the force applied to the friction element (16) when the control pin (5) is moved is greater than a predetermined value, the friction element (16) functions to allow the control pin (5) to move between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] More particularly, the present invention relates to a safety device for a vehicle door latch. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to integrate safety systems into vehicle door latches, particularly rear vehicle door latches, to prevent the door from opening when a user operates the door handle, particularly the inside door handle. These safety systems are commonly referred to as "child safety."

[0003] In a known manner, a vehicle door safety system comprises a lever adapted to occupy a rest position in which the door can be opened and an activated position in which the safety system prevents the door from being opened. The safety system further comprises a retaining element for maintaining the rest or activated position of the lever. These retaining elements are generally made of plastic material and therefore may deteriorate over time and with temperature changes, so that they are no longer able to perform their function of maintaining the position of the lever. This may pose a safety risk for vehicle users, in particular children, by opening the vehicle door from the inside, for example when the vehicle is moving. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the above mentioned drawbacks. To this end, the present invention relates to a safety device for a safety mechanism of a vehicle door latch, the safety mechanism being adapted to occupy a locked position in which the safety mechanism cooperates with a mechanism of the vehicle door latch to prevent the vehicle door from being opened, and an unlocked position in which the safety mechanism unlocks the mechanism of the vehicle door latch to allow the vehicle door to be opened, the safety mechanism comprising a control pin accessible from outside the inner housing of the vehicle door across an opening formed in a side wall of the vehicle door, the control pin being adapted to move between a first extreme position in which the safety mechanism is in the locked position and a second extreme position in which the safety mechanism is in the unlocked position, The safety device comprises a friction element adapted to be located across, e.g. at the level of or within the opening and adapted to occupy an intermediate position located between a first and a second extreme position, such that when the control pin is moved, if a force applied to the friction element is less than a predetermined value, the friction element functions to prevent movement of the control pin between the first and second extreme positions, and when the control pin is moved, if a force applied to the friction element is greater than a predetermined value, the friction element functions to allow movement of the control pin between the first and second extreme positions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Thus, the safety device can in a simple manner prevent the control pin from switching from one of the first and second extreme positions to the other extreme position if the force applied to the friction element via the control pin is less than a predefined value. Indeed, the friction element can prevent the control pin from changing position if, for example, the force applied to the friction element via the control pin by the user is not sufficient. For example, a force is applied to the friction element by the user on the control pin abutting against the friction element. The friction element thus forms a hard point that prevents movements of the control pin, for example caused by vibrations of the vehicle during movement or by large temperature changes. In other words, the friction element is adapted to resist movements of the control pin between the first and second extreme positions. Thus, the holding of the control pin in one of the first and second extreme positions is improved and the arrangement of the friction element is simple and inexpensive.

[0006] The predetermined value of the force is a determined threshold value such that only a sufficient force, for example applied by a user or by a tool controlled by the user, can switch the control pin from one of the first and second extreme positions to the other. In other words, the predetermined value is greater than the force required for the control pin to switch from one of the first and second extreme positions to the other if there is no friction element, for example no force is applied by the user. Thus, the presence of the friction element prevents the control pin from switching from one of the first and second extreme positions to the other without the intervention of the user, whether direct or indirect.

[0007] It will be appreciated that when the control pin is moved to a first extreme position, the control pin drives the safety mechanism to a locked position, and when the control pin is moved to a second extreme position, the control pin drives the safety mechanism to an unlocked position.

[0008] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the control pin is adapted to protrude outside the vehicle door.

[0009] For example, the vehicle door may include at least one wall having an opening formed therein through which a user can move a control pin, for example, the control pin may pass through the opening such that at least a portion of the control pin is disposed on the exterior side of the vehicle door, and the opening may be adapted to allow the control pin to move between a first extreme position and a second extreme position.

[0010] In some embodiments, the predetermined value is between 3 and 6N.

[0011] Thus, the control pin can be moved from the first extreme position to the second extreme position or vice versa only by user intervention, thus improving retention of the control pin in either the first or second extreme position by the friction element, which is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the friction element comprises at least one elastically deformable portion.

[0013] In this way, the friction element can, for example, deform when the control pin switches from one of the first and second extreme positions to the other, thus improving the retention of the control pin in either the first or second extreme position, and is simple and cheap to arrange.

[0014] In some embodiments, the friction elements are fully elastically deformable.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least one elastically deformable portion of the friction element has a hardness of 50 to 80 Shore A.

[0016] Thus, the friction element improves retention of the control pin in either the first or second extreme positions and is simple and inexpensive to provide.

[0017] Preferably, the hardness of at least one elastically deformable portion of the friction element is 60-70 Shore A.

[0018] For example, the compression set of at least one elastically deformable portion of the friction element is less than 20%.

[0019] Hardness and compression set values ​​are given for a temperature range of -40°C to 80°C. Hardness varies less than 5 Shore A below or above this temperature range. Compression set varies less than 5% below or above this temperature range.

[0020] For example, the friction element comprises a single friction part arranged protrudingly so as to form an obstacle for the control pin. According to one variant, the friction element comprises two friction parts, for example arranged opposite each other in an intermediate position.

[0021] In some embodiments, the safety device comprises an assembly interface of a friction element to a safety mechanism or a vehicle door.

[0022] Thus, it is easier and cheaper to mount the friction element on the safety mechanism or vehicle door.

[0023] For example, the assembly interface of the control pin is elastically deformable.

[0024] The assembly interface can be disposed about an opening formed in at least one wall of the door. The assembly interface can include a mounting portion adapted to mount the assembly interface to an edge of the opening. For example, the mounting portion can include a groove that can interlock with the edge of the opening.

[0025] In some embodiments, the assembly interface and the friction element are integral.

[0026] In this manner, the assembly interface and the friction element can be easily mounted in the opening in at least one wall of the vehicle door, thus improving the maintenance of the control pin in either the first or second extreme positions by the friction element, and the friction element is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

[0027] In some embodiments, the assembly interface comprises at least one reinforcing element capable of maintaining the position of the friction element.

[0028] This improves maintenance of the assembly interface at the edge of the opening, and therefore improves maintenance of the control pin in either the first or second extreme positions by the friction element, which is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

[0029] For example, the reinforcing element is a stiffener. According to one embodiment, the reinforcing element is formed with at least one local thickening, for example forming at least one rib. In this case, the reinforcing element and the assembly interface are integral. According to one variant, the reinforcing element can comprise a metal element, for example a metal spring pin or any other metal element known to the person skilled in the art. According to another variant, the reinforcing element can comprise a plastic element overmolded onto a part of the assembly interface.

[0030] In some embodiments, the assembly interface allows for positioning of the friction element relative to the control pin.

[0031] In this way, the friction element can be easily attached to, or even existing, the safety mechanism or vehicle door, thus improving the maintenance of the control pin in either the first or second extreme positions, and the friction element is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

[0032] The invention also relates to a safety mechanism adapted to be placed on the inside of a vehicle door and adapted to occupy a locked position in which the safety mechanism cooperates with a mechanism of a latch of the vehicle door to prevent the vehicle door from being opened, and an unlocked position in which the safety mechanism unlocks the mechanism of the latch to allow the vehicle door to be opened, the safety mechanism comprising: a control pin adapted to move between a first extreme position, in which the safety mechanism is in a locked position, and a second extreme position, in which the safety mechanism is in an unlocked position; - a safety device according to any of the preceding characteristics.

[0033] These arrangements provide an improved friction element for maintaining the control pin in either of the first and second extreme positions, and are simple and inexpensive to provide.

[0034] In some embodiments, the movement of the control pin between the first and second extreme positions is linear.

[0035] The control pin movement can be straight or curved.

[0036] In some embodiments, the movement of the control pin between the first and second extreme positions is circular.

[0037] The present invention relates to - a latch; - a safety mechanism according to any of the preceding characteristics; - at least one wall defining an inner housing of the vehicle door, the latch and safety mechanism being disposed inside the inner housing.

[0038] Thus, the friction element improves maintaining the control pin in either the first or second extreme positions and is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one wall includes an opening that allows access to the control pin to be moved from the exterior of the vehicle door.

[0040] In some embodiments, the friction element is disposed across the opening. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a wall of a vehicle door on which a safety device is mounted. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the safety device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the safety device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a top view of the assembly interface and friction element. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly interface and a friction element. [Figure 7] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle door 100 comprises an inner wall 10 arranged toward the inside of the vehicle, an outer wall opposite the inner wall 10 arranged toward the outside of the vehicle, a side wall 3 connecting the inner and outer walls, and a fourth wall 20 opposite the side wall 3. In the case of a conventional door as shown in FIG. 1, the fourth wall 20 may comprise a mounting element for mounting the vehicle door to a chassis of the vehicle. Here, this mounting element allows the door to rotate relative to the chassis of the vehicle. For example, the mounting element comprises at least one hinge or any other element allowing the mounting and rotation of the vehicle door 100 to the vehicle known to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] The inner wall 10, the outer wall, the side wall 3 and the fourth wall 20 define a housing in which a latch 2 of a vehicle door 100 is located. The latch 2 is adapted to allow the vehicle door 100 to be opened or closed.

[0044] The vehicle door 100 further comprises at least one handle adapted to cooperate with the latch 2 such that when a user operates the handle, the latch 2 can open the door.

[0045] For example, the vehicle door 100 includes an exterior handle disposed on an outer wall of the vehicle, which is operated by a user from outside the vehicle.

[0046] For example, a vehicle door 100 includes an interior handle 4 disposed on an inner wall 10 of the vehicle door 100. A user operates the interior handle 4 from inside the vehicle.

[0047] The safety device 1 is adapted to cooperate with a mechanism of a latch 2 to prevent the vehicle door 100 from being opened when, for example, a user operates an interior handle 4 .

[0048] The safety device 1 includes a safety mechanism adapted to be disposed inside, or within, a housing of the vehicle door 100. The safety mechanism is adapted to occupy a locked position in which the safety mechanism cooperates with a mechanism of the latch 2 to prevent the vehicle door 100 from being opened, and an unlocked position in which the safety mechanism releases or unlocks the mechanism of the latch 2 to allow the vehicle door 100 to be opened.

[0049] 2 and 3, the safety mechanism includes a control pin 5 that is visible from outside the housing by an opening 7 formed in the side wall 3. The opening 7 allows a user to control the safety mechanism via the control pin 5. For example, the control pin 5 passes through the opening 7 such that at least a portion of the control pin 5 is located outside the housing of the vehicle door 100. Thus, a portion of the control pin 5 in this specification protrudes outside the housing, allowing a user to directly access the control pin 5.

[0050] Thus, the user can directly or indirectly move the control pin 5 by applying a force to it between a first extreme position PPE, in which the safety mechanism is in the locked position, and a second extreme position DPE, in which the safety mechanism is in the unlocked position.

[0051] The movement of the control pin 5 is thus performed between a first extreme position PPE and a second extreme position DPE. In the embodiment shown, the movement of the control pin 5 is linear. Here, the movement of the control pin 5 is in the form of a straight line. In other embodiments, the movement of the control pin 5 may be in the form of a curve.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the opening 7 has an oval shape. In the embodiment shown, for example in figures 5 and 6, the safety device 1 comprises an assembly interface 9 for the control pin 5 arranged around the opening 7. The assembly interface 9 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 7, here oval. The assembly interface 9 comprises an opening 11 through which the control pin 5 can be inserted.

[0053] The assembly interface 9 can be, for example, elastically deformed. This allows the assembly interface 9 to be easily attached to the edge of the opening 7. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 6, the assembly interface 9 has a groove 18A on its outer periphery 18, which is adapted to interlock with the edge of the opening 7. Thus, the user can easily attach the assembly interface 9 to the opening 7 by deforming it. In order to ensure that the assembly interface 9 is held on the edge of the opening 7 after it has been attached to the edge of the opening 7, the assembly interface 9 can be provided with a reinforcing element 22 for reinforcing the assembly interface 9, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, this reinforcing element 22 can be a set of cylindrical reinforcing members. In the embodiment shown, the reinforcing element 22 includes a portion forming a rib, which causes the assembly interface 9 to be locally thickened. The rib and the assembly interface 9 are therefore integrated.

[0054] The safety device 1 further comprises a friction element 16 occupying an intermediate position PI located between the first extreme position PPE and the second extreme position DPE. The friction element 16 is adapted to protrude inwardly from the opening 7, i.e. across the opening 7. The friction element 16 is thus across the movement or trajectory of the control pin 5 so as to provide resistance to the movement of the control pin 5. Herein, the friction element 16 is connected or fixed to the assembly interface 9 and is attached to the side wall 3 of the vehicle door 100 via the assembly interface 9. This facilitates positioning of the friction element 16 relative to the control pin 5.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the friction element 16 comprises a first portion 17 and a second portion 19 projecting inwardly from the opening 11. However, according to other variants, the friction element 16 can consist of a single projecting portion, or of three or more projecting portions.

[0056] The first 17 and second 19 parts of the friction element 16 which project inwardly from the opening 11 are adapted to provide a passage 21 therebetween which is smaller than the control pin 5. For example, in the case of a control pin having a diameter of 5 mm, this passage 21 has a width of 1 mm.

[0057] Friction element 16 is elastically deformable, and when the force applied to control pin 5 is greater than a predetermined value, friction element 16 allows control pin 5 to pass between first portion 17 and second portion 19 as shown in Fig. 4. For example, the predetermined value is 3 to 6 N. In this case, first portion 17 and second portion 19 deform to allow control pin 5 to pass.

[0058] For example, if the force applied to the control pin 5 is less than a predetermined value, the control pin 5 can bear against at least one face of the friction element 16 that is located opposite the position where the control pin 5 is located between the first extreme position PPE and the second extreme position DPE.

[0059] In the figures of the present application, each of the first part 17 and the second part 19 has a triangular shape, the base of which is fixed to the assembly interface 9 and the tip of which is truncated. A passage 21 is arranged between the two truncated tips of the first part 17 and the second part 19. In the example shown, when the control pin 5 is in the first extreme position PPE or in the second extreme position DPE, the control pin 5 can abut on the respective faces of the first part 17 and the second part 19, which are arranged opposite the first extreme position PPE or the second extreme position DPE, respectively. These faces in fact constitute part of the funnel-shaped opening 11. These faces can thus form an abutment on which the control pin 5 rests when the force applied to the control pin is less than a predetermined value.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, the assembly interface 9 and the friction element 16 are integral. However, in other embodiments, the friction element 16 can be secured to the assembly interface 9 by any fastening means known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the friction element 16 can be easily attached to the opening 7 via the assembly interface 9. In this way, the friction element 16 can be attached to an existing vehicle door.

[0061] In embodiments in which the safety device does not include an assembly interface 9, the friction element 16 may be fixed directly to the edge of the opening 7 by any means known to those skilled in the art.

[0062] In another, not shown, embodiment, the control pin 5 can be moved by rotation. In this case, the control pin 5 can be a cylinder adapted to rotate about its axis. As mentioned above, a friction element can also be placed across the opening, for example to provide an obstacle to the protuberance of the control pin 5 and to prevent the movement of the control pin 5 if the force acting on the control pin 5 is less than a predetermined value.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the different illustrated / referred to embodiments can be combined into additional embodiments. The specification and drawings are therefore to be considered in an illustrative sense, and not in a restrictive sense. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Safety equipment 2 Latch 3 side wall 4 Internal Handle 5 Control Pins 7 aperture 9 Assembly Interface 10 Inner wall 11 Opening 16 Friction element 17 Part 1 18 Circumference 18A groove 19 Part 2 20 4th wall Aisle 21 22 Reinforcing elements 100 vehicle doors PPE 1st extreme position DPE 2nd extreme position PI intermediate position

Claims

1. 1. A safety device for a vehicle door latch safety mechanism, comprising: said safety device (1) comprising an opening (11) adapted to receive a control pin (5) of said safety mechanism, said control pin being accessible through an opening (7) formed in a side wall (3) of said vehicle door, said opening (11) of said safety device (1) adapted for said control pin (5) to move between a first extreme position (PPE) in which said safety mechanism is in a locked position and a second extreme position (DPE) in which said safety mechanism is in an unlocked position, The safety device (1) comprises a friction element (16) adapted to be arranged across the opening (11) and adapted to occupy an intermediate position (PI) arranged between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE), such that when the control pin (5) is moved, if a force applied to the friction element (16) is less than a predetermined value, the friction element (16) functions to prevent the movement of the control pin (5) between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE), and when the control pin (5) is moved, if a force applied to the friction element (16) is greater than a predetermined value, the friction element (16) functions to allow the movement of the control pin (5) between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE), A safety device (1) comprising an assembly interface (9) adapted for assembling said safety device across said opening (7) in said vehicle door.

2. 2. The safety device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction element (16) comprises a first part (17) and a second part (19) protruding inwards from the opening (11) of the safety device, each of the first and second parts having a triangular shape, a base of which is fixed to the assembly interface (9) and a tip of which is truncated to form a passage (21) for the control pin (5) between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE).

3. A safety device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said predetermined value is between 3 and 6 Newtons.

4. 4. A safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the friction element (16) comprises at least one elastically deformable portion.

5. A safety device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one elastically deformable portion of said friction element (16) has a hardness of 50 to 80 Shore A.

6. 6. A safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an assembly interface (9) of the friction element (16) on the safety mechanism or on the vehicle door (100).

7. 7. A safety device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the assembly interface (9) and the friction element (16) are integral.

8. 8. A safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the assembly interface (9) comprises at least one reinforcing element (22) configured to strengthen the assembly interface and to ensure that the assembly interface (9) is held securely on the edge of the opening (7) of the vehicle door when the control pin (5) moves between the first and second extreme positions.

9. 9. A safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the assembly interface (9) allows positioning of the friction element (16) relative to the control pin (5).

10. 1. A safety mechanism adapted to be disposed on an interior side of a vehicle door, the safety mechanism adapted to occupy a locked position in which the safety mechanism cooperates with a mechanism of a latch of the vehicle door to prevent the vehicle door from being opened, and an unlocked position in which the safety mechanism unlocks the mechanism of the latch to allow the vehicle door to be opened, a control pin (5) adapted to move between a first extreme position (PPE) in which the safety mechanism is in the locked position and a second extreme position (DPE) in which the safety mechanism is in the unlocked position; - a safety mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a safety device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A safety mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that the movement of the control pin (5) between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE) is linear.

12. A safety mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that the movement of the control pin (5) between the first extreme position (PPE) and the second extreme position (DPE) is cyclic.

13. a latch; - a safety mechanism according to any one of claims 10 to 12, at least one wall defining an inner housing of the vehicle door, said latch and said safety mechanism being located inside said inner housing.

14. 14. Vehicle door according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one wall is provided with an opening (7) through which the control pin (5) to be moved is accessible from the outside of the vehicle door.

15. 15. Vehicle door according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a friction element (16) is arranged across the opening (7).

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