Device for closing an opening panel of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for closing an opening panel of a motor vehicle, comprising a support (2) intended to be fastened to the opening panel, and a striker wire (3) associated with the support (2), the striker wire (3) comprising a web (4) and a first and a second lateral arm (5, 6) each extending from the web (4) to the support (2), each lateral arm (5, 6) comprising a vertical member (5a, 6a) and an end portion (5b, 6b) connected to the corresponding vertical member (5a, 6a) by a bend (5c, 6c). The support (2) comprises two inclined sections (7, 8) forming an inverted roof profile, each end portion (5b, 6b) being parallel and fastened over a predetermined length to one of the two sections (7, 8), a separate plane (P1, P2) being defined by each vertical member (5a, 6a) and the corresponding end portion (5b, 6b).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Closing device for a motor vehicle opening

[0002] technical field

[0003] The invention relates to the field of closing devices for the openings of motor vehicles.

[0004] Previous techniques

[0005] According to prior art, closing devices for a motor vehicle opening are parts designed to ensure reliable closure under all vehicle operating conditions. For example, in the case of a motor vehicle hood closing device, the closing device must be sufficiently rigid to withstand sudden hood closure, repeated opening and closing of the hood, and to maintain the hood securely locked while the vehicle is in motion.

[0006] This rigidity comes at the cost of a significant mass of the various components of such a closing device.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] In this context, the invention relates to a closure device with increased rigidity compared to the prior art. Such a device makes it possible, while maintaining constant rigidity, to reduce the mass of the device.

[0009] The invention relates to a locking device for a motor vehicle door, comprising a bracket for attachment to the door, and a latch wire associated with the bracket. The latch wire comprises a core and first and second lateral arms, each extending from the core to the bracket. Each lateral arm includes a stile and an end portion connected to the corresponding stile by an elbow. The bracket comprises two inclined surfaces forming an inverted roof profile, each end portion being parallel and fixed for a predetermined length to one of the two surfaces, a distinct plane being defined by each stile and its corresponding end portion.

[0010] This type of locking mechanism achieves greater rigidity compared to prior art. This configuration transforms the bending moment force of the strike plate wire into a tensile force, mechanically increasing the apparent stiffness along the stiles. Furthermore, the fact that the two end sections are laterally offset from each other increases the apparent stiffness along the web. The result is a locking mechanism with increased rigidity in multiple directions, thus reducing the overall mass of the support.

[0011] Preferably, the angle formed between each upright and the corresponding end part has a predetermined value greater than 90° and can go up to 120°. Such a configuration ensures tensile stress on the end part.

[0012] For example, the angle has the same value for both uprights. This symmetrical configuration promotes an optimal mechanical response by reducing the risk of asymmetrical stresses.

[0013] Advantageously, the end sections of the strike wire extend in opposite directions. This symmetrical configuration promotes optimal mechanical response by reducing the risk of asymmetrical stresses.

[0014] Preferably, the core and the two uprights of the strike wire are substantially coplanar.

[0015] According to one characteristic, each panel is equipped with a pair of parallel ribs that form a recess for the end piece attached to the panel. This configuration facilitates the attachment of the end piece to the panel and promotes correct positioning of the strike plate wire relative to the support and the opening.

[0016] Parallel ribs are cut into the reinforcement to index the strike plate wire relative to the reinforcement and to hold it in place before welding. For example, the end piece is pre-assembled to the panel by being pressed into the housing.

[0017] For example, the end part is welded to the pan.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the strike wire is a metal wire having a circular, ellipsoidal, square or rectangular cross-section.

[0019] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an opening and a closing device for the opening as defined above.

[0020] Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig 1] is a perspective view of a closing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0023] [Fig 2] is a profile view of the device of [Fig 1] along axis II-II of [Fig 1],

[0024] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a locking device 1 for a motor vehicle door according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking device 1 comprises a support 2 for fixing to the door and a strike wire 3 associated with the support 2.

[0026] The strike wire 3 comprises a core 4 and a first lateral branch 5 and a second lateral branch 6 each extending from the core 4 towards the support 2.

[0027] Each lateral branch 5, 6 comprises an upright 5a, 6a and an end part 5b, 6b connected to the corresponding upright 5a, 6a by an elbow 5c, 6c.

[0028] As particularly visible in Figure 2, each upright 5a, 6a forms an angle a with its corresponding end portion 5b, 6b, of predetermined value. Preferably, angle aa has a value greater than 90° and can be as high as 120°. According to the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, angle aa has the same value for both uprights 5a, 6a. Alternatively, it is possible to provide angle a with a different value for each upright 5a, 6a.

[0029] Each upright 5a, 6a defines with the corresponding end part 5b, 6b a distinct plane P1, P2. In other words, upright 5a and end part 5b are not coplanar with upright 6a and end part 6b.

[0030] Preferably, the web 4 and the two uprights 5a, 6a are substantially coplanar. Preferably, the two uprights 5a, 6a are substantially perpendicular to the web 4.

[0031] The support 2 comprises two inclined sections 7, 8 forming an inverted roof profile. Each end part 5b, 6b is parallel and fixed over a predetermined length to one of the two sections 7 or 8. In other words, the end parts 5b, 6b can be fixed to different sections or to the same section.

[0032] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the end portions 5b and 6b extend in opposite directions. In this case, the end portions 5b and 6b are fixed to different faces. Alternatively, it is possible to have the end portions 5b and 6b extend in substantially the same direction. In this case, the end portions 5b and 6b are fixed to the same face 7 or 8.

[0033] Each panel 7, 8 is provided with a pair of ribs 9 parallel to each other and forming a housing 10 for the end part 5b, 6b fixed to the panel 7, 8.

[0034] Advantageously, the end part 5b, 6b could be pre-assembled to the pan 7, 8 by force insertion into the housing 10. The fixing of the strike wire is then carried out by welding the end part 5b, 6b to the pan 7, 8.

[0035] The strike wire 3 is preferably a metal wire having, for example, a circular, ellipsoidal, square or rectangular cross-section.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A locking device (1) for a motor vehicle opening comprising a support (2) for fixing to the opening, and a strike wire (3) associated with the support (2), the strike wire (3) comprising a core (4) and first and second lateral arms (5, 6) each extending from the core (4) to the support (2), each lateral arm (5, 6) comprising a post (5a, 6a) and an end portion (5b, 6b) connected to the corresponding post (5a, 6a) by an elbow (5c, 6c), the locking device (1) being characterized in that the support (2) comprises two inclined faces (7, 8) forming an inverted roof profile, each end portion (5b, 6b) being parallel to and fixed over a predetermined length to one of the two faces (7, 8), a separate plane (P1, P2) being defined by each amount (5a, 6a) and the corresponding end part (5b, 6b).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein an angle (a) formed between each upright (5a, 6a) and the corresponding end part (5b, 6b) has a predetermined value greater than 90° and can go up to 120°.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the angle (a) has an identical value for both uprights (5a, 6a).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end parts (5b, 6b) of the strike wire (3) extend in opposite directions.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the core (4) and the two uprights (5a, 6a) of the strike wire (3) are substantially coplanar.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which each panel (7, 8) is provided with a pair of ribs (9) parallel to each other and forming a housing (10) for the end part (5b, 6b) fixed to the panel (7, 8).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the end part (5b, 6b) is pre-assembled to the pan (7, 8) by force insertion into the housing (10).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end part (5b, 6b) is welded to the pan (7, 8).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the strike wire (3) is a metal wire having a circular, ellipsoidal, square or rectangular cross-section.

10. Motor vehicle comprising an opening and a closing device for the opening according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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