KR102787567B1 - Opening device for open panel and vehicle equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle, particularly an automobile.
An unlocking means (3) for mechanically releasing the connection between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle; a holding means (4) for opening and/or closing operation of the opening panel; a main control means (5) connected to the unlocking means (3) for controlling a change in the connection state between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle; and a backup control means (6) capable of controlling the unlocking means (3) by replacing the main control means (5) in the event of a failure of the main control means (5), wherein the backup control means can control the unlocking means. The present invention also relates to an opening panel including such a device and to a vehicle having at least one of the opening panels.

Description

Opening device for open panel and vehicle equipped therewith

The present invention relates to vehicles, and more particularly to automobiles. Very specifically, the present invention is used in the design of vehicles, and in particular in opening panels.

The present invention relates to an arrangement of a vehicle passenger space, including a system for fixing to a vehicle body and a device for separating a cargo space from a space for passengers.

The new type of door opening device known makes it possible to combine stylish door and practical opening device at the same time. Some vehicles today are equipped with external door handles which, when inactive, do not show any cavity in the area of the handle. This design gives the area of the external door handle a smooth door surface appearance, which gives the vehicle a new meaning that is relatively well-received by the user and guarantees success. In the active state, the handle is moved to a position where it protrudes outward from the outer panel of the door, so that the door can be moved by grabbing it and unlocking it.

These handles are ingenious, but require complex and expensive moving devices to implement, and are therefore used in luxury vehicles. In addition, in the event of an electrical malfunction in the vehicle, the means used to pull the handle outward will not function, making it impossible to enter the vehicle interior without relatively complex and expensive data processing and communication means, which again limits their use to luxury vehicles, especially due to their cost. The known systems have the disadvantage that they are difficult to universally use in global and mass-market automotive designs.

Furthermore, such external handles require more space, especially with regard to the depth of the inner mechanism of the handle, and their integration introduces constraints affecting the door style in the area of the handle, can increase the production costs of the door box, and the greater depth of the stamped component makes the stamping operation more complex. Furthermore, the space requirements still make it impossible to consistently integrate the moving mechanism of the vehicle interior handle for controlling the door opening from the vehicle interior, which requires special developments and, as a result, is expensive, and therefore cannot be used in low-cost vehicles.

Especially with regard to doors, the interior design of a vehicle relies heavily on the means for controlling the opening and pulling of the door, which usually makes it difficult to use common components across a range of vehicles. In the case of the interior of the door, it is also of great benefit to standardize the means for opening and closing the door, which includes in particular the means for controlling the opening as well as the means for pulling the door for closing the door. In order not to affect the interior style of the vehicle, it is necessary to hide these means within the door.

The present invention described herein overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an opening device for an opening panel of a vehicle which is particularly advantageous in terms of both interior and exterior styling while providing a simple and safe design.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an opening device of an opening panel of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising: an unlocking means for mechanically releasing the connection between said opening panel and the body of said vehicle; a gripping means for the opening and/or closing operation of said opening panel; and a main control means connected to said unlocking means for controlling a change in the state of the connection between said opening panel and the body of said vehicle; wherein said opening device comprises an emergency control means capable of controlling said unlocking means (3) in the event of a failure of said main control means by replacing said main control means, said emergency control means comprising movable elements which are movable in said door panel between an initial rest position and a final active position, said movable elements performing a change by mechanical control of the state of the unlocking means from a locked position in which said closed opening panel is fixed in a position on said body of said vehicle towards an unlocked position in which said opening panel is movable relative to said body, said emergency control means comprising a movable element of the type having a barrel, a rotary button or a rotating tilting armature.

According to another feature of the present invention, the device related to the present invention may include the following features, individually or in combination with each other:

- The unlocking means comprises a locking device connected to an electric actuator, the control of the unlocking means causing a change of state of the locking device between a locked position in which the closed opening panel is fixed in a position on the body of the vehicle and an unlocked position in which the opening panel is movable relative to the body.

- The above-mentioned gripping means is a flush handle type formed by the door panel and/or interior trim of the door.

- The handle is a flush handle type formed by the wall of the door panel, and the door panel includes an opening in which at least one of the peripheral edges forms a handle accessible from the interior space of the panel.

- The above gripping means comprises an entry flap into the interior space, the entry flap moving from a closed position of the opening to an open position so as to grip the handle.

- The door panel and/or interior trim of the door includes a recess accessible by the opening.

- The main control means comprises a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a hand and/or a finger at least located in the vicinity of the gripping means, said sensor being electrically connected to said electric actuator of said unlocking means, said movable element being capable of translationally or rotationally moving in particular about a transverse axis relative to the opening panel.

- The movable element is mechanically connected to the locking device (31) by at least one cable or connecting device, and the movable element is,

a door barrel which can be manually operated, in particular by tilting, between an inactive state and an active state to mechanically actuate the unlocking of said locking device, or

An armature which can be manually operated and is connected to a retaining/release means which is fixed in an inactive position and which is positioned so as to protrude fully or partially from the built-in trim of the door so as to facilitate gripping when said retaining/release means is tilted to an active state, or

A type including a rotary button which can be manually operated, wherein the operation of said button causes the locking device to be unlocked.

- The armature comprises a frame, in particular a parallelepiped, articulated flaps and means for rotating the flaps relative to the frame.

- In the resting state, the flaps are positioned within the frame formed by the armature and are substantially flush.

- The armature is positioned in the opening of the door trim and, in the initial position, the frame extends along the peripheral edge of the opening provided in the interior trim of the door so that the armature and flap each extend flush with the interior trim of the door.

- The articulated flap is rotatably mounted on the armature so that the axis of rotation of the flap is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the armature, particularly on the interior trim of the door.

- The holding/release means comprises a push-button stop, a release means generating a pushing force (especially a pushing force of the elastic type).

The present invention relates to an opening panel comprising an opening device having the features described above, wherein the opening panel comprises a gripping means arranged in an outer body panel and/or an interior trim of said door, said gripping means being electrically connected to said locking means via said main control means and mechanically connected to said locking means via said emergency control means.

In particular, the opening panel may be characterized in that the panel of the door or the interior trim of the door comprises a single housing which accommodates the main control means and the emergency control means in an adjacent manner so that the main control means and the emergency control means are respectively positioned flush with the panel of the door or the interior trim of the door.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, particularly a vehicle of the automobile type, comprising at least one open panel having the features described above.

It can maintain the consistency of vehicle styling, reduce the manufacturing cost of the opening panel equipped with the opening device, and provide an opening device that can be easily integrated into a wide range of vehicles.

The various objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, given purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a drawing partially schematically showing an opening device of an opening panel accessible from the outside of a door according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, showing a gripping means and a main control means for enabling a door to be opened from the outside of a vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially schematically showing the door of FIG. 1, showing a user's hand holding the outer opening device in an opening operation situation according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view partially schematically showing a door (1), showing a first embodiment of an opening device of an opening panel accessible from inside a vehicle according to the present invention, in a situation involving an opening operation by a vehicle user.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically partially illustrating a modified example of an opening device that can be accessed from the inside of the door of FIG. 4 according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a door including both an inner opening device and an outer opening device according to the present invention.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, schematically illustrating an emergency control means of an inner door opening device according to the present invention.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are partial perspective views schematically illustrating the door of FIG. 4 in an emergency opening operation situation following sequential steps of releasing and then releasing the emergency control means according to the present invention.

In all descriptions of this specification, forward (front) and rearward (back) are defined as the direction of travel of the vehicle. While moving forward in a straight line, the vehicle moves from rear to front along the X-axis. Meanwhile, the vehicle is considered to be resting on a horizontal substrate having the X-axis and the Y-axis. The terms "lower" and "upper" refer to the vertical Z-axis.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an opening panel (2), more specifically a door panel (21) which is an outer body panel, and schematically illustrates a front left door which may be a rear left door, a front right door, a rear right door, or a tailgate. A rear edge of the door comprises a release means (3), and an opposite edge comprises an articulating hinge (not shown) which allows the door to rotate about a shaft which comprises a Z-axis and is substantially vertical.

According to other structural variations, the opening panel may also be a side sliding door, a trunk door, a side door having a butterfly-shaped opening and being rotatably mounted about the X-axis, or a side door having an opening on the opposite side.

The unlocking means (3) in the inactive state keeps the door closed against the body of the vehicle. In the active state of the unlocking means, a movable element constituting the unlocking means moves, which is evident by a change in the state of connection between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle, enabling an opening movement of the opening panel.

The door of Fig. 1 comprises an opening device (1) having a gripping means (4) for the opening and/or closing operation of the opening panel. This is an outer door control device. The gripping means (4) is formed directly on the door panel (21) and extends over an area shown by a dashed line, which is substantially rectangular and extends below an opening (23) formed in the door panel (21). This area is an outer door handle (41). A main control means (5) is arranged in this area, on the inner side of the door panel (21). This can be a capacitive sensor or a push button, which enables the unlocking means (3) to be electrically actuated, i.e. an electric actuator (32) connected to the locking device (31), the actuating element of the unlocking means (3). The main control means (5) is connected to the electric actuator (32) by an electrical wiring (51), such that a pressure on the sensor causes an electrical control which changes the state of the locking device (31).

The opening (23) is sized so that a hand can pass through it, so as to reach the inner area of the door panel (21) forming the gripping means (4) as well as the main control means (5). Thus, the fact that the sensor of the main control means (5) is arranged in a part of the inner area of the door panel (21) forming the gripping means (4) allows unlocking and then tilting the door towards the open position to be performed virtually simultaneously.

The opening (23) can be closed by a flap (43) mounted on the panel (21) so as to be rotatable between a substantially vertical closed position and an inclined open position, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2.

The movement of the flap (43) is performed by rotating around the rotation axis (431) shown in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The support (430) extends in the area of the opening (23). It comprises not only the articulation means of the flap (43), but also means for fixing it in a substantially vertical closed position (not shown), the fixing means being, for example, a return spring and a stop formed directly by the support (430). The support (430) can form a frame for the flap (43) in the sense that it connects the contour of the flap (43) and the contour of the opening (23). This peripheral support (430) can be made of a plastic material. This ensures that the user is protected from any injuries that may occur by contacting the edge of the opening (23) with his hand. The opening (23) can be produced by cutting out a door panel (21), which can be made of steel, by punching it out.

The sensor of the main control means (5) is placed on the inner surface of the door panel (21).

The open panel (2) comprises a housing accessible through an opening (23), for example a housing defining an interior space (210) in the open panel.

The housing is divided laterally by an inner base wall (211) and by a grip area forming a flush handle (41).

The internal space (210) is divided into two areas, one is an upper area where the flap (43) can rotate, and the other is a lower area where the sensors of the control means (5) are arranged.

The lower section forms a recess (410), the base of which is formed by a transverse wall connected to the inner wall (211).

The support member (430) is formed along the profile of the upper portion of the inner wall (211), and in this case, the support member (430) is substantially curved so that the support member (430) and the inner wall overlap each other. This can be helpful in their assembly.

The opening panel (2) of Fig. 1 comprises an emergency control means (6) which is mechanically connected to the locking device (31) via a linkage or cable (62). This emergency control means (6) is a control means of the type having an movable element, for example a door barrel (61) which is operated by a key for transmitting a mechanical unlocking command to the locking device (31).

The door barrel (61) may be covered with a barrel cover to maintain a stylish (neat) and continuous style of door as seen from the outside.

The door barrel (61) is in an initial rest position or a final active position, and the movable element changes by mechanical control of the state of the unlocking means (3) from a locked position in which the closed opening panel (2) is fixed in position on the body of the vehicle, to an unlocked position in which the opening panel (2) is movable relative to the body.

Fig. 3 shows the opening device (1) in a situation during the opening operation, with the user's hand tilting the flap (43), which is roughly assumed to be in the position shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2. The finger is positioned in the interior space (210) so that the fingertip touches the handle (41) formed by the sensor of the main control means (5) and the door panel (21).

Figures 4 to 10 illustrate an opening device (1) of an opening panel accessible from within a vehicle. This is an inner door control device having substantially the same characteristics as the device described above, except that it is arranged in the area of the interior trim (22) of the door.

The interior trim (22) may include an armrest (24) having a substantially horizontal surface. Additionally, the interior trim may include a speaker (25) as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The open panel (2) of Fig. 4 is a left front door, which may be a left rear door, a right rear door, a right front door, or a tailgate, and which includes an interior trim (22). The rear edge of the door includes a release means (3) as shown in Fig. 5, and the opposite edge includes an articulating hinge (not shown) which allows the door to rotate about a substantially vertical Z-axis.

The unlocking means (3) in the inactive state keeps the door closed against the body of the vehicle. In the active state of the unlocking means, the movable element constituting the unlocking means moves, which is evident from a change in the state of connection between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle, enabling the opening movement of the opening panel.

Figures 4, 6 to 10 illustrate one embodiment of a door opening device. Figure 5 illustrates a structural variation of a door opening device in which the emergency control means (6) is different in design as described below.

The opening device (1) comprises a gripping means (4) for the opening and/or closing operation of the opening panel. The gripping means (4) is formed directly by the built-in trim (22) and extends over an area shown by the dashed lines, which is substantially rectangular and extends below an opening (23) formed in the trim. This area is the inner door handle (42). The main control means (5) is arranged in this area, on the outer face of the built-in trim (22). This can be a capacitive sensor or a push button, which allows the unlocking means (3) to be electrically actuated, i.e. including an electric actuator (32) connected to the locking device (31), when pressure is applied to the main control means (5).

The opening (23) is sized to allow a hand to pass through to ensure that the main control means (5) can be reached as well as the handle (42) can be gripped.

The opening (23) can be closed by a flap (44), which can be rotatably mounted on the built-in trim (22) between a substantially vertical closed position and an inclined open position, as shown in Fig. 4. The movement of the flap (44) is performed by rotating about a rotating shaft (441) which is shown in dashed lines in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 and which extends substantially horizontally.

The built-in trim may not only comprise means for articulating the flap (44), but may also comprise means for fixing it in a substantially vertical closed position (not shown), the fixing means being constituted, for example, by a return spring and a stop.

The sensor of the main control means (5) is arranged on the outer surface of the built-in trim (22), which forms a housing accessible through an opening (23), which defines an internal space (210). This housing is divided laterally by an internal base wall (221) and by a gripping area forming a flush handle (42).

The inner space (210) is divided into two areas, one is an upper area in which the flap (44) can rotate, and the other is a lower area in which the sensor of the main control means (5) is placed. The lower area forms a recess (420), the base of which is formed by a transverse wall connected to the inner wall (221).

In Fig. 5, the open panel (2) comprises an emergency control means (6) which is mechanically connected to the locking device (31) via a connecting means or cable (64). This emergency control means (6) comprises an operative element, for example a button (63) which is pressed or turned, which is actuated to transmit a mechanical unlocking command to the locking device (31).

The button (63) which is pressed or turned is in an initial rest position or a final active position, and the movable element performs a change by mechanical control of the state of the unlocking means (3) from a locked position in which the closed opening panel (2) is fixed in position on the body of the vehicle, towards an unlocked position in which the opening panel (2) can move relative to the body.

In FIGS. 4, 6 to 10, the emergency control means (6) comprises an armature (620), one of the side edges of the armature being rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical shaft (621). The armature (620) is mechanically connected to the locking device (31) via a connecting means or cable, such that a tilting motion of the armature about the shaft causes the door to be unlocked.

The armature (620) can be manually operated from an initial rest position to a final active position, which performs unlocking of the opening panel (2) and allows the opening panel to move relative to the body.

The pane is basically positioned in an inactive position aligned with the interior trim (22) and is flush with the inner face of the trim, in the sense that it extends continuously with the interior trim. In order to be able to grip, the armature (620) is positioned so as to protrude completely or partially out of the interior trim (22) of the door. To this end, the interior trim (22) comprises a retaining/release means (7) which allows the armature to be held in the inactive position or allows the armature (620) to be tilted into the active position, and which allows the armature to be easily gripped in an emergency situation by means of the main control means (5) in the active position.

The retaining/releasing means (7) of the armature comprises a removable stop (71) in the form of a push button (71). The retaining/releasing means (7) of the armature can comprise a releasing means (72) which generates a pushing force, in particular a pushing force of an elastic type. The retaining/releasing means (7) is positioned continuously with respect to the armature (62) in the inactive position in the same plane. The retaining/releasing means (7) extends the armature (620) laterally by means of an edge opposite to an edge of the armature which is rotatably mounted with respect to the built-in trim (22) of the door. Advantageously, when the push button (71) is pressed, as shown in Fig. 9, the armature (620) is pushed. The user simply holds the armature (620) and pulls it towards himself so as to rotate the armature (620) pivoting about the Z-axis. By tilting the armature (620) in this manner, the mechanical connection with the locking device (31) controls the unlocking action, releasing the door and allowing it to be opened.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 6 to 10, the flap (44) is rotatably mounted on an armature (620) formed to surround the flap (44). Accordingly, the flap (44) is rotatably mounted about a shaft (441) accompanying the armature (620). The built-in trim (22) is configured to include an internal space (210) forming a housing, and the armature (620) accompanying the flap (44) is movable. The shafts (441, 621) which move the flap (44) and the armature (62), respectively, are perpendicular to each other. The armature (620) comprises a frame in the form of a hollow parallelepiped, and the flap is of a substantially complementary shape within the play value of the assembly.

In Fig. 6, the opening panel is a door including a plurality of opening devices (1) as described above, one of which can perform an external opening command and the other of which can perform an internal opening command, each of which is electrically performed by a sensor.

The electrical connection (51) can be connected to a common processor.

The mechanical connections (62, 64) can be interconnected to optimize the number of components used.

Preferably, the sensor is located in an interior space (210) forming a housing located behind the door panel (21) or behind the interior trim (22).

An opening (23) formed directly in the door panel (21) or interior trim (22) allows a hand to pass through the door panel (21) or interior trim (22) to access the electrical unlocking control sensor.

Each sensor of the main control means (5) is electrically connected to an actuator (32) of the locking device (31), either directly or indirectly via a processor integrated into the locking device or a vehicle-mounted computer.

The flap (44) is mounted to a larger structure formed by the armature (620). This may also be referred to as an "emergency handle".

Advantageously, the maintenance/release means (7) becomes operational again after use of the emergency armature (620).

Using the above device (1) for internal and external commands allows for a relatively consistent and distinctive style. In addition, the use of common components reduces the manufacturing cost of an open panel equipped with such an opening device (1) by the same amount.

The handle (41, 42) is of the flush handle type formed by the door trim in which the wall or opening (23) of the door panel (21) is formed, at least one peripheral edge of which, preferably the lower edge, defines a handle accessible from the interior space (210) of the interior trim or panel. This edge may be reinforced to prevent local deformation of the interior trim (22) or the door panel (21) forming the handle (41, 42).

The opening panel (2) comprising a door panel (21) or an interior trim (22) with the aforementioned opening device comprises a single housing which accommodates the main control means (5) and the emergency control means (6) in a contiguous manner, in particular these can be arranged in line with the door panel (21) or the interior trim (22) of the door (2), ensuring careful integration.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the space requirement of the opening device (1) is reduced, allowing easy integration into a variety of vehicle ranges.

Claims (10)

As an opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle,
It comprises: an unlocking means (3) for mechanically releasing the connection between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle; a holding means (4) for opening or closing the opening panel; a main control means (5) connected to the unlocking means (3) for controlling a change in the connection state between the opening panel and the body of the vehicle; and an emergency control means (6) capable of controlling the unlocking means (3) by replacing the main control means (5) when a failure of the main control means (5) occurs.
The above emergency control means (6) comprises movable elements (61, 63, 620) which are movable in the door between an initial rest position and a final activated position, the movable elements performing a change by mechanical control of the state of the unlocking means (3) from a locked position in which the closed opening panel (2) is fixed in a position on the body of the vehicle, towards an unlocked position in which the opening panel (2) is movable relative to the body, the emergency control means (6) comprising movable elements of the type having a door barrel (61), a rotary button (63), or a rotary tilting armature (620),
The above-mentioned gripping means (4) is a flush-type handle (41, 42) formed by at least one of the door panel (21) and interior trim (22) of the door.
The door panel comprises an opening (23) at least one of the peripheral edges forming a handle accessible from the interior space (210) of the panel, the handle being a flush-type handle formed by the wall of the door panel (21),
An opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle, wherein the above-mentioned gripping means (4) comprises an entry flap (43, 44) into the interior space (210), and the entry flap (43, 44) moves from a closed position of the opening (23) to an open position so as to grip a handle (41, 42). In the first paragraph,
An opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle, wherein the unlocking means (3) comprises a locking device (31) connected to an electric actuator (32), the control of the unlocking means causing a change of state of the locking device between a locked position in which the closed opening panel (2) is fixed in a position on the body of the vehicle and an unlocked position in which the opening panel is movable relative to the body. delete delete delete In the second paragraph,
An opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle, wherein the main control means (5) comprises a sensor capable of detecting the presence of at least one hand and finger located in the vicinity of the gripping means (4), said sensor being electrically connected to said electric actuator (32) of said unlocking means (3). In the second paragraph,
The above movable element is mechanically connected to the locking device (31) by at least one cable or connecting device,
The above movable elements are,
- a door barrel (61) which can be manually operated by tilting between an inactive and an active state to mechanically actuate the unlocking of the above locking device, or
- a rotary tilting armature (620) which can be manually operated and is connected to a holding/release means (7) which is fixed in an inactive position and which is positioned so as to protrude completely or partially from the built-in trim (22) of the door so as to facilitate gripping when said holding/release means is tilted in an active state, or
- An opening device (1) of an opening panel (2) of a vehicle, the opening device being of the type including a manually operable rotary button (63), the operation of which unlocks the locking device (31). In an open panel (2) including an opening device (1) according to Article 1,
It comprises a gripping means (4) arranged on at least one of the door panel (21) of the door and the interior trim (22) of the door,
An opening panel (2), wherein the above-mentioned phage means (4) is electrically connected to the above-mentioned unlocking means (3) via the above-mentioned main control means (5) and mechanically connected to the above-mentioned unlocking means (3) via the above-mentioned emergency control means (6). In Article 8,
An opening panel (2) wherein the door panel (21) of the door or the interior trim (22) of the door comprises a single housing accommodating the main control means (5) and the emergency control means (6) in an adjacent manner, such that the main control means (5) and the emergency control means (6) are respectively positioned at the same height as the door panel (21) of the door or the interior trim (22) of the door. As a vehicle,
A vehicle comprising at least one open panel (2) according to claim 8 or 9.

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