EP1144781B1 - Safety system for motor vehicle opening panel - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security system for a opening of a motor vehicle, see for example FR 2 772 818 A.

• un capteur susceptible d'émettre ou de recevoir un signal, notamment électromagnétique ; et
• un module qui porte le capteur et qui est agencé sur la face intérieure du panneau de carrosserie de telle manière que le capteur soit en regard d'une fenêtre aménagée dans le panneau de carrosserie,

du type dans lequel la fenêtre du panneau de carrosserie est obturée par un cache qui est réalisé en un matériau transparent pour le signal, et du type dans lequel le cache comporte une paroi périphérique extérieure annulaire qui est en appui axial contre la face extérieure du panneau de carrosserie, et une jupe tubulaire qui s'étend axialement vers l'intérieur depuis la paroi périphérique extérieure, au travers de la fenêtre du panneau de carrosserie.The invention relates more particularly to a security system for a motor vehicle opening, of the type in which the opening is held in the closed position by a lock which is controlled by means of a handle arranged on the outer face a body panel of the opening, of the type in which the security system includes means for detecting the presence of a hand of a user near the handle which comprise:

• a sensor capable of transmitting or receiving a signal, in particular an electromagnetic signal; and
• a module which carries the sensor and which is arranged on the interior face of the body panel in such a way that the sensor is facing a window fitted in the body panel,

of the type in which the window of the body panel is closed by a cover which is made of a material which is transparent for the signal, and of the type in which the cover has an annular outer peripheral wall which is in axial abutment against the outside face of the panel bodywork, and a tubular skirt which extends axially inwards from the outer peripheral wall, through the window of the bodywork panel.

The object of the invention is more particularly to . propose a design of the cover which facilitates the mounting of the sash system which lowers the cost of carrying out this operation, while guaranteeing reliability of the assembly and the system, in particular by means of a good sealing, to prevent dust or humidity can disturb the functioning of the system.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a security system of the type described above, characterized in that the cover is retained axially in the window of the panel bodywork by means of a deformable inner ring resiliently carried by the tubular skirt, and which allows axial mounting of the cover from outside to inside by elastic fitting.

• la bague comporte, sur sa face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur, au moins une surface formant rampe pour commander sa déformation radiale par coopération avec le bord de la fenêtre, lors du montage du cache dans la fenêtre, et la bague comporte une face transversale orientée vers l'extérieur qui délimite une surface de butée axiale, qui s'étend en regard de la face intérieure du panneau de carrosserie, lorsque le cache est en position montée dans la fenêtre ;
• la jupe tubulaire comporte sur sa face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur, au moins une surface formant rampe pour commander la déformation radiale de la bague par coopération avec le bord de la face transversale orientée vers l'extérieur de la bague, et la jupe tubulaire comporte une face transversale orientée vers l'extérieur qui délimite une surface de butée axiale, qui s'étend en regard de la face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur de la bague, lorsque la bague est en position montée sur la jupe tubulaire ;
• la bague, la jupe tubulaire respectivement, comporte une rampe sur chacune des portions d'extrémité radiale de sa face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur ;
• la bague, la jupe tubulaire respectivement, comporte une surface de butée axiale sur chacune des portions d'extrémité radiale, et/ou sur chacun des côtés, de sa face transversale orientée vers l'extérieur ;
• la bague comporte, sur sa face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur, au moins une languette de retenue qui s'étend axialement vers l'intérieur, et la jupe tubulaire comporte au moins deux ergots de butée qui sont en saillie sur sa face latérale périphérique et qui encadrent la languette de retenue pour indexer angulairement la bague par rapport à la jupe tubulaire ;
• les ergots de butée comportent une surface formant rampe pour commander la déformation radiale de la bague par coopération avec te bord de la face transversale orientée vers l'extérieur de la bague ;
• la bague est réalisée en matière élastomère, naturelle ou synthétique ;
• un joint périphérique d'étanchéité, monté comprimé axialement, exerce sur la face transversale orientée vers l'intérieur de la jupe tubulaire une force d'appui axial orientée vers l'extérieur.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the ring has, on its transverse face facing inwards, at least one ramp-forming surface for controlling its radial deformation by cooperation with the edge of the window, when the cover is mounted in the window, and the ring has a transverse face oriented towards the outside which delimits an axial abutment surface, which extends opposite the inside face of the body panel, when the cover is in the mounted position in the window;
• the tubular skirt has on its transverse face oriented towards the inside, at least one ramp-forming surface for controlling the radial deformation of the ring by cooperation with the edge of the transverse face oriented towards the outside of the ring, and the tubular skirt has a transverse face oriented towards the outside which delimits an axial abutment surface, which extends opposite the transverse face oriented towards the inside of the ring, when the ring is in position mounted on the tubular skirt;
• the ring, the tubular skirt respectively, has a ramp on each of the radial end portions of its transverse face facing inward;
• the ring, the tubular skirt respectively, has an axial abutment surface on each of the radial end portions, and / or on each of the sides, of its transverse face oriented towards the outside;
• the ring comprises, on its transverse face facing inwards, at least one retaining tab which extends axially inwards, and the tubular skirt comprises at least two stop lugs which project from its peripheral side face and which frame the retaining tab to angularly index the ring relative to the tubular skirt;
• the abutment lugs have a ramp surface for controlling the radial deformation of the ring by cooperation with the edge of the transverse face oriented towards the outside of the ring;
• the ring is made of elastomeric, natural or synthetic material;
• a peripheral seal, mounted axially compressed, exerts on the transverse face oriented towards the inside of the tubular skirt an axial bearing force oriented towards the outside.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée des principaux composants d'un système de sécurité pour un ouvrant de véhicule automobile conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective qui représente un cache conforme aux enseignements de l'invention avant le montage de la bague de retenue sur le cache ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective qui représente une bague de retenue conforme aux enseignements de l'invention avant son montage sur le cache ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective qui représente la bague de la figure 3 en position montée sur le cache de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5A est une vue de côté du cache de la figure 4 représenté dans une position intermédiaire en cours de montage dans la fenêtre du panneau de carrosserie de l'ouvrant ;
• la figure 5B est un schéma illustrant en vue de face la bague dans la position intermédiaire de montage de la figure 5A ;
• la figure 6A est une vue de côté du cache de la figure 4 représenté dans sa position montée dans la fenêtre du panneau de carrosserie de l'ouvrant ;
• la figure 6B est un schéma illustrant en vue de face la bague en position montée.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of a security system for a motor vehicle opening according to the teachings of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view which shows a cover according to the teachings of the invention before mounting the retaining ring on the cover;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view which shows a retaining ring according to the teachings of the invention before mounting on the cover;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view which shows the ring of Figure 3 in the mounted position on the cover of Figure 2;
• Figure 5A is a side view of the cover of Figure 4 shown in an intermediate position during mounting in the window of the body panel of the opening;
• Figure 5B is a diagram illustrating a front view of the ring in the intermediate mounting position of Figure 5A;
• Figure 6A is a side view of the cover of Figure 4 shown in its mounted position in the window of the body panel of the opening;
• Figure 6B is a diagram illustrating a front view of the ring in the mounted position.

FIG. 1 illustrates a security system 10 motor vehicle of known general design and comprising a handle of a motor vehicle sash which is intended to be mounted on an exterior panel 12 of opening bodywork.

The handle essentially comprises a support for handle 14, which is fixed on the side of an inner face 16 of the panel 12, and a gripping lever 18 which is arranged on the side of the outer face 20 of the panel 12, and which is articulated on the support 14, around an axis A1 substantially parallel to a general plan of panel 12. The direction of axis A1 will be arbitrarily qualified as vertical while the direction perpendicular to the A1 axis and perpendicular to the general plane of panel 12, will be described as axial direction along the axis A2 mounting elements of the handle on the panel 12.

To allow articulation of the gripping lever 18, the front end 22 of the lever 18, which is substantially present in the form of a transverse orientation bar, has a drawbar 24 intended to be engaged through a front orifice 26 of the body panel 12, in order to be mounted for rotation on the support 14.

The rear end 28 of the gripping lever 16 has a rear leg 30 which extends axially towards the interior through a rear orifice 32 arranged in the panel 12 so as to cooperate with a linkage (not shown).

A user is thus likely to manipulate the gripping lever 18 by gripping a portion substantially central lever 18 and pulling it axially outward from a rest position to an open position. This maneuver causes a rotational movement around of axis A1 of lever 18.

To bring the gripping lever 18 to its position vehicle user must therefore enter their hand between the body panel 12 and a surface of grip 34 of lever 18 in order to be able to pull the latter towards him, outwards with respect to panel 12. To do this, he is provided between the panel 12 and the lever 18 a space 36 which, in a plane perpendicular to the axis A1, is delimited axially by an inward indentation 38 of the panel 12 and by the gripping surface 34 of the lever 18 which are in vis-à-vis each other.

The security system includes a detection 40 which makes it possible to detect the presence of the hand of the user in space 36 before the user has actually gripped the lever 18 by its gripping surface 34, and which is carried by the handle support 14 arranged in the side of the inside of the panel 12.

More particularly the detection device 40 comprises in particular a sensor 42 which is carried by the face transverse outwardly directed from a housing 44 itself fixed on the handle support 14. The sensor 42 is connected to a electronic control module (not shown) which is arranged inside the housing 44.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the sensor 42 transmits and receives an electromagnetic type signal. The signal is issued to perform a trajectory that extends across of space 36 in such a way that when the hand of the user enters inside this space 36, she must intercept the signal path and prevent the sensor 42 to receive the signal. A deduction will then be made information relating to the presence of the hand in this space 36.

The signal emitted by the sensor 42 is for example a light signal in the infrared range. Sensor 42 is arranged opposite a window 46 which is cut out from the recess 38 in the body panel 12. The signal emitted by the sensor 42 is directed outward through the window 46 of panel 12. In the absence of a hand, the signal is reflected on a portion of the gripping surface 34 of the lever 16 which returns the signal towards the sensor 42, again through window 46.

The window 46 of the body panel 12 is intended to be closed by a cover 48 including a wall annular outer device 50 extends substantially parallel to the body panel 12, on the outside of it. Of course, the cover 48 is made in one material that is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

The cover 48 comprises a tubular skirt 52 which extends axially inward from the peripheral wall outer annular 50, through the window 46 of the panel 12.

Here the cover 48 is in section of shape substantially oval. It has two rounded radial ends and substantially straight sides.

According to variants (not shown) of the invention, the cover is of another shape, for example rectangular or circular.

In the following description, with reference to the figures 2 to 4, the cover 48 is shown with its tubular skirt 52 located above its annular outer peripheral wall 50. The radial ends are located substantially on the left and right of the figures.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cache 48. In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the tubular skirt 52 has on its transverse face 54 inwardly oriented, surfaces 56, 58 forming a ramp to each of its radial ends, here respectively at left and right in the figure.

The tubular skirt 52 also has a face transverse 60 oriented towards the outside which delimits Axial stop surfaces 62. These axial stop surfaces 62 are located here under the surfaces 56, 58 which form a ramp.

The tubular skirt 52 also includes stop lugs 64 which protrude on its peripheral lateral face 66. On distinguishes in Figure 2 the two pins 64 which are located side of the tubular skirt 52. Two stop lugs 64 are located symmetrically on the other side but do not appear in figure 2.

The stop lugs 64 also have on their face transverse inwardly oriented surface 68 forming ramp, and on their transverse face facing outwards a stop surface 69.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the ring 70 before assembly and FIG. 4 shows a view in perspective of the ring 70 in position mounted on the skirt tubular 52.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the ring 70 has on its transverse face 72 oriented towards inside two retaining tabs 74 which extend axially inward.

The ring 70 is mounted on the tubular skirt 52 of inside to outside along the mounting axis A2. During this assembly, the internal edge of the transverse face 76 oriented towards the outside of the ring 70 cooperates with the surfaces 56, 58, 68 forming a ramp so that the ring 70 is deformed elastically by moving radially away from the ramps. As soon as the ring 70 extends axially beyond the ramps, it resumes its original shape which produces its nesting elastic on the tubular skirt 52.

When the ring 70 is in position mounted on the skirt tubular 52, its transverse face 72 facing inwards is located opposite the abutment surfaces 62, 69 of the skirt tubular 52, which immobilizes the ring 70 in movement axial.

As seen in Figure 4, each tab of retainer 74 is provided to fit into the space formed between the two stop lugs 64 located on one side of the skirt tubular 52. Thus, the stop lugs 64 oppose the circumferential angular movements of the ring 70 in position mounted on the tubular skirt 52.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the ring 70 has on its transverse face 72 oriented towards inside, surfaces 78, 80 forming a ramp at each of its radial ends, here on the left and on the right in FIG. 3.

The transverse face 76 facing outwards delimits axial abutment surfaces 82, 84 respectively at the radial ends and on the sides of the ring 70.

To understand the mounting of the cover 48 fitted with the ring 70 in window 46, reference is made to FIGS. 5A and 5B which show the cover 48 in an intermediate position during assembly, and in Figures 6A and 6B which show the cache'48 in mounted position.

The cover 48 is mounted in the window 46 from the outside inward along the mounting axis A2. During the mounting operation, by moving the cover 48 axially inwards, the surfaces 78, 80 forming a ramp cooperate with the edge 86 of the window 46 so that the ring 70 deforms radially by compressing at the height of ramps, as can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B. The radial ends of ring 70 are then in radial support against the edge 86 of the window 46, and the cover 48 is in the intermediate position during assembly.

Compression at the ramps also produces a radial spacing of the ring 70 on its sides which appears clearly in Figure 5B.

For the cover 48 to occupy the mounted position, it suffices to continue moving it axially inward from from the intermediate position. The ring 70 then resumes automatically its initial shape which produces the nesting elastic of the cover 48 in the window 46.

When the cover 48 is in the mounted position, the ring 70 is in transverse support on the edge 86 of the window 46 by the radial end portions 88 of its lateral face peripheral 90, and it is in axial support on the inner face 16 of the panel 12 by its axial abutment surfaces 82. The cover 48 is axially supported on the outer face 20 of the panel 12 by its annular peripheral wall 50.

Thanks to its axial abutment surfaces 82, the ring 70 axially retains the cover 48 inside the window 46 of the body panel 12.

Note that the dimensions of the ring 70 and of the window 46 are provided so that the ring 70 fits in the window frame 46 when it is distorted by the mounting operation. In addition, the ring 70 must be long enough axially so that the abutment surfaces 82 axial of its radial ends are vis-à-vis the face interior 16 of the body panel 12, in position climb.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown here, the window 46 is substantially shaped rectangular. But according to variants (not shown) of the invention, the window 46 can be of any other form allowing the ring 70 to fit into its frame and to rest axially on the inner face 16 of the panel 12.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, for facilitate the fitting of the cover 48 in the window 46 at by means of ring 70, the ring 70 is mounted on the skirt tubular 52 with radial clearance to facilitate its deformation elastic and return to its original shape.

Preferably the ring 70 is made of material natural or synthetic elastomer.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a peripheral seal 92 is axially interposed between the cover 48 and the sensor 42. This seal is then in abutment axial oriented outwards on the transverse face 54 oriented towards the outside of the tubular skirt 52, and it presses the axial abutment surfaces 82 against the inner face 16 of the panel 12.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the invention, the ring 70 is carried by the tubular skirt by any other known means, for example by bonding or by crimping.

Claims (9)

1. Security system (10) for a car door, of the type in which the door is held in the closed position by a lock which is controlled by means of a handle arranged on the external face (20) of a bodywork panel (12) of the door, of the type in which the security system (10) comprises means (40) for detecting the presence of the hand of a user close to the handle which comprise:

   a sensor (42) able to transmit or receive a signal, in particular electromagnetic, and

   a module (44) which carries the sensor (42) and which is arranged on the internal face (16) of the bodywork panel (12) so that the sensor (42) is opposite a window (46) provided in the panel (12) of the bodywork,

   of the type in which the window (46) in the bodywork panel (12) is closed off by a cover (48) which is produced in a material transparent to the signal, and of the type in which the cover (48) comprises an annular external peripheral wall (50) which is in axial abutment against the external face (20) of the bodywork panel (12), and a tubular skirt (52) which extends axially towards the inside from the external peripheral wall (50), through the window (46) in the bodywork panel (12),
   characterised in that the cover (48) is held axially in the window (46) in the bodywork panel (12) by means of an elastically deformable internal ring (70) which is carried by the tubular skirt (52), and which allows the axial mounting of the cover (48) from outside to inside by elastic snapping in.
2. Security system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the ring (70) comprises, on its transverse face (72) oriented towards the inside, at least one surface (78, 80) forming a ramp for controlling its radial deformation by cooperation with the edge (86) of the window (46), when the cover (48) is mounted in the window (46), and in that the ring (70) comprises a transverse face (76) oriented towards the outside which delimits an axial stop surface (42), which extends opposite the internal face (16) of the bodywork panel (12) when the cover (48) is in position mounted in the window (46).
3. Security system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular skirt (52) comprises, on its transverse face (54) oriented towards the inside, at least one surface (56, 58) forming a ramp for controlling the radial deformation of the ring (70) by cooperation with the edge of the transverse face (76) oriented towards the outside of the ring (70), and in that the tubular skirt (52) comprises a transverse face (60) oriented towards the outside which delimits an axial stop surface (62), which extends opposite the transverse face (72) oriented towards the inside of the ring (70), when the ring (70) is in position mounted on the tubular skirt (52).
4. Security system (10) according to either one of Claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the ring (70), or respectively the tubular skirt (52), comprises a ramp on each of the radial end portions of its transverse face (72, 54) oriented towards the inside.
5. Security system (10) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the ring (70) or respectively the tubular skirt (52) comprises an axial stop surface on each of the radial end portions, and/or on each of the sides, of its transverse face (76, 60) oriented towards the outside.
6. Security system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring (70) comprises, on its transverse face (72) oriented towards the inside, at least one retaining tongue (74) which extends axially towards the inside, and in that the tubular skirt (52) comprises at least two stop lugs (64) which project on its peripheral lateral face (66) and which frame the retaining tongue (74) in order to locate the ring (70) angularly with respect to the tubular skirt (52).
7. Security system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the stop lugs (64) comprise a surface (68) forming a ramp for controlling the radial deformation of the ring (70) by cooperation with the edge of the transverse face (76) oriented towards the outside of the ring (70).
8. Security system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring (70) is produced from elastomer material, natural or synthetic.
9. Security system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a peripheral seal (92), mounted compressed axially, exerts on the transverse face oriented towards the inside (54) of the tubular skirt (52) an axial abutment force oriented towards the outside.

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