Device for holding an opening element in an ajar position, comprising a protective wall

Abstract

A device for holding an opening element in an ajar position relative to a fixed part of a body of a motor vehicle, the device including a first element having at least one connection member and a second element having at least one retention member having at least one elastically deformable body configured to cooperate with a second area of the at least one connection member so as to prevent the opening element from opening; the holding device comprises at least one protective wall defining a receiving recess in which the at least one elastically deformable body is at least partially housed. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with at least one holding device of the type mentioned above.

Claims

1. A device for holding in the ajar position a door leaf element with respect to a fixed part of a body shell of a motor vehicle; comprising: a first element intended to cooperate with a first support chosen from among the fixed part or the door leaf element, said first element comprising at least one connecting member; a second element intended to cooperate with a second support chosen from among the fixed part or the door leaf element, said second element comprising at least one retaining member comprising at least one elastically deformable body, configured to cooperate with a second zone of the at least one connecting member so as to oppose the displacement of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part in the opening direction of the door leaf element; the holding device comprising at least one protective wall defining a receiving housing in which the at least one elastically deformable body is at least partially housed.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, comprising an abutment surface configured to cooperate with a first zone of the connecting member so as to oppose a displacement of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part in the closing direction of the door leaf element.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein the protective wall forms the abutment surface.

4. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable body is configured to deform by pivoting, said elastically deformable body comprising a free distal end portion configured to cooperate with the connecting member.

5. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is configured to be housed at least partly in the receiving housing.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the protective wall comprises a passage opening configured to allow the introduction of the connecting member inside the receiving housing, or alternatively the removal of the connecting member outside the receiving housing so as to define an introduction axis.

7. The holding device according to claim 6, wherein the protective wall extends at least partly around the introduction axis.

8. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises at least two elastically deformable bodies and wherein the connecting member comprises a distal termination configured to be inserted between said at least two elastically deformable bodies, and further comprises a connecting rod connecting said distal termination to the first element.

9. The holding device according to claim 8, wherein the connecting rod comprises a first end secured to the distal termination and a second end, opposed to the first end and secured to connecting arms configured to allow range of movement of the distal termination with respect to the first support.

10. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a female snap element configured to cooperate with a male snap element provided on the protective wall, so that the protective wall may occupy a separate configuration in which the female snap element and the male snap element are disjointed and a snapped configuration in which the female snap element and the male snap element cooperate with each other.

11. The holding device according to claim 10, wherein the first element and the second element comprise fixing means, intended to allow the fixing of the first element with the first support and of the second element with the second support.

12. The holding device according to claim 11, wherein the fixing means comprise a snap member intended to snap into a first slot included on the first support and/or the second support.

13. The holding device according to claim 11, wherein the fixing means comprise a locking member having a locking portion, the locking member being movable between an unlocked configuration in which the locking portion is able to passed through a second slot provided in the first support or the second support; and a locked configuration in which the locking portion is able to rest on the first support or the second support.

14. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the locking member comprises a sliding surface forming a ramp against which an edge of the second slot is able to slide to allow the passage of the locking portion through said second slot between the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration.

15. A vehicle provided with at least one holding device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Other aspects, advantages and characteristics of the disclosure will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings on which ones:

[0081] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the holding device according to a particular embodiment of the disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the first element of the holding device of FIG. 1 when it cooperates with the fixed part.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the second element of the holding device of FIG. 1.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the holding device having a locking member according to a particular embodiment of the disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the holding device having a locking member according to a particular embodiment of the disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the second element according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second element according to a third embodiment of the disclosure, comprising a protective wall in the separated configuration.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the second element of FIG. 7, when the protective wall is in the snapped configuration.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a second element according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a first element according to the embodiment represented in FIG. 9.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the holding device according to the embodiment represented in FIG. 9.

[0092] FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view along the section A-A of the holding device of FIG. 11.

[0093] FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view along the section B-B of the holding device of FIG. 11.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the second element according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the first element according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] In the figures and in the remainder of the description, the same references represent identical or similar elements. In addition, the different elements are not represented to scale so as to favor the clarity of the figures. Furthermore, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and may be combined with one another.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the disclosure concerns a device 1 for holding in the ajar position a door leaf element with respect to a fixed part of a body shell of a motor vehicle. The holding device 1 is therefore separate from the door leaf element and from the fixed part.

[0098] According to the non-limiting embodiment represented in FIG. 1, the holding device 1 comprises a first element 200 intended to cooperate with a first support C1 comprising the fixed part, and a second element 300 intended to cooperate with a second support C2 comprising the door leaf element. In particular, the first element 200 is intended to be fixed on the first support C1, and the second element 300 is intended to be fixed on the second support C2. For this the first element 200 and the second element 300 comprise fixing means, intended to allow the fixing of the first element 200 with the first support C1 and of the second element 300 with the second support C2. Alternatively, the holding device 1 may be removed from the first support C1, or from the second support C2 by the action of an operator.

[0099] According to one embodiment, at least one element chosen from among the first element 200 and the second element 300 is configured to be fixed on an external surface of the first support C1 or of the second support C2. For example, said element 200, 300 may be fixed to an accessible hole disposed on the external surface of the first support C1 or of the second support C2. By “accessible”, is meant that an operator may fix the first element 200 or the second element 300 directly on the first support C1 or the second support C2, and without requiring manipulation requesting the insertion of said first or second element 200, 300 inside the first support C1 or the second support C2.

[0100] In this way, the installation of the holding device 1 is simplified, and its use is more ergonomic.

[0101] In the rest of the description, embodiments represent the first element 200 fixed on the first support C1, and the second element 300 fixed on the second support C2 through fixing means. These embodiments may simply be adapted by those skilled in the art to use the fixing means to fix either the first element 200, or the second element 300 respectively to the first support C1, or to the second support C2.

[0102] FIG. 2 presents the first element 200 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The means for fixing the first element 200 may comprise two interlocking members 502 intended to interlock with the first support C1. The first element 200 may also comprise a snap member 504 intended to snap into a first slot 506 included on the first support C1.

[0103] According to a variant represented in FIG. 3, the means for fixing the second element 300 comprise a locking member 508 having a locking portion. The locking member 508 may then be moved between an unlocked configuration in which the locking portion is able to be passed through a second slot 510 provided in the second support C2; and a locked configuration in which the locking portion is able to rest on the second support C2. The locking member 508 may in particular have a shape adapted to be inserted into the second slot 510 and to occupy the locked configuration when it is fixed to the second slot 510 by rotation of a quarter turn of the locking member 508.

[0104] Alternatively, and as represented in FIG. 4, the means for fixing the second element 300 comprise a locking member 508 having a locking portion intended to cooperate with a rest element 509. The locking member 508 may then be movable between an unlocked configuration in which the locking portion is able to be passed successively through a second slot 510 provided in the second support C2, and through a third slot 511 provided in the rest element 509; and a locked configuration in which the locking portion is able to rest on the rest element 509. Said rest element 509 being disposed between the locking portion of the locking member 508 and the second support C2 when the locking member 508 is in the locked configuration. The locking member 508 may in particular have a shape adapted to be inserted into the second slot 510 and the third slot 511. The locking member 508 may moreover occupy the locked configuration when it is fixed to the rest element 509 by rotation of a quarter turn of the locking member 508.

[0105] Advantageously, the locking member 508 may comprise a gripping part, for example formed by the second element 300, a first rest surface 513 and a second rest surface 515. The gripping part may in particular have a size allowing an operator to grasp it with a few fingers so as to be able to perform a rotation of a quarter turn. The first rest surface 513 is positioned between the gripping part and the second rest surface 515. Each of the longitudinal ends of the second rest surface 515 may be prolonged by the locking portion so that the locking portion may slide through cooperation by rotation with the rest element 509, to be placed in the locked configuration, in particular when the second rest surface 515 comes to rest on a shoulder 517 of the rest element 509.

[0106] According to a second example, the second slot 510 and the locking member 508 may have an oblong shape, the locked configuration is therefore obtained by rotation of a quarter turn of said oblong part of the locking member 508 which then comes to rest partially on the second support C2. Advantageously, the locking member 508 may comprise a sliding surface forming a ramp against which an edge of the second slot 510 is able to slide to allow the locking portion to pass through said second slot 510 between the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration.

[0107] According to a third example represented in FIG. 5, the locking member 508 is included on the first element 200 and may comprise a blocking part 512 comprising two peaks 514 configured to slide respectively in two guides 516 provided in the first element 200 when the locking member 508 is moved between the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration by rotation.

[0108] The first element 200 may comprise at least one connecting member 220. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the first element 200 may comprise two connecting members 220 spaced apart from each other and symmetrical with respect to a median plane. The connecting member 220 may comprise a first zone 222 having a substantially planar surface and a second zone 224 having a substantially planar surface and offset parallel to the first zone in the closing direction of the door leaf element. The second element 300 may comprise at least one retaining member 320 comprising an abutment surface 322 configured to cooperate with the first zone 222 so as to oppose a displacement of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part in the closing direction of the door leaf element. For example, the first zone 222 may come to rest on the abutment surface 322, in particular when the door leaf element is moved in the direction of its closing. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment for which the abutment surface 322 comprises a portion of a sphere configured to present a substantially point-like zone of cooperation between the first zone 222 of the connecting member 220 and the abutment surface 322.

[0109] Advantageously, the material constituting the connecting member 220 has mechanical strength sufficient to prevent the complete closing of the door leaf element on the fixed part.

[0110] The second element also comprises at least one elastically deformable body 324, configured to cooperate with the second zone 224 of the at least one connecting member 220 so as to oppose the displacement of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part in the opening direction of the door leaf element. In general, the displacement of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part is a pivotal displacement.

[0111] The elastically deformable body 324 may comprise at least one tab configured to deform by pivoting and comprise a free distal end portion configured to cooperate with the connecting member 220.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the second zone 224 comes to rest on the free distal end portion of the elastically deformable body 324, in particular when the door leaf element is offset in the direction of its opening. Advantageously, the elastically deformable body 324 has stiffness sufficient to prevent an offset of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part greater than a threshold value, for example substantially equal to 70 mm, when the elastically deformable body 324 is subjected to a force less than a target force, for example of between 10 N and 200 N. Furthermore, the elastically deformable body 324 may have elasticity sufficient to allow the opening of the door leaf element with respect to the fixed part beyond the threshold value, when the elastically deformable body 324 is subjected to a force greater than or equal to the target force. For this, the stiffness of the elastically deformable body 324 may be configured to make it possible to withstand a stress of between 30 MPa and 120 MPa and in particular between 60 MPa and 90 MPa.

[0113] It is in particular possible that the second element 300 has two retaining members 320 spaced apart from each other and symmetrical with respect to a median plane. The arrangements previously described, and in particular the presence of two connecting members 220 on the first element 200 and/or the presence of two retaining members 320 on the second element 300, make it possible to use a single first element 200 or a single second element 300 that may be adapted both to a left door leaf element and to a right door leaf element of a motor vehicle.

[0114] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the second element 300 comprises a base body 302 from which the retaining member 320 extends. According to this embodiment, the elastically deformable body 324 may comprise a proximal end secured to the base body 302, said elastically deformable body 324 being configured to deform mainly at the proximal end. A groove may also extend from the base body 302, so as to form the abutment surface 322. The abutment surface 322 may then extend transversely with respect to the base body 302 in the plane of extension of the elastically deformable body 324 between the proximal end and the distal end. The elastically deformable body 324 and the abutment surface 322 may be offset in the extension plane so as to leave a space in which the connecting member 220 may be introduced.

[0115] The holding device 1 may further comprise at least one protective wall 400 defining a receiving housing 420 in which the at least one elastically deformable body 324 is at least partially housed. In other words, the receiving housing 420 may form a receiving cavity in which the at least one elastically deformable body 324 is at least partially housed. According to one embodiment, the at least one elastically deformable body 324 is completely contained within the receiving housing.

[0116] As illustrated in the figures, the holding device 1 may comprise a protective wall 400, or a plurality of protective walls 400. The protective wall(s) 400 may in particular define the receiving housing 420 so that it has a limited internal volume.

[0117] In this way, the protective wall 400 may be configured to at least partially protect the elastically deformable body 324, and in particular against splashes of paint.

[0118] According to a non-limiting variant, the retaining member 320 and the protective wall 400 both extend from the base body 302. Advantageously, the connecting member 220 may be configured to be housed at least partly within the receiving housing 420. In other words the connecting member 220 may extend at least partially in the receiving housing 420.

[0119] Advantageously, the protective wall 400 may be provided with a passage opening configured to allow the introduction of the connecting member 220 inside the receiving housing 420, or alternatively the removal of the connecting member 220 outside the receiving housing 420 so as to define an introduction axis. In this case the protective wall 400 may extend at least partly around the introduction axis. In this way, the protective wall 400 spatially encompasses the elastically deformable element 324 in all directions. According to one embodiment, the at least one protective wall 400 and the elastically deformable body 324 have a transverse dimension counted along the introduction axis. According to this embodiment, the transverse dimension of the at least one protective wall 400 is strictly greater than the transverse dimension of the elastically deformable body 324. In the same way, the at least one protective wall 400 and the elastically deformable body 324 may have a longitudinal dimension counted along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the introduction axis. In this case, provision may be made for the longitudinal dimension of the at least one protective wall 400 to be strictly greater than the longitudinal dimension of the elastically deformable body 324. Finally, the at least one protective wall 400 and the elastically deformable body 324 may have a lateral dimension counted along a lateral direction perpendicular to the introduction axis and the longitudinal direction. In this case, the lateral dimension of the at least one protective wall 400 may be strictly greater than the lateral dimension of the elastically deformable body 324.

[0120] According to one embodiment, each of the transverse dimension, the longitudinal dimension and the lateral dimension of the at least one protective wall 400 is strictly greater than the corresponding dimension of the elastically deformable body 324. It may in particular be provided that the at least one protective wall 400 extends around the elastically deformable body 324 and has a lateral dimension, a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension strictly greater than the largest dimension of the elastically deformable body 324.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the protective wall 400 is offset with respect to the elastically deformable body 324 according to a plane perpendicular to the introduction axis. For example, the second element 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises two protective walls 400 opposite with respect to the introduction axis. In particular, said two protective walls 400 may extend from the base body 302.

[0122] According to a non-limiting variant, the first element 200 and the second element 300 may each be made of a single material, for example a thermoplastic material. The first element 200 and the second element 300 may then be obtained by a thermoplastic molding method.

[0123] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment in which the retaining member 320 comprises a female snap element 326 configured to cooperate with a male snap element 328 provided on the protective wall 400, so that the protective wall 400 may occupy a separate configuration, illustrated in FIG. 7, in which the female snap element 326 and the male snap element are disjointed and a snapped configuration, illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the female snap element 326 and the male snap element cooperate with each other.

[0124] According to a non-limiting variant, the second element 300 comprises two protective walls 400, each provided with a top part having a rest surface. Each protective wall 400 may comprise a main part offset transversely with respect to the introduction axis of the connecting member 220, the top part extending substantially perpendicular to the main part so as to partially form the receiving housing 420.

[0125] Alternatively or jointly, each protective wall 400 may comprise a male snap element 328. The base body 302 may then comprise a single female snap element 326, configured to cooperate in the snapped configuration with each male snap element 328 included on each protective wall 400. Thus, in the snapped configuration, the rest surfaces of each protective wall 400 may rest against each other to form the receiving housing 420.

[0126] Advantageously, the holding device 1 may be made by molding in the separate configuration and placed on the vehicle in the snapped configuration to guarantee a better protection of the retaining member 320 by the protective wall 400.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the retaining member 320 may comprise at least two elastically deformable bodies 324, and in particular four elastically deformable bodies 324. The connecting member 220 may then comprise a distal termination 226 configured to be inserted and snapped between said at least two elastically deformable bodies 324 and further comprises a connecting rod 228 connecting said distal termination 226 to the first element 200. The connecting rod 228 may comprise a first end secured to the distal termination 226 and a second end, opposed to the first end and secured to connecting arms 230 configured to allow a range of movement of the distal termination 226 with respect to the first support C1.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the first element 200 comprises the connecting arms 230 connecting the second end of the connecting rod 228 to the first element 200.

[0129] According to the non-limiting variant represented in FIG. 9, the protective wall 400 forms the abutment surface 322 and may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In particular, the protective wall may have a front edge defining the abutment surface 322.

[0130] The holding device 1 previously described makes it possible to hold a motor vehicle door in an ajar position during the manufacture of this vehicle. In particular, but not exclusively, the holding device 1 may be used during a step of treating the body shell with paint or an anti-corrosion coating. The presence of the protective wall 400 advantageously makes it possible to protect the elastically deformable body 324 against splashes of paint which could be ejected unintentionally by said elastically deformable body 324 during another step of the manufacturing method.

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the retaining member 320 may comprise at least two elastically deformable bodies 324 forming a jaw intended to receive the connecting member 220. The retaining member may then comprise a base 327 connecting the jaw formed by the two elastically deformable bodies to the base body 302 of the retaining member 320. The jaw therefore comprises the two elastically deformable bodies 324 which are joined at the base 327, and thus define the abutment surface 322. The two elastically deformable bodies 324 are configured to elastically deform with respect to each other to allow the introduction of the connecting member 220 between them. The elastically deformable bodies 324 each comprise a convex curved section 323 configured to retain the connecting member 220 in a housing 321 formed between the two elastically deformable bodies 324. Advantageously, each elastically deformable body 324 comprises an end fin 325 connected to the convex curved section 323 and moving away from the introduction axis. Thus during the introduction of the connecting member 220, the slope formed by the end fins 325 allows easier introduction of the connecting member 220 into the housing 321 formed by the convex curved sections 323.

[0132] Referring now to FIG. 15, the connecting member 220 comprises a distal termination 226, for example in the general shape of a sphere, and configured to be inserted and snapped between said at least two elastically deformable bodies 324. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the first zone 222 of the connecting member 220 corresponds to a part of the distal termination 226 in the shape of a sphere and is configured to come to rest on the abutment surface 322 disposed between the convex curved sections 323 and the base 327. Furthermore, the second zone 224, disposed on a diametrically opposite part of the sphere-shaped distal termination, cooperates with the elastically deformable bodies 324 at the junction between the convex curved sections 323 and the end fins 325. The connecting member 220 further comprises a connecting rod 228 connecting said distal termination 226 to the first element 200.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the retaining member 320 is placed so that the elastically deformable bodies 324 are directed towards the interior of the vehicle. Thus, when the first support C1 approaches the second support C2, the connecting member 220 comes into contact against the end fins 325, which moving elastically away allowing the passage of the connecting member 220 before closing. The abutment surface 322 blocks the displacement in the closing direction of the door leaf, and the convex curved sections 323 prevent displacement in the opening direction of the door leaf.

[0134] Finally, the housing 321 formed by the convex curved sections 325 has a generally cylindrical shape, making it possible to form a sliding connection perpendicular to the introduction axis. Thus, the connecting member 220 may slide in the jaw, which makes it possible to adapt, along this axis, to strong variations in the position of the door leaf with respect to the fixed part.