Coupling device with integrated clearance compensation

Abstract

A device for closing (1) a bay arranged in a structure comprises a support (7) intended to receive a drive device (8) and to be fixed to said structure. The support (7) comprises a plate (10), intended to be fixed to said structure and receive said drive device (8) and a cover (12), receiving a coupling portion (60) of a transmission means (6) towards the bay. The support (7) is capable of assuming at least one free state, wherein the cover (12) and the plate (10) are free in translation in relation to one another; and a locked state, in which the cover (12) and the plate (10) are immobile in relation to one another.

Claims

1. A closure device for closing a bay arranged in a structure, the closure device comprising a fixed part, wherein an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel guided sliding along two guide rails mounted on one face of said fixed part, between a closed position, closing said opening, and at least one open position, at least one of said guide rails guiding in translation a shuttle ensuring the passage of the movable panel from said closed position to said at least one open position, and vice versa, said shuttle being configured to be connected to a drive device offset in relation to said shuttle and connected to said shuttle by means of a cable moving within at least a first sheath portion so as to form a transmission means, one part of said cable being engaged with a gearwheel of said drive device, wherein the closure device comprises a support configured to receive said drive device, the support being configured to be fixed to said structure and comprising two parts: a first part formed as a plate, configured to be fixed to said structure and to receive said drive device, and a second part formed as a cover, secured to said first sheath portion of said transmission means, the cover being mounted on the plate so that the support is capable of taking at least two states: a free state, wherein the cover and the plate are free in translation in relation to one another, said translation between the cover and the plate moving said gearwheel along the cable, inducing a variation of a tension of the cable; a locked state, wherein the cover and the plate are immobile in relation to one another.

2. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the translation between the cover and the plate makes it possible to adjust the position of the cover parallel to a direction defined by said transmission means, in said device.

3. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said plate and said cover are connected by at least one retaining member formed on one of said two parts and movable in an oblong hole arranged in the other of said two parts, allowing said translation in said free state.

4. The closure device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said retaining members is a clip engaging with the oblong hole so as to hold said two parts connected together without preventing said translation in said free state.

5. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said plate receives a gearwheel driving said transmission means and driven by the drive device, the axis of the gearwheel passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to make said translation possible in said free state.

6. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein said plate carries at least two fingers projecting from the plate, each passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to guide the cover in translation in relation to the plate in said free state.

7. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means comprises second sheath portions, the translation of said cover in relation to said plate modifying the distance between said sheath portions.

8. The closure device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said sheath portions has an end mounted on the cover or respectively on the plate, said end of the sheath portion terminating in a flared, trumpet-like portion locked in said cover, respectively said plate, and free in translation in relation to said plate, respectively to said cover, in said free state.

9. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the plate and the cover are connected by a gripping portion arranged to lock the translation of the plate in relation to the cover in the locked state.

10. The closure device according to claim 9, wherein the passage from said free state to said locked state is obtained by applying a pressure to said cover against said plate in a direction orthogonal to the adjustment direction, so that the gripping portion causes said translation of the plate to grip in relation to the cover in the adjustment direction.

11. The closure device according to claim 10, wherein said pressure is applied by screws.

12. The closure device according to claim 9, wherein said gripping portion comprises locking members formed on the cover and on the plate, facing one another in the free state and engaging with one another in said locked state, so as to prevent said translation.

13. The closure device according to claim 12, wherein the locking members comprise at least one pair of set of ridges extending substantially perpendicular to said adjustment direction.

14. The closure device according to claim 13, wherein the locking members comprise at least one set of ridges formed on one of the parts of the support and the other part has a ductile surface, the ridges biting into the ductile surface in said locked state, so as to prevent said translation.

15. The closure device according to claim 12, wherein the locking elements comprise textured surfaces, formed on the plate or the cover, the two textured surfaces engaging in said locked state, so as to prevent said translation.

16. A Motor vehicle comprising at least one closure device for closing a bay arranged in a structure, the closure device comprising a fixed part, wherein an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel guided sliding along two guide rails mounted on one face of said fixed part, between a closed position, closing said opening, and at least one open position, at least one of said guide rails guiding in translation a shuttle ensuring the passage of the movable panel from said closed position to said at least one open position, and vice versa, said shuttle being configured to be connected to a drive device offset in relation to said shuttle and connected to said shuttle by means of cable moving within at least a first sheath portion so as to form a transmission means, one part of said cable being engaged with a gearwheel of said drive device, wherein the closure device comprises a support configured to receive said drive device, the support being configured to be fixed to said structure and comprising two parts: a first part formed as a plate, configured to be fixed to said structure and to receive said drive device, and a second part formed as a cover, secured to said first sheath portion of said transmission means, the cover being mounted on the plate so that the support is capable of taking at least two states: a free state, wherein the cover and the plate are free in translation in relation to one another, said translation between the cover and the plate moving said gearwheel along the cable, inducing a variation of a tension of the cable; a locked state, wherein the cover and the plate are immobile in relation to one another.

17. A Method for assembling a closure device comprising the steps of: receiving a closure device the support of which is in the free state; securing the fixed part of the said closure device to the edges of said bay; securing the plate of the said support to the said structure; adjusting the position of said cover in relation to said support so that said drive means is suitably positioned in relation to said shuttle; and locking said support, by passing from said free position to said locked position.

Description

4. LIST OF THE FIGURES

(1) The proposed technique, as well as the different advantages thereof, will be understood more easily, in light of the following description of two illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, and from the appended drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a general view of one example of a closure device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an example of a support of the closure device of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the mounted closure device in FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from below of the support of FIG. 2, without a plate,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a top view of the support of FIG. 3, without a cover,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a top view of the support of FIG. 3, with a cover,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of one example of gripping portion of the support of FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of an example of a gripping portion of the support in FIG. 6 along the line A-A, the support being in a first configuration,

(10) FIG. 9 shows the detail of FIG. 8, the support being in a second configuration,

(11) FIG. 10 shows the detail of FIG. 8, the support being in a third configuration,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of an example of a support retainer in FIG. 6, seen in a sectional view along the line B-B, and

(13) FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the support of FIG. 5 according to the section C-C,

(14) FIG. 13 shows a simplified flowchart of a method for mounting the closure device of FIG. 1,

(15) FIG. 14 schematically shows the adjustment by the support for a belt drive, and

(16) FIG. 15 schematically shows a variant of FIG. 14.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Subsequently, various embodiments of the proposed technique, treated merely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

5.1. General Principle

(18) Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows one example of a closure device 1 according to the invention. The closure device 1 is intended to close a bay arranged in a structure. The structure is typically the body or door of a vehicle.

(19) The closure device 1 comprises a fixed part 2 wherein an opening is defined. The closure device 1 further comprises at least one movable sliding panel 3 guided along two guide rails 4 mounted on one face of said fixed part 2. The movable panel 3 is movable between a closed position, closing said opening, and at least one open position (partially or totally freeing the opening).

(20) One of the rails 4 (here, the rail located at the bottom) guides in translation a shuttle 5 ensuring the passage of the movable panel 3 from said closed position to said at least one open position, and vice versa.

(21) Said shuttle 5 is intended to be connected to a drive device (not shown in FIG. 1) offset in relation to said shuttle 5 and connected thereto by means of a transmission means 6. The drive device is coupled to the transmission means 6 by means of a support 7, at a coupling portion 60 of the transmission means 6.

(22) Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

(23) In the example described here, the transmission means 6 comprises a cable 62 housed in two rigid sheath portions 64, 66. The cable 62 is notched here, or provided with a serration (not shown in the figures), intended to engage with a gearwheel 16, in a coupling area between guide ends 641, 661 of said sheath portions 64 and 66.

(24) The support 7 is intended to receive the drive device. The support 7 is further intended to be fixed to the structure of the vehicle.

(25) As indicated above, the design of the closure device 1, as well as the assembly thereof on the structure of the vehicle, generates a certain number of clearances which, if not compensated for, may impair the proper operation, if not the integrity, of the parts of the mechanism of said closure device 1. The main sources of such clearance may be the bonding of the rail to the structure, the length of the transmission means 6 and/or the positioning of the support 7 on the structure.

(26) In the embodiment described here, the drive device comprises an electric motor 8. The motor 8 may not be designed and assembled by the manufacturer of the closure device 1, but by a separate parts equipment manufacturer. In practice, this clearance can reach one centimetre, which leads to very substantial overstresses that impair the operation and/or durability of the closure device 1. These overstresses may further make it more difficult to fix the support 7 on the structure, since it is necessary to force it to achieve the assembly.

(27) In order to overcome this problem, the support 7 comprises a first part 10, called a plate, and a second part 12, called a cover. The plate 10 is intended to be fixed to the structure and to receive the drive device. The cover receives a coupling portion 60 of the transmission means 6.

(28) The plate and the cover are assembled (or secured) to one another so that they can assume a free state and a locked state.

(29) The guide ends 641, 661 of the sheath portions 64 and 66 are received respectively by the plate 10 and the cover 12, using holding means 101, 121, capable of guiding the cable, in the coupling area, to engage with the gearwheel 16. The holding means are preferably formed so as to define an open angle, for example between 150 and 175, to ensure a sufficient contact surface with the gearwheel.

(30) In the free state, the plate 10 and the cover 12 are free in translation in relation to on another. This translation makes it possible to move the ends 641, 661 of the sheath portions away from one another or towards one another to ensure optimum positioning of the cable in relation to the gearwheel.

(31) Translation is permitted along an adjustment axis X, preferably parallel to the axis of one of the holding means 101, 121, particularly the axis of the holding means 101 of the plate 10. Intermediate translation axes tangent to the gearwheel in the coupling area are possible.

(32) The translation can take place along the transmission means 6 in one of the directions thereof when it is between the plate and the cover. Thus, the translation makes it possible to modify the position of the plate (and therefore of the gearwheel 16) longitudinally in relation to the cable.

(33) In other words, this adjustment direction may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction defined by said transmission means, at the coupling area. In the example described here, the cable is slightly bent at the coupling portion once received in the cover. The longitudinal direction of the cablethat is to say, the direction of the tangent thereof in a pointvaries slightly, and therefore remains substantially close to the adjustment direction, in the order of a few degrees. The angle of curvature of the cable can be higher without compromising the proper operation of the mechanism, the important thing being that the adjustment direction of the plate/cover translation makes it possible to adjust the position of the motor shaft, received in the plate, in relation to the transmission means housed in the cover, so as to compensate for mounting clearance and reduce internal stresses. Here, the plate 10 and the cover 12 are movable over a certain predetermined range of translation along this adjustment direction.

(34) In the locked state, the plate and the cover are immobile in relation to one another. The manner in which the locking is achieved is described below.

(35) Thus, the cover and the plate are adjustable in translation in relation to one another in the free state, and fixed in relation to one another in the locked state. In fact, any clearance in the adjustment direction can be compensated for by moving the cover and the plate into the free state. Once this clearance has been compensated, an operator responsible for fixing the closure device and the motor 8 to the structure tilts the support into the locked state, by which the motor 8 can transmit forces to the transmission means (here, to the cable 62 in the first sheath portion 64), and therefore to the shuttle 5.

(36) This compensation of the clearance makes it possible to maintain the transmission means at the nominal length thereof and to mount the motor efficiently. This limits the prestresses within the motor/cable coupling mechanism (i.e. stresses when the mechanism is not working).

(37) Since the support can be in the free state (particularly as long as it is not mounted on the structure), the clearance can be compensated for when the closure device 1 is assembled. This simplifies this assembly, since there is no need to force the motor 8 on the support 7 in order to mount it, but simply to adjust the relative position of the cover 12 and of the plate 10, then to lock them in translation.

(38) The motor 8 and the structure sandwich the support 7 such that the support is interposed between the motor 8 and the structure. The motor 8 and the plate 10 sandwich the cover 12. Thus, when the motor 8 is fixed to the support 7, the motor 8 locks the plate 10 and the cover 12 in translation, thus securing the adjustment that these two parts confer by virtue of this clamping of the parts of the support 7.

(39) The support 7 here houses a gearwheel 16 engaged with the cable 62. The gearwheel is disposed between the plate 10 and the cover 12. The gearwheel 16 is intended to receive the output shaft of the motor 8, by which the motor 8 is coupled to the transmission means 6. The shaft of the gearwheel 16 passes through an oblong hole 18 formed in said cover 12 so as to allow the cover 12 to move in translation in the free state.

(40) The support 7 may comprise a spring 160 coaxial with the gearwheel 16. The spring makes it possible to press the gearwheel 16 against the cover 12 so as to hold said gearwheel 16 in position.

(41) The plate 10 and the cover 12 are generally flat in shape, which allows the support 7 to be relatively thin, facilitating the installation thereof in a vehicle.

5.2. Gripping Portion

(42) Reference is now further made to FIGS. 2 to 10.

(43) The support 7 may comprise at least one gripping portion 20. Here, the support 7 comprises three gripping portions 20, disposed on the periphery of the support 7 (two at the corners of the support 7 and one at the middle of one side of the support 7).

(44) Each gripping portion 20 comprises a first gripping part 200 formed on the plate 10 and a second gripping part 202 formed on the cover 12. The first gripping parts 200 are arranged on the plate 10 so that each of these first parts faces one of the second gripping parts 202 when the cover 12 is mounted on the plate 10.

(45) The gripping portions 20 prevent the cover 12 from moving in translation in the adjustment direction X.

(46) In the example described here, each of the gripping portions 20 comprises a pair of sets of ridges (a first set for the first gripping part 200 and a second set for the second gripping part 202). The first set and the second set are complementary in shape. The ridges of the sets of ridges are spaced apart from one another in the adjustment direction X. When the support 7 is in the locked state, the first set and the second set of each gripping portion 20 engage (as can be seen in FIGS. 8 to 10), thus locking the translation of the cover 12 in relation to the plate 10 (and vice versa).

(47) When the cover 12 is pressed against the plate 10, for example using screws, the ridges engage with one another, which makes it possible to switch the cover/plate assembly into the locked state. When the cover 12 and the plate 10 are at a certain distance from one another (at least equal to twice the height of the ridges), the ridges no longer lock the translation of the cover/plate, and the support is in the free state.

(48) These ridges effectively make it possible to resist large forces in the X direction. They further allow fine granularity in the positioning of the cover 12 and of the plate 10 in the X direction, as can be seen in FIGS. 8 to 10 that show the cover 12 and the plate 10 in various positions.

5.3. Retaining Member

(49) Reference is also made to FIG. 11.

(50) The support may include at least one retaining member 30. Here, the support 7 comprises as many retaining members 30 as there are gripping portions 20. Here, the retaining members 30 are identical.

(51) The retaining member 30 retains the plate 10 close to the cover 12. The retaining member 30 further allows the plate 10 to move in translation in relation to the cover 12 in the adjustment direction.

(52) Here, the retaining member 30 is formed by an oblong hole 32 and a clip-forming finger 34 engaged in the oblong hole 32 (when the support is assembled). The oblong hole 32 is elongated in the adjustment direction X. the oblong hole 32 can be formed in the cover 12 and the clip-forming finger 34 can project from the plate 10. As a variant, the oblong hole 32 may belong to the plate 10 and the clip-forming finger 34 may belong to the cover 12.

(53) When the clip-forming finger 34 is engaged in the oblong hole 32, the clip-forming finger 34 is movable in translation in the oblong hole 32 in the direction X (due to the oblong shape in this direction X). The clip-forming portion of the clip-forming finger 34 abuts against the surface of the cover 12 furthest from the plate 10, so as to produce the desired retention.

(54) The combination of several retaining members 30 as described above makes it possible not only to keep the cover 12 close to the plate 10, but also to allow a certain distance between the cover 12 and the plate 10, so that it is possible to cause them to move in translation. This makes it possible particularly to position the cover 12 and the plate 10 without the gripping portion 20 locking this positioning.

(55) As a variant, the retaining member 30 may comprise two sets of projections, each set of projections comprising parallel projections distributed in the X direction, each projection forming a clip. The two sets of projections forming a clip are formed on the plate 10. The cover 12 has two flat and parallel rims, as spaced apart as the two sets of projections. Thus, when the support 7 is assembled, each set of projections engages with one of these edges, said projections then surrounding the two edges of the cover 12 in the manner of claws. This variant also retains the cover 12 in the vicinity of the plate 10, without thereby locking the translation in the X direction.

5.4. Guide Portion

(56) The support 7 may comprise a guide portion 40, typically intended to act as a foolproofing device during the assembly of the support 7. The guide portion 40 is formed of a plurality of pairs each formed of a guide finger 42 and of an oblong hole 44. In the example described here, the fingers 42 project from the plate 10 and the oblong holes 44 are formed in the cover 12. The distribution of the fingers 42 on the plate 10 is similar to the distribution of the oblong holes 44 on the cover 12, so that when the cover 12 is assembled on the plate 10, each guide finger 42 passes through one of the oblong holes 44.

(57) Each of the guide fingers 42 (or only certain ones) may comprise a threading intended to receive a screw serving to fix the motor 8 to the support 7. This makes it possible to gain compactness.

(58) In the example described here, the gripping portions 20 are formed around the guide portions 40. More precisely, the first gripping part 200 and the second gripping part 202 are formed around one of the guide fingers 42 and around the corresponding oblong hole 44 thereof, respectively. Again, this saves space.

5.5. Alternatives to Ridges

(59) In one variant, the gripping portion 20 comprises a set of ridges or teeth formed on the plate 10 (respectively on the cover 12), and a ductile surface formed on the cover 12 (respectively on the plate 10). In the locked state, the ridges or teeth bite into the ductile surface, so as to ensure the locking in translation of the cover and to be able to transmit forces from the motor 8 to the transmission means 6.

(60) In another variant, the gripping portion 20 comprises textured surfaces formed on the plate 10 and the cover 12. The textured surfaces, when the cover 12 and the plate 10, provide sufficient friction to lock the translation of the cover 12 in relation to the plate 10, so as to be able to transmit forces from the motor 8 to the transmission means 6.

5.6. Implementation of the Transmission Means

(61) Reference is made to FIG. 12. In the example described here, the end 641 of the sheath 64 terminates in a flared part 640. The flared end 640 is engaged with a groove 642 formed in the cover. The translation between the sheath 64 and the cover 12 is locked.

(62) The plate 10 comprises a recess 644 facing the groove 642, but longer, so that the end 641 of the sheath, and in particular the flared part 640, can translate in relation to the plate 10 (in particular during adjustment).

(63) The second sheath portion 66 houses the end portion 68 of the cable 62 that does not go towards the shuttle. The second sheath portion 66 so as to improve the translational guidance of the cable 62 under the action of the motor. The second sheath portion 66 here also terminates in a flared portion 661 locked in translation in the plate 10 and movable in translation in relation to the cover 12, in a manner similar to the flared portion of the first sheath portion 64 (but with the role of the plate 10 and the cover 12 reversed).

(64) The second sheath portion 66 thus houses and guides the end portion 68 of the cable 62 at the outlet of the plate. This makes it possible particularly to prevent this end portion 68 from being loose in the support 7.

(65) Since the ends 641 and 661 are locked, or fixed, in relation to the cover, respectively in relation to the plate, and are movable in the corresponding recess of the plate, respectively of the cover, the translational movement of the cover in relation to the plate in the adjustment direction X makes it possible to vary the distance between the two ends 641 and 661.

(66) The second sheath portion 66 may be optional, depending on the embodiments. In the absence of a second sheath portion 66, the end of the cable 62 can be left free, or guided using an alternative means such as a ring.

(67) As seen above, the adjustment direction may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction defined by said transmission means at the coupling portion. The plate (receiving the gearwheel) may in particular be movable in translation in relation to the cover (receiving the cable) along the cable 62. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the gearwheel along the cable, so as to be able to fine-tune the tension of the transmission means, as has been seen previously.

(68) The plate is here arranged so as to bend the cable 62 at the gearwheel 16. The length of contact between the gearwheel 16 and the cable 62 is thereby increased, as are the number of teeth engaged. Transmissible forces are more important. However, this does not prevent the proper operation of the adjustment mechanism, as seen above.

(69) It should be noted that the cable can here be notched (which does not appear in the figures), the notches of the cable engaging with the teeth of the gearwheel 16 to ensure more reliable transmission with greater forces.

(70) A transmission means formed by a cable housed in a sheath has been described. As a variant, two examples of which are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the transmission means may be a belt 106 driven by the motor via a pulley (toothed or not) 116. Since the belt needs to be tensioned between this pulley 116 and another pulley 110 on the side of the movable panel of the flush bay (not shown), compensation of the clearance by the support 107 finds full advantage thereof in this case too. In the schematic example of FIG. 14, the plate and the cover of the support 107 are movable in an adjustment direction Y substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the belt once tensioned, that is to say a straight line 120 passing through the centre of rotation of the two pulleys 110 and 116. Alternatively, shown schematically in FIG. 15, the adjustment direction Y is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 122 of one of the portions 120 (or strand) of the belt 106, preferably the portion 120 that is most tensioned (i.e. in tension). These two cases can be summarised more generally due to the fact that the adjustment direction is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction defined by the transmission means. This longitudinal direction can then correspond to the straight line 120 connecting the two pulleys, to a longitudinal direction of a strand of the belt, or any other length having an influence on the tension state of the belt.

(71) It is possible to envisage a transmission belt system with three or more pulleys, the support making a translational adjustment possible in a direction substantially parallel to one of the strands leaving the pulley at the output of the motor, ideally (but not necessarily) the most tensioned strand. The transmission means may also be a cable of the bicycle brake cable type, not shown.

5.7 Mounting the Support

(72) Reference is made to FIG. 13, which shows a simplified flowchart of a method for mounting the closure device.

(73) This method comprises the following steps of: receiving E10 a closure device the support of which is in the free state; securing E20 the fixed part of the said closure device to the edges of said bay; securing E30 the plate of said support to said structure; adjusting E40 the position of said cover in relation to said plate so that said drive means is suitably placed in relation to said shuttle, corresponding to a position for correct installation of the motor; locking E50 said support 7, by passing from said free position to said locked position.

(74) The motor 8 is fixed to the plate 10 during the locking E50. More precisely, fixing the motor 8 to the plate 10 by screwing causes the support 7 to be locked E50. This ensures, among other things, that the support 7 is adjusted in a manner that generates the least prestress as possible while ensuring a good transmission of the forces, since it is the motor 8 which, during installation, locks the cover 12 in relation to the plate 10.