REINFORCED DEVICE FOR TEMPORARILY HOLDING AN OPENING ELEMENT IN AN AJAR POSITION

Abstract

A device for temporarily holding an opening element in an ajar position relative to a stationary element of a body of a vehicle, including a body provided with at least one mounting method, and a retaining method including a tab a first end of which is designed to cooperate with a first flange of a housing and a second end of which provides a junction with the body, wherein the tab includes, between the first end and the second end, an intermediate area including at least one section configured to distribute stresses applied to the tab when the device is moved to the ajar position or the fully open position.

Claims

1. A temporary device for holding in an ajar position an opening element relative to a fixed element of a vehicle bodywork, comprising a body provided with at least one mounting means, and a retaining means comprising a tab whose first end is designed to cooperate with a first flange of a housing, the housing being directly integrated on the opening element or the fixed element of the bodywork or be positioned on an interface which will itself be fixed to the bodywork, the tab comprising a second end which provides a junction to the body, wherein the tab comprises, disposed between the first end and the second end, an intermediate zone comprising at least one section figured to distribute the stresses applied to the tab when placing the device in the ajar position or in the opening position, the section being designed to receive and absorb most of the stresses absorbed by the tab.

2. The temporary holding device according to claim 1, wherein the section has a curved shape.

3. The temporary holding device according to claim 2, wherein the section has a concave shape with respect to a plane in which the tab extends.

4. The temporary holding device according to claim 2, wherein the section has a convex shape relative to a plane in which the tab extends.

5. The temporary holding device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the tab is connected to the body so that the second end is oriented along an axis of elongation of an abutment intended to cooperate with a second flange of the housing.

6. The temporary holding device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic deformation element which is connected to the tab and the body.

7. The temporary holding device according to claim 6, wherein the elastic deformation element comprises at least one curved element configured to absorb part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device.

8. The temporary holding device according to claim 7, wherein the curved element is positioned between a first segment and a second segment so as to form a gripper.

9. The temporary holding device according to claim 7, wherein the curved element comprises at least one alternation of a concave element and a convex element with respect to a plane in which the curved element extends.

10. The temporary holding device according to claim 6, wherein the elastic deformation element is connected to the body at a distance from the junction between the second end of the tab and the body.

11. The temporary holding device according to claim 6, wherein the elastic deformation element, the body and the tab delimit an outline of a recessed closed surface.

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

Description

[0076] The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below, which relates to several embodiments according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0077] [FIG. 1] is a kinematic view of a device according to the state of the art when placed in the ajar position;

[0078] [FIG. 2] is a view of the stresses according to the criteria of Von Mises in MPa exerted on the device of the state of the art when placed in the ajar position;

[0079] [FIG. 3] is a kinematic view of the device according to the state of the art when placed in the opening position;

[0080] [FIG. 4] is a view of the stresses according to the criteria of Von Mises in MPa exerted on the device of the state of the art during a setting in opening position;

[0081] [FIG. 5] is a representation in perspective of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0082] [FIG. 6] is a lateral representation of the device according to the first embodiment;

[0083] [FIG. 7] is a representation of the device according to the first embodiment positioned on a fixed element of a vehicle;

[0084] [FIG. 8] is a view of the device according to the first embodiment fixed to the fixed element of the vehicle while an opening element is in an ajar position, an external cover sheet of the opening element not being shown.

[0085] [FIG. 9] is a lateral representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0086] [FIG. 10] is a representation in perspective of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0087] [FIG. 11] is a representation in perspective of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0088] [FIG. 12] is a lateral representation of a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0089] [FIG. 13] is a lateral representation of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0090] [FIG. 14] is a representation in perspective of a seventh embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0091] [FIG. 15] is a representation in perspective of an eighth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0092] [FIG. 16] is a representation in perspective of a ninth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0093] [FIG. 17] is a lateral representation of a tenth embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0094] [FIG. 18] is a kinematic view of the device according to the first embodiment when placed in the ajar position;

[0095] [FIG. 19] is a view of the stresses, according to the criteria of Von Mises, in MPa exerted on the device according to the first embodiment when placed in the ajar position;

[0096] [FIG. 20] is a kinematic view of the device according to the first embodiment when placed in the opening position;

[0097] [FIG. 21] is a view of the stresses, according to the criteria of Von Mises, in MPa exerted on the device according to the first embodiment when placed in the opening position;

[0098] FIGS. 1 to 4 present a device 1′ according to the state of the art and are described in the introductory part.

[0099] In the following, identical elements of different embodiments carry identical numbers.

[0100] FIGS. 5 and 6 represent a device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising a body 14 provided on the one hand with a base 3 and on the other hand with a junction part 5.

[0101] The base 3 of the body 14 has a substantially planar shape and comprises mounting means which are fixing means such as a screw 11 and a centering pin 2.

[0102] The junction part 5 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the base 3 of the body 14 and substantially in the middle thereof. The junction part 5 is extended by an elastic deformation element 13, a retaining means 15 and an abutment 4. The abutment 4 has a substantially rectangular shape and has elastic properties. The abutment 4 extends in the plane of the junction part 5 at a distance from the latter.

[0103] According to a characteristic of the invention, the abutment 4 has any shape favouring the elastic properties thereof.

[0104] The retaining means 15 comprises a tab 6 and an extension 7.

[0105] The extension 7 has a substantially triangular shape, whose first side is in contact with the tab 6, a first vertex of the extension 7 is facing a first end 63 of the tab 6 and a second vertex is facing the abutment 4. The extension 7 forms a ramp 71 from the first end 63 of the tab 6 and joins the tab 6 substantially in the middle thereof by a curved shape having a radius of curvature of at least 2 mm. Thus, a third vertex of extension 7 is substantially in the middle of the tab 6.

[0106] The first end 63 of the tab 6 is designed to cooperate with a first flange 53a of a housing 53. The tab 6 further comprises an intermediate zone 62 and a second end 61 providing a junction of the tab 6 to the body 14 at the level of the junction part 5 so that the second end 61 extends a plane of the junction part 5.

[0107] The intermediate zone 62 comprises a section configured to distribute the stresses applied to the tab 6 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 1. The section has a concave curved shape with respect to a plane in which extends the tab 6.

[0108] The tab 6 is extended substantially in the middle, and at the base of the extension 7, by the elastic deformation element 13. The elastic deformation element 13 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6 by two fillets 81, that is to say by a rounded connection at the meeting of two flat surfaces, having a radius of curvature greater than 2 mm and on the other hand to the body 14 by two fillets 12 having a radius of curvature greater than 2 mm. The elastic deformation element 13 is connected to the body 14 at a distance from the junction between the second end 61 of the tab 6 and the body 14.

[0109] The deformation element 13 comprises a curved element 9 configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 13 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 1.

[0110] The curved element 9 is positioned between a first segment 8 and a second segment 10 so as to form a gripper. The curved element has a radius of curvature of at least 2 mm.

[0111] The tab 6, the elastic deformation element 13, the abutment 4 and the junction part 5 extend in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base 3 of the body 14 extends.

[0112] The tab 6, the elastic deformation element 13, and the junction part 5 delimit a contour of a recessed closed surface.

[0113] FIG. 7 represents the device 1 fixed to a fixed element 51 of a vehicle. For this, the centering pin 2 of the base 3 has been introduced into a threaded hole and the screw 11 makes it possible to hold the device 1 against the fixed element 51.

[0114] By defining that an interior part of the vehicle corresponds to the volume delimited by the bodywork of the vehicle and that an external part corresponds to the environment surrounding the bodywork, the device 1 is positioned so that the abutment 4 faces the external part of the vehicle.

[0115] An opening element 52 of the vehicle comprises the housing 53.

[0116] When the opening element 52 is brought closer to the fixed element 51, the opening element 52, via the first flange 53a of the housing 53, comes into contact with the extension 7, and exerts stresses, lower than the limit of elasticity of the device 1, on the retaining means 15 which is elastically deformed. The retaining means 15 disappears so that the device 1 is introduced into the housing 53, then the retaining means returns elastically to its initial position. Thus, the device 1 is introduced into the housing 53 as shown in FIG. 8. In this position and due to a functional game, the device 1 can be in three situations: [0117] only the abutment 4 is in contact with a second flange 53b of the housing 53; [0118] only the retaining means 15 is in contact with the first flange 53a; [0119] neither the abutment 4 nor the retaining means 15 are in contact with the housing 53.

[0120] FIG. 9 represents a device 21 according to a second embodiment. The device 21 has a body 14, an abutment 4 and a retaining means 15 identical to device 1. Only the elastic deformation element 213 differs from device 1.

[0121] The elastic deformation element 213 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6 by two fillets 81, and on the other hand to the body 14 and more precisely to the base 3 of the body 14. The deformation element 213 comprises a curved element 29 configured to absorb some of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 213 when the device 21 is placed in the ajar position or in the opening position. The curved element 29 is positioned between a first segment 28 and a curved part 210.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a representation in perspective of a third embodiment of a device 31 according to the invention. The device 31 has a body 14, an abutment 4 and a retaining means 15 identical to the device 1. Only the elastic deformation element 313 differs from device 1.

[0123] The elastic deformation element 313 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6 by two fillets 81, and on the other hand to the body 14 in two zones. The first zone is located on the base 3 of the body 14, the second zone is located at the intersection between the base 3 and the junction part 5.

[0124] The deformation element 313 comprises a curved element 39 configured to distribute some of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 313 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 31. The curved element 39 is positioned between a first segment 38 and a curved element 310. An extension 311 connects the curved element 39 to the second zone.

[0125] FIG. 11 represents a device 41 according to a fourth embodiment. The device 41 has a body 414 comprising a base 43 and a junction part 45. The junction part 45 is extended by an abutment 44 and a retaining means 415.

[0126] The abutment 44 has elastic properties. The abutment 44 extends in the plane of the junction part 45 at a distance from the latter.

[0127] According to a characteristic of the invention, the abutment 44 has any shape favouring the elastic properties thereof.

[0128] The retaining means 415 comprises a tab 46, an extension 7 and a support element 416.

[0129] The extension 7 has a substantially triangular shape whose first side is in contact with the tab 46, a first vertex of the extension 7 is facing a first end 63 of the tab 46 and a second vertex is facing the abutment 44. The extension 7 forms a ramp 71 from the first end 63 of the tab 6 and joins the tab 46 substantially in the middle thereof by a curved shape. Thus, a third vertex of the extension 7 is substantially in the middle of the tab 46.

[0130] The first end 63 of the tab 46 is designed to cooperate with a first flange 53a of a housing 53. The tab 46 further comprises an intermediate zone 462 and a second end 461 providing a junction of the tab 46 to the body 414 at the level of the junction part 45 so that the second end 461 extends a plane of the junction part 45.

[0131] The intermediate zone 462 comprises a section configured to distribute the stresses applied to the tab 46 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 41.

[0132] According to a characteristic of the invention, the section of the intermediate zone 462 is made of a different material from that of the tab 46.

[0133] The section has a convex curved shape with respect to a plane in which the tab 46 extends.

[0134] The support element 416 is attached to the junction part 45. It extends perpendicular to the junction part 45 so that the tab 46 comes into contact with the latter when the tab 46 is placed in the opening position. The support element 416 absorbs, by contact, part of the stresses applied to the tab 46 when placed in the opening position.

[0135] The tab 46 is extended substantially in the middle, and at the base of the extension 7, by the elastic deformation element 413. The elastic deformation element 413 is connected on the one hand to the tab 46, and on the other hand to the base 43.

[0136] The deformation element 413 comprises a curved element 49 configured to absorb part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 413 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 41. The curved element 49 comprises an alternation of a concave element and of a convex element with respect to a plane in which the curved element 49 extends. The curved element 49 forms a spring.

[0137] The tab 46, the elastic deformation element 413, the abutment 44 and the junction part 45 extend in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base 43 of the body 414 extends.

[0138] The tab 46, the elastic deformation element 413, the base 43 and the junction part 45 delimit a contour of a recessed closed surface.

[0139] FIG. 12 is a lateral representation of a fifth embodiment of a device 51 according to the invention. The device 51 has an abutment 4 and a retaining means 15 identical to the device 1. Only the body 514, and the elastic deformation element 513 differ from the device 1.

[0140] The body 514 has a base 3 and a junction part 55 which extends perpendicular to the base 3. The junction part 55 comprises a first elongation 551 to which the abutment 4 and the tab 15 are attached, and a second elongation 552 to which the elastic deformation element 513 is attached.

[0141] The elastic deformation element 513 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6, and on the other hand to the second elongation 552.

[0142] The deformation element 513 comprises a curved element 59 configured to distribute some of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 513 when placing the device 51 in the ajar position or in the opening position. The curved element 59 comprises an alternation of a plurality of concave elements and convex elements with respect to a plane in which the curved element 59 extends. The curved element 59 forms a spring.

[0143] The tab 6, the elastic deformation element 513, and the junction part 55 delimit a contour of a recessed closed surface.

[0144] FIG. 13 is a lateral representation of a sixth embodiment of a device 616 according to the invention. The device 616 has a body 614 comprising a base 633 and a junction part 65. The junction part 65 is extended by an abutment 4 and an elastic deformation element 613 to which a retaining means 615 is fixed.

[0145] The retaining means 615 comprises a tab 66, and an extension 7.

[0146] The first end 63 of the tab 66 is designed to cooperate with a first flange 53a of a housing 53. The tab 66 further comprises an intermediate zone 662 and a second end 661 providing a junction of the tab 66 to the body 614 at the level of the junction part 65. The intermediate zone 662 comprises a section having a convex curved shape with respect to the plane in which the tab extends. The section is configured to distribute the stresses applied to the tab 66 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 616.

[0147] The elastic deformation element 613 is connected on the one hand to the tab 66, and on the other hand to the body 614.

[0148] The deformation element 613 comprises a curved element 69 configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 613 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 616. The curved element 69 is positioned at each end of a first segment 68 and a second segment 610 so as to form a gripper at each end of the segments.

[0149] The tab 66, the elastic deformation element 613, the abutment 4 and the junction part 65 extend in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base 633 of the body 614 extends.

[0150] The elastic deformation element 613 and the intermediate zone 662 delimit a contour of a recessed closed surface.

[0151] FIG. 14 is a representation in perspective of a seventh embodiment of a device 71 according to the invention. The device 71 has a body 14, an abutment 4 and a retaining means 15 identical to device 1. Only the elastic deformation element 713 differs from device 1.

[0152] The elastic deformation element 713 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6 by two fillets 81, and on the other hand to the body 14 and more precisely to the base 3 of the body 14 by two fillets 12.

[0153] The deformation element 713 comprises a curved element 79 configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 713 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 71. The curved element 79 is positioned between the tab 6 and a segment 710. The curved element 79 comprises an alternation of a plurality of concave elements and convex elements with respect to a plane in which the curved element 79 extends. The curved element 79 forms a spring.

[0154] FIG. 15 is a perspective representation of an eighth embodiment of a device 810 according to the invention. The device 810 has a body 14, an abutment 4 and a retaining means 15 identical to device 1. Only the elastic deformation element 813 differs from device 1.

[0155] The elastic deformation element 813 is connected on the one hand to the tab 6 by two fillets 81, and on the other hand to the body 14 in two zones. The first zone is located on the base 3 of the body 14, the second zone is located at the intersection between the base 3 and the junction part 5.

[0156] The deformation element 813 comprises a first curved element 89′ and a second curved element 89′ which are configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 813 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 810. The curved elements 89′, 89″ are positioned between a segment 89 and the second zone. The curved elements 89′, 89″ comprise an alternation of a plurality of concave elements and convex elements with respect to a plane in which the curved element 89′, 89″ in question extends. The curved elements 89′, 89″ each form a spring.

[0157] FIG. 16 is a representation in perspective of a ninth embodiment of a device 91 according to the invention. The device 91 differs from device 41 by the deformation element 913.

[0158] The deformation element 913 is formed entirely by a curved element 99 configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 913 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 91 The curved element 99 comprises an alternation of a plurality of concave elements and convex elements with respect to a plane in which the curved element 99 extends. The curved element 99 forms a spring.

[0159] FIG. 17 is a lateral representation of a tenth embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention. The device 100 differs from the device 21 by the deformation element 113.

[0160] The deformation element 113 comprises a curved element 19 configured to distribute part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 113 when placed in the ajar position or in the opening position of the device 100. The curved element 19 is positioned between a first segment 108 and the base 3. The curved element 19 comprises an alternation of a plurality of concave elements and convex elements with respect to a plane in which the curved element extends 19.

[0161] The curved element 19 forms a spring.

[0162] FIG. 18 illustrates three kinematic views of the device 1 according to the invention when a hook EO representing the opening element and subsequently called the opening element EO is approached from a fixed element so as to be placed in an ajar position, that is to say when the opening element moves from an opening position to an ajar position. FIG. 18a shows the opening element EO before contact with the tab 6 of the device 1 which is therefore in an opening position, then FIGS. 18b and 18c illustrate the deformation of the device 1 when the opening element EO is positioned in the ajar position.

[0163] FIG. 20 illustrates four kinematic views of the device 1 when the opening element EO is moved away from the fixed element so as to be placed in an opening position. FIG. 20a shows the opening element EO in the ajar position, then FIGS. 20b, 20c and 20d illustrate the deformation of the device 1 when the opening element EO passes from the ajar position to the opening position.

[0164] FIGS. 19 and 21 represent the stresses (according to the criteria of Von Mises) in MPa exerted on the device 1 during a representative simulation of a placing in the ajar position and during a setting in the opening position, corresponding to a determined displacement, of the tab 6 of the device 1.

[0165] During the elastic deformation associated with placing it in the ajar position, the tab 6 bends at the level of the intermediate zone 62 so as to move away from the abutment 4.

[0166] During this movement, the elastic deformation element 13 deforms so that the first segment 8 approaches the second segment 10, the curved element 9 distributing part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 13.

[0167] For example, for a displacement of the given tab, as represented in FIGS. 19 and 21, the stress level remains below 90 MPa throughout the device 1 whereas it was between 90 and 120 MPa in the device 1′ of the state of the art subject to the same predetermined movement of the tab. More precisely, the maximum stress level is reached in the section of the intermediate zone 62 and at the level of the curved element. The stresses are distributed more homogeneously in the device 1.

[0168] The opening element 52, by abutting against the abutment 4 of the device 1 cannot therefore take a completely closed position and the retaining means prevents it from taking a completely opening position. The opening element 52 is therefore in an ajar position.

[0169] During the elastic deformation associated with placing it in the opening position, the tab 6 bends at the level of the intermediate zone 62 so as to approach the abutment 4. During this movement, the elastic deformation element deforms so that the first segment 8 moves away from the second segment 10, the curved element 9 distributing part of the stresses applied to the elastic deformation element 13. The level of the stresses remains below 90 MPa throughout the device 1 while it was comprised between 90 and 120 MPa in the device 1′ of the state of the art. More precisely, the maximum stress level is reached in the section of the intermediate zone 62 and at the level of the curved element. The stresses are distributed more homogeneously in the device 1.

[0170] The stresses applied to the section and to the elastic deformation element are distributed so that the maximum level of stress applied to the device 1 is reduced and cannot lead to breakage of the device 1.

[0171] A geometry of the device 1 optimizes and homogenizes the distribution of energy in the device 1 so as to minimize the probability of a fatigue crack appearing at the level of the second end 61 of the tab 6 at the junction with the body 14 and at the junction of the elastic deformation element 13 and the body 14.

[0172] A fatigue phenomenon, appearing when the device 1 is repeatedly subjected to a high level of stress, appears later than in a device 1′ of the state of the art, or even does not appear.

[0173] A usage time of the device is thus prolonged.

[0174] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the appended figures. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.