Vehicle door with sliding window panel.

The field of the invention is that of bays arranged in the doors of vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to closures closing an opening in a door of a motor vehicle and comprising a movable portion for example in a substantially vertical direction, likely to close or release an opening.

The invention applies particularly, but not exclusively to side doors of motor vehicles. It can also apply Rear doors, tailgates, ...

Conventionally, for sealing the opening of a vehicle, whether it is a automobile, van, truck, bus or car railway, it is reported a glass held by a connecting frame. This latter has an inner part and an outer part, which come pinch simultaneously the edges of the pane, with a seal.

The most commonly used technique for opening and closing windows is to make it move vertically in its own plane, making her enter or exit the enclosure or lining of the doors side.

This technique is now widely used and solutions for automate known. The equipment in the automotive electric windows is now widespread.

Meanwhile, another technique has been proposed by the Holder present patent application. This technique is described in the EP 0 778 168 patent documents and EP - 0857844.

Using this technique, we obtain "flush windows" which have on the plan esth ethics, seen from the outside, a smooth, flush the fact that no frame is not required.

In the prior art proposed by the holder of this patent application, the "flush bays" comprise a fixed assembly and a movable part, the fixed assembly being intended to be mounted in the housing defined for this purpose on the vehicle body.

Or, berries arranged in the doors have relatively dimensions limited therefore it is not appropriate to reduce further by relating a fixed assembly according to the prior art.

Another drawback of known flush windows is that they generally require seals extending partially outside, and altering accordingly the flush appearance.

Still, it is desirable to equip some vehicles, especially luxurious vehicles such as minivans, for flush windows, previous flush berries are not adapted to the doors of such vehicles.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, an aim of the invention is to provide a solution for closing an opening provided in a vehicle door by a flush panel provided with a movable part, for example vertically, to ensure ventilation function.

The invention also aims to provide such a door vehicle which is perfectly flush, including without gasket extending outside.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a vehicle door, which sealing is reliable and durable.

The invention also aims to provide such a vehicle door which does not cause adverse side effects and between the mobile panel and associated sealing means.

The invention also aims to provide such a device shutter that advances doors and vehicles with new characteristics, in particular as regards aesthetics and ergonomics.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device shutter which is simple in design and easy to implement.

The invention also aims, according to some embodiments of provide such a vehicle door that allows:<ul><li>Easy and aesthetic integration of the mobile panel;</li><li>A security sealing particularly against possible intrusion attempts;</li><li>...</li></ul>

These objectives, and others that will become clearer by the hereinafter, are achieved according to the invention with a door of a vehicle automobile, comprising a box body and an upper assembly comprising at least one movable glass panel, likely to slide at least partially within said housing between a closed position and least one open position, and two fixed posts extending substantially in parallel on the one hand to the face of said inwardly facing glass pane said vehicle, and secondly to the sliding direction of said glass panel.

According to the invention, such a door comprises two movable uprights mounted between said glass pane and each said fixed amounts respectively, so as to be movable substantially perpendicularly to said panel glazed between:<ul><li>a locking position in which they act on said panel vitreous so maintain it in its closed position; and</li><li>a release position in which they are close said fixed amounts, so as to allow the sliding of said panel window.</li></ul>

Thus, in the release position, the movable uprights are spaced from mobile panel, so as to not be in touch or keep only light support. In the other hand the locking position, the movable uprights provide enough support to keep the glass panel in the position Shutter and seal and / or inviolability.

It is understood that two amounts are sufficient to make these operations, and may be used in certain types of vehicles, eg convertibles.

However, advantageously, it will generally provide such amounts fixed belong to a fixed frame and / or in that said movable uprights belong to a moving frame.

Thus, as discussed later in the embodiment preferential described, only one moving part, and forming part integrating both aforementioned movable uprights, is implemented. It is the same for the fixed frame.

The displacement amounts of said mobile from said amounts fixed is advantageously provided with at least one actuator movable substantially perpendicular to one of said movable uprights.

Many techniques can be used. In one approach Preferably, said actuators comprise first piston, at least one piston being associated each of said mobile uprights.

In this case, each of said first pistons is advantageously mounted crossing on one of said fixed uprights, a first end of said first piston being integral with one of said movable upright and a second end said first piston being movable by actuating means.

Preferably, said actuating means comprise a leading truck moving parallel to a fixed amount, and having a cam provided for engagement with a complementary shape arranged on said second end of said first piston.

Said cam and said complementary shape exhibit inclined planes defining an angle of approximately 45 ° relative to the axis of said first piston. Other inclinations can of course be selected, as required.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, means for reminder are provided to act on said first piston so as to bring said movable uprights in said release position.

Said return means may include at least one spring mounted on the axis of each of said first pistons.

Advantageously, said mobile panel is secured to at least one for each of said second piston fixed amounts, said second piston allowing the passage of said closed position to an open position, shifted within said vehicle, and being movable in translation to ensure the sliding of said mobile panel.

Preferably, the translational movement is provided by one of said leading trolleys. In this case, each of said second piston is advantageously mounted on a driven carriage driven by one of said carriages leading.

Preferably, each of said driven carriages can move relative to said carriage driving, along the axis of movement of said carriage leading over a deflection range.

Said range of variation can thus afford to keep said second pistons in a fixed position relative to the sliding axis, during movement of said movable uprights.

Said fixed position is advantageously défmie by an abutment formed on said fixed amount against which said driven carriage rests.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, biasing means acting on said second piston are provided, so as to bring said panel vitreous in an open position.

Said return means may include at least one spring mounted on the axis of each of said second plungers.

Preferably, said second pistons are mounted so that, when said glass pane is in an open position, it is not contact with said moving amounts. For this, we can provide in particular that each of said second piston are a stop cooperating with one of said fixed amounts for limiting their race.

Advantageously, biasing means are mounted between each said driven carriages and each of said respective leading trolleys, so as to slow shift said movable uprights.

According to an advantageous embodiment, there is provided at least two first pistons for each of said movable uprights, which can be divided for example in upper and lower portions (for a sliding window vertically, provided that the slide can be done in all directions, and in particular horizontally, as needed).

Advantageously, said first pistons associated with the same amount mobile are secured to rigid link means, comprising example at least one rod.

The sliding of said mobile panel is advantageously provided by via the at least one cable drive. Of course, other systems drive are possible.

Advantageously, said actuating cable acts on at least one shoe guided in a rail secured to a said fixed amounts.

According to a first embodiment, said pad may be secured to a flexible pallet itself integral with said mobile panel. this allows especially to compensate the games, especially when the mobile panel is moves not in a plane.

According to a second embodiment, said pad is secured to one of said leading trolleys.

The sliding of said mobile panel is advantageously motorized. he can also be manual.

Advantageously, said movable panel door, on the banks of the side facing the interior of said vehicle, a seal.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, said box carries a wiper seal for wiping said movable panel during its sliding.

Preferably, said movable uprights each carry a seal from sealing is pressed against the said movable panel, when the latter is in the closed position.

According to other embodiments of the invention, said actuators and / or trolleys and / or springs include mechanical, hydraulic and / or pneumatic.

In yet another embodiment, said movable uprights may include (or be replaced by) at least one inflatable element and deflatable permitting movement of said movable panel. In the case where implements a movable frame, it can thus be formed by a set inflatable.

Said one or more inflatable and deflatable elements are advantageously designed to seal.

According to different applications, the door of the invention may belong to the group comprising:<ul><li>swinging doors;</li><li>sliding doors;</li><li>the tailgate doors;</li><li>cabin doors.</li></ul>

Advantageously, said box body and said upper set are secured by riveting, clipping, clunchage, screwing and / or welding.

The invention also relates to an upper assembly of door motor vehicle, intended to be assembled to a body box for forming a vehicle door as described above, and a vehicle automobile comprising at least one such vehicle door.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment Preferential of the invention given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the attached drawings among which:<ul><li>Figure 1 is a simplified schematic view and in section, of a door vehicle of the invention, the mobile panel being closed;</li><li>2 shows a section of the view of Figure 1; </li><li>Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, the movable panel being open;</li><li>4 shows a section of the view of Figure 3;</li><li>5A, 5B and 5C show, in section, a schematic view of main means of the invention, implemented on the door of Figures 1 and 3:<ul><li>Figure 5A: mobile panel in the closed position;</li><li>Figure 5B: mobile panel being opened;</li><li>Figure 5C: movable panel in sliding position;</li></ul></li><li>6 illustrates a securing method of the movable panel in its drive means via a flexible pallet;</li><li>7A and 7B show the section AA of Figure 6, respectively in the open position and the closed position.</li></ul>

The invention therefore provides a new technique for performing motor vehicle doors with a flush appearance ( "flush" in English). According to the invention, it is possible to realize a door (side door, back door, tailgate, car door ...) whose glass panel or mobile, is perfectly aligned and flush with the bodywork (lower chamber of the door) without a seal occurring between the box and the glazed panel in the closed position.

Subsequently, there is described a side door, the slide glass vertically within the housing. Of course, it is possible to adapt this technique to other doors, and sliding the panel horizontally, or more generally in any direction. he can also be several separate glass panes, some of which may be fixed.

Figure 1 is a principle view, schematic and voluntarily simplified for a door according to the invention, the window being closed. Figure 2 is a view of a section of Figure 1, at an amount. FIG 3 is a view similar principle to Figure 1, the window being open. FIG 4 is a view of the same section as Figure 2, associated with Figure 3. The comments follows is built on these four figures.

Advantageously, the door is made of two sets assembled:<ul><li>a lower case 11, or the door panel, comprising conventionally, on the outside, a body panel 111 and to Inside a cabinet 112, or lining;</li><li>an upper assembly 12, the visible part, from the outside, is the movable glazed panel 121.</li></ul>

The lower box 11 may also include conventionally various reinforcements (against frontal impacts, side ...), means closure (keeper, pulling ...).

The upper assembly 12 also includes a fixed frame 122. fixed frame has an upper portion 1221, following the contour of the panel glass 121, and a lower portion 1222 extends into the interior of the lower caisson 11, in order to allow assembly with the latter.

It is thus possible regardless the lower box (including painting and lining) and the upper assembly, and assemble at a last step of making the door. In particular, the top set while equipped (glass, actuating means, motor, ...) can be performed by a third party, and provided to a car manufacturer that assembles. Just this last to introduce the lower part of the fixed frame 1222 in the case 11, then join the two elements by any suitable technique, such that:<ul><li>screwing ;</li><li>riveting;</li><li>clipping;</li><li>clunchage;</li><li>welding;</li><li>...</li></ul>

It is noted that the fixed frame 122 may, in some cases, may not be a comprehensive framework. The lower cross 1223, bringing here the engine 13, may be deleted. Similarly, a top rail 1224 is not mandatory. Thus, the presence of 1225 and 1226 fixed amounts sufficient for the implementation of the invention, even if we present here a comprehensive framework in U. This is of course even to the movable frame described later, which can be limited to two movable uprights.

According to the invention, provides for a movable frame 127 which can be move perpendicularly to the plane of the glazing panel and / or to its axis of sliding. The movable frame 127 is mounted between the window panel 121 and the fixed frame 122, and can take two positions:<ul><li>a first locking position in which it acts on the panel vitreous so maintain it in its closed position (Figures 1 and 2); and</li><li>a release position in which it is near the fixed frame, so as to not be supported (or only weakly supported) against said glass pane, so as to allow its disengagement para relative to the outer panel of the box, then its slide inside the latter (Figures 3 and 4).</li></ul>

The movable panel 121 is slidably guided by a set of 1241 trucks 1244. Two trucks, a top carriage 1241 and 1243 lower carriage 1242 and 1244 are associated with each upright, and advantageously secured to one another by a rod 1251, 1252.

The training of these trucks is provided by skids 1261, 1262 mus by the motor 123, for example via 1271 multi-strand cables, 1272. Many other types of actuation can of course be set work, acting on one and / or the other of the carriages.

It is also possible to provide manual actuation.

Furthermore, the rods 1251, 1252 can be deleted, the binding then being provided (if necessary) by the glass.

now be described in more detailed manner an operating mode of the invention, in connection with Figures 5A to 5C, employing pistons.

The upper assembly 12 includes, in this case:<ul><li>the fixed frame 122;</li><li>the movable frame 127;</li><li>the movable panel 121, equipped with a gasket ensuring 1211 sealing between the lower part of the glazing panel and the panel body in the closed position (this seal 1211 can replace a wiper seal);</li><li>4 leading carriages 51;</li><li>4 conducted carriages 52;</li><li>4-piston 53 of movable frame;</li><li>4-piston 54 windows;</li><li>4 springs 55 frame piston;</li><li>4 springs 56 of glass piston;</li><li>a tubular joint 57 under seal;</li><li>a tubular seal 58 of window seal;</li><li>the system of window lift, with its possible engine.</li></ul>

5A and 5C are sectional views of part B of Figure 1. Of course it is easy to generalize the characteristics of these other figures carts. They each have situations:<ul><li>5A: closed window;</li><li>FIG 5B being opened window (lateral offset allowing sliding);</li><li>5C: glass (partially) open.</li></ul>

Based on 5C, the truck carrying 51, guided by a rail 59 formed the fixed part driven in sliding carriage led 52, bringing the piston window 54. This leading carriage is driven slidingly by the motor, by via rod 1251 which connects to the lower leading trolley, it even associated with the shoe in 1261.

One end 541 of the piston is fixed, for example by gluing, to the glass panel 121. Thus, the sliding carriage 51 leading causes of the glass panel.

A spring 56 housed in the carriage 52 carried on the piston axis 54, tends to away from the window of Shutter plan to turn her into his plan sliding.

It is noted that in this position (Figures 5B and 5C), the sealing lip 1211 is not in contact with the body panel, and thus not deteriorated or deformed during the displacement of the mobile panel.

In this open position of Figure 5C, the piston 53 of frame Mobile, which has a first end 531 secured to the movable frame, by example by gluing, and which is mounted on the fixed frame 122, is closer to it latest. This is ensured by the spring 55 mounted on the piston axis, and which tends to bring the mobile environment near the fixed frame.

In this position, the movable frame leaves the mobile panel slide freely. The seal 57 between the movable frame and the fixed frame is crushed.

The closure is obtained by progressively from Figure 5B to 5C, after the window has slid along its curve.

The second end 532 of the piston 53 has a cut, coinciding with a cut 511 provided on the carriage 51. The two leading canted défmissent here an angle of 45 °, but other angles, or other forms of cams, are of course possible as needed.

This mechanism transforms the vertical movement of the carriage 51 leading to a horizontal movement of the piston 53, which will gradually shifting the movable frame 127, for away from the fixed frame 122, so as to act on the movable panel 121, by pushing it into its closed position, then pressing it in this latter position. This will simultaneously tender the springs 55 and 56.

At the same time, the carriage 52 is arrived led into abutment against the fixed frame 122, while the carriage 51 continues its travel leading to ensure shift of the piston 53. The movement of the window is then essentially horizontal. A spring 510 got to compensate the difference between the carriage leading and conducted cart and enable resume their place at the opening.

The movable frame 127 is therefore a tacking movement along the Y axis (horizontal). The window also has a similar movement, but lower amplitude, due to the spring 510.

When closed, the movable frame 127 supported on the movable panel 127 to a mechanical stop, so as to allow the locking (Inviolability) and sealing, by compression glass seals, and frame panel.

The opening is done in a symmetrical mechanism.

The runners training fire on trucks carrying 51 originally in the position of Figure 5A. This has the effect of displacing the Y frame movable inwardly of the vehicle, that is to say towards the fixed frame 122. Y displacement is obtained by the combination of the carriage cam effects leading 51 against the piston 53 and the thrust of the spring 510.

The movable panel 121 makes a similar movement in Y, but with a lower race. It is pulled inside the vehicle by the piston 54, under the effect of spring 56. This allows to squeeze the movable panel 121 inwardly and disengage it with respect to the door panel, to put opposite a sliding slot provided for this purpose between the liner and the door panel.

Positioning the window panel 121 is controlled by Y via the stop 542 provided on the piston 54 to abut against the fixed frame 122.

This shift also allows to decompress joints and glass frame.

Secondly, (passage 5B to 5C), the trucks carrying 51 trucks carried the lead 52 along the Z axis (Vertically), which has the effect of driving the glass panel, also in Z, via the pistons 54, and until abutment skids drive.

The actuation of these pads may in particular be provided by a engine type windows for multi-strand cables, to guide sliding shoes in rails fixed to or from the fixed frame 122. pads may be directly in contact with the lower leading trolleys.

It is also possible that the pads are attached to the glass panel 121, as illustrated in FIG 6, via a flexible paddle 61, having on the one hand a fastening region 611 with the glass panel 121, and second fastening means 612 to the pads of training. this allows absorb sway along the Y axis, as illustrated by Figures 7A (Section AA in Figure 6, in position of open window) and 7B (section AA Figure 6, in closed position of window).

Note that this approach can be used for other types of mounting the movable panel, in particular flush.

Preferably, the propulsion system is intended to be independent and removable from the fixed frame 122 to allow substituting possible.

The actuator can be controlled electronically, to manage pulse, variable transfer speeds, anti-pinching means ...

As already mentioned, the movement can also be manual (there Simply guide the carts leading Z for all movement in Y and Z for the movable panel).

It is clear that the new technique of the present invention many advantages :<ul><li>obtaining a total glazed surface and flush glazing Ave. and surrounding the body, allowing to define new styles for vehicles;</li><li>simplification of the assembly, by the pre-assembly of the part top, there's simply insert in the box (even tests and adjustments can be made in advance);</li><li>simplified maintenance, since it is not necessary to remove the seals during disassembly of the movable panel, and is possible to change the upper part in the form of a set (Frame + glass);</li><li>reducing wear of the seals, which are not in contact ave the movable panel during its sliding.</li></ul>

Many additions or alternatives to the embodiment described above can of course be considered.

For example, the panel joint attached to the movable panel may be replaced (or supplemented) by a weatherstrip seal attached to the lower chamber for allow the wiping of the movable panel during its sliding.

More generally, the principle of the cams and of the pistons described above can of course be replaced by many other mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electro-magnetic, ... embodying the even cinematic, or similar kinematics to ensure the same function (implementation of a frame (or amounts) movable relative to the frame fixed).

More generally, this function can be provided by any mobile means relative to the fixed structure, capable on the one hand to press the glass in its position shutter, and to allow its passage in a sliding position, in allowing its combination with a frame (or amounts) fixed.

Thus, it may for example be a device (such as a joint) inflatable and deflatable, secured to the fixed frame. When inflated, it occupies the space between the fixed frame and the movable panel, it repels and keeps in its closed position. Simultaneously, it can provide effective sealing (at or in part). When deflated, biasing means returns the panel movable in its sliding position.