FR2890011A1 - SELF-ADJUSTABLE LATCHING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC GAME RETRIEVAL, IN PARTICULAR A FOLDING MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT BACK. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for locking a mobile element on a fixed element, in particular a motor vehicle rear seat backrest, consisting of a part forming a lock, fixed on the movable element or backrest, and a part forming a keeper, fixed on the fixed element or body of the vehicle, or conversely, said latch being constituted by a housing (10) having a hinge axis (11) on which is rotatably mounted, a subassembly (12) comprising a movable hook locking device (13) adapted to catch on the striker and an indexing element (16) mounted on said axis (11) parallel to the hook (13), said subset (12) self-adjusting by rotation around its axis (11) relative to said striker (8), depending on the position thereof on the vehicle body, characterized in that the rotary subassembly (12) of the lock also comprises means for automatic adjustment of play between the hook (13) and the striker con stitués by an elastic return member (17) acting on the upper part (13a) of the movable hook (13).

Description

SELF-ADJUSTABLE LOCKING DEVICE AND

  RETRIEVAL OF AUTOMATIC GAME, IN PARTICULAR FROM A DOSSIER

  OF REACHABLE SEAT OF MOTOR VEHICLE

  The present invention relates to a device for locking a movable element on a fixed element in a general manner, for example a folding rear seat back of a motor vehicle or doors, chests.

  In such an application, one of the main functions of the locking device is to maintain the backrest of the rear seats of the vehicle by hooking them to the bodywork on internal amounts located on either side thereof.

  In the locking of the rear records of a motor vehicle, the main constraint lies in the fact of having to hold the file, to prevent it from falling back on the passengers in case of shock of the vehicle, in particular under the effect of the luggage of the safe which come up against the file.

  For this, it is known locking devices consisting of a part forming the actual lock fixed on the movable member or backrest and a party forming the keeper fixed on the fixed element or vehicle body post or vice versa .

  The major problem in the implementation of this type of locking device lies in the positioning tolerances between the body, so the striker, and the seat, so the lock, which are 2890011 2 relatively important in this area and can go up to 'to plus or minus five millimeters, between a vertical high or low position.

  Consequently, these tolerances must be taken into account in the design of the lock. This generates a less compact lock, less resistant locking elements, which is always harmful in the field of motor vehicles.

  A solution has already been proposed by the applicant in its patent No. 2,828,149, consisting of a locking device of a movable element on a fixed element, including a folding rear seat back of a motor vehicle, consisting of a part forming a latch fixed on the movable member or backrest and a part forming a keeper fixed on the fixed element or bodywork of the vehicle or vice versa. This lock consists of a reinforcing plate supporting a housing comprising a hinge pin on which is rotatably mounted, according to a predetermined deflection axis, a subassembly comprising at least one locking hook adapted to hook with the latch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, by means of automatic engagement means and manual release, said subset self-adjusting by rotation about its axis relative to said striker, depending on the position of the latter on the vehicle body according to a predetermined vertical tolerance.

  According to this same known device, the rotary subassembly of the lock is constituted firstly by a locking hook mounted in angular displacement 2890011 3 on the axis of articulation of the sheet and the housing, and secondly by a support constituting an indexing element, also mounted in angular displacement on said axis, and having an open housing for trapping the striker during closure of the hook.

  This patent also teaches that the bottom of the open housing of the support constituting the indexing element comprises an elastically deformable stop for damping the striker and for absorbing any vibrations.

  Experience has shown that this last point could be a problem.

  Indeed, this abutment of the clearance between the locking element, namely the hook, and the striker being made of elastomer, this results in a strong variation of the properties of hardness as a function of the temperatures, ranging from -40 C to + 80 C.

  At -40 C, the hardness is such that it prevents the compression of the elastomer block, which makes it impossible to close the lock.

  On the contrary, at +80 C, it becomes so flexible that it no longer suppresses the game, resulting in an appearance of noise.

  The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback and concerns for this purpose a device for locking a mobile element on a fixed element, in particular a motor vehicle rear seat backrest, consisting of a part forming a lock, 2890011 4 fixed on the movable member or backrest, and a party forming a keeper, fixed on the fixed element or body of the vehicle, or vice versa, said latch being constituted by a reinforcing sheet supporting a housing having a shaft of articulation on which is rotatably mounted, according to a predetermined deflection axis, a subassembly comprising at least one movable locking hook adapted to catch on the striker in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said sub -A self-adjusting assembly by rotation about its axis relative to said striker, depending on the position thereof on the vehicle body, according to a predetermined vertical tolerance characterized in that the rotary subassembly of the latch is constituted by: a locking hook mounted in angular displacement on the axis of articulation of the sheet and the housing, and having a curved end portion directed towards the strike to ensure its automatic anchoring on it in closing and manual actuating means; an indexing element also mounted in angular displacement on said axis, positioned in a plane parallel to the hook in the direction of the striker, and the end of which has an open housing forming ramps on one or the other of which is capable of sliding the striker in closing, consequently causing the subset to rotate in one direction or the other, according to the position of said striker in the tolerance range, and then to imprison it when closing the bent part hook; 2890011 5 - means of automatic catching play that can be created between the hook and the striker, constituted by a resilient return member disposed between a fixed portion of the housing and an upper portion of the movable hook on which it is in permanent support, hook itself secured to the indexing element so that the latter is always, before locking, in a constant and single standby position lower than the lower position of the tolerance range, so as to cause, when from the start of locking, lifting of the assembly, that is to say the hook and the indexing element in the direction Fl.

  In use, it also appeared a second problem, with reference to the device of patent N 2 828 149, related to the fact that the unlocking of the device previously claimed by the applicant is via a control lever of the hook of a rocking lock assembly, and this results in a variation of angular positions of said associated control lever, changing its position in a vertical direction, resulting in an equivalent variation of a corresponding manual control button located above of the seat and in relation to said lever.

  So we did not control the position of the control knob relative to the seat level, while the respect of aesthetics imposes its outcropping, and this in the same way and for all vehicles, regardless of the position of the lock by report to the lock, after auto adjustment of the lock.

  The present invention makes it possible to provide a solution also to this second problem and to make further improvements to the devices of the prior art in general, as will be apparent from FIG.

description that will follow.

  The invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

  This description given by way of non-limiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a split rear seat in situ, a vehicle automobile.

  FIG. 2 is a view from above of an automobile rear seat according to FIG.

  3 shows in plan a locking device according to the invention, in free position.

  Figure 4 shows a locking device according to Figure 3, in the unlocked position.

  Figure 5 shows a locking device according to Figure 3, in the locked position (-5mm).

  Figure 6 shows a locking device according to Figure 3, in the locked position (+ 5mm).

  Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line VII-VII of Figure 1.

  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show a rear view of the device according to the preceding figures, from which the housing has been removed for a better understanding, and respectively in the free position, in the locked start position and in the locked position (- 5mm).

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the rotary subassembly comprising the hook and the indexing element, after locking on the striker.

  Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the striker, the indexing member and the hook showing the contact points of the striker.

  According to a preferred example of application of the invention, in no way limiting, the locking device 1 applies to a backrest 2 folding rear seat of a motor vehicle 3 on the seat 4 which seat is likely to take place a passenger 5. As also shown in Figure 1, a load 6, which may be a baggage or other object to be transported, has been symbolized and represents one of the essential dangers for the passenger 5 during braking or impact of the vehicle 3, which will have the effect of propelling the load 6 in the backrest of said rear seat.

  The locking device 1 consists of a part forming a latch 7 which is fixed to the backrest 2, and of a part forming a striker of the peg type 8 fastened to the body 9 of the motor vehicle 3.

  As is well shown in FIGS. 3 to 10, said latch 7 is constituted by a reinforcing plate 28 supporting a housing 10 comprising a hinge pin 11 on which is rotatably mounted, along a predetermined deflection axis, a sub-frame. assembly 12 comprising at least one movable locking hook 13 adapted to catch on the striker 8 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said subset 12 self-adjusting by rotation about its axis 11 relative to said striker 8, depending on the position thereof on the body 9 of the vehicle 3, according to a predetermined vertical tolerance Z.

  According to the present embodiment of the invention, the rotary subassembly 12 of the latch 7 is constituted by: a locking hook 13 mounted in angular displacement on the hinge axis 11 of the plate 30 and the housing 10 and having a curved end portion 13a directed towards the striker 8 to ensure its automatic anchoring thereon in closure and manual actuating means 15; an indexing element 16 also mounted in angular displacement on said axis 11, positioned in a plane parallel to the hook 13 in the direction of the striker 8, and whose end 16a has an open housing 16b forming ramps 16c, 16d on one or the other of which is capable of sliding the latch 8 closing, thereby causing the subset 12 to rotate in a direction F1, according to the position of said latch 8 in the tolerance range Z, then to the imprison during the closing of the curved portion 13a of the hook 13; 2890011 9 - automatic play clearance means likely to be created between the hook and the keeper, constituted by an elastic return member 17 disposed between a fixed portion 10a of the housing 10 and an upper portion 13a of the movable hook 13 on which it is in permanent support, hook 13 itself integral with the indexing element 16 so that the latter is always, before locking, in a constant and single standby position lower than the lower position P3 of the range of Z tolerance, so as to cause, at the beginning of locking, raising the assembly 12, that is to say the hook 13 and the indexing element 16 in the direction Fl.

  FIG. 3 clearly shows the tolerance range Z with respect to which a maximum upper position P1 to + 5 mm has been illustrated with respect to a neutral zone P2 at 0 mm and a lower zone P3 at -5 mm with respect to the same neutral zone. P2 0 mm.

  In fact, the position P1 corresponds to the top reference position of the striker; the position P2 corresponds to the nominal position of reference of the striker; the position P3 corresponds to the lower reference position of the striker.

  It should also be noted that, preferably, the elastic return member 17 is a torsion spring.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, which is particularly visible in FIGS. 11 and 12, the contact between the rotary locking subassembly 12 and the striker 8 is effected by three triangular points A, B, C, of which two B, C are obtained on the bottom of the open housing 16b of the indexing element 16, non-circular profile, and the third A on the hook 13 itself, also non-circular profile, or vice versa.

  This last characteristic also contributes to the suppression of the elastomer stop, according to the first object of the invention.

  The characteristics of the invention which have just been described make it possible to remedy the first problem stated by eliminating the elastomer abutment and the problems it caused.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the manual actuating means 15 consist of a tilting pallet 18 rotatably attached to the lock housing, without a direct mechanical connection with the hook 13 and / or the indexing element. 16, this connection being effected between said pallet 18 and the hook 13 by means of a flexible traction link 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 or 8 to 9, the length of the flexible link 19 is greater than the distance between its point of attachment 19a on the pallet 18 when it is closed, and its point of attachment 19b on the hook 13 when it is in the extreme low position.

  In this way, whatever the position of the hook 13, the link 19 is distended, so as not to have any influence on the position of the pallet 18 as in the prior art. In addition, this makes it possible not to exert permanent traction on the link 19, which can cause its rupture or its permanent elongation.

  There is therefore first a dead stroke before any action opening the hook 13 by means of the pallet 18.

  According to this particular characteristic, it is therefore to remedy the second problem stated, concerning the control of the position of the control member regardless of the position of the lock.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a hook lock indicator 13, visible in a visible manner from the housing above the seat which is actuated by the keeper 8 via a tilting beam 21, so as not to depend on the position of the hook 13 which is variable according to its self-adjustment in closing.

  The independence of the locking indicator 20 with respect to the hook 13 enables it to always assume an identical position, whether it indicates a closure or an opening.

  More specifically, the tilting beam 21 comprises a first hinge zone 22 with respect to a fixed point 23 of the housing 10, and a second hinge zone 24, opposite the first, in connection with the lower end 25 of the housing 22. a rod 2890011 12 26, at the upper end 27 of which is formed the locking indicator 20.

  An elastic return member 28 is interposed between a fixed point 29 of the housing 10 and the tilting beam 21.

  As more particularly visible in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the spreader 21 comprises an arcuate appendage 31, corresponding to an interaction zone that is also arcuate between the striker 8 and the rudder 21, resulting from the makes different possible positions of the striker 8 according to the tolerances, and the fact that the hook 13 is locked in rotation.

  This ensures that the rudder 21 where the indicator 20 will be in the low position only when the striker 8 is effectively locked.

  Indeed, the relative position of the rudder, and more precisely the arc-shaped interaction zone, is such that the action of the striker 8 on said rudder 21 only occurs after the striker 8 has acted. first on the hook 13 and has passed its curved portion, so that the locking has been started (Figure 9), the total output of the witness 20 intervenes only when the complete locking hook 13 (Figure 10).

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the hook 13 and the indexing element 16 comprise overmouldings defining the force-absorbing ribs, vis-à-vis each other, and with respect to the reinforcement plate 30, so as to limit the play in the Y direction during an impact and ensure the transmission of forces between the hook 13 and said reinforcement plate 30.

  According to another characteristic of the invention (FIG. 7), the lock 7 is assembled inside the support plate 30 integral with the metal structure of the seat 2, so as to optimize the transmission of forces between the lock 7 and the 2. The latter feature reduces the number of metal elements and therefore the mass of the lock 7 compared to known locks, traditionally attached to the outside of the support plate 30.

2890011 14

Claims (10)

  1. Device for locking a movable element on a fixed element, in particular a backrest (2) of a motor vehicle rear seat (3), constituted by a part forming a latch (7), fixed on the movable element or backrest (2), and a part forming a striker (8), fixed on the fixed element or bodywork (9) of the vehicle, or conversely, said latch (7) being constituted by a reinforcing sheet (30) supporting a housing (10) comprising a hinge pin (11) on which is rotatably mounted, according to a predetermined deflection axis, a subassembly (12) comprising at least one movable locking hook (13) capable of hooking on the striker (8) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said subset (12) self-adjusting by rotation about its axis (11) relative to said striker (8), according to the position of the latter on the body (9) of the vehicle (3), according to a predetermined vertical tolerance (Z), characterized in that the rotary subassembly (12) of the latch (7) consists of: - a locking hook (13) mounted in angular displacement on the hinge pin (11) of the sheet (30) and housing (10), and having a curved end portion (13a) directed towards the striker (8) to ensure its automatic anchoring on it in closure and manual actuating means (15); an indexing element (16) also mounted in angular displacement on said axis (11), positioned in a plane parallel to the hook (13) in the direction of the striker (8), and whose end (16a) has an open housing (16b) forming ramps (16c, 16d) on one or the other of which is capable of sliding the striker (8) closing, thereby causing the subassembly (12) in rotation in one direction F1, according to the position of said keeper (8) in the tolerance range (Z), then to imprison it when closing the curved portion (13a) of the hook (13); - Automatic play clearance means may be created between the hook and the keeper, constituted by an elastic return member (17) disposed between a fixed portion (10a) of the housing (10) and an upper portion (13a) of mobile hook (13) on which it is in permanent support, hook (13) itself secured to the indexing element (16) so that the latter is always, before locking, in a constant waiting position and single lower than the lower position (P3) of the tolerance range (Z), so as to cause, at the beginning of locking, raising of the assembly (12), that is to say of the hook ( 13) and the indexing element (16) in the direction Fl.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the manual actuating means (15) are constituted by a tilting pallet (18) rotatably attached to the lock housing, without direct mechanical connection with the hook (13). and / or the indexing element (16), this connection being effected between said pallet (18) and the hook 2890011 16 (13) via a flexible traction link (19).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the flexible link (19) is greater than the distance between its point of attachment (19a) on the pallet (18) when closed, and its point d attachment (19b) on the hook (13) when the latter is in the extreme low position.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to   3, characterized in that the contact between the rotary locking subassembly (12) and the striker (8) is effected by three triangular points (A, B, C), of which two (B, C) are obtained on the bottom of the open housing (16b) of the indexing element (16), non-circular profile, and the third (A) on the hook (13) itself, also non-circular profile, or vice versa.   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to   4, characterized in that it comprises a locking indicator (20) of the hook (13), emerging visibly from the housing above the seat which is actuated by the keeper (8) via a tilting beam (21), so as not to depend on the position of the hook (13) which is variable according to its self-adjusting closure.   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the tilting beam (21) comprises a first hinge zone (22) relative to a fixed point (23) of the housing (10), and a second zone d articulation (24), opposite the first, in connection with the lower end (25) of a rod (26), at the upper end (27) of which is formed the locking indicator (20).   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that an elastic return member (28) is interposed between a fixed point (29) of the housing (10) and the tilting beam (21).   8. Device according to one of claims 5 to   7, characterized in that the crossbar (21) has an arcuate appendage (31), corresponding to an interaction zone also in the form of an arc between the striker (8) and the crossbar (21), resulting due to the different possible positions of the striker (8) depending on the tolerances, and the fact that the hook (13) locks in rotation.   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to   8, characterized in that the hook (13) and the indexing element (16) comprise overmoldings defining force-absorbing ribs, vis-à-vis each other, and with respect to the reinforcing plate (30), so as to limit the play in the direction (Y) during an impact and ensure the transmission of forces between the hook (13) and said reinforcing sheet (30).   10. Device according to one of claims 1 to   9, characterized in that the latch (7) is assembled inside the support plate (30) integral with the metal structure of the seat (2), so as to optimize the transmission of forces between the latch (7) and the seat structure (2).