Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to a vehicle body shell comprising an opening, at least
one door provided on said opening, able to close or open said body shell, as
well as
at least one device for locking the door in a closed position, electrically
controlled.
In the field of vehicle body shells, in particular road transport, it is known
in
document US-4.083.424 or in document US-4.866.963 to lock a lift door, thanks
to
an electrically controlled device for locking. As stated in these documents,
this
device for locking comprises a mobile lock, stressed to lock by a spring, and
controlled to open thanks to an electromagnet. This electrically controlled
unit is
fixed to the body shell, the mobile lock interacting, at locking or at
unlocking, with a
corresponding locking element fixed on the lift door.
Document US-4.866.963 provides, furthermore, a supporting element,
mechanical, which makes it possible to retain the mobile lock in its unlocked
position. To this effect the supporting element can pass, by the action of
resilient
means, from a released position wherein the lock is in the locked position of
the door,
to an engaged position of the lock wherein the supporting element mechanically
retains the lock in said unlocked position of the lock.
In document US-4.866.963 the mechanism actuating said supporting element
to said engaged position is controlled by the physical opening of the door. In
document US-4.083.424 or US-4.866.863, the user enters a code on a keyboard
which controls the electromagnet, as such causing the moving of the lock from
the
unlocked position to the locked position. Consecutively, the user has to go to
the
door and raise it at least partially so that the mechanism moves the
supporting
element into a position wherein it retains the lock. Consequently, the
supporting
element of document US-4.866.963 does not make it possible to retain the
mobile
lock when the door of the body shell is in a closed position.
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In document US 4.083.424 or US-4.866.963, an electric control circuit of the
solenoid of the electromagnet implements a timer so that the solenoid is
solicited
during a sufficient period of time, required to allow the user to lift the
door before the
mobile lock is again stressed to lock by the action of the spring. For example
document US-4.866.963 provides a timer which can be between 60 seconds and 90
seconds giving the user enough time to go to the door, before the mobile lock
locks
again.
As such, the device of document US-4.083.424 or document US-4.866.963
has the disadvantage of the implementation of an electromagnet solicited
during a
relatively long period of time, which can be of several seconds, as such
reducing its
lifespan.
The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned
disadvantages by proposing a vehicle body shell provided with a door and a
device
for locking the door in a closed position, implementing an electromagnetic
means,
such as an electromagnet, which allows for an easy opening of the door, while
still
increasing the lifespan of the electromagnetic means.
Another purpose of this invention is to propose a device for locking the door
of a vehicle body sheil provided with a door using a single-pulse strike plate
while
still mechanically memorising the opening order in order to be able to lift
the door
without delay and to be able to self lock it during the closing of it.
As such, the invention relates to a vehicle body shell comprising an opening,
at least one door provided on said opening, able to close or open said body
shell, as
well as at least one device for locking the door in a closed position,
comprising a
movable locking member between a locked position Pl and an unlocked position
P2,
interacting at locking or at unlocking with a corresponding locking element,
an
electromagnetic means in order to move the locking member from said locked
position P1 to said unlocked position P2, and resilient means to stress the
locking
member from said unlocked position P2 to said locked position Pl, with the
device
for locking the door in a closed position comprising supporting means, which,
on the
one hand, are mobile at least between a first released position P3, wherein
the
locking member is in said locked position P1, to a second stable engaged
position P4,
wherein said supporting means interact with the locking member in said
unlocked
position P2 in such a way as to counter the stress of the resilient means by
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mechanically maintaining the locking member in said unlocked position P2, and
on
the other hand, are able to be retracted by the action of the locking element
during
the movement of the door, said supporting means being stressed from said first
released position P3 to said second engaged position P4 by spring means.
According to the body shell in accordance with the invention, the locking
member provides temporary control and wherein said supporting means are able
to
maintain the locking member in said unlocked position P2 while the door is in
a
closed position and wherein when the locking member is actuated by said
electromagnetic means from said locked position P1 to said unlocked position
P2, the
action of the spring means causes the simultaneous moving of the supporting
means
from the first released position P3 to said second engaged position P4, while
the door
is in a closed position.
According to an embodiment, the locking member is constituted by a boit
able to be moved in translation between said locked position P1 and said
unlocked
position P2 and wherein the supporting means are constituted by a pivoting
finger,
which in said first released position P3 presses on the lateral section of the
locking
member and which, when said locking member is controlled to open, escapes from
the lateral section by the action of said spring means and pivots to said
second
engaged position P4 wherein an engaged end of said finger cornes to support
the end
of the locking member, on a concave portion of the locking member.
According to optional characteristics:
- the locking member and said supporting means are integral with the body
shell and said corresponding locking element integral with the door;
- the supporting means are articulated in such a way as to be retracted by the
action of said locking element during the opening of the door;
- once retracted by the action of the locking element, the supporting means
are in a position P5 and maintain the locking member in an intermediary
position P6
between the locked position Pl and said unlocked position P2;
- said locking element interacts with said supporting means during the
movement of the door in such a way as to cause the return of the supporting
means in
the released position P3;
- the return of the supporting means in said released position P3 by the
action
of the locking element is caused during the closing of the door;
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the locking member has an angled corner intended to interact with said
locking element, during the closing of the door, in order to move the locking
member
against the retaining force of the resilient means;
- said locking element is constituted of a folded plate having an end
interacting through abutment with said locking member, by the intermediary of
said
supporting means, when the door is in a closed position and said locking
member in
said locked position Pl,
- said body shell having rails, integral with the body shell, able to guide
the
end of said folded plate in the vicinity of the locking member during the
movement
of the door when opening or closing,
- said locking element is integral with the door by the intermediary of an
articulation, a secure locking element, accessible in a removable manner on
the
exterior of the door allowing for the locking of the articulation, said
articulation
when released authorising the free opening of the door when the locking member
is
in said locked position and the door is closed,
- the door is a lift, sliding or swinging door.
The invention shall be better understood when reading the following
description accompanied with the annexed drawings wherein:
- figure 1 is a view showing the device for locking of a lift door in a closed
position,
- figure 2 is a detailed view of figure 1, showing the device for locking, the
locking member being in said locked position Pl, said supporting means being
in
said released position P3, the lift door in a closed position,
- figure 3 is a view of the device, such as is shown in figure 2 when the door
is closed, the locking member being actuated by the action of the
electromagnetic
means in the unlocked position P2, with the supporting means being in the
engaged
position P4 with the locking member,
- figure 4 is a view of the device such as is shown in figure 3 when the door
initiates a moving when opening,
- figure 5 is a view of the device such as is shown in figure 4 showing the
retracting of the supporting means by the action of the locking element during
the
opening of the door,
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- figure 6 is a view of the device such as is shown in figure 5, with the door
being actuated when opening, the locking element having escaped from said
supporting means,
- figure 7 is a view subsequent to the view such as shown in figure 6, when
5 the door is actuated when closing,
- figure 8 is a view of the device such as is shown in figure 7, the locking
element interacting with the supporting means in such a way as to cause the
return of
the supporting means in said released position P3, the locking element
interacting
with an angled corner of the locking member, allowing for the retracting of
the
member against the retaining force of the resilient means,
- figure 9 is a view subsequent to the view in figure 8 showing the return of
the supporting means in the released position,
- figure 10 is a view subsequent to figure 9, the locking element having
escaped from the supporting means, the supporting means being in their
released
position P3, the locking member in the locked position P1,
- figure 11 is a view of the locking element when the secure locking elernent
is removed, the opening of the door causing the rotation of the locking
element, and
as such, the free opening of the door while the locking member is in said
locked
position,
- figure 12 is a view consecutive to figure 11.
As such the invention relates to a vehicle body shell 1 comprising an opening,
as well as at least one door 2 provided on said opening, able to close or open
said
body shell.
This can be in particular, such as shown in the figures, a lift door,
constituted
substantially of a screen guided in translation on two risers of said opening,
thanks to
slides. However, the invention is not limited to lift doors and can also be
implemented on a sliding or swinging door. The door can be actuated when
opening
and closing manually, or, thanks to a motorisation.
According to the invention, the body shell further comprises a device 3 for
locking of the door 2 in a closed position, comprising a locking member 4
mobile
between a locked position Pl and an unlocked position P2 and interacting at
locking
or at unlocking with a corresponding locking member 5.
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More preferably, the locking member is integral with the body shell (fixed
portion of the body shell), said corresponding locking element integral with
the door
(mobile portion of the body shell). However, it is possible to invert the
positions by
providing the locking member on the door and the locking element fixed to the
body
shell.
The device 3 for locking further comprises an electromagnetic means 6, such
as an electromagnet, in order to move the locking member 4 from the locked
position
Pl to the unlocked position P2, as well as resilient means 7 in order to
stress the
locking member 4 from the unlocked position P2 to the locked position Pl,
According to the invention, the locking member 4 provides temporary control.
Furthermore, the device 3 for locking of the door in a closed position
comprises
supporting means 8.
These supporting means 8 are mobile at least between a first released position
P3, wherein the locking member 4 is in said locked position P1, to a second
stable
engaged position P4, wherein said supporting means 8 interact with the locking
member 4 in said unlocked position P2 in such a way as to counter the stress
of the
resilient means 7, by mechanically maintaining the locking member 4 in said
unlocked position P2.
On the other hand, these supporting means 8 are able to be retracted by the
action of the locking element 5 during the movement of the door 2, in
particular
moving in translation in the case of a sliding or lift door, or moving with
pivoting in
the case of swinging door.
We shall now describe in detail the example embodiment, not restricted, in
figures 1 to 12 of which the door is a lift door. As already developed, the
invention is
not limited to body shells with lift doors and can be implemented on other
types of
doors, such as sliding doors or swinging doors.
Such as is shown in figure 1, the locking member 4, with the electromagnetic
means 6 are integral with the body shell 1, the locking element 5 being
integral with
the door 5.
According to the example, the locking member 4 is constituted of a bolt
which is guided in translation between the locked position P1 and the unlocked
position P2.
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The resilient means 7 are constituted of two compressed springs stressing the
locking member from the unlocked position P2 to the locked position Pl. The
supporting means 8 are provided facing the end of the locking member 4, fixed
to the
body shell in the vicinity of member 4, and are provided pivoting between the
released position P3 and the engaged position P4. Spring means 9 constituted
in
particular by an extended spring, stress the supporting means from the
released
position P3 to the engaged position P4.
The direction of translation of the locking member 4 is substantially
perpendicular to that of the translation of the door 2. The locking element 5,
in
particular constituted of a folded metal plate, has an end 51 interacting
through
abutment with the locking member 4, by the intermediary of the means 8, when
the
door is closed, the member 4 being in its position P1 in such a way that it is
not
possible to open the door.
Rails 52, 53 integral with the body sheil 1 can make it possible, furthermore,
to guide this end 51 in the vicinity of the locking member 4, during the
movement of
the door when opening or when closing.
Such as is shown in figure 3, the locking member 4, in particular the boit is
actuated in translation by the electromagnetic means 6 to the unlocked
position P2 by
a temporary control (impulse) of the electromagnetic means 6.
Simultaneously, by the action of the spring means 9, in particular of the
extended spring, the supporting means 8 are then moved automatically from the
released position P3 to the position P4 such as is shown in figure 3.
In this engaged position P4, stable, the supporting means 8 counter the stress
of the resilient means 7 by mechanically maintaining the locking member 4 in
the
unlocked position P2.
Such as shown in the figures, the supporting means 8 can in particular be
constituted of a pivoting finger, of which an engaged end 81 cornes to
interact in the
stable engaged position P4, in particular on a concave portion of the boit
constituting
the locking member 4, in order to maintain the latter in the position P2.
More precisely, such as is shown in figure 2, the finger is articulated via a
pivot 82 on a support 83, of U-shaped section, which is itself fixed to the
body shell.
The axis of rotation of the pivot 82 can be substantially perpendicular to the
axis of
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translation of the locking member 4, as well as to the body shell wall whereon
the
support 83 is fixed.
The finger is provided in the interior portion of the support 83, mounted
pivoting between vertical wings of the U-shaped section of the support 83.
The finger has the shape of an L, with one of the ends of the L constituting
said engaged end 81 of the finger intended to make contact with the locking
member
4 in the position P4 of the supporting means 8, with the other end of the L
constituting an anchor point for the end of an extended spring of the spring
means 8.
The other end of the spring is provided integral with the support 83 on an
anchor
point of the support. Such as shown, the finger pivots, according to the axis
of
rotation of the pivot 82 which is perpendicular to the plane of the L, the
pivoting axis
located on the elbow formed by the two wings of the L.
In the released position P3, the locking member 4 in the locked position Pl,
the finger presses on one of the lateral sections of the locking member 4
which is in
particular parallel to the axis of translation of said member 4. When the
locking
member 4 is controlled to open, this finger escapes from the lateral section,
and by
the action of the extended spring, pivots to the stable position P4, so that
the engaged
end 81 of the finger cornes to support the end of the locking member 4 in the
unlocked position P2, on a concave portion of the locking member 4.
This means of maintaining 8 as such allows for the passage of the locking
element 5 during the opening of the door, such as is shown in figure 4. During
this
opening, and such as shown in figures 4 to 6, the locking element 5 engages
with the
supporting means 8, in particular the pivoting finger causing it to retract.
Once the
pivoting finger of supporting means is retracted, the locking element 5
escapes from
this finger and continues its translation, in particular to the final opening
of the door.
The supporting means 8 are then, such as shown in figure 6 or 7, in a
position,
P5, separate from said released positions P3 and from the previously described
engaged position P4. In the position P5, such as is shown in figure 6 or 7,
the finger
makes contact with the end of the boit of the locking member 4. In this
position P5,
the supporting means 8, in particular the finger maintain the locking member 4
in an
intermediary position P6 between the position Pl and the previously described
position P2.
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During the closing of the door such as is shown in figure 7, the end 51 of the
locking element 5 again enters between the guide rails 52, 53, this end 51
interacting
with an angled corner 10 of the locking member 4, located at the end of the
bolt,
intended to interact with said locking element 5 during the closing of the
door in
translation.
This angled corner 10 makes it possible, by the action of the locking element
5 to push back the locking member 4 against the retaining force of the
resilient
means 7, as such authorising the passage of said locking element 5. During
this
return, the locking element 5 engages with the supporting means 8, in
particular the
pivoting finger, in order to cause the return of the supporting means from
said
position P5 to the released position P3, such as shown in figures 8 to 10.
Once the
door is closed 10, the locking member 4 is as such in its locked position P1
and the
supporting means 8 in their initial released position P3.
Advantageously, the application can provide a safety arrangement making it
possible to open the door even in the event of a failure of the device 3 for
locking or
more simply in the case of a loss of power to the electric means 6, such as
for
example battery failure.
To this effect, said locking element 5 can be provided integral with the door
by the intermediary of an articulation 11, in particular of a pivot of axis of
rotation
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door when closed. A secure
locking
element, such as a personalised recessed screw, or a pin secured by a padlock,
accessible in a removable manner on the exterior of the door, allows for the
locking
of the articulation by engaging in particular on a bore of the locking element
5.
The articulation when released (secure locking element removed) then
authorises the free opening of the door 2 even when the locking member is in
said
locked position.
Such as shown according to figures 11 and 12 in particular, the opening of the
door then causes the rotation of the locking element 5 according to the pivot
in such
a way as to authorise the opening of the door.
Note that this safety arrangement can be implemented independently of the
previously described supporting means 8.
Naturally, other embodiments could have been considered without however
leaving the scope of the invention defined by the daims hereinafter.
