WO2008104040A1

WO2008104040A1 - Anti -panic device applied in a lock-unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2008104040A1
Application number: PCT/BR2007/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Homero De Andrade; Elio Salviano Pinheiro
Original assignee: Valeo Sistemas Automotivos Ltda
Current assignee: Valeo Sistemas Automotivos Ltda
Priority date: 2007-02-26
Filing date: 2007-02-26
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-26

Abstract

This invention discloses an anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, represented by an inventive solution, the practical result of which provides improved reliance and safety for the driver and passengers. Accordingly, a main lever (1) called the external commutation lever, is introduced in the opening and lock/unlock system of the latch (A), comprising a main body (IA), being approximately oblong-shaped, and in a first half an oblong cleft is defined (IB), and in the second half a preferably rectangular- shaped cleft is defined (1C), creating an opening defining an arm (ID) in the middle portion, and a pivotal element (IE) is also defined, and particularly the arm (ID) allows sideways deformation causing the pivotal element (8) of the external lock/unlock lever (3) to carry the main lever (1) to a position such that the pivotal element (IE) is positioned in the upper portion of the lever (2) accommodation (2A), which state allows sideways displacement, acting directly upon the lever (7) and thus enabling the external opening of the latch (A).

Description

"ANTI-PANIC DEVICE APPLIED IN A LOCK-UNLOCK SYSTEM FOR THE INTERNAL OPENING OF SIDE DOOR LATCHES OF AUTOMOTIVE

VEHICLES . "

This present patent of invention application discloses an unprecedented solution, the inventive features of which reside in the introduction of a safety device, particularly a device referred to as "anti-panic" , or "impatient passenger", the main function of which is to allow side door latches of automotive vehicle to be released and/or opened by way of a lock/unlock lever and internal opening, in the event that the external handles are obstructed, which often occurs in automobile accidents where the side structure of the automobile is damaged.

Thus, the solution now claimed is inventive and brings specific advantages to the automobile industry, where, from the point of view of the product itself, improvements are achieved in terms of reliability of the side door latches.

Additionally, said reliability can be translated by the reduced need for maintenance, especially corrective maintenance, since the anti-panic device has a constructive concept defined by a single component referred to as

"external commutation lever" .

Further, from the industrial perspective, the solution now claimed adds value in terms of assembly of said lock/unlock system, resulting directly from the use of this single component, thus causing a reduction in the quantity of items required to assemble the latch itself, which in turn translates into improved productivity without compromising the final quality of the automotive part. In addition to these technical advantages, the economic scenario must be taken into account, as the cost reduction is directly linked to the aforementioned production efficiency, and said reduction in industrial costs is also due to the smaller number of components of the lock/unlock system for latches now claimed.

In view of the positive features brought by this present invention, the applicant believes that it meets all the increasingly stricter requirements imposed by product manufacturers, especially by automotive vehicle assemblers, and especially nowadays, when the reliability of safety items is crucial, the lock/unlock system complies with the high standards of manufacturing and assembly dictated by the automobile industry. BACKGROUND OF THE ART

With the sole and exclusive intent of proving that this invention complies with patentability requirements, the applicant shall now make a concise but consistent explanation on the state of the art relating to anti-panic devices fitted to side door latches of automotive vehicles, which would enable a skilled in the art comprised of the industry and trade of autoparts, to recognize its deficient aspects, and subsequently clearly identify the compulsory novelty requirement under the industrial property law in the invention claimed.

As known in the state of the art, manufacturers of automotive safety systems, particularly of door latches of automotive vehicles, have what is known in the technical world as a "panic system" or "impatient passenger" among their portfolio of devices. "Panic" or "impatient passenger" systems play a vital role from the point of view of safety of the driver and passengers of automotive vehicles, since they have the primary function of allowing a latch fitted to the side doors to be released in any situation, particularly in the event of a vehicle collision, when the side doors are physically damaged.

By allowing the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle to open the side doors quickly and easily, a differentiated (improved) status is obtained, and one that is mandatory from the point of view of safety, leaving the end user fully satisfied.

Implementation of the "panic" or "impatient passenger" systems requires increased components, such as levers and return springs, for example, the latter assembled in such a way that they should interact with the locking and unlocking of the external and internal lock/unlock levers, respectively.

Despite the constructive state obtained with the implementation of said components, the constructive concept of side door latches presents a complexity feature which may cause functional prejudice to same, since a high number of component parts means the possibility of a working failure increases. Therefore, in general terms, a first conclusion of this current analysis identifies a certain degree of compromise of the reliability of the lock/unlock system, particularly when there is a physical obstruction in the side doors where the latches are assembled, and the origin of this compromise causes us to consider the factor of quantity of component parts of the system.

Moreover, it must be taken into account that a system of this nature, being for daily transport, due to constant wear and trepidation, may lead to the loosening of the joint between the component parts under study, resulting in a mechanical compromise of one or more of such parts.

Finally, still from the point of view of quantity of items to be assembled, it is important to consider the fact that a significant part of the industrial cost involved in manufacture is obtained from the sum of unit costs of each one of these component items .

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In view of the background of the art, the applicant idealized an anti-panic device applied to the lock/unlock system of latches for vehicles of any kind, be they land, air or sea. In unprecedented fashion, this device is incorporated into the constructive concept of lock/unlock systems of latches, the practical result of which is a reduction in the component parts required for the effective working thereof .

The main objective of the invention now claimed lies in allowing, even when the external handle of the side door latch is operated, that neither the internal handle nor the lock/unlock (internal or external) system loses its primary function, thus enhancing the safety factor.

To enable this to happen, the "anti-panic" device was conceived based on a single component part, referred to herein as "external commutation lever", which comprises a lever, duly designed to enable the locking or unlocking 00020

action of the component parts of the latch referred to as external lock/unlock lever and internal lock/unlock lever.

This constructive state provides improved reliability and durability, and likely minimization of the need for corrective maintenance during its useful life, enabling both the driver and the passengers to exit the automotive vehicle quickly and safely.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For an improved understanding of the characteristics of this present invention, a set of drawings is presented as an example, not as a limitation, as follows:

Figure 1 is a representation in perspective view of the anti-panic device now claimed, fitted to the mechanism of a side door latch of automotive vehicles; Figure 2 is a representation in perspective view of the "improved external commutation lever" part;

Figure 3 is a representation in plan view of the "improved external commutation lever" part;

Figure 4 is a representation of the side view of the "improved external commutation lever" part;

Figure 5 is a representation in underneath view of the "improved external commutation lever" part;

Figure 6 is a representation of another side view of the "improved external commutation lever" part ; Figure 7 is a representation in perspective view of the working state of the anti -panic device now claimed when operating the external opening lever component;

Figure 8 is a representation in perspective view of the side door latch indicating the forces operating on the components of the improved external commutation lever, external lock/unlock lever and opening lever and internal lock/unlock;

Figure 9 is a representation in perspective view of the side door latch indicating the opening force on the opening lever and internal lock/unlock and of the angular displacement of the external lock/unlock lever component;

Figure 10 is a representation in perspective view of the side door latch indicating the application of locking force to the opening lever component and internal lock/unlock;

Figure 11 is a representation in perspective view of the side door latch indicating a return state of the external opening lever component to its initial position;

Figure 12 is a representation in perspective view of the side door latch indicating an external opening position of the external opening lever component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read and interpreted with reference to the drawings presented herein, said drawings being highly diagrammatical, representing a preferred embodiment, not intending to limit the scope of the invention, which is only limited as defined in the set of claims.

With reference to the drawings, this present patent of invention application refers to a new anti-panic device applied to a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles. Figure 1 represents a latch for side doors (A) , which receives a main lever (1) that enables the anti-panic device per se, the primary function of which is to "provide external commutation" .

In turn, the main lever (1) is directly connected to levers (2) and (3) respectively. Lever (2) serves as the external opening of the latch

(A) , whereas lever (3) serves as the external lock/unlock of the same latch (A) .

Additionally, the anti-panic device works with the lever (4) , which serves both as the opening lever of the latch (A) and as the internal lock/unlock of the same.

The applicant emphasizes that the lock/unlock system of the latch (A) bears components that are widely known in the state of the art, and since such components are not claimed herein, they will not be detailed in this specification, being illustrated solely as a reference for an improved understanding of the device now claimed.

In turn, the constructive concept of the main lever

(1) is duly represented by figures 2, 3, 4, 8 and 6, respectively, said lever being defined by a main body (IA), being approximately oblong-shaped, and an oblong cleft (IB) is defined in a first half, and a preferably rectangular cleft (1C) is defined in the second half, which creates an opening in the middle portion, the practical result of which lies in the definition of an arm (ID) . Clefts (IB) and (1C) are provided to enable the assembly of the main lever (1) in conjunction with the pivotal support elements (8) , provided in component parts of the latch itself (A) .

The constructive concept of the main lever (1) also has a pivotal element (IE) in the second half of the main body (IA) , which is assembled inside the lever (2) accommodation (2A) .

For an improved visual understanding of the anti-panic device now claimed, firstly see figure 7, showing a state in which the lever (2) is at its initial position (Pr) , and levers (3) and (4) are in locked position (Pt) .

At this point, a first force (Fl) is applied directly on the external opening lever (2) of the latch (A) , as illustrated in figure 7, generating an angular displacement (θl) of same based on a reference point (Ref .1) , as illustrated in figure 8.

As a result of this angular displacement (θl) of the lever (2), levers (3) and (4) then receive an external unlocking force (F2) or an internal unlocking force (F3) , respectively, as represented in figure 8, which, in turn, generate angular displacements (Θ2) and (Θ3), respectively, as indicated in figure 9.

The practical result of the action described above can be translated by the unlocked position (Pd) of the external lock/unlock lever (3) of the same latch (A) , and levers (5) and (6) also undergo an angular displacement action, thus constituting the unlocked position of the latch, as illustrated in figure 9.

The angular displacement (Θ2) of the lever (2) makes its pivotal support element (8) interact with the arm (ID) of the main lever (1) , which is forced outwards, thus allowing the lever (2) to be unlocked, more specifically the external lock/unlock system to be unlocked.

In turn, the opening lever (4) and internal lock/unlock continues to receive an unlocking force (F4) , as illustrated in figure 9, until it reaches the unlocked position (Pd) , by way of angular displacement (Θ4) as illustrated in figure 10.

It is important to note that in the state described above, the arm (ID) of the deformed position of the main lever (1) is maintained, but said displacement acts directly on the lever (6) .

Next, a locking force (F5) is applied to the lever (4) , causing angular displacement (Θ5) thereof until it again reaches its locked position (Pt) , as illustrated in figure 11. Note that in this state, levers (5) and (6) undergo no angular displacement.

In this state, the main lever (1) , due to the action of a spring element, returns to its original position, namely, the locked position (Pd) , alleviating the tension on the arm (ID) and causing it to return, by memory effect, to its original state. In turn, the lever (2) returns to its reposed position (Pr) , causing the pivotal element (IE) of the main lever (1) to position itself next to the upper portion of the lever (2) accommodation (2A) .

The above state causes a new opening force (F6) on the lever (2) and, accordingly, the main lever (1) undergoes a sideways displacement, acting directly on the lever (7) by way of an unlocking force (F7) , thus allowing the external opening to be operated, as illustrated in figures 11 and 12 respectively, from inside the automotive vehicle.

By virtue of all that has been described and illustrated herein, the anti-panic device now claimed provides an unprecedented solution, having inventive step, providing advantages in terms of practicality, assembly and productivity with reliability, besides the safety aspect described herein, and thus complies with the concession requirements for patents of invention, in light of the Industrial Property Law, consequently meriting the respective patent privilege.

Claims

1) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, characterized by being a set of levers (1), (2), (3) and (4) mounted and inter-operative.

2) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the main lever (1) , called the external commutation lever, is comprised of a main body (IA) , being approximately oblong-shaped, having an oblong cleft (IB) defined in a first half, and a preferably rectangular- shaped cleft defined in the second half (1C) , which creates an opening in the middle portion defining an arm (ID) , and also provides for a pivotal element (IE) .

3) Anti -panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, characterized by the fact that its workings are based on a first stage wherein the external lock/unlock lever (3) goes from a locked position (Pt) to an unlocked position (Pd) , by the action of a first force (Fl) directly on the external opening lever (2) of the latch (A) , causing angular displacement (θl) which, in turn, generates external unlocking force (F2) or internal unlocking forces (F3) to the levers (3) and (4), respectively, which are angularly displaced (Θ2) and (Θ3), directly impacting upon the levers (5) and (6) .

4) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that in a second stage of the release process to the external opening of the latch (A) the angular displacement (Θ2) of the lever (2) occurs, in which its pivotal support element (8) interferes with the arm (ID) of the main lever (1), which is forced outwards, unlocking the external lock/unlock system.

5) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that in a third stage, the lever (4) of the opening and internal lock/unlock goes from a locked position (Pt) to an unlocked position (Pd) , by the action of an unlocking force

(F4) , generating an angular displacement (Θ4), but maintaining the state of the arm forced outwards (ID) of the main lever (1) and pressuring the lever (6) .

6) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that in a fourth stage, the lever (4) returns to its initial locked state (Pt) by the action of a locking force (F5) to the lever (4) , generating an angular displacement (Θ5), but maintaining levers (5) and (6) without function.

7) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that in a fifth stage, the main lever (1) returns to its original state, due to the release of pressure on the arm (ID) , returning to its original position, and the lever (2) also returns to its relaxed position (Pr) , causing the pivotal element (IE) to be positioned next to the upper portion of the lever (2) accommodation (2A) .

8) Anti-panic device applied in a lock/unlock system for the internal opening of side door latches of automotive vehicles, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that in a sixth stage, and having operated the external opening by the action of an opening force (F6) to the lever

(2) and, thereby, the main lever (1) undergoes sideways displacement, acting directly on the lever (7) by way of an unlocking force (F7) .