FR2956081A1 - MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED MOUNTING METHOD. - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly includes a panel (12), a component (14), and means (16) for attaching the component (14) to the panel (12). The attachment means (16) comprises a rib (40) and a detent tab (42) projecting from the rib (40). The fastening means (16) comprise a receptacle (44) engaged on the latching lug (42). The receptacle (44) defines a slot (62) having a cross section substantially complementary to the cross section of the rib (40). It has a first region (80) in which the slot (62) receives a first portion of the rib (40) located in the extension of the latching lug (42) and a second region (82A, 82B) in which the slot (62) receives a second portion of the rib (40) located laterally away from the latching lug (42).

Description

The present invention relates to a set of motor vehicle equipment, of the type comprising: - a panel having a support surface; a component fixed on the panel facing the support surface; means for fastening the component to the panel, the fastening means comprising: at least one rib projecting from a first element among the panel and the component; at least one latching lug protruding from the rib, away from the first element among the panel and the component, the rib and the latching lug being integrally formed with the first element from the panel and the component; a snap-in receptacle engaged on the snap tab to retain the component on the panel. Such an assembly is intended to constitute for example a motor vehicle door comprising two door panels assembled one on the other, or comprising an insert or a lining assembled on a door panel. To assemble a panel and a component of a motor vehicle door, it is known to weld them together to meet the various vibratory specifications, side impact, and rigidity. For this purpose, the attachment by welding is very robust, and generally meets the specifications. However, this solution has the disadvantage of being expensive. Alternatively, to partially reduce the cost, it is known to assemble the panel and the component by screwing, which allows to maintain good mechanical properties. However, such a fixing remains quite expensive, especially because of the unit cost of the screws, and the assembly time required to mount them. To partially overcome this problem, there is known from FR-2 887 598 a set of motor vehicle equipment comprising a decorative strip fixed on a body panel. To secure the attachment, the strip has snap tabs. The tabs are received in corresponding latching receptacles which are reported in ports in the body panel.

Such a solution has the advantage of being simple to mount.

However, its cost remains high, since it is necessary to report the ratchet receptacles on the body panel. In addition, the mechanical strength of the assembly is insufficient to meet the specifications set by manufacturers, especially for parts that are stressed in tension and / or shear. An object of the invention is therefore to obtain a set of motor vehicle equipment having a panel and a component fixed on the panel with inexpensive but very robust fixing means, especially when they are subject to stress. in tension or in shear.

To this end, the invention relates to an assembly of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the receptacle is integral with a second element among the panel and the component; the receptacle defining a slot having a cross section substantially complementary to the cross section of the rib, the receptacle having a first region in which the slot receives a first portion of the rib located in the extension of the latching lug and at least one second region in which the slot receives a second portion of the rib laterally located away from the latching lug. The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any combination (s) technically possible (s): the receptacle comprises a plurality of second regions, the second regions being located on either side of the first region; - The slot opens through an opening opening of the rib opening against the first element of the panel and the component, the receptacle defining in the first region a passage opening of the latching lug, the opening of passage opening opposite the opening of introduction; the slot is closed opposite the introduction opening in the or in each second region; the latching lug comprises a head projecting transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rib, the head delimiting a retaining surface extending facing the first element among the panel and the component, the retaining surface being pressing on a surface of the receptacle; the receptacle comprises two parallel walls delimiting the slot; the receptacle extends along an edge of the second element among the panel and the component; the receptacle is held in abutment against the first element among the panel and the component; and the panel is a motor vehicle door panel. The invention also relates to a method of mounting an assembly as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - separate supply of the panel and the component, the rib and the latching lug being located outside the ratchet receptacle; - insertion of the rib and the latching lug into the receptacle; - Engaging the latching lug with the receptacle in the first region and cooperating between the rib and the receptacle in the or each second region to secure the component to the panel. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a first set of motor vehicle equipment according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a view taken in section along the plane II of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a view taken in section along the plane III of Figure 1; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, before mounting the component on the panel. A first set 10 of motor vehicle equipment according to the invention is shown in Figure 1. This assembly 10 is intended for example to constitute a motor vehicle door comprising a plurality of panels assembled together or an insert assembled on a panel. Alternatively, the assembly 10 is an interior trim member or exterior of the vehicle comprising a panel, and a component attached to the panel, such as a decorative strip. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the equipment assembly 10 comprises a base panel 12, a component 14 attached to the panel 12, and means 16 for fixing the component 14 to the panel 12. As indicated above, the panel 12 is for example an inner or outer panel of a motor vehicle door. It comprises a substantially flat main body 18 extended by a dropped edge 20 on the component 16.

The main body 18 and the support edge 20 are made in one piece, being made of material, for example by molding a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, in particular a polyolefin thermoplastic. The main body 18 delimits a bearing surface 22 of the component 14 and an opposite surface 24. The bearing edge 20 protrudes with respect to the bearing surface 22 towards the component 14, in a generally perpendicular or inclined direction D relative to the bearing surface 22. Next to the fastening means 16, the bearing surface 22 has in this example two parallel support beads 26 extending substantially perpendicularly to the bearing edge 20. In FIG. As shown in Figure 1, the component 14 is another door panel, a door lining attached to the panel 12, or an insert such as a tray, a door handle.

The component 14 comprises a main part 30 and a support edge 32 of the fastening means 16. The body 30 and the edge 32 are made in one piece, being made of material, for example by molding a thermoplastic material or thermosetting, in particular a polyolefin thermoplastic.

The support edge 32 extends opposite the bearing surface 22, substantially parallel to this surface 22. The main portion 30 and the support edge 32 delimit a contact surface 34 with the panel 12 and an opposite surface 36 at the panel 12. The support edge 20 is applied to the contact surface 34 of the component 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the contact surface 34 is partially delimited by a bearing layer 38. According to the invention, the fastening means 16 comprise a reinforcing rib 40 and a latching tab 42. protruding from the rib 40, the rib 40 and the tab 42 being carried by the panel 12.

The fastening means 16 further comprise a ratchet receptacle 44 for receiving the tab 42 and the rib 40, the receptacle 44 being carried by the component 14. According to the invention, the rib 40 and the tab 42 are made of one piece while being integral with the panel 12.

As illustrated by Figures 1 and 4, the rib 40 projects from the bearing surface 22 in the direction D to a free edge 46 on a height h1 less than its length. Advantageously, the rib 40 extends longitudinally away from the bearing edge 20 of the panel 12, in particular substantially parallel to the bearing edge 20. The rib 40 comprises, moving from the bearing surface 22 towards the free edge 46, a thinned base portion 48 placed in contact with the bearing surface 22 and a main portion 40 of greater thickness than the base portion 48. The main portion 40 defines the free edge 46.

The height h1 of the rib 40 is also greater than the height of the support edge 20, taken from the bearing surface 22. The latching lug 42 protrudes away from the bearing surface 22 in the direction D from the free edge 46. It comprises a latching head 52 and advantageously reinforcing ribs 54, visible in Figure 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the head 52 also protrudes with respect to the rib 40 in a direction parallel to the bearing surface 22, directed upwards in FIG. 1. The tab 42 thus delimits a retaining surface 56 extending opposite the bearing surface 18, away from the rib 40, opposite the fallen edge 20.

The reinforcing ribs 54 extend substantially in the direction D opposite the head 52 on the rib 40. They protrude from the rib 40 between the rib 40 and the fallen edge 20. As illustrated by FIG. 4, the receptacle 44 comprises a hollow body 60 made in one piece integrally with the component 14.

In the example shown in the figures, the hollow body 60 extends in the extension of the support edge 32, parallel to the support edge 32. The hollow body 60 defines a slot 62 for receiving the rib 40 and the tab 42. The slot 62 extends along a longitudinal axis A-A '. The hollow body 60 comprises two longitudinal walls 64A, 64B substantially parallel, interconnected by a bottom wall 66 having two regions 66A, 66B disjointed. The walls 64A, 64B extend parallel to each other substantially in the direction D when the component 14 is assembled on the panel 12, between a connecting edge 68, located away from the panel 12, and a free edge 70, applied to the panel 12.

The walls 64A, 64B delimit, between their free edges 70, an insertion opening 72 of the rib 40 and the detent tab 42 in the slot 62.

The insertion opening 72 emerges opposite the bearing surface 22. The walls 64A, 64B also delimit two opposite longitudinal openings 74 through which the rib 40 passes. The bottom wall 66 connects the connecting edges 68 of the walls. longitudinal 64 between them, opposite the opening 72. The bottom wall 66 delimits, between its regions 66A, 66B, a central opening 76 for passage of the detent tab 42 opening on the opposite side of the introduction opening 72. The connecting edges 68 are discovered in the passage opening 76.

The slot 62 is delimited between the longitudinal walls 64A, 64B. It opens longitudinally at the ends of the walls through the through openings 74 of the rib 40. The slot 62 opens out to the panel 12 through the insertion opening 72. It opens opposite the panel 12 through the opening passage 76. It is partially closed by the bottom wall 66 opposite to the insertion opening 72. The slot 62 has a cross section, taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the slot, substantially complementary to the cross-section of the slot. the rib 40. It has a depth, taken between the bottom wall 66 and the opening 72 substantially equal to the height h1 of the rib 40.

As will be seen in detail below, the receptacle 44 defines a first region 80, in which the slot opens through the passage opening 74, and second regions 82A, 82B, located on either side of the first region 80, in which the slot 62 is closed away from the insertion opening 72 by the bottom wall 66.

The length of each second region 82A, 82B, taken along the axis AA 'of the slot 62, is greater than 0.5 times the length of the first region 80. The panel 12 and the component 14 are movable. one relative to the other during assembly of the assembly 10, between a disassembled initial position, in which the fastening means 16 are disengaged, and a mounted position, in which the fastening means 16 are engaged so that the panel 12 and the component 14 are integral with each other. In the disassembled position, shown in Figure 4, the panel 12 and the component 14 are located apart from each other. The rib 40 and the snap tab 42 are located outside the slot 62 of the receptacle 44. The panel 12 and the component 14 are free to move relative to each other.

In the mounted position, rib 40 and snap tab 42 have been introduced into slot 62. Rib 40 is received in slot 62 over the entire length of slot 62 being engaged through passage openings 74. .

The latching tab 42 protrudes into the passage opening 76. Its retaining surface 56 is applied to the connecting edge 68. The free edge 70 of each wall 64A, 64B is held in abutment on the bearing surface 22. The bearing edge 20 is then applied against the contact surface 34. The regions 82A, 82B located on either side of the central region 80 receive the portions of the reinforcement rib 40 located laterally on the side and side. In these regions, the rib 40 is complementarily overlapped by the bottom wall 66 and the side walls 64A, 64B. This ensures a very robust fastening of the component 14 on the panel 12, in particular when tensile or shear stresses are applied between the panel 12 and the component 14. The fastening means 16 are made of material on the one hand with the panel 12, and secondly, with the component 14, their construction and assembly is easy, by a simple snap. The presence of a fastener attached between the panel 12 and the component 14 or a weld at the fastening means 16 is not necessary, which reduces the cost. A method of mounting assembly 10 will now be described. Initially, the panel 12 and the component 14 are in their disassembled position, away from each other.

When the component 14 is to be assembled on the panel 12, the receptacle 44 is placed opposite the rib 40, aligning the locking tab 42 with the passage opening 76. Then, the rib 40 is introduced into the slot 62 through the introduction opening 72 by bringing the receptacle 44 closer to the bearing surface 22 in the direction D.

Rib 40 and tab 42 slide into slot 62 until snap-in head 52 is drawn through passage opening 76. When retaining surface 56 exits slot 68, applies on the connecting edge 68 opposite. In this configuration, the free edge 70 of the walls 64A, 64B is applied against the bearing surface 28 and the bearing edge 20 of the panel 12 is in contact with the contact surface 34 of the component 14. The component 14 is then securely attached to the panel 12.

In a variant, the panel 12 carries the receptacle 44 and the component 14 carries the reinforcing rib 40 and the detent tab 42.

Claims (1)

A set (10) of motor vehicle equipment, of the type comprising: - a panel (12) having a support surface (22); - a component (14) fixed on the panel (12) facing the support surface (22); means (16) for fastening the component (14) to the panel (12), the fastening means (16) comprising: at least one rib (40) projecting from a first element among the panel ( 12) and the component (14); at least one latching lug (42) protruding from the rib (40), away from the first one of the panel (12) and the component (16), the rib (40) and the leg detent (42) being integral with the first of the panel (12) and the component (16); a detent receptacle (44) engaged on the detent tab (42) for retaining the component (14) on the panel (12); characterized in that the receptacle (44) is integral with a second one of the panel (12) and the component (14); the receptacle (44) defining a slot (62) having a cross section substantially complementary to the cross section of the rib (40), the receptacle (44) having a first region (80) in which the slot (62) receives a first part of the rib (40) located in the extension of the latching lug (42) and at least one second region (82A, 82B) in which the slot (62) receives a second portion of the rib (40) located laterally away from the latching lug (42). 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of second regions, the first region (80). 3.- assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slot (62) opens through an opening (72) for introducing the rib (40) opening opposite the first element among the panel (12) and the component (14), the receptacle (44) delimiting in the first region (80) an opening (76) for passage of the detent tab (42), the passage opening (76) is opening opposite the introduction opening (72). 4.- assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (62) is closed opposite the introduction opening (72) in the or in each second region (82A, 82B). 5. An assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching lug (42) comprises a head (52) projecting transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rib (40), the head (52) defining a retaining surface (56) extending facing the first member of the panel (12) and the component (14), the retaining surface (56) abutting a surface of the receptacle ( 44). 6. An assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (44) has two parallel walls (64A, 64B) delimiting the slot (62). 7. An assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (44) extends along an edge (32) of the second element among the panel (12) and the component ( 14). 8. An assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (44) is held in abutment against the first element of the panel (12) and the component (14). 9. An assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel (12) is a door panel of a motor vehicle. 10. A method of mounting an assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - separate supply of the panel (12) and the component (14), the rib (40) and the latching lug (42) being located outside the latching receptacle (44); - inserting the rib (40) and the latching lug (42) into the receptacle (44); - engaging the latching lug (42) with the receptacle (44) in the first region (80) and cooperating between the rib (40) and the receptacle (44) in the or each second region (82A, 82B ) to fix the component (14) on the panel (12).