FR2890423A1 - Rear bumper face-bar and mud guard fixation device for motor vehicle, has unit fixing connector element to support in removable manner during use position, and film hinge connecting replacement element to support in articulated manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a connector element detachably receiving a complementary connector element. A unit includes attachments and fixes in a removable manner the connector element to a support (28) in a use position. A replacement connector element (32) is moved from a storage position to a replacement position closer to the use position for receiving the complementary connector element. A film hinge (86) connects the replacement connector element to the support in articulated manner.

Description

The invention generally relates to vehicle fastening devices

automobile.

  More specifically, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a fastener of the type comprising a connecting element capable of receiving a removably fastening a complementary connecting element.

  Fasteners of this type are commonly used on motor vehicles such as the one whose rear is partially shown in Figure 1, to assemble the bumper 1 and the mudguard 2.

  A fastening device of the state of the art is shown in FIG. 2. It comprises a barrel 3 made of soft material pierced by a smooth 4-pi-king orifice 4, and tabs 8 for attaching the barrel 3 to the skin bumper 1. The mudguard 2 is pierced with a circular hole 14. The orifice 4 is arranged so that its central axis passes through the center of the hole 14. The orifice 4 is intended to receive a screw (not shown). The threaded rod of the screw de-forms the smooth wall 6. The head of the screw pinches the edges of the orifice 14 against the barrel 3.

  The barrel 3 and the tab 8 are made of plastic and are fixed by welding or gluing on the skin of the bumper 1.

  When it is necessary to disassemble the bumper 1, to repair it or to access equipment located behind him, the screws are removed from the orifices 4, by unscrewing. They are then screwed into the same holes 4 when the bumper is reassembled on the vehicle. In practice, it happens that the screws are mis-oriented in the orifice, so that the internal wall 6 of the barrel 3 is irreparably damaged. It is then possible to remove the screws but not to screw them back into the barrel 3. Because the barrel 3 is permanently attached to the bumper skin 1, it is necessary, in this case, to replace the entire bumper. While the deterioration only occurs on a minor piece, the barrel 3, it is necessary to exchange a large, expensive, bumper.

  In this context, the invention aims to provide a fixing device for performing repairs on the bumper economically.

  To this end, the invention relates to a fixing device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises a support, removable fixing means of the support connecting element to the support in a position of use and an element of replacement link can be placed from a storage position in a replacement position close to the position of use or the same as the latter so as to receive attachment of the complementary connecting element.

  The fastening device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered alone or in all the technically possible combinations: it comprises means for removably fixing the replacement connecting element to the support in the position of storage, and means for fixing the replacement connecting element to the support in the replacement position; it comprises means for pivoting the replacement connecting element relative to the support, between its storage position and its replacement position; the pivoting means comprise a flexible film connecting the replacement connecting element to the support in an articulated manner; the support comprises a use window delimited by a peripheral edge in which the connecting element is fixed in the use position thereof and in which the replacement connecting element is fixed in the replacement position of that -this; - The fastening means of the connecting element in its use position comprise frangible material bridges solidarisant the connecting element and the edge of the window; the means for fixing the replacement connecting element in its replacement position comprise tabs secured to the replacement connecting element and capable of snapping the edge of the use window; the support comprises a storage window in which the replacement connecting element is fixed in the storage position of the latter; the connecting element and the replacement connecting element each comprise a drum made of smooth-walled soft material pierced by an orifice, the barrel being able to receive and fix a threaded rod by screwing into the orifice and deformation of the smooth wall; and - the connecting element and the replacement connecting element each comprise a flat plate integral with the barrel, the fixing means of the replacement connecting element in its storage position comprising legs integral with the support and capable of snapping the plate of the replacement connecting element.

  According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the use of the fixing device having the above characteristics in a self-propelled vehicle for attaching a bumper to a mudguard having a fixing hole, the support being integral with the bumper, the orifice of the connecting element in the use position extending in the extension of the fixing hole.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which is given below by way of indication and not by way of limitation, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a view in one direction; cross section of the rear of a motor vehicle, showing a bumper fixed on a mudguard using a fixing device of the state of the art; - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the vehicle of Figure 1, considered according to the incidence of arrows II of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to the invention, the connecting element occupying its position of use and the replacement connecting element occupying its storage position; FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3, the connecting element having been removed, and the replacement connecting element occupying its storage position; - Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, the replacement connecting member occupying its replacement position; FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the fastening device of FIG. 3, considered according to the incidence of the arrows VI of FIG. 3, further showing the bumper skin and the mudguard assembled using the fastening device; - Figure 7 is a sectional view of the fixing device in the situation of Figure 5, considered according to the incidence of the arrows Vil of Figure 5, further showing the bumper skin and the mudguard; and - Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the fixing device in the situation of Figure 5, considered according to the incidence of arrows VIII of Figure 5, further showing the mudguard.

  The attachment device 16 is provided, as shown in Figure 1, to assemble a bumper, here a rear bumper 1, with a mudguard 2, on a motor vehicle. The bumper 1 comprises a bumper skin 18 provided with a transverse central portion (not shown) and two longitudinal side portions 20, disposed on either side of the central portion. Each side portion 20 terminates in a free flange 22 extending transversely towards the interior of the vehicle. The bumper skin 18 is a molded plastic part.

  The mudguard 2 comprises a semi-annular portion enveloping the upper half of the vehicle wheel. This part presents towards the outside a free edge 24 placed under the re-entrant edge 22 of the bumper skin.

  The free edge 24 is pierced with a circular orifice 26, visible in FIG. 6, in a part not covered by the re-entrant edge 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing device 16 comprises a support 28 connected to the bumper skin 18, a connecting element 30 fixed to the support 28 facing the hole 26 and capable of receiving a complementary connecting element, and a replacement connecting member 32 attached to the support 28 and also capable of receiving the complementary connecting element.

  The support 28 is a plastic part, presenting perpendicularly to an X axis a U-shaped section. It thus comprises a flat central panel 34 pressed against the free edge 24 of the mudguard 2, a lateral flat fixing panel 36, perpendicular the central panel 34, integral with the transverse portion 20 of the bumper skin, and a lateral storage panel 38 plane substantially perpendicular to the central panel 34.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the free edge 24 of the mudguard is caught between the re-entrant edge 22 of the bumper skin 18 and the central panel 34.

  The re-entrant edge 22, the free edge 24 and the central pan 34 are substantially parallel to each other.

  The support 28 also comprises a use window 40 (FIG. 3), rectangular, cut in the central panel 34. The window 40 extends opposite the hole 26. The support 28 also comprises a window of 42, of rectangular shape, cut into the storage pan 38.

  The long sides of the use window 40 and the storage window 42 are parallel to the X axis. In addition, the two windows are located substantially at the same level along the X axis. The linking element 30 comprises a rectangular flat plate 44 and a frustoconical barrel 46 projecting on a large rear face 48 of the plate 44. The barrel 46 has a central axis Y substantially perpendicular to the plate 44, and widens towards the plate 44. It is crossed (Figure 6) by an orifice 49, also frustoconical, of central axis Y, delimited by a smooth wall 50. The orifice 49 passes entirely through the barrel 46 and the plate 44, and is open, on the one hand, at the small base of the frustoconical barrel 46, and, secondly, at a large front face 52 of the plate 44 pressed against the free edge 24. The orifice 49 diverges from the small base of the 46 to the large front face 52. The shaft 46 is disposed in the center of the plate 44.

  The device comprises means for fixing the connecting element 30 in a position of use, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this position, the connecting element 30 is arranged in the use window 40, the large edges 54 of the plate 44 being disposed along the long edges 56 of the window 40, and the small edges 58 of the plate 44 being arranged parallel to the small edges 60 of the window 40. The edges 54 and 58 of the 44 are slightly shorter than the edges 56 and 60 of the window 40, so that there remains a gap between the plate 44 and the edges of the window 40.

  The fixing means of the plate 44 in its position of use comprise bridges of frangible material (not shown) solidarisant the large edges 54 of the plate 44 at the peripheral edge of the use window 40, and more precisely to the large edges 56.

  In the position of use of the connecting element 30, the orifice 49 of the barrel 46 is disposed in the extension of the hole 26, the Y axis passing through the center of the circular hole 26.

  The replacement link member 32 is substantially identical to the link member 30, except for a few points which will be detailed later. It comprises a plate 62, of the same shape as the plate 44, and a shank 64, identical to the shank 46 (FIG. 5).

  The device comprises removable fixing means of the replacement element 32 to the support 28 in a storage position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In its storage position, the replacement element is disposed in the storage window 42 , its large edges 66 and 67 extending parallel to the large edges 68 of the window 42 and its small edges 70 parallel to the small edges 72 of the window 42. The edges 66, 67 and 70 are slightly shorter respectively than the edges 68 and 72, so that a gap remains between the plate 62 and the edges 68 and 72 of the window 42. The reference numerals 66 and 67 respectively indicate the large edges of the plate 62 relatively more distant and relative- closer to the central pan 34 in FIG.

  The fixing means of the replacement connecting element 32 in the window 42 comprise three latching lugs of the plate 62, projecting towards the inside of the window 42, from the edges 68 and 72 of this window.

  The tab 74 protrudes from the large edge 68 and bears against the face 76 of the plate 62 opposite the barrel 64, on the large edge 66. The two tabs 78 project from the two small edges 72 opposite and come to bear against the face 80 of the plate 62 facing the shaft 64.

  The device also comprises means for fixing the replacement element 32 in a replacement position substantially identical to the position of use, once the connecting element 30 has been separated from the support 28 and removed. This replacement position is illustrated in FIG. 5. The replacement element 32, in the replacement position, fits into the wear window 40, its face 76 being pressed against the mudguard 2, its barrel 64 being disposed on one side of the plate 62 opposite the mudguard 2. The hole of the barrel 64 extends in the extension of the hole 26, and its axis passes through the center of the circular hole 26.

  The fixing means of the replacement element 32 in its replacement position comprise tabs 84 and 82 which can engage the edges 56 and 60 of the window 40.

  More specifically, these means comprise two locking tabs 82 carried by the face 80 of the plate 62 and projecting outwardly of the plate relative to the large edge 66. They also comprise two detent tabs 84 formed on the face 76 of the plate 62, and protruding outwardly of the plate relative to the two small edges 70. The two tabs 82 are arranged along the same large edge 66 of the plate 62, while the two legs 84 are disposed on the two small opposite edges 70 of the plate.

  In the replacement position, the locking tabs 82 come to bear on an edge 56, against a side of the pan 34 opposite the mudguard 2 (Figure 7). The two detent tabs 84 come to bear against the two small opposite edges 60 of the window 40, the side of the pan 34 facing the pare 2 (Figure 8).

  The device further comprises means for pivoting the replacement element 32 relative to the support 28 between its storage position and its replacement position. These pivoting means comprise a flexible film 86, connecting the replacement element 32 to the support 28 in an articulated manner. The film 86 is rigidly fixed on the face 76 of the plate 62, along the edge 67. Thus, it is fixed in the angle between the panels 34 and 38, along virtually the entire window 40.

  The support 28, the connecting elements 30 and 32, and the fixing or pivoting means between the connecting elements and the support came from molding. The device 16 is made of plastic material.

  Preferably, the fixing device 16 is molded with the bumper skin 18, but it can also be fixed by gluing, welding, etc.

  The operation of the fixing device will be described in the following paragraphs.

  Initially, the bumper skin 18 is fixed on the mudguard 2 by means of the device 16 by inserting the free edge 24 of the mudguard 2 between the re-entrant edge 22 of the skin 18 and the pan 34 of the support 28. Once the hole 26 is in position in front of the orifice 49, the threaded portion of a screw is screwed into the barrel 46. The smooth wall 50 of the orifice 49 is deformed by the threading of the screw. The screw, once fully engaged in the orifice 49, is retained in the barrel 46, and its head pinches the edges of the hole 26 against the pan 34.

  When the bumper 1 must be removed and separated from the mudguard 2, the screw is unscrewed and removed from the orifice 49. If the operation is conducted carefully, it is possible to perform several disassembly and reassembly successive of the pare shocks 1, the screw being unscrewed and screwed into the orifice 49 each time.

  On the other hand, it may happen that it becomes impossible to screw the screw into the orifice 49, because the smooth wall 50 has been damaged by removing the screw, or during the previous screwing.

  In this case, the connecting element 30 is separated from the support 28, by cutting the bridges of material that join the plate 44 and the edges of the window 40. This operation is performed for example with a cutter.

  Then, a suitable tool is engaged in the hole of the replacement element 32, and a pull is exerted on this element 32 so as to disengage tabs 74 and 78. The traction is performed so as to rotate the element 32 around the film 86.

  Once the element 32 has been unlocked, it is pivoted, by means of the tool, to its replacement position in the window 40. Adequate traction makes it possible to engage the edges of the window 40, the tabs 82 resting on one side of the panel 34, and the tabs 84 passing through the window 40 by deforming elastically and bearing against the opposite side of the panel 34.

  Once the replacement element 32 is in its replacement position, it is possible to raise the bumper 1 on the pareboue 2, by screwing a screw in the hole of the barrel 64.

  The window 42 is slightly wider than the window 40, the width being appreciated at the respective small edges 72 and 60 of the windows. As a result, the tabs 82 do not interfere with the large edge 68 of the window 42 when the replacement member 32 pivots from its storage position to its replacement position.

  The fixing device described above has many advantages.

  In case the barrel 46 of the connecting element is damaged during assembly or disassembly of the bumper, it is not necessary to replace the complete bumper. This result is achieved by providing that the connecting element can be separated from its support, and providing that a replacement element can be attached in place of the connecting element.

  The means used are simple and economical. The fixing device is a molded piece made of plastic. The replacement element pivots around a hinge 86 film, particularly inexpensive.

  The replacement element is captive, since it is both snapped onto the support 28 in the storage position, and connected thereto by the film hinge 86.

  The fixing device is particularly easy to use: a simple cutter is sufficient to separate the connecting element from the support, and the replacement element is fixed in the use window 40 by simply snapping.

  The fastening device may have multiple variants.

  The attachment orifices of the connecting elements 30 and 32 may not have a smooth wall, but rather be threaded.

  These orifices may be provided to receive not a screw, but any other fastening means capable of being disassembled, for example a pin.

  The replacement position of the replacement element 32 may not correspond exactly to the position of use of the connecting element 30. For example, the replacement element 30 in the replacement position may be slightly farther away. 2 of the mudguard that the connecting element 30 in the position of use. This position is then adjusted by acting on the shape of the tabs 82 and 84. The replacement element 32 may also be arranged slightly at an angle to the window 40. However, it is important that it remains possible to introduce a screw through the circular hole 26 in the hole of the barrel 64.

  The fixing device may also comprise two replacement elements 32, one stored in a window 42 formed on the panel 38, and the other stored in another window, formed on another panel located on the side of the attachment panel 36 This additional pan would be parallel to the pan 36 and slightly spaced from it so that the drum 64 can be housed between the additional pan and the pan 36.

  Finally, it is possible to provide that the device does not include a hinge 86. The support will include, in this case, a tab 74 additional, capable of snapping the large edge 67 of the plate 62.

  Of course, this type of fastening device can be adapted to other parts requiring frequent assembly or disassembly, such as baffles, mud flaps ... Obviously, this type of device can be considered outside the box. 'automobile industry.

Claims (11)

  1. Fastening device (16) comprising a connecting element (30) capable of being removably fastened to a complementary connecting element, characterized in that it comprises a support (28), means for removably attaching the connecting member (30) to the support (28) in a use position and a replacement connecting member (32) movable from a storage position to a replacement position close to the use position or identical to the latter so as to receive the complementary connecting element with fixation.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (74, 78) for removably fixing the replacement connecting element (32) to the support (28) in the storage position, and means (82, 84) securing the replacement connecting member (32) to the holder (28) in the replacement position.   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means (86) for pivoting the replacement connecting element (32) relative to the support (28), between its storage position and its replacement position.   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivoting means comprise a flexible film (86) connecting the replacement connecting member (32) to the support (28) in an articulated manner.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support (28) comprises a use window (40) defined by a peripheral edge (56, 60) in which is fixed the element of link (30) in the use position thereof and wherein the replacement link member (32) is attached to the replacement position thereof.   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means of the connecting element (30) in its position of use comprise bridges of frangible material solidarisant the connecting element (30) and the edge (56) of the window (40).   7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the means for fixing the replacement connecting element (32) in its replacement position comprise (82, 84) lugs integral with the connecting element of replacement (32) and engageable rim (56, 60) of the use window (40).   8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrier (28) comprises a storage window (42), in which is fixed the replacement connecting element (32) in the storage position of it.   9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting element (30) and the replacement connecting element (32) each comprise a shaft (46, 64) of material soft-walled (50) smooth pierced by a hole (49), the barrel (46, 64) being able to receive and fix a threaded rod by screwing in the orifice (49) and deformation of the wall (50) smooth .   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting element (30) and the replacement connecting element (32) each comprise a flat plate (44, 62) integrally formed with the barrel (46, 64), the fixing means of the replacement connecting element (32) in its storage position comprising lugs (74, 78) integral with the support (28) and capable of snapping the plate (62) of the replacement link member (32).   11. Use of the device according to any one of claims 9 to 10 in a motor vehicle for fixing a bumper (1) on a mudguard (2) having a mounting hole (26), the support (28) being integral with the bumper (1), the orifice (49) of the connecting element (30) in the use position extending in the extension of the fixing hole (26).