FR2946609A1 - System for fixing trim element i.e. trim skirt, to case of vehicle signaling device i.e. front or rear flash light, has set of fixation units for assuring fixation of trim element, and another set of fixation units including element - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a set of fixation units for assuring fixation of a trim element (4) on a case. The fixation units cooperate by sliding of complementary surfaces in an installation direction. Another set of fixation units serves as a stop in the installation direction, where the latter set of fixation units assures retaining of the trim element in a direction opposite to that of installation direction. The latter set of fixation units includes a conical elongated element co-operating with a corresponding opening in a holding tab (12). An independent claim is also included for a method for assembling a trim element on a case of a vehicle signaling device.

Description

The invention relates to a fastening device for a fastening element to a vehicle signaling and / or lighting device housing and a method for assembling such a device to such a device. an element for covering a body, more particularly a device for fixing a covering element such as a skirt to a housing for signaling and / or lighting a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method of assembling a body trim element and more particularly to a method of assembling a trim element such as a skirt to a housing of a signaling device and / or lighting a vehicle.

For reasons of aesthetics and quality of finish it is common practice to provide a dressing skirt on a signal box and / or lighting a vehicle, more typically still on a tail light housing or before 'a vehicle. This dressing skirt is generally a separate part of the housing so that it can be mounted separately, essentially for reasons of ease of mounting the housing in the vehicle. There is therefore a need to be able to set up and fix such a covering element in a simple, effective and precise manner. It should be noted that this need is not necessarily limited to this type of application given the general problem to which it is linked.

Document FR 2 918 632 A1 by the same applicant addresses this question and provides an answer by proposing a fastening system comprising different fastening means distributed on the inner face of a covering element and the corresponding face of the housing intended to receive. the dressing element. They include three kinds of fasteners. The first kind of connection means is hook type ensuring a plating of the element on the housing, that is to say a retention of the element in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the element. The second kind of connecting means is of the clipping type, that is to say with positive contact surfaces engaged under force, the clipping movement being in a perpendicular to general plane of the element. This connection also provides a plating of the element on the housing. This connection however has a degree of freedom along a main axis parallel to the general plane of the element and thus also ensures positioning in a direction perpendicular to the axis of freedom of the link. The third kind of connecting means is of the notch type cooperating with a generally planar projecting part so as to ensure precise positioning along an axis in the plane of the projecting part, this axis corresponding to the axis of the degree of freedom of the binding of the second kind of bond. This results in precise positioning in three perpendicular directions of the cladding element. However, this fastening system has certain disadvantages, namely that the positioning movement during assembly requires two steps, a first translational approach step and a second rotation step in order to make the connection means cooperate. by clipping distributed on the faces of the element and the housing. This last movement requires some care to ensure that the clipping means are in front of each other. It also requires some room for movement and also for gripping the element to apply the force needed for clipping. In addition, the clipping operation requires a certain effort that can, during a misalignment of the clipping means, lead to a deterioration of these elements. The invention aims to propose a fixing system and a corresponding method overcoming at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. The invention consists of a system for attaching a cladding element to a housing such as that of a vehicle signaling device, the cladding element defining a surface, the system comprising: first fastening means ensuring a plating of the covering element on the housing and cooperating by sliding of complementary surfaces in a positioning direction included in a general or average plane of the surface of the covering element; second fixing means acting as a stop in the direction of implementation, the second fixing means being designed to ensure a retention of the trim element in a direction opposite to that of its introduction. This fastening system has the advantage of allowing the assembly of the cladding element by a simple movement in a direction included in the average or general plane of the element. No screwing, welding or other additional fastening action is necessary. The approach and the positioning of the element are facilitated by the first fixing means. Once these means at least partially engaged, just focus on the alignment of the second means to finish the assembly. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second fastening means ensure said retention of the covering element by a constraint caused by the positioning movement of said element. The assembly is made particularly convenient because it requires nothing more than to apply an increased effort at the end of the assembly phase to ensure the retention of the element to the housing. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second fastening means ensure positioning of the covering element in a direction transverse to the direction of implementation. This results in optimal fixation and positioning of the element relative to the housing. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first fixing means also ensure a positioning of the covering element in a direction comprised in the general or average plane of the surface of the covering element and transverse to the direction of implementation. These first means provide guidance of the element during assembly while ensuring accurate positioning. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second fixing means comprise at least one generally conical elongated element cooperating with a corresponding opening, the opening being preferentially in a fastening tab. These means allow guidance of the element ds commitment of said means, it results in ease of the final assembly phase. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elongated element is made of plastic and comprises a cross section with a conical profile. This profile is particularly interesting compared to the stress setting generated by the assembly movement. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second fastening means comprise at least one bearing zone with a cross section in the extension of the cross section of the elongated element. The support zone constitutes the stop and guarantees an exact positioning.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first fastening means comprise at least one first L-shaped lug cooperating with a second lug so as to ensure a plating of the lining element on the body in a direction perpendicular to the general or average plane of the surface of said dressing element. These fixing means are very simple to implement both from the point of view of production and assembly point of view. Although limited to a function of plating the element on the housing, they are very useful in combination with the second fastening means. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first attachment means comprise at least one T-tab cooperating with a slideway so as to ensure positioning of the covering element in the general or average plane of the surface of said the cladding element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of implementation. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the T-leg and / or the slide has at least one inclined contact surface so as to ensure a clamping between the leg and the slide during the introduction of the element. dressing. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and / or second fixing means are made of plastic material with the covering element and / or the body.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fixing means are distributed on the surface of the covering element so as to ensure a homogeneous attachment of said element. The optimum distribution of the different fastening means optimizes the function of each and ensure optimal fixation of the element to the housing.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, with respect to the positioning direction of the cladding element, the first fastening means are arranged forwards and the second fixing means are arranged at the front. rear of the first fastening means. The invention also consists of a method of assembling a cladding element to a housing such as that of a vehicle signaling device by means of a fastening system as described above, characterized by the following step: - translation of the dressing element to the housing in the direction of implementation so as to engage the first and second fastening means.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the help of the description and the drawings, among which: FIGS. 1a to 1c show the different stages of fixing a cladding element to a firebox of signaling of a vehicle involving a fastening system according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the fire dressing element of Figures 1a to 1c. FIGS. 3a to 3c are enlarged perspective views detailing a first type of connection as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 4a to 4g are enlarged perspective views detailing a second type of connection as shown in FIGS. 2. FIGS. 5a to 5f are enlarged perspective views detailing a third type of connection as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the description which follows, certain expressions such as upper, lower, front, back, ... used to describe the positions of certain constituent elements of the invention are not to be interpreted in an absolute and restrictive manner but in a relative manner. The traffic light and its skirt illustrated in the different figures can indeed be oriented differently on a vehicle according to the shape of the housing and also the function or functions that the signaling device and / or lighting has to provide. Indeed, the invention although illustrated in detail for a rear signaling light of a specific shape and orientation could be implemented for another signaling device and / or lighting such as a flashing front or rear or a projector or other housing requiring the attachment of a trim element. The orientation of the housing, the covering element and the x, y and z axes represented could then be different.

Figures 1 to 1c illustrate the different steps of assembling a trim element 4 to a housing 2 of the rear light of the vehicle. They correspond to a rear view of a vehicle taillight where a trim element is required to hide a technical fire zone. The fire and its skirt are represented in a position corresponding to that of the fire mounted in the vehicle. An x-y-z repository is shown in order to highlight the roles of maintaining the fixation system along these different axes. The x axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis or vehicle advancement. The y axis corresponds to a horizontal transverse axis of the vehicle and the z axis corresponds to a vertical axis, these three axes being all perpendicular to each other. These axes will be referred to in the following description. Figure 1a illustrates the housing 2 with the cladding element 4 at a distance along the x-axis of its assembly position. The arrow indicates the direction of movement along the x axis that the element 4 must follow to be assembled to the housing 2.

Figure 1b shows the same housing as in Figure la where the cladding element is positioned near the housing so that it can be assembled. The fixing means which will be described in detail later and which are present on the housing and on the element are aligned along the x axis. The arrow indicates the direction of movement that the element must follow in order to be assembled to the housing.

FIG. 1c illustrates the same casing as in FIG. 1b where the casing element is assembled to the casing via a fixing system according to the invention. The covering element is illustrated in Figure 2. It consists essentially of a cover or skirt defining a surface 6 for hiding or closing an opening or the face of a housing. An edge 7 is provided adjacent to the surface, this edge being intended to provide an aesthetic connection with the corresponding edge of the housing. This edge is optional and depends on the closing and aesthetic functions that the covering element must provide. It should be noted that this edge can only be present at the rear of the surface 6 since the assembly movement as illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 1c is approximately in the plane of the surface 6.

The inner face, that is to say the face intended to be facing the housing, the surface 6 of the element 4 is provided with an L-shaped tab 8 at its upper part. It is also provided with two T-tabs 10 near its front edge and two brackets 12 at the back of the T-tabs. The lug 8 corresponds to a first type of attachment which is illustrated in detail in Figures 3a to 3c. As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the L-shaped tab 8 is integral with the surface 6 of the covering element 4, close to the front edge and in the upper part of the element. A counter lug 14 is provided at the housing 2, as shown in Figures 3b and 3c. It projects from a surface of the casing near the edge of the casing intended to be in contact with the front edge of the casing element. This surface is secant with the surface 6 once the trim element assembled to the housing. The counter lug 14 has an L-shaped section and has a reinforcing rib 16 of the portion of the L which cooperates directly with the lug 8 of the lining element. The longitudinal axis (not shown) of the lug 14 is generally oriented in the mounting direction of the lining element so as to allow sliding of the respective contact surfaces of the fixing means from the beginning of their approximation when of the assembly. As has been explained in relation to FIGS. 1a to 1c, this direction corresponds approximately to that of the x axis of the reference frame. The open leg of the lug 8 of the cladding element is generally directed upwards which corresponds essentially with the z axis. The interaction of the contact surfaces provides a cladding of the cladding element against the housing, i.e. retention against movement in a y-axis direction. The T-tabs 10 of Figure 2 correspond to a second type of attachment which is illustrated in more detail in Figures 4a to 4g. The inner face of the surface 6 of the cladding element comprises two T-shaped lugs 10 each disposed near the front edge of the element. One is located approximately halfway up the element and the other is located towards the bottom of the element. These T-tabs are integral with the trim element. As can be seen in FIGS. 4b and 4c, they have a T-section and are essentially rectilinear. The upper part of the T forms a substantially rectangular parallelepipedic shoe or shoe intended to cooperate by sliding with a corresponding groove as illustrated in FIGS. 4d and 4e. Figure 4d illustrates the housing 2 whose surface near the edge intended to be in contact with the front edge of the trim element is provided with two rails 18 also projecting from the surface. Figure 4e is an enlarged view of the bottom slide of Figure 4d. It consists of two L-section branches with a space between the two allowing the passage of the T-core of the tab 10. The shoe or shoe of the tab 10 cooperates with the recesses of the L of the two branches like this is illustrated in Figures 4f and 4g. The shoe or shoe of the lug 10 may have a clearance angle so that its longitudinal edges are slightly tapered. This allows a slight tightening in the slideway 18, more particularly in the recesses of the L of the two branches of the slide resulting in a lack of play and a very precise positioning along the z axis. The tightening along the z axis is illustrated by the arrows in FIGS. 4f and 4g. It should be noted that the groove formed between the two branches of the slideway 18 may also be or alternatively to the shoe with a draft angle, have a conical section so as to cooperate with a slight tightening with the web of the T of the 10. These fixing means also provide a connection along the y-axis in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface of the cladding element. The brackets 12 of Figure 2 correspond to a third type of attachment which is illustrated in more detail in Figures 5a to 5f. As shown in FIG. 5a, the internal face of the surface 6 of the covering element comprises two brackets 12 arranged at the rear of the T-tabs 10. The bracket at the upper bracket is, however, disposed higher than the bracket. corresponding T-leg. Figure 5b is an enlarged view of a bracket 12. The tab in question is generally perpendicular to the surface 6 of the trim element. It has a hole-shaped opening at its end protruding from the surface 6. It also comprises two triangular ribs 13 for reinforcing the tab, these ribs extending from one of the faces of the tab 12 to the surface 6 screwed to said face. These ribs are ideally directed towards the rear of the lug 12. These brackets are also integral with the dressing element. They each cooperate with a respective lug 20 provided on the housing 2. Figure 5d is an enlarged view of a nipple 20 illustrating the construction details of the latter. It is ideally made of material with the housing 2. It projects from the housing along a longitudinal axis (not shown) generally aligned with the assembly direction of the element on the housing. It comprises a first portion of cross section where each branch of the cross comprises a bearing surface, thus forming four zones or bearing surfaces contained in the same plane. It also has a second part with a cross section in the extension of the first part but of smaller diameter than that of the first part. This second part constitutes the male part intended to cooperate with the opening 11 of the corresponding bracket 12. The male part has a conical profile, namely that the diameter of its section increases slightly in a direction from the tip to the first part serving as a bearing surface. This slight taper is intended to generate a clamping between the outer surface of the male part and the inner surface of the opening 11 of the bracket bracket 12 during the establishment of the trim element. FIGS. 5e and 5f are enlarged views of the stud 20 cooperating in engagement with the bracket 12. FIG. 5f illustrates the abutment of the front surface of the tab 12 on the bearing surfaces of the stud 20. The construction of the nipple with a cross section is particularly suitable for a force assembly whose resulting clamping between the pin 20 and the bracket bracket 12 ensures good retention of the trim element in the direction of assembly of the element on the housing. Indeed, the cross section allows dimensional tolerances at the nipple and hole of the leg wide enough to provide a sufficient clamping rate to ensure good strength of the connection. The outer surface of the stud in contact with the tab during the introduction can be deformed more easily than if the stud was of solid circular section, in particular taking into account the contact surface of the tab which remains reduced because of the finesse of the leg compared to the length of the nipple. The mounting force remains reasonable while ensuring clamping, and therefore a satisfactory retention, despite certain manufacturing tolerances at the nipple and possibly at the hole of the leg. These fixing means thus provide positioning and retention of the element not only along the y and z axes but also along the x axis with sufficient mounting force.

It should be noted that the taper of the stud 20 does not necessarily have to correspond to a profile of the right stud in a longitudinal plane. Indeed, it is quite conceivable that the profile of the nipple has a bump or any other form conferring on the nipple an increase in its section along its longitudinal axis so as to enter into tightness with the opening of the leg square. It should be noted that the complementary components of the various connection means described above can be interchanged, optionally, between the covering element and the housing. The example described above provides a single connection of the L-tab type located at the upper part of the casing + trim member assembly, two T-links with slide and two link bracket bracket + teat. In practice, it may be desirable to provide a number and composition of these links other than in the example described, and this according to various parameters such as in particular the shape of the trim element and the housing. The constituent components of the links are injection-molded plastics with the covering element and the housing. This approach is obviously the most economical. However, it is conceivable that some of these components are different material to the support on which they are mounted or that they are reported, including clipping, gluing or other technique, said support.

Claims (14)

Revendications1. System for fastening a covering element (4) to a housing (2) such as that of a vehicle signaling device, the covering element defining a surface (6), the system comprising: first fastening means (8, 10, 14, 18) providing a plating of the covering element (4) on the housing (2) and cooperating by sliding of complementary surfaces in a positioning direction included in a general plane or means of the surface of the dressing element; characterized in that it further comprises second securing means (12, 20) serving as a stop in the positioning direction, the second securing means being adapted to provide retention of the casing member in a direction opposite to that of its establishment. 2. Fastening system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second fastening means (12, 20) provide said retention of the covering element (4) by a constraint caused by the positioning movement said element. 3. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second fixing means (12, 20) ensure positioning of the covering element (4) in a direction transverse to the direction of implementation. square. 4. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fastening means (10, 18) also provide a positioning of the trim element in a direction included in the general plane or means of the surface of the cladding element and transverse to the direction of placement. 5. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second fixing means comprise at least one generally conical elongated element (20) cooperating with a corresponding opening (11), the opening being preferentially in a tab fixing (12). 6. Fastening system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elongate element (20) is made of plastic and comprises a cross section conical profile. 7. Fastening system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second fastening means comprise at least one bearing zone (22) with a cross section in the extension of the cross section of the elongated element (20). ). 8. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fixing means comprise at least a first L-shaped lug (8) cooperating with a second lug (14) so as to ensure a plating of the cladding element (4) on the housing (2) in a direction perpendicular to the general or average plane of the surface (6) of said cladding element (4). 9. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fixing means comprise at least one T-tab (10) cooperating with a slide (18) so as to ensure a positioning of the element d cladding (4) in the general or average plane of the surface (6) of said cladding element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of placement. 10. Fastening system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tab T (10) and / or the slide (18) has at least one inclined contact surface so as to ensure a clamping between the tab and the slide when the establishment of the dressing element. 11. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (8, 10, 14, 18) and / or second fastening means (12, 20) are made of plastic with the element d dressing and / or body. Fixing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20) are distributed over the surface of the covering element so as to ensure a homogeneous fixation of said element. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, relative to the positioning direction of the covering element, the first fastening means (8, 10, 14, 18) are disposed forwardly and the second fastening means (12, 20) are arranged at the rear of the first fastening means. 14. A method of assembling a trim element (4) to a housing (2) such as that of a vehicle signaling device by means of a fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following step: - translation of the covering element (4) to the housing (2) in the direction of implementation so as to engage the first (8, 10, 14, 18) and second means of fastening (12,20) .20