FR3057239A1 - SUPPORT FOR FASTENING A FUNCTIONAL ORGAN WITH A CARRIER STRUCTURE, FOR EXAMPLE A SHIELD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (1) for fixing a functional element, comprising a plate (2) having a first face (21) from which a housing (3) for receiving the functional element, a second face (22) opposite to the first and intended to be fixed to a supporting structure (3), in particular by adhesive, bonding, or welding, characterized in that it comprises at least one attachment loop (5) in which a link (6) can be threaded to exert traction on it. The support is typically a support for a radar or proximity sensor installed on an inner face of the support structure, which is typically a shield of a motor vehicle.

Description

© Publication no .: 3 057239 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 59695 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 62 D 65/16 (2017.01), G 01 D 11/30

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 07.10.16. (© Applicant (s): RENAULT S.A.S. Joint-stock company (© Priority: simplified - FR. @ Inventor (s): CZEPCZAK RAPHAËL. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 13.04.18 Bulletin 18/15. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ©) Holder (s): RENAULT S.A.S. Joint-stock company related: simplified. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): RENAULT SAS.

FR 3 057 239 - A1

SUPPORT FOR FIXING A FUNCTIONAL MEMBER WITH A CARRIER STRUCTURE, FOR EXAMPLE A SHIELD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

_ The invention relates to a support (1) for fixing a functional member, comprising a plate (2) having a first face (21) from which rises a housing (3) for receiving the functional member, a second face (22) opposite the first and intended to be fixed to a support structure (3), in particular by adhesive, bonding, or welding, characterized in that it comprises at least one hooking loop (5) in which a link (6) can be threaded to exert traction on it. The support is typically a support for a radar or proximity sensor installed on an internal face of the support structure, which is typically a shield of a motor vehicle.

i

Support for fixing a functional member to a support structure, for example a shield of a motor vehicle.

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to a support for fixing a functional member, for example a radar or proximity sensor, intended to be fixed to a body element of a motor vehicle.

State of the art:

As part of vehicle equipment with detection systems (radars, sensors or proximity detectors), certain sensors are assembled in the shields.

These sensors are assembled on sensor supports, which are themselves fixed to an inner face of the shield.

The sensor supports are fixed by gluing to the inside of the shield, directly by applying glue or by means of a double-sided adhesive interposed between the parts to be assembled.

The assembly requires that a minimum pressure P be applied for a minimum time T.

This assembly mode by factory adhesive is carried out by an operator with a mounting aid.

In order to verify the absence of drift of the parameters “pressure P” and / or “time T” which would generate poor adhesion of the adhesive, it is necessary to check periodically, by implementing a monitoring plan, holding the sensor support on the shield, without damaging the shield or the sensor support, thus making it possible to mount this shield on a vehicle.

Existing systems are sometimes destructive since they stress areas that are then used to fix the sensor support. These areas which are functional areas necessary for fixing the sensor support by adhesive are located either on the sensor support itself, or on the shield. The frequency of checks increases in order to guarantee a better level of quality, which implies a significant additional cost due to the destructive nature of the checks carried out so far.

Purpose of the invention:

The purpose of the invention is to overcome all or part of the preceding drawbacks by proposing a simple technical solution allowing control over areas dedicated to this function, without degrading the functional areas.

Object of the invention:

To this end, the subject of the invention is a support for fixing a functional member, comprising a plate having a first face from which rises a housing for receiving the functional member, a second face opposite the first and intended to be fixed to a support structure, in particular by adhesive, gluing, or welding, characterized in that it comprises at least one attachment loop in which a link can be threaded to exert traction on it.

One or more attachment loop (s) constitute means dedicated to control, distinct from any other functional area and therefore not liable to deteriorate the attachment area of the sensor support. These attachment loops allow the attachment of a flexible traction link, as indicated below, in order to pull the sensor support to assess the strength and quality of the adhesive fixation. The sensor support can therefore be used on the associated shield, whether or not a check has been made on these elements.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

- the support comprises two attachment loops shaped in relief on the first face, into which at least one link can be threaded to exert traction on them;

- each hooking loop has the general shape of an arch formed integrally with the plate;

- the two hooking loops are distant from each other and frame a central area of the first face in which the receiving unit is located; The invention also relates to a body element of a motor vehicle, in particular a shield, constituting a support structure to which is fixed a support having all or part of the preceding characteristics, the support being shaped to receive a functional member of radar type or proximity sensor.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a body element having the preceding characteristics and a support having all or part of the characteristics detailed above.

The invention also relates to equipment for testing the quality of attachment of a support having all or part of the above characteristics, to a support structure, in particular a body element of a vehicle, further comprising a link attached to the support by the attachment loops, and means for measuring a tensile force exerted on the link in order to verify whether the binding resists a force having a predetermined threshold value.

The subject of the invention is also a method for testing the quality of attachment of a support having all or part of the preceding characteristics to a support structure, in particular a bodywork element of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:

- attachment of a link to the attachment loop,

- application of a tensile force on the link, until a force is reached at a predetermined threshold value, for a given minimum time,

- verification of the fixing between the support and the supporting structure.

Statement of the invention:

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a nonlimiting example of the invention, and in the light of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a functional member support according to the invention fixed on a support structure, and

- Figure 2 shows the support and the support structure of Figure 1, a link being attached to the support by the hooking loops.

FIG. 1 shows a support 1 for fixing a functional member (not shown), this functional member typically being a radar or proximity sensor. The fixing support 1 comprises a plate 2 having a first face 21 from which rises a housing 3 for receiving the functional member, a second face 22 opposite the first and intended to be fixed to a support structure 4. This supporting structure 4 is typically a bodywork element of a motor vehicle, for example a front or rear shield of the vehicle.

The housing 3 has the general shape of a chimney rising from the first face 21 perpendicularly to the latter. The housing 3 contains a housing 30 for receiving the sensor. The sensor is fixed in the housing on the one hand by axial stop means and by clipping means 31 formed on the walls of the housing 3.

The support 1 is fixed to the support structure 4 by adhesive, bonding, or ultrasonic welding. By adhesive is meant a layer of double-sided adhesive 14 interposed between the second face of the support and the internal face of the support structure, here the internal face of the shield.

According to the invention, the support 1 comprises at least one attachment loop 5 in which a flexible link 6 visible in Figure 2 can be threaded to exert traction on it.

In the example illustrated, the support comprises two attachment loops 5 shaped in relief on the first face 21, in which at least one link 6 can be threaded to exert traction on them. The same link is successively threaded into the two attachment loops 5, so that the link is closed on itself in a loop. This flexible link can be a wire, a cord, or a cable having an adapted flexibility.

Each attachment loop 5 has the general shape of an arch formed integrally with the plate 2. The arches are shaped projecting relative to the first face 21.

The two attachment loops 5 are spaced from one another and surround a central area of the first face 21 in which the housing 3 for receiving the sensor is located.

With reference to FIG. 2, the test equipment of the invention comprises the link 6 hung on the support 1 by the hooking loops 5, and means for measuring a tensile force F exerted on the link 6 so to verify whether the binding resists a force having a predetermined threshold value, for a given minimum time. The method of the invention making it possible to check the quality of the fixing of the support 1 to the internal face of the bodywork element comprises the following steps:

- attachment of the link 6 to each attachment loop 5,

- application of a tensile force F on the link 6, until a force is reached at a predetermined threshold value, for a given minimum time,

- verification of the fixing between the support 1 and the bodywork element.

The supporting structure indicated in the previous example is a shield, but the concept of the invention can be applied to any other body or structural element receiving a functional member, and to any plastic component assembled on such body element or of structure.

The invention makes it possible to control the strength and quality of the adhesive without deterioration, and in a non-destructive manner. This allows the shield to be used after the test is completed to mount it on a vehicle on the assembly line.

The same principle applies for the control of a fixation of plastic parts welded by ultrasound.

It is also noted that the attachment loops 5 are integrated into the support 1 and are invisible from outside the vehicle. The attachment loops 5 are typically produced by injection, in the same operation, which does not generate any additional cost.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments or variants described above and includes all the technical equivalents of these means.

Claims (6)

1. Support (1) for fixing a functional member, comprising a plate (2) 5 having a first face (21) from which rises a housing (3) for receiving the functional member, a second face ( 22) opposite the first and intended to be fixed to a support structure (3), in particular by adhesive, gluing, or welding, characterized in that it comprises at least one attachment loop (5) in which a link ( 6) can be put on to exert traction on it. 2. Support (1) for fixing according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two hooking loops (5) shaped in relief on the first face (21), in which at least one link (6) can be threaded to exert traction on them. 3. Support (1) for fixing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each hooking loop (5) has the general shape of an arch formed integrally with the plate (1). 20 4. Support (1) for fixing according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two hooking loops (5) are spaced from each other and frame a central zone of the first face (21) in which is located the receiving housing (3). 5. Body element of a motor vehicle, in particular a shield, constituting a support structure (3) to which a support (1) is fixed according to any one of the preceding claims, the support (1) being shaped to receive a functional device of the radar or proximity sensor type. 6. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a body element according to claim 5 and a support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 5 7. Equipment for testing the quality of attachment of a support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to a support structure (3), in particular a body element of a vehicle, characterized in that that it further comprises a link (6) hung on the support (1) by the hooking loops (5), and means for measuring a tensile force exerted on the link (6) in order to check whether the fixation 10 resists an effort having a predetermined threshold value, for a given minimum time. 8. Method for testing the quality of attachment of a support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to a support structure (3), in particular a 15 bodywork of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the steps: - attachment of a link (6) to each attachment loop (5), - application of a tensile force (F) on the link (6), until a force is reached at a predetermined threshold value, for a given minimum time, - verification of the fixing between the support (1) and the supporting structure. 1/1