FR3100587A1 - FIXING DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THIS FIXING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Fastening device connectable to mechanical elements (2, 3) belonging to a vehicle body, comprising: - a base (11) having at least one through hole (12), - an anchoring foot (20) comprising a core (21) and two lobes (31), the core extending transversely from one side (14) of the base, the lobes extending from the core towards the base, each lobe having a recess (35) transverse and one end (33) facing the orifice and forming a dismounting tab (34), - a retention member (41) extending from said side of the base, and having two flexible arms (42) connected by an annular cage (43), the arms extending on either side of the foot, the fixing device admitting deployed and folded states. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

FIXING DEVICE AND SYSTEM COMPRISING THIS FIXING DEVICE

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the production of a pre-mountable and removable fastening device for assembling mechanical elements together, in particular elements at least partially in the form of panels, in particular vehicle body elements, and a system comprising this fixing device.

Technical background

The known fixing devices for fixing a soundproofing panel to a hood often do not allow easy removal of the soundproofing panel from the hood without damage and or loss of the device.

In the case of the pre-assembly of the fixing device on a soundproofing panel, the known solutions are often designed with several components (clip + washer, etc.), which leads to a high cost and requires that the part can be maintained in such a way reliable, that is to say unlosable, between the pre-assembly site at the supplier and the assembly line at the manufacturer, as well as during any dismantling operations. In addition, another solution consists in the use of plasti-rivets or clips assembled at the edge of the chain by the fitter. The problem in this case comes from the fact that the operator must hold both the soundproofing panel and place the plasti-rivet or clip in the slot provided. Also in this case, the captiveness of the assembly system is not guaranteed in the event of disassembly.

A pre-mountable and removable fastening device is known from document WO-A1-2018/044709. This device makes it possible, for example, to mount a soundproofing panel on the panel of a hood.

This fixing device has a base extending between two substantially planar faces. A through hole extends between the two sides of the base. An anchor foot, a retention member and two teeth extend from one side of the base, from one of the faces. The anchoring foot, the retention member and the two teeth can be inserted into through holes of mechanical elements to be connected together, which are at least partially in the form of panels. The anchoring foot has two walls parallel to each other and arranged on either side of an orifice passing through the base. The anchoring foot also has two hooking lobes, each mounted tilting with respect to the two parallel walls, on a respective side of the central space delimited by the walls. The two teeth are L-shaped, arranged on the base on either side of the pair of parallel walls. The teeth each have an end projecting towards the walls. The retention member comprises two flexible arms, arranged on the base on either side of the pair of teeth, and an annular cage extending between the flexible arms. The retention member is shaped in such a way that the flexible arms can fold in the direction of the base so that the annular cage comes into engagement on the teeth. The flexible arms can then sandwich, link together and hold the mechanical elements together.

This fixing device can also be removed by pushing back the lower part of the lobes, that is to say in the part opposite the base, using a tool so as to disengage the lobes from the rim of the through-hole (or through-holes when several mechanical elements are interconnected).

A disadvantage of this known fixing device is its volume due to the successive positioning across the width of the parallel walls, the teeth and the arms.

The invention therefore aims to provide a pre-mountable and removable fixing device for fixing mechanical elements to be connected together, at least partially in the form of panels. This fixing device must allow easy disassembly and reassembly of one panel on another, such as a soundproofing panel on the inside of a bonnet. This fixing device must also be simple to manufacture, reliable, compact and inexpensive.

The invention thus relates to a fastening device connectable to a first mechanical element and to a second mechanical element, in particular mechanical elements belonging to a vehicle body, the fastening device comprising:

- a base having at least one through hole,

- an anchoring foot comprising a web and two lobes, the web extending transversely from one side of the base, the lobes extending from the web in the direction of the base, each lobe having a transverse offset to the longitudinal extent of the lobe and one end opposite the through hole and forming a dismantling lug,

- a retention member extending from said side of the base, the retention member having two flexible arms connected by an annular cage, the flexible arms extending on either side of the anchor foot,

the fixing device admitting an extended state, in which the arms each extend along the core, and a folded state, in which each arm is folded on itself so as to present two sections substantially parallel to said side of the base, in which the cage surrounds the anchor foot and in which the cage is held in position relative to the base.

The anchor foot has here, transversely to its longitudinal extent, at least one recess, and, in the folded state, the cage is snapped against this recess.

This configuration of the fastening device is thus compact and simple to manufacture.

The following characteristics can also be implemented in the invention:

- the recess is located on said web;

- the shoulder of the web is provided at a distance from the base, less than the distance between the base and the shoulder of a lobe;

- an outer surface of at least one lobe is provided with roughness forming gripping means, preferably transverse ribs to the longitudinal extent of the at least one lobe;

- a gap is provided between the dismantling tabs and a respective outer edge of the at least one through hole;

- the core is provided with a pin provided at one end opposite the base, the core and at least one lobe each having an inclined or curved surface converging towards the pin and forming an insertion surface;

- the base has two through holes, each end being aligned with a respective through hole;

- the base has a single through hole, the core comprising two walls spaced apart from each other, an inner surface of each wall being in line with a surface of the through hole;

- at least one lobe is mounted at a distal end of the walls;

- at least one lobe extends through a respective through hole, one end forming a dismantling lug being in line with or set back from a surface of the base opposite the anchor foot.

The invention also relates to a system for detachably connecting a first mechanical element to a second mechanical element, which are preferably vehicle body elements, comprising a fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, a first perforation crossing formed through the first mechanical element, of dimensions smaller than the transverse dimensions of the base of the fixing device and configured to be crossed by the cage and the flexible arms when the fixing device is in the deployed state, and of dimensions less than the total transverse dimension of the flexible arms when the fixing device is in the folded state, so that the fixing device remains preassembled against the first mechanical element when the cage is snapped against the recess of the web, and a second through-perforation formed through the second mechanical element and configured to be traversed by the lobes until they snap against the recess of the lobes.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the fixing device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the fixing device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the fixing device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of the fastening device of Figure 1, rotated 90 degrees relative to the view of Figure 2, arranged opposite a perforation of a first mechanical element;

Figure 6 is a side view of the fastening device mounted on the first mechanical element and facing a perforation of a second mechanical element;

Figure 7 is a side view of the fixing device mounted on the two mechanical elements of Figure 6 and connecting them to each other in a removable manner;

Figure 8 is a view of the assembly of Figure 7 from a 90 degree perspective to that of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fixing device;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the securing device.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following description, a pre-mountable and removable fixing device 1, 101 or 201 according to the invention is implemented to connect a first mechanical element 2 and a second mechanical element 3, for example respectively a soundproofing panel 2 and a panel of a car bonnet 3 (FIGS. 5 to 8), or other vehicle body elements at least partially in the form of panels, that is to say having at least one connecting sub-part in the form of sign. The mechanical elements 2 and 3 are respectively provided with the perforations 4 and 5 through which the fixing device 1 is intended to be inserted.

A fixing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 1 to 8) comprises a base 11, an anchor foot 20 and a flexible retention member 41.

Hereinafter, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used with respect to the hub 11. The term distal means elements located on the side of the hub 11, the term proximal means elements located on a side opposite the base 11, that is to say away from it.

The base 11 is in the form of an annular plate which extends between two opposite faces 13 and 14. The base 11 has at least one through hole 12 which extends between the faces 13 and 14. In the first mode of embodiment, the base 11 has two orifices 12, on either side of a central wall 22 described below. The orifices 12 extend radially opposite one another to a respective outer rim 15.

The anchor foot 20 comprises a web 21 and two lobes 31. An anchor foot structure 20 as described below allows high mechanical strength of the fastening device 1.

The core 21 has a proximal end 24 from which it extends, transversely to the base 11 and from the face 14. In a particular variant, the face 13 opposite the face 14 is curved to allow a good connection mechanics with soul 21.

In the first embodiment, the core 21 comprises a single central wall 22 (see in particular FIG. 3) on which are successively provided on either side and from the proximal end 24: a longitudinal surface 23, a recess 25 , formed projecting outwards from the longitudinal surface 23, an inclined surface 26 and a frustoconical surface 27. Finally, a pin 28, here of substantially cylindrical shape, is provided at the distal end of the core 21 opposite the base 11. The pin 28 allows easy centering of the fixing device 1 in the perforation 4 as well as a take-up of any play between the perforations 4 and 5. The pin 28 also serves as an entry point when the injection of material (position of the injection threshold) in order to guarantee a homogeneous distribution of the material in the part.

The lobes 31 are walls which extend from the core 21 in the direction of the base 11. In other words, the lobes 31 extend in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the core 21 from the base 11. The lobes 31 are attached by a distal end 32 to the core 11. The distal end 32 therefore forms the point of attachment of the lobes 31 to the core 11. Each lobe 31 has a proximal end 33 aligned with a respective through orifice 12, for example opposite the latter, and opposite the distal end 32. The outer face of the lobes 31 has, from the proximal end 33: a longitudinal surface 36, a recess 35 , a curved surface 38.

The recess 35 is formed projecting outward from the longitudinal surface 36 (Figure 2).

The curved surface 38 extends from the recess 35 in the direction of the distal end 32. The curved surfaces 38 thus converge, with the inclined surfaces 26 described above, towards the frustoconical surface 27. The inclined 26 and curved 38 surfaces as well as the frustoconical surface 27, and optionally the pin 28, allow good centering of the fixing device 1 in the perforations 4 and 5.

The ends 33 form dismantling lugs 34, accessible to a tool through the through-holes 12. The lobes 31 have a certain flexibility so as to be able to bend towards each other, that is to say towards inside. To this end, a gap D1 is provided between a rear face 39 of the dismantling lugs 34, and a side face 29 of the central wall 22 (see top view of the fixing device 1 in FIG. 3). In addition, a gap D2 is provided between the dismantling lug 34 and the rim 15 so that a dismantling tool such as pliers (not shown) can be inserted therein.

The longitudinal surface 36 is provided with roughness forming gripping means, preferably, but not limited to, transverse ribs 37, oriented transversely to the longitudinal extent of the lobes 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2). These ribs 37 make it easier for a tool such as the aforementioned pliers to make contact with the dismantling tabs 34.

Furthermore, the recesses 25 of the core 21 are provided at a distance H1 from the base 11 which is less than the distance H2 between the base 11 and the recess 35 of the lobes 31.

The flexible retention member 41 extends from the face 14 of the base 11. The retention member 41 has two flexible arms 42 and an annular cage 43.

The two arms 42 each have a proximal end 47 from which they extend from the face 14. The arms 42 extend respectively on either side of the anchor foot 20.

Each arm 42 has at least two straight sections 44, a thickened section 45 and three bent sections forming hinges 46. The bent sections forming hinges 46 allow the arms 42 to be folded after the fixing device 1 has been introduced into the perforation 4, thus maintaining it . In the first embodiment, each arm has four straight sections 44, two thickened sections 45 and three bent sections forming hinges 46.

Cage 43 extends between distal ends 48 of arms 42, opposite proximal ends 47.

The cage 43 here has a closed annular part 49 and two lugs 50, the latter being optional. The annular part 49 is here, without limitation, substantially of rectangular section. The annular part 49 delimits an interior space 52 intended to accommodate the anchoring foot 20. The lugs 50 extend on either side of the annular part 49, externally thereto, at the level of the distal ends 48. The lugs 50 facilitate the grip of the retention member 41.

Two teeth 51 are here formed on either side of the annular part 49, for example projecting outside at the end of the retention member 41 opposite the base 11.

The fixing device 1 admits a deployed state, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, in which the arms 42 each extend unfolded along the core 21.

The fixing device 1 also admits a folded state, illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, in which each arm 42 is folded back on itself. In the folded state, at least two sections 44 of each arm 42 are thus folded one over the other, substantially parallel to said side of the base 11. In the folded state, the cage 43 surrounds the foot of anchor 20 so that the anchor foot 20 is located inside the space 52 delimited by the annular part 49 of the cage 43. In addition, in the folded state, the cage 43 is held in position by relative to the base 11. More specifically, in the folded state, the cage 43 is snapped against the recess 25 of the core 21. For this purpose, the teeth 51 cooperate with the recesses 25 when the retention member 41 is folded towards the base 11 in the state reached by the fixing device 1 illustrated in Figure 6.

The fixing of the device 1 on the first mechanical element 2 then on the second mechanical element 3 is carried out for example in the following way.

The anchor foot 20 and the retention member 41 are arranged facing a perforation 4 of the first mechanical element 2 (FIG. 5).

For the pre-assembly of the fixing device 1, the anchoring foot 20 and the retention member 41 are inserted through the perforation 4 until the face 14 comes into abutment on one side of the first mechanical element 2. retention member 41 is then folded by bringing the cage 43 towards the base 11 until the cage 43 snaps onto the recesses 25 (FIG. 6), which, thanks to the cage 43 which connects the two arms 42, ensures the captiveness of the fastening device 1 once mounted. The first mechanical element is then sandwiched between at least one thinned section 44 and the face 14 of the base 11. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, two sections 44 of each arm 42 are in contact with the first mechanical element 2. The folding of the two arms 42 thus allows the fixing device 1 to be held on the mechanical element 2 so as to form a sub-assembly 60.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the sub-assembly 60 formed of the fixing device 1 and of the first mechanical element 2, preassembled, is then assembled to the second mechanical element 3, the anchoring foot 20 being placed in the perforation 5 of the second element mechanism 3. The second mechanical element 3 is then snapped onto the recesses 35 of the lobes 31.

The separation of the sub-assembly 60 and the second mechanical element 3 takes place by bringing the lobes 31 closer to each other, and more precisely by bringing the dismantling lugs 34 closer to each other. The presence of the gap D2 between the dismantling lugs 34 and the end 15 in the orifice 12 makes it possible to insert therein particularly simply the ends of a simple dismantling tool, preferably but not limited to pliers, such as mentioned above. Such dismantling is then done without deterioration, which allows easy reuse of the part.

Two alternative embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Below, the remarkable structural elements are designated by a numerical reference increased by 100, respectively 200, with respect to the structural elements of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 9, a variant 101 of the fixing device 1 has mounting lugs 134 projecting from the base 11 instead of the lugs 34 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, cage 143 has no ears, unlike cage 43 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 10, a second variant 201 of the fixing device 1 comprises a single through hole 212 through the base 211. The core 221 of the fixing device 201 then comprises two walls 222 spaced apart from each other, by example parallel to each other so that an inner surface of each wall 222 is level with a surface of the through hole 212. In this fixing device 201, the lobes 231 are mounted at the distal ends 232 of the walls 222 of the core 221. Each lobe 231 has, under the respective recess 235 (identical here to the recess 35 of the first embodiment), an inclined surface 238 forming a guide surface when the device 201 is put in place.

Claims (11)

Fixing device (1; 101; 201) connectable to a first mechanical element (2) and to a second mechanical element (3), in particular mechanical elements (2) belonging to a vehicle body, the fixing device comprising:
- a base (11; 211) having at least one through hole (12; 212),
- an anchor foot (20) comprising a core (21, 221) and two lobes (31), the core (21, 221) extending transversely from one side (14) of the base (11), the lobes (31) extending from the core (21) towards the base (11), each lobe (31) having a recess (35) transverse to the longitudinal extent of the lobe (31) and an end (33) opposite the through hole (12) and forming a dismantling lug (34; 134),
- a retention member (41) extending from said side of the base (11), the retention member (41) having two flexible arms (42) connected by an annular cage (43; 143), the arms hoses (42) extending on either side of the anchor foot (20),
the securing device having an extended state, in which the arms (42) each extend along the web (21, 221), and a folded state, in which each arm (42) is folded on itself so as to present two sections substantially parallel to said side of the base (11), in which the cage (43; 143) surrounds the anchoring foot and in which the cage (43; 143) is held in position relative to the base (11),
characterized in that said anchor foot (20) has, transversely to its longitudinal extent, at least one recess (25), and in that, in the folded state, the cage (43; 143) is snapped against this setback (25). Fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to the preceding claim, in which the recess is located on the said web (21, 221). Fastening device (1; 101; 201) according to the preceding claim, in which the recess (25) is provided at a distance (H1) from the base (11) less than the distance (H2) between the base (11 ) and the recess (35) of a lobe (31). Fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an outer surface (36) of at least one lobe (31) is provided with roughnesses forming gripping means (37), preferably ribs transverse to the longitudinal extent of the at least one lobe (31). Fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a gap (D2) is provided between the dismantling tabs (34; 134) and a respective outer rim (15) of the at least a through hole (12). Fastening device (1; 101; 201) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the core (21, 221) is provided with a pin (28) provided at an end opposite the base (11), the core (21, 221) and at least one lobe (31) each having an inclined or curved surface (26, 38) converging towards the pin (28) and forming an insertion surface. Fastening device (1; 101; 201) according to the preceding claim, in which the base (11) has two through-holes (12), each end (33) being aligned with a respective through-hole (12). Fixing device (201) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the base (11) has a single through orifice (212), the core (221) comprising two walls (222) spaced one the other, an inner surface of each wall (222) being in line with a surface of the through hole (212). Fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one lobe (231) is mounted at a distal end (232) of the walls (222). Fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one lobe (31) extends through a respective through hole (12), one end (33) forming a dismantling lug ( 34; 134) being in line with or set back from a surface (13) of the base (11) opposite the anchor foot (20). System for detachably connecting a first mechanical element (2) to a second mechanical element (3), which are preferably vehicle body elements, comprising a fixing device (1; 101; 201) according to one of preceding claims, a first through perforation (4) formed through the first mechanical element (2), of dimensions smaller than the transverse dimensions of the base (11; 211) of the fixing device and configured to be traversed by the cage (43 ; 143) and the flexible arms (42) when the fixing device (1; 101; 201) is in the deployed state, and of dimensions smaller than the total transverse dimension of the flexible arms (42) when the fixing device ( 1; 101; 201) is in the folded state, so that the fixing device remains preassembled against the first mechanical element (2) when the cage (43; 143) is snapped against the recess (25), and a second through perforation (5) formed through the second mechanical element (3) and configured to be traversed by the lobes (31) until they snap against the recess (35) of the lobes (31).