FR3142167A1 - EQUIPMENT WITH AN ANTI-FALL WALL, FOR A SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment (E1) is part of a system and comprises a first wall (P1) provided with at least one first through hole (T1) placed opposite a second through hole (T2) of a second wall (P2 ) for the passage of a screw (VF) intended to fix other equipment (E2) on an external face (FE) of the first wall (P1), the first (P1) and second (P2) walls defining an internal space (EI). This first wall (P1) comprises an internal face (FI) oriented towards the second wall (P2) and on which is erected, under the first through hole (T1), a protective wall (PP) extending in the direction of the second wall (P2) and preventing the screw (VF) and/or a washer associated with the latter from falling into this internal space (EI). Figure 3

Description

EQUIPMENT WITH AN ANTI-FALL WALL, FOR A SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

The invention concerns equipment which is intended to be part of a system and which comprises a wall onto which other equipment must be screwed.

State of the art

Certain systems, such as for example certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, include equipment comprising a first wall defining an internal (hollow) space with a second wall (which it may also possibly include). As an illustrative example, the equipment may constitute a trunk flap of a system constituting a vehicle, and in this case, the first wall may constitute a flap panel and the second wall may constitute a flap lining.

Sometimes, this first wall is provided with at least a first through hole which is intended to be placed opposite a second through hole in the second wall in order to allow the passage of a screw intended to fix other equipment on its external face. In the illustrative example given in the previous paragraph, the other equipment can, for example, constitute a shutter trim.

The first through hole being intended to be crossed by the threaded rod of a screw, it is narrow. For its part, the second through hole being intended to allow access to the first through hole and the screwing of the screw, it is less narrow than the first through hole. This can, for example, allow the passage of a screwdriver head previously fitted with a screw (possibly fitted with a washer).

The diameter of the second through hole nevertheless remains relatively small, it happens that in the approach phase of the first through hole, or in an unscrewing phase, the screw and/or the washer associated with the latter falls(s) into the internal space, including when the screw is coupled to the screwdriver by a magnetic effect. It then becomes very difficult, if not impossible, to recover the screw and/or washer that has fallen into the bottom of the internal space, because this bottom is not accessible.

When the fallen screw and/or washer(s) are recoverable, the recovery operations are time-consuming and therefore expensive, and can sometimes cause damage.

When the fallen screw and/or washer(s) cannot be recovered, the person carrying out the screwing must use a new screw (possibly fitted with a washer), which increases costs. In addition, there is a high risk that the fallen screw and/or washer(s) will move into the bottom of the internal space in the presence of vibrations generated by the system and/or shocks suffered by this system, and therefore induce potentially annoying and/or worrying noises for users of the system.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose equipment suitable for forming part of a system and comprising a first wall provided with at least a first through hole intended to be placed opposite a second through hole of a second wall for the passage a screw intended to fix other equipment on an external face of this first wall, the first and second walls defining an internal space.

This equipment is characterized by the fact that its first wall comprises an internal face intended to be oriented towards the second wall and on which is erected, under the first through hole, a protective wall which extends towards the second wall and which is capable of preventing the screw and/or a washer associated with the latter from falling into the internal space.

Thanks to the invention, there is no longer any risk that in the approach phase of the first through hole, or in an unscrewing phase, the screw and/or the associated washer falls into the bottom of the internal space because it(s) can only fall on the protective wall, and therefore can(s) be immediately and easily recovered by the person carrying out the screwing (or unscrewing).

The equipment according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- the (each) protective wall can be substantially perpendicular to the internal face of its first wall;

- the (each) protective wall can have a circular semi-cylindrical shape;

- the (each) protective wall can be intended to extend almost as far as the second wall;

- its first wall can be provided with two first through holes intended to be placed respectively opposite two second through holes in the second wall, and under which two protective walls are located respectively;

- it can include the second wall;

- in the presence of the last option, it can constitute a trunk flap of a system constituting a vehicle. In this case, the first wall constitutes a shutter panel and the second wall constitutes a shutter lining;

- it can include other equipment;

- in the presence of the last option and the last sub-option, the other equipment can constitute a shutter trim.

The invention also proposes a system comprising at least one piece of equipment of the type presented above.

For example, this system can be a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained in CAD/CAD (“Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Drawing”)), on which :

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view from the exterior side, an exemplary embodiment of equipment according to the invention, constituting a vehicle trunk flap,

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view from the interior side, a part of the trunk flap of the , before securing another piece of equipment by screwing,

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view from the interior side and partially in section in a longitudinal and vertical plane, the trunk flap of the after joining by screwing another piece of equipment, and

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view from the interior side, a small part of the first wall of the trunk flap of the , in which a first through hole and a protective wall are defined.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention aims in particular to propose a first piece of equipment E1 intended to be part of a system and arranged so as to prevent the falling (or fall) of a screw VF and/or a washer into an internal space EI during a screwing or unscrewing phase of a second piece of equipment E2.

In what follows, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the system is an automobile type vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of system. It concerns in fact any system comprising at least a first wall defining with a second wall an internal space (hollow) to be crossed by at least one screw. Thus, it concerns in particular vehicles (land, sea (or river), or air), devices (possibly general public), installations (possibly industrial type), and buildings.

Furthermore, we consider in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the first equipment E1 is a trunk flap intended to control access to a rear trunk of a motor vehicle. But the invention is not limited to this type of first E1 equipment. It concerns in fact any first piece of equipment comprising a first wall which must define with a second wall (which it also possibly includes) an internal (hollow) space which must be crossed by at least one screw for fixing a second piece of equipment to this first. wall.

We have schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, at least partially, a first piece of equipment E1 (here a trunk flap) which is suitable for being part of a system (here a car) and comprising a first wall P1 intended to define an internal space EI (hollow) with a second wall P2 which is placed opposite the internal face FI of this first wall P1.

In the example which is described here, the first wall P1 constitutes a shutter panel and the second wall P2 constitutes a shutter lining which is fixedly attached to the internal face FI of the shutter panel P1 (oriented here towards the second wall P2 and therefore towards the interior of the vehicle). In this case, the second wall P2 is part of the first equipment E1. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the second wall P2 could be one, or part of, other equipment placed opposite the internal face FI of the first wall P1.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the first wall P1 is provided with at least one first through hole T1 which is intended to be placed opposite a second corresponding through hole T2, defined in the second wall P2. These first T1 and second T2 through holes are intended to allow the passage of a screw VF which is intended to fix a second piece of equipment E2 on the external face FE of the first wall P1, opposite its internal face FI (and therefore oriented towards outside).

Note that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 3 the second equipment E2 is a shutter trim. In this case, the E2 shutter trim is part of the first equipment E1. But this is not obligatory.

As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, a protective wall PP is erected on the internal face FI of the first wall P1, under the (each) first through hole T1. This protective wall PP extends towards the second wall P2 and is capable of preventing the screw VF and/or a washer associated with the latter (VF) from falling (or falling) into the internal space EI defined between the first P1 and second P2 walls.

Thanks to this protective wall PP placed under a first through hole T1 and extending towards the second wall P2, there is no longer any risk only in the phase of approaching the first through hole T1, or in a phase of unscrewing, the screw VF and/or a washer associated with the latter (VF) falls (or falls) into the internal space EI. In fact, the VF screw and/or the associated washer falls onto the PP protective wall and therefore can be immediately and easily recovered by the person carrying out the screwing (or unscrewing). There is therefore no longer any risk of damage, or increased costs, or even the generation of potentially annoying and/or worrying noise for users of the system.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2 the first wall P1 of the first piece of equipment E1 is provided with two first through holes T1 intended to be placed opposite second through holes T2 of the second wall P2 respectively, and under which two PP protective walls are respectively located. But the number of first through holes T1, and therefore of two second through holes T2 as well as of protective walls PP, can take any value greater than or equal to one.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, the (each) protective wall PP can be substantially perpendicular to the internal face FI of the first wall P1. By “substantially perpendicular” we mean here the fact of being erected at 90° +/- 5°. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the (each) protective wall PP is perpendicular to the internal face FI, because this makes it easier to collect a VF screw and/or a fallen washer(s). ) on the PP protective wall.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, the (each) PP protective wall can have a circular semi-cylindrical shape. In other words, it (PP) delimits a concave housing which advantageously prevents the VF screw and/or the associated washer from falling at one of its two opposite ends. It will be understood that the VF screw and/or the associated washer is (are) thus forced to reach the lowest zone of the concave housing where it (s) can be easily collected. In addition, there is no risk that a rebound when falling will cause the VF screw and/or the associated washer to come out of the PP protective wall, since it rises from its center towards its two opposite ends to define the concave housing.

For example, the (each) protective wall PP can have a shape substantially homologous to that of approximately the lower half of the edge of the second corresponding through hole T2.

But in a variant embodiment not illustrated, the (each) PP protective wall could be flat.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 3, the (each) protective wall PP can be intended to extend almost as far as the second wall P2. This prevents the screw VF and/or the associated washer from falling, or becoming stuck, between the free end of the protective wall PP and the second wall P2.

It should also be noted that the first wall P1 can be made by injection molding of a rigid and resistant plastic material, which makes it possible to define each PP protective wall at the same time.

Claims (10)

Equipment (E1) suitable for forming part of a system and comprising a first wall (P1) provided with at least one first through hole (T1) intended to be placed opposite a second through hole (T2) of a second wall (P2) for the passage of a screw (VF) intended to fix other equipment (E2) on an external face (FE) of said first wall (P1), said first (P1) and second (P2) walls defining an internal space (EI), characterized in that said first wall (P1) comprises an internal face (FI) intended to be oriented towards said second wall (P2) and on which is erected, under said first through hole (T1) , a protective wall (PP) extending in the direction of said second wall (P2) and capable of preventing said screw (VF) and/or a washer associated with the latter (VF) from falling into said internal space (EI) . Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective wall (PP) is substantially perpendicular to said internal face (FI). Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said protective wall (PP) has a circular semi-cylindrical shape. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said protective wall (PP) is intended to extend almost as far as said second wall (P2). Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first wall (P1) is provided with two first through holes intended to be placed opposite two second through holes (T2) of said second wall (P2) respectively. , and under which two protective walls (PP) are respectively located. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises said second wall (P2). Equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that it constitutes a trunk flap of a system constituting a vehicle, said first wall (P1) constituting a flap panel and said second wall (P2) constituting a flap lining. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises said other equipment (E2). Equipment according to the combination of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said other equipment (E2) constitutes a shutter trim. System, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of equipment (E1) according to one of the preceding claims.