GB2596409A

GB2596409A - Prehension element for a trim element of a vehicle and associated method of assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2596409A
Application number: GB2107046.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gonzalez Alfredo; Roman Hernandez Alejandro; Cumplido Alcocer Javier; Sospedra Alejandro
Original assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie SAS
Current assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie SAS
Priority date: 2020-05-19
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-18
Also published as: CN113682216A; GB202107046D0; FR3110625B1; GB2596409B; FR3110625A1

Abstract

U-shaped trim cover 22 for vehicle interior door handle 18, the cover has a main surface 36 and two extension surfaces 38, 40 extending from the main surface 36; the door handle 16 having a front face 30, rear face 32, inner face 26 facing the door trim, and an outer face 28 facing the passenger compartment; the main surface 36 covering the rear face 32 of the handle, the cover being inserted in the longitudinal direction (X direction in figures) of the vehicle towards the front. At least one function element on the face of the handle 16 which may be an attachment element attaches the cover to the handle, and is covered and concealed from view from the passenger compartment. The main and the extension surfaces 36, 38, 40 may cover entirely the outer face 28 and inner face 26. The cover may be snap-fastened and may be plastic. Other aspects: vehicle including said cover and handle, and method of installation.

Description

Prehension element for a trim element of a vehicle and associated method of assembly The present invention relates to a prehension element of a trim element of a vehicle, the prehension element extending toward a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the prehension element comprising a body and a U-shaped covering element, the body comprising: -an inner face intended to face the trim element, - an outer face opposite the inner face, - a front lateral face connecting a front end of the outer face and a front end of the inner face, the front corresponding to the front of the vehicle, -a rear lateral face connecting a rear end of the outer face and a rear end of the inner face, the rear corresponding to the rear of the vehicle, the U-shaped covering element being attached to the body and comprising a main surface, a first extension surface and a second extension surface extending from the main surface.

Such a prehension element is, for example, located on a door panel or any other trim element.

It is known of implementing functional elements on the body of such a prehension element. Typical functional elements are, for example, attachment elements such as screws, electrical cables or even sensors.

However, such a prehension element must be accessible for a passenger to be able to grasp and hold. It is therefore highly visible from inside the passenger compartment. To improve the aesthetic appearance of the prehension element, it is known of covering the functional elements with a covering element. This covering element is, for example, U-shaped and is snapped onto the body so that the main surface of the covering element covers the outer face of the body.

However, when a passenger manipulates the prehension element, the covering element may become disengaged from the body if the passenger applies a force to the side faces of the body when, for example, pulling the prehension element.

In addition, the feel of such a prehension element may be unpleasant. Often, the covering element only partially covers the rear lateral face and the front lateral face of the body. When a passenger grips the prehension element, part of the palm of his/her hand, near the wrist, presses against the rear lateral surface and his/her fingers squeeze the front lateral surface. Thus, the passenger may experience an uncomfortable discontinuity in texture between the body and the covering element on the front and rear lateral surfaces. One object of the invention is to provide a robust prehension element that is aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to the touch.

To this end, the invention relates to a prehension element wherein: -the main surface covers the front lateral face or the rear lateral face, -the first extension surface covers at least a first covered part of the outer face, and -the second extension surface covers at least a second covered part of the inner face.

The prehension element proposed by the invention is more robust. A pulling force applied by a passenger to the prehension element is directed in a direction transverse to the inner face of the body. In comparison, the direction of disengagement of the covering element is perpendicular to this transverse direction. Thus, the covering element is less likely to be inadvertently disengaged from the body, when, for example, a passenger handles the prehension element.

In addition, the feel of the proposed prehension element is improved. Indeed, only the front lateral face of the body comprises a texture discontinuity between the body and the covering element. The passenger can only feel this discontinuity through his/her fingers, whereas he/she only feels a pleasant continuous texture through the palm of his/her hand.

According to other features of the prehension element according to the invention, considered alone or according to all technically possible combinations: - the main surface covers the rear lateral face, - the prehension element comprises at least one functional element extending on at least one face of the body, the U-shaped covering element concealing the functional element from view from the passenger compartment, -the functional element is an attachment element of the body to the trim element, -the first extension surface and a first uncovered part of the outer face complement each other, so that the first extension surface and the first uncovered part extend in substantially in a same first plane, and - the second extension surface and a second uncovered part of the inner face complement each other, so that the second extension surface and the second uncovered part extend substantially in a same second plane, - the first extension surface and the second extension surface cover the entire outer face and the entire inner face, respectively, - the U-shaped covering element is snap-fastened onto the body, the first extension surface and the second extension surface being flexibly deformable such that the first extension surface and the second extension surface are snap-fastened onto the outer face and the inner face, respectively -the U-shaped covering element is formed by a plastic material and is covered by a covering layer.

The invention also relates to a trim element of a vehicle comprising a prehension element as described above.

The invention further relates to a method of assembly of a prehension element as described above, the method comprising the steps of: - positioning the main surface of the U-shaped covering element parallel to the front lateral face or the rear lateral face of the body so that the first extension surface and the second extension surface extend toward the body, -translating the U-shaped covering element toward the body, -covering the first covered part of the outer face with the first extension surface and covering the second covered part of the inner face with the second extension surface, -attaching the U-shaped covering element to the body.

Another aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: -Figure 1 is a side view of a trim element comprising a prehension element according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a side view of the body of the prehension element of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a side view of the U-shaped covering element of the prehension element of Figure 1.

Hereinafter, the term "outer" refers to a direction extending toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the term "inner" refers to a direction extending toward the trim element on which the prehension element is implemented. The terms "front" and "rear" are defined for a trim element mounted in a passenger compartment of a vehicle and correspond to the front and rear of the vehicle. The term "longitudinal" corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the length of the vehicle. The term "transverse" corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction according to the width of the vehicle. The terms "high", "upper", "low", "lower" are defined in relation to the elevation direction along which the height of the vehicle is defined.

With reference to Figure 1, a vehicle trim element 10 from a side view is described.

The trim element 10 is, for example, a roof panel or a door panel 12 of the vehicle. In the following, a trim element 10 forming a door panel 12 is described.

The door panel 12 is intended to cover an entrance of the vehicle. The door panel 12 is intended to be adjacent to one or a plurality of seat(s) positioned in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Typically, the door panel 12 is arranged so that it covers a lower part of a door extending below a door window. For example, the door panel 12 conceals at least one functional element of the door, such as a window regulator mechanism or the like.

The door panel 12 is, for example, formed by a thermoplastic material, in particular by polypropylene, optionally reinforced by filler and/or fibers such as natural fibers.

The door panel 12, and in particular its outer surface, may have any suitable shape to perform its functions. For example, the outer surface 16 may have a protruding surface forming a support surface 17. Such a support surface 17 forms, for example, an armrest surface for a passenger seated on a seat adjacent to the door panel 12. For example, the door panel 12 is formed by a support and at least one decorative layer defining the outer surface 16. A plurality of decorative elements or functional elements may be placed on the decorative layer, with the outer surface 16 defined by such elements in areas where they are located.

The door panel 12 comprises a prehension element 14 extending from the door panel 12 toward the passenger compartment and being intended to be gripped by a passenger. As illustrated in Figure 1, for example, the prehension element 14 protrudes from the front end of the support surface 17 toward the upper edge of the door panel 12 and is spaced from the outer surface 16 so that a passenger resting his/her arm on the support surface 17 can also grasp and hold the prehension element 14.

A passenger can move the door, for example, between an open position and a closed position by pulling on the prehension element 14 in a direction extending toward the passenger compartment.

If the trim element 10 is a roof panel of the vehicle, the prehension element 14 extends downward from the roof panel toward the passenger compartment. For example, the prehension element 14 is located above the vehicle door frame such that a passenger seated in a seat adjacent to the door can hold it.

The prehension element 14 comprises a body 18, a functional element 20, and a U-shaped covering element 22. The body 18 comprises an inner face 26, an outer face 28, a front lateral face 30 and a rear lateral face 32.

The inner face 26 extends opposite a part of the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12 and is directed toward the door panel 12. For example, the inner face 26 faces the door panel 12 and extends substantially parallel to the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12. As mentioned above, the outer surface 16 is not necessarily flat, in which case "substantially parallel" means that the inner face 26 is substantially parallel to the elevation direction of the outer surface 16. The direction of elevation of the outer surface 16 is the direction along which the height of the outer surface 16 is measured.

Thus, when the door panel 12 is mounted in a vehicle, the inner face 26 faces the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12 and is not visible from the vehicle passenger compartment. The outer face 28 is opposite the inner face 26 and extends substantially parallel to the inner face 26. For example, the outer face 28 faces the passenger compartment.

Thus, when the door panel 12 is mounted in a vehicle, the outer face 28 is visible from inside the passenger compartment.

The front lateral face 30 connects a front end of the inner face 26 and a front end of the outer face 28. The rear lateral face 32 connects a rear end of the inner face 26 and a rear end of the outer face 28.

The body 18, and more particularly the inner face 26, the outer face 28, the front lateral face 30, and the rear lateral face 32 are shaped to form the prehension element 14.

For example, at least one of the faces of the body 18 has a shape that facilitates gripping the body 18. For example, the body 18 forms a door handle for pushing or pulling the door open or closed and for gripping while the vehicle is in motion.

With reference to Figure 2, the functional element 20 extends across at least one face of the body 18.

For example, the functional element 20 is an element to attach the body 18 to the door panel 12. For example, the attachment element is a screw located on an upper part of the body 18. For example, the attachment element protrudes from the outer face 28 and penetrates the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12. In a variant, the functional element 20 is an electrical cable, a ventilation duct or a sensor.

With reference to Figure 1, the U-shaped covering element 22 is intended to be snap-fitted to the body 18. In particular, the covering element 22 is flexibly deformed while snapping in.

The covering element 22 comprises a main surface 36, a first extension surface 38 extending from the main surface 36, and a second extension surface 40 extending from the main surface 36. The covering element 22 forms a cover, for example.

The first and second extension surfaces 38, 40 extend from each side of the main surface 36 and protrude from the edges of the main surface 36.

For example, the first and second extension surfaces 38, 40 extend substantially perpendicular to the main surface 36.

The main surface 36 is intended to cover the front lateral face 30 or the rear lateral face 32 when the covering element 22 is attached to the body 18. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 1, when the covering element 22 is attached to the body 18, the main surface 36 covers the rear lateral face 32 of the body 18.

The side of the body 18 that is not covered by the covering element 22 is devoid of the functional element 20 and has a shape complementary to that of the covering element 22. For example, the face of the body 18 not covered by the covering element 22 and the covering element 22 have a similar appearance and texture.

The first extension surface 38 is intended to cover at least a first covered part 44 of the outer face 28 when the covering element 22 is attached to the body 18.

The first extension surface 38 and a first uncovered part 45 of the outer face 28 complement each other, so that the first extension surface 38 and the first uncovered part 45 extend in a same first plane.

The shape of the first uncovered part 45 and the shape of the first extension surface 38 are complementary.

The shape of the assembly formed by the first uncovered part 45 and the first extension surface 38 is continuous.

For example, the first uncovered part 45 and the first extension surface 38 have the same appearance and texture so that the transition between the first uncovered part 45 and the first extension surface 38 is difficult to detect by the passenger.

The first uncovered part 45 and the front lateral face 30 have the same appearance and texture so that the transition between the first uncovered part 45 and the front lateral face 30 is difficult for the passenger to detect.

For example, the first extension surface 38 is flexibly deformable such that the first extension surface 38 is attached to the outer face 28 of the body 18 by snap fitting. For example, a front end of the first extension surface 38 is snapped onto a rear end of the first uncovered part 45. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by flexibly deforming the first extension surface 38 so that the front end of the first extension surface 38 interacts with the rear end of the first uncovered part 45.

The second extension surface 40 is intended to cover at least a second covered part 46 of the inner face 26 when the covering element 22 is attached to the body 18.

The second extension surface 40 and the second uncovered part 47 of the inner face 26 complement each other, so that the second extension surface 40 and the second uncovered part 47 extend substantially in a same second plane.

The shape of the second uncovered part 47 and the shape of the second extension surface 40 are complementary.

The shape of the assembly formed by the second uncovered part 47 and the second extension surface 40 is continuous.

For example, the second uncovered part 47 and the second extension surface 40 have the same appearance and texture so that the transition between the second uncovered part 47 and the second extension surface 40 is difficult to detect by the passenger.

The second uncovered part 47 and the front lateral face 30 have the same appearance and texture so that the transition between the second uncovered part 47 and the front lateral face 30 is difficult for the passenger to detect.

The second extension surface 40 is flexibly deformable such that the second extension surface 40 is attached to the inner face 26 of the body 18 by snap fiiting. For example, a front end of the second extension surface 40 is snapped onto a rear end of the second uncovered part 47. The front end of the second extension surface 40 is arranged by flexibly deforming the second extension surface 40 so that the front end of the second extension surface 40 interacts with the rear end of the second uncovered part 47.

When the covering element 22 is attached to the body 18, the covering element 22 conceals the functional element 20 from view from the passenger compartment.

The covering element 22 is formed by a plastic material and is covered by a covering layer.

For example, the plastic material comprises a thermoplastic material, for example, polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate (PC) or a mixture of PP and polyethylene (PE). The plastic material is rigid, that is, it does not deform without external stress.

The covering layer is formed, for example, by leather, synthetic materials, fabric, wood or metal. The covering layer is flexible, that is, it can easily be flexibly deformed without being damaged.

The covering element 22 is intended to be placed on the body 18 by positioning the main surface 36 parallel to the rear lateral face 32 of the body 18 such that the first extension surface 38 and the second extension surface 40 extend toward the body 18.

The covering element 22 is intended to be placed against the body 18 by translating the covering element 22 toward the body 18 along a longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X is parallel to the door panel 12 and extends forward of the door panel 12.

In the following, an method of assembly of a prehension element 14 as described above is described.

The assembly method comprises positioning the main surface 36 of the U-shaped covering element 22 parallel to the front lateral face 30 or the rear lateral face 32 of the body 18 such that the first extension surface 38 and the second extension surface 40 extend toward the body 18. The first extension surface 38 is positioned so that it is substantially parallel to the outer face 28 of the body 18. The second extension surface 40 is positioned so that it is substantially parallel to the inner face 26 of the body 18.

For example, the main surface 36 is positioned so that it is parallel to the rear lateral face 32.

The covering element 22 is then moved toward the body 18 along the longitudinal direction X so that the first extension surface 38 covers the first covered part 44 of the outer face 28 and the second extension surface 40 covers the second covered part 46 of the inner face 26.

The front end of the first extension surface 38 is then arranged by flexible deformation of the first extension surface 38 such that the front end of the first extension surface 38 interacts with the rear end of the first uncovered part 45. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is then snapped onto the rear end of the first uncovered part 45. The front end of the second extension surface 40 is arranged by flexibly deforming the second extension surface 40 so that the front end of the second extension surface 40 interacts with the rear end of the second uncovered part 47. The front end of the second extension surface 40 is then snapped onto the rear end of the second uncovered part 47. The covering element 22 is then secured to the body 18.

According to one variant, the first extension surface 38 covers the entire outer face 28 such that the first covered part 44 is the entire outer face 28 and the outer face 28 does not comprise a first uncovered part 45.

The first extension surface 38 is flexibly deformable such that the first extension surface 38 is attached onto the front lateral face 30 of the body 18 by snap fitting. For example, a front end of the first extension surface 38 is snap-fitted to an end of the front lateral face 30 of the body 18. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by flexible deformation of the first extension surface 38 such that the front end of the first extension surface 38 interacts before the end of the front lateral face 30.

According to this variant, during the assembly process, the front end of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by flexible deformation of the first extension surface 38 such that the first extension surface 38 interacts with an end of the front lateral face 30. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is then snap-fitted into the end of the front lateral face 30. According to another variant, the second extension surface 40 covers the entire inner face 26 such that the second covered part 46 is the entire inner face 26 and the inner face 26 does not comprise a second uncovered part 47.

The second extension surface 40 is flexibly deformable such that the second extension surface 40 is attached onto the front lateral face 30 of the body 18 by snap fitting. For example, a front end of the second extension surface 40 is snap-fitted into an end of the front lateral face 30. The front end of the second extension surface 40 is arranged by flexible deformation of the second extension surface 40 such that the front end of the second extension surface 40 interacts with the end of the front lateral face 30.

According to this variant, during the assembly process, the front end of the second extension surface 40 is arranged by flexible deformation of the second extension surface 40 so that the front end of the second extension surface 40 interacts with an end of the front lateral face 30 of the body 18. The front end of the second extension surface 40 is then snap-fitted into the end of the front lateral face 30.

According to yet another variant, the covering element 22 is intended to be secured to the body 18 by a screw or a hook.

Thanks to the prehension element 14 proposed by the invention, the covering element 22 is less likely to be inadvertently disengaged from the body 18. This is because the pulling force applied to the prehension element 14 by the passenger is not collinear with the direction of the assembly, that is the longitudinal direction X, of the prehension element 14.

Moreover, the feel provided by the prehension element 14 is improved. Indeed, when a passenger grips the prehension element 14 according to the invention, only his/her fingers grip the front lateral face 30 of the body 18. The passenger's palm rests entirely on the covering element 22. Thus, the passenger feels only the pleasant continuous texture of the covering element 22.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A prehension element (14) of a trim element (10) of a vehicle, the prehension element (14) extending toward a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the prehension element (14) comprising a body (18) and a U-shaped covering element (22), the body (18) comprising: -an inner face (26) intended to face the trim element (10), -an outer face (28) opposite the inner face (26) -a front lateral face (30) connecting a front end of the outer face (28) and a front end of the inner face (26), the front corresponding to the front of the vehicle -a rear lateral face (32) connecting a rear end of the outer face (28) and a rear end of the inner face (26), the rear corresponding to the rear of the vehicle the U-shaped covering element (22) being attached to the body (18) and comprising a main surface (36), a first extension surface (38) and a second extension surface (40) extending from the main surface (36), the prehension element (14) being characterized in that: -the main surface (36) covers the front lateral face (30) or the rear lateral face (32), -the first extension surface (38) covers at least a first covered part (44) of the outer face (28), and -the second extension surface (40) covers at least a second covered part (46) of the inner face (26) 2. The prehension element (14) according to claim 1, wherein the main surface (36) covers the rear lateral face (32).3. The prehension element (14) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one functional element (20) extending on at least one face of the body (18), the U-shaped covering element (22) concealing the functional element (20) from view from the passenger compartment.4. The prehension element (14) according to claim 3, wherein the functional element (20) is an attachment element of the body (18) to the trim element (10).5. The prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: -the first extension surface (38) and a first uncovered part (45) of the outer face (28) complement each other, so that the first extension surface (38) and the first uncovered part (45) extend substantially in a same first plane, and -the second extension surface (40) and a second uncovered part (47) of the inner face (26) complement each other, so that the second extension surface (40) and the second uncovered part (47) extend substantially in a same second plane.6. The prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first extension surface (38) and the second extension surface (40) cover the entire outer face (28) and the entire inner face (26), respectively.7. The prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the U-shaped covering element (22) is snap-fastened onto the body (18), the first extension surface (38) and the second extension surface (40) being flexibly deformable such that the first extension surface (38) and the second extension surface (40) are snap-fastened onto the outer face (28) and the inner face (26) respectively.8. The prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the U-shaped covering element (22) is formed by a plastic material and is covered by a covering layer.9. A trim element (10) of a vehicle comprising a prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.10. A method of assembly of a prehension element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: -positioning the main surface (36) of the U-shaped covering element (22) parallel to the front lateral face (30) or the rear lateral face of the body (18) so that the first extension surface (38) and the second extension surface (40) extend toward the body (18), -translating the U-shaped covering element (22) toward the body (18), -covering the first covered part (44) of the outer face (28) with the first extension surface (38) and covering the second covered part (46) of the inner face (26) with the second extension surface (40), -attaching the U-shaped covering element (22) to the body (18).