Underfloor aerodynamic deflector with pre-retaining device

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerodynamic deflector (2) intended to be fixed under the floor (5) of a motor vehicle. The deflector (2) comprises a panel (3) intended to cover the floor (5) and fixing parts intended to be fixed to the floor, the fixing parts being integral with the panel (3). These fixing parts comprise shells (7) at the longitudinal ends of the panel (3) and at each lateral edge of the panel, the shells being open laterally towards the inside and having notches (11) so that each of the two shells (7) can engage via the notches (11) with a hook (13) on the vehicle and allow the deflector (2) to be rotated to facilitate its assembly.

Description

[0001] The present invention claims the priority of French application No. 1909110 filed on August 9, 2019, the content (text, drawings and claims) of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and more particularly to the fastening of an aerodynamic deflector beneath a vehicle floor. Background Art

[0003] The floor of a motor vehicle is usually provided with aerodynamic or pneumatic deflectors. These deflectors enable the vehicle to penetrate better in the air while moving and thus limit the fluid drag losses (usually expressed by the fluid drag coefficient (Cx)), which manifests itself in reduced fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

[0004] Due to its not insignificant size and weight, the installation of aerodynamic deflectors under the floor of a motor vehicle on an assembly line can prove to be a physically difficult operation for a single operator to perform. Besides this, safety standards do not allow an operator to lift components weighing more than 5 kg above heart level alone, in order to prevent possible health risks due to difficult postures and repeated forces.

[0005] Systems exist for pre-retaining aerodynamic deflectors, in particular the case of fixed parts described in published patent document FR3008373A1, but since these systems relate to front bumper deflectors, i.e., the dimensions of these front bumper deflectors are substantially smaller than those of deflectors intended to be fixed under the vehicle floor, these pre-retaining systems are also very fragile and, when transferred to the assembly of a deflector under the floor, may cause the deflector to break during installation. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to make it easier and safer for a single operator to install an aerodynamic or pneumatic deflector under the floor of a motor vehicle and to carry out this installation in a simple and rapid manner on an assembly line.

[0007] To this end, the object of the present invention is to provide an aerodynamic deflector for fixing under the floor of a motor vehicle, the aerodynamic deflector comprising: a panel for covering the floor; and a fixing component for fixing to the floor, the fixing component being integral with the panel, wherein the fixing component comprises a shell at the longitudinal end of the panel and at each lateral edge of the panel, the shell protruding from the panel, opening laterally toward the interior and having a notch so that each of the two shells can engage with a laterally extending hook on the vehicle via the notch and allowing the deflector to rotate to facilitate the assembly of the deflector.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the two housings comprises a distal wall relative to the panel, the distal wall delimiting the opening and in which the notch is formed.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for each of the two shells, the distal wall extends parallel to the panel to a longitudinal end of the panel, the notch being spaced apart from the end so as to allow the two shells to be hooked with the hook on the vehicle when the deflector is vertical.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of said two shells is adjacent to an end transverse edge of said panel.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the panel is hollowed out at the location of each of the two shells.

[0012] The object of the present invention is also to provide a motor vehicle, comprising: a base structure with a floor; and an aerodynamic deflector fixed below the floor, wherein the aerodynamic deflector complies with the present invention and the body structure comprises two hooks arranged laterally to the floor, the two hooks extending laterally in opposite directions and engaging with two shells of the aerodynamic deflector.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the two hooks forms a substantially horizontal tab.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the tabs has a height and a width in the longitudinal direction, the width of the corresponding notch of the aerodynamic deflector being greater than the height of the tab and less than the width of the tab, so as to allow the two shells to engage with the tab via the notch when the aerodynamic deflector is vertical, and to prevent separation when the aerodynamic deflector is horizontal.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base plate comprises a rear portion which forms a rising step towards the rear and is provided with lateral walls on which the hooks are located.

[0016] The present invention also aims to provide a method for assembling and fixing an aerodynamic deflector under the floor of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: (a) positioning the aerodynamic deflector under the floor and against the floor; (b) fixing the aerodynamic deflector on the floor, wherein the vehicle complies with the present invention, step (a) comprising the following sub-steps: (a1) engaging the two shells with the hook when the aerodynamic deflector is vertical; (a2) rotating the aerodynamic deflector around the hook to a horizontal position.

[0017] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the fixing means for fixing the aerodynamic deflector according to the invention under the floor of a motor vehicle are both strong and easy to implement. They are also advantageous in that they facilitate the mounting and abutment of the panel of the deflector on the floor of the vehicle. By their structure and mode of operation, these fixing means enable in practice a single operator to securely pre-hold the panel on the floor before turning it horizontally against the floor, while avoiding the application of repeated forces and / or difficult postures. In this respect, the measures of the invention thus make it possible to improve the ergonomics of the assembly of the aerodynamic deflector under the floor, without reducing the productivity on the assembly line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] - Figure 1 is a bottom view of a base of a motor vehicle with an aerodynamic deflector according to the invention fixed to the floor of said vehicle;

[0020] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the rear portion of the aerodynamic deflector;

[0021] - Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the floor pan of the motor vehicle, Figure 1 The guide plate is used to be fixed on the bottom plate;

[0022] - Figure 4 is a first perspective view of a method for assembling and fixing an aerodynamic deflector according to the invention under the floor of the motor vehicle;

[0023] - Figure 5is a second perspective view of a method of assembling and fixing an aerodynamic deflector according to the invention under the floor of the motor vehicle;

[0024] - Figure 6 3 is a third perspective view of a method of assembling and fixing the aerodynamic deflector according to the present invention under a floor panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 is a bottom view of a base of a motor vehicle with an aerodynamic deflector according to the invention fixed to the floor of said vehicle. In this case, Figure 1 The aerodynamic deflector 2 shown in the figure is an aerodynamic deflector 2 under the rear floor. The aerodynamic deflector is specifically composed of a panel 3 and a fixing component (not visible) for fixing the panel 3 on the floor 5 of the vehicle 1. The fixing component specifically includes two shells, which are used to be connected with two hooks ( Figure 1 Said housing is positioned so as to protrude on the panel 3 of the deflector 2 so as to be engageable by hooks situated on the floor 5 when the deflector 2 is positioned vertically below the floor 5 and to allow the rotation of this same deflector 2 so as to finally fix it below the floor 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0026] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A top view of the rear part of the aerodynamic deflector at the location of the two fixed shells. Figure 2 As shown, each of the shells 7 protrudes on the lateral edge of the panel 3 of the deflector 2 at the position of the lateral end of this panel. It can be seen more accurately in the enlarged view that each of the shells 7 is open laterally towards the inside of the panel 3 and each is formed by a distal wall 9, which extends parallel to the panel to the longitudinal end of the panel. Each distal wall 9 actually delimits the internal opening of each of the shells 7 and has a notch 11, which is spaced from the longitudinal end of the panel 3. The function of these notches 11 is to allow each of the shells 7 to be hooked with a hook 13 of the floor 5 of the vehicle when the deflector 2 is vertically positioned by an operator on an assembly line (not shown) (the hook is at Figure 2 Not visible above, see Figure 3 ). Usually and as Figure 2 As shown, the panel 3 of the deflector 2 is also hollowed out at the location of each of the shells 7 .

[0027] Figure 3 is a front view of the base plate, Figure 1The deflector 2 is fixed to the base plate. The base plate 5 comprises a rear portion which forms an ascending step (marche) directed towards the rear. The step is provided with two lateral walls 8, on each of which a fixing hook 13 is arranged. These hooks 13 extend laterally opposite to the base plate 5. As can be seen more accurately in the enlarged view, each of these hooks 13 forms a tab 15. These tabs 15 are generally horizontal and have a height and a width in the longitudinal direction. This height and width allow the hooks 13 to engage with the two shells 7 of the deflector 2 (the shells are in the assembly line) when the panel 3 is installed by an operator on the assembly line (not shown). Figure 3 Not visible above, see Figure 2 ).

[0028] It is important to note that in order to allow the two shells 7 to engage with the tabs 15 of the hooks 13 via the notches 11 when the panel 3 of the deflector 2 is vertical, and also to prevent their separation when the panel 3 is flipped to a horizontal position and abuts against the base plate 5, the width of the notches 11 must be greater than the height of the tabs 15 and less than the width of these same tabs 15.

[0029] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Three perspective views showing the progression of a method for fitting and fixing an aerodynamic deflector according to the invention under the floor of a motor vehicle. The method comprises two steps. The first step involves positioning the panel 3 of the deflector 2 under the floor 5 and against it and comprises two sub-steps. The second step involves the final fixing of this same panel 3 on the floor 5.

[0030] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 More specifically, two sub-steps of the first step are shown, which correspond in sequence to engaging the two shells 7 with the hooks 13 when the deflector 2 is vertical ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) and rotating the panel 3 of the deflector 2 around the hook 13 to a horizontal position ( Figure 6 ).

[0031] exist Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In each of the figures, a fixing component for fixing an aerodynamic spoiler according to the invention is shown. In this case, these figures show a fixing component on the left side of the floor of a motor vehicle, on which such a spoiler is arranged.

[0032] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5The panel 3 of the deflector 1 is positioned vertically by the operator below the base plate 5 so that the tab 15 of each of the hooks 13 engages in the notch 11 of the distal wall 9 of the corresponding housing 7 , each of which is adjacent to the end lateral edge of the panel 3 .

[0033] Once the tabs 15 have passed through the notches 11 , a slight horizontal translation of the panel 3 enables these tabs to come into contact with the inside of the housing 7 , which results in the panel 3 being pre-retained on the base plate 5 without requiring intervention by an operator.

[0034] Then, if Figure 6 As shown above, the panel 3 rotates around the hook 13 to a horizontal position so that the panel 3 can be fixed on the base of the vehicle (see Figure 1 ). Due to this vertical pre-holding step, horizontal positioning of the panel 3 is achieved without the operator being constrained by the weight of the part 3.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic deflector (2) for fixing below a floor panel (5) of a motor vehicle (1), the aerodynamic deflector comprising: - a panel (3) for covering the base plate (5); as well as - a fixing component for fixing to the base plate (5), the fixing component being integrally connected to the panel (3); Characterized in that the fixing component includes a shell (7) at the longitudinal end of the panel (3) and at each lateral edge of the panel (3), the shell protruding from the panel (3), opening laterally inwardly and having a notch (11), so that each of the two shells (7) can engage with a laterally extending hook (13) on the vehicle (1) via the notch (11) and allow the deflector (2) to rotate to facilitate the assembly of the deflector.

2. The aerodynamic deflector (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the two housings (7) comprises a distal wall (9) relative to the panel (3), the distal wall delimiting the opening and having the notch (11) formed therein.

3. The aerodynamic deflector (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that For each of the two shells (7), the distal wall (9) extends parallel to the panel (3) to the longitudinal end of the panel (3), and the notch (11) is spaced apart from the end so as to allow the two shells (7) to be hooked with the hook (13) on the vehicle (1) when the deflector (2) is vertical.

4. The aerodynamic deflector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Each of the two housings (7) is adjacent to an end transverse edge of the panel (3).

5. The aerodynamic deflector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The panel (3) is hollowed out at the location of each of the two shells (7).

6. A motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a base structure with a bottom plate (5); as well as - an aerodynamic deflector (2) fixed below the base plate (5); Characterized in that the aerodynamic deflector (2) complies with any one of claims 1 to 5, and the vehicle body structure comprises two hooks (13) arranged laterally to the bottom plate (5), the two hooks extending laterally in opposite directions and engaging with two shells (7) of the aerodynamic deflector (2).

7. The motor vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that Each of the two hooks (13) forms a substantially horizontal tab (15).

8. The motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that Each of the tabs (15) has a height and a width in the longitudinal direction, and the width of the corresponding notch (11) of the aerodynamic deflector (2) is greater than the height of the tab (15) and less than the width of the tab (15), so as to allow the two shells (7) to engage with the tab (15) via the notch (11) when the aerodynamic deflector (2) is vertical, and prevent separation when the aerodynamic deflector (2) is horizontal.

9. A motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that The bottom plate (5) comprises a rear portion, which forms a rising step towards the rear and is provided with a lateral wall (8), and the hook (13) is located on the lateral wall (8).

10. A method for assembling and fixing an aerodynamic deflector (2) below the floor (5) of a motor vehicle (1), the method comprising the following steps: (a) positioning the aerodynamic deflector (2) below and against the base plate (5); (b) fixing the aerodynamic deflector (2) on the base plate (5); Characterized in that the vehicle (1) complies with any one of claims 6 to 9, and the step (a) comprises the following sub-steps: (a1) engaging the two shells (7) with the hooks (13) when the aerodynamic deflector (2) is vertical; (a2) Rotating the aerodynamic deflector (2) around the hook (13) to a horizontal position.

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