Fastening device for fastening base deflector to motor vehicle

Abstract

The fixation device (2) comprises a sheet (8) comprising a first bending region (10) demarcating a central portion (12) and a proximal end (14) of the sheet. A second bending region (18) demarcates the distal end (20) of the sheet and the central portion (12). The proximal end (14) of the sheet is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central portion (12), and at least a portion of the distal end (20) of the sheet faces the central portion (12). The distal end (20) comprises reversible retaining means (28) for securing the base deflector (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims the priority of French Application No. 2212177 filed on November 23, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the technical field of aerodynamic deflectors for motor vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a base deflector to a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0003] It is known from the prior art to use deflectors to modify the aerodynamics of motor vehicles. Thus, the air flow between the motor vehicle and the road surface can be optimized due to the presence of one or more base deflectors (as the name implies, which are positioned at the base of the motor vehicle) in order to improve the road performance of the motor vehicle while reducing the fuel consumption of the motor vehicle.

[0004] To date, the base deflector is maintained under the motor vehicle by means of studs which are welded to the longitudinal beams of the vehicle. The free ends of the studs extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the base of the vehicle.

[0005] For the installation or replacement of the base deflector, it is therefore necessary to use a lifting system of the lift bridge or lift column type so that the operator can easily gain access to the studs in order to fix the base deflector under the motor vehicle.

[0006] This invention aims to solve this problem by providing a fixing device for fixing a base deflector to a motor vehicle while allowing the operator to more easily access the fixing device. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To this end, this invention provides a fixing device for fixing a base deflector to a motor vehicle.

[0008] The fixing device is characterized in that the fixing device includes a plate which includes a first bending region and a second bending region. The first bending region demarcates the central part and the proximal end of the plate. The second bending region demarcates the distal end and the central part of the plate. The proximal end of the plate is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central part, and at least a part of the distal end of the plate faces the central part. The distal end includes a reversible retaining member for fixing the base deflector.

[0009] Advantageously, when the proximal end of the plate of the fixing device is maintained against the vertical wall of the longitudinal beam of the motor vehicle, the distal end of the plate is capable of offsetting the reversible retaining member. In other words, the particular form of the plate is capable, on the one hand, of deviating the reversible retaining member from the longitudinal beam to which the fixing device is attached and, on the other hand, of changing the orientation of the reversible retaining member. These two features of the plate enable the operator to more conveniently access the reversible retaining member without having to lift the motor vehicle with the aid of a lifting system.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the plate forms an angle with the central portion of the plate, the value of the angle being between 30° and 60°, preferably approximately 45°.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the maximum width of the central portion is greater than the maximum width of the proximal end, the width being measured along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first bending region.

[0012] Preferably, the central portion includes at least one protrusion that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the first bending region. Preferably, the one or more protrusions form tabs that can increase the surface of the central portion in order to increase the stability of the central portion when the central portion abuts against a surface.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the proximal end of the plate includes a channel that extends perpendicular to the major face of the proximal end in order to allow the insertion of the free end of a stud.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distal end includes a channel that extends perpendicular to the major face of the distal end in order to allow the insertion of the free end of a threaded rod.

[0015] Preferably, a nut is integral with the distal end of the plate in order to allow the retention of the threaded rod, the threaded rod passing through the channel of the distal end.

[0016] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be associated with one another according to various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0017] The invention also relates to a bottom deflector for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the bottom deflector includes a support plate penetrated by an opening, and a retaining plate is integral with the support plate so as to face the opening, and the retaining plate forms an angle with the support plate, the value of the angle being between 30° and 60°, and the retaining plate includes a channel in order to allow the insertion of the end of a threaded rod that passes through the opening of the support plate.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, which comprises fixing means for fixing a base deflector as described above, and the proximal end of the plate of the fixing means is maintained against the vertical wall or substantially vertical wall of the longitudinal beam of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the base deflector described above is maintained at the distal end of the plate of the fixing means by means of a threaded rod which passes through a channel of a retaining plate of the base deflector. Description of the Drawings

[0020] The invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments given as non - limiting examples and illustrated with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view of a fixing means according to the invention for maintaining a base deflector at the longitudinal beam of a motor vehicle is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 is shown Figure 1 A transverse cross - section of the fixing means shown is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 is shown Figure 1 A front view of the fixing means shown is shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] It is recalled that the invention provides a fixing means for fixing a base deflector to a motor vehicle, which is more accessible to the operator.

[0025] Figure 1 A non - limiting embodiment of a fixing means 2 according to the invention for fixing a base deflector is shown, which maintains the base deflector 4 at the longitudinal beam 6 of a motor vehicle. According to this example, the longitudinal beam 6 corresponds to the rear longitudinal beam of the motor vehicle.

[0026] It is noted that the fixing means can also be used similarly to maintain the base deflector at the front longitudinal beam or other chassis elements of the motor vehicle.

[0027] The fixing means 2 comprises a plate 8, preferably a metal plate, for example made of steel. The thickness of the plate 8 (measured perpendicularly to the larger face of the plate) is between 3 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 8 mm.

[0028] The plate comprises a first bending region 10 (at Figure 2As can be seen above, the first bending region extends along an axis perpendicular to the elongation direction of the plate. The first bending region 10 demarcates the central portion 12 of the plate from the proximal end 14.

[0029] The term "bending region" is understood to mean the bent portion of the plate in order to form an elbow. Preferably, the ends of the elbow are rounded.

[0030] According to this example, the proximal end 14 of the plate extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the elongation direction of the central portion 12. In other words, the proximal end 14 forms a right angle or a substantially right angle with the central portion 12.

[0031] The length of the proximal end 14 (measured along a direction normal to the first bending region 10) is between 3 cm and 15 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm.

[0032] The proximal end 14 includes a channel extending perpendicular to the major surface of this proximal end in order to allow the insertion of the free end 16A of the stud.

[0033] The plate 8 further includes a second bending region 18, which extends parallel to the first bending region 10 and separates the central portion 12 from the distal end 20 of the plate. The second bending region 18 positions the distal end 20 of the plate to face the central portion 12 of the plate, so that an angle is formed between the central portion and the distal end 20, and the value of the angle is between 30° and 60°, preferably about 45°.

[0034] The length of the distal end 20 (measured along a direction normal to the second bending region 18) is between 5 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 8 cm and 15 cm.

[0035] The distal end 20 of the plate also includes a channel extending perpendicular to the major surface of this distal end in order to allow the insertion of the free end 16B of the threaded rod. A nut 22B is welded to the major surface of the distal end 20 facing the central portion 12 in order to allow the retention of the threaded rod, and the threaded rod passes through the channel of the distal end.

[0036] The first bending region 10 is spaced apart from the second bending region 18 by a distance between 3 cm and 15 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm. Each edge of the central portion 12 perpendicular to the bending region includes at least one tab 24 (visible Figure 3 above), and the at least one tab extends parallel or substantially parallel to the bending region. The length of the tab 24 is between 1 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm.

[0037] Advantageously, asFigure 1 As shown above, the tab 24 is adapted to bear against the face of the longitudinal beam 6 so as to prevent pivoting of the fixing device when the fixing device is maintained at the longitudinal beam.

[0038] In order to maintain the fixing device at the longitudinal beam 6 of a motor vehicle, the longitudinal beam 6 includes a welded stud, the free end 16A of which extends perpendicularly to the vertical wall 26 of the longitudinal beam. When the motor vehicle is in a driving state, the vertical wall 26 of the longitudinal beam is adapted to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the road surface.

[0039] The free end 16A of the stud passes through a passage (which passes through the proximal end 14 of the plate), so that a nut 22A can be tightened on the free end 16 of the stud and thereby the proximal end 14 of the plate is maintained against the vertical wall 26 of the longitudinal beam.

[0040] In this way, the distal end 20 of the plate 8 is offset from the longitudinal beam 6 in the outer direction of the motor vehicle, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown above.

[0041] Thereby, advantageously, the operator can easily access the passage through the distal end 20 of the plate and easily access the nut 22B welded around the passage, and the nut forms a reversible retaining member 28 according to the present invention.

[0042] Thereby, the operator no longer needs to lift the motor vehicle to gain access to the reversible retaining member that maintains the base deflector at the chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0043] According to another advantage, for a standing observer, the reversible retaining member 28 is not visible or hardly visible from the outside of the motor vehicle. The fixing device according to the present invention is thus inconspicuous and does not distort the aesthetics of the motor vehicle.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a base deflector 4 (partially shown in Figures 1 to 3 ), which is different from the prior art in that the base deflector includes a support plate 32 penetrated by an opening 34, and a retaining plate 36 is integrally connected to the support plate 32 so as to face the opening 34. The retaining plate 36 forms an angle with the support plate 32, the value of the angle being between 30° and 60°, and the retaining plate 36 includes a passage to allow insertion of the free end 16B of a threaded rod that passes through the opening of the support plate.

[0045] As Figure 2As shown, this makes it easy for the operator to, for example, tighten a bolt to a nut 22B present at the distal end 20 of the plate 8 to quickly fix the base deflector to the fixing device according to the invention, which is integrated with the longitudinal beam of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A fixing device (2) for fixing a base deflector (4) to a motor vehicle, characterized in that, The fixing device comprises a plate (8), which includes a first bending region (10) and a second bending region (18). The first bending region demarcates the central part (12) and the proximal end (14) of the plate. The second bending region demarcates the distal end (20) and the central part of the plate. Moreover, the proximal end (14) of the plate is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central part (12). And at least a part of the distal end (20) of the plate faces the central part (12). And the distal end (20) includes a reversible retaining member (28) for fixing the base deflector (4).

2. The fixing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distal end (20) of the plate forms an angle with the central part (12) of the plate, and the value of the angle is between 30° and 60°, preferably about 45°.

3. The fixing device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The maximum width of the central part (12) is greater than the maximum width of the proximal end (14), and the width is measured along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first bending region (10).

4. The fixing device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The central part (12) includes at least one protrusion (24), and the at least one protrusion extends parallel or substantially parallel to the first bending region (10).

5. The fixing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The proximal end (14) of the plate includes a channel extending perpendicular to the large surface of the proximal end to allow the insertion of the free end (16A) of the stud.

6. The fixing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The distal end (20) includes a channel extending perpendicular to the large surface of the distal end to allow the insertion of the free end (16B) of the threaded rod.

7. The fixing device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that, A nut (22) is integrally formed with the distal end (20) of the plate (8) to allow the retention of the threaded rod, and the threaded rod passes through the channel of the distal end (20).

8. A motor vehicle, characterized in that, The motor vehicle includes a fixing device (2) for fixing the base deflector (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the proximal end (14) of the plate (8) of the fixing device (2) is held against the vertical wall (26) or substantially vertical wall of the longitudinal beam (6) of the motor vehicle.

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