SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING A CONVERTER ON THE INTERIOR PANEL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising a transducer and a device for mounting said transducer on an interior trim panel of a motor vehicle, and a panel equipped with a transducer mounted by said device. 1

[0002] It is known to mount a transducer on an interior trim panel of a motor vehicle, in order to allow a signal from an amplifier to be propagated within a passenger compartment via said panel, the use of a transducer instead of a loudspeaker allowing in particular a saving of weight and space.

[0003] Several problems arise when such an arrangement is implemented: simplifying the assembly, optimizing the transmission of the signal from the amplifier to the panel (via the transducer), ensuring easy disassembly of the transducer for replacement in case of malfunction.

[0004] The invention aims to provide a panel that reconciles these various requirements.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes a system as defined in claim 1.

[0006] It should be noted here that the terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the axis along which the interface (and therefore the transducer) is screwed onto the base. With the proposed arrangement: Mounting the transducer on the panel is very simple, as it consists of screwing the transducer onto the base. The rotation range can be defined, as we will see later, as a small angular sector in order to further simplify the assembly. This allows for continuous, rather than point, surface contact between the base and the interface, thus optimizing the transmission of the signal from the amplifier to the panel via the transducer. Finally, the transducer is easily removable from the panel, unlike designs where the transducer is attached to the panel, for example, by screwing or gluing.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig.1 ] is a schematic, semi-exploded perspective view, according to one embodiment, of a transducer equipped with an interface and a base, [ Fig.2 ] represents the elements of the figure 1 In detailed cross-section, the interface is brought into contact with the base before screwing, [ Fig.3a is analogous to the figure 2 in simplified view, [ Fig.3b is analogous to the figure 3a by representing the transducer once screwed in, [ Fig.4 ] is a schematic radial view of the base.

[0008] With reference to the figures, a system 1 for mounting a transducer 2 - in particular electrodynamic or magnetostrictive - on an interior trim panel 3 - for example a shelf covering a luggage compartment, a headliner, etc... - of a motor vehicle is described, said system comprising: a base 4 - in particular made of molded plastic material - intended to be fixed to said panel, said base being provided with a thread 5 - here external - and a peripheral receiving track 6 having in axial view a washer shape, an interface 7 made of molded plastic material for fixing said transducer, said interface having: o an association part 8 for said transducer, o a fixing part 9 on said base, said part being provided with a reciprocal thread 10 - here internal - intended to be screwed onto said thread, o a flexible collar defining a reciprocal track 11 having in axial view a shape similar to that of said receiving track, knowing that said receiving track is in a substantially flattened truncated cone shape defined such that: • before screwing and when the said tracks are brought into contact with each other, the contact is made along a circular peripheral line 12, • once the screwing has been carried out, the said reciprocal track deforms to take a surface bearing on the said receiving track and to conform to its shape, in order to allow an optimized transmission of the vibrations of the said transducer to the said panel.

[0009] According to the representation shown, as illustrated in detail in figure 2 , the transducer 2 includes a hood 13 inside which is fixed a magnet 14, and an electric coil 15, powered by cables 18, suspended from said hood by spring means 16.

[0010] Furthermore, interface 7 is fixed - notably by gluing - inside coil 15.

[0011] According to one realization, the apex of the cone defining the truncated cone shape defines an angle 17 greater than 170°.

[0012] According to one realization, the angle 17 defined above is less than 178°, in particular being greater than 170°.

[0013] According to the embodiment shown, the thread 5 and reciprocal thread 10 are fragmented into a plurality of angular sectors - here four - each fitting into a respective helix, so as to allow complete screwing after a rotation of less than half a turn - here about a quarter of a turn.

[0014] Such a design allows for minimization of axial space and also simplifies the mounting of the transducer 2, avoiding tangling of its power cables 18.

[0015] Not shown, system 1 may include an anti-unscrewing means for the transducer 2 once fixed, said means comprising two reciprocal stops respectively attached to the base 4 and the fixing interface 7, one of said stops being elastically retractable and temporarily retracting at the end of screwing when approaching the other of said stops, to redeploy once screwing is completed and cooperate with said other stop.

[0016] According to the embodiment shown, the base 4 is provided with anchoring lugs 19 projecting radially outwards from the receiving track 6, so as to allow reinforced fixing of said base on the panel 3.

[0017] We now describe a panel 3 equipped with a transducer 2 mounted by such a system 1, said equipped panel comprising, in addition to said panel and said transducer: a base 4 fixed - for example by overmolding, by welding, etc... - on said panel - which is for example made of molded polyurethane, molded thermoplastic, thermo-compressed fibrous material, etc... -, said base being provided with a thread 5 and a peripheral receiving track 6 having in axial view a washer shape, an interface 7 in molded plastic material for fixing said transducer, said interface having: o an association part 8 fixed - for example by bonding - to said transducer, o a fixing part 9 on said base, said part being provided with a reciprocal thread 10 screwed onto said thread, o a flexible collar defining a reciprocal track 11 having in axial view a shape similar to that of said receiving track, knowing that said receiving track is in a substantially flattened truncated cone shape, said reciprocal track taking a surface support on said receiving track to follow its shape.

[0018] According to a partially shown embodiment, the transducer 2 is connected to two power supply cables 18 intended to be connected to an amplifier provided in the peripheral environment of the panel 3, said cables being housed in a trench, not shown, provided in said panel.

Claims

1. A system (1) comprising a transducer (2) and a mounting device of said transducer on an interior trim panel (3) of a motor vehicle, said mounting device comprising: • a base (4) intended to be attached to said panel, said base being provided with a thread (5) and a peripheral receiving track (6) having, in axial view, a shape of a washer, said transducer comprising: • an interface (7) for attaching said transducer, said interface having: ∘ a part (8) for association with said transducer, ∘ a part (9) for attaching to said base, said part being provided with a reciprocal thread (10) intended to be screwed onto said thread, ∘ a flexible collar defining a reciprocal track (11) having, in axial view, a shape similar to that of said receiving track, said system being characterised in that said interface is made of moulded plastic material and in that said receiving track is inscribed in a flattened frusto-conical shape defined such that: • before screwing and when said tracks are brought into contact with each other, the contact is made along a circular peripheral line (12), • once the screwing has been carried out, said reciprocal track deforms to bear by its surface on said receiving track and to conform to the shape thereof, in order to allow an optimised transmission of the vibrations from said transducer to said panel.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the top of the cone defining the frusto-conical shape defines an angle (17) which is greater than 170°.

3. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top of the cone defining the frusto-conical shape defines an angle (17) of less than 178°.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thread (5) and reciprocal thread (10) are fragmented into a plurality of angular sectors each being inscribed in a respective helix, so as to allow the complete screwing after a rotation of less than a half-turn.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means of anti-unscrewing of the transducer (2) once attached, said means comprising two reciprocal stops which are respectively secured to the base (4) and the attachment interface (7), one of said stops being elastically retractable and being temporarily retracted at the end of screwing on approaching the other of said stops to be redeployed once the screwing has been finalised and cooperate with said other stop.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (4) is provided with anchor lugs (19) protruding radially outwards from the receiving track (6), so as to allow a reinforced attachment of said base to the panel (3).

7. A panel (3) equipped with a system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The panel according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the transducer (2) is connected to two power supply cables (18) intended to be connected to an amplifier provided in the peripheral environment of said panel, said cables being housed in a trench provided in said panel.