Trim assembly for a vehicle comprising ventilation openings, associated assembly method and vehicle

Abstract

A trim assembly (14) intended to be fixed to a body structure (12) forming part of an internal ceiling (24) of a vehicle (10), the trim assembly (14) comprising an upper panel (34) and a lower panel (36), the upper panel (34) and the lower panel (36) being profiles, the lower panel (36) and the upper panel (34) forming respectively a lower profile (42) and an upper profile (41). The lower profile (42) has a first end (46) and a second end (48), the second end (48) forming a hook (57) having a convex portion (58). The upper profile (41) has a third end (68) and a fourth end (70), the third end (68) forming a receptacle (78) adapted to receive the hook (57). The convex portion (58) corresponds to a gutter defining a plurality of openings designed to ensure the passage of an airflow (61) through the lower panel (36).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a trim assembly intended to be fixed to a body structure forming part of an internal ceiling of a vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a trim assembly, and a vehicle comprising at least one such trim assembly.

[0003] The vehicle is, for example, a car of a high-speed train or an intercity train, the vehicle comprising at least one side wall and a ceiling framing a passenger compartment.

[0004] In order to air-condition such a vehicle, it is known to position a ventilation device on the side wall of the vehicle. Openings are provided in said side wall delivering air-conditioned air. The side wall and the openings provided therein form a trim assembly.

[0005] However, such a trim assembly is usually small, making it difficult to integrate a ventilation device into the side walls, particularly due to the fact that the side walls are thin in order to reduce the width of the vehicle.

[0006] In addition, the openings are located at passenger height. This makes the openings visible to passengers, which is aesthetically disturbing and reduces passenger comfort. The openings are also easily accessible, so small objects are likely to be introduced or fall into them.

[0007] To overcome these drawbacks, it was thought to position the openings on an upper panel at the level of the vehicle's ceiling. However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory in that it does not allow the unsightly nature of the openings to be addressed. In addition, such a panel is not very suitable for rapid maintenance, due to long and tedious assembly and disassembly.

[0008] In the state of the art, trim assemblies comprising an upper panel are known from documents CN 212 980 195 U, FR 2 542 828 A1, or KR 100 865 882 B1.

[0009] An aim of the invention is to provide a set of coverings suitable for easy maintenance and perceived as more aesthetic.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to a trim assembly intended to be fixed to a body structure forming part of an internal ceiling of a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, the trim assembly comprising an upper panel and a lower panel in a vertical direction of the vehicle, the upper panel and the lower panel being profiles extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the lower panel and the upper panel respectively forming, in section along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a lower profile and an upper profile, in which the lower profile comprises a first end and a second end opposite each other in a direction of elongation included in the plane, the second end forming a hook comprising a convex portion, the convexity of which is turned towards the upper side of the trim assembly,the upper profile comprises a third end and a fourth end opposite each other in the direction of elongation, the third end forming a receptacle adapted to receive the hook, the convex portion corresponding to a gutter in the lower panel, the gutter defining a plurality of openings arranged in the longitudinal direction, suitable for ensuring the passage of an air flow through the lower panel, from the upper side of the cladding assembly to the lower side.,

[0011] According to particular embodiments, the cladding assembly comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations: The fourth end forms an upper hook intended to be fixed to the body structure, in particular to an upper wall of the body structure. The first end forms at least one protrusion intended to receive a fixing part of the body structure, in particular a side wall or a window of the vehicle. The lower profile comprises a main part connecting the first end and the second end, the lower profile comprising at least two protrusions, projecting from the main part, the two protrusions being intended to be snapped onto a rail of the body structure of the vehicle. The upper profile comprises a main part connecting the third end and the fourth end, the upper profile comprising at least two protrusions, projecting from the main part, the protrusions being intended to be snapped onto a rail of the body structure of the vehicle.The upper profile comprises a main part connecting the third end and the fourth end, the third end comprising a stop projecting from the main part, and a projection in the extension of the main part, the stop and the projection delimiting the receptacle, the stop being located between the projection and the main part in the direction of elongation, the hook comprising a tip and the convex portion comprising a distal end in contact with the tip, the distal end being located further from the first end in the direction of elongation than the tip, the distal end being positioned against the stop and the tip (60) against the projection.

[0012] The invention also relates to an assembly method, the method comprising the steps in this order: fixing the upper panel to the body structure, positioning the hook in the receptacle, the trim assembly being in an intermediate assembly position, pivoting the lower panel relative to the upper panel along a longitudinal rotation axis, the hook remaining in the receptacle, to place the lower profile in line with the upper profile in the direction of elongation, and fixing the lower panel to the body structure.

[0013] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising at least one trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a body structure forming part of an internal ceiling of the vehicle, the trim assembly being fixed to the body structure.

[0014] Optionally, the vehicle further comprises at least one ventilation device adapted to generate an air flow passing through the plurality of openings.

[0015] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic view, in section, along a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, of the interior of a vehicle according to the invention, and the figure 2 is a schematic view, in perspective, of a set of cladding shown on the figure 1 .

[0016] In reference to the figures 1 And 2 , a vehicle 10 according to the invention is described.

[0017] The vehicle 10 is advantageously a railway vehicle, for example a car of a high-speed train set, an intercity train or a regional train.

[0018] Alternatively, the vehicle 10 is a road vehicle, such as a bus, a naval platform or an aircraft.

[0019] The vehicle 10 includes a body structure 12, a trim assembly 14, and a ventilation device 16 positioned between the body structure 12 and the trim assembly 14. The vehicle 10 also defines a passenger compartment 18 framed by the body structure 12 and the trim assembly 14.

[0020] The body structure 12 comprises a side wall 20 and a top wall 22, as shown in the figure 1 The upper wall 22 and the trim assembly 14 form an internal ceiling 24 of the vehicle 10.

[0021] In another embodiment not shown, the body structure 12 also includes a window embedded in the side wall 20.

[0022] The body structure 12 comprises, for example, two rails 26 extending in a longitudinal direction L, perpendicular to the vertical direction V. The body structure 12 also comprises a fixing part 28, fixed on the one hand to its side wall 20 and on the other to the covering assembly 14.

[0023] In another embodiment not shown, the fixing portion 28 is fixed to the window embedded in the side wall 20.

[0024] The body structure 12 comprises a connecting piece 32, fixed on the one hand to the upper wall 22 of the vehicle 10 and on the other to the trim assembly 14. The connecting piece 32 is adapted to receive a hook.

[0025] The side wall 20 extends between the upper wall 22 and a floor, not shown.

[0026] The trim assembly 14 comprises an upper panel 34 and a lower panel 36, in a vertical direction V of the vehicle 10. The trim assembly 14 extends in the longitudinal direction L and mainly in an elongation direction E inclined relative to the vertical direction V at an acute angle.

[0027] The upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 are advantageously metallic parts and in particular manufactured by forming.

[0028] The upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 are profiles extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0029] The lower panel 36 is also adapted to occupy a plurality of assembly positions relative to the upper panel 34, defining a plurality of inclination angles between a direction of inclination of the lower panel 36 and the direction of elongation E.

[0030] The lower panel 36 includes a gutter 38 which will be detailed below, the gutter 38 defining a plurality of openings 40.

[0031] The upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 respectively form, in section along a plane P perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, an upper profile 41 and a lower profile 42, as shown in the figure 1 .

[0032] The upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 have such an upper profile 41 and lower profile 42 over the entire length of the upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 in the longitudinal direction L. In an embodiment not shown, at the edges of the upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 in the longitudinal direction L, the upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36 have a different upper profile 41 and lower profile 42.

[0033] The lower profile 42 comprises a main part 44, a first end 46 and a second end 48. The main part 44 extends in the direction of elongation E and connects the first end 46 and the second end 48. The first end 46 is opposite relative to the second end 48 in the direction of elongation E.

[0034] Advantageously, the lower profile 42 also comprises two protrusions 50 projecting from the main part 44. Each protrusion 50 comprises a partition 52 and a return 54.

[0035] The partition 52 projects from the direction of elongation E in a transverse direction T substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation E. The two partitions 52 are spaced apart by a distance in the direction of elongation E, adapted to snap the profile of a rail 26 between the two partitions 52. Each partition 52 is extended by the return 54. Each return 54 is oriented in the direction of elongation E and is directed towards the other return 54.

[0036] The two protrusions 50 correspond in the lower panel 36 to a claw adapted to accommodate one of the rails 26 of the body structure 12.

[0037] The first end 46 comprises, for example, several grooves 55. The first end 46 also comprises an L-shaped protrusion 56.

[0038] The first end 46 allows the lower panel 36 to be fixed to the body structure 12. In particular, the protrusion 56 is intended to receive the fixing part 28 of the body structure 12, in particular the side wall 20 or the window embedded in the side wall 20.

[0039] The first end 46 is integral with the main part 44 of the lower profile 42.

[0040] The second end 48 forms a hook 57 comprising a convex portion 58 advantageously extended by an end piece 60. The convex portion 58 has a convexity facing the upper side of the covering assembly 14.

[0041] The convex portion 58 of the hook 57 corresponds to the gutter 38 in the lower panel 36, the gutter 38 having the plurality of openings 40, arranged in the longitudinal direction L, suitable for ensuring the passage of an air flow 61 through the lower panel 36, from the upper side of the covering assembly 14 to the lower side.

[0042] The gutter 38 defines two rows of openings 40, the rows being defined along the direction of elongation E as shown in the figure 2 The openings 40 are present over all or a major part of the gutter 38 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0043] The convex portion 58 has a distal end 62 relative to the first end 46 in the direction of elongation E. The convex portion 58 is extended by the tip 60. The distal end 62 is located at the boundary between the convex portion 58 and the tip 60. The distal end 62 is located further from the first end 46 in the direction of elongation E than the tip 60.

[0044] The end piece 60 is oriented substantially in the direction of elongation E and has a reinforcement 64 at its end. The reinforcement 64 is suitable for protecting the covering assembly 14 during the assembly of the upper panel 34 and the lower panel 36.

[0045] The lower profile 42 is connected to the upper profile 41 using the second end 48 of the lower profile 42.

[0046] The upper profile 41 comprises a main part 66, a third end 68 and a fourth end 70. The main part 66 extends in the direction of elongation E and connects the third end 68 and the fourth end 70. The third end 68 is opposite relative to the fourth end 70 in the direction of elongation E.

[0047] For example, the main part 66 comprises two protrusions 72 similar to the protrusions 50 present on the lower profile 42. Each protrusion 72 comprises a partition 74 and a return 76 and the protrusions 72 correspond on the upper panel 34 to a claw.

[0048] The third end 68 forms a receptacle 78 adapted to receive the hook 57 formed by the second end 48. The receptacle 78 receives the hook 57 in each of the assembly positions. For example, the receptacle 78 comprises a stop 80 and a projection 82.

[0049] The stop 80 projects from the main part 66 in the transverse direction T. The stop 80 has a height in the transverse direction T greater than the distance in projection in the transverse direction T of the distance between the distal end 62 of the convex portion 58 and the reinforcement 64.

[0050] The stop 80 is adapted to receive in abutment against it, the distal end 62 of the convex portion 58.

[0051] The 80 stop came from the same material as the 82 advance.

[0052] The projection 82 is located in the extension of the main part 66 in the direction of elongation E. The projection 82 comprises a rim 84 at its end having a curvature oriented towards the upper side of the covering assembly 14. The width of the projection 82 in the direction of elongation E is substantially equal to the width of the end piece 60 of the second end 48.

[0053] The projection 82 is adapted to receive the tip 60 of the second end 48 against the wall of the projection 82, the reinforcement 64 being in contact with the rim 84.

[0054] The third end 68, by receiving the second end 48, ensures the connection between the lower profile 42 and the upper profile 41. The connection thus formed between the lower panel 36 and the upper panel 34 is a pivot connection having as its center an axis XX directed in the longitudinal direction L and advantageously centered at the center of the convex portion 58 of the second end 48.

[0055] The third end 68 is integral with the main part 66 of the upper profile 41.

[0056] Advantageously, the fourth end 70 forms an upper hook 85 similar to the hook 57 formed by the second end 48. The upper hook 85 is intended to be fixed to the connection part 32 of the body structure 12. The fixing of the upper hook 85 to the connection part 32 creates a pivot connection between the upper panel 34 and the body structure 12, a pivot connection whose center is an axis YY positioned at the center of the upper hook 85 and whose direction is the longitudinal direction L.

[0057] The fourth end 70 is integral with the main part 66.

[0058] The upper panel 34 thus forms, with the lower panel 36, the trim assembly 14 separating the ventilation device 16 from the passenger compartment 18 of the vehicle 10.

[0059] The ventilation device 16 comprises a fan 86 and for example supply ducts, not shown, connected to the fan 86 so as to provide an air flow 61 and electrical energy to the fan 86. The fan 86 is positioned so as to pass the air flow 61 through the plurality of openings 40 in the passenger compartment 18.

[0060] The passenger compartment 18 is the internal space of the vehicle 10 delimited by the trim assembly 14 and the body structure 12, with the exception of the body structure 12 above the trim assembly 14.

[0061] A method of assembling the trim assembly 14 will now be described.

[0062] The upper hook 85 is attached to the connecting piece 32, attaching the upper panel 34 to the body structure 12. Then, for example, one of the rails 26 of the body structure 12 is snapped into the claw of the upper panel 34.

[0063] Then, the hook 57 is positioned in the receptacle 78, the tip 60 against the projection 82 and the distal end 62 of the convex portion 58 of the second end 48 against the stop 80, the lower panel 36 thus being attached to the upper panel 34. The covering assembly 14 is in an intermediate assembly position.

[0064] The lower panel 36 is pivoted relative to the upper panel 34 along the longitudinal rotation axis XX, the hook 57 remaining in the receptacle 78 in order to position the lower panel 36 in the extension of the upper panel 34 in the elongation direction E. The rotation is permitted by the pivot connection centered on the axis XX at the level of the hook 57 and the receptacle 78.

[0065] Finally, the fixing portion 28 is connected to the first end 46, for example to the protrusion 56, fixing the lower panel 36 to the body structure 12. Simultaneously, for example, one of the rails 26 of the body structure 12 is snapped into the claw of the lower panel 36.

[0066] Thanks to such a cladding assembly 14, the assembly of the cladding assembly 14 is easy and quick. The cladding assembly 14 thus offers easy maintenance. This also saves space for placing the ventilation device 16.

[0067] By virtue of the hook shape 57 of the second end 48 and the fact that the plurality of openings 40 are defined in the convex portion 58 of the second end 48, the ventilation openings 40 are thus concealed from the passenger compartment 18, avoiding visual discomfort. In addition, the openings 40 are difficult to access for a passenger, not shown, placed in the passenger compartment 18, avoiding injuries or loss of small objects.

[0068] Thanks to the rails 26 and the protuberances 50, 72 present in the lower profile 42 and in the upper profile 41, the covering assembly 14 is blocked in rotation in the longitudinal direction L. This also makes it possible to solidify the connection of the covering assembly 14 to the body structure 12.

[0069] Thanks to the fixing part 28 and the first end 46, the trim assembly 14 can be directly fixed to the body structure 12 and adapted so that the fixing part 28 is connected to a window or to a side wall 20.

Claims

1. Trim assembly (14) intended to be fastened to a body structure (12) forming part of an internal ceiling (24) of a vehicle (10), in particular railway vehicle, the trim assembly (14) comprising an upper panel (34) and a lower panel (36) in a vertical direction (V) of the vehicle (10), the upper panel (34) and the lower panel (36) being profiles extending in a longitudinal direction (L) perpendicular to the vertical direction (V), the lower panel (36) and the upper panel (34) respectively forming, in cross-section along a plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), a lower profile (42) and an upper profile (41), wherein: - the lower profile (42) includes a first end (46) and a second end (48) opposite each other in a direction of elongation (E) comprised in the plane (P), the second end (48) forming a hook (57) including a convex portion (58), the convexity of which faces the upper side of the trim assembly (14), - the upper profile (41) includes a third end (68) and a fourth end (70) opposite each other in the direction of elongation (E), the third end (68) forming a receptacle (78) designed to receive the hook (57), characterised in that the convex portion (58) corresponds to a gutter (38) in the lower panel (36), the gutter (38) defining a plurality of openings (40) arranged in the longitudinal direction (L), suitable for ensuring the passage of an air flow (61) through the lower panel (36), from the upper side of the trim assembly (14) to the lower side.

2. Trim assembly (14) according to Claim 1, wherein the fourth end (70) forms an upper hook (85) intended to be attached to the body structure (12), in particular to an upper wall (22) of the body structure (12).

3. Trim assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (46) forms at least one protrusion (56) intended to receive a fastening part (28) of the body structure (12), in particular a side wall (20) or a window of the vehicle (10).

4. Trim assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower profile (42) includes a main part (44) connecting the first end (46) and the second end (48), the lower profile (42) including at least two protrusions (50), protruding from the main part (44), the two protrusions (50) being intended to be snapped onto a rail (26) of the body structure (12) of the vehicle (10).

5. Trim assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper profile (41) includes a main part (66) connecting the third end (68) and the fourth end (70), the upper profile (41) including at least two protrusions (72), protruding from the main part (66), the protrusions (72) being intended to be snapped onto a rail (26) of the body structure (12) of the vehicle (10).

6. Trim assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper profile (41) includes a main part (66) connecting the third end (68) and the fourth end (70), the third end (68) including a stop (80) protruding from the main part (66), and a projection (82) in the extension of the main part (66), the stop (80) and the projection (82) delimiting the receptacle (78), the stop (80) being located between the projection (82) and the main part (66) in the direction of elongation (E), the hook (57) including a tip (60) and the convex portion (58) including a distal end (62) in contact with the tip (60), the distal end (62) being located further from the first end (46) in the direction of elongation (E) than the tip (60), the distal end (62) being positioned against the stop (80) and the tip (60) against the projection (82).

7. Method for assembling a trim assembly (14), the trim assembly (14) being according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps in this order: - fastening the upper panel (34) to the body structure (12), - positioning the hook (57) in the receptacle (78), the trim assembly (14) being in an intermediate assembly position, - pivoting the lower panel (36) relative to the upper panel (34) about an axis (X-X) of longitudinal rotation (L), the hook (57) remaining in the receptacle (78), to align the lower profile (42) with the upper profile (41) in the direction of elongation (E), and - fastening the lower panel (36) to the body structure (12).

8. Vehicle (10), in particular railway vehicle, including at least one trim assembly (14) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, and a body structure (12) forming part of an internal ceiling (24) of the vehicle (10), the trim assembly (14) being fastened to the body structure (12).

9. Vehicle (10) according to Claim 8, further including at least one ventilation device (16) designed to generate an air flow (61) passing through the plurality of openings (40).

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