Device for attaching an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle

Abstract

The attachment device (2) comprises a blade (8) comprising a first folding area (10), delimiting a central portion (12) of the blade of a proximal end (14). A second folding area (18) delimits a distal end (20) of the blade of the central portion (12). The proximal end (14) of the blade is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central portion (12), and at least one portion of the distal end (20) of the blade faces the central portion (12). The distal end (20) comprises a reversible holding means (28) for attaching an underbody deflector (4).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Device for attaching an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle. Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2212177 filed on November 23, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of aerodynamic deflectors for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a device for attaching an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0003] The use of deflectors to modify the aerodynamics of a motor vehicle is known in the state of the art. The airflow between a motor vehicle and the roadway can thus be optimized by the presence of one or more underbody deflectors, positioned as their name indicates, at the underbody of a motor vehicle, in order to increase its road holding while reducing its fuel consumption.

[0004] Currently, underbody deflectors are held under motor vehicles by means of studs, welded to the side members of said vehicles. The free ends of the studs extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the underbody of the vehicles.

[0005] The installation or replacement of an underbody deflector therefore requires the use of a lifting system such as a lifting bridge or lifting column, in order to allow an operator easy access to the studs for fixing an underbody deflector under a motor vehicle.

[0006] The invention aims to remedy this problem by proposing a device for fixing an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle, allowing an operator to access said fixing device more easily. Subject of the invention

[0007] For this, the invention proposes a device for fixing an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle.

[0008] The fixing device is remarkable in that it comprises a blade having a first folding zone, delimiting a central portion of the blade from a proximal end, and a second folding zone delimiting a distal end of the blade from the central portion. The proximal end of the blade is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central portion and at least a portion of the distal end of the blade faces the central portion. The distal end comprises a reversible holding means for fixing a base deflector.

[0009] Advantageously, when the proximal end of the blade of the fixing device is held against a vertical wall of a side member of a motor vehicle, the distal end of the blade allows the reversible holding means to be offset. In other words, the particular shape of the blade allows, on the one hand, the reversible holding means to be moved away from the side member to which the fixing device is attached and, on the other hand, to modify its orientation. These two characteristics of the blade allow an operator to access the reversible holding means more easily, without it being necessary to use a lifting system to lift the motor vehicle.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the blade forms with its central part an angle whose value is between 30° and 60°, preferably of the order of 45°.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the greatest width of the central portion is greater than the greatest width of the proximal end, widths measured in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first fold zone.

[0012] Preferably, the central portion comprises at least one protrusion extending parallel or substantially parallel to the first zone of fold. Preferably, the protrusion(s) form a tab to increase the surface area of ​​the central portion to increase its stability when the central portion is pressed against a surface.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the proximal end of the blade comprises a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end of a stud.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distal end comprises a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end of a threaded rod.

[0015] Preferably, a nut is secured to the distal end of the blade, so as to allow the retention of a threaded rod passing through the passage of the distal end.

[0016] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0017] The invention also relates to an underbody deflector for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a support plate crossed by an opening, and in that a retaining blade is secured to the support plate so as to face the opening, and in that the retaining blade forms an angle with the support plate whose value is between 30° and 60°, and in that the retaining blade comprises a passage to allow the insertion of the end of a threaded rod passing through the opening of the support plate.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device for fixing an underbody deflector as described above, and the proximal end of the blade of the fixing device is held against a vertical or substantially vertical wall of a side member of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the underbody deflector described above is held at the distal end of the blade of the fixing device, by means of a threaded rod passing through a passage of the holding blade of the underbody deflector. Description of figures

[0020] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] illustrates a perspective view of a fixing device according to the invention, holding an underbody deflector to a side member of a motor vehicle;

[0022] [Fig. 2] illustrates a cross-section of the fixing device shown in Figure 1;

[0023] [Fig. 3] illustrates a front view of a fixing device represented by Figure 1. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] As a reminder, the invention proposes a device for fixing an underbody deflector to a motor vehicle which is easier to access for an operator.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a fixing device 2 of an underbody deflector according to the invention, holding an underbody deflector 4 to a side member 6 of a motor vehicle. According to the present example, the side member 6 corresponds to a rear side member of a motor vehicle.

[0026] It should be noted that the fixing device may also be used in a similar manner to hold an underbody deflector to a front side member or other chassis member of a motor vehicle.

[0027] The fixing device 2 consists of a blade 8, preferably metallic, for example made of steel. The thickness of the blade 8, measured perpendicular to its largest faces, is between 3 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 8 mm.

[0028] The blade comprises a first folding zone 10, visible in FIG. 2, extending along an axis perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the blade. The first folding zone 10 delimits a central portion 12 of the blade from a proximal end 14.

[0029] A "bend zone" means a curved portion of the blade, so as to form an elbow. Preferably, the end of the elbow is rounded.

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

[0031] The length of the proximal end 14, measured in a direction normal to the first folding zone 10, is between 3 cm and 15 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm.

[0032] The proximal end 14 has a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end 16A of a stud.

[0033] The blade 8 also comprises a second folding zone 18, extending parallel to the first folding zone 10, separating the central portion 12 from a distal end 20 of the blade. The second folding zone 18 positions the distal end 20 of the blade opposite its central portion 12, so that the central portion forms an angle with the distal end 20, the value of which is between 30° and 60°, preferably of the order of 45°.

[0034] The length of the distal end 20, measured in a direction normal to the second folding zone 18, is between 5 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 8 cm and 15 cm.

[0035] The distal end 20 of the blade also comprises a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end 16B of a threaded rod. A nut 22B is welded onto a large face of the distal end 20, opposite the central portion 12, so as to allow the retention of a threaded rod passing through the passage of the distal end.

[0036] The first folding zone 10 is separated from the second folding zone 18 by a distance of between 3 cm and 15 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm. Each edge of the central part 12, perpendicular to the folding zones, comprises at least one tab 24 visible in FIG. 3, extending parallel or substantially parallel to said folding zones. The length of the legs 24 is between 1 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm.

[0037] Advantageously, the tabs 24 are intended to bear against a face of a spar 6, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in order to prevent pivoting of the fixing device when it is held on said spar.

[0038] To maintain the attachment device to the side member 6 of a motor vehicle, the side member 6 comprises a welded stud whose free end 16A extends perpendicular to a vertical wall 26 of said side member. The vertical wall 26 of the side member is intended to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the roadway, when the motor vehicle is in a driving position.

[0039] The free end 16A of the stud passes through the passage passing through the proximal end 14 of the blade, in order to allow a nut 22A to be screwed onto the free end 16 of the stud and, thus, to hold the proximal end 14 of the blade against the vertical wall 26 of the spar.

[0040] In this way, the distal end 20 of the blade 8 is moved away from the side member 6, towards the outside of the motor vehicle, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

[0041] Thus, advantageously, an operator can easily access the passage passing through the distal end 20 of the blade and the nut 22B welded around said passage, forming a reversible holding means 28 according to the invention.

[0042] It is then no longer necessary for the operator to lift the motor vehicle to gain access to a reversible means of holding an underbody deflector to the chassis of a motor vehicle.

[0043] According to another advantage, the reversible holding means 28 is not or barely visible from outside the motor vehicle, for an observer standing in a standing position. The fixing device according to the invention is therefore discreet and does not distort the aesthetics of the motor vehicle.

[0044] The invention also relates to a base deflector 4, partly shown in Figures 1 to 3, distinguished from the state of the art in that it comprises a support plate 32 crossed by an opening 34, and in that a retaining blade 36 is secured to the support plate 32, so as to face the opening 34. The retaining blade 36 forms an angle with the support plate 32 having a value between 30° and 60°, and the holding blade 36 has a passage to allow the insertion of the free end 16B of a threaded rod passing through the opening of the support plate.

[0045] As illustrated by Figure 2, it is then easy for an operator to screw a bolt for example, to the nut 22B present at the distal end 20 of the blade 8, to quickly fix the underbody deflector to the fixing device according to the invention which is secured to a side member of the motor vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Device (2) for fixing an underbody deflector (4) to a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a blade (8) having a first folding zone (10), delimiting a central part (12) of the blade from a proximal end (14), and a second folding zone (18) delimiting a distal end (20) of the blade from the central part, and in that the proximal end (14) of the blade is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central part (12), and in that at least a part of the distal end (20) of the blade faces the central part (12), and in that the distal end (20) comprises a reversible holding means (28) for fixing an underbody deflector (4).

2. Fixing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal end (20) of the blade forms with its central part (12), an angle whose value is between 30° and 60°, preferably of the order of 45°.

3. Fastening device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the greatest width of the central part (12) is greater than the greatest width of the proximal end (14), widths measured in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first folding zone (10).

4. Fastening device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the central part (12) comprises at least one protrusion (24) extending parallel or substantially parallel to the first folding zone (10).

5. Fixing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the proximal end (14) of the blade comprises a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end (16A) of a stud.

6. Fixing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the distal end (20) comprises a passage extending perpendicular to its large faces, so as to allow the insertion of the free end (16B) of a threaded rod.

7. Fixing device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that a nut (22) is secured to the distal end (20) of the blade (8), so as to allow the retention of a threaded rod passing through the passage of the distal end (20).

8. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a fixing device (2) for an underbody deflector (4) according to one of claims 1 to 7, and in that the proximal end (14) of the blade (8) of the fixing device (2) is held against a vertical (26) or substantially vertical wall of a side member (6) of the motor vehicle.

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