TRIM ELEMENT FOR CENTER PILLAR OF MOTOR VEHICLE
The trim element with rib networks in protrusions securely fits into grooves, addressing the issue of dislodgment and maintaining aesthetic quality in motor vehicles.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
- Filing Date
- 2020-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
The existing trim elements in motor vehicles are not optimally secured, leading to potential dislodgment when leaned upon, exposing underlying systems and causing aesthetic flaws.
A trim element with protrusions featuring rib networks that fit into grooves of inlet seals, ensuring secure retention by engaging with the grooves to prevent dislodgment.
The solution provides stable retention of the trim element, maintaining aesthetic integrity and concealing underlying systems, enhancing user experience.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: TRIM ELEMENT FOR CENTER PILLAR OF MOTOR VEHICLE technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive field and is aimed in particular at the assembly of trims in a motor vehicle. STATE OF THE ART
[0002] As is known, a motor vehicle includes a passenger compartment. In general, vehicles also include a central pillar on each side of the vehicle, a central pillar being defined as the part of the bodywork arranged vertically between the floor and the roof of the vehicle and separating two side doors.
[0003] In addition, an inlet seal is fixed to each peripheral portion of each central pillar. For a central pillar, each fixed inlet seal is configured to make contact with the front door or with the rear door of the vehicle, in particular to ensure thermal insulation of the vehicle when the doors are closed.
[0004] Each inlet seal has a substantially tubular shape and includes a groove placed so that, when an inlet seal is fixed to a central foot, the groove of the inlet seal is located along the peripheral portion of the central foot.
[0005] In order to improve the acoustic and thermal insulation of the passenger compartment and to ensure aesthetic comfort for vehicle users, the vehicle's interior trim, in other words, the interior fittings, are installed. In this case, the center pillar trim conceals all the systems mounted at each center pillar. Specifically, the seat belt system and the side airbags are mounted at each center pillar.
[0006] The center foot trim refers in particular to an interior lining of the center foot of the vehicle, in other words, a flexible material which covers the inner part of the center foot.
[0007] For this purpose, the central foot trim is defined vertically and can in particular be defined as a vertical strip, comprising at each of its ends a protrusion. Each of the protrusions is configured to fit into a groove of an inlet seal, in order to hold the trim vertically and against the central foot.
[0008] However, the trim's positioning is maintained solely by each of the protrusions inserted into a groove. Therefore, the hold is not optimal, and if a user leans on the trim when entering or exiting the vehicle, it It is possible that one of the protrusions may become dislodged, at least partially, from the groove in which it was inserted. Some systems concealed beneath the trim may become visible. This results in perceived quality defects, including aesthetic flaws, which may inconvenience vehicle users.
[0009] There is therefore a need for a solution that can at least partially overcome these drawbacks. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] More specifically, the invention relates to a central support for a lateral portion of a vehicle body, arranged between two side doors of said vehicle, in particular an automobile, said central support defining a retaining pillar, ensuring the junction between the floor and the roof of the vehicle and separating the front door from the rear door of said vehicle, the central support comprising a first entry seal, fixed on a peripheral portion of the central support, and a second entry seal, fixed on another peripheral portion of the central support, and a trim element configured to be fixed to the first entry seal and the second entry seal; • the first inlet seal comprising a first groove, defined along the first inlet seal, the second inlet seal comprising a second groove, defined along the second inlet seal, • the trim element being defined vertically, comprising a front protrusion and a rear protrusion, each projecting on either side of the trim element, the front protrusion, respectively the rear protrusion, being configured to fit into the first groove, respectively the second groove, the trim element being notable in that the front protrusion, respectively the rear protrusion, comprises at least a first rib network, respectively at least a second rib network, configured to fit into the first groove, respectively the second groove, so as to retain the front protrusion in the first groove, respectively the rear protrusion in the second groove.
[0011] Preferably, at least one first rib network, respectively at least one second rib network, is in contact with the inner part of the first groove, respectively of the second groove.
[0012] Advantageously, at least a first rib network, respectively at least a second rib network, is positioned on the upper part of the front protuberance, respectively on the upper part of the rear protuberance.
[0013] Advantageously, at least a first rib network, or at least a second rib network, is formed from material of the front protuberance, respectively of the rear protuberance.
[0014] According to another embodiment, at least a first rib network, respectively at least a second rib network, is an added piece on the surface of the front protuberance, respectively the rear protuberance.
[0015] Preferably, the first inlet seal and the second inlet seal are substantially tubular in shape.
[0016] Advantageously, the trim element is made of plastic material.
[0017] Preferably, the trim element is made of a flexible material.
[0018] The invention also relates to a method for mounting a trim element on a central support of a lateral portion of a vehicle body, as described above, said method comprising: • a step of positioning the trim element in line with the central foot and opposite the inner part of the central foot, so that the front protrusion is positioned opposite the first groove and the rear protrusion is positioned opposite the second groove, • a step of inserting the front protrusion into the first groove and the rear protrusion into the second groove.
[0019] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at least one central support, as previously presented. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which:
[0021] [fig. 1] is a partial representation of a central foot according to the invention;
[0022] [fig.2] is a schematic representation of a foot fitting element central according to the invention,
[0023] [fig.3] is a schematic representation of the upper part of the element of trimming as shown in figure 2,
[0024] [fig.4] is a representation of a portion of the upper part of the element of trimming as shown in figure 2,
[0025] [fig.5] is a representation of another portion of the upper part of the element of trim as shown in figure 2,
[0026] [fig.6] schematically illustrates a trim element according to figure 2 mounted on a central support as shown in figure 1,
[0027] [fig.7] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the protuberance before the trim element according to figure 2, mounted in the first groove of a first inlet seal.
[0028] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable implementation of the invention, said figures being of course able to further define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Vehicle
[0030] An embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention will now be presented.
[0031] On the whole of the figures, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is defined where: X is a first axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and which is oriented from the rear to the front of the vehicle, Y is a second axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, Z is a third axis which is parallel to the terrestrial vertical.
[0032] The vehicle's passenger compartment, in other words the interior of the vehicle, is partly defined, at its lower limits, by a passenger compartment floor and, at its upper limits, by a roof.
[0033] Central foot 10
[0034] Furthermore, the vehicle includes two central supports connecting the floor and the roof of said vehicle. More specifically, with reference to Figure 1, each central support 10 of a lateral body section is located between two side doors of said vehicle. In other words, each central support 10 of a lateral body section is defined in particular as a vertical support pillar, ensuring the connection between the floor (not shown in the figure) and the roof 100 of the vehicle and separating two side doors of the vehicle. Since the two central supports 10 are identical, in order to simplify the description, only one central support 10 will be described below.
[0035] Inlet seal 21, 22
[0036] Still with reference to figure 1, an inlet seal is fixed on each peripheral portion of the central leg 10. In particular, a first inlet seal 21 is fixed to the front peripheral portion of the central leg 10, oriented towards the front side door of the vehicle.
[0037] A second inlet seal 22 is fixed to the rear peripheral portion of the central foot 10, oriented towards the rear side door of said vehicle.
[0038] The front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion are defined in particular vertically.
[0039] The first inlet seal 21 and the second inlet seal 22 are in particular substantially tubular in shape.
[0040] Furthermore, the first inlet seal 21 comprises, in its longitudinal axis, a first groove 210, in other words, a substantially annular groove. The first groove 210 is defined so that, when the first inlet joint 21 is fixed to the central foot 10, the first groove 210 is positioned along the front peripheral portion of the central foot 10.
[0041] Similarly, the second inlet seal 22 includes, along its longitudinal axis, a second groove 220, in other words, a substantially annular groove. The second groove 220 is defined such that, when the second inlet seal 22 is fixed to the central foot 10, the second groove 220 is positioned along the rear peripheral portion of the central foot 10.
[0042] Trim element 30
[0043] With reference to figure 2, the central foot 10 also includes a trim element 30, in other words an inner lining which covers the inner part of the central foot 10.
[0044] More specifically, the trim element 30 comprises a coating strip 33, substantially defined in a plane comprising the first axis X and the third axis Z, a front protrusion 31 and a rear protrusion 32. The front protrusion 31 is defined vertically and projecting from the coating strip 33, more specifically along the lateral end of the coating strip 33 oriented towards the front of the vehicle.
[0045] Similarly, the rear protrusion 32 is defined vertically and projecting from the coating strip 33, more precisely along the lateral end of the coating strip 33 oriented towards the rear of the vehicle.
[0046] In other words, the front protrusion 31 and the rear protrusion 32 are defined as projecting from one side of the trim element 30.
[0047] The front protrusion 31 and the rear protrusion 32 are defined as projecting from the same surface of the coating strip 33.
[0048] The front protrusion 31 is configured to fit, more precisely to slide, into the first groove 210. Similarly, the rear protrusion 32 is configured to fit, in other words to slide, into the second groove 220. Thus, the insertion of the front protrusion 31 into the first groove 210, and of the rear protrusion 32 into the second groove 220, makes it possible to hold the coating strip 33, and more generally the trim element 30, vertically and against the inner part of the central foot 10.
[0049] Furthermore, the front protrusion 31, respectively the rear protrusion 32, of the trim element 30 comprises at least one first rib network 310, respectively at least one second rib network 320. With reference to Figure 3, the upper part of the trim element 30 is schematically represented. In order to simplify the description, the case will be considered where the front protrusion 31, respectively the rear protrusion 32, comprises only one first rib network. ribs 310, respectively a single second network of ribs 320.
[0050] In particular, with reference to figures 3 and 4, a first network of ribs 310 is placed on the upper part of the front protrusion 31, in other words at the top of the front protrusion 31, since the trim element 30 is placed vertically.
[0051] Furthermore, the first rib network 310 can be mounted on the internal or external surface of said front protrusion 31. According to the example presented here, the first rib network 310 is mounted on the internal surface of said front protrusion 31, in other words, on the surface of the front protrusion 31 oriented towards the surface of the coating strip 33 intended to be in contact with the inner part of the central foot 10.
[0052] Similarly, with reference to Figures 3 and 5, a second network of ribs 320 is placed on the upper part of the rear protrusion 32, in other words at the top of the rear protrusion 32, since the trim element 30 is placed vertically.
[0053] Furthermore, the second rib network 320 can be mounted on the internal or external surface of said rear protrusion 32. According to the example presented here, the second rib network 320 is mounted on the internal surface of said rear protrusion 32, in other words, on the surface of the rear protrusion 32 oriented towards the surface of the coating strip 33 intended to be in contact with the internal part of the central foot 10.
[0054] The first rib network 310, respectively the second rib network 320, can be an added piece on the front protrusion 31, respectively on the rear protrusion 32, or be made from material of the front protrusion 31, respectively the rear protrusion 32.
[0055] The first rib network 310, respectively the second rib network 320, is configured to fit into the first groove 210, respectively the second groove 220, when the front protrusion 31, respectively the rear protrusion 32, is inserted into the first groove 210, respectively the second groove 220. Thus, the front protrusion 31 is retained in the first groove 210 and the rear protrusion 32 is retained in the second groove 220.
[0056] More specifically, when the front protrusion 31 is inserted into the first groove 210, respectively when the rear protrusion 32 is inserted into the second groove 220, the first rib network 310, respectively the second rib network 320, is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of the first groove 210, respectively of the second groove 220.
[0057] According to another embodiment, only the front protrusion 31 or the rear protrusion 32 comprises a network of ribs.
[0058] The first rib network 310 and the second rib network 320 are preferably made of rigid material. Furthermore, the first rib network 310 and the second network of ribs 320 are also made primarily of plastic material.
[0059] The trim element 30 is made in particular of a flexible material. In addition, the trim element 30 is made in particular of a plastic material.
[0060] Assembly method
[0061] The method of mounting a trim element 30 in a vehicle will now be presented.
[0062] The assembly method first includes a step of positioning the trim element 30 in the axis, in particular substantially vertical, of the central foot 10 and opposite the inner part of the central foot 10. In particular, the trim element 30 is arranged so that the front protrusion 31 is placed opposite the first groove 210 and the rear protrusion 32 is placed opposite the second groove 220.
[0063] The method then comprises a step of inserting the front protrusion 31 into the first groove 210 and the rear protrusion 32 into the second groove 220, simultaneously or not. With reference to Figure 6, a trim element 30 fixed against the inner surface of a central foot 10 is schematically shown.
[0064] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 7, a top view of the front protuberance 31 inserted into the first groove 210 is shown. Thus, at the end of the insertion step, the first rib network 310, respectively the second rib network 320, is in contact with the inner surface of the first groove 210, respectively the second groove 220.
[0065] Advantageously, the first rib network 310 and the second rib network 320 allow the trim element 30, when mounted in the vehicle against the inner part of the central pillar 10, to retain the front protrusion 31, respectively the rear protrusion 32, in the first groove 210, respectively the second groove 220. In particular, this prevents the upper part of the trim element 30 from dislodging. Thus, for example, if a user leans against the trim element 30 mounted in the vehicle, said trim element 30 is correctly retained.
Claims
Demands
1. A central support (10) of a lateral portion of a vehicle body, disposed between two side doors of said vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, said central support (10) defining a support pillar, ensuring the junction between the floor and the roof (100) of the vehicle and separating the front door from the rear door of said vehicle, the central support (10) comprising a first inlet seal (21), fixed to a peripheral portion of the central support (10), a second inlet seal (22), fixed to another peripheral portion of the central support (10), and a trim element (30) configured to attach to the first inlet seal (21) and the second inlet seal (22); • the first inlet seal (21) comprising a first groove (210), defined along the first inlet seal (21), the second inlet seal (22) comprising a second groove (220), defined along the second inlet seal (22),• the trim element (30) being defined vertically, comprising a front protrusion (31) and a rear protrusion (32), each projecting on either side of the trim element (30), the front protrusion (31), respectively the rear protrusion (32), being configured to fit into the first groove (210), respectively the second groove (220), the trim element (30) being characterized in that the front protrusion (31), respectively the rear protrusion (32), comprises at least a first rib network (310), respectively at least a second rib network (320), configured to fit into the first groove (210), respectively the second groove (220), so as to retain the front protrusion (31) in the first groove (210), respectively the rear protrusion (32) in the second groove (220).
2. Central foot (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one first rib network (310), respectively at least one second rib network (320), is in contact with the inner part of the first groove (210), respectively of the second groove (220).
3. Central foot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first rib network (310), respectively at least one second rib network (320), is positioned on the upper part of the front protrusion (31), respectively on the upper part of the rear protrusion (32).
4. Central foot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first rib network (310), respectively at least one second rib network (320), is formed from material of the front protrusion (31), respectively of the rear protrusion (32).
5. Central foot (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one first rib network (310), respectively at least one second rib network (320), is an added piece on the surface of the front protrusion (31), respectively the rear protrusion (32).
6. Central foot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first inlet seal (21) and the second inlet seal (22) are substantially tubular in shape.
7. Central foot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trim element (30) is made of plastic material.
8. Central foot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trim element (30) is made of flexible material.
9. A method of mounting a trim element (30) on a central pillar (10) of a side portion of a vehicle body, according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising: • a step of positioning the trim element (30) in the axis of the central pillar (10) and opposite the inner part of the central pillar (10), so that the front protrusion (31) is placed opposite the first groove (210) and the rear protrusion (32) is placed opposite the second groove (220), • a step of inserting the front protrusion (31) into the first groove (210) and the rear protrusion (32) into the second groove (220).
10. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising at least one central support (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 8.