Module for attaching a pair of functional components such as radars or proximity sensors, components intended to be attached to a bodywork element of a motor vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (10) adapted for attaching a pair of functional components comprising a left component and a right component, the module comprising a left support (11a) adapted for attaching the left component and a right support (11b) adapted for attaching the right component, the module characterized in that the left and right supports are joined by means of a breakable element (12). The invention also relates to a bodywork component of a motor vehicle, in particular a bumper or shield, equipped with functional components by means of a mounting module according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a bodywork component. FIGURE 2

Description

Title of the invention: Module for fixing a pair of functional components such as radars or proximity sensors, components intended to be fixed to a bodywork element of a motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates more particularly to supports adapted for fixing a left functional member and a right functional member such as radars or proximity sensors.

[0002] Equipping vehicles with functional components such as radar-type detection systems, sensors or proximity detectors, etc. is now widespread. Some of these functional components are attached to a supporting structure of the vehicle such as a shield or a bumper by means of a support secured to the supporting structure. Generally, on a vehicle, these functional components come in pairs, one positioned on the left side and the other on the right side of the vehicle. For reasons of electrical connectivity, the left and right functional components are generally symmetrical and not interchangeable.

[0003] To facilitate the task of the operator who installs the functional members on the supporting structure, and to limit assembly errors, the document DI = CN209888806 describes a support 1 comprising a non-symmetrical plate 2, coupled to mounting ribs 4 prepositioned on the supporting structure 5 predefining installation zones for the supports equipped with the functional members. Thus, a left support is provided, shaped to receive a left functional member, and a left support is provided, shaped to receive a right functional member. The mounting ribs guide the operator's actions and prevent the installation of an unsuitable support in a predefined zone.

[0004] However, when mounting on a vehicle, the operator must select the correct support, left or right, to be installed in each predefined location, on the left then on the right (or vice versa) of the supporting structure. An error in the choice of support may lead the operator to move to position the chosen support in another, more appropriate location, or even to change the support.

[0005] The present invention aims to facilitate the choice of a support by the operator. To this end, the invention proposes a new fixing module suitable for fixing a pair of functional members comprising a left member and a right member, module comprising a left support suitable for fixing the left member and a right support suitable for fixing the right member.

[0006] According to the invention, the new module is characterized in that the left support and the right support are secured by means of a breakable element.

[0007] When mounting the functional members on the supporting structure, the operator thus takes in hand a module comprising a left support and a right support, breaks the module at the breakable zone with a simple bend and can immediately position on the supporting structure the left support which he holds in his left hand and the right support which he holds in his right hand. Thus, by taking a single module, the operator has both supports simultaneously, one left and one right, and has them in a configuration where any risk of positioning error is eliminated. The risks of selection and / or assembly errors are thus eliminated. In addition, the time spent selecting a support is optimized, as is the time for mounting the two supports on the supporting structure.

[0008] The invention also relates to a bodywork element of a motor vehicle, in particular a bumper or a shield, an element constituting a supporting structure to which a left support and a right support are fixed, said supports being shaped to receive respectively a left functional member and a right functional member, left and right supports obtained from a fixing module as described above.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising a bodywork element as described above.

[0010] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, and with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig.l] [Fig.l], already described, presents a support for a functional organ known from document Dl, [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a module according to the invention, [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a module according to the invention in a mounting configuration on a supporting structure.

[0011] In the various figures, identical or similar elements are referenced with the same references.

[0012] The notions "left" and "right" are defined in relation respectively to the left side and the left hand of an operator on the one hand, the right side and the right hand of said operator. For a structural element of a vehicle, the left part and the right part of said structural element are respectively the left part and the right part as seen by an operator when mounting a component on said supporting structure.

[0013] As stated previously, the invention relates to a module 10 adapted for fixing a pair of functional members comprising a left member and a right member, module comprising a left support 11a adapted for fixing the left member and a right support 11b adapted for fixing the right member. The module according to the invention is characterized in that the left support 11a and the right support 11b are secured by means of a breakable element 12 ([Fig.2]).

[0014] The module is made in a single piece, for example by thermoplastic injection.

[0015] The module may comprise at least one gripping mark 16a, 16b, for example a visual or tactile mark, to facilitate orientation of the module when gripping the module. The operator is thus assured of having, after breaking the breakable element, the left support in the left hand and the right support in the right hand.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each support comprises a plate comprising a first face from which rises a housing shaped to receive a functional member, and a second face opposite the first face and intended to be fixed to a supporting structure, for example by adhesive, gluing or welding, and in which the plate of the left support 11a and the plate of the right support 11b are secured by the breakable element 12. The breakable element is in the example of figures 2-3 made by wires of thermoplastic material connecting the plates of the left and right supports; the wires have sufficient mechanical strength to keep the two supports assembled and at the same time sufficiently limited to allow the operator to cut said wires by bending or twisting the module. After cutting, the parts 16a, 16b of the breakable element remaining on the supports form a mounting mark for the supports on the supporting structure.

[0017] The module according to the invention is for example produced by a thermoplastic injection process. The module forming a single part, it is possible to produce it from a single tool (mold).

[0018] The invention has been envisaged in particular for the fixing of a pair of functional members such as radars or proximity sensors currently commonly installed respectively on the left part and on the right part of a structural element of a vehicle such as a bumper or a shield. But it can be used more widely for the fixing of a pair of components on any type of supporting structure. Also, the notion of left / right is to be linked to the operator, and not necessarily to the supporting structure. Thus, the module according to the invention can just as well and more generally be used to fix two supports on a vehicle, for example one at the front and the other at the rear of the vehicle, or to fix two supports one below the other on a supporting structure, the important thing being that the operator can take one of the supports in the left hand and the other in the right hand. pair of radars or proximity sensors, module comprising a left support adapted for fixing the left component and a right support adapted for fixing the right component; The module according to the invention provides in particular the following technical and economic benefits: - a limitation of the risk of error in the choice of a component to be mounted on a vehicle, - an optimization of the assembly time of a pair of left and right components to be mounted on a vehicle, - the use of a single tool and a simpler injection system, for the production of a single module comprising two paired supports.

Claims

Claims

1. Module (10) adapted for fixing a pair of functional members comprising a left member and a right member, module comprising a left support (11a) adapted for fixing the left member and a right support (11b) adapted for fixing the right member, module, the left support and the right support being secured by means of a breakable element (12), characterized in that the breakable element (12) forms, after separation of the left and right supports, a mounting mark (15a, 15b) of the supports on the supporting structure.

2. Module according to claim 1, made in a single piece by thermoplastic injection.

3. Module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a grip marker for orienting the module when gripping the module.

4. Module according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which each support (11a, 11b) comprises a plate comprising a first face from which rises a housing shaped to receive a functional member, and a second face opposite the first face and intended to be fixed to a supporting structure and in which the plate of the left support and the plate of the right support are secured by the breakable element (12).

5. Bodywork element (5) of a motor vehicle, in particular a bumper or a shield, element constituting a supporting structure to which are fixed a left support (11a) and a right support (11b) shaped to receive respectively a left functional member and a right functional member, left support and right support obtained from a fixing module (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

6. Motor vehicle comprising a bodywork element (5) according to the preceding claim.

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