Guiding device for fixing in a motor vehicle and arrangement comprising such a device.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021004812
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-06
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Guiding device for fixing in a motor vehicle and arrangement comprising such a device.
[0001] The invention relates to a device for guiding a fixing means, for fixing within a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising such a guide device as well as a vehicle equipped with such an arrangement and / or such a guide device. The invention also relates to a method for fixing an element to be fixed using the guide device according to the invention.
[0002] In the automotive industry, it is known to implement the fixing of elements to be fixed, such as lighting devices, from inside the vehicle body. Such fixings are subject to numerous constraints and may in particular prove difficult to access, the insertion zone of the fixing means, such as screws or studs, being able in particular to be arranged at a distance and separated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle by one or more wall(s). The positioning and tightening of the fixing means must then be carried out blindly or with reduced visibility. The assembly of the elements to be fixed can then become time-consuming during the assembly of the vehicle and may be accompanied by the loss of numerous fixing means in the intermediate spaces separating the different walls between the insertion zone of the fixing means and the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0003] The present invention falls within this context and aims to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks. For this purpose, the invention proposes an arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising a first wall and a second wall, the first wall being capable of carrying at least one element to be fixed and comprising at least one fixing zone capable of receiving a fixing means, the second wall being arranged at a non-zero distance from the first wall so as to delimit an intermediate space and the second wall comprising an opening extending opposite the fixing zone, the arrangement further comprising a device for guiding a fixing means, in particular for blind fixing, of an element to be fixed, the guiding device comprising: - a member for fixing the guide device to the second wall; - a neck at least partly cylindrical or truncated cone centered on an extension axis and capable of receiving a fixing means; and - a flaring portion connected to the neck and having at least one main face inclined relative to the extension axis, the flaring portion being mounted at the opening of the second wall so that at least part of the device guide extends into the intermediate space and the neck opens opposite the fixing zone of the first wall.
[0004] The invention thus aims to integrate a part, the guide device, into the sheet metal of the vehicle, for example the rear of the vehicle, in order to guide a screwing tool and ensure tightening under the right conditions. The invention thus forms a more ergonomic environment for a technician or operator working on the vehicle and allows the correct fixing, from the point of view of geometry and position, of the element to be fixed, for example a lighting device.
[0005] The guide device delimits a guide volume. The guide device may be configured so as to return any element that has escaped within the guide volume, in particular a fixing means, from the intermediate space of the arrangement towards the second wall.
[0006] The arrangement may further comprise a fixing means such as a stud. A free end of the neck of the guide device may then extend at a non-zero distance from the first wall, strictly less than a length, along the axis of extension of the neck, of the fixing means.
[0007] In particular, the main section may have an inclination of between 45 and 90°, in particular 45 and 85°, relative to the extension axis.
[0008] The flaring portion of the guide device may comprise at least one rim, extending over all or part of a periphery of the flaring portion, the rim being inscribed in a main plane and being configured to extend in contact with an edge of the opening of the second wall so that the second wall is interposed between the rim and the first wall along the direction of the extension axis.
[0009] The guide device may comprise at least one cutout, in particular an open cutout, delimiting at least in part a tongue within the inclined main section, the tongue being elastically deformable relative to the second wall.
[0010] Optionally, the arrangement may comprise at least one third wall, arranged such that the second wall is interposed between the third wall and the first wall along at least one direction, the third wall comprising at least one hole and / or hatch opening onto the second wall.
[0011] The invention also relates to a device for guiding a fixing means for an arrangement as described above, the guiding device comprising: - a member for fixing the guide device to a wall; - a neck at least partly cylindrical or frustoconical centered on an extension axis and capable of receiving a fixing means, the neck delimiting a conduit configured to open opposite a fixing zone capable of receiving a fixing means; - a flared portion, connected to the neck, and comprising at least one main face inclined relative to the elastically deformable extension axis and at least one cutout, in particular an open cutout, delimiting at least in part a tab in the main inclined face, the tab being defined by a width, along a direction orthogonal to the extension axis, greater than 50% of a largest width of the flared portion along this same direction.
[0012] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one arrangement and / or at least one guidance device according to the invention.
[0013] The invention finally relates to a method of fixing an element to be fixed by means of a fixing means in an arrangement as described above, the method comprising: - a step of fixing the guide device at the opening of the second wall of a vehicle, separated from the first wall by the intermediate space, the flaring portion being fixedly mounted on the second wall so that at least part of the guide device extends into the intermediate space and the neck opens opposite the fixing zone of the first wall; - a step of guiding the fixing means carried by a tool, in which the fixing means is moved along the flare portion then the neck until it opens onto the fixing zone of the first wall; - a step of tightening the fixing means.
[0014] The method may comprise a step of recovering the fixing means in which, when the fixing means escapes from the tool and / or the fixing zone, it is brought back from the intermediate space to the opening of the second wall via the flaring portion.
[0015] Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in relation to the various exemplary embodiments illustrated in the following figures:
[0016] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of an interior of one embodiment of a vehicle.
[0017] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an embodiment of an arrangement comprising a device for guiding a fixing means seen from a hatch inside the vehicle.
[0018] [Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the guidance device when integrated into the arrangement.
[0019] [Fig.4] is a schematic sectional representation of the guide device as illustrated in [Fig.3], when mounted in the arrangement.
[0020] [Fig. 5] is a side view of the guide device as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
[0021] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a member for fixing the guide device within the arrangement.
[0022] [Fig.7] is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the guide device.
[0023] [Fig.8] is a side view of the guide device as illustrated in [Fig.7].
[0024] [Fig.9] is a rear perspective view of the guide device as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.
[0025] [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of the use of a tool to position a fixing means within the arrangement via the guide device.
[0026] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an interior of a vehicle 100, in particular a motor vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 comprises an arrangement 1, visible in [Fig.4], comprising at least a first wall 2, capable of carrying an element to be fixed 101, a second wall 3 and a guide device 4 of a fixing means 5 configured to allow fixing, in particular blind fixing, of the element to be fixed 101 on the first wall 2. By way of non-limiting example, such a fixing means 5 may be a stud or a screw / nut assembly.
[0027] By convention in the following description, the direction in which a motor vehicle travels in a straight line is defined as being the longitudinal direction X, facing rearward on the vehicle. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located in a plane parallel to the ground is called the transverse direction Y. This is oriented towards the right side of the vehicle, with left and right being defined according to the driver's point of view. The direction perpendicular to the directions X and Y is called the vertical direction Z and is oriented upwards. Thus, a direct reference frame XYZ represented in the figures requiring it is defined.
[0028] Also, “interior” means the side closest to a passenger compartment of the vehicle 100. In the same way, “exterior” means the side opposite the interior of the passenger compartment, i.e. closest to an environment outside the vehicle 100. In the remainder of the description, “lower” means the side closest to the ground on which the vehicle 100 rests and “upper” means the farthest or highest side.
[0029] In this case, the element to be fixed 101 considered is a lighting device, in particular a lighting device intended for a rear face of the vehicle 100. It is nevertheless understood that the present invention can extend to any type of fixing, in particular any fixing carried out from the interior of the vehicle 100. In particular, such fixings can be blind fixings. By "blind" is meant a fixing that is difficult to access, that is to say for which a technician carrying out the fixing has little or no visibility and / or for which an insertion zone of the fixing means 5 is separated from the passenger compartment by at least one, or even several, wall(s). In the example illustrated, the arrangement 1 according to the invention is accessible from the interior of the vehicle 100, in particular from the storage space
[0030] Figures 2 to 4 schematically illustrate an embodiment of the arrangement 1 according to the invention. The first wall 2 is configured to carry the element to be fixed 101, here the lighting device. It comprises at least one fixing zone 20 capable of receiving the fixing means 5. For example, the “fixing zone” may correspond, as illustrated, to a through orifice 21 or, according to an alternative not shown, to an element included in the first wall 2 or carried by the second wall 2, for example in relief, complementary to the fixing means 5 and configured to receive and carry the latter. The first wall 2 may, for example, be made of sheet metal. In the example illustrated, the first wall 2 is in particular an external wall, that is to say facing the external environment, of the vehicle 100.
[0031] The second wall 3 is a wall distinct from the first wall 2. It extends at a non-zero distance from the first wall 2 so that the first wall 2 and the second wall 3 delimit an intermediate space 250, comprised between the external environment and the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100. The second wall 3 is a wall having a greater proximity to the passenger compartment than the first wall 2. In other words, the second wall 3 is at least partly interposed between the first wall 2 and the passenger compartment along at least one direction. In this case, the second wall 3 is interposed between the first wall 2 and the passenger compartment along the longitudinal direction. The second wall 3 may be a lining wall or a sheet metal element.
[0032] The second wall 3 comprises an opening 31 opening onto the intermediate space 250, that is to say an opening opening onto the first wall 2. The opening 31 extends opposite the orifice 21 included in the first wall 2 along at least one direction, for example here along the longitudinal direction. In other words, the opening 31 and the orifice 21 are crossed by the same axis representative of such a direction. According to a non-limiting example, not shown, the orifice 21 and the opening 31 may be centered on this same axis.
[0033] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement 1 may optionally comprise at least one third wall 6, arranged so that the second wall 3 is interposed between the third wall 6 and the first wall 2 in order to access the first wall 2, that is to say for example along at least one direction. In this case, the third wall 6 is a lining wall participating in delimiting the passenger compartment and separated from the second wall 3 by an interior volume 350. The third wall 6 comprises at least one hole and / or a hatch 61 opening onto the second wall 3.
[0034] In this way, in order to access the insertion zone of the fixing means 5, that is to say here the orifice 21 included in the first wall 2, a technician must successively pass through the hatch 61 of the third wall 6 then the opening 31 of the second wall 3 before being able to access the orifice 21 of the first wall 2, thereby making the orifice 21 difficult to access and little, if any, visible. In this case, the third wall 6 extends partly transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the second wall 3 and / or to the first wall 2. In a conventional vehicle, the difficulty of accessing the orifice 21 is accompanied by imprecise manipulations on the part of the technician which are, on the one hand, time-consuming and, on the other hand, result in the fall, and therefore loss, of fixing means 5 between the walls, in particular at the level of the intermediate space 250.The fixing means 5 thus lost can then be difficult to recover and represent a significant cost on the scale of a production line but also a potential source of noise if they come up against the walls during operation of the vehicle 1.
[0035] In order to resolve such drawbacks, the arrangement 1, as previously explained, comprises a guide device 4. Generally, the guide device 4 comprises a fixing member 41 on a wall, in particular on the first wall 2 or on the second wall 3, a neck 42 and a flared portion 43, connected to the neck 42. The guide device 4 can be made of plastic material, for example polypropylene or polymethyl acrylate. Preferably, the neck 42 and the flared portion 43 are integral. In other words, the neck 42 and the flared portion 43 cannot be separated from each other without resulting in the degradation, or even the destruction, of the guide device 4.
[0036] The neck 42 has an elongated shape. In particular, the neck 42 is at least partly cylindrical or frustoconical so as to be centered on an extension axis 420. In particular, at least 50% of a length of the neck 42, measured along the extension axis 420, has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. The neck 42 is configured and dimensioned so as to receive and partially house the fixing means 5, in particular in order to allow its passage into the neck 42 during the fixing of the element to be fixed. For example, when the fixing means 5 comprises a washer or a bolt, the neck 42 is, preferably, dimensioned so as to be able to receive said washer or said bolt. By way of non-limiting example, the neck 42 may have a base of circular or square shape.
[0037] The neck 42 thus delimits a conduit opening opposite the orifice 21 of the first wall 2 which makes it possible to guide the fixing means 5 to said orifice 21 within a part of the intermediate space 250.
[0038] The flare portion 43 is connected to the neck 42 and extends essentially into the intermediate space 250. The flare portion 43 is defined by a first longest dimension 431, measured along a direction orthogonal to the axis extension axis 420 at the connection of the flare portion 43 on the neck 42, and a second longest dimension 432, measured along the same direction orthogonal to the extension axis 420, at a free end of the flare portion 43. The term "flare portion" then means that the second longest dimension 432 is strictly greater than the first longest dimension 431. For a flare portion 43 having a round base, defined in a plane orthogonal to the extension axis 420 of the neck 42, such "longest dimensions" correspond to a diameter. For a flare portion 43 with a polygonal base, as illustrated, said "longest dimensions" correspond for example to a longest diagonal of the base.
[0039] In other words, the flaring portion 43 comprises one or more inclined face(s) relative to the extension axis 420 of the neck 42. For a flaring portion 43 having a polygonal base as illustrated, the term “face” means a side of said base. When the flaring portion 43 has a circular base as mentioned above, the term “face” means an arc of a circle of said base. In particular, according to the invention, the flaring portion 43 comprises at least one main face 44 inclined relative to the extension axis 420. For example, the main face has an inclination a of between 45 and 90°, in particular 45 and 85°, relative to the extension axis 420.
[0040] Furthermore, the flaring portion 43 may comprise at least two lateral panels 45, connected to the main panel 44. Such lateral panels 45 may, optionally but preferably, be inclined relative to the extension axis 420. The inclination of said lateral panels 45 may be similar to or distinct from the inclination a specific to the main panel 44. The combination of the main panel 44 and the lateral edges helps to define a guide volume 400 of the guide device 4 making it possible to direct the fixing means 5, and in particular a tool carrying it, towards the orifice 21 of the first wall 2.
[0041] Within the arrangement 1, the main panel 44 is arranged so as to have a lowest position. In other words, the guide device 4 is arranged so that, along the vertical direction Y, the main panel 44 has a position closest to the ground relative to the side panels 45. Thus, if a technician were to let a fixing means 5 escape within the guide device 4, the latter, by the effect of gravity, comes directly or indirectly into contact with the main panel 44 or, alternatively, into contact with the neck 42 then the main panel 44.
[0042] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 10, the guide device 4 may optionally comprise at least one additional panel 46 which connects the lateral panels 45 to each other and is opposite the main panel 44. Such an additional panel 46 may, similarly to the lateral panels 45, be inclined relative to the extension axis 420 of the neck 42. The com The combination of the main panel 44, the side panels 45 and the additional panel 46 then forms part of a continuous shape participating in delimiting the guide volume 400, formed by the neck 42 and the flared portion 43, and surrounding the extension axis 420 of the neck 42. Such a continuous shape contributes to the guiding of a tool 7, for example as visible in [Fig. 10], carrying the fixing means 5 towards the orifice 21 of the first wall 2 during the fixing of the element to be fixed 101.
[0043] In the example illustrated, the flaring portion 43 carries the fixing member 41 so as to allow the device to be mounted on the second wall 3. The flaring portion 43 is thus mounted at the opening 31 of the second wall 3 so that at least a portion of the guide device 4 extends into the intermediate space 250 and the neck 42 opens opposite the orifice 21 of the first wall 2 so as to connect the second wall 3 and the neck 42, reversibly, to each other. In particular, the majority of the guide device 4, i.e. more than 50% of the guide device 4, extends into the intermediate space 250.
[0044] Preferably, the guide device 4 is mounted within the arrangement 1 so as to be carried only by one of the walls, in particular one of the first wall 2 or the second wall 3, in order to limit the forces exerted on it on the one hand and in order to optimize its elasticity on the other hand. In other words, a free end of the neck 42 of the guide device 4 extends here at a non-zero distance from the first wall 2. In particular, the guide device 4 is positioned and dimensioned in such a way that it extends at a non-zero distance from the first wall 2 strictly less than a length, along the extension axis 420 of the neck 42, of the fixing means 5.
[0045] Thus, the guide device 4 is shaped and dimensioned so that the flared portion 43 is capable of receiving and guiding a tool 7 used to position the fixing means 5, such as a screwdriver or an angled screwdriver in particular, and the guide device 4 is configured so as to return any element that has escaped within the guide volume 400, in particular a fixing means 5, from the intermediate space 250 of the arrangement 1 towards the second wall 3, that is to say towards the technician carrying out the fixing.
[0046] Advantageously, the flaring portion 43 may comprise at least one rim 433, extending over all or part of a widest periphery of the flaring portion 43. In other words, said rim 433 extends over all or part of the free end of the flaring portion 43. The rim 433 lies essentially in a main plane 450, in particular a main plane 450 at least partly parallel to a part of the second wall 3 comprising the opening 31. The rim 433 is configured to cooperate with the second wall 3. When the guide device 4 is mounted within the arrangement 1 and extends essentially in the interspace intermediate space 250, the rim 433 extends outside said intermediate space 250. In particular, the rim 433 is configured to come into contact with a first face 301 of the second wall 3, opposite the intermediate space 250, that is to say the closest to the passenger compartment. In particular, the rim 433 rests on an edge of the opening 31 included in the second wall 3. The rim 433 is thus arranged in such a way that, along the direction defined by the extension axis 420 of the neck 42, the second wall 3 is interposed between the rim 433 and the intermediate space 250. The rim 433 thus limits the movements of the guide device 4 along the direction defined by the extension axis 420, the second wall 3 forming a stop for said rim 433 along one direction of said direction.
[0047] In the example illustrated, the fixing member 41 is also arranged at the free end of the flared portion 43. According to an exemplary embodiment not shown, the fixing member 41 can be carried by the rim 433. The fixing member 41 allows reversible fixing of the guide device 4 on the second wall 3. In other words, the guide device is removable within the arrangement 1 and the vehicle 100.
[0048] According to a particular embodiment, illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 and 9, the fixing member 41 may be a clipping element. It thus has a shape complementary to the second wall 3, in particular to the edge of the opening 31. The fixing member 41 comprises a projection, for example in the form of a hook, configured to cooperate with a second face 302, opposite the first face, of the second wall 3. In particular, the fixing member 41 may be at least partly elastically deformable. The fixing member 41 thus comes into abutment with the second wall 3 when the guide device 4 is moved along the extension axis 420 of the neck 42, in particular according to a pulling movement towards a technician. In particular, the fixing member 41 may extend into engagement with the second wall 3.The edge of the opening 31 may, optionally but preferably, comprise a fold or return, for example obtained by folding or stamping the wall, extending towards the intermediate space 250. The fixing member 41 then extends so as to cooperate with such a fold.
[0049] In this way, the fixing member 41 is arranged in interference with the opening 31. Such interference generates a reaction force of the fixing member 41 on the edge of the opening 31 which allows stable fixing of the guide device 4 and the guide device 4 is at least maintained along the direction defined by the extension axis 420. It is then necessary to exert a tensile force on the guide device 4 in order to separate it from the second wall 3. The use of a plastic material for the production of the guide device 4 makes it possible in particular to give the latter a capacity for elastic deformation allowing the assembly and disassembly of the guide device 4 with less effort. In this sense, the guide device 4 may optionally comprise, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, a gripping means 40. The gripping means 40 is arranged at the level of the flared portion 43, in particular so as to extend outside the intermediate space 250. The gripping means 40 is thus accessible to a technician, facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the guide device 4 on the second wall 3, that is to say at the level of an area having greater visibility. According to a preferred embodiment, the gripping means 40 is carried by the rim 433 and arranged so as to extend projecting from the first face 301 of the second wall 3. By way of example, the gripping means 40 may have the shape of a hook or even a loop.
[0050] Figures 7 to 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the guide device 4. Such a guide device 4 has the characteristics as previously set out, so the above description applies mutatis mutandis. In said embodiment, the guide device 4 comprises at least one cutout 47, in particular an open cutout 47. Such a cutout may be at least partly included in the main panel 44 and / or in the side panels 45. The term “open cutout” means that such a cutout 47 extends at the free end and opens onto an extreme edge of the flared portion 43. Said cutout 47 delimits, within the inclined main panel 44, at least partly an elastically deformable tongue 48, that is to say that it defines a part of an edge of such a tongue. “Tongue” means an elongated portion of the main panel 44.Such a tab 48 has a solid structure so that it is capable of receiving the fixing means 5 as previously explained. The presence of a cutout 47 advantageously makes it possible to increase the deformation capacity of the tab 48 relative to the rest of the flared portion 43, for example relative to the lateral panels 45 or the additional panel 46.
[0051] The cutout 47 is preferably arranged near the free end of the flaring portion 44. In particular, the cutout extends over 10 to 90%, in particular 20 to 80%, of a length of the flaring portion, measured along the extension axis 420 between the neck and the extreme edge of the flaring portion 44. The cutout 47 may have an elongated and / or, as illustrated, curved shape.
[0052] In this case, the guide device 4 comprises a plurality of cutouts 47. A first cutout 471 and a second cutout 472 are arranged within the main panel 44 so as to delimit the tab 48. In particular, the first cutout 47 and the second cutout 47 are arranged on either side of said tab 48 along a direction orthogonal to the extension axis 420 of the neck 42. In order to limit the risks of the fixing means 5 falling into the interspace median 250 at the level of said cutouts 47, the tongue 48 can advantageously be defined by a width, along the direction orthogonal to the extension axis 420, greater than 50%, or even 70% of a width of the flaring portion 43 along this same direction. Such a measurement can in particular be a longest width of the flaring portion, that is to say be carried out at the same level of the flaring portion as the measurement of the second longest dimension 432. In other words, the width of the flaring portion can be measured at the level of the extreme edge thereof.In particular, said cutouts 47 may, in addition, be dimensioned so as to have, along the direction defined by the extension axis 420 and / or along a direction orthogonal to said axis, dimensions strictly less than the length of the fixing means 5 as defined above so as to limit the risk of the fixing means falling through said cutouts 47.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing member 41 is advantageously carried by the tongue 48. The latter is particularly devoid of the rim 433 so as not to hinder its elastic deformation by contact with the second wall 3. The rim 433 thus borders continuously, in such an embodiment, the lateral panels 45 and the additional panel 46, but is interrupted at the level of the cutouts 47.
[0054] Optionally, an inner surface 401, facing the guide volume 400, and / or an outer surface 402, opposite the inner surface 401, of the flaring portion 43 may comprise at least one groove 403, visible in dotted lines in [Fig. 8], so as to locally reduce the thickness of the flaring portion 43 and thus increase its elastic deformation capacity. In particular, the at least one groove 403 may extend into all or part of at least one of the aforementioned panels among the main panel 44, the lateral panels 45 or the additional panel 46. In particular, the flaring portion 43 may comprise a plurality of grooves 403.
[0055] Also optionally, in order to reduce the manufacturing costs of the guide device 4, the flaring portion 43 may comprise at least one recess 49. Such a recess 49 passes through the thickness of the flaring portion 43. The flaring is included in a face distinct from the main face 44, that is to say in one of the lateral faces 45 and / or, when the guide device 4 comprises them, in the additional face 46. In the example illustrated, said recess 49 extends into the additional face 46, opposite the main face 44.
[0056] The present invention also relates to a method for fixing an element to be fixed 101 on an arrangement 1 as previously explained. In such a method, the guide device 4 is, in a first step, fixed within the arrangement 1. The guide device 4 is arranged at the opening 31 of the second wall 3 in such a way that it extends essentially in the intermediate space 250 separating the first wall 2 of the second wall 3, the neck 42 opening opposite the orifice 21 of the first wall 2, at a non-zero distance from the latter. In this case, the guide device 4 is arranged so that the rim 433 of the flaring portion 43 comes into contact with the outer face 301 of the second wall 3.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device 4 is mounted fixed relative to the second wall 3. The fixing is achieved by cooperation between the fixing member 41, here carried by the flared portion 43, and the edge of the opening 31 included in the second wall 3. The flared portion 43 is at least partly elastically deformed in order to allow the passage of the fixing member 41 through the opening 31 and towards the intermediate space 250 by elastic deformation of the flared portion 43. In this case, the main face 44, in particular the tongue 48, is elastically deformed by contact with the second wall 3, in particular the edge of the opening 31, in order to allow the mounting of the guide device 4 on the second wall 3.When the guide device 4 is arranged appropriately, that is to say the rim is in contact with the first face 301 of the second wall 3, the fixing member 41 returns to its rest position, in other words not deformed, and is then engaged with the second wall as described above.
[0058] Once the guide device 4 is fixed, the method comprises a step of guiding the fixing means 5 towards the orifice 21 of the first wall 2. The fixing means 5 is carried by a tool 7, for example, in a non-limiting manner, an angled screwdriver or a screwdriver. The fixing means 5 is moved along the flared portion 43 then the neck 42, the different sides of the flared portion 43 allowing the tool to be guided, by contact with it, towards the neck 42 while the latter allows the orifice 21 of the first wall 2 to be precisely targeted. The guide device 4 and the arrangement 1 thus advantageously allow the fixing means 5 to be guided through a space that is not very visible and / or at least one wall, in particular blindly, to its fixing zone, the shape of the guide device 4 gradually converging towards it.
[0059] The fixing means 5 is then tightened in order to implement the fixing of the element to be fixed 101 on the first wall 2.
[0060] The guide device 4 and the arrangement 1 thus also make it possible to reduce the losses of fixing means when a fixing means 5 escapes from the tool or from the orifice 21, for example during the assembly or disassembly of the element to be fixed 101. The method can thus advantageously comprise a step of recovering the fixing means 5 in which, when the fixing means 5 escapes from the tool and / or from the orifice 21, the latter is brought back from the intermediate space 250 to the opening 31 of the second wall 3 by means of the guide device 4. In particular, the fixing means 5 then moves along the main panel 44 inclined, particularly along the tab 48 thereof, until it is brought back into an area with better visibility and accessibility for a technician, that is to say in particular at the free end of the guide device 4 or in the interior volume 350 separating the second wall 3 from the third wall 6 in the present case. The shape, dimensions and positioning of the guide device 4 are advantageously adapted so as to prevent the fall of fixing means into the intermediate space 250, normally difficult to access, thus reducing the intervention time necessary for fixing the element to be fixed 101 as well as the costs resulting from the loss of fixing means.
[0061] Thus, the guiding device and the arrangement according to the invention make it possible to ensure the fixing of an element to be fixed on a first, distant wall, in a simplified manner by directing the manipulations of a technician towards the fixing zone and by preventing the loss of fixing means in spaces of the vehicle that are difficult to access.
[0062] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technically operative combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated in the present document.
Claims
Claims
1. Arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle (100) comprising a first wall (2) and a second wall (3), the first wall (2) being capable of carrying at least one element to be fixed (101) and comprising at least one fixing zone (20, 21) capable of receiving a fixing means (5), the second wall (3) being arranged at a non-zero distance from the first wall (2) so as to delimit an intermediate space (250) and the second wall (3) comprising an opening (31) extending opposite the fixing zone (20, 21), the arrangement (1) further comprising a guide device (4) for a fixing means (5), in particular for blind fixing, of an element to be fixed (101), the guide device (4) comprising: - a fixing member (41) for the guide device (4) on the second wall (3); - a neck (42) at least partly cylindrical or frustoconical centered on an extension axis (420) and capable of receiving a fixing means (5);and - a flaring portion (43) connected to the neck (42) and having at least one main face (44) inclined relative to the extension axis (420), the flaring portion (43) being mounted at the opening (31) of the second wall (3) so that at least a part of the guide device (4) extends into the intermediate space (250) and the neck (42) opens opposite the fixing zone (20, 21) of the first wall (2), the arrangement (1) further comprising a fixing means (5) such as a stud, a free end of the neck (42) of the guide device (4) extending at a non-zero distance from the first wall (2), strictly less than a length, along the extension axis (420) of the neck (42), of the fixing means (5).;
2. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the guide device (4) delimits a guide volume (400), the guide device (4) being configured so as to return any element which has escaped within the guide volume (400), in particular a fixing means (5), from the intermediate space (250) of the arrangement (1) towards the second wall (3).
3. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the main face (44) has an inclination (a) of between 45 and 90°, in particular 45 and 85°, relative to the extension axis (420).
4. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flaring portion (43) of the guide device (4) comprises at least one rim (433), extending over all or part of a periphery of the flaring portion (43), the rim (433) being inscribed in a main plane (450) and being configured to extend in contact with an edge of the opening (31) of the second wall (3) so that the second wall (3) is interposed between the rim (433) and the first wall (2) along the direction of the extension axis (420).
5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the guide device (4) comprises at least one cutout (47), in particular an open cutout (47), at least partially delimiting a tongue (48) within the inclined main section (44), the tongue (48) being elastically deformable relative to the second wall (3).
6. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one third wall (6), arranged so that the second wall (3) is interposed between the third wall (6) and the first wall (2) along at least one direction, the third wall (6) comprising at least one hole and / or hatch (61) opening onto the second wall (3).
7. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the flaring portion (43), connected to the neck (42), comprises at least the main face (44) inclined relative to the elastically deformable extension axis (420) and at least one cutout (47), in particular an open cutout (47), delimiting at least in part a tab (48) in the inclined main face (44), the tab (48) being defined by a width, along a direction orthogonal to the extension axis (420), greater than 50% of a largest width of the flaring portion (43) along this same direction.
8. Motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.
9. A method of fixing an element to be fixed (101) by means of a fixing means (5) in an arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: - a step of fixing the guide device (4) at the opening (31) of the second wall (3) of a vehicle (100), separated from the first wall (2) by the intermediate space (250), the flaring portion (43) being fixedly mounted on the second wall (3) so that at least a part of the guide device (4) extends into the intermediate space (250) and that the neck (42) opens opposite the fixing zone (20, 21) of the first wall (2); - a step of guiding the fixing means (5) carried by a tool, in which the fixing means (5) is moved along the flare portion (43) then the neck (42) until it opens onto the fixing zone (20, 21) of the first wall (2); - a step of tightening the fixing means (5).
10. Fixing method according to the preceding claim, comprising a step of recovering the fixing means (5) in which, when the fixing means (5) escapes from the tool and / or the fixing zone (20, 21), the latter is brought back from the intermediate space (250) to the opening (31) of the second wall (3) via the flaring portion (43).