Assembly device for a component attached to an airbag channel, associated with a support panel

Abstract

Assembly device for an added element on an airbag channel associated with a support panel. The invention relates to an assembly associating an added element 1 and a support structure 2 comprising an assembly device for these elements, characterized in that the device comprises: a first indexing relief 31 of the assembly on a first zone of a first part among the added element 1 and the support structure 2 and inserted into a housing 41 carried by a first zone of the second part among these two elements 1, 2, and a second indexing relief 32 of the assembly on a second zone of a first part among the added element 1 and the support structure 2 and inserted into a housing 42 carried by a second zone of the second among these two elements 1, 2, the axes of the indexing reliefs being parallel, a deformation zone 5 positioned between the respective interactions of each indexing relief with its housing.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for assembling an element attached to an airbag channel associated with a support panel

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for assembling an added element on a support structure and more particularly to assembly devices making it possible to guarantee optimized facing positioning of several zones of the added element and the support structure.

[0002] In the context of the assembly of different parts of a vehicle, it is common to use a support element having a surface on which one or more additional elements are likely to be mounted and / or fixed. The assembly of parts added to a supporting structure currently involves male-female type mechanisms possibly correlated with snap-on or clip-on interfaces, or even other fixing solutions such as gluing, welding, etc.

[0003] When assembling large parts, the assembly mechanism involves several indexing points of the element on the support structure. However, differences in spacing are likely to exist, on the one hand, between the male interfaces and, on the other hand, between the female interfaces. Also, in addition to difficulties in carrying out efficient assembly of the part on its support structure, assembly quality problems are likely to arise, in particular concerning the centering or alignment of respective portions or zones of the assembled elements opposite each other. For example, the precision of such positioning is essential in a vehicle passenger compartment when positioning a flap opposite an airbag channel.

[0004] Furthermore, once assembled, the differences in materials between the support structure and the added element are likely to lead to expansion or retraction phenomena which differ from one part to another during temperature variations. Also, even once installed, the assembly of the element on its support is likely to be subject to deformation, or even embrittlement, under the effect of temperature variations.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution which allows optimized positioning of different respective zones of parts opposite each other during their assembly while maintaining ease of assembly of the part forming the added element on that forming a support structure, and allowing management of variations in the respective expansion of the assembled parts.

[0006] The invention relates to an assembly associating an added element and a structure

[0007]

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[0012] support comprising a device for assembling the added element on the support structure, characterized in that the device comprises: - a first substantially axial relief for indexing the assembly carried by a first connection zone of a first part among the added element and the support structure and inserted in a dedicated housing carried by a first connection zone of the second part among the added element and the support structure, and - a second substantially axial relief for indexing the assembly carried by a second connection zone of a first part among the added element and the support structure and inserted in a dedicated housing carried by a second connection zone of the second part among the added element and the support structure, the axis of the second indexing relief being oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the first indexing relief, - a deformation zone positioned, on the one hand, between the interaction of the first indexing relief with its dedicated housing and, on the other hand, between the interaction of the second indexing relief with its dedicated housing, this deformation zone being capable of supporting a deformation in at least one direction of a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of at least one indexing relief relative to the support structure. The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given as a non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: [Fig.l] represents a schematic illustration of a first example of an added element and a support structure of the invention before their assembly according to a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the mean plane of each of these two parts, [Fig.2] represents a schematic illustration of a first example of an added element and a support structure of the invention during their assembly according to a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the mean plane of each of these two parts, [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration of an added element and a support structure of the invention during their assembly according to a sectional view in a mean plane of each of the support structure, [Fig.4] represents a schematic illustration of a second example of an added element and a support structure of the invention before their assembly according to a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the mean plane of each of these two parts, [Fig.5] represents a schematic illustration of a second example of an added element and a support structure of the invention during their assembly according to a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the mean plane of each of these two pieces.

[0013] [Fig.6] represents a schematic illustration of different examples of junction structures in space at a deformation zone which separates two connection zones.

[0014] The invention relates to an assembly associating an added element 1 and a support structure 2 comprising a device for assembling the added element 1 on the support structure 2, characterized in that the device comprises: - a first substantially axial indexing relief 31 of the assembly carried by a first connection zone of a first part among the added element 1 and the support structure 2 and inserted in a dedicated housing 41 carried by a first connection zone of the second part among the added element 1 and the support structure 2, and - a second substantially axial indexing relief 32 of the assembly carried by a second connection zone of a first part among the added element 1 and the support structure 2 and inserted in a dedicated housing 42 carried by a second connection zone of the second part among the added element and the support structure, the axis of the second indexing relief 32 being oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the first indexing relief 31, - a deformation zone 5 positioned between, on the one hand, the interaction of the first indexing relief 31 with its dedicated housing 41 and, on the other hand, the interaction of the second indexing relief 32 with its dedicated housing 42, this deformation zone 5 being capable of supporting a deformation in at least one direction of a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of at least one indexing relief 31, 32 relative to the support structure 2.

[0015] Thanks to the assembly according to the invention, an added element 1 on a support structure 2 is able to be mounted and assembled at at least two association points produced by the cooperation of each indexing relief 31, 32 with a dedicated housing 41, 42. The presence of a deformation zone 5 carried by the added element 1 and / or the support structure 2 at the level of its thickness allows deformation in the plane of the part which carries it and over the entire height of the thickness of the part. Also, the positioning of the added element 1 with the support structure 2 so that each indexing relief 31, 32 is correctly positioned opposite its dedicated housing 41, 42 is facilitated. The deformation zone 5 carried by at least one of the two parts 1, 2 thus allows an adjustment of the spacing between the association points positioned at the level of each of the connection zones of the parts.This adjustment of the spacing thus makes it possible to obtain an alignment and / or a centering of each of the indexing reliefs 31, 32 with their dedicated housings 41, 42. by overcoming the difference in spacing that may exist between the association elements, indexing reliefs 31, 32 and housings 41, 42, of each of the parts.

[0016] As an example of construction, the deformation zone 5 is capable of being produced in any type of geometric shape or configuration. The deformation zone 5 is thus capable of having a rectilinear arrangement or comprising different curvatures or even combining rectilinear segments and / or curved portions. According to an example of embodiment relating to a particular variant, the deformation zone 5 is arranged so as to pass through the part which carries it so that each of the ends of the deformation zone 5 is in contact with one or other of the edges of the part, support structure 2 or added element 1, which carries the deformation zone 5.According to another exemplary embodiment relating to another particular variant and capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the deformation zone 5 has an arrangement along a path along which it has a substantially homogeneous, or even constant, width. Alternatively, the width of the deformation zone 5 along its path at the surface of the part which carries it and / or in the plane of the part, is capable of exhibiting variations. These variations in width thus make it possible to position portions of the deformation zone 5 at the level of which the potential and / or the amplitude of deformation of the zone is the greatest.For example, such portions are likely to be positioned at the intersection of the deformation zone 5 with a substantially rectilinear axis connecting two association elements, indexing relief 31, 32 or housing 41, 42, of the part, or even possibly the connection zones which correspond to these association elements.

[0017] As an example of construction, each indexing relief 31, 32 has a complementarity of shape, total or partial, with its dedicated housing 41, 42.

[0018] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention, at least, on the one hand, the respective first connection zones of the two parts that are the added element 1 and the support structure 2 and, on the other hand, the respective second connection zones of the two parts that are the added element 1 and the support structure 2 are specifically delimited zones which must be precisely positioned, two by two, opposite each other. The cooperation of the association elements that are the indexing reliefs 31, 32 and their dedicated housings 41, 42 makes it possible to ensure precision when positioning the respective connection zones of the added element 1 and the support structure 2 opposite each other. Also, the immediate and close environment which surrounds an indexing relief 31, 32 and / or its dedicated housing 41, 42 defines surfaces of the element reported 1 at the level of which the positioning opposite those of the support structure 2 is carried out with the assurance of precision. This precision of the positioning opposite the surfaces of the added element 1 and of the support structure 2 is likely to decrease or fade at the level of zones distant from the connection of an indexing relief 31, 32 with its housing 41, 42 due to differences in spacing likely to exist or appear between the association elements, indexing reliefs 31, 32 and housings 41, 42, carried by the support structure 2 and the added element 1.

[0019] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other variants previously detailed, the deformation zone 5 is arranged according to an arrangement which at least partially surrounds a connection zone carried by one of the two parts which are the support structure 2 and the added element 1. This arrangement of the deformation zone 5 is capable of adopting any type of geometric shape or configuration around a connection zone between an indexing relief 31, 32 and its housing 41, 42. The deformation zone 5 is thus capable of having a circular, rectangular or polygonal arrangement or any other arrangement combining rectilinear segments and / or curved portions.The positioning of the deformation zone 5 so as to completely or partially surround a connection zone carried by the support structure 2 or the added element 1 thus creates the presence of a zone allowing an adjustment of the spacing likely to exist or appear between two association elements, indexing reliefs 31, 32 and / or housings 41, 42, carried by the same part. According to an example relating to a specificity of this construction variant, an arrangement of the deformation zone 5 so that it completely surrounds an association element, indexing relief 31, 32 or housing 41, 42, allows the production of a part, support structure 2 or added element 1, at the level of which the connection zone associated with the association element is positioned inside a larger surface, or even possibly centered in this surface.Thus, the element for associating the part with the connection zone which relates to it, is capable of supporting an adjustment of its position relative to the rest of the surface of the part which carries this association element. According to a particular embodiment of this construction variant, the deformation zone 5 is arranged in the form of a loop which surrounds at least a part of the element for associating the part and the corresponding connection zone and the ends of this loop of which are in contact with one or more edges of the surface of the part.

[0020] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other variants pre previously detailed, each of the two parts that are the added element 1 and the support structure 2 comprises a deformation zone 5 arranged between the first and second connection zones. According to this construction variant, at the level of each of the parts, the spacing between the two association elements, indexing reliefs 31, 32 and / or housings 41, 42, is capable of supporting an adjustment to allow the assembly of the support structure 2 with the added element 1. The presence of two deformation zones 5 carried, on the one hand, by the added element 1 and, on the other hand, by the support structure 2 in the assembly according to the invention makes it possible to carry out an easier assembly of the two parts together.Furthermore, the deformation supported by each of these two zones 5 makes it possible to obtain an alignment and a positioning opposite each of the indexing reliefs 31, 32 with the dedicated housings 41, 42 by distributing the deformation stresses at the level of each of the parts, added element 1 and support structure 2, of the assembly. Also, when the difference in spacing between the association elements is greater, the stress supported by each of the deformation zones 5 of the assembly is less important than if only one of the two assembled parts included a deformation zone 5.

[0021] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other previously detailed variants, the first 31 and the second indexing relief 32 of the assembly are carried by the added element 1. According to this construction example, the added element 1 carries the two indexing reliefs 31, 32 which are thus arranged projecting relative to the surface which carries them. In a complementary manner, the support structure 2 carries the two complementary housings of the indexing reliefs 31, 32, so that the assembly of the added element 1 with the support structure 2 is capable of being carried out in the form of a male / female type insertion operation similar to that of an electrical plug or mobile connector in a base or a mains socket.

[0022] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other previously detailed variants, the deformation zone 5 carried by a part of the assembly is made of a material having greater elasticity properties than those of the first connection zone and the second connection zone of the part which carries the deformation zone 5. According to this construction variant, the deformation of the part between the two portions which carry respective connection zones, involves a deformation which is based on the particular properties of the material of the part at the level of the deformation zone 5. By way of example, the deformation zone 5 is made of a composition involving a flexible material, of the ca outchouc, made from a mixture comprising at least one thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene and / or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, also called SEBS.

[0023] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other variants previously detailed, the deformation zone 5 involves a portion of smaller thickness than that of the rest of the part which carries this deformation zone 5. This weakening of the thickness of the part, for example in the form of a substantially linear arrangement, thus creates a portion of the part at the level of which the mechanical resistance is structurally weakened compared to the rest of the structure. The weakening of the thickness of the part is capable of being carried out in the form of a rectilinear, curved distribution or even a combination of rectilinear and curved segments. The weakening line is capable of having a continuous or discontinuous distribution.This weakening thus increases the deformation potential of the part so that, in the context of a stretching or compression stress of the part in a plane corresponding substantially to its thickness, the deformation preferentially impacts the weakened areas of the part without affecting the rest of the structure.

[0024] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other previously detailed variants, the deformation zone 5 involves a spring mechanism. According to this construction variant, the deformation of the part between the two portions which carry respective connection zones involves a deformation which is based on a particular mechanical construction of the part at the level of the deformation zone 5. As an example of mechanical construction, the thickness of the part has a bellows or accordion arrangement so that, in a section plane in the thickness of the part, the deformation zone 5 has a distribution of grooves or weakenings of the thickness of the part positioned alternately on either side of the thickness of the part.This bellows or accordion arrangement of the deformation zone 5 thus allows stretching or compression in the plane of the part depending on the stresses supported. According to another example of mechanical construction of the deformation zone 5, it has, in a plane in section in the thickness of the part, a wavy arrangement capable of being deformed in stretching or compression and having sufficient shape memory to make it able to return to position.

[0025] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other variants detailed previously, the deformation zone 5 involves one or more junction structures between the two connection zones arranged punctually in the space separating these two connection zones. These junction structures thus create bridges substantially arranged in the plane of the element which includes the two connection zones joined together. These junction structures create deformable meeting points capable of adopting different forms of arrangement: curve, rectilinear, broken arch so as to be able to withstand elastic deformation in the context of a displacement of the two connection zones in the plane of the element which integrates them.

[0026] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other previously detailed variants, the first connection zone, the second connection zone and the deformation zone 5 of the same part of the assembly are co-molded by a two-component injection operation. According to this construction example, one of the components participates in the production of each of the two connection zones associated with a respective association element, while the second component participates in the production of the deformation zone 5. It should be noted that the injection into the mold of each of the components of the part is capable of being carried out jointly or successively.Thus, the deformation zone 5 is positioned between two junction fronts respectively produced by the second component with the first component which defines the first and second connection zones of the part.

[0027] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other previously detailed variants, the first connection zone and the second connection zone of the same part of the assembly are co-molded by an operation of injecting different materials. According to this construction example, the composition of each of these two materials injected for the production of each of the connection zones of the part is then likely to be different from the composition of the material injected for the production of the deformation zone 5.

[0028] According to another example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being implemented with other variants previously detailed, on the one hand, at least a first or second connection zone of the support structure 2 corresponds substantially to an airbag flap and, on the other hand, at least a first or second connection zone of the added element 1 corresponds to at least one dashboard zone delimited by at least one line of weakness, such as a pre-cut obtained by a “laser scoring” step. The assembly according to the invention is thus capable of being implemented in the context of the assembly of different parts together which participate in the production of a vehicle interior.

[0029] According to a particular construction example of the construction variant detailed above, at least one deformation zone 5 carried by the support structure 2 is positioned opposite a line of weakness carried by the added element 1. The deformation zone 5 of the airbag duct then corresponds substantially to the junction between the inner edge of the duct and the flap, that is to say to a hinge of the airbag flap. Preferably, the hinge of the airbag flap corresponds to a structural portion capable of deformation which has mechanical flexibility properties. This deformation zone 5 is thus positioned opposite a line of weakness of the added element 1, that is to say for example of a trim element of the passenger compartment which participates in at least part of the structure of the airbag flap.The line of weakness of the added element 1 is then likely to be materialized by a tear line positioned at the periphery of the flap or at a fold line located opposite a hinge of the airbag flap.

[0030] According to another particular construction example of the invention and capable of being implemented with the previously detailed variant, at least one deformation zone 5 carried by the added element 1 is positioned at the level of an articulation of the airbag flap. Thus, when the added element 1 corresponds to a trim element of the passenger compartment, a deformation zone 5 is capable of being produced by a line of weakness of the trim element which then corresponds to a tear line positioned at the level of the periphery of the flap or even to a fold line.

[0031] According to another particular construction example of the invention and capable of being implemented with the variants detailed above, the added element 1 is produced by a dashboard or a trim panel.

[0032] According to another particular construction example, the invention forming an alternative to the previously detailed variant, the added element 1 consists of a facade or a ventilation outlet. This element is thus assembled with the support structure 2 which forms a part of a dashboard which also carries an airbag duct.

[0033] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly associating an added element (1) and a support structure (2) comprising a device for assembling the added element (1) on the support structure (2), characterized in that the device comprises: - a first substantially axial indexing relief (31) of the assembly carried by a first connection zone of a first part among the added element (1) and the support structure (2) and inserted in a dedicated housing (41) carried by a first connection zone of the second part among the added element (1) and the support structure (2), and - a second substantially axial indexing relief (32) of the assembly carried by a second connection zone of a first part among the added element (1) and the support structure (2) and inserted in a dedicated housing (42) carried by a second connection zone of the second part among the added element and the support structure,the axis of the second indexing relief (32) being oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the first indexing relief (31), - a deformation zone (5) positioned between, on the one hand, the interaction of the first indexing relief (31) with its dedicated housing (41) and, on the other hand, the interaction of the second indexing relief (32) with its dedicated housing (42), this deformation zone (5) being capable of supporting a deformation in at least one direction of a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of at least one indexing relief (31, 32) relative to the support structure (2).,

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that at least, on the one hand, the first respective connection zones of the two parts that are the added element (1) and the support structure (2) and, on the other hand, the second respective connection zones of the two parts that are the added element (1) and the support structure (2) are specifically delimited zones which must be precisely positioned, two by two, opposite each other.

3. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation zone (5) is arranged in an arrangement which at least partially surrounds a connection zone carried by one of the two parts which are the support structure (2) and the added element (1).

4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the two parts that are the added element (1) and the support structure (2) comprises a deformation zone (5) arranged between the first and second connection zones.

5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (31) and the second indexing relief (32) of the assembly are carried by the added element (1).

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation zone (5) carried by a part of the assembly is made of a material having greater elasticity properties than those of the first connection zone and the second connection zone of the part which carries the deformation zone (5).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation zone (5) involves a spring mechanism.

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation zone (5) involves a portion of lesser thickness than that of the rest of the part which carries this deformation zone.

9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection zone, the second connection zone and the deformation zone (5) of the same part of the assembly are co-molded by a two-component injection operation.

10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the one hand, at least a first or second connection zone of the support structure (2) corresponds substantially to an airbag flap and, on the other hand, at least a first or second connection zone of the added element (1) corresponds to at least one dashboard zone delimited by at least one line of weakness.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one deformation zone (5) carried by the support structure (2) is positioned opposite a line of weakness carried by the added element (1).

12. Assembly according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the added element (1) is produced by a dashboard or a trim panel.

13. Assembly according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the added element (1) is produced by a facade or a ventilation outlet.

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