Control module for automotive vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a control module (1) for a motor vehicle door comprising a housing (2) containing a control unit, the housing (2) comprising a mounting face (3) having at least one first mounting clip (4) for attachment to a door support. The housing (2) comprises a lateral mounting element (8) extending from a lateral face (7) of the housing (2) and having a lateral mounting clip (5) positioned at a first end (9) of the lateral mounting element (8) and for attachment to the door support, the lateral mounting element (8) being at least partially flexible. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Control module for a motor vehicle door

[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly concerns the fixing of a control module on a door support of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In a known manner, a motor vehicle comprises in each of its side doors a control module making it possible to control vehicle equipment such as, for example, the window regulators, the rearview mirrors or the windscreen wipers.

[0003] Such a control module conventionally comprises a housing made of a plastic material and housing an electronic card.

[0004] The housing comprises a fixing face comprising fixing means such as clips, forming a fixing interface, for fixing the housing to the door support.

[0005] However, these fixing means are not versatile and do not allow the control module to be fixed to different door supports having different thicknesses.

[0006] Some door brackets are made of aluminum and have a thickness of 0.65 mm, for example. Other door brackets are made of plastic and have a thickness of 1.2 mm, for example.

[0007] Currently, it is necessary to provide a different control module with specific fixing means for each thickness of door support, which increases the number of references and complicates purchasing management.

[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a versatile control module which can be fixed to different door supports having different thicknesses.

[0009] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a control module for a motor vehicle door comprising a housing housing a computer. The housing comprises a fixing face comprising at least one first fixing clip intended to be fixed to a door support.

[0010] According to the invention, the housing comprises a lateral fixing element extending from a lateral face of the housing and comprising a lateral fixing clip positioned at a first end of the lateral fixing element and intended to be fixed on the door support. The lateral fixing element is at least partly flexible.

[0011] The invention provides a standardized and common attachment interface for different door brackets.

[0012] The invention thus provides a versatile control module allowing to be fixed on different door brackets with different thicknesses.

[0013] The lateral fixing element allows the control module to be fixed to door supports having thicknesses between 0.65 mm and 1.2 mm, for example. In particular, the control module can be fixed to aluminum door supports having a thickness of 0.65 mm and plastic door supports having a thickness of 1.2 mm.

[0014] The number of references to be managed is therefore reduced.

[0015] According to a variant, the lateral fixing element comprises at least a first arm extending from the lateral face of the housing towards a direction opposite to the fixing face of the housing. The lateral fixing element comprises a fixing lug connected to the first arm. The fixing lug extends towards a longitudinal plane in which the fixing face extends and comprises the lateral fixing clip. The fixing lug is movable relative to the first arm.

[0016] This configuration provides flexibility to the lateral fixing element. The first arm allows the fixing lug to be moved laterally to allow it to have a certain amount of movement relative to the base and in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to a variant, the first arm forms an angle α with the fixing lug of between 50° and 80°, preferably of between 60° and 70°.

[0018] This range of angles allows the mounting bracket to be sufficiently far from the base, while still allowing it to be perpendicular to the mounting face.

[0019] According to a variant, the fixing lug is connected to the first portion by a connecting portion.

[0020] According to one variant, a groove is formed between the fixing lug and the first arm. The groove extends along the fixing lug to the connecting portion.

[0021] The groove provides flexibility to the fixing lug as well as mobility relative to the first arm, allowing it to deform and tilt relative to its initial position by an angle a', different from the initial angle a.

[0022] The fixing bracket can pivot through an angle of between 0° and 5° relative to its initial position, allowing it to adapt to door supports of different thicknesses.

[0023] According to a variant, the groove comprises a rounded portion at the location of the connecting portion.

[0024] This rounded portion improves the flexibility of the fixing lug.

[0025] According to a variant, the first end of the fixing lug comprises a base. The side mounting clip protrudes from the base.

[0026] According to a variant, the base comprises a deformable element surrounding the lateral fixing clip and intended to bear against the door support. The clip lateral attachment protrudes from the deformable element.

[0027] The base serves as a stop for the deformable element.

[0028] The deformable element makes it possible to eliminate the play between the fixing lug and the door support and to ensure correct support.

[0029] According to a variant, the lateral fixing element comprises a second arm positioned opposite the first arm and extending from the lateral face of the housing towards a direction opposite the fixing face of the housing. The fixing lug is connected to the second arm. The fixing lug is movable relative to the second arm.

[0030] The second arm makes it possible to reinforce the solidity of the lateral fixing element.

[0031] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a control module as defined previously.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a side view of a control module for a motor vehicle door;

[0034] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view from below of the control module of [Fig.l].

[0035] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a control module 1 intended to be mounted inside a motor vehicle door.

[0037] The control module 1 comprises a housing 2 housing a computer making it possible to control vehicle equipment such as, for example, window regulators, rearview mirrors or windscreen wipers.

[0038] The housing 2 comprises a base 18 comprising a fixing face 3 intended to be fixed on a door support positioned inside the door. The housing 2 also comprises a cover 19 closing on the base 18. Closing means 29 may be provided for locking the cover 19 to the base 18.

[0039] The fixing face 3 comprises at least one first fixing clip 4 intended to be fixed to a door support.

[0040] In the examples of Figures 1 and 2, the fixing face 3 comprises the first fixing clip 4 and a second fixing clip 6. The fixing face 3 may comprise more than two fixing clips 6.

[0041] The first and second fixing clips 4, 6 protrude from the fixing face 3 of the housing 2 and are each surrounded by a deformable ring 20 which deforms by compression when the first and second fixing clips 4, 6 are clipped into holes provided on the door support. The deformable ring 20 is made of rubber, for example.

[0042] Guide pins 21 (or centering pins) may be provided on each side of the first and second fixing clips 4, 6, to correctly position the control module 1 relative to the door support before fixing.

[0043] When the control module 1 is fixed on the door support before fixing, each deformable ring 20 is compressed between the door support and the fixing face 3 of the housing 2.

[0044] According to the invention, the housing 2 comprises at least one lateral fixing element 8 extending from a lateral face 7 of the housing 2 and comprising a lateral fixing clip 5 positioned at a first end 9 of the lateral fixing element 8. The lateral fixing clip 5 is intended to be fixed to the door support. The lateral fixing element 8 is at least partly flexible.

[0045] The lateral fixing element 8 comprises at least one first arm 11a extending from the lateral face 7 of the housing 2 towards a direction opposite to the fixing face 3 and to the lateral face 7 of the housing 2.

[0046] The lateral fixing element 8 comprises a fixing lug 12 connected to the first arm 11a by a connecting portion 15. The fixing face 3 extends along a longitudinal plane A. The fixing lug 12 extends towards the longitudinal plane A and perpendicular to the longitudinal plane A. The fixing lug 12 comprises the lateral fixing clip 5 at the first end 9.

[0047] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the lateral fixing element 8 also comprises a second arm 11b positioned opposite the first arm 11a and extending from the lateral face 7 of the housing 2 towards a direction opposite the fixing face 3 of the housing 2. The fixing lug 12 is connected to the second arm 11b by the connecting portion 15.

[0048] The fixing lug 12 is movable relative to the first and second arms 11a, 11b.

[0049] The first and second arms 11a, 11b are parallel, identical and join at the connecting portion 15.

[0050] Alternatively, the lateral fixing element 8 may comprise a single arm connected to the fixing lug 12.

[0051] Each arm 11 a, 11 b comprises a first end 22 connected to the lateral face 7 of the base 18 of the housing 2. The first end 22 is positioned close to the fixing face 3. In other words, the first end 22 is closer to the fixing face 3 than to an external surface 23 of the cover 19 of the housing 2, opposite the fixing face 3.

[0052] The fixing lug 12 is rectilinear, flat in shape, having a width greater than its thickness, for example.

[0053] The lateral fixing element 8, the first and second fixing clips 4, 6, the base 18 and the cover 19 form a unitary assembly of the same material which can be obtained during a molding operation. The housing 2 is made of polymer.

[0054] The fixing lug 12 is connected to the first portion 11a by the connecting portion 15.

[0055] A groove 28 is formed between the fixing lug 12 and each arm 11a, 11b and extends along the fixing lug 12 to the connecting portion 15.

[0056] The groove 28 ends with a rounded portion 14 at the location of the connecting portion 15, between the fixing lug 12 and the first arm 11a.

[0057] Each arm 11a, 11b forms an angle α with the fixing lug 12 of between 50° and 80°, preferably of between 60° and 70°. Preferably, each arm 11a, 11b forms an angle α of approximately 65°.

[0058] The groove 28 has a width 1 of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0059] The groove 28 and the rounded portion 14 provide flexibility to the fixing lug 12. following a longitudinal direction X, allowing it to deform and tilt relative to its initial position by an angle a', different from the initial angle a.

[0060] The fixing lug 12 can thus pivot through an angle of between 0° and 5° relative to its initial position, allowing it to adapt to door supports of different thicknesses.

[0061] Each arm 11a, 11b forms an angle with the lateral face 7 of the base 18 of the housing 2 of between 50° and 80°, preferably of between 60° and 70°. Preferably, this angle is approximately 65° and equal to the angle a.

[0062] The fixing lug 12 is connected to a base 16. The base 16 has a disc shape in this example. An oval or quadrilateral shape is possible.

[0063] The side fixing clip 5 protrudes from the base 16.

[0064] The base 16 comprises a deformable element 17 surrounding the lateral fixing clip 5 and intended to bear against the door support. The lateral fixing clip 5 protrudes from the deformable element 17. The deformable element 17 is made of rubber, for example.

[0065] When the lateral fixing clip 5 is fixed to the door support, the deformable element 17 is compressed between the door support and the base 16 which forms a stop for the deformable element 17. The deformable element 17 makes it possible to eliminate the play between the fixing lug 12 and the door support and to ensure optimal support.

[0066] The lateral fixing clip 5 has a general hook shape. The lateral fixing clip 5 comprises a first part 24 and a second part 26 extending from the first part 24, in the longitudinal direction X, forming an angular part 25 and a face 27 perpendicular to the first part 24. The perpendicular face 27 forms a stop against a fixing element of the door support when the lateral fixing clip 5 is clipped to this fixing element.

[0067] The first fixing clip 4, the second fixing clip 6 and the fixing clip lateral 5 are substantially at the same level, that is to say in the same plane.

[0068] Alternatively, the housing 2 may comprise several lateral fixing elements 8.

[0069] Thus, according to a method of fixing the control module 1 on a support of door, the first fixing clip 4 and the second fixing clip 6 are first fixed to the door support. The side fixing clip 5 is then fixed to the door support.

[0070] The flexibility of the lateral fixing element 8 facilitates this fixing.

Claims

Claims

1. Control module (1) for a motor vehicle door comprising a housing (2) housing a computer, the housing (2) comprising a fixing face (3) comprising at least one first fixing clip (4) intended to be fixed on a door support, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a lateral fixing element (8) extending from a lateral face (7) of the housing (2) and comprising a lateral fixing clip (5) positioned at a first end (9) of the lateral fixing element (8) and intended to be fixed on the door support, the lateral fixing element (8) being at least partly flexible.

2. Control module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral fixing element (8) comprises at least a first arm (11a) extending from the lateral face (7) of the housing (2) towards a direction opposite to the fixing face (3) of the housing (2), the lateral fixing element (8) comprising a fixing lug (12) connected to the first arm (11a), the fixing lug (12) extending towards a longitudinal plane (A) in which the fixing face (3) extends and comprising the lateral fixing clip (5), the fixing lug (12) being movable relative to the first arm (11a).

3. Control module (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first arm (11a) forms an angle a with the fixing lug (12) of between 50° and 80°, preferably of between 60° and 70°.

4. Control module (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixing lug (12) is connected to the first arm (11a) by a connecting portion (15).

5. Control module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a groove (28) is formed between the fixing lug (12) and the first arm (11a), the groove (28) extending along the fixing lug (12) to the connecting portion (15).

6. Control module (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the groove (28) comprises a rounded portion (14) at the location of the connecting portion (15).

7. Control module (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first end (9) of the lateral fixing element (8) comprises a base (16), the lateral fixing clip (5) projecting from the base (16).

8. Control module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the base (16) comprises a deformable element (17) surrounding the lateral fixing clip (5) and intended to bear against the door support, the lateral fixing clip (5) projecting relative to the deformable element (17).

9. Control module (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the lateral fixing element (8) comprises a second arm (11b) positioned opposite the first arm (11a) and extending from the lateral face (7) of the housing (2) towards a direction opposite the fixing face (3) of the housing (2), the fixing lug (12) being connected to the second arm (11b), the fixing lug (12) being movable relative to the second arm (11b).

10. Vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises a control module (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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