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 motor vehicle door

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles 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 includes in each of its side doors a control module allowing control of vehicle equipment such as, for example, power windows, rearview mirrors or windshield wipers.

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

[0004] The housing includes a mounting face comprising fastening means such as clips, forming a fastening interface, for fixing the housing onto the door support.

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

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

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

[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by offering a versatile control module that can be attached to different door supports with different thicknesses.

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

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

[0011] The invention provides a standardized and common fixing interface for different door supports.

[0012] The invention thus provides a versatile control module that can be attached to different door supports with different thicknesses.

[0013] The side mounting element allows the control module to be attached to door supports with thicknesses between 0.65 mm and 1.2 mm, for example. In particular, the control module can be attached to aluminum door supports with a thickness of 0.65 mm and plastic door supports with a thickness of 1.2 mm.

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

[0015] According to one embodiment, the lateral mounting element comprises at least one first arm extending from the lateral face of the housing in a direction opposite to the mounting face of the housing. The lateral mounting element includes a mounting tab connected to the first arm. The mounting tab extends into a longitudinal plane in which the mounting face extends and includes the lateral mounting clip. The mounting tab is movable relative to the first arm.

[0016] This configuration ensures flexibility in the lateral fixing element. The first arm allows the fixing bracket to be offset laterally, enabling it to have a certain degree of movement relative to the base and along the longitudinal direction.

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

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

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

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

[0021] The groove provides flexibility to the fixing tab 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 mounting bracket can pivot from an angle between 0° and 5° relative to its initial position, allowing it to adapt to door supports of different thicknesses.

[0023] According to one variant, the groove includes a rounded portion at the point of the connecting portion.

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

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

[0026] According to one embodiment, the base includes a deformable element surrounding the side mounting clip and intended to bear against the door support. The side mounting clip 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 tab and the door support and to ensure proper support.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the lateral mounting element comprises a second arm positioned opposite the first arm and extending from the lateral face of the housing in a direction opposite to the mounting face of the housing. The mounting tab is connected to the second arm. The mounting tab is movable relative to the second arm.

[0030] The second arm helps to reinforce the strength of the lateral fixing element.

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

[0032] The following are examples of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

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

[0034] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view from below of the control module of the [Fig.1].

[0035] In the following description, elements having an identical structure and / or analogous 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 includes a housing 2 containing a computer for controlling vehicle equipment such as, for example, power windows, mirrors or windshield wipers.

[0038] The housing 2 includes a base 18 comprising a mounting face 3 for attachment to a door support positioned inside the door. The housing 2 also includes a cover 19 that closes onto the base 18. Locking means 29 may be provided for locking the cover 19 to the base 18.

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

[0040] In the examples in Figures 1 and 2, the fixing face 3 includes the first fixing clip 4 and a second fixing clip 6. The fixing face 3 may include 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 Openings 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 front door support fixing.

[0043] When the control module 1 is fixed to the front door support, 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 fastening element 8 extending from a lateral face 7 of the housing 2 and having a lateral fastening clip 5 positioned at a first end 9 of the lateral fastening element 8. The lateral fastening clip 5 is intended to be fixed to the door support. The lateral fastening element 8 is at least partially flexible.

[0045] The lateral fixing element 8 comprises at least a first arm 1 extending from the lateral face 7 of the housing 2 in a direction opposite to the fixing face 3 and the lateral face 7 of the housing 2.

[0046] The lateral fixing element 8 comprises a fixing tab 12 connected to the first arm by a connecting portion 15. The fixing face 3 extends along a longitudinal plane A. The fixing tab 12 extends towards the longitudinal plane A and perpendicular to the longitudinal plane A. The fixing tab 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 includes a second arm 11b positioned opposite the first arm 1la and extending from the lateral face 7 of the housing 2 towards a direction opposite to the fixing face 3 of the housing 2. The fixing tab 12 is connected to the second arm 11b by the connecting portion 15.

[0048] The fixing bracket 12 is movable relative to the first and second arms 1a, 11b.

[0049] The first and second arms lia, 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 tab 12.

[0051] Each arm 11 a, 11b includes 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 tab 12 is straight, flat in shape, having a width greater than its thickness, for example.

[0053] The side 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 tab 12 is connected to the first portion 1 by the connecting portion 15.

[0055] A groove 28 is formed between the fixing tab 12 and each arm 1la, 11b and extends along the fixing tab 12 to the connecting portion 15.

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

[0057] Each arm 1la, 11b forms an angle α with the fixing bracket 12 of between 50° and 80°, preferably between 60° and 70°. Preferably, each arm 1la, 11b forms an angle α of approximately 65°.

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

[0059] The groove 28 and the rounded portion 14 provide flexibility to the fixing tab 12 along 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 bracket 12 can thus pivot by an angle between 0° and 5° relative to its initial position, allowing it to adapt to door supports of different thicknesses.

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

[0062] The mounting bracket 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 includes a deformable element 17 surrounding the side fixing clip 5 and intended to bear against the door support. The side fixing clip 5 protrudes from the deformable element 17. The deformable element 17 is made of rubber, for example.

[0065] When the side 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 tab 12 and the door support and to ensure optimal support.

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

[0067] The first fixing clip 4, the second fixing clip 6 and the side fixing clip 5 are substantially at the same level, i.e. in the same plane.

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

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

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

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle door control module (1) comprising a housing (2) containing a control unit, the housing (2) comprising a mounting face (3) including at least one first mounting clip (4) for attachment to a door support, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a lateral mounting element (8) extending from a lateral face (7) of the housing (2) and including 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, and in that the lateral mounting element (8) comprises at least one first arm (1la) extending from the lateral face (7) of the housing (2) in a direction opposite to the mounting face (3) of the housing (2), the lateral mounting element (8) including a mounting tab (12) connected to the first arm (lia),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 (1a).

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

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

4. Control module (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a groove (28) is formed between the fixing tab (12) and the first arm (lia), the groove (28) extending along the fixing tab (12) to the connecting portion (15).

5. Control module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the groove (28) comprises a rounded portion (14) at the location of the connecting portion (15).

6. Control module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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).

7. Control module (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the base (16) comprises a deformable element (17) surrounding the side fixing clip (5) and intended to bear against the door support, the side fixing clip (5) protruding from the deformable element (17).

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

9. Vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises a control module (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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