method of mounting a part into a structural element using a clip

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for mounting a part (2) in a wall (11) having an opening (10) in a structural element (7), by means of at least one clip (100) having elastically deformable lateral inserts (104). According to the invention, the method comprises: - a step of attaching a flexible RFID element (14) having a receiver and covering at least partially the opening (10); - a step of translating the clip (100) within the opening (10), accompanied by a deformation of the RFID element (14); - a step of breaking the RFID element (14) when the deformable inserts (104) have protruded beyond the wall (11); - a step of verifying the structural condition of the RFID element (14), whether broken or intact, by means of an RFID transmitter (16) intended to interact with the RFID element (14). Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: Method for mounting a part in a structural element using a clip

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for mounting a part in a structural element by means of a clip. Such a method is particularly, but not exclusively, suited to the attachment of curtain airbags in a vehicle.

[0002] For all passages concerning a vehicle, and in order to understand the positioning of the various parts involved in said vehicle, the description is made with reference to a direct orthonormal XYZ frame in which X is a front-to-rear longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.

[0003] Certain parts, such as a vehicle curtain airbag, are to be attached to a structural element of the vehicle by means of at least one clip. Schematically, this clip has an elongated shape and is equipped with elastically deformable lateral inserts protruding from the clip. The clip, which is attached to the part to be fixed, is inserted into an opening in a wall of the structural element and then translated into the opening until the lateral inserts are deployed behind the wall, having been deformed during their passage through the opening.

[0004] However, with this type of fastening, it can happen that an operator, particularly when working blind, feels they have correctly inserted the clip into the opening, when in reality the deformable inserts have not yet reached the back of the wall. Thus, seeing the clip remain in the opening of the structural element's wall, this operator will be misled because they will undoubtedly believe that the clip is correctly positioned. For example, in the case of fastening a curtain airbag in a vehicle, if the clip is not correctly inserted into the opening of the structural element's wall, the curtain airbag risks deploying uncontrollably in the vehicle in the event of a collision with an external obstacle. Such an uncontrolled deployment of the curtain airbag risks causing serious injuries to the vehicle's occupants, whereas its primary role is to protect them.It will therefore no longer play its protective role, but will act as a hostile element, risking increasing the effects of the impact on the occupants.

[0005] An assembly method according to the invention makes it possible to fix a part in a structural element by means of a clip, making it possible to ensure in a safe and reliable manner that the clip has been correctly inserted into the opening of the wall of the structural element.

[0006] The invention relates to a method for mounting a part in a wall of a structural element separating an exterior space and an interior space, said mounting being made by means of at least one clip having elastically deformable lateral inserts, said clip being attached to the part and intended to be inserted into an opening in said wall from the outside space until the lateral inserts have reached the inside space.

[0007] According to the invention, the assembly method comprises the following steps: -a step of fixing a flexible RFID element comprising a receiver, onto an interior surface of the wall delimiting the interior space, such that said RFID element covers at least partially the opening, - a step of inserting the clip into the opening from the outside space, - a step of translating the clip into the opening towards the inside space accompanied by a deformation of the RFID element, -a breaking stage of the RFID element when the deformable inserts have passed through the wall and reached the interior space, indicating satisfactory insertion of the clip into the opening, -a step of verifying the structural state of the RFID element by means of a transmitter intended to interact with the RFID element to determine if the clip has been correctly inserted into the opening.

[0008] The RFID element can also be referred to as the "antenna (RFID)". The principle of an assembly method according to the invention is to dimension the RFID element as precisely as possible so that it breaks as soon as the clip has been correctly inserted into the opening, that is, as soon as the lateral inserts have passed through the other side of the wall into the internal space. In this way, two scenarios are possible: - the clip is correctly inserted into the opening and the signal emitted by the transmitter will then be poorly detected or not detected at all by the RFID element, which will have previously broken under the pressure of the clip, -The clip is not inserted far enough into the opening, to the point that the deformable side inserts have not reached behind the wall into the internal space. In this case, the RFID element, although deformed, retains its structural integrity and will be able to detect the signal emitted by the transmitter under normal conditions.

[0009] In this way, the operator no longer has to struggle to visualize the depth of the clip's insertion into the opening, as the diagnosis of the clip's correct positioning is indisputably given by the structural state of the RFID element, whether intact or broken, which will either detect or fail to detect the signal emitted by the transmitter. It is therefore sufficient to read or not the signal received by the RFID element to know whether the clip is correctly inserted into the wall opening. Advantageously, the lateral inserts that naturally protrude from the clip deform elastically, occupying a retracted position as soon as they come into contact with the edges delimiting the wall opening. of the structural element. Once they reach the internal space after passing through the wall, these deformable inserts abruptly relax, returning to their natural protruding position on the clip. To avoid any ambiguity, the structural state of the RFID element is binary: it is either intact or broken. It is assumed that the RFID element is flexible enough to deform without breaking when the clip is translated into the opening before occupying its final position in the wall.

[0010] According to one possible feature of the invention, the step of verifying the structural state of the RFID element consists of checking whether the RFID element has broken or not, the RFID element emitting a first signal if it has broken and a second signal if it remains intact. When the RFID element retains its initial structure without being broken, it receives a clear signal from the RFID transmitter, which an operator will immediately identify. If the RFID element has broken, the signal it receives is no longer detectable or barely detectable, clearly indicating to an operator that the RFID element has broken and therefore that the clip is correctly inserted into the opening.

[0011] According to one possible feature of the invention, the RFID element is a wire element passing through the opening. This is an embodiment that is perfectly suited to an assembly method according to the invention, but is not limiting.

[0012] According to one possible feature of the invention, the RFID element is a flat, thin element that completely closes the opening. This embodiment is perfectly suited to an assembly method according to the invention, but is not limiting.

[0013] According to a possible feature of the invention, the clip is metallic.

[0014] According to one possible feature of the invention, the clip has an enlarged head and An elongated body extending from the enlarged head and terminating in a pointed free end, the clip comprising at least two elastically deformable inserts projecting outwards from the elongated body and diametrically opposed. The enlarged head allows an operator to easily manipulate the clip for insertion into the opening from outside. The deformable inserts projecting laterally from the elongated body of the clip deform by being slightly compressed as they pass against the edges delimiting the opening, then suddenly relax, projecting again from the body once they have passed through said edges and are inside the opening. The pointed free end represents the portion of the clip through which the clip will be inserted into the opening from outside.The term "diametrically opposed" means that they are aligned along the same axis passing through a central and longitudinal axis of said elongated body.

[0015] According to a possible feature of the invention, when the part is mounted in the wall of the structural element by means of several identical clips, the verification step This system allows the structural condition of each RFID element to be detected. In other words, an operator can definitively identify which clips have been incorrectly inserted into the wall openings. This eliminates the need for multiple steps to verify which clips are incorrectly inserted.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, the step of verifying the structural state of the RFID element is carried out by means of an electronic device having a screen, the signal received by the RFID element being displayed on said screen by a distinctive pattern. This distinctive pattern may, for example, appear in the form of a color, for example green if the RFID element has broken, indicating that the clip has been correctly inserted into the opening, and red if said RFID element has only deformed without breaking.

[0017] According to one possible feature of the invention, the structural element consists of an upper segment of a body side extending horizontally, the part to be fixed being a curtain airbag. A mounting method according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suited to mounting a curtain airbag on an upper segment of a body side.

[0018] According to a possible feature of the invention, the curtain airbag is attached to the upper segment of the body side by means of four clips regularly distributed along said upper segment.

[0019] An assembly method according to the invention has the advantage of providing an indisputable diagnosis of the quality of the clip's assembly in the corresponding opening. In this way, an operator is not left uncertain about incorrect assembly and therefore does not have to perform additional manipulations to ensure that the clip is correctly installed, such manipulations being potentially risky and time-consuming. As a result, the diagnosis of the clip's assembly is instantaneous, without causing costly delays that could slow down the vehicle assembly process. Furthermore, it has the advantage of using RFID elements, which are inexpensive, lightweight, and compact, and can take on a variety of forms depending on the requirements.

[0020] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of an assembly method according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

[0021] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a side view of one side of a vehicle body on which a curtain airbag is mounted by means of a method according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a side view of one side of a vehicle body and an airbag curtain mounted on said side of the crate by means of a method according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a clip by means of which A curtain airbag was mounted on one side of the body using a method according to the invention,

[0024] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a side view of a clip attached to a curtain airbag and a wall of one side of a vehicle body, illustrating a first step of a process according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a side view of a clip attached to a curtain airbag and a wall of one side of a vehicle body, illustrating a second step of a process according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a side view of a clip attached to a curtain airbag and a wall of one side of a vehicle body, illustrating a third step of a process according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a schematic view of an RFID transmitter used for the realization implementation of an assembly method according to the invention.

[0028] Although a mounting method according to the invention is particularly but not exclusively suited to the attachment of a curtain airbag 2 inside a vehicle 1, the detailed description that follows will nevertheless focus on the attachment of such a curtain airbag in a vehicle.

[0029] A motor vehicle 1 generally comprises two parallel body sides 3, each extending in a longitudinal and vertical plane XZ of said vehicle 1.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a body side 3 comprises a front leg 4, a middle leg 5, and a rear leg 6, which are three upward-extending pieces. This body side 3 also includes a horizontal upper segment 7, extending along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and connecting the upper ends of the three legs 4, 5, and 6 mentioned above. The front leg 4, the middle leg 5, and a forward portion of the upper segment 7 define a first opening 8, while the middle leg 5, the rear leg 6, and a rear portion of the upper segment 7 define a second opening 9. The first opening 8 and the second opening 9 are each intended to be closed by a door, which is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis fixed respectively to the front leg 4 and the middle leg 5.In this way, each of said doors can pass by rotation around the vertical axis on which it is mounted, from a closed position for which it closes the corresponding opening 8, 9 while being in continuity with the side of the body 3, to an open position for which it protrudes outwards from said side of the body 3.

[0031] Referring to [Fig. 2], a curtain airbag 2 is attached to the upper segment 7 of the body side 3 by means of several clips 100, so that said curtain airbag 2 is positioned inside the vehicle 1. When attached to the upper segment 7, the curtain airbag 2 is rolled up and can thus be considered as an elongated tubular piece, extending over almost the entire length of said upper segment 7. In the example considered, the curtain airbag 2 is attached to the upper segment 7 on the side of the case 3 by means of four identical clips lOO which are regularly spaced along the curtain airbag 2.

[0032] Referring to [Fig. 3], the clip 100 has an enlarged head 101 and an elongated body 102 extending from said enlarged head 101, said enlarged head 101 and said elongated body 102 each being delimited by continuous walls. The enlarged head 101 extends in a plane and the elongated body 102 extends along an axis that is perpendicular to the plane in which the enlarged head 101 lies. A free end 103 of the elongated body 102 terminates in a point. The elongated body 102 has two deformable lateral inserts 104 placed diametrically opposite each other on the elongated body 102 and projecting outwards from it.

[0033] The clips lOOsont are attached to the curtain airbag 2 and are each intended to be inserted into an opening 10 of a wall 11 of the upper segment 7, said wall 11 separating an exterior space 12 and an interior space 13.

[0034] In principle, each 100, clip is inserted into the opening 10 of the wall 11 of the upper segment 7, from the outside space 12 by first presenting to said opening 10 its free end 103 in point. The clip 100 is then translated into the opening 10 until the deformable lateral inserts 104 reach the edges of the wall 11 delimiting said opening 10. A slight pushing force on the clip 100 allows the translation to continue in the same direction, causing a slight crushing of these deformable lateral inserts 104 as they pass said edges, this crushing being made possible by the elastic deformation properties of said lateral inserts 104. The translation of the clip 100 continues in the same direction, until the deformable inserts 104 have reached the interior space 13 located behind the wall 11.No longer being held by the edges delimiting the opening 10, the deformable lateral inserts 104 suddenly relax, returning to their initial position in which they protrude outwards from the elongated body 102 of the clip 100. When the deformable lateral inserts 104 have relaxed after reaching the interior space 13, it can be assumed that the clip 100 has been correctly inserted into the opening 10 of the wall 11 of the upper segment 7.

[0035] However, it can happen, particularly when operators are working blind, that the clips 100 are not correctly inserted into the corresponding openings 10, so that the deformable side inserts 104 do not reach the inner space 13 located behind the wall 11. The clip 100 that remains in the opening 10 can thus give the appearance of a clip 100 that is correctly inserted in said opening 10, when this is not the case. The consequence of a clip 100 incorrectly inserted into the corresponding opening 10 is that the curtain airbag 2 can deploy uncontrollably in the vehicle in the event of an accidental impact with an external obstacle, with a significant risk of serious injury to the occupants. vehicle occupants. Not only does the curtain airbag 2 no longer play its role of protecting the vehicle occupants, but it becomes a dangerous element which risks increasing the injuries caused to the occupants of vehicle 1, in the event of a collision of the latter with an external obstacle.

[0036] With reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7, in order to remedy this problem of incorrect insertion of the clip 100 into the opening 10, an RFID element 14 comprising a receiver is fixed to an inner surface 15 of the wall 11 delimiting the inner space 13, so that said RFID element at least partially obscures the opening 10 of said wall 11 into which the clip 100 is intended to be inserted. This RFID element 14, which is analogous to an RFID antenna, is fixed to the inner surface 15 of the wall 11, for example by gluing, and has a certain flexibility, which may cause it to deform under external stress before possibly breaking.

[0037] Referring to [Fig. 7], an RFID transmitter 16 is placed near the RFID elements 14 so that the signal emitted by said RFID transmitter 16 is received by said RFID elements 14. A screen associated with the RFID transmitter 16 allows an operator to view on said screen the different RFID elements 14, and the reception quality of the signal emitted by the RFID transmitter 16. This reception quality can, for example, be visually assessed on the screen, with the appearance of a specific symbol on said screen, which could, for example, be a color: -green for good signal reception by the RFID element 14, -red for a total absence of signal reception by the RFID element 14, -orange for poor signal reception by the RFID element 14.

[0038] Thus, when several RFID 14 elements are implemented, an operator will immediately identify precisely which one or more of these RFID 14 elements do not capture any signal.

[0039] An assembly method according to the invention involves an RFID element 14 and an RFID transmitter 16 as mentioned above. In this way, referring to [Fig. 5], the clip 100, which is attached to the curtain airbag 2, is first inserted into the opening 10 of the wall from the external space 12, initially presenting its free end 103, which terminates in a point. Referring to [Fig. 6], the clip 100 is then translated into the opening 10 towards the interior space 13 located behind the wall 11, and when the free end 103 comes into contact with the RFID element 14, the continued translation of the clip lOO in the same direction causes a deformation of the RFID element 14. Referring to [Fig. 7], the translation of the clip lOO in the opening 10 and in the same direction, ends when the deformable lateral inserts 104 of the clip lOO have reached the interior space 13 located behind the wall 11, and have been able to relax.The RFID elements 14 are dimensioned in such a way that the passage of the deformable lateral inserts 104 into the interior space. 13, located behind wall 11, causes a break in the relevant RFID element 14. In this way: -as long as the RFID element 14 has not broken, the clip 100 is incorrectly positioned in the opening 10. This RFID element 14 then correctly receives the signal emitted by the RFID transmitter 16, this good reception of the signal being read on the screen, -when the RFID element 14 breaks, this means that the clip 100 is correctly inserted in the opening 10. This broken RFID element 14 then no longer receives or only very weakly receives the signal emitted by the RFID transmitter 16, this poor or non-reception of the signal by the RFID element 14 being read on the screen.

[0040] In summary, as long as the deformable inserts 104 of the clip 100 have not passed to the other side of the wall 11 into the interior space 13, the RFID element 14, while deforming, retains its structural integrity. It can then clearly receive the signal emitted by the RFID transmitter 16. However, once the said deformable inserts 104 have passed to the other side of the wall 11 into the interior space 13, thus indicating satisfactory insertion of the clip 100 into the opening 10, the RFID element 14 has broken and no longer has the capacity to correctly receive the signal emitted by the RFID transmitter 16.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for mounting a part (2) in a wall (11) of a structural element (7) separating an exterior space (12) and an interior space (13), said mounting being achieved by means of at least one clip (100) having elastically deformable lateral inserts (104), said clip (104) being attached to the part (2) and intended to be inserted into an opening (10) in said wall (10) from the exterior space (12) until the lateral inserts (104) have reached the interior space (13), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a step of attaching a flexible RFID element (14) having a receiver, to an interior surface (15) of the wall (11) delimiting the interior space (13), so that said RFID element (14) at least partially covers the opening (10), - a step of inserting the clip (100) in the opening (10) from the outside space (12),- a step of translating the clip (100) into the opening (10) towards the interior space (13), accompanied by a deformation of the RFID element (14), - a step of breaking the RFID element (14) when the deformable inserts (104) have passed through the wall (11) and reached the interior space (13), indicating satisfactory insertion of the clip (100) into the opening (10), - a step of verifying the structural condition of the RFID element (14) by means of an RFID transmitter (16) intended to interact with the RFID element (14) to determine whether the clip (100) has been correctly inserted into the opening (10).

2. Assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of verifying the structural state of the RFID element (14) consists of checking whether the RFID element (14) has broken or not, and in that said RFID element (14) emits a first signal if it has broken and a second signal if it remains intact.

3. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the RFID element (14) is a wire element passing through the opening (10).

4. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the RFID element (14) is a flat and thin element completely closing the opening (10).

5. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clip (100) is metallic.

6. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clip (100) has an enlarged head (101) and an elongated body (102) extending said enlarged head (101) and ending with a pointed free end (103), and in that said clip (100) comprises at least two elastically deformable inserts (104) projecting outwards from said elongated body (102) while being diametrically opposed.

7. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the part (2) is mounted in the wall (11) of the structural element (7) by means of several identical clips (100), and in that the verification step makes it possible to detect the structural state of each RFID element (14).

8. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the step of verifying the structural state of the RFID element (14) is carried out by means of an electronic device having a screen and in that the signal received by the RFID element (14) is materialized on said screen by a distinctive pattern.

9. Assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the structural element is constituted by an upper segment (7) of a side of the body (3) extending horizontally, and in that the part to be fixed is constituted by a curtain airbag (2).

10. Assembly method according to claim 9, characterized in that the curtain airbag (2) is fixed to the upper segment (7) of the body side (3) by means of four clips (100) regularly distributed along said upper segment (7).

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