ASSEMBLED SYSTEM OF PARTS WITH NO VISIBLE PLAY
By using right and left ribs to adjust part displacements, the solution addresses visible gaps in assemblies, improving the quality and aesthetics of vehicle components by achieving a precise fit.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023011241
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-18
AI Technical Summary
In assembled systems, such as vehicle components, dimensional manufacturing dispersions lead to visible gaps between parts, perceived as design defects, affecting the quality and aesthetics.
Incorporating right and left ribs on fixing elements to cause complementary displacements, ensuring zero or minimal gap between parts by plastic deformation, achieving a real or apparent docking.
Eliminates visible gaps, enhancing the perceived quality and aesthetics of the assembly by ensuring precise fit and alignment of components.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: ASSEMBLED SYSTEM OF PARTS WITHOUT VISIBLE PLAY Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to assembled systems comprising three parts. State of the art
[0002] In certain technical fields, systems are used comprising three parts which are assembled together. This is the case, for example, in certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type.
[0003] Some of these assembled systems include:
[0004] - a first part provided with first and second fixing elements installed res respectively in first and second openings delimited by first and second sub-parts of a wall,
[0005] - a second part provided, to the right of a left end, with a third element fixing cooperating with the first fixing element, and
[0006] - a third part provided, to the left of a right end, with a fourth element fixing cooperating with the second fixing element.
[0007] As an illustrative example, in a vehicle the first part may be a display unit fitted to a dashboard and the second and third parts may be two trims fitted to this dashboard.
[0008] The second and third parts being independent, they are fixed separately on the first part, and therefore due to the dimensional dispersions of manufacture, the dispersions of the relative positions and the authorized clearances, it frequently happens that there is an empty space between the right and left ends respectively of the second and third parts. This empty space, which can sometimes have a width of more than one millimeter, reveals a small portion of the technical part of the first part which notably comprises the first and second fixing elements. The presence of such an empty space, unsightly, in place of a docking between the right and left ends is often considered by the users of the vehicles concerned as an assembly defect or a design defect, which harms the impression of quality of the vehicle.
[0009] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0010] For this purpose, it proposes in particular an assembled system comprising:
[0011] - a first part provided with first and second fixing elements installed res respectively in first and second openings delimited by first and second sub-parts of a wall,
[0012] - a second part provided, to the right of a left end, with a third element fixing cooperating with the first fixing element, and
[0013] - a third part provided, to the left of a right end, with a fourth element fixing cooperating with the second fixing element.
[0014] This assembled system is characterized by the fact:
[0015] - that the third fixing element comprises a straight rib bearing against a straight portion of the first sub-part of the wall in order to cause at least partial movement to the left of the second part, and
[0016] - that the fourth fixing element comprises a left rib resting against a left portion of the second sub-part of the wall in order to cause at least partial movement to the right of the third part,
[0017] - the movements to the left and right being chosen so as to make the to a zero value a distance separating the left and right ends.
[0018] Thus, a real or apparent docking is obtained between the left and right ends due to the absence of visible empty space between the latter, which makes it possible to reinforce the impression of quality.
[0019] The system assembled according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0020] - the right rib and left rib can be arranged so as to cause displacements to the left and right by stretching by plastic deformation of material respectively of the second and third parts;
[0021] - the right rib and left rib can be arranged so as to cause left and right movements of identical widths;
[0022] - each of the right rib and left rib may have a free end in bevel facilitating introduction of the third or fourth fixing element into the first or second opening and causing movement to the left or right by sliding on the first or second sub-part of the wall;
[0023] - the first opening may have a width equal to a sum of a width of the third fixing element in a right / left direction and a first predefined clearance, and the second opening may have a width equal to a sum of a width of the fourth fixing element in this right / left direction and a second predefined clearance;
[0024] - the first and second fixing elements may be of the female type, and the third and fourth fixing elements may be of male type;
[0025] - the third and fourth fixing elements may respectively be part integral part of the second and third parts;
[0026] - its first part can be a display unit intended to equip a board dashboard of a vehicle, and its second and third parts can be two trims intended to equip this dashboard.
[0027] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one assembled system of the type presented above.
[0028] For example, this vehicle may include a dashboard to which the (one) assembled system is secured. Brief description of the figures
[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:
[0030] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a front view from the rear side, a part of an example of a first part of an example of an embodiment of an assembled system according to the invention,
[0031] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, examples of parts of second and third pieces of an assembled system according to the invention also comprising the first piece of [Fig.l] (not materialized),
[0032] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a partially perspective view from the rear side and partially in section in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a part of the second part of [Fig.2] assembled to the first part of [Fig.l],
[0033] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a partially perspective view from the rear side and partially in section in a transverse and vertical plane, parts of the second and third parts of [Fig.2] assembled to the first part of [Fig.l],
[0034] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the part of the second part of [Fig.2] comprising the third fixing element and the left end, and
[0035] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the part of the third part of [Fig.2] comprising the fourth fixing element and the right end. Detailed description of the invention
[0036] The invention aims in particular to propose an assembled system SA comprising three parts PI to P3, two of which (P2 and P3) are assembled without visible play between them.
[0037] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the assembled system SA is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, an assembled system SA can equip any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), any device (possibly household appliances), any installation (including in- industrial), or any building (public or private).
[0038] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the assembled system SA is intended to equip the dashboard of a motor vehicle and comprises a first part PI constituting a display unit (intended to be placed upstream of (or before) the steering wheel of the vehicle and dedicated to the driver of the latter), and second P2 and third P3 parts constituting two trims. But the first PI, second P2 and third P3 parts of the assembled system SA could be different from those mentioned in the preceding sentence, and could equip other equipment of the vehicle, such as for example a console, a door or a seat.
[0039] In Figures 1 to 6, the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.
[0040] Furthermore, in the following and the preceding the notions of "front" and "rear" are used with reference to the front and rear ends of a vehicle. Consequently, a front face of an element (or a part) is intended to be oriented towards the front end (here) of a vehicle, while a rear face of this element (or part) is intended to be oriented towards the rear end (here) of this vehicle (and therefore opposite the front face and the front end of the vehicle).
[0041] An example embodiment of an assembled system SA according to the invention has been schematically illustrated, at least partially, in Figures 1 to 4.
[0042] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, an assembled system SA, according to the invention, comprises first PI, second P2 and third P3 parts.
[0043] As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the first part PI (here a display unit for the driver) is provided with at least first EF1 and second EF2 fixing elements which are installed respectively in first 01 and second 02 openings delimited respectively by first SP1 and second SP2 sub-parts of a wall PP1.
[0044] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l] the wall PP1, in which the first 01 and second 02 openings are defined, is a technical wall located under the display device of the first room PI. But this wall PP1 could be a technical wall located above the display device of the first room PI.
[0045] Furthermore, in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l], the wall PP1 also includes fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements which will be discussed later.
[0046] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the second part P2 (here a hubcap) is provided, to the right of its left end EG2 (and on its front face FV2 (here intended to be oriented opposite to the steering wheel)), with a third fixing element EF3 which cooperates with the first fixing element EF1 to participate in the assembly to the first part PI. In addition, the third fixing element EF3 comprises a straight rib ND3 which bears against a straight portion of the first sub-part SP1 of the wall PP1, in order to cause at least partial movement to the left of the second part P2.It will be understood that when the second part P2 is moved towards the rear face FRI of the first part PI (here intended to be oriented towards the steering wheel), to make the third fixing element EF3 cooperate with the first fixing element EF1, the straight rib ND3 begins by abutting on the first sub-part SP1 of the wall PP1 (which delimits the right side of the first opening 01), then translates on the internal face of this first sub-part SP1 by moving the second part P2 at least partially to the left. It will be noted that here the straight rib ND3 extends mainly in the longitudinal direction X (length) and in the transverse direction Y (width).
[0047] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2, 5 and 6, the third part P3 (here another hubcap) is provided, to the left of its right end ED3 (and on its front face FV3 (here intended to be oriented opposite the steering wheel)), with a fourth fixing element EF4 which cooperates with the second fixing element EF2 to participate in the assembly to the first part PI. In addition, the fourth fixing element EF4 comprises a left rib NG4 which bears against a left portion of the second sub-part SP2 of the wall PP1, in order to cause at least partial movement to the right of the third part P3.It will be understood that when the third part P3 is moved towards the rear face FRI of the first part PI, to make the fourth fixing element EF4 cooperate with the second fixing element EF2, the left rib NG4 begins by abutting the second sub-part SP2 of the wall PP1 (which delimits the left side of the second opening 02), then translates onto the internal face of this second sub-part SP2 by moving the third part P3 at least partially to the right. It will be noted that here the left rib NG4 extends mainly in the longitudinal direction X (length) and in the transverse direction Y (width).
[0048] The displacement to the left and the displacement to the right are complementary and chosen so as to make the distance EEP which separates the left end EG2 of the second part P2 and the right end ED3 of the third room P3.
[0049] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4] the movements to the left and the right require the distance EEP to be zero, which provides perfect docking between the left EG2 and right ED3 ends. But the distance EEP could be very slightly greater than zero, for example between 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm, which remains perceived as docking (here) by a passenger of a vehicle.
[0050] This real or apparent docking, due to the absence of visible empty space, does not reveal any portion of the technical part of the first part PI, and therefore there is now no longer any risk that a user will consider that the assembled system SA has an assembly defect or a design defect. This results in a reinforcement of the impression of quality (here) of the vehicle.
[0051] Preferably, the right rib ND3 and left rib NG4 are arranged so as to respectively cause displacements to the left and the right by stretching by plastic deformation of material respectively of the second P2 and third P3 parts. In other words, they force the second P2 and third P3 parts to deform plastically in order to stretch laterally (here transversely) to the left or the right and thus tighten the clearance by making it tend towards a zero value. Thus, the other dockings managed by other fixing elements (or “primary pilots”) of the second P2 and third P3 parts are not modified, which is particularly advantageous. But in an alternative embodiment, the right rib ND3 and left rib NG4 could respectively cause shifts to the left and the right respectively of the second P2 and third P3 parts.
[0052] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the second P2 and third P3 parts also comprise (on their front faces FV2 and FV3), seventh EF7 and eighth EF8 fixing elements intended to cooperate respectively with the fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements of the wall PP1 (of the first part PI) to participate in their assembly to the latter (PI) and reinforce this assembly. But these seventh EF7 and eighth EF8 fixing elements are standard insofar as they do not comprise a displacement rib.
[0053] For example, the right rib ND3 and the left rib NG4 can be arranged so as to respectively cause displacements to the left and right of identical widths. In this case, they have identical widths in the right / left direction (here the transverse direction Y). But this is not an obligation. Indeed, the important thing is that the displacements to the left and right are complementary and make the distance EEP tend towards a zero value.
[0054] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least by Specifically in Figures 2 and 4 to 6, each of the right rib ND3 and left rib NG4 may have a beveled free end EL. This option is intended to facilitate the introduction of the third EF3 or fourth EF4 fixing element into the first 01 or second 02 opening, and to cause the movement to the left or right by sliding on the first SP1 or second SP2 sub-parts. It will be understood that when moving the third EF3 or fourth EF4 fixing element towards the rear face FRI of the first part PI (and therefore towards the front), the free end EL of the right rib ND3 or left rib NG4 touches the first SP1 or second SP2 sub-part of the wall PP1 and its bevel facilitates the continuation of the movement towards the front and the at least partial movement towards the left (of the second part P2) or towards the right (of the third part P3).
[0055] But such an arrangement is not an obligation, and the free end EL of each of the right rib ND3 and left rib NG4 could be substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y. In this case, the technician who is assembling the system SA is forced to translate the second part P2 to the left when the right rib ND3 touches the first sub-part SP1, before continuing to move the second part P2 forward, or the third part P3 to the right when the left rib NG4 touches the second sub-part SP2, before continuing to move the third part P3 forward.
[0056] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in [Fig.4], the first opening 01 may have a width which is equal to the sum of the width of the third fixing element EF3 in the right / left direction (here the transverse direction Y) and a first predefined clearance. This makes it possible to keep a margin to take into account the dimensional dispersions of manufacture and the dispersions of the relative positions of the first PI and second P2 parts.
[0057] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in [Fig. 4], the second opening 02 may have a width which is equal to the sum of the width of the fourth fixing element EF4 in this right / left direction Y and a second predefined clearance. This makes it possible to keep a margin to take into account the dimensional dispersions of manufacture and the dispersions of the relative positions of the first PI and third P3 parts.
[0058] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 6, the first EF1 and second EF2 fixing elements may be of the female type, and the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements may be of the male type. Similarly, the fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements may also be of the female type, and the seventh EF7 and eighth EF8 fixing elements may also be of the male type.
[0059] In this case, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 3, 5 and 6, each of the first EF1 and second EF2 fixing elements and possible fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements may be a metal clip into which a clipping tab of a third EF3 or fourth EF4 or possible seventh EF7 or possible eighth EF8 corresponding fixing element is clipped. This clipping allows a small latitude of movement of each clipping tab following (here) the transverse direction Y, in both directions.
[0060] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], each of the clipping tabs of the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements (and of the possible fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements) may comprise a front end EV having a section in a longitudinal and vertical plane in the shape of an ogive or an ellipse so as to define a swollen front part which is retained by a front central part of a corresponding clip EF1 or EF2 or EF5 or EF6.
[0061] It will be noted that each clipping tab can be stiffened by a support zone, comprising for example two longitudinal ribs, forming part of its third EF3 or fourth EF4 or possibly seventh EF7 or possibly eighth EF8 fixing element.
[0062] But in an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the first EF1 and second EF2 fixing elements could be of the male type, and the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements could be of the female type. Similarly, the fifth EF5 and sixth EF6 fixing elements could also be of the male type, and the seventh EF7 and eighth EF8 fixing elements could also be of the female type.
[0063] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 2 to 6, the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements may respectively be an integral part of the second P2 and third P3 parts. This arrangement is in particular possible when the second P2 and third P3 parts are made by molding a plastic material, with possibly after this molding a deposit of a synthetic coating or a bonding of a covering made of a textile material or leather or even synthetic material.
[0064] But in an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements (and the possible seventh EF7 and eighth EF8 fixing elements) could be parts added respectively to the front faces FV2 and FV3 of the second P2 and third P3 parts, for example by gluing or ultrasonic welding or vibration and / or screwing.
[0065] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 2 and 4 to 6, each of the third EF3 and fourth EF4 fixing elements may also comprise a small left rib NG3 opposite the right rib ND3 or a small right rib ND4 opposite the left rib NG4. Note that here the small left rib NG3 and the small right rib ND4 extend mainly in the longitudinal direction X (length) and in the transverse direction Y (width). Each of the small left rib NG3 and small right rib ND4 provides a positioning function (pilot type), but does not intervene at all in the movement to the left or right. Therefore, the width of the small left rib NG3 is strictly less than the width of the right rib ND3 and the width of the small right rib ND4 is strictly less than the width of the left rib NG4.
Claims
Claims
1. Assembled system (SA) comprising i) a first part (PI) provided with first (EF1) and second (EF2) fixing elements installed respectively in first (01) and second (02) openings delimited by first (SP1) and second (SP2) sub-parts of a wall (PP1), ii) a second part (P2) provided, to the right of a left end (EG2), with a third fixing element (EF3) cooperating with said first fixing element (EF1), and iii) a third part (P3) provided, to the left of a right end (ED3), with a fourth fixing element (EF4) cooperating with said second fixing element (EF2), characterized in that a) said third fixing element (EF3) comprises a straight rib (ND3) bearing against a straight portion of said first sub-part (SP1) in order to cause at least partial displacement to the left of said second part (P2),and b) said fourth fixing element (EF4) comprises a left rib (NG4) bearing against a left portion of said second sub-part (SP2) in order to cause at least partial displacement to the right of said third part (P3), said displacements to the left and right being chosen so as to cause a distance separating said left (EG2) and right (ED3) ends to tend towards a zero value.,
2. Assembled system according to claim 1, characterized in that said right rib (ND3) and left rib (NG4) are arranged so as to cause movements to the left and right by stretching by plastic deformation of material respectively of said second (P2) and third (P3) parts.
3. Assembled system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said right rib (ND3) and left rib (NG4) are arranged so as to cause movements to the left and right of identical widths.
4. Assembled system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of said right rib (ND3) and left rib (NG4) has a beveled free end (EL) facilitating an introduction of said third (EF3) or fourth (EF4) fixing element into said first (01) or second (02) opening and causing said movement to the left or right by sliding on said first (SP1) or second (SP2) sub-part.
5. Assembled system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first opening (01) has a width equal to a sum of a width of said third fixing element (EF3) in a right / left direction and a first predefined clearance, and said second opening (02) has a width equal to a sum of a width of said fourth fixing element (EF4) in said right / left direction and a second predefined clearance.
6. Assembled system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first (EF1) and second (EF2) fixing elements are of the female type, and said third (EF3) and fourth (EF4) fixing elements are of the male type.
7. Assembled system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said third (EF3) and fourth (EF4) fixing elements are respectively an integral part of the second (P2) and third (P3) parts.
8. Assembled system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first part (PI) is a display unit intended to equip a dashboard of a vehicle, and said second (P2) and third (P3) parts are two trims intended to equip said dashboard.
9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one assembled system (SA) according to one of claims 1 to 8.
10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a dashboard to which said assembled system (SA) is secured.
Citation Information
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