Combination of motor vehicles and motor vehicles comprising such a combination

Abstract

Assembly of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention relates to an assembly (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an air conditioning unit (3) including a centering tab (13), - a defrosting duct (17), including a centering finger (15) receiving said centering tab, said centering tab being blocked in transverse and vertical translation by said centering finger. According to the invention, the assembly (1) includes a longitudinal translation stop device (19) mounted on said centering finger (15) and adapted to block said centering tab (13) in longitudinal translation relative to said centering finger (15). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly (1). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of the interface between the air conditioning unit and the defrosting duct of the motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a motor vehicle assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. Previous technique

[0003] The air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle is fixed to a bulkhead of the vehicle's body structure, behind which a soundproofing mat is mounted.

[0004] Behind the soundproofing mat is the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, including a dashboard, while in front is the engine compartment.

[0005] The air conditioning unit includes a centering tab received on a centering finger of a defrosting duct mounted in the dashboard of the passenger compartment.

[0006] The air conditioning unit is held in transverse translation and in vertical translation by the centering finger of the defrosting duct which receives the centering tab of the air conditioning unit.

[0007] On the other hand, the air conditioning unit is not held in longitudinal translation.

[0008] When the motor vehicle is subjected to vibrations, for example when the vehicle is driving on a degraded road, the centering tab of the air conditioning unit slides longitudinally alternately forward and backward along the centering finger of the defrosting duct.

[0009] This sliding in longitudinal translation causes friction generating parasitic noise directly perceptible to the occupants of the vehicle present in the passenger compartment, given that the sliding occurs behind the soundproofing mat.

[0010] This unwanted noise is very harmful to the occupants, particularly in terms of perceived quality of the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle assembly, comprising: - an air conditioning unit including a centering bracket, - a defrosting duct, comprising a centering finger receiving said centering lug, said centering lug being blocked in transverse translation and in vertical translation by said centering finger, said assembly being remarkable in that it includes a longitudinal translation stop device mounted on said centering finger and adapted to block said centering lug in longitudinal translation relative to said centering finger.

[0012] Thus, by providing for equipping such an assembly with a longitudinal translation stop device mounted on the centering finger of the defrosting duct and adapted to block the centering lug of the air conditioning unit in longitudinal translation, the air conditioning unit is blocked not only in transverse and vertical translation, but also in longitudinal translation.

[0013] In this way, when the motor vehicle is subjected to vibrations, for example because it is driving on a degraded road, the centering tab of the air conditioning unit no longer slides longitudinally along the centering finger of the defrosting duct, neither towards the rear nor towards the front of the motor vehicle.

[0014] By eliminating any translational slippage of the air conditioning unit centering tab along the defrosting duct centering finger, the present invention eliminates any friction that generates parasitic noise perceptible in the prior art to the occupants of the motor vehicle present in the passenger compartment.

[0015] Also, the fact that the stop device is mounted on the centering finger of the defrosting duct means that there is no need to modify the air conditioning unit, which is very advantageous for the manufacturer from a logistical point of view given that the air conditioning unit is identical to several vehicles.

[0016] According to optional features of the assembly according to the invention: - said longitudinal translation stop device comprises at least one contact rib carried by said centering finger and forming a shoulder adapted to block said centering tab in translation towards the rear of said motor vehicle, and a block of absorbing material, mounted in compression between said centering tab and a bulkhead of a body structure of said motor vehicle. Thus, the solution proposed by the present invention is simple to implement and very economical; - said absorbent block consists of a plastic foam ring having a density of between approximately 100 kg / m3 and approximately 125 kg / m3; - said at least one contact rib is arranged laterally relative to said centering finger; - the assembly comprises two contact ribs arranged on either side of a longitudinal median plane of said centering finger; - said centering finger includes at least one longitudinal stiffening rib; - the distance DI between a rear end of said centering finger and at least one contact rib carried by said centering finger is between approximately 55mm and approximately 65mm.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly, remarkable in that said assembly is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other features, objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle assembly according to the invention, the view being centered on an air conditioning unit of the assembly.

[0020] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of area II of [Fig. 1].

[0021] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the defrosting duct centering finger according to an alternative embodiment of the assembly according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0022] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0023] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted as indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0024] In what follows, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0025] Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0026] Reference is made to [Fig.1], which is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle assembly 1 according to the invention, the view being centered on an air conditioning unit 3 of the assembly 1.

[0027] The air conditioning unit 3 is fixed to an apron of the vehicle body structure, behind which a soundproofing mat 5 is mounted.

[0028] Behind the soundproofing mat is the passenger compartment 7 of the motor vehicle, which includes a dashboard 9, while in front of the soundproofing mat 5 is the engine compartment.

[0029] The assembly formed by the apron and the soundproofing mat 5 has a cutout receiving a clip 11. The clip is for example mounted by clipping onto the soundproofing mat 5, by means of lugs.

[0030] The air conditioning unit 3 has a centering tab 13 received on a centering finger 15 of a defrosting duct 17 of the assembly 1, mounted in the dashboard 9 of the passenger compartment.

[0031] The air conditioning unit 3 is maintained in transverse translation and in translation vertical by the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17 which receives the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3.

[0032] According to the invention, assembly 1 comprises a longitudinal translation stop device 19.

[0033] The longitudinal translation stop device 19 is mounted on the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17 and adapted to block the centering lug 13 in longitudinal translation relative to the centering finger 15.

[0034] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing an enlargement of zone II of [Fig. 1].

[0035] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the longitudinal translation stop device 19 includes at least one contact rib 21, carried by the centering finger 15.

[0036] The contact rib 21 forms a shoulder or appendage which extends from the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17 and on which rests a rear face 23 of the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3.

[0037] The shoulder formed by the contact rib 21 is thus adapted to block the centering tab 15 in translation towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0038] Thus, when the motor vehicle is subjected to vibrations, for example because it is driving on a degraded road, the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3 no longer slides longitudinally towards the rear of the motor vehicle along the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the contact rib 21 is arranged above a horizontal median plane Pi of the centering finger 15 contained in a plane (L, T). Alternatively, the contact rib 21 can be arranged below the horizontal median plane Pi.

[0040] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the centering finger 15 of the defrosting conduit 17 has a single contact rib 21. Alternatively, the centering finger 15 may have one or more contact ribs 21.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the distance Di may be equal to approximately 61mm.

[0042] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the longitudinal translation stop device 19 further comprises a block 25 of absorbing material which is mounted compressed in the assembly 1 between a rear face 27 of the centering lug 13 and the apron of the vehicle body structure behind which the soundproofing mat 5 is mounted.

[0043] The function of the block 25 made of absorbent material is dual.

[0044] First, the absorbent material block 25 has a thickness adapted to allow a stop in translation of the centering tab 13 towards the front of the motor vehicle, along the centering finger 15.

[0045] Next, the block 25 made of absorbent material has the role of ensuring the compensation of play between the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3 and the clip 11 received in the cutout carried by the apron and the soundproofing mat 5.

[0046] Thus, when the motor vehicle is subjected to vibrations, the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3 no longer slides longitudinally towards the front of the motor vehicle along the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17.

[0047] For example, the absorbent block 25 may consist of a plastic foam ring, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC), having a density of between approximately 100 kg / m3 and approximately 125 kg / m3, for example approximately 115 kg / m3

[0048] The assembly of set 1 is carried out as follows.

[0049] An operator positions the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3 on the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17.

[0050] The operator then slides the air conditioning unit 3 backwards, along the centering finger 15, until it comes to rest against the contact rib 21, blocking the translation of the centering tab 13 towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0051] The operator then mounts the absorbent material block 25 onto the centering finger 15.

[0052] During the assembly stage of the motor vehicle, the clip 11 is inserted into the cutout carried by the apron the soundproofing mat 5, which compresses the block 25 of absorbing material against the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3, thus blocking its translation towards the front of the motor vehicle.

[0053] Reference is made to [Fig.3], which is a perspective view of the centering finger 15 of the defrosting conduit 17 according to an alternative embodiment.

[0054] The centering finger here comprises two contact ribs 31 arranged on either side of a longitudinal median plane P2 of the centering finger 15 contained in a plane (L, V).

[0055] Unlike the embodiment shown in the example illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the contact ribs 31 are here arranged laterally relative to the centering finger 15. The contact ribs 31 are here substantially contained in the horizontal median plane Pi of the centering finger 15.

[0056] Providing contact ribs 31 arranged laterally relative to the centering finger 15 simplifies the manufacturing process compared to the variant in which the contact ribs 21 are arranged above or below the horizontal median plane Pi of the centering finger 15.

[0057] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, only one contact rib 31 can be arranged laterally relative to the centering finger 15. However, this would weaken the planar support connection formed between the contact rib 31 and the rear face 23 of the centering tab 13 of the air conditioning unit 3.

[0058] According to a common arrangement in the various embodiments of the centering finger 15, the distance Di between a rear end 29 of the centering finger 15 and the contact rib 21, or either of the contact ribs 31, is between approximately 55 mm and approximately 65 mm. In one particular embodiment, the distance Di may be approximately 61 mm.

[0059] According to another arrangement of assembly 1, the centering finger 15 may have longitudinal stiffening ribs 33. The presence of the longitudinal stiffening ribs 33 gives stiffness to the centering finger 15 of the defrosting duct 17, which allows the dashboard 9 which carries the defrosting duct to be mounted sufficiently rigidly in the motor vehicle.

[0060] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an air conditioning unit (3) including a centering lug (13), - a defrosting duct (17), including a centering finger (15) receiving said centering lug (13), said centering lug (13) being blocked in transverse translation and in vertical translation by said centering finger (15), said assembly (1) being characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal translation stop device (19) mounted on said centering finger (15) and adapted to block said centering lug (13) in longitudinal translation relative to said centering finger (15).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinal translation stop device (19) comprises: - at least one contact rib (21, 31) carried by said centering finger (15) and forming a shoulder adapted to block said centering tab (13) in translation towards the rear of said motor vehicle, - a block (25) of absorbing material, mounted compressed between said centering tab (13) and an apron of a body structure of said motor vehicle.

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said block (25) of absorbent material consists of a plastic foam ring having a density between about 100 kg / m3 and about 125 kg / m3.

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said at least one contact rib (31) is arranged laterally relative to said centering finger (15).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two contact ribs (31) arranged on either side of a longitudinal median plane (P2) of said centering finger (15).

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said centering finger (15) comprises at least one longitudinal stiffening rib (33).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5 or according to claim 6 combined with any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the distance (DJ) between a rear end (29) of said centering finger (15) and said at least one rib

8. The contact area (21, 31) carried by said centering finger (15) is between approximately 55 mm and approximately 65 mm. A motor vehicle comprising an assembly (1), characterized in that said assembly (1) is according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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