MOTOR VEHICLE OPENING EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE PANEL TRIM ARRANGED ON ONE SIDE

Abstract

Motor vehicle opening equipped with a side trim panel (10) fixed on one side of the opening (2), this panel (10) having on its inner face a projecting index (12) which fits into a hollow formed on the side of the opening (2) ensuring that the panel (10) is held in its plane, the index (12) comprising at its base at least one index hook cooperating with a complementary hook arranged next to the hollow of the opening (2), which ensures, by bending during assembly, a clipping for fixing the index (12) in the hollow. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE OPENING EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE TRIM PANEL ARRANGED ON ONE SIDE

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle opening equipped with a side trim panel arranged on one side of this opening, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such openings.

[0002] A type of motor vehicle side panel, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3057213, forming a trim fixed to a door pillar next to the window, comprises an outer face extending from this window, and on its face facing the interior of the vehicle two projecting positioning indexes.

[0003] For the assembly of the panel each index is fitted into a hole arranged on the door jamb, forming a vertically elongated slot, then the panel is shifted laterally by sliding this index into its slot. This vertical movement engages legs of the jamb parallel to the panel in hooks formed on the rear face of this panel, to create a fitting of each of the legs ensuring the panel is held.

[0004] By distributing the hooks along the height of the panel, this ensures that the panel is held in place over its entire length, without the risk of it moving away from the vehicle, avoiding offsets which are not aesthetic and which can generate aerodynamic noise with the disruption of the flow of air sliding over it.

[0005] However, this type of fixing requiring lateral sliding of the panel to ensure the engagement of the tabs in the hooks, poses in certain cases assembly problems, in particular when the panel must fit into a frame that does not leave room for maneuver to allow this sliding.

[0006] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, it proposes a motor vehicle opening equipped with a side trim panel fixed on one side of this opening, this panel having on its inner face a projecting index which fits into a hollow formed on the side of the opening while ensuring that the panel is held in its plane, this opening being remarkable in that the index comprises at its base at least one index hook cooperating with a complementary hook arranged next to the hollow of the opening, which ensures, by bending during assembly, a clipping for fixing the index in the hollow.

[0008] An advantage of this opening is that with a minor modification, by adding at least one hook to the base of the protruding index, and its complementary shape on the side of the hollow, both positioning and support are obtained in the lateral directions of this panel by the index, and a hook which confirms its fixing perpendicular to this panel.

[0009] The positioning of the hook next to the hollow makes it possible to maintain precise positioning over time of this hook in relation to its complementary shape, whereas a distance could give, with expansions in the sun or deformations due to aging of the materials, small lateral gaps between them which would unhook the clipping.

[0010] Furthermore, the method of mounting the panel on the opening does not change, with simply a push on its external face which, after compression of elastic seals which can be arranged behind, automatically ensures with a separation bending of the hook its clipping on the side of the hollow.

[0011] In particular, this method makes it possible to embed a panel inside a surround that does not leave room for it to slide laterally.

[0012] The opening according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0013] Advantageously, the index hook has a square shape comprising a rim arranged in the plane of the panel.

[0014] In this case, the index hook edge can be turned to the side opposite to this index.

[0015] Advantageously, the complementary hook has a shape similar to the index hook which is arranged in an inverted manner.

[0016] Advantageously, each hook has a slope formed on the front of the rim allowing them to bend progressively when mounted when one slope rests on the other.

[0017] Advantageously, the index comprises two index hooks.

[0018] In this case, advantageously the two index hooks are arranged symmetrically on each side of this index.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that these openings are side doors.

[0020] In particular, the trim panel can be arranged behind a window of a side door.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] is a view along the vertical section plane II passing through the axis of the index of the trim panel of a vehicle opening according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a view along the horizontal section plane ILII of the detail of the index engaged in the hollow of the opening;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a detail view of the entrance to the hollow of the opening alone; and

[0025] [Fig.4] is a detail view of the panel index alone.

[0026] Throughout the document the upper or above direction relates to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground, the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the external side EXT being turned towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0027] [Fig. 1] shows a frame upright of the window 2 of a side door of a motor vehicle, which is surrounded by an elastomer profile 4 comprising on its outer contour lips 6 for bearing on the entry passage of the vehicle body to ensure sealing.

[0028] The flat face of the profile 4 facing outwards receives the support of a trim panel 10 parallel to the window, comprising above a rigid strip 16 arranged in the extension of this panel, which runs on the upper edge of the window. The panel 10 is supported on a small elastic lip 18 which ensures a blockage preventing vibrations and ensuring a seal.

[0029] The elastomer profile 4 is overmolded onto a rigid core 8 which is extended by a boss arranged at the top of the panel 10, comprising a hollow open towards the outside of the vehicle, receiving a projecting index 12 fixed on the rear face of this panel which ensures its positioning in the plane of the panel.

[0030] Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the boss 14 elongated along the transverse direction of the vehicle, comprising the hollow 30 arranged along a central axis A, which towards the inside has a rising inclined flat base and sides 34 which narrow.

[0031] The index 12 has a shape complementary to the hollow 30, comprising in the same way towards the inside a base which rises and sides 36 which tighten. When the panel 10 is put in place by pushing on it, a progressive positioning is obtained by the index 12 sliding on the sides 34 of the hollow 30 which tighten, with in the final position a complete blocking in height and on the sides of this index in the hollow giving the positioning in the plane of the panel.

[0032] Each side of the index 12 comprises a hook 22 elongated towards the inside of the vehicle, comprising a square shape comprising a rim 24 which is turned in the plane of the panel 10, on the side opposite the index 12. Each side of the hollow 30 comprises a similar complementary hook 26 arranged in an inverted manner, elongated towards the outside, comprising a rim 28 which is turned towards the index 12.

[0033] During positioning of the trim panel 10, the edges 24 of the index hooks 22 slide on the edges 28 of the complementary hooks 26 thanks to slopes arranged in front on each of these edges, with a separation from each other in the transverse direction by an elastic flexion of the two hooks. At the end of positioning of the trim panel 10, each edge of a hook 24, 28 passes behind the edge of the other hook by an elastic return of its hook 22, 26, which gives a definitive clipping of the panel.

[0034] The symmetry of the two index hooks 22 on either side of the projecting index 12 ensures a balance of the lateral thrust forces of the hooks by their bending during assembly.

[0035] The upper end of the panel 10 is completely positioned in the plane of this panel by the adjustment of its index 12 in the hollow of the boss 14, and is locked outwards thanks to its two hooks 22 which hold it in its precise position giving it flush with the rest of the bodywork.

[0036] The trim panel 10 is mounted solely by pressure towards the inside of the vehicle, without lateral translation, which makes it possible to adjust this panel in an overhanging surround which would prevent it from sliding laterally.

[0037] It will be noted that the panel being blocked laterally by the adjustment of its index 12 in the hollow of the boss 14, a single hook 22 fitting into the complementary hook 26 may be sufficient, the second hook 22 ensuring safety in particular if one of the hooks breaks during assembly.

[0038] The guaranteed positioning of the trim panel 10 and its maintenance by an invisible system ensuring the aesthetics of the vehicle and the flow of air around it and the absence of aerodynamic noise, has good resistance over time, in particular with exposure to the sun which causes expansion and aging of the materials.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle opening equipped with a side trim panel (10) fixed on one side of the opening (2), this panel (10) having on its inner face a projecting index (12) which fits into a hollow (30) formed on the side of the opening (2) ensuring that the panel (10) is held in its plane, characterized in that the index (12) comprises at its base at least one index hook (22) cooperating with a complementary hook (26) arranged next to the hollow (30) of the opening (2), which ensures, by bending during assembly, a clipping for fixing the index (12) in the hollow (30).

2. Opening according to claim 1, characterized in that the index hook (22) has a square shape comprising a rim (24) arranged in the plane of the panel (10).

3. Opening according to claim 2, characterized in that the edge (24) of the index hook (22) is turned towards the side opposite this index (12).

4. Opening according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the complementary hook (26) has a shape similar to the index hook (22) which is arranged in an inverted manner.

5. Opening according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each hook (22, 26) has a slope formed on the front of the rim (24) allowing them to bend progressively when mounted when one slope rests on the other.

6. Opening according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the index (12) comprises two index hooks (22).

7. Opening according to claim 6, characterized in that the two index hooks (22) are arranged symmetrically on each side of this index (12).

8. Motor vehicle comprising openings according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that these openings are side doors.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the trim panel (10) is arranged behind a window of a side door.

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