ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one structural element (3), said at least one structural element (3) comprising cataphoresis holes (3a), said assembly (1) comprising: – a deflector (5) intended to be fixed to said at least one structural element (3); – a fixing device (7) configured to fix said deflector (5) to said structural element (3); characterized in that said fixing device (7) is configured to cooperate with at least one cataphoresis hole (3a) of said structural element (3). Abstract figure: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of motor vehicles comprising an underbody structure under which at least one fairing element is mounted. The present invention relates more particularly to a fairing element, such as a deflector, fixed under a part, for example a side part, of the body of a motor vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle commonly comprises an underbody structure under which components and equipment are fixed. Fairing elements are also fixed on or in the underbody structure, under the body of the vehicle, to cover said equipment and components.

[0003] Fairing elements, or deflectors, have several possible functions. They provide protection for equipment mounted under the body, particularly against splashes of water and / or gravel, but also potentially against impacts with objects placed on the road.

[0004] In addition, the fairing elements generally have aerodynamic shapes, thus improving the stability of the vehicle in motion and / or reducing its drag. Finally, they can also be configured so as to channel the air flowing under the body, in order, for example, to improve the coefficient of penetration in the air of the vehicle.

[0005] Furthermore, the body structure of a motor vehicle generally comprises several hollow metal beams such as side members, side members, stretchers, cross members, etc., these different elements forming at least in part the underbody structure of the motor vehicle.

[0006] Side members are of course present in thermal vehicles, in electric vehicles, in particular BEV type vehicles for the English acronym "Battery Electric Vehicle", equipped with an electric motor, and in hybrid vehicles, in particular PHEV type vehicles for the English acronym "Plug-in Hybrid Electric", equipped with both a thermal motor and an electric motor.

[0007] Underbody deflectors are used to improve aerodynamic flows under the vehicle, but depending on their position and proximity to surrounding parts, for example an exhaust line, these deflectors can be made of plastic or metal. A deflector can thus be fixed underbody with different types of fasteners, such as screws and nuts, studs, plastic clips, staples, etc., depending on the constraints.

[0008] Thus, on a hybrid vehicle comprising a traction battery and a deformable cross member, the (lateral) deflector of the traction battery is made of plastic and is fixed by studs and nuts to a side member.

[0009] Whereas on a hybrid vehicle comprising a traction battery and a multi-link axle, cooling pipes pass close to the exhaust line where the side deflector is fixed.

[0010] In this configuration, due to the proximity to the exhaust line (and / or cooling ducts), it is not possible to use a plastic side deflector. Thus, it is necessary to use a metal side deflector, generally made of sheet metal, which must be fixed to the underbody structure of the vehicle to guarantee the aerodynamic function and thermal resistance.

[0011] Furthermore, for reasons of mechanical strength, ease of assembly (for example during the manufacture of the vehicle) and / or maintenance, it is necessary to find a suitable way of fixing this metal deflector under the body of the vehicle (or to a structural element of the underbody of the vehicle), in particular so that the assembly is simple, quick and preferably without tools.

[0012] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of assembly for a motor vehicle comprising at least one structural element, said at least one structural element comprising cataphoresis holes, said assembly comprising: - a deflector intended to be fixed to said at least one structural element; - a fixing device configured to fix said deflector to said structural element; characterized in that said fixing device is configured to cooperate with at least one cataphoresis hole of said structural element.

[0013] The assembly according to the invention thus makes it possible to simply fix a deflector, for example metallic, to a structural element of the underbody (i.e. a side member forming at least part of the vehicle underbody), using pre-existing openings, such as cataphoresis holes, provided on said structural element.

[0014] Furthermore, this configuration for fixing an underbody deflector makes it possible to guarantee good mechanical strength of the deflector, while guaranteeing its correct positioning. In addition, this assembly can be adapted according to thermal constraints, for example the type of hybrid vehicle, and allow the fixing of a metal or plastic deflector while having the same fixing device, regardless of the type of vehicle and / or platform.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic, said at least one structural element is a spar. The structural element to which the deflector is fixed is advantageously a side member of the underbody, but can also be a front unit, a stretcher, a side member, a cross member, etc. (or any metal element having cataphoresis holes and defining at least in part the underbody structure of the vehicle).

[0016] According to a possible characteristic, said fixing device comprises at least two parts: - a first part configured to be inserted into one of said cataphoresis holes of said spar and to secure the fixing device to said spar; - a second part comprising one or more fixing lugs for fixing said deflector to said fixing device. Advantageously, the insertion and locking of the fixing device in a cataphoresis hole of said spar are carried out manually, that is to say that it is not necessary for an operator to use a specific tool for mounting the fixing device on the spar, thus reducing the operator's assembly time, and therefore reducing manufacturing costs.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, said assembly comprises an additional fixing part configured to connect the fixing lug(s) of said device to the deflector.

[0018] Advantageously, the additional fixing part is configured, on the one hand, to cooperate mechanically with the fixing lug(s) of the fixing device, and on the other hand, with the deflector. The mechanical cooperation between the additional part and the fixing lug(s) of the fixing device is for example achieved by clipping or snap-fastening. While the mechanical cooperation between the additional part and the deflector is for example achieved by means of a bolt, rod, stud, etc.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, the first part comprises at least one movable tab configured to take at least two distinct positions: - a first position, called the “locking position”, in which the tab blocks the removal of the first part of the fixing device from the cataphoresis hole; - a second position, called the “unlocking position” in which the first part can be removed from the cataphoresis hole (the tab no longer preventing the removal of the first part from the cataphoresis hole).

[0020] Advantageously in the first position, the first part is thus configured to be able to block, by means of one or more tabs, the fixing device in the cataphoresis hole in which the first part is inserted, this allowing to secure the fixing device to said spar. In addition, said fixing device can also adopt a second position which modifies the position of one or more tabs, and allows the removal of the first part of the cataphoresis hole, thus detaching the fixing device from the spar.

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, the first part comprises a support and a rod rotatably mounted in said support, said rod comprising said at least one tab. Advantageously, the rod and said at least one tab are a single-piece or unitary element.

[0022] According to another possible characteristic, said first part can move from a locking position to an unlocking position by a rotational movement of said at least one tab. Advantageously, a rotation, for example of a quarter turn, of the rod carrying the tab(s), makes it possible to move from a locking position to an unlocking position to allow the fixing device to be detached from said side member.

[0023] According to another possible characteristic, the second part comprises a base configured to bear in a sealed manner against the spar. Said base has for example substantially a plate shape, said first part and the fixing lugs being located on opposite faces of said base.

[0024] According to another possible characteristic, said base comprises a collar configured so that, in the mounted position of the fixing device, it comes into sealed contact with the side member and surrounds said cataphoresis hole. Advantageously, the collar is advantageously flexible and is pressed against the external face of the spar, while surrounding the cataphoresis hole into which the first part of the fixing device is inserted, thus sealing the interface between the fixing device and the spar.

[0025] According to another possible characteristic, the fixing device is made of plastic. The fact that the fixing device is made of plastic allows for a light, robust and inexpensive device to manufacture. The fixing device is for example made of polyoxymethylene (or POM), for example in the form of a copolymer (or POM-c) or homopolymer (POM-h), etc.

[0026] According to another possible characteristic, the fixing device is configured to cooperate with holes having a circular outline. Advantageously, the fixing device is configured to cooperate with cataphoresis holes which generally have a circular outline.

[0027] The invention relates inter alia to a fixing device for fixing two elements of an assembly for a motor vehicle to each other, characterized in that said fixing device is configured to fix the elements of an assembly as defined above.

[0028] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an assembly as defined above.

[0029] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective side view of an assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle; - [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic perspective view from above of a device for fixing the assembly of [Fig.l]; - [[Fig.3]] is a schematic and perspective view from below of the fixing device of [Fig.2].

[0030] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, whether it is thermal, hybrid or electric.

[0031] The term "lower" will designate a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0032] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0033] [Fig.l] thus illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective side view of an assembly 1 according to the invention for a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, comprising at least one side member 3, said assembly 1 being in the mounted position.

[0034] Said at least one spar 3 comprises one or more cataphoresis holes 3a which have a circular or substantially circular outline. In addition, said at least one side member 3, for example a rocker panel side member, forms at least in part an underbody structure of the vehicle.

[0035] It will be noted that in the embodiment presently described, the assembly 1 is configured to be fixed to a side member, but that said assembly 1 can be configured to be fixed to any body element, such as a front unit, a stretcher, a side member, a cross member, etc., as long as it is a metal element having cataphoresis holes and defining at least in part the underbody structure of the vehicle.

[0036] Said at least one spar 3 has substantially the shape of a hollow metal beam, for example made of steel, aluminum or a metal alloy. Said spar 3 is for example formed from one or more profiles and / or folded sheets whose section is a closed contour. It will be noted that the spar 3 illustrated in [Fig.l] is only partially illustrated for reasons of readability and highlighting other elements of the assembly 1.

[0037] Thus, the spar 3 has an external face 3b and an internal face 3c delimiting a volume internal to said spar 3. The cataphoresis hole(s) 3a are, for their part, through holes connecting the external faces 3b and internal faces 3c of said spar 3.

[0038] Said assembly 1 for a motor vehicle thus comprises: - a deflector 5 configured to be fixed to said at least one spar 3, here in the mounted position; - a fixing device 7 configured to fix said deflector 5 to said spar 3, here also in the mounted position.

[0039] Said deflector 5 is for example made of a lightweight and heat-resistant material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Said deflector 5 is for example located near (or adjacent to) heat-generating elements (elements which are also located under the underbody of said vehicle), such as an exhaust line, cooling ducts, etc.

[0040] The deflector 5 thus has two opposite main faces: - a first face 5a, called the lower or external face, which, when said deflector 5 is mounted under the underbody of the motor vehicle, is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle (or towards the rolling plane of said vehicle); - a second face 5b, called the upper or internal face, which, when said deflector 5 is in the mounted position, is oriented towards the motor vehicle, and therefore towards the side member 3.

[0041] Said fixing device 7 is, for its part, configured to cooperate with at least one cataphoresis hole 3a of said spar 3. Indeed, said fixing device 7 is thus configured to be inserted, at least in part, into a cataphoresis hole 3a, for example by the external face 3b of said spar 3.

[0042] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic perspective view from above of a fixing device 7, said fixing device 7 thus comprising at least two parts: - a first part 9 configured to be inserted into the cataphoresis hole 3a of said spar 3 and to be secured to said spar 3; - a second part 11 comprising at least one fixing tab 11a configured to fix said deflector 5 to said fixing device 7.

[0043] It will be noted that in the embodiment currently illustrated, the device 7 comprises two fixing lugs 11a, but that said device 7 may comprise any number of fixing lugs 11a depending on the fixing constraints between the deflector 5 and the spar 3.

[0044] As is more particularly visible in [Fig. 1], said assembly 1 may also comprise an additional fixing part 13 making it possible to connect the fixing lugs 11a to the deflector 5. Said additional part 13 is for example a folded and / or cut metal part configured, on the one hand, to cooperate mechanically with the fixing lugs 11a of the fixing device 7, and on the other hand, with the deflector 5.

[0045] Thus, the additional part 13 comprises two opposite ends 13a and 13b: - a first end 13a configured to cooperate mechanically with the fixing tabs 11a, for example by clipping, snap-fastening, etc.; - a second end 13b configured to mechanically cooperate with the deflector 5, for example by means of a bolt, a rod, a stud, a screw, etc.

[0046] Said additional part 13 may also comprise a keying element 13c, such as tabs, configured to impose a direction and / or an orientation of mounting of the assembly 1 on the spar 3.

[0047] It will be noted that the fixing device 7 is fixed to the deflector 5 by means of the additional part 13, however in an alternative embodiment not shown the fixing device 7 is fixed directly to said deflector 5 (for example by means of fixing lugs having a suitable structure).

[0048] As is more particularly visible in [Fig. 3], the first part 9 of the fixing device 7 comprises at least one movable tab 15 configured to take at least two distinct positions: - a first position, called the “locking position”, in which said at least one tab 15 blocks the withdrawal of the first part 9 of the fixing device 7 inserted into said cataphoresis hole 3a; - a second position, called the “unlocking position” in which the first part 9 can be removed from the cataphoresis hole 3.

[0049] It will be noted that in the embodiment currently illustrated, the first part 9 comprises two tabs 15, but that said first part 9 can comprise any number of tabs depending on the fixing constraints (size, surface condition, etc.) between the spar 3 and the fixing device 7.

[0050] Thus, in the locking position, at least one of said tabs 15 extends radially or transversely away from the first part 9 and has a stop surface bearing against the internal face 3c of said spar 3, blocking any possibility of removal of the first part 9 of said fixing device 7 from the cataphoresis hole 3a. Whereas in the unlocking position, the tab(s) 15 are in the folded or retracted position and no longer prevent said removal of the first part 9 of said fixing device 7 from the cataphoresis hole 3a.

[0051] The first part 9 further advantageously comprises a support 10 and a rod 12 rotatably mounted in said support 10, said rod 12 comprising said tab(s) 15 (tabs 15 which extend radially relative to said rod 12). The rotation of the rod 12 which carries said tab(s) 15 makes it possible to move from a locking position to an unlocking position, and vice versa, said tab(s) 15, and therefore to retract or not retract said tabs 15. It will also be noted that the rod 12 and the tabs 15 are advantageously a single-piece or unitary element.

[0052] It will be noted that the first part 9 of said fixing device 7 advantageously comprises a return spring (not visible) configured to return said tabs 15 to the locking position.

[0053] The second part 11 of the fixing device 7, for its part, comprises a base 17 on which said fixing lug(s) 11a are fixed, as well as a collar 16 arranged on said base 17.

[0054] Said base 17 has, on the one hand, substantially the shape of a plate, and on the other hand, two opposite main faces 17a and 17b: - a first face 17a, called the “upper face”, intended to be, in the mounted position, located opposite the external face 3b of the spar 3, and on which the first part 9 and the collar 16 which surrounds said first part 9 are located; - a second face 17b, called the “lower face”, on which the fixing lugs 11a are fixed, and which is, in the mounted position, located opposite the deflector 5 (in particular the upper face 5b of said deflector 5).

[0055] Furthermore, when the fixing device 7 is in the mounted position, therefore the first part 9, which extends away from the upper face 17a of the base 17, is inserted into the cataphoresis hole 3a, the collar 16, which defines a closed contour, comes into sealed contact with the external face 3b of the spar 3, surrounding said cataphoresis hole 3a.

[0056] Furthermore, the rod 12 advantageously has an end 12a (more particularly visible in [Fig. 3]) accessible through an opening provided in the base 17, this end 12a being configured to cooperate mechanically with a tool, such as a screwdriver, an Allen key, a Torx key, etc., and to allow an operator to drive, by means of a tool, the rod 12 in rotation, for example by a quarter turn, this thus making it possible to change the position of the fixing device 7 from a locking position to an unlocking position.

[0057] The fixing device 7 is advantageously made of plastic material, for example polyoxymethylene (or POM), in the form of a copolymer (or POM-c) or homopolymer (POM-h), etc. The collar 16 has, for example, a reduced thickness to give it a certain flexibility (and is then advantageously made of polyoxymethylene or POM), or is made of a plastic material having greater flexibility.

[0058] Thus, when mounting the deflector 5 on a side member 3 of the vehicle, the additional fixing part 13 is previously fixed to the fixing device 7, by mechanical cooperation between said fixing lugs 11a and the end 13a of the additional part 13. The keying element 13c of the additional part 13 limits, for its part, the mounting possibilities (direction, orientation, etc.) of the fixing device 7 / additional part 13 assembly on the side member 3.

[0059] Then, the fixing device 7 is inserted, at its first part 9, into the cataphoresis hole 3a of said spar 3, until the tabs 15 take a locking position, and thus secure the fixing device 7 to said spar 3.

[0060] It will be noted that the first part 9, and by extension the tabs 15, is advantageously configured so that the tabs 15 retract during insertion into the cataphoresis hole 3a, before said tabs 15 return to the locking position under the action of the return spring.

[0061] Then, the deflector 5 is fixed on the additional part 13, at its second end 13b, by means of suitable fixing members, such as screws, nuts, studs, etc.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one structural element (3), said at least one structural element (3) comprising cataphoresis holes (3a), said assembly (3) comprising: - a deflector (5) intended to be fixed to said at least one structural element (3); - a fixing device (7) configured to fix said deflector (5) to said structural element (3); characterized in that said fixing device (7) is configured to cooperate with at least one cataphoresis hole (3a) of said structural element (3).

2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said structural element (3) is a spar.

3. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said fixing device (7) comprises at least two parts (9, H): - a first part (9) configured to be inserted into one of said cataphoresis holes (3a) of said spar (3) and secure the fixing device (7) to said spar (3); - a second part (11) comprising one or more fixing lugs (11a) for fixing said deflector (5) to said fixing device (7).

4. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said assembly (1) comprises an additional fixing part (13) configured to connect the fixing lug(s) (11a) to the deflector (5).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the first part (9) comprises at least one movable tab (15) configured to take at least two distinct positions: - a first position, called the "locking position", in which the tab (15) blocks the removal of the first part (9) of the fixing device (7) from the cataphoresis hole (3a); - a second position, called the "unlocking position" in which the first part (9) can be removed from the cataphoresis hole (3a).

6. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first part (9) can move from a locking position to an unlocking position by a rotational movement of said at least one tab (15).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the second part (11) comprises a base (17) configured to bear in a sealed manner against the spar (3).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (7) is configured to cooperate with holes (3a) having a circular outline.

9. Fastening device (7) for fastening two elements of a motor vehicle assembly to each other, characterized in that said fastening device (7) is configured to fasten the elements of an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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