OBJECT CARRIER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN OBJECT CARRIER

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (1) for an object in a motor vehicle, said support (1) comprising: – a receiving portion (3) having a fastening interface (5) for an object; – at least one fastening tab (7) configured to secure said support (1) to an element adjacent to said support (1); – at least one fastening system (9) configured to be able to cooperate mechanically by interlocking with an element adjacent to said support (1). [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: OBJECT SUPPORT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN OBJECT SUPPORT

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of fixing objects, such as housings in which electronic and / or electrical components are arranged, to said vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle comprises thousands of parts that need to be arranged and / or fixed to each other, so it is very common for a vehicle to include one or more housings in which electronic and / or electrical components are arranged, referred to below as "electronic housings", and which are fixed directly to a metal sheet of the vehicle, for example by means of welded solutions, such as welded studs.

[0003] However, these housings can have various sizes and shapes and be fixed in various locations on the vehicle, for example in the rear areas. Large housings can therefore be difficult to fix using welded solutions, particularly when these housings must be fixed in hard-to-reach and / or confined spaces.

[0004] Indeed, by way of non-limiting example, it can be difficult to install (or fix) an electronic control unit under the rear retractor area of ​​the vehicle. This is because the area under the rear retractor is delimited by a rear seat backrest latch reinforcement, a rear retractor support, a rear retractor mounting reinforcement, and a rear wheel arch, while the bottom of the area is delimited by a quarter panel lining.

[0005] The housing must be fixed directly to the quarter panel lining by means of welded studs or screws, but the area is very cramped and / or cluttered, and, due to the lack of space, the welded studs (or screws) (subject to compliance with the constraints of the welding tools) must pass through the housing and the electronic board housed in said housing.

[0006] The usual fixing solution, by welded studs (or screws), may therefore prove difficult, or even impossible, to implement due to the positioning of the studs or screws in relation to the electronic board (and its components), the studs not having to interfere with the board and its electronic components (and in general with the object to be fixed to the vehicle).

[0007] This entails the need to rethink the electronic board and the layout of its components, or to place the studs (or screws) around the periphery of the board, which is not Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to space and / or bulk constraints.

[0008] The other possible solution is to find another location for such boxes, but the multiplicity of boxes (electronic or otherwise) makes it difficult to find a satisfactory place for each of them, without these boxes being placed in a useful volume, such as the loading volume of the trunk, and thus harming the vehicle user by reducing a volume intended for other functions.

[0009] It is therefore necessary to develop a solution that allows objects, such as electronic enclosures, to be fixed in any area of ​​the vehicle, regardless of space constraints and / or bulk. Furthermore, this solution must be simple and not complicate the mounting of the enclosure on the vehicle, nor make the attachment of such enclosures on the vehicle production line more time-consuming and difficult.

[0010] The present invention thus aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of object support for motor vehicles, said support comprising: - a reception area including a mounting interface for an object; - at least one fixing bracket configured to secure said support to an element adjacent to said support; - at least one fixing system configured to be able to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an element adjacent to said support.

[0011] Prior to attaching the support to the vehicle, an object, such as a housing, can be attached, using the connection interface, to the receiving part of the support. Then, the support-object assembly is subsequently secured, using the fastening system, by mechanical interlocking with an element adjacent to said support, and then by pivoting engagement of said at least one fastening tab with an adjacent element of the support (the adjacent element being identical or different from the first). The object support according to the invention is therefore an intermediate, simple and inexpensive support which allows the rapid attachment of objects in cramped and / or cluttered places in a motor vehicle.

[0012] According to one possible feature, the fastening system comprises at least two inserts configured to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an element adjacent to said support. Advantageously, the fastening system includes at least two inserts, for example spaced apart, which are configured to cooperate mechanically with an adjacent element, such as a fastening reinforcement (when it is the area of ​​the rear roller of the vehicle).

[0013] According to another possible feature, the inserts of the fastening system and said fastening tab form a fastening triangle. The fact that the support has three fixing points forming roughly a triangle ensures good mechanical strength of the support, particularly with regard to vibrations and / or shocks.

[0014] According to another possible feature, said fixing bracket and the inserts of the fixing system are located in distinct planes. Advantageously, the mounting bracket is located in a plane distinct from and distant from the plane where the inserts of the fastening system are located. The support is thus advantageously configured, after the inserts are fixed to an adjacent element, to pivot about an axis extending substantially in the main extension plane of the receiving part, and the mounting bracket enters into mechanical cooperation with an adjacent element (distinct from or identical to the adjacent element with which the fastening system cooperates).

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, said inserts are made of a plastic material, advantageously a material exhibiting a certain flexibility, such as an elastomer, for example an EPDM rubber (for "Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer"). Advantageously, said inserts are made of plastic to limit, or even prevent, the generation of noise between the support fixing system and the adjacent element to which the inserts are fixed (by stacking).

[0016] According to another possible feature, said fastening system comprises a wire fixed to said receiving part, each end of the wire having one of said inserts. The wire therefore has two opposing longitudinal ends to which the inserts are attached. Furthermore, the wire is advantageously metallic and is fixed, for example by welding, to the receiving part of the support; this is a simple and easy-to-manufacture solution. Moreover, such a fastening system makes it possible to meet the installation constraints of the support in confined and / or cluttered areas.

[0017] According to another possible feature, the ends of the metal wire carrying the inserts, and extending beyond the receiving part, are free. Leaving degrees of freedom at the end of the wires carrying the inserts facilitates the mechanical cooperation of said inserts with the adjacent element on which said inserts are intended to be fixed (by stacking).

[0018] According to another possible feature, the reception part includes at least one opening. Advantageously, the reception area includes one or more openings, for example fitted with perforations, which facilitate air circulation and allow Therefore, it cools the object attached to the support, especially when the object is an electronic enclosure and generates heat. Furthermore, the presence of one or more openings reduces the amount of material used in the support's manufacture, and thus its weight.

[0019] According to another possible feature, the receiving part includes one or more stiffening structures. The said receiving part may include stiffening structures which reinforce the mechanical resistance of the receiving part; these structures are all the more important when the receiving part includes openings.

[0020] According to another possible feature, said support receiving part is monobloc (or unitary). Advantageously, the receiving portion is a single piece (or unit), thus reducing its cost and manufacturing complexity. Furthermore, the mounting interface and / or at least one mounting bracket are, for example, integral to the receiving portion of the support. The receiving portion can be made of bent and / or cut sheet metal, for example, steel, aluminum, etc.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising an object support and at least one adjacent element to which said support is fixed, characterized in that said object support is a support as defined above, and that said adjacent element comprises a round opening and a buttonhole opening, said openings being configured to cooperate mechanically by interlocking with the fixing system of said support.

[0022] The fact that the adjacent element on which the support fixing system cooperates has two types of openings, a round opening and a buttonhole opening (or oblong hole), facilitates the mechanical cooperation by nesting of the fixing system with the adjacent element, and by extension the fixing of the support to said adjacent element.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a support as defined above or an assembly as defined above.

[0024] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates a very schematic, perspective and three-quarter view of an object support according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a schematic, perspective, three-quarter view of the support of [Fig.1] on which an object is mounted; - the [[Fig.3]] illustrates a schematic and perspective view of a motor vehicle area in which to fix the support of the [Fig.2]; - [[Fig.4]] is a schematic and perspective view of the vehicle area of ​​[Fig.3] in which the support of [Fig.2] is fixed.

[0025] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of".

[0026] In this application, it should be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by no more than 20°, or even by no more than 10° or 5°, from a parallel direction. It should also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by no more than 20°, or even by no more than 10° or 5°, from an angle of 90°.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic, perspective, three-quarter view of an object support 1 according to the invention, intended to be fixed to a motor vehicle. It should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated and described below, the object is an electronic housing, that is to say, a housing containing electronic and / or electrical components, for example, mounted on a circuit board. Such housings are referred to hereafter by the general term "electronic housings." However, said support 1 can be intended to accommodate any type of object, advantageously heat-generating or thermogenic objects, that is to say, objects that release heat, for the purpose of their installation in an area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0028] Said support 1 comprises as follows: - a reception part 3 comprising a fixing interface 5 for an object; - at least one fixing bracket 7 configured to secure said support 1 to an element adjacent to said support 1; - at least one fixing system 9 configured to be able to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an element adjacent to said support 1.

[0029] It will be noted that the element adjacent to the support 1 with which the fixing bracket 7 cooperates (and is fixed) and the element adjacent to the support 1 with which the fixing system 9 cooperates (and is fixed) can be separate elements or the same element, depending on the vehicle's fixing area in which the support 1 is mounted.

[0030] Said reception part 3 has substantially a plate shape, as well as a main extension plan. The said reception area 3 also has two main opposing faces (extending substantially in the main extension plane of said area 3), a first face (not visible) intended to be, in the mounted position of the support 1, oriented towards the vehicle, and a second face 3a intended to receive said object, i.e. which is in contact with the object, once the latter is fixed to the support 1 by means of the fixing interface 5.

[0031] Said reception part 3 further advantageously includes: - at least one through opening 11 to allow air circulation, for example arranged by perforation, and advantageously located in the center of reception part 3; - one or more stiffening structures 13, such as stiffening stampings, for example arranged around said at least one opening and / or near said at least one fixing tab 7, of the fixing interface 5 and / or of the fixing system 9.

[0032] Said receiving part 3 is advantageously monobloc (or unitary), the fixing interface 5 and / or said at least one fixing tab 7 being for example made of the same material as the receiving part 3. In addition, said receiving part 3 is advantageously made of metal, such as steel, aluminum, etc., and for example with a sheet of metal that is bent and / or cut.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic and perspective view of the support 1 according to the invention, on which an object 15, here an electronic housing, is fixed. The fixing interface 5 thus comprises means for securing the housing 15 to the receiving portion 3 of the support 1.

[0034] Said fixing interface 5 includes openings 5a, advantageously arranged on either side of the receiving part 3, configured to cooperate with complementary openings 17a provided on a fixing interface 17 of the housing 15. Thus, when the housing 15 is placed on the receiving part 3 to be fixed thereto, said openings 5a and 17a of the interfaces 5 and 17 are then opposite each other.

[0035] Said fixing interface 5 further includes fixing elements (not shown), such as screws, clips, staples, etc. configured to cooperate with the openings 5a and 17a respectively of the receiving part 3 and the housing 15 to secure the support 1 and the housing 15 to each other.

[0036] Said at least one fixing lug 7 has an elongated shape and extends away from the receiving part 3, the end of said lug 7 having a fixing member 7a, such as an opening, configured to cooperate mechanically with an element adjacent to said support 1 and to allow the fixing of said support 1 to said adjacent element.

[0037] The fastening system 9, for its part, comprises: - a wire 19 fixed to said receiving part 3; - two inserts 23 configured to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an adjacent element of the support 1, each end of the wire 18 having one of said inserts 23.

[0038] Said wire 19 is advantageously metallic and is, for example, fixed by welding to the receiving part 3 of said support 1. It should be noted that a housing 21 can be provided in the receiving part 3 to position the wire 19 during its assembly and fixing on said receiving part 3. Said housing 21 is, for example, made by threading or stamping in the receiving part 3.

[0039] Thus, the wire 19 has two opposing longitudinal ends on which said inserts 23 are fixed, each of said inserts 23 being located at a distance from the other. Furthermore, the ends of the wire 19 that extend beyond the receiving portion 3, and bear the inserts 23, are free.

[0040] It will be noted that the arrangement of said fixing tab 7 and the free ends of the wire 9 carrying the inserts 23 advantageously form a fixing triangle, for example by being located on opposite sides of the receiving part 3 and / or by ensuring that the fixing triangle encompasses the center (for example of gravity) of the receiving part 3 and / or of the housing 15.

[0041] Furthermore, said inserts 23 are advantageously made of a plastic material, such as a material exhibiting a certain flexibility, for example an elastomer, such as an EPDM rubber (for "Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer").

[0042] It will be noted that said fixing lug 7, in particular the end intended to cooperate mechanically with an adjacent element (therefore the end carrying the fixing member 7a), and the inserts 23 of the fixing system 9 are located in distinct planes and distant from each other, preferably planes substantially parallel to each other.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates, for its part, a schematic and perspective view of an example of zone 25 of motor vehicle in which to mount the support 1 with or without housing 15 fixed on said support 1.

[0044] The area 25 is a rear roller shutter area of ​​the vehicle and includes a quarter panel lining 27, as well as a rear seat back latch reinforcement 29, a rear roller shutter support 31, a rear roller shutter fixing reinforcement 33 and a rear wheel arch 34, which define a space in which the support 1 must be fixed.

[0045] Elements 27 to 34 of zone 25 can thus be identified with elements adjacent to said support 1 configured to cooperate with the fixing system 9 and the fixing tab 7.

[0046] In the embodiment described herein, the rear backrest latch reinforcement 29 is configured to cooperate with the fastening system 9, while the rear winder fastening reinforcement 33 is configured to cooperate with the lug of fixing 7. However, any element adjacent to said support 1 can be configured to cooperate mechanically with the fixing system 9 and the fixing lug 7, preferably with adjacent elements distinct from each other.

[0047] The strike plate reinforcement 29 thus advantageously comprises a supplementary fastening interface 35 configured to cooperate with the fastening system 9, such as openings 35a and 35b. The fastening reinforcement 33, for its part, comprises a fastening member 33a configured to cooperate mechanically with the fastening member 7a of the fastening lug 7, said member 33a being, for example, a welded stud (or a welded screw), a rod, a clip, etc.

[0048] Said openings 35a and 35b are advantageously of two types, a round opening 35a and a buttonhole-type opening 35b (or oblong hole). Each of said openings 35a and 35b is thus configured to cooperate mechanically by interlocking with the inserts 23 of the fastening system 9.

[0049] Fig. 4 thus illustrates a schematic and perspective view of the area 25 of the vehicle in which the support 1 is fixed on which a housing 15 is mounted, the support 1 and the adjacent elements 29 and 33 to which said support 1 is fixed thus forming an assembly 37 for a motor vehicle.

[0050] It should be noted that prior to the fixing of the support 1 on the vehicle, the electronic box 15 is fixed to the receiving part 3 by means of the connection interface 5.

[0051] Subsequently, the assembly formed by the support 1 and the housing 15 is fixed first by mechanical cooperation with the interface 35 of the strike reinforcement 29, in particular by the engagement of an insert 23 of the fixing system 9 in the round opening 35a of the strike reinforcement 29, then by the engagement of the other insert 23 in the buttonhole opening 35b of the strike reinforcement 29. The said inserts 23 are thus successively brought into mechanical cooperation by stacking with the said openings 35a and 35b.

[0052] Then, there is pivoting of the support 1 with respect to an axis located substantially in the main extension plane of the receiving part 3 until the fixing member 7a of the fixing leg 7 comes to cooperate mechanically with the complementary member 33a arranged on the other element adjacent to said support 1, here the fixing reinforcement 33.

[0053] In an unrepresented embodiment of the invention, said inserts of the fastening system are press-fitted into the additional openings provided in said adjacent element.

[0054] In another unrepresented embodiment of the invention, said support 1 comprises several fixing tabs advantageously arranged on the side opposite the side of the receiving part carrying the inserts of the fixing system.

Claims

Demands

1. Object support (1) for a motor vehicle, said support (1) comprising: - a receiving part (3) having a fastening interface (5) for an object; - at least one fastening tab (7) configured to secure said support (1) to an element adjacent to said support (1); - at least one fastening system (9) configured to be able to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an element adjacent to said support (1).

2. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fastening system (9) comprises at least two inserts (23) configured to cooperate mechanically by stacking with an element adjacent to said support (1).

3. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inserts (23) of the fastening system (9) and said fastening tab (7) form a fastening triangle

4. Support (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said fixing tab (7) and the inserts (23) of the fixing system (9) are located in distinct planes.

5. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said fastening system (9) comprises a wire (19) fixed to said receiving part (3), each of the ends of the wire (19) comprising one of said inserts (23).

6. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ends of the wire (19) bearing the inserts (23), and extending beyond the receiving part (3), are free.

7. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving part (3) has at least one opening (11).

8. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving part (3) comprises one or more stiffening structures (13).

9. Assembly (37) for a motor vehicle, said assembly (37) comprising an object support (1) and at least one adjacent element (27) to which said support (1) is fixed, characterized in that said object support is a support (1) according to any one of the 10 previous claims, and that said adjacent element (27) comprises a round opening (35a) and a buttonhole-type opening (35b), said openings (35a, 35b) being configured to cooperate mechanically by nesting with the fastening system (9) of said support (1).

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

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