Device for attaching an interior accessory.

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (1) designed to allow the attachment of an accessory (2) to a vehicle interior component. The device (1) is fixed to the interior component and comprises a fastening interface (3) designed to cooperate with a complementary interface (4) projecting from the accessory (2) to attach the accessory (2) to the device (1). The fastening interface (3) has at least one guide groove (5) formed in a housing (6) to guide the sliding of the complementary interface (4). The housing (6) further comprises connection means (7) designed to allow the formation of at least one electrical connection between the accessory (2) and the device (1) when the complementary interface (4) cooperates with the fastening interface (3). The invention also relates to an accessory (2) having a complementary interface (4) designed to cooperate with the fastening interface (3). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for fixing a passenger compartment accessory.

[0001] The technical field relates to fastening devices designed to allow the attachment of an accessory to a passenger compartment element, passenger compartment elements comprising at least one such device, assemblies comprising such a device and an accessory attached to the device and finally motor vehicles having such assemblies and / or such passenger compartment elements.

[0002] Automobile manufacturers take great care in developing their vehicles to offer their customers vehicles with impeccable build quality. Build quality is reflected, first and foremost, in the quality of the assembly and materials used in the vehicle. However, the quality perceived by customers is also influenced by the quality of the accessories supplied with the vehicle and by the possibilities for attaching accessories. Automobile manufacturers therefore offer attachment solutions for accessories fitted at the factory or available through aftermarket services. However, the solutions offered provide limited attachment options. Furthermore, attaching an accessory to an interior component such as a dashboard and / or a seat back often requires the use of an electrical connection cable to supply the accessory with power.The various electrical cables clutter the passenger compartment and are also detrimental to the aesthetics of the interior.

[0003] Finally, car manufacturers are particularly attentive to the safety of drivers and passengers in their vehicles. In this context, it is important that the solutions implemented for attaching accessories do not have any sharp edges that could cause injury in the event of a collision with the head of the driver or a passenger.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution that allows accessories to be attached to a passenger compartment element while preserving the aesthetics and safety of the passenger compartment and avoiding the use of a power cable.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one object of the present invention is to provide a fastening device for attaching an accessory and supplying electricity to the accessory when it is attached to the device. Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory compatible with such a device to form an assembly.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a fastening device for a motor vehicle, designed to allow the fastening of an accessory to a vehicle interior component, the device being designed to be attached to the interior component, the device comprising a fastening interface designed to cooperate with a complementary interface projecting from the accessory in order to attach the accessory to the fastening device, the fastening interface having at least one guide groove provided in a housing of the device to guide the sliding of the complementary interface, the housing further comprising connection means designed to allow the formation of at least one electrical connection between the accessory and the device when the complementary interface cooperates with the fastening interface to attach the accessory and form an assembly.

[0007] The invention also relates to a passenger compartment element comprising at least one device according to the invention, the device being fixed to the passenger compartment element or made of material with the passenger compartment element.

[0008] The invention further relates to an accessory designed to be attached to a passenger compartment element according to the invention, the accessory comprising a complementary interface projecting from the accessory and designed to be inserted into the housing of a fastening device according to the invention, the complementary interface being designed to cooperate with the fastening interface by sliding to bring the accessory into a fastening position, the complementary interface comprising complementary connection means designed to form at least one electrical connection with the connection means of the device when the accessory is in the fastening position.

[0009] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising at least one fastening device according to the invention or one cabin element according to the invention and at least one accessory according to the invention, each complementary interface being introduced into a guide groove of a fastening interface.

[0010] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having at least one assembly according to the invention and / or a fastening device according to the invention.

[0011] Thus, the fastening device allows the accessory to be attached through the interaction between the device's fastening interface and the accessory's complementary fastening interface. When the accessory is attached to the device, an electrical connection is created between the device and the accessory via the connecting means and complementary connecting means. If the device is powered, the accessory can then also be powered by the electrical connection created. The device is advantageously powered by cables concealed within the passenger compartment element so that the accessory can be powered without the use of an external power cable extending into the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the device helps to protect passengers from the risk of electric shock since the connecting means, located within the housing, can be inaccessible to the passengers.The mounting interface being arranged in a housing, . The latter is unlikely to come into contact with a passenger's head in the event of a collision with the vehicle.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a wall designed to form an aesthetically pleasing surface, visible to a user when the device is attached to the passenger compartment element. The housing has an opening, formed through the wall along an insertion axis, designed to allow the insertion of the complementary interface into the housing. The guide groove extends from the opening along a sliding axis inclined relative to the insertion axis to a distal end. Thus, the wall preserves the aesthetics of the passenger compartment. This wall also forms a surface suitable for minimizing the risk of injury in the event of a head impact to a passenger.

[0013] Advantageously, the device includes a plate mounted movable relative to the inlet between a closing position, in which the plate closes the inlet in the absence of a complementary interface introduced into the housing, and a retracted position, in which the plate allows the introduction of a complementary interface into the guide groove.

[0014] Advantageously still, the plate is mounted movable in translation along the insertion axis between the closing position and the retracted position.

[0015] According to one possibility, the device includes elastic return means designed to maintain the plate in the obturator position in the absence of a complementary interface introduced into the housing.

[0016] According to one possibility of the accessory, the complementary interface forms at least one chevron, each chevron having ends each forming a stud dimensioned to slide in the guide groove.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a fastening device according to the invention, shown transparent, and an accessory according to the invention.

[0019] A fastening device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 1], is designed to equip a passenger compartment component, not shown, of a motor vehicle. By way of example, the passenger compartment component is a dashboard or a seat back.

[0020] The fastening device 1 is designed to allow the fastening of an accessory 2 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.1], to the passenger compartment element of the vehicle.

[0021] The device 1 is designed to be attached to the passenger compartment element: It has, for example, means for attaching it to the passenger compartment element such as an adhesive surface or one or at least one clip tab. Alternatively, the attachment device 1 is formed from the material of the passenger compartment element.

[0022] The device 1 includes a fastening interface 3 designed to cooperate with a complementary interface 4 projecting from the accessory 2 in order to fix the accessory 2 to the fastening device 1.

[0023] As illustrated in the figure, the fastening interface 3 has at least one guide groove 5 provided in a housing 6 of the device 1 to guide the sliding of the complementary interface 4. In this case, the fastening device 1 has two grooves 5 opposite each other.

[0024] The housing 6 of the fastening device 1 according to the invention further includes connection means 7 designed to allow the formation of at least one electrical connection between the accessory 2 and the device 1 when the complementary interface 4 cooperates with the fastening interface 3. Thus, each electrical connection established between the accessory 2 and the device 1 makes it possible to supply the accessory 2 with an electrical current without requiring the latter to be connected to an electrical cable connected to a socket on the dashboard of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0025] As illustrated in the figure, the device 1 comprises a wall 8 designed to form an appearance surface, visible to a user when the device 1 is attached to the passenger compartment element. The housing 6 then has an entrance 9 formed through the wall 8 along an entry axis AI, illustrated in the figure, and designed to allow the introduction of the complementary interface 4 into the housing 6.

[0026] Each guide groove 5 extends from the inlet 9 along a sliding axis AG inclined relative to the inlet axis AI to a distal end 10.

[0027] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the complementary interface 4 protrudes from the accessory 2 and is designed to be inserted into the housing 6 of the fastening device 1 according to the invention, and to cooperate by sliding with the fastening interface 3. For this purpose, the complementary interface 4 forms, for example, at least one chevron 11, in this case two chevrons 11, having ends 12 each forming a stud 13 dimensioned to slide in the guide groove 5.

[0028] To attach the accessory 2 to the fastening device 1, the complementary interface 4 is inserted through the opening 9, and each pin 13 is slid into a groove 5 until it reaches a stop to bring the accessory 2 into a fastening position. The accessory 2 and the fastening device 1 then form an assembly according to the invention. Advantageously, the fastening device 1 is fixed to the passenger compartment element with a chosen orientation such that each groove 5 is oriented along a vertical axis of the vehicle. Preferably, the complementary interface 4 is slid into the fastening interface 3 along the vertical axis of the vehicle, for example, downwards to bring it into the fastening position.

[0029] The complementary interface 4 includes complementary connection means 14 designed to form at least one electrical connection with the means of Connection 7. Advantageously, the connection is ensured when accessory 2 is in the fixed position. For example, the electrical connection is suitable for a 12-volt current.

[0030] The complementary connection means have, for example, a plurality of metallic surfaces extending over one or more faces 15 of one or more rafters 11. On the fastening device 1, the connection means 7 also have a plurality of conductive surfaces 16 provided in the housing 6 to come into contact with the faces 15 of the rafter 11 when the accessory 2 is in the fastening position. For example, each guide groove 5 is formed by a copper track overmolded in the accessory 2.

[0031] Finally, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the device 1 comprises a plate 17 mounted movable relative to the inlet 9 between a closed position, illustrated in [Fig. 1], in which the plate closes the inlet 9 in the absence of a complementary interface 4 inserted into the housing 6, and a retracted position, not illustrated, in which the plate 17 allows the insertion of a complementary interface 4 into the guide groove 5. Advantageously, the plate 17 is mounted movable in translation along the insertion axis AI between the closed position and the retracted position. According to one embodiment, the fastening device 1 of the invention comprises elastic return means, not illustrated, designed to maintain the plate 17 in the closed position in the absence of a complementary interface inserted into the housing 6.For this purpose, the plate 17 has at least one dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of the inlet 9 so that the plate 17 bears against the wall 8 in the closed position. The elastic return means include, for example, a spring.

[0032] Advantageously, the plate 17 has a chevron shape. Advantageously still, when the accessory 2 is in the fixing position, the dimensions of the inlet 9 and / or the plate 17 allow the plate 17 to return to the closing position when the accessory 2 is in the fixing position or in contact with a chevron 11 of the accessory 2, in order to maintain the latter in the fixing position.

[0033] Thus, the fastening device 1 allows the accessory 2 to be attached through the interaction between the fastening interface 3 of the device 1 and the complementary fastening interface 4 of the accessory 2. When the accessory 2 is attached to the device 1, an electrical connection is created between the device 1 and the accessory 2 by means of the connection means 7 and the complementary connection means 14. If the device 1 is powered, the accessory 2 can then also be powered by the electrical connection created. Furthermore, the device 1 helps to protect passengers against the risk of electric shock since the connection means 7, located in the housing 6, are advantageously made inaccessible to passengers' fingers. Since the fastening interface 3 is located in a housing 6, it cannot come into contact with a passenger's head in the event of a collision. The wall 8, for example, is shaped to limit injuries in the event of an impact with a passenger's head.

[0034] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the fastening device and accessory described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A fastening device (1) for a motor vehicle, designed to allow the attachment of an accessory (2) to a passenger compartment component of the vehicle, the device (1) being designed to be attached to the passenger compartment component, the device (1) comprising a fastening interface (3) designed to cooperate with a complementary interface (4) projecting from the accessory (2) in order to attach the accessory (2) to the fastening device (1), the fastening interface (3) having at least one guide groove (5) provided in a housing (6) of the device (1) to guide the sliding of the complementary interface (4), the housing (6) further comprising connection means (7) designed to allow the formation of at least one electrical connection between the accessory (2) and the device (1) when the complementary interface (4) cooperates with the fastening interface (3) to attach the accessory (2) and form an assembly.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a wall (8) designed to form an appearance surface, visible to a user when the device (1) is attached to the passenger compartment element, the housing (6) having an inlet (9), provided through the wall (8) along an introduction axis (AI), designed to allow the introduction of the complementary interface (4) into the housing (6), the guide groove (5) extending from the inlet (9) along a sliding axis (AG) inclined with respect to the introduction axis (AI) to a distal end (10).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plate (17) mounted movable relative to the inlet (9) between a closing position, in which the plate (17) closes the inlet (9) in the absence of a complementary interface (4) introduced into the housing (6), and a retracted position, in which the plate (17) allows the introduction of a complementary interface (4) into the guide groove (5).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the plate (17) is mounted movable in translation along the introduction axis (AI) between the closing position and the retracted position.

5. Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the device (1) comprises elastic return means designed to maintain the plate (17) in the sealing position in the absence of a complementary interface (4) introduced into the housing (6).

6. Cabin component comprising at least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the device (1) being fixed to the cabin component or made of material with the cabin component.

7. Accessory (2) designed to be attached to a passenger compartment element according to claim 6, the accessory (2) comprising a complementary interface (4) projecting from the accessory and designed to be inserted into the housing (6) of a fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the complementary interface (4) being designed to cooperate with the fastening interface (3) by sliding to bring the accessory (2) into a fastening position, the complementary interface (4) comprising complementary connection means (14) designed to form at least one electrical connection with the connection means (7) of the device (1) when the accessory (2) is in the fastening position.

8. Accessory (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the complementary interface (4) forms at least one chevron (11), each chevron (11) having ends (12) each forming a stud (13) dimensioned to slide in the guide groove (5).

9. Assembly comprising at least one fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or one cabin element according to claim 6 and at least one accessory (2) according to claim 7 or 8, each additional interface being introduced into a guide groove (5) of a fastening interface (3).

10. Motor vehicle having at least one assembly according to claim 9 and / or a fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images