Structural or semi-structural assembly means for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials.

Abstract

Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Structural or semi-structural assembly means for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials.

[0001] The present invention relates to structural or semi-structural assembly means for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials.

[0002] The present invention relates in particular to the structural or semi-structural assembly of structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials in technical sectors consuming composite materials such as aerospace, aeronautics, automotive, naval, wind, solar, furniture, logistics, building or any other sector, for which small, medium or large structures are made partly of structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials.

[0003] In these technical sectors, it is particularly interesting to allow for safe structural or semi-structural assembly, but also to be able to offer the disassembly or dismantling of assembled structures during their life, for reasons of maintenance, repair or at the end of their life during recycling.

[0004] In the automotive sector, structures made of structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials are being considered to offer lighter vehicles that therefore consume less fossil fuel, thus meeting recommendations and regulations concerning CO2 emissions. Similarly, manufacturers are now offering vehicles with electric or hybrid (electric / thermal) engines, which also require lighter vehicles.

[0005] However, such vehicle structures must be able to be repaired, particularly in the event of an impact, and it is therefore necessary to be able to offer structures in which certain parts can be assembled and provide the appropriate rigidity properties while also being able to be disassembled for replacement or repair, or even dismantled at the end of their life.

[0006] Another problem lies in the need for structural and / or semi-structural elements to have the required characteristics of impact resistance and rigidity, enabling vehicles to meet increasingly stringent accident standards.

[0007] It is therefore necessary that the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to form such structures can be assembled by conferring to the structure thus created has the appropriate rigidity and impact resistance characteristics.

[0008] It is thus known to carry out assemblies by bolting, particularly at the interface between the front body of an automotive structure, for example, and the (structural) engine. Bolting uses inserts located in a structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, such as a sandwich panel having a polymer core between two skins.

[0009] These inserts can be through-hole or non-through-hole. Through-hole inserts are at least as thick as the core of the sandwich structure and allow shear forces to be transmitted to the core and tensile and bending forces to the skins symmetrically. These inserts are drilled and can be through-hole or not. They are classified into two families: flush inserts and non-flush inserts.

[0010] The flush inserts have ends whose edges do not protrude from the panel. Thus, it is sufficient to drill the sandwich panel to the correct diameter and insert the insert with adhesive to hold it in place. Alternatively, it is possible to drill the sandwich panel to the correct diameter and install an insert defining cavities in the housing, and then fill these cavities with resin. This addition of resin allows for a much better distribution of stress at the joints.

[0011] There is another category of through-hole inserts that are not flush and have a flange that protrudes from the hole and rests against the panel. They are generally composed of at least two parts that are screwed or press-fitted. The presence of the flange promotes stress concentrations and causes crushing of the core due to its tightening.

[0012] These through or non-through inserts must allow for the assembly of structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials that must be either non-removable or removable, to allow for the repair of one of the elements. However, these inserts are primarily made of metallic materials, which adds mass to a structure that aims to reduce it.

[0013] It is also known to offer assemblies by bonding of elements in composite materials.

[0014] These bonded assemblies offer the following advantages: very satisfactory mechanical strength, potential shock and vibration absorption, depending on the type of adhesive, non-destructive disassembly, and they prevent stress concentrations. Furthermore, a bonded assembly allows for control of the assembly's mass. Advantageously, detachable bonded assemblies are also known, allowing the bonded assembly to be disassembled without damaging the bonded components.

[0015] Thus, FR-A-3099993 and FR-A-2954776 describe assemblies that can be disassembled by heating. Such assemblies allow for bonding between elements and then, under the effect of heat applied to the joint, for the assembly to be undone, thus making it reversible. In the automotive field, it is particularly important to allow for structural or semi-structural assembly of structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials intended to constitute a lighter vehicle structure, while also allowing for disassembly between different structural parts of the vehicle, particularly to facilitate maintenance by repair or replacement.

[0016] Inserts are known for assembling monolithic composite components; for example, they can be found in a monocoque chassis with over 200 aluminum components. These inserts do not allow for optimal stress distribution in composite parts and are not suitable for assembling structural and / or semi-structural sandwich-type components.

[0017] The present invention therefore aims to provide means for the structural or semi-structural assembly of structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, enabling the fulfillment of several constraints of a structural or semi-structural assembly. These constraints must allow for a simple structural or semi-structural assembly of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, with easy implementation, and also for simple disassembly of at least some of the assembled elements. In the case where these structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials are, in particular, sandwich panels, the means must allow for the distribution of stresses on said panels, thereby reducing the risks of crack initiation, localized failure of the reinforcement-matrix interface, and delamination of the plies.or even the removal of the structural or semi-structural assembly means of structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials.

[0018] The invention therefore relates to structural or semi-structural assembly means for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, comprising at least: a structural or semi-structural assembly element intended to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials to be assembled, comprising a flange and a shaft extending axially from the flange, the shaft of said structural or semi-structural assembly element being configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, said flange being intended to extend against a face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, said structural or semi-structural assembly means further comprising fastening means associated with said structural or semi-structural assembly element, configured to cooperate with complementary fastening means associated with a second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials to be assembled.

[0019] Thus, advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly element is configured to be able to be inserted and pass through the first structural or semi-structural composite element, and is associated with fastening means which, cooperating with the complementary fastening means associated with a second structural or semi-structural element in composite materials, allows the structural or semi-structural assembly of these at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0020] Each structural and / or semi-structural element has at least one structural or semi-structural assembly face intended to bear against the structural or semi-structural assembly face of another structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, a structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally being able to be assembled with two structural and / or semi-structural elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally and then having two structural or semi-structural assembly faces.

[0021] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means further comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element intended to be mounted on the second structural or semi-structural composite material element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, comprising a flange having a shaft open at both ends, extending axially from a face of the flange, the shaft of said second structural or semi-structural assembly element being configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the second structural or semi-structural composite material element and extending at least along the entire length of the through hole, while said flange is intended to extend against a face of said second structural or semi-structural composite material element,the fastening means associated with said second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials being configured to be housed within the shaft of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element and to cooperate with the fastening means associated with said first structural or semi-structural assembly element.

[0022] Advantageously, the fastening means consist of a threaded element mounted in the shaft of one of the assembly elements, for example at the end of the barrel of said assembly element, and of a screw configured to cooperate with the threaded element and mounted in the barrel of the second assembly element.

[0023] Advantageously, a structural or semi-structural fastener, thus forming an insert intended to be mounted on structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, has a shaft configured to extend at least partially along the through-hole into which it is configured to be inserted. It is also advantageous for this shaft to extend the entire length of the through-hole or even to protrude from said through-hole.

[0024] Composite material elements advantageously constitute structural and / or semi-structural elements for forming structures in sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, naval, solar, wind energy, furniture, logistics, and construction. Such structural or semi-structural elements take the form, for example, of panels with a sandwich structure consisting of a core and two outer skins, the core preferably being made of a plastic, metallic, or natural material in the form of foam, a honeycomb structure, or a solid, and the outer skins being made of a polymer matrix composite reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers. Other structural or semi-structural elements of the structure are made of polymer matrix composites reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers, in monolithic form.

[0025] Structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, intended for structural or semi-structural assembly, are most often in the form of panels, flat or shaped, and are assembled together, each having a face designed to bear against a face of another element, these faces being called structural or semi-structural assembly faces. These structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, intended for structural or semi-structural assembly, respectively have a through hole and, engaged in it, at least one structural or semi-structural assembly element.Each structural or semi-structural connection element includes a flange which, when the shaft is engaged in said through orifice, extends against one face of the structural and / or semi-structural element while the end of the shaft is flush or protrudes or is recessed, the compression value of which does not exceed the allowable compression rate of the structural or semi-structural element on the opposite face, preferably the structural or semi-structural connection face.

[0026] Advantageously, the end of the shaft of the first element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled comprises first fastening means such as a threaded element provided in the shaft, while the structural assembly element or A semi-structural fastener, engaged in the through-hole of the second structural or semi-structural element to be assembled, accommodates additional fastening means such as a screw. This screw, housed in the shank of the structural or semi-structural assembly element, cooperates with the threaded element to clamp the structural or semi-structural assembly faces of the two structural or semi-structural elements to be assembled against each other. The shanks of the various structural or semi-structural assembly elements are not only configured to engage in the through-holes of the structural and / or semi-structural elements to be assembled, but also to interlock with one another. Thus, when fastening means are located at the end of one of the shanks, the interlocking of that shank into the shank of another structural or semi-structural assembly element enables their cooperation.

[0027] These fastening means, such as the threaded element and the screw, are advantageously made of metal or carbon or other high-performance fibrous reinforcements, while the structural or semi-structural assembly elements, having a flange and a shaft, are made of composite materials such as a thermoplastic, reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers. These hybrid (metal / composite) structural or semi-structural assembly means are thus considerably lighter than inserts made conventionally from metal.

[0028] The structural or semi-structural assembly means advantageously include further, a structural or semi-structural assembly element intended to be mounted on the first structural or semi-structural composite material element which includes a flange intended to extend against a face said to be a structural or semi-structural assembly face of said first structural or semi-structural composite material element and a shaft open at both ends, said structural or semi-structural assembly element forming a structural or semi-structural connecting assembly element, the shaft of which is configured to be inserted into the through hole, fitted onto and around the end of the shaft of the first structural or semi-structural assembly element.

[0029] This embodiment advantageously allows for the placement on each face of one of the elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, for example when it has a significant thickness, of an additional structural or semi-structural connecting element whose flange acts as a stress distributor for the structural or semi-structural assembly-fixation on the structural or semi-structural assembly face. In particular, the structural or semi-structural connecting element is intended to be located on the structural or semi-structural assembly face.

[0030] The structural or semi-structural assembly means alternatively include an assembly element configured to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, this structural or semi-structural assembly element comprising a flange intended to extend against a face called structural or semi-structural assembly face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials and a shaft open at its two ends and configured to be aligned with fastening means carried by said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, such as a fir tree pin embedded in the mass of the structural or semi-structural element or carried by another structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0031] A second structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally comprises a structural or semi-structural assembly element as described above, the shank of which extends beyond the through hole of the element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally. The shank of the structural or semi-structural assembly element allows a fastening screw carried by the structural or semi-structural assembly element to engage with the dowel pin to cooperate with and secure the structural or semi-structural assembly thus formed.

[0032] In the context of certain applications, it is possible that structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials may be in the form of a structurally or semi-structurally assembled element of the structural and / or semi-structural double wall type, consisting of two structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials such as two sandwich structure panels for example, extending parallel to each other and assembled, to form the structural and / or semi-structural double wall element.

[0033] This structural and / or semi-structural element of the double wall type can thus be assembled on a second structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, just as two elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, but kept spaced apart from each other, can be assembled structurally or semi-structurally together on a third element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0034] To this end, advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention comprise an additional structural or semi-structural assembly element forming a spacer configured to extend between a first and a second structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials extending spaced apart and parallel to each other, and forming a first structural and / or semi-structural element made of double-walled structural and / or semi-structural composite materials P to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, said spacer comprising a shaft having at each end a flange intended to bear against faces opposite structural and / or semi-structural elements of composite materials extending spaced and parallel to each other, said shaft of said spacer being configured to be positioned at each end opposite a through hole provided in each of the structural and / or semi-structural elements of composite materials extending spaced and parallel to each other, the shaft of said spacer being further configured to receive engaged in it the shaft of a first structural or semi-structural assembly element.

[0035] Thus advantageously, a first structural or semi-structural assembly element has a shaft configured to be engaged in the through-hole of a first wall of the double-walled structural and / or semi-structural element, then in the shaft of the structural or semi-structural spacer, and then in the through-hole of the second wall of the double-walled structural and / or semi-structural element, and possibly protrude from said through-hole.

[0036] Such an embodiment of the means of structural or semi-structural assembly advantageously allows to structurally or semi-structurally in a simple and structural manner a structural or semi-structural element which may have a double wall structural and / or semi-structural structure to another structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0037] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element intended to be mounted on the second of the structural or semi-structural elements made of composite materials extending spaced and parallel to each other, the structural or semi-structural assembly element having a flange intended to extend against a face of said second structural or semi-structural element of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials extending spaced and parallel to each other, opposite face to that against which a flange of the spacer is intended to bear and a shaft configured to be fitted onto the shaft of the structural or semi-structural assembly element intended to be mounted on the first of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials extending spaced and parallel to each other.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the shaft configured to engage at one end of the shaft of said spacer and to protrude at the other end of the shaft of the spacer, and through a through hole in the second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials, have fastening means such as a threaded element configured to cooperate with fastening means of a second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally on the double-walled structural and / or semi-structural element.

[0039] Thus advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention allow a mechanically demountable structural or semi-structural assembly between two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, one of these structural and / or semi-structural elements being advantageously a double-walled structural and / or semi-structural element, each wall being made up, for example, of a sandwich-structure composite material panel.

[0040] By tightening the fastening means such as a screw, the structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, such as sandwich structure panels, are compressed, but this compression is controlled by the dimensions of the shoulders of the flanges and / or the centering and / or adjustment rings, allowing a distribution of the structural or semi-structural assembly-fastening stresses of the structural or semi-structural assembly, guaranteeing the strength and rigidity of the assemblies made.

[0041] Structural or semi-structural assembly means advantageously allow several structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, for example several panels, each having a structural or semi-structural assembly element placed on the structural or semi-structural assembly face of said structural or semi-structural element.

[0042] Advantageously, it can also be provided that the structural or semi-structural assembly elements are glued onto the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, thereby reinforcing the rigidity of the structural or semi-structural assembly but also the holding of the structural or semi-structural assembly elements on the elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, thus facilitating the structural or semi-structural assembly.

[0043] Even more advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly made with the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention is glued, using a structural or semi-structural adhesive material, interposed between the two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally and preferably reversible allowing for gluing and ungluing, and disassembly of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials.

[0044] Thus, the structural or semi-structural assembly means comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element made of adhesive material, configured to be interposed between the two structural or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, and respectively between the interfaces of the flanges and the two structural or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled. Advantageously, the adhesive material is a reversible structural or semi-structural adhesive material in the form of a film, a pad, a washer, or a double-sided adhesive material, carried by the structural or semi-structural assembly face of one or the other of the elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled.

[0045] Thus, this structural or semi-structural adhesive material is a reversible structural or semi-structural glue, that is to say that once the structural or semi-structural assembly has been glued, it has the characteristics of a structural or semi-structural glue, namely, that it is able to withstand high loads, dynamic or static, and allows the structural or semi-structural integrity of the surfaces of the assembled structural and / or semi-structural elements to be maintained, in particular under conditions of use under load in high temperature and saturated humidity.

[0046] Advantageously, the reversible structural or semi-structural adhesive material is chosen to be thermally mountable / dismountable. Even more advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means include heating means for activating the bonding and unbonding of the structural or semi-structural adhesive material.

[0047] These heating means consist of an electrical resistance heating disc for activating bonding and unbonding, comprising a support distributing structural or semi-structural bonding assembly stresses, a resistive heating element and, optionally, a thermally conductive element, said structural or semi-structural bonding assembly stress distribution support having electrical connection means for connecting electrical cables (6) and energizing the resistive heating element.

[0048] Thus, the heating means include an electrical resistance heating disc for activating bonding and debonding, comprising a support distributing structural or semi-structural assembly stresses by bonding, or the heating means include a resistive heating element and a thermally conductive element.

[0049] According to another variant, the heating means consist of an induction or RF heating disc.

[0050] Preferably, a single-component or two-component adhesive, with or without a primer, itself reversible or not, or with an active substrate, switchable by polarization, is used as a reversible structural or semi-structural adhesive material. The reversibility of bonding or unbonding of the adhesive material or structural or semi-structural primer is induced and controlled by functional additives, such as foaming agents, expanders, and oxidizers. Under a given thermal stress, these additives generate unbonding mechanisms through pore growth or by inducing internal stresses, crack initiation, and ruptures in the adhesive material or structural or semi-structural primer. The reversibility of bonding or unbonding of the adhesive material or structural or semi-structural primer can also be induced and controlled by the breakdown of chemical crosslinking bonds within the adhesive material or structural or semi-structural primer.

[0051] These heating means can be carried by one of the structural or semi-structural elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0052] The structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention thus make it possible to carry out structural or semi-structural assemblies in a way that is simple to implement either in a purely mechanical way or by combining mechanical structural or semi-structural assembly-fixing and gluing, offering a simple dismantling to implement in order to allow in particular the repair or replacement of one of the elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally and the dismantling of the primary and secondary structures at the end of their life or in the event of total damage in order to recycle the structural and / or semi-structural elements.

[0053] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention are usable in many technical fields using structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials that need to be assembled, such as aerospace, aeronautics, automotive, naval, wind, solar, furniture, logistics, building or others for which structures of more or less large size are made of composite materials.

[0054] Thus the invention also relates to a structural or semi-structural assembly comprising at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials assembled by structural or semi-structural assembly means as described above.

[0055] Advantageously, said structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials are structural and / or semi-structural elements defining a primary and / or secondary structure of a vehicle for the transport of persons and / or goods and / or services by land, air or water.

[0056] Advantageously, a primary and / or secondary structure is a motor vehicle structure, comprising a central structural module defining at least the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, two front and rear high-energy shock-absorbing structural modules, two front and rear medium- and low-energy shock-absorbing structural modules, said assembly means structural or semi-structural allowing to structurally or semi-structurally assemble structural and / or semi-structural elements of the same module together, and / or structural and / semi-structural elements belonging to different modules to structurally or semi-structurally assemble said modules.

[0057] Thus, advantageously, each of the structural modules defining the structure of the motor vehicle comprises structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials formed at least in part by structural or semi-structural assembly of said structural and / or semi-structural elements using structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention. Furthermore, the modules can be assembled to one another by structural or semi-structural assembly of some of their elements using the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention.

[0058] Advantageously, the motor vehicle structure thus offers the advantage of having a number of structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials which are in the form of five modules advantageously assembled using the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention, which makes it possible to limit manufacturing costs.

[0059] The composite materials constituting the structural and / or semi-structural elements of such a motor vehicle structure, such as panels, are a composite material having a sandwich structure consisting of a core and two outer skins. The core is preferably made of a plastic, metallic, or natural material in the form of foam, a honeycomb structure, or a solid. The outer skins are made of a polymer matrix composite reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers. All structural and / or semi-structural elements are preferably made of polymer matrix composite materials reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers. Other structural and / or semi-structural elements of the structure are made of a polymer matrix composite material reinforced with continuous or discontinuous fibers.

[0060] By vehicle structure, we mean all the elements which in a vehicle form a virtually undeformable central zone, namely the passenger compartment, and front and rear energy absorption zones which, by deforming, absorb a maximum of energy during frontal and rear impacts to protect the passenger compartment.

[0061] For side impacts, it is the central module that will absorb the resulting energy and prevent intrusion related to the impact, particularly at the level of the vital parts (head, neck, thorax, abdomen) of the occupants of the passenger compartment.

[0062] A motor vehicle structure is only one example of a structure that can be achieved by the structural or semi-structural assembly of structural and / or semi- structural composite materials with structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention, other types of structures for the transport of people and / or goods and / or services can be assembled in this way, for example in the aeronautical sector such as drones, aerospace, maritime or river transport.

[0063] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assemblies made with the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention can relate to structures in the field of wind energy, solar energy, furniture, logistics, building.

[0064] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings in which are shown: [Fig.1] a cross-sectional view of a structural or semi-structural assembly of two elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally by a first variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig.2] a cross-sectional view of a structural or semi-structural assembly of two elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally by a second variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig.3] a cross-sectional view of a structural or semi-structural assembly of two elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally by a third variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig.4] a cross-sectional view of the variant of [Fig.3]; [Fig.5] a cross-sectional view of a variant of [Fig.4]; [Fig.6] a fourth variant of the means of structural or semi-structural assembly according to the invention; [Fig.7] a cross-sectional view of a fifth variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig.8] a cross-sectional view of an example of a structural or semi-structural assembly; [Fig.9] an exploded perspective view from above of the [Fig.3] of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig. 10] an exploded perspective view from above of the [Fig. 3] of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention [Fig.1 1] an exploded perspective view from above of a sixth variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention; [Fig. 12] An exploded perspective view of an example of a structural or semi-structural assembly such as a structure for a motor vehicle [Fig. 13] A perspective view from above of a platform sub-module [Fig. 14] a rear perspective view of a structural partition element and a high-energy shock-absorbing module comprising structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention, and [Fig. 15] a rear perspective view according to [Fig. 14] showing the assembly of the half-arches.

[0065] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the structural or semi-structural assembly means 10 for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials PI, P2 to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled. These structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled are most often in the form of panels, flat or shaped, and are structurally or semi-structurally assembled to each other, each having a face intended to bear against a face of another element, these faces being called structural or semi-structural assembly faces.

[0066] These structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, respectively have a through hole and, engaged in it, at least one structural or semi-structural assembly element. Each structural or semi-structural assembly element includes a flange which, when the shaft is engaged in said through hole, extends against the face of the structural and / or semi-structural element opposite the structural or semi-structural assembly face, while the end of the shaft is flush, protrudes, or recessed, the value of which does not exceed the allowable compression ratio of the structural or semi-structural element on the assembly face.

[0067] The structural or semi-structural assembly means comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 intended to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials PI. This structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 comprises a flange 111 and a shaft 112 extending axially from a face of the flange 111. The shaft 112 is configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials PI, said flange 111 being intended to extend against a face Fl of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials PI, opposite the structural or semi-structural assembly face F2 of said element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, intended, for example, to bear against another structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials.

[0068] The structural or semi-structural assembly means 10 further comprise first fastening means 21 carried by this structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 and second fastening means 22 mounted on the second structural or semi-structural element in composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P2 and which are configured to cooperate with the first fastening means 21 to assemble structurally or semi-structurally said structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials PI, P2.

[0069] The structural or semi-structural assembly means 10 thus include a structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 intended to be mounted on the second structural or semi-structural composite material element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled P2. This structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 also includes a flange 131 comprising a shaft 132 open at both ends and extending axially from a face of the flange 131. The shaft 132 of said second structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 is configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the second structural or semi-structural composite material element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled P2 and extends at least along the entire length of the through hole.

[0070] The flange 131 is intended to extend against a face F3 of said second structural or semi-structural composite material element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P2, said face F3 being opposed to the structural or semi-structural assembly face F4 of said structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P2.

[0071] The second fastening means 22 mounted on said second structural or semi-structural composite material element P2 are configured to be housed in the shaft 132 of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 and to cooperate with the first fastening means 21 carried by said first structural or semi-structural assembly element 11.

[0072] The respective structural or semi-structural assembly faces F2, F4 of the elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled PI, P2 are placed against each other with the through holes of PI and P2 in correspondence.

[0073] The structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 has a shaft 112 configured to extend at least along the entire length of the through hole formed in said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials PI and preferably projecting from said through hole. The shaft 112 of said structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 is also configured to extend into the shaft 132 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element mounted on the second structural or semi-structural element to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled P2, so that the faces F2, F4 of structural or semi-structural assembly are in support against each other.

[0074] The structural or semi-structural assembly thus created is fixed by the cooperation of the fixing means 21 such as an element having a thread, housed at the end of the shaft 112, opposite the flange 111 and the complementary fixing means such as a screw engaged in the shaft 132 and screwed into the threaded element 21, the head of the screw resting against the flange 131, with a fixing washer 3 interposed, to distribute the stresses of the screw fixing assembly induced by the head of the screw 2. Once made, such disassembly is reversible by unscrewing the screw 22.

[0075] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the structural or semi-structural assembly means 100 comprise two structural or semi-structural assembly elements 11, 12 intended to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials P3, a first structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 being configured to be engaged, with its shaft 112 extending at least over the entire length of the through hole provided in the structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials P3 and its flange 111 being intended to extend against a face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials P3.

[0076] The shaft 122 of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element 12, open at both ends, is configured to be mounted in the same through hole of the first structural or semi-structural composite panel P3 with its flange 121 intended to extend on the opposite face, namely the structural or semi-structural assembly face of the first structural or semi-structural element in composite materials.

[0077] The shaft 122 of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element 12 is configured to be housed in said through hole with the shaft 111 of the first structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 engaged in said shaft 122.

[0078] The second structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P4 comprises a structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 as described previously, the shaft of which 132 projects from the through-hole of the structural or semi-structural assembly element P4. The shaft 112 of the first structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 projects from the structural or semi-structural assembly element P3 and is engageable in the shaft 132 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 mounted on the structural or semi-structural assembly element P4, while the shaft 132 is engageable between the shaft 112 and the shaft 122 of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element carried by the element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P3, as can be seen in [Fig.2],

[0079] The structural or semi-structural assembly element 12 forms a structural or semi-structural assembly element connecting the structural or semi-structural assembly elements 11 and 13.

[0080] A centering and compression stress control ring 7b is provided in the through hole of the structural or semi-structural element P3 to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally. In order to facilitate the centering and control of compression stresses of the structural and / or semi-structural elements, an adjustable centering and compression stress control ring 7a is provided in the through hole of a structural or semi-structural element P4, thus allowing for dimensional compensation in case of play between the structural and / or semi-structural elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0081] The two examples of structural or semi-structural assembly means 10, 100 thus allow for the creation of a structural or semi-structural assembly of two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled PI, P2, and P3, P4. This structural or semi-structural assembly provides a rigid, centered connection between the two structural and / or semi-structural elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled PI, P2, and P3, P4, while remaining reversible. One of the structural or semi-structural elements can be the "fixed" element onto which the other structural or semi-structural element, referred to as the "removable" element, can be mounted / dismounted.

[0082] According to the variant shown in [Fig.3], structural or semi-structural assembly means 101 include an additional structural or semi-structural assembly element forming a spacer 14. This spacer 14 is configured to extend between a first element and a second structural and / or semi-structural element made of composite materials P5, P6 which extend spaced apart and parallel to each other, which form the walls of a single first double-walled structural and / or semi-structural element P made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

[0083] The spacer 14 comprises a shaft 142 having at each end a flange 141 intended to bear against opposite faces of the structural and / or semi-structural walls P5, P6 extending at intervals and parallel to each other. The shaft 142 of said spacer 14 is configured to be positioned opposite a through-hole provided in each of the structural and / or semi-structural walls P5, P6. This shaft 142 is configured to house and structurally or semi-structurally guide the shaft 112 of a structural or semi-structural fastener 11 intended to be mounted on the first structural or semi-structural wall P5. Said fastener structural or semi-structural 11 has a flange 111 intended to extend against a face of the first structural or semi-structural wall P5, opposite the face against which a flange 141 of the spacer 14 is supported.

[0084] The structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 has a shaft 112 configured to engage through a through hole provided in the structural or semi-structural wall P5, then in the shaft 142 of said spacer 14, then projecting at the other end of the shaft 142 of the spacer 14, in the through hole of the second structural or semi-structural wall (P6).

[0085] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], a structural or semi-structural connecting element 12 is mounted on the second structural or semi-structural wall P5. This structural or semi-structural connecting element 12 has a flange 121 designed to extend against a face of said second structural or semi-structural wall P6, opposite the face against which a flange 141 of the strut 14 bears. Said structural or semi-structural connecting element 12 comprises a shaft 122 configured to be fitted onto the shaft 132 of the structural or semi-structural connecting element 13 mounted on the first structural or semi-structural wall P7.

[0086] The two structural and / or semi-structural walls P5 and P6 form a single structurally or semi-structurally assembled element P with a double structural and / or semi-structural wall, which can be structurally or semi-structurally assembled on another structural or semi-structural element P7 as in the previous example.

[0087] Figures 4 and 5 show variants of the structural or semi-structural assembly elements and the structural or semi-structural assembly means 101. Thus, it is possible to provide that the shaft 132 has a transverse retaining wall 133 with an opening and forming a recess engaged in the through opening, the screw 22 being able to engage through the opening of the retaining wall 133 while being concealed within the recess formed. As a result, the shaft 132 abuts against the flange 122 of the structural or semi-structural connecting assembly element 12, into the shaft 122 of which the end of the shaft 112 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 is engaged. This end of the shaft 112 includes a threaded hole 21 cooperating with the screw 22.

[0088] In [Fig. 5], structural or semi-structural assembly means 101' comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 which carries the screw 22 as a fastening means, while the structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 comprises the threaded element 21. This reversal of the structural or semi-structural fastening means thus makes it possible to use either 101' or the other 101 structural or semi-structural assembly means depending on accessibility to operate the screw and allow assembly and disassembly.

[0089] Figure 6 shows a variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means in which a structural or semi-structural connecting assembly element 11A is intended to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials P8a which may be a structural wall element.This structural or semi-structural assembly element 11A comprises a flange 111A intended to extend against the structural or semi-structural assembly face of said first structural or semi-structural composite material element P8a and a shaft 112A open at both ends and configured to be aligned with structural or semi-structural fastening means carried by said first structural or semi-structural composite material element P8a, such as a fir-tree pin 9 embedded in the mass of the structural or semi-structural element P8a or carried by a second structural or semi-structural element P8b to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally. The structural or semi-structural element P8b may be a beam or a stringer, for example, that can be assembled to the structural or semi-structural element P8a.

[0090] A third structural or semi-structural element P9 to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally comprises a structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 as described previously, the shaft of which 132 extends projecting from the through hole of the structural or semi-structural element P9 to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally. The shaft 112A of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 1IA allows a fixing screw 22 carried by the structural or semi-structural assembly element 13 to engage with the pin 9 to cooperate with and fix the structural or semi-structural assembly thus formed.

[0091] Figure 7 shows a variant of the structural or semi-structural assembly means 101, in which a structural or semi-structural assembly element 11 is engaged on the first wall of a double-walled structural or semi-structural element PI to protrude on the second structural or semi-structural wall P4, which does not have a structural or semi-structural connecting element 12.

[0092] Figure 8 shows a structural or semi-structural assembly variant in which a structural and / or semi-structural double-walled element P formed of a double wall P7 and P6 is structurally or semi-structurally assembled to two structural and / or semi-structural elements P101 and P102 which are assembled by a structural or semi-structural connecting assembly element 15, and preferably glued together, to form a structural and / or semi-structural element P10 reversibly fixed to the structural and / or semi-structural element P.

[0093] In order to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the structural or semi-structural assembly made with structural or semi-structural assembly means according to the invention, said structural or semi-structural assembly means further comprise an assembly element made of structural or semi-structural adhesive material 5, configured to be interposed between the two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, for example P3, P4 as shown in [Fig.2] or P, P7 as shown in [Fig.3],

[0094] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural adhesive material is also removable. This makes it possible to create structural or semi-structural assemblies that provide rigidity and mechanical strength to the assembled structures, while also allowing for maintenance operations that enable the structurally or semi-structurally assembled elements to be disassembled without causing their deterioration or destruction.

[0095] Advantageously, the structural or semi-structural adhesive material is thermally reversible. Thus, advantageously, the structural or semi-structural assembly means include heating means 4 for activating the structural or semi-structural adhesive material for its assembly or disassembly.

[0096] As can be seen in figures 9, 10 and 11, the structural or semi-structural assembly element in reversible adhesive material is in the form of a film, a pellet or washer, or a double-sided adhesive material 5 that can be engaged on the shaft 112 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 11, and is intended to be housed between the structural or semi-structural assembly faces of the elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally P3, P4 or P7, P.

[0097] The structural or semi-structural assembly means 100 shown in [Fig.2] and 101 shown in [Fig.3] include, as heating means 4, an electrical resistance heating disc 41.

[0098] In [Fig.9], this electrical resistance heating disc 41 comprises a support 42 for distributing the bonding assembly stresses and a resistive heating element 43 directly bearing on the adhesive material washer 5, said assembly stress distribution support 42 having electrical connection means 421 for connecting electrical cables 6 and energizing the resistive heating element 43. The electrical resistance heating disc 41 is in the form of a washer and is engaged on the shaft 112 of the assembly element, intended to be housed between the structural or semi-structural assembly faces of the structurally or semi-structurally assembled elements P4, P3 or P7, P and against the adhesive material washer 5.

[0099] The assembly means 101 shown in [Fig. 10] include in exploded view as heating means, an electrical resistance heating disc 41 comprising a bonding assembly stress-distributing support 42, a resistive heating element 43 and a thermally conductive element 44, promoting heat transfer to the adhesive material, said assembly stress-distributing support 42 comprising electrical connection means 421 for connecting electrical cables 6 and energizing the resistive heating element 43.The support 42, the resistive heating element 43 and the thermally conductive element 44 are in the form of a washer and are engaged on the shaft 112 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 11, and are intended to be housed between the structural and semi-structural assembly faces of the elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled P7, P and against the washer 5 made of adhesive material.

[0100] The structural and semi-structural assembly means 101 shown in [Fig.11] include as heating means (4) a heating disc (45) by induction or Radio Frequency (RF), in the form of a washer, engaged on the shaft 112 of the structural or semi-structural assembly element 11, and intended to be housed between the structural or semi-structural assembly faces of the structural and / or semi-structural elements to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally for example P7, P against a film, a pellet or washer, a double-sided material 5 made of adhesive material.

[0101] Thus, structural and / or semi-structural composite material elements can be structurally or semi-structurally assembled at least in part by said assembly means 10, 100, 101 but also by bonding to form a vehicle structure SV made up of several assembled modules, namely a central structural module MC defining the passenger compartment of a vehicle with its integrated and structurally and mechanically interfaced powertrains, two front and rear modules intended to absorb high energy shocks HE, and two front and rear BE medium and low energy shock absorption modules (see [Fig. 12])

[0102] The central structural module MC comprises a first structural platform sub-module constituting the lower part of the passenger compartment, and a second sub-module forming the upper and lateral parts of the passenger compartment.

[0103] Such a structural sub-module of the MP platform comprises a structural floor element 1010, a front structural partition element 1011 and a rear structural partition element 1012 and two structural support elements 1013, 1014 placed respectively at the front and rear of the structural floor element 1010 and intended to receive respectively front and rear powertrains of the vehicle (see [Fig. 13]).

[0104] The structural sub-module of the MP platform further includes half-arch shaped elements 61 which are positioned along the rear structural support element 1014 or front 1013 and against the rear structural partition element 1012 or front 1011, said elements 61 being complementary to also half-arch shaped elements 62 carried by the rear and front HE high energy shock absorber structural modules to form wheel arches when the rear / front HE high energy shock absorber module is placed around the rear / front structural support element 1014,1013 as will be described later.

[0105] The structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials constituting the structural panels PI, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P, etc., have a sandwich structure comprising a core 8 and two outer skins 9. The outer skins are made of a polymer matrix composite material reinforced by continuous or discontinuous fibers such as mineral fibers with a basalt base associated with a high-performance resin, while the core is preferably made of a plastic, metallic or natural material in the form of foam, alveolar structure or solid.

[0106] Such a composite material is therefore lighter, stronger, recyclable, and has optimal energy absorption. Furthermore, such a material is manufactured in such a way as to achieve interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the matrix, in order to maintain the integrity of the structures during the aging of the composites under temperature and humidity conditions.

[0107] At the front and rear ends of the structural floor element 1010 thus constituted, the front structural partition elements 1011 and rear 1012 are positioned.

[0108] The front structural partition element 1011 or rear 1012 comprises two composite material panels P5, P6 of the type already described above, extending apart from each other, preferably parallel to each other and forming a double-walled structural element P.

[0109] These structural bulkhead elements, front 1011 and rear 1012, therefore have a structure substantially similar to a double wall, comprising two composite panels made of sandwich-type composite materials such as that described above. These bulkhead elements (known by the English term "bulkhead") thus have a "double wall, double bulkhead" structure.

[0110] On this front partition 1011 of the central module MC, it is possible to structurally assemble front and rear modules intended to absorb high energy HE shocks, then two front and rear BE medium and low energy shock absorption modules.

[0111] Thus, to structurally assemble a front or rear HE module intended to absorb high-energy shocks, as can be seen in [Fig. 1 1], the following are used: assembly means 101 according to the variant described in [Fig.3], in which the assembly element forming a spacer 14 is housed between the two panels of the front partition 1011 or rear partition 1012. This partition 1011 or 1012 thus has two composite material panels forming the spaced composite material structural elements P5, P6 forming the double-walled structural element P. In [Fig.14], the assembly means 101 are, for clarity, shown on the HE module to indicate their locations.

[0112] The two HE front and rear modules of similar structure, thus comprise two lateral structural elements 110, in the form of panels, extending parallel to each other and connected to each other by a front / rear structural frame 121, 111 at each end of the lateral structural elements 110. The structural frame 111 is intended to extend to the front of the front bulkhead 1011 and forms the second element to be structurally assembled P7.

[0113] As can be seen in [Fig. 14], through holes O are provided in the structural frame 111 forming the structurally assembled element P7 and in the structural rear partition to be structurally assembled, consisting of the two walls P5, P6 of the structural and / or semi-structural double wall partition P, the strut-forming element 14 extending between the walls P5, P6.

[0114] This assembly is reversibly made by the assembly means 101, which allows easy dismantling of said front or rear HE module intended to absorb high energy shocks.

[0115] It is also possible to use these assembly means 101 to allow the assembly on the central module MC of half-arch shaped shock-absorbing elements 61 positioned against the rear structural partition element 1012 or front 1011 along the front structural support element 1013. These elements 61 are complementary to half-arch shaped shock-absorbing elements 62 carried by the HE module intended to absorb high-energy shocks, said elements 61, 62 being complementary and assembleable by assembly means 10, 100 according to the invention to form wheel arches when the rear structural shock-absorbing module HE is fitted onto the front structural support element 1013 (see [Fig. 15]).

[0116] These assemblies include assembly means provided with structural or semi-structural adhesive material that can be glued and detached by heating.

[0117] List of references: PI P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8a P8b P9 P10 P structural or semi-structural element 10, 100, 101 structural or semi-structural assembly means 11 12 13 structural or semi-structural assembly element 14 assembly element forming a spacer 111 121 131 141 flask 112 122 132 142 barrel 21 threaded element 22 screws 3 fixing washers 4 heating methods 41 heating disc by electrical resistance 42 support stress distributor for bonded assembly 43 resistive heating element 44 thermally conductive element 45 induction or Radio Frequency (RF) heating disc 421 means of electrical connection 5 structural adhesive material 6 electrical cable SV vehicle structure MC central module HE module designed to absorb high-energy shocks BE module designed to absorb medium and low energy shocks MB platform module 1011 front structural partition element 1012 rear structural bulkhead element 1013 front structural support element 1014 rear structural support element 111a structural framework 121a structural framework 61 half-arche-shaped element 62 half-arche-shaped element 7a, 7b rings 8 souls 9 outer skin

Claims

1.

2. Demands Structural or semi-structural assembly means for structurally or semi-structurally assembling at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, characterized in that they comprise at least: a structural or semi-structural assembly element (11, 11A) intended to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P, PI, P3, P8a) to be assembled, comprising a flange (111, 11IA) and a shaft (112, 112A) extending axially from the flange (111, 11IA), the shaft (112, 112A) of said structural or semi-structural assembly element (11, 11A) being configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P, PI, P3, P8a), said flange (111, 11IA) being intended to extend against a face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P, PI, P3, P8a), said assembly means structural or semi-structural including further means of fixing (21; 22) associated with said structural or semi-structural assembly element (11, 11 A),configured to cooperate with complementary fastening means associated with a second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P2, P4, P7, P9, P10) to be assembled. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 1, characterized in that they further comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element (13) intended to be mounted on the second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled, comprising a flange (131) comprising a shaft (132) open at both ends, extending axially from a face of the flange (131), the shaft (132) of said second structural or semi-structural assembly element (13) being configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in the second structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P2, P4, P7, P9, P10).P10) and extend at least along the entire length of the through orifice while said flange (131) is intended to extend against a face of said second structural or semi-structural element in composite materials (P2), the fastening means (22; 21), associated with said second structural or semi-structural composite material element (P2) being configured to be housed in the shaft (132) of the second structural or semi-structural assembly element (13) and to cooperate with the fastening means (21; 22) associated with said first structural or semi-structural assembly element (11).

3. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means consist of a threaded element (21) mounted in the shank (112, 132) of one of the assembly elements (11, 13), such as at the end of the shank (112, 132) of said assembly element (11, 13), and a screw (22) configured to cooperate with the threaded element (21) and mounted in the shank (132, 112) of the other assembly element (13, 11).

4. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fastening means such as the threaded element (21) and the screw (22) are made of metal or carbon or other high-performance fibrous reinforcements.

5. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that they comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element (12) intended to be mounted on the first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (PI) which comprises a flange (121) intended to extend against a so-called structural or semi-structural assembly face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (PI) and a shaft (122) open at both ends, said structural or semi-structural assembly element forming a structural or semi-structural connecting assembly element, the shaft of which is configured to be inserted into the through hole, fitted onto and around the end of the shaft (111) of the first structural or semi-structural assembly element (11).

6. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a structural or semi-structural assembly element (11, 12, 13), thus forming an insert intended to be mounted on structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, has a shaft (112, 122, 132) configured to extend at least partially along the through-hole in which It is configured to fit either all along the through-hole, or even to protrude from said through-hole.

7. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that an assembly element (1 IA) configured to be mounted on a first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P8a), comprises a flange (11 IA) intended to extend against a face said to be a structural or semi-structural assembly face of said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P8a) and a shaft (112A) open at its two ends and configured to be aligned with fastening means carried by said first structural or semi-structural element made of composite materials (P8a), such as a fir tree pin (9) embedded in the mass of the structural or semi-structural element or carried by another structural or semi-structural element to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally.

8. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that they comprise an additional structural or semi-structural assembly element forming a spacer (14) configured to extend between a first and a second structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials (P5, P6) extending spaced apart and parallel to each other, and forming a first structural and / or semi-structural element made of double-walled structural and / or semi-structural composite materials (P) to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally, said spacer (14) comprising a shaft (142) having at each end a flange (141) intended to bear against opposite faces of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials (P5, P6) extending spaced apart and parallel to each other,said shaft (142) of said spacer (14) being configured to be positioned at each end opposite a through hole formed in each of the structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials (P5, P6) extending spaced apart and parallel to each other, the shaft (142) of said spacer (14) being further configured to receive engaged within it the shaft of a first structural or semi-structural assembly element.

9. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the assembly elements structural or semi-structural components with a flange and a shaft are made of composite materials of the thermoplastic type, reinforced by continuous or discontinuous fibers.

10. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that they comprise a structural or semi-structural assembly element made of adhesive material, configured to be interposed between the two structural or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally (PI, P2) and respectively between the interfaces of the flanges (111, 131) and the two structural or semi-structural elements made of composite materials to be assembled structurally or semi-structurally (PI, P2).

11. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 10, characterized in that the adhesive material is a reversible structural or semi-structural adhesive material in the form of a film, a pellet, a washer (5), a double-sided adhesive material, carried by the structural or semi-structural assembly face of either of the elements to be structurally or semi-structurally assembled.

12. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 11, characterized in that the reversible structural or semi-structural adhesive material is chosen to be thermally mountable / dismountable.

13. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 12, characterized in that they comprise heating means (4) for activating the assembly or disassembly of the structural or semi-structural adhesive material.

14. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 13, characterized in that the heating means (4) consist of an electrical resistance heating disc for activating bonding and debonding (41), comprising a support (42) for distributing structural or semi-structural assembly stresses by bonding, a resistive heating element (43) and, optionally, a thermally conductive element (44), said support (42) for distributing structural or semi-structural assembly stresses comprising electrical connection means (421) to connect electrical cables (6) and to energize the resistive heating element (43).

15. Structural or semi-structural assembly means according to claim 13, characterized in that the heating means (4) consist of a heating disc (45) by induction or RF.

16. Structural or semi-structural assembly comprising at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials, characterized in that the at least two structural and / or semi-structural elements made of composite materials are assembled by assembly means according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. Structural or semi-structural assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that said structural and / or semi-structural elements in composite materials are structural and / or semi-structural elements defining a primary and / or secondary structure of a land, sea, air, space transport vehicle.

18. Structural or semi-structural assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that the primary and / or secondary structure is a motor vehicle structure, comprising a central structural module (CSM) defining at least the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, two front and rear high energy (HE) shock absorption structural modules, two front and rear medium and low energy (BE) shock absorption structural modules, said structural or semi-structural assembly means allowing structural or semi-structural assembly of structural and / or semi-structural elements of the same module together, and / or structural and / or semi-structural elements belonging to different modules to structurally or semi-structurally assemble said modules.