Part locking mechanism for vibration welding

Abstract

Vibration Welding Mechanism for Portions of a Part The invention relates to a vibration welding device (1) between, on the one hand, a first part (2) made from a rigid structural trim of a vehicle passenger compartment (2) and, on the other hand, a second part (3) formed by at least one airbag flap support (31) and a frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice, characterized in that the device comprises: a first gripping mechanism (12) for the first part (2), a second gripping mechanism (13) for positioning at least one surface of this second part (3) against the surface of the first part (2), this mechanism (13) allowing the position of the flap support (31) to be locked relative to the frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice, a motor mechanism associated with each of the gripping interfaces (12,13) operating a vibratory displacement of the first gripping mechanism (12) relative to the second gripping mechanism (13). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig.1,

Description

Title of the invention: Mechanism for locking portions of a workpiece for vibration welding

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of assembling the airbag channel of a vehicle to the rigid structural trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment, and more particularly to the assembly of the portion of the channel carrying the airbag flap support with the deep surface of the rigid structural trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0002] In the context of integrating an airbag deployment channel into a vehicle, the outer portion of the channel, which forms the ejection opening through which the airbag is ejected, is mounted and fixed to the surface of a component within the vehicle's passenger compartment, such as, for example, a dashboard, a part of the steering wheel, or a side panel of the passenger compartment, intended to serve as a cover for this ejection opening. This outer portion of the channel generally forms a frame that surrounds the periphery of the airbag ejection opening and also includes one or more removable flap supports, secured by their respective hinges. The peripheral frame and the flap supports are then assembled with a specific portion of the inner surface of the vehicle's structural trim.

[0003] In this assembly, the precise positioning of the orifice frame and the flap supports is essential in the construction of the airbag flaps. Indeed, the dedicated portion of the structural trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment has a weakening, for example in the form of a line of material thickness reduction obtained, for example, by laser projection, milling or notching with a blade, to allow, in conjunction with the airbag channel flap support(s), on the one hand, the sealing of the airbag channel ejection orifice and, on the other hand, a facilitated and clean tear under the effect of the pressure exerted by the deploying airbag.Therefore, the positioning of the orifice frame and flap supports opposite this weakened portion of the structural lining of the passenger compartment is an imperative condition to guarantee efficient opening of the ejection orifice and smooth deployment of the airbag, thus ensuring high-quality protection for vehicle occupants in the event of an accident.

[0004] In addition to the precise positioning of the opening frame and the flap supports during their assembly with the structural trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment, it is essential that the fastening of these parts to each other be sufficiently robust and resistant to prevent any risk of detachment, particularly in the event of opening of the airbag channel and airbag deployment. To do this, according to certain operating methods, the assembly of the outer part of the channel which creates the ejection opening with the structural trim of the passenger compartment involves vibration welding, a technology which has a significant energy advantage. This process relies on the vibratory displacement of one part against another in a linear motion, so that the generated heat allows for controlled melting of the material on the friction surfaces. In the specific case of assembling the vent frame and the flap supports, the relative positions of the vent's peripheral frame and the flap support(s) must be strictly maintained despite the flexibility of the hinges. Indeed, the structural weaknesses in the passenger compartment lining are distributed to be located opposite the hinges, the periphery of the flap supports, and the inner edge of the frame. The application of vibration welding technology is therefore likely to cause a relative displacement of a flap support with respect to the peripheral frame.This change in the relative position of the flap supports with respect to the frame easily leads to a deterioration in the quality of the positioning and attachment of these elements in relation to the areas of weakness in the structural lining of the passenger compartment. To overcome this difficulty, the part that forms the frame and the flap supports is molded with point connections forming bridges between the peripheral edge of the flap supports and the inner edge of the frame. However, it should be noted that this technical solution relies on co-molded connections between the frame and the flap supports, such that these connections form mechanical structures designed to break when the airbag channel opens. These connections thus create additional stresses that can impair the quality of the airbag flap pivoting and the smoothness of the airbag deployment.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution which allows a qualitative assembly of an airbag orifice frame and its flap supports with the structural trim of the passenger compartment intended to close the airbag channel by implementing vibration welding technology while allowing the relative positions of the frame and flap supports to be maintained during this fixing.

[0006] The invention relates to a vibration welding device between, on the one hand, a first part made from a rigid structural trim of a vehicle passenger compartment and, on the other hand, a second part formed by at least one airbag flap support and a portion of the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice surrounding this flap support, characterized in that the device comprises: - a first gripping mechanism for the first part, made from a rigid structural lining of a vehicle's passenger compartment, - a second gripping mechanism for the second part forming the airbag flap support and the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice, and for pressurizing at least one surface of this second part against the surface of the first part, the second gripping mechanism comprising at least one interface for locking the position of the airbag flap support relative to at least the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice, - a motor mechanism associated with each of the gripping interfaces operating a vibratory displacement of the first gripping mechanism relative to the second gripping mechanism 1 so as to produce a vibration of the surface of one of the two parts against the surface of the second part.

[0007] The invention also relates to a method for implementing a welding device according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises: - a gripping step of the first part carried out by a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment, - a gripping step of the second part forming the airbag flap support and the airbag channel orifice frame by inserting at least one relief carried by each of the portions of the locking interface of the second gripping mechanism, on the one hand, at the level of the material of the airbag flap support and, on the other hand, at the level of the material of the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice, - a positioning step of the second part forming the airbag flap support and the peripheral frame of the airbag channel opening against the first part made of a rigid structural trim of the vehicle passenger compartment, - a step of vibratory movement of the first part forming the airbag flap support and the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice relative to the first part made by a rigid structural trim of the vehicle interior so that the airbag flap support and the peripheral frame of the airbag channel orifice remain immobile in relative positions to each other.

[0008] The invention further relates to a product obtained by the process according to the invention, the product comprising at least: - a first component made from a rigid structural lining of a vehicle's passenger compartment, - a second part forming an airbag flap support and a frame for the airbag channel opening, so that the first piece and the second piece are welded together, characterized in that, at the level of the second piece, the junction between the airbag flap support and the frame of the airbag channel orifice is made only by one or more portions of materials intended for making hinges of the airbag flap support with respect to the frame of the airbag channel orifice.

[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0010] [Fig-1] represents a schematic illustration of an example of kinematics of the operation of a vibration welding device according to the invention,

[0011] [Fig.2] represents a schematic illustration of a first example of an element structural element with raised features for the creation of a portion of the locking interface,

[0012] [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration of a second example of an element structural bearing reliefs for the realization of a portion of the locking interface.

[0013] It should be noted that, in this document, the term "flap support" may also refer to a structure known as a "counter flap." In each case, this refers to a portion of the airbag channel and hinge molding or a structure co-molded with this airbag channel or these hinges of the final flap. The final flap is thus formed by assembling, on the one hand, the flap support or counter flap with, on the other hand, a portion of the rigid structural passenger compartment trim.

[0014] The invention relates to a vibration welding device 1 between, on the one hand, a first part 2 made from a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment 2 and, on the other hand, a second part 3 formed by at least one airbag flap support 31 and a portion of the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel opening surrounding this flap support 31, characterized in that the device comprises: - a first gripping mechanism 12 of the first part 2 made by a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment 2, - a second gripping mechanism 13 for the second part 3 forming the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice, and for pressurizing at least one surface of this second part 3 against the surface of the first part 2, the second gripping mechanism 13 comprising at least one locking interface 134 for the position of the airbag flap support 31 relative to at least the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice, - a motor mechanism associated with each of the gripping interfaces 12, 13 operating a vibratory displacement of the first gripping mechanism 12 relative to the second gripping mechanism 13 so as to produce a vibration of the surface of one of the two parts 2, 3 against the surface of the second of the parts 2, 3.

[0015] The welding device 1 of the invention is thus configured to implement a vibratory displacement of the two parts 2, 3 bearing against each other while maintaining the relative positions of the various sub-parts of the second part 3 with respect to each other, at least during the vibratory phenomenon. The welding device 1 therefore incorporates a locking interface 134 which makes it possible to maintain the positions of the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice relative to each other. This locking interface 134 is configured to interact with at least one surface or portion of a surface of each of the sub-parts of the second part 3 so that during the implementation of the vibratory displacement of one of the two parts 2, 3 against the other, the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice remain strictly in position relative to each other.The locking interface 134 is thus integrated into the welding device 1 of the invention, or preferably into the second gripping mechanism 13, so as to be fixed in motion with the second gripping mechanism 13 during the vibratory movement stage of the welding. This locking interface 134 is configured to fix the various sub-parts of the second part 3 with the second gripping mechanism 13 prior to the initiation of the vibratory movement, so as to lock the respective positions of these different sub-parts relative to each other during the vibratory movement stage of the welding. Furthermore, any gaps created between the sub-parts during the production of the second part 3 are maintained during the vibratory stage so that the second part 3 does not undergo any deformation of its structure during welding by the device of the invention.The gaps created, for example, between the peripheral edge of the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel opening or a second airbag flap support during the production of the second part 3, and intended to be positioned opposite specific weakening lines, thus do not allow any unwanted deformation during vibration welding. The dimensions and arrangement of these gaps remain unchanged to allow the attachment of the second part 3 to the first part 2 in a position predetermined during the design and production of this second part 3.

[0016] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, the locking interface 134 of the second gripping mechanism 13 comprises at least two portions, a first portion 1341 being configured to be positioned against a surface of the airbag flap support 31 and a second portion 1342 being configured to be positioned against a surface of the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice, each of the at least two portions 1341, 1342 comprising at least one relief 1343 configured to be inserted into the material of the second part 3 forming the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice. According to this construction variant, the locking interface 134 maintains the position of the various sub-parts of the second part 3 by means of an anchoring mechanism that penetrates the material of the second part 3.The anchoring is thus achieved by means of dedicated ridges 1343 carried on each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134. This anchoring mechanism can be configured to benefit from the pressure exerted on the surfaces of the two parts 2, 3 against each other by the two gripping mechanisms 12, 13 during the vibration welding operation. Indeed, the insertion of a ridge 1343 into the material of the second part 3 is facilitated by the locking of part 3 in position by the gripping mechanism 13 and / or by the positioning of part 3 against a substantially complementary surface. This substantially complementary surface is likely to correspond to a surface which carries the second piece 3 before it is grasped by the dedicated grasping mechanism 13 so that the insertion of the reliefs 1343 into the material of the second piece 3 takes place at the moment of grasping this second piece 3.Alternatively, this substantially complementary surface may correspond to the surface of the first part 2, such that the insertion of the reliefs 1343 into the material of the second part 3 occurs when the surfaces of parts 2 and 3, intended to be vibrated welded, are brought into contact. The insertion of the reliefs 1343 into the material of the second part 3 is thus carried out prior to the vibratory movement of the two parts 2 and 3 relative to each other. The insertion of the reliefs 1343 into the material is preferably carried out along an axis including a component orthogonal to the plane of the vibratory displacement performed during the welding step by the device.This angle of insertion and position of the reliefs 1343 in the material of the second part 3 and more particularly of each of the sub-parts of the second part 3 which are in particular the support of the airbag flap 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice, thus makes it possible to operate an anchoring of each of these sub-parts 31, 32 with the gripping mechanism 13 so that these sub-parts 31, 32 are locked in position with the gripping mechanism 13 and do not make any movement one by one. relation to the other during the stage of setting into vibratory movements, despite the efforts and constraints they bear. Also, during the vibratory movement that allows the welding of the first part 2 to the second part 3, the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice of the second part 3 are joined and locked in their respective positions relative to each other against any unwanted displacements, firstly, along an axis orthogonal to the vibration plane, between the first part 2 and the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 of the second gripping mechanism 13 and, secondly, in the vibration plane, by the raised features 1343 of each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 inserted into the material of each of the sub-parts 31, 32 of the second part 3, namely the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the channel orifice of airbag.

[0017] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, which can be combined with the variant detailed above, the locking interface 134 of the second gripping mechanism 13 comprises, on the one hand, several portions 1341, 1342 configured to be positioned against a surface of the airbag flap support 31 and, on the other hand, several portions 1341, 1342 configured to be positioned against a surface of the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice. Each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 thus provides a point anchoring interface for the locking interface 134 on the surface of the second part 3.Increasing the number of portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 for interacting with each of the sub-parts 31, 32 of the second part 3—namely, the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel opening—optimizes the locking of the relative positions of these different sub-parts 31, 32. Preferably, the distribution of these portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 on the surfaces of the second gripping mechanism 13, intended to interact with each of the sub-parts 31, 32 of the second part 3, is designed to be substantially homogeneous. A homogeneous distribution of these portions 1341, 1342 thus allows several anchorings to be carried out with each of the sub-parts 31, 32 of the second part 3 so that the locking interface 134 is able to operate a more effective locking of the position of the different sub-parts 31, 32.Indeed, since portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 are likely to have the form of localized anchor points, a multiplication of these anchor points with a homogeneous distribution of them on the respective surfaces of each of the sub-parts 31, 32 of the second part 3 allows, on the one hand, to multiply the locking points of the airbag flap support 31 and of the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice by the locking interface 134 and, . Furthermore, this locking mechanism is implemented at various points on these sub-parts 31 and 32 so that the positional locking of these sub-parts 31 and 32 is effective across all of these structures, thereby limiting, or even eliminating, the risk of pivoting of these sub-parts 31 and 32 within the vibration plane. Such pivoting would be more likely to occur with a locking mechanism that uses a single, point-based anchoring of a sub-part 31 or 32 by a single portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134.

[0018] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, which can be combined with either of the variants detailed above, the locking interface 134 also includes at least a third portion configured to be positioned against a surface of a second airbag flap support of the second part 3. This at least third portion also includes at least one relief 1343 configured to be inserted into the material of the second part 3, forming several airbag flap supports 31 and the frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice. It should be noted that the number of portions of the locking interface 134 intended to lock the position of the second airbag flap support is substantially similar to that of the first airbag flap support 31.The number of portions of the locking interface 134 is also likely to be similar in proportion to the surface area of ​​the flap support. The characteristics of the portions of the locking interface 134 intended to interact with the second airbag flap support are preferably similar, or even identical, to those of the portions of the locking interface 134 intended to interact with the first airbag flap support 31. It should be noted that the locking interface 134 is also likely to be adapted to incorporate additional and / or complementary portions configured to be positioned against the surfaces of one or more additional sub-parts of the second part 3, these additional sub-parts being likely to correspond to other airbag flap supports depending on the envisaged configuration of the sealing and opening of the airbag channel.

[0019] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, which can be combined with either of the variants detailed above, at least one relief 1343 of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 has a planar arrangement inclined relative to the axis of vibratory displacement of the gripping interfaces 12, 13. The creation of a relief 1343 with a planar arrangement makes it possible to adopt a shape with the properties of a blade, that is, a relief shape that is able to be easily inserted into the material, in this case along an insertion axis contained in the plane of the relief 1343, while exhibiting, once inserted, a large flat surface of interaction with the material which opposes a displacement of the relief 1343 relative to the material of the second part 3, in this case essentially a translation of this relief 1343 along an axis of the vibratory plane including a component orthogonal to the plane of the relief 1343. It should be noted that the larger the flat surface of the relief 1343 and the more the relief 1343 is able to limit, or even prevent, a displacement by pivoting of the part 3 in the vibratory plane.

[0020] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, which can be combined with either of the variants detailed above, at least one relief 1343 of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 has an arrangement that includes an acute angle. Such an arrangement, in which the angular part of the relief 1343 forms a projecting point oriented towards the surface of material intended to receive the insertion, facilitates the insertion of the relief 1343 into the material of the second part 3.

[0021] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention, which can be combined with either of the variants detailed above, at least one relief 1343 of each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 is formed by at least two reliefs 1343 arranged in respective intersecting planes. Such a construction of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 makes it possible to obtain reliefs 1343 arranged to oppose translations in the vibration plane of the part 3 receiving the insertion relative to the locking interface 134, and thus to allow this part 3 to be locked in position. Since the planes of at least two reliefs 1343 are intersecting each other, these reliefs 1343 are able to cooperate to allow a blocking of movement, in particular a blocking of translation, in the whole of the vibratory plane.Indeed, the intersecting arrangement of the respective planes of each of the reliefs 1343 ensures the presence of the plane of at least one of the two reliefs inserted 1343 in the material to oppose a translation of the part 3 relative to the reliefs 1343 inserted in the portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 and thus block the movement of the part 3 relative to this locking interface 134. It should also be noted that the multiplication of planar reliefs 1343 inserted in the material of the part 3 and distributed in a substantially homogeneous way over the entire interaction surface with the part 3 makes it easier to block any possible movement of this part 3 by pivoting in the vibrating plane.

[0022] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention capable of being combined with either of the variants detailed above, at least one relief 1343 of each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 is formed by four reliefs 1343 respectively arranged, on the one hand, in a plane substantially parallel to that of one of the other reliefs 1343 and, on the other hand, in a plane substantially orthogonal to the respective planes of two other reliefs 1343. This construction allows the realization of portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 configured to optimize the locking in position of the sub-part 31, 32 of the part 3 which receives the insertion with the locking interface 134. The positioning of reliefs 1343 in intersecting planes makes it possible to oppose any translation of the sub-part 31, 32 of the part 3 in the vibration plane. Furthermore, the arrangement comprising pairs of reliefs 1343 arranged in parallel planes allows for reinforced holding and locking of the position of subpart 31, 32 of part 3 associated with portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134.As an example of construction, these four reliefs 1343 of portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 are arranged in a cross such that each axis of the cross is formed by a pair of aligned reliefs 1343. Alternatively, the four reliefs 1343 of portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 are arranged to form a rectangle or a square such that each of the reliefs 1343 is aligned with the side of this rectangle or square.

[0023] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention capable of being combined with either of the variants detailed above, at least a portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 is made by a structural element removably mounted on the second gripping mechanism 13. According to this construction variant, the structural element has, on the one hand, at least one surface which carries at least one relief 1343 intended to be inserted into the material of the part 3 to be held in position and, on the other hand, an interface arranged to cooperate with a complementary interface of the second gripping mechanism 13. The removable mounting of the structural element on the second gripping mechanism 13 makes it possible to easily replace the reliefs 1343 which participate in the anchoring when they are no longer sufficiently functional, in the event of wear or breakage.This replacement of the reliefs 1343 is thus likely to be carried out at the level of the relevant portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 without it being necessary to replace the entire surface of the second gripping mechanism 13. .

[0024] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention capable of being combined with the variant detailed above, the structural element that forms a portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 comprises, on the one hand, a head that carries at least one relief 1343 and, on the other hand, a threaded portion intended to interact with a complementary interface of a surface of the second gripping mechanism 13. As In one construction example, this threaded portion is formed by a threaded rod configured to cooperate with a threaded hole whose orifice is positioned at the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13. According to an alternative construction example, this threaded portion is formed by a bolt and configured to cooperate with a threaded rod carried by the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13. The installation or replacement of a portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 is then carried out without difficulty by screwing / unscrewing the structural element whose head includes at least one relief 1343 of the complementary interface carried by the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13.

[0025] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the welding device 1 of the invention capable of being combined with the variant detailed above, the second gripping mechanism 13 comprises at least one housing 14 having an opening in the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13. This housing 14 is arranged with dimensions complementary to or slightly larger than those of the head of at least one portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 having at least one relief 1343. The bottom of this housing 14 also comprises a threaded hole for cooperating with a threaded portion associated with the head of at least one portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134.Also, the cooperation of the threaded portion of a portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 with this threaded hole allows the positioning of the head of the corresponding portion 1341, 1342 level with the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13, so that only at least one relief 1343 of the head of the portion 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 protrudes from the surface of the second gripping mechanism 13.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for implementing a welding device 1 according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises: - a gripping step of the first part 2 carried out by a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment 2, - a gripping step of the second part 3 forming the airbag flap support 31 and the frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice by inserting at least one relief 1343 carried by each of the portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 of the second gripping mechanism 13, on the one hand, at the level of the material of the airbag flap support 31 and, on the other hand, at the level of the material of the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice, - a positioning step of the second part 3 forming the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice against the first part 2 made by a rigid structural trim of the vehicle passenger compartment, - a step of vibratory movement of the first part 2 forming the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice relative to the first part 2 made by a rigid structural trim of vehicle interior so that the airbag flap support 31 and the peripheral frame 32 of the airbag channel orifice remain immobile in relative positions with respect to each other.

[0027] After vibration welding of the first part 2 to the second part 3, the gripping mechanisms 12, 13 release each of the parts 2, 3 concerned. In the case of the second part 3, the withdrawal from the material of the second part 3 by at least one relief 1343 of the different portions 1341, 1342 of the locking interface 134 of the second gripping mechanism 13 results in leaving residual insertion marks in the material which correspond to orifices of shapes substantially complementary to each of the at least one relief 1343.

[0028] The invention also relates to a product obtained by the process according to the invention, the product comprising at least: - a first part 2 made from a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment 2, - a second part 3 forming a support for the airbag flap 31 and a frame 32 for the airbag channel opening, such that the first part 2 and the second part 3 are welded together, characterized in that, at the level of the second part 3, the junction between the airbag flap support 31 and the frame 32 of the airbag channel opening is made solely by one or more portions of material intended to form hinges of the airbag flap support 31 with respect to the frame 32 of the airbag channel opening. This junction between the airbag flap support 31 and the frame 32 is thus achieved without the presence of point joining elements forming bridges by a continuity of material between the peripheral edge of the flap supports 31 and the inner edge of the frame 32.

[0029] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Vibration welding device (1) between, on the one hand, a first part (2) made from a rigid structural trim of a vehicle passenger compartment (2) and, on the other hand, a second part (3) formed by at least one airbag flap support (31) and a portion of the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel opening surrounding this flap support (31), characterized in that the device comprises: - a first gripping mechanism (12) for the first part (2) made by a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment (2), - a second gripping mechanism (13) for the second part (3) forming the airbag flap support (31) and the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice, and for pressurizing at least one surface of this second part (3) against the surface of the first part (2), the second gripping mechanism (13) comprising at least one locking interface (134) for the position of the airbag flap support (31) relative to at least the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice, - a motor mechanism associated with each of the gripping interfaces (12, 13) operating a vibratory displacement of the first gripping mechanism (12) relative to the second gripping mechanism (13) so as to produce a vibration of the surface of one of the first of the two parts (2, 3) against the surface of the second of the parts (2, 3).

2. Welding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking interface (134) of the second gripping mechanism (13) comprises at least two portions, a first portion (1341) being configured to be positioned against a surface of the airbag flap support (31) and a second portion (1342) being configured to be positioned against a surface of the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice, each of the at least two portions (1341, 1342) comprising at least one relief (1343) configured to be inserted into the material of the second part (3) forming the airbag flap support (31) and the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice.

3. Welding device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking interface (134) of the second gripping mechanism (13) comprises, on the one hand, several portions (1341, 1342) configured to be positioned against a surface of the airbag flap support (31) and, on the other hand, several portions (1341, 1342) configured to be positioned against a surface of the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice.

4. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking interface (134) also includes at least a third portion configured to be positioned against a surface of a second airbag flap support of the second part (3), this at least a third portion also including at least one relief (1343) configured to be inserted into the material of the second part (3) forming several airbag flap supports (31) and the frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice.

5. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one relief (1343) of the portions (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) has a planar arrangement disposed at an inclination with respect to the axis of vibratory displacement of the gripping interfaces (12, 13).

6. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one relief (1343) of the portions (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) has an arrangement which includes an acute angle.

7. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one relief (1343) of each of the portions (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) is made by at least two reliefs (1343) arranged in respective planes intersecting each other.

8. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one relief (1343) of each of the portions (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) is made by four reliefs (1343) respectively arranged, on the one hand, in a plane substantially parallel to that of one of the other reliefs (1343) and, on the other hand, in a plane substantially orthogonal to the respective planes of two other reliefs (1343).

9. Welding device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least a portion (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) is made by a structural element mounted removably on the second gripping mechanism (13).

10. Welding device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the structural element which makes a portion (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) comprises, on the one hand, a head which has at least one relief (1343) and, on the other hand, a threaded portion intended to interact with a complementary interface of a surface of the second gripping mechanism (13).

11. A method for implementing a welding device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the method comprises: - a gripping step of the first part (2) made by a rigid structural trim of a vehicle passenger compartment (2), - a gripping step of the second part (3) forming the airbag flap support (31) and the frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice by inserting at least one relief (1343) carried by each of the portions (1341, 1342) of the locking interface (134) of the second gripping mechanism (13), on the one hand, at the level of the material of the airbag flap support (31) and, on the other hand, at the level of the material of the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice,- a step of positioning the second part (3) forming the airbag flap support (31) and the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel opening against the first part (2) made of a rigid structural trim of the vehicle interior, - a step of vibrating the first part (2) forming the airbag flap support (31) and the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel opening relative to the first part (2) made of a rigid structural trim of the vehicle interior such that the airbag flap support (31) and the peripheral frame (32) of the airbag channel opening remain stationary in their relative positions.

12. Product obtained by a process according to claim 11, the product comprising at least: - a first part (2) made from a rigid structural lining of a vehicle passenger compartment (2), - a second part (3) forming a support for the airbag flap (31) and a frame (32) for the airbag channel opening, so that the first part (2) and the second part (3) are welded together, characterized in that, at the level of the second part (3), the junction between the airbag flap support (31) and the frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice is made solely by one or more portions of material intended for making hinges of the airbag flap support (31) relative to the frame (32) of the airbag channel orifice.

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