Securing system for a fixed vehicle hood and associated assembly method.

Abstract

The invention relates to a securing system 14 for a fixed hood 2 of a motor vehicle 1, designed to prevent the loss of the hood 2's fixing screw 7 and to ensure the safety of the vehicle 1 in the event of the fixing screw 7 being loosened. The securing system 14 comprises two mechanisms 15 arranged symmetrically on either side of the vehicle 1. Each mechanism 15 consists of an anti-recoil stop 16 and a retaining link 17. The anti-recoil stop 16, attached to the sealing strip 13 of the front compartment 3, prevents the fixing screw 7 from being completely unscrewed. The retaining link 17, attached to the fixing screw 7 and to an element of the front compartment 3, retains the screw 7 in the event of complete loosening and prevents the sealing strip 13 from being clipped in the absence of the fixing screw 7. This securing system 14 provides double protection against the Accidental detachment of the hood 2. Figures from the summary: figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Securing system for a fixed hood of a vehicle and associated assembly method. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fastening and locking systems for motor vehicle hoods.

[0002] It relates more specifically to a system for securing a fixed hood, an associated assembly method, and a vehicle equipped with such a securing system. Previous techniques

[0003] There is an increasing adoption of fixed front hoods on different types of motor vehicles.

[0004] A fixed front hood refers to a vehicle hood designed to remain closed except for specific maintenance or intervention operations.

[0005] This trend is increasingly extending to electric, utility and industrial vehicles, whose design requires less frequent intervention under the hood compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

[0006] Fixed front hoods are generally mounted on hinges, allowing access to the engine and components under the hood. They are most often attached to the front compartment of the vehicle using locking mechanisms and may include safety catches to prevent accidental opening.

[0007] However, these fastening mechanisms have certain drawbacks, such as increased complexity or design costs, as well as the risk of the safety latch failing over time due to wear or extreme weather conditions. These failures can prevent the hood from closing properly or remaining secure while driving, thus compromising vehicle safety.

[0008] Moreover, the fixing of these fixed front hoods raises other major technical problems, in particular when it relies on the use of conventional fixing screws.

[0009] These problems mainly concern the loosening of screws under the effect of vibrations, insofar as vehicles, whether electric or thermal, are subject to significant vibrations caused by the engine, road irregularities and driving conditions.

[0010] These vibrations can cause a gradual loosening of the fixing screws, compromising the hold of the hood.

[0011] Insufficient fastening of the front hood can cause the hood to open accidentally while driving, which represents a critical risk to the safety of users, particularly in terms of visibility, and when debris is thrown.

[0012] In addition, an accidental opening of the front hood is likely to cause destabilization of the elements located in the front compartment of the vehicle, under the hood, exposing these sensitive elements to mechanical or thermal damage.

[0013] Another problem is the loss of screws during maintenance operations, particularly when dismantling or reassembling the hood to carry out repairs or checks, as the fixing screws can fall into the interior space of the hood or outside, making their recovery difficult or even impossible.

[0014] This missing screw is likely to cause several problems, including the risk of making it impossible to reassemble the hood correctly. If a screw is missing, the front hood is only partially secured, compromising its stability and increasing the risk of vibrations and accidents.

[0015] In addition, the recovery or replacement of screws increases the duration of interventions and may require spare parts, impacting maintenance costs.

[0016] The fastening systems currently used for fixed hoods do not satisfactorily address these problems because conventional systems, even when incorporating washers or self-locking nuts, do not guarantee sufficient protection against loosening under the effect of prolonged vibrations.

[0017] Also, no system allows the screws to be retained during handling where the screws can become completely detached from their housing, which increases the risk of loss. Description of the invention

[0018] The aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks and to provide a securing system for a fixed front hood of a motor vehicle that ensures reliable attachment of the fixed hood while facilitating access and maintenance operations.

[0019] The invention therefore relates to a system for securing a fixed hood of a vehicle, the securing system comprising at least one securing mechanism, in particular two securing mechanisms arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the securing mechanism comprising an anti-recoil stop forming an axial extension of a shutter strip oriented towards the interior of the front compartment of the vehicle and configured so that, when the hood is fixed in the closed position and the shutter strip is clipped onto a shield, it is positioned at a predefined longitudinal distance from a fixing screw and prevents the fixing screw of a fixing means from being completely unscrewed.

[0020] The securing system may further include a retaining link attached to the fixing screw and to an element of the front compartment of the vehicle, said retaining link being configured to retain the fixing screw when said screw is completely unscrewed from said fixing means and to prevent clipping of the sealing strip in the absence of the fixing screw by interposing itself between said sealing strip and the bumper, the retaining link being in particular made of a flexible plastic material.

[0021] In one embodiment, the element of the front compartment on which the retaining link is fixed is the anti-recoil stop having in particular a cylindrical shape and / or a cross section.

[0022] In this variant, the retaining link is fixed to the anti-recoil stop by means of a notch formed on the lateral face of the stop and designed to receive and retain the retaining link.

[0023] Furthermore, the opening is located at a distance from the proximal end of the anti-recoil stop that is less than or equal to one-third of the total length of the anti-recoil stop. The proximal end is defined as the end closest to the fixing screw.

[0024] Advantageously, the anti-recoil stop may have a substantially cylindrical cross-section.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the anti-recoil stop may have a cross-shaped section.

[0026] The anti-recoil stop may also have a substantially frustoconical longitudinal profile. Moreover, the predefined longitudinal distance between the anti-recoil stop and the fixing screw is less than the length of the fixing screw engaged with said fixing means.

[0027] In another embodiment, the element of the front compartment on which the retaining link is fixed is the support part of the shield, extending into the interior of the front compartment of the vehicle.

[0028] In this variant, the retaining link is fixed by means of a housing provided in the support part of the shield. This opening is designed to receive and retain the retaining link.

[0029] Preferably, the retaining link has a diameter of at least 2mm.

[0030] Advantageously, the retaining link has sufficient length to allow complete extraction of the shield's shutter strip, freeing up the interior space of the front compartment and ensuring access to the fixing screw.

[0031] Also, the fixing screw includes a captive washer with an extension configured to allow the fixing of the retaining link and in which an opening is provided to receive and retain the retaining link, said extension being positioned at any point on the surface of the captive washer.

[0032] Another object of the invention relates to a method of assembling a securing system on the fixed hood of a vehicle.

[0033] The method is applied symmetrically to at least two securing mechanisms arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and comprises the following steps:

[0034] - close the fixed cover on the front compartment of the vehicle to position said means of fastening,

[0035] - fix the retaining link to the washer of the fixing screw and to an element of the front compartment of the vehicle,

[0036] - engage the fixing screw in said vehicle fixing means,

[0037] - tighten the fixing screw to secure the hood to the front compartment of the vehicle, And

[0038] - clip the shutter strip onto the shield.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a fixed hood and comprising a security system as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates a system for fixing the front hood of a vehicle according to the prior art; - Fig. 2 illustrates a vehicle equipped with a secure hood according to the invention; - Fig. 3 illustrates the security system according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.4] illustrates the fixing of the retaining link on the anti-recoil stop of the securing system, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.5] illustrates the securing system in the assembled position and in the extraction position, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 6 illustrates the security system according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0041] Fig. 1 illustrates a system for fixing the front hood 2 of a motor vehicle according to the prior art and shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front compartment 3 of this vehicle 1, on which the hood 2 is fixed in the closed position.

[0042] This hood 2 is described as fixed in that it is designed to remain held in the closed position outside of vehicle 1 maintenance operations.

[0043] The front compartment 3 designates the area located under the hood 2 of the vehicle 1, and includes the sensitive components to be protected (not illustrated), the fastening means necessary to keep the hood 2 in the closed position and the structural elements enabling the fastening means to be concealed.

[0044] In this configuration, the hood 2 is fixed in the closed position by means of a fixing means 4 comprising a fixing bracket 5 integral with the lining of the hood 2, an internal cross member 6 located on the internal face of the hood 2 and a fixing screw 7 which engages in the fixing bracket 5 and comes to rest in the internal cross member 6.

[0045] In addition, a captive washer 8 is positioned between the screw head 9 and the fixing bracket 5 in order to distribute the pressure exerted by the screw head 9, thus contributing to a firm fixing.

[0046] The front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 also includes a shield 10, fixed to the front structure of the vehicle 1, and composed of a protective part 11 and a support part 12.

[0047] The protective part 11 of the shield 10 protects the components placed in the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 against external aggressions: shocks, projections, weather, etc.

[0048] The support part 12 extends into the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1, under the hood 2, and serves as a support for a shutter strip 13.

[0049] The shield 10 is generally attached to the front structure of the vehicle 1 by screws, bolts or clip systems. It may be a single piece, integrating both support and protection functions, or composed of several assembled elements.

[0050] The shutter strip 13, also visible in [Fig.1], is designed to clip onto the support part 12 of the shield 10.

[0051] The shutter strip 13 can be made of rigid plastic material, sufficiently resistant to withstand mechanical stresses and vibrations.

[0052] The shutter strip 13 can also be attached to the shield 10 by clips or snap-on systems which ensure a firm hold.

[0053] The shutter strip 13 extends over the entire width of the front face of the vehicle 1 and has in particular the function of concealing the components placed in the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 and the means of fixing the hood 2.

[0054] Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle 1 according to the invention, equipped with a secure hood 2. In this figure, elements identical to those described above bear the same numerical references.

[0055] The hood 2 is fixed in the closed position by means of a fastening means 4 comprising a fixing bracket 5 integral with the lining of the hood 2, an internal cross member 6 located on the inner face of the hood 2 and a fixing screw 7 associated with a captive washer 8, which engages in the fixing bracket 5 and fits into the internal crossbar 6.

[0056] The hood 2 is further secured in that it is kept fixed to the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 by means of an additional securing system 14 intended to prevent the accidental unscrewing of the fixing screw 7 and to facilitate the retention of the screw 7 during maintenance.

[0057] The security system 14 is additional in that it involves only a minimal addition of parts compared to a conventional hood as seen in [Fig.1].

[0058] The securing system 14 is, according to an embodiment, designed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and incorporates at least two identical securing mechanisms 15 arranged on either side of this axis.

[0059] Each securing mechanism 15 may include in particular an anti-recoil stop 16.

[0060] Each securing mechanism 15 may include a restraint link 17.

[0061] With reference to [Fig.3], the securing system 14 is presented in an embodiment in which the shutter strip 13 is in the mounted position and the retaining link 17 is attached to the anti-recoil stop 16.

[0062] The anti-recoil stop 16 forms an axial extension of the shutter strip 13 and is oriented towards the inside of the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1. The anti-recoil stop 16 has the function of preventing the complete unscrewing of the fixing screw 7 and of ensuring the stability of the hood 2.

[0063] The anti-recoil stop 16 can adopt different shapes. It can be cylindrical, conical and possibly have a cross-section, depending on space constraints and design requirements.

[0064] The shutter band 13 and the anti-recoil stop 16 are designed as a single, one-piece unit, made of the same material. This one-piece design eliminates the risk of breakage or separation.

[0065] In the mounted position, the shutter strip 13 is clipped to the shield 13. The anti-recoil stop 16 is then positioned at a predefined distance D from the fixing screw 7 engaged with said fixing means 4.

[0066] This predefined distance D is less than the length L of the fixing screw 7 to prevent the complete unscrewing of the fixing screw 7 by acting as a mechanical barrier.

[0067] Such a spacing between the anti-recoil stop 16 and the fixing screw 7 ensures that the cover 2 remains in the closed position, since even if the fixing screw 7 begins to loosen under the effect of vibrations or shocks, the fixing screw 7 cannot come completely out of said fixing means 4.

[0068] The retaining link 17 is fixed to the captive washer 8 of the fixing screw 7 and to the anti-recoil stop 16.

[0069] The retaining link 17, made of flexible plastic, provides a dual safety function. It prevents the loss of the fixing screw 7 and ensures its presence during the assembly of the shutter strip 13.

[0070] Such a retaining link 17 made of flexible plastic material ensures that the retaining link 17 adapts to any dimensional variations of the components or fastening means placed in the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0071] During maintenance operations, the retaining link 17 keeps the screw captive when it is unscrewed from said fastening means 4, thus preventing it from falling and being lost.

[0072] In addition, the retaining link 17 prevents the assembly of the shutter strip 13 if the fixing screw 7 is missing, thus ensuring that the cover 2 cannot be closed without the fixing screw 7 being correctly put in place.

[0073] For this purpose, the retaining link 17 has a diameter of at least 2 mm. A diameter of at least 2 mm ensures in particular that the retaining link 17 has sufficient rigidity to act as a physical wedge by preventing the shutter strip 13 from engaging correctly on the shield 10 when the fixing screw 7 is not in place.

[0074] On the other hand, the retaining link 17 also has sufficient length so that, during a maintenance operation, the shutter strip 13 can be completely freed from the front compartment 3 of the vehicle (visible in [Fig.5]).

[0075] This facilitates access to the components located in the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 during maintenance operations (screwing or unscrewing) and ensures that the fixing screw 7 remains fixed to said fixing means 4 while freeing up the space necessary for interventions by an operator.

[0076] For example, in the free state, the retaining link 17 may have a length at least greater than the distance between said fastening means 4 and an outer end of the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0077] Figure 4 illustrates the attachment of the retaining link 17 to the anti-recoil stop 16 and to the captive washer 8 of the fixing screw 7.

[0078] The retaining link 17 is fixed to the anti-recoil stop 16 by means of a notch 19 made on a lateral face of the anti-recoil stop 16.

[0079] This notch 19 can be a side slot, a through hole, or even an integrated ring or hook.

[0080] Ideally, the retaining link 17 is fixed on the first third of the anti-recoil stop 16.

[0081] Such a positioning of the retaining link 17 allows, in particular, the anti-recoil stop 16 to completely disengage from the interior space of the front compartment 4 of the vehicle when removing the sealing strip 13.

[0082] Furthermore, by being fixed on the part of the anti-recoil stop 16 closest to the fixing screw 7, the retaining link 17 is less likely to undergo significant movements or excessive bending and this reduces the stresses on the retaining link by minimizing the risks of breakage.

[0083] The captive washer 8 is provided with an extension 20 having an opening 21 for the attachment of the retaining link 17.

[0084] This extension 20 may possibly be a lug protruding from the edge of the captive washer 8, a tab, a tongue or even a hook.

[0085] The opening 21 provided in the extension 20 can take different forms, adapted to the design constraints and materials, for example, a through hole, a slot, or an integrated clip.

[0086] The location of the extension 20 on the captive washer 8 is not restricted to a specific area. The extension 20 can be made at any point on the surface of the captive washer 8, thus offering great flexibility in positioning.

[0087] The fixing of the retaining link 17 on the anti-recoil stop 16 and on the captive washer 8 can be carried out, for example, by tightening, clipping, thermal fusion or even by localized welding.

[0088] In [Fig.5], the securing system 14 is shown in an assembled position and an extraction position.

[0089] The extraction position corresponds to the position of the shutter strip 13 following a maintenance operation during which the shutter strip 13 was removed from the shield 10 by an operator to gain access to the locking system 14 to open the hood 2.

[0090] After such a maintenance operation, the securing system 14 can be easily assembled by first closing the hood 2 on the vehicle 1. This allows the said fastening means 4, previously mounted on the lining of the hood 2, to be correctly positioned opposite the internal cross member 6 of the hood 2.

[0091] Once the hood 2 is closed and said fastening means 4 is in place, the operator can proceed to attach the retaining link 17.

[0092] The flexible retaining link 17 is first attached to the captive washer 8 of the fixing screw 7. The other end of the retaining link 17 is then attached to a second element of the front compartment 3.

[0093] The next step consists of inserting the fixing screw 7 into said fixing means 4 of the vehicle in order to solidify the assembly and to keep the hood 2 securely closed.

[0094] Finally, the shutter strip 13 is clipped onto the shield 10. This operation makes it possible to conceal the security system 7 and the fastening means located in the front compartment 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0095] When inserting the shutter strip 13, the anti-recoil stop 16 is designed to position itself at a distance from the fixing screw 7 to prevent the fixing screw 7 from unscrewing completely during rolling.

[0096] Fig. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the securing system 14, in which the retaining link 17 is fixed to the support part 12 of the shield 10 rather than to the anti-recoil stop 16.

[0097] This support part 12 can be provided with a housing 22, which may optionally be a through hole, a slot, or a hook allowing the retaining link to be received and held securely.

[0098] The housing 22 can be made at any point on the surface of the support part 12 of the shield 10 according to the design of the front compartment 3.

[0099] In this second embodiment, by moving the attachment point of the retaining link 17 on the shield 10, the design of the recoil stop 16 and the shutter band 13 can be simplified. The recoil stop 16 can be smaller or designed without a notch 19 for the retaining link 17, which potentially lightens the design of the shutter band 13.

[0100] The support part 12 of the shield 10, which is a wider and more stable element, can be designed with openings or means of attachment that are more accessible than the anti-recoil stop 16. This facilitates the insertion and retention of the retaining link 17, particularly during production or maintenance.

[0101] This second embodiment offers a design alternative that may be more suitable for certain vehicle configurations or certain space constraints and nevertheless retains the advantages of the first embodiment.

[0102] It is therefore clear from this description that the proposed solution offers numerous advantages in terms of implementation, cost, and simplicity. Since it is planned from the outset of the product design, it is easy to integrate into the existing manufacturing process without requiring complex modifications.

[0103] The securing system 14 is discreet, as it is invisible from outside the vehicle 1, and does not impact the assembly process.

[0104] Furthermore, no special technical skills are required for the dismantling or reassembly of the hood 2.

[0105] The securing system 14 is designed to be symmetrical, allowing the use of the same components for each of the fixings of the hood 2.

[0106] Compared to a conventional solution, the invention involves only a minimal addition of parts, namely the retaining link 17 and the anti-recoil stop 16, while the other components remain close to existing configurations. This is the case for the captive washer 8 of the fixing screw 7, already present for the fixing of classic hoods, which is simply modified to integrate a specific function and the shutter strip 13, already included in classic vehicles, which is also modified in its non-visible part to integrate the anti-recoil stop 16.

Claims

Demands

1. A securing system (14) for a fixed hood (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one securing mechanism (15), in particular two securing mechanisms (15) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1), the securing mechanism (15) comprising: an anti-recoil stop (16) forming an axial extension of a shutter strip (13) oriented towards the interior of the front compartment (3) of the vehicle and configured to, when the hood (2) is fixed in the closed position to the front compartment (3) of the vehicle and the shutter strip (13) is clipped onto a shield (10), prevent a complete unscrewing of a fixing screw (7) of a fixing means (4) by positioning itself at a predefined longitudinal distance (D) from the fixing screw (7).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a retaining link (17) fixed to the fixing screw (7) and to an element of the front compartment (3) of the vehicle (1), said retaining link (17) being configured to retain the fixing screw (7) when said fixing screw (7) is completely unscrewed from said fixing means (4) and to prevent clipping of the sealing strip (13) in the absence of the fixing screw (7) by interposing itself between said sealing strip (13) and the shield (10), the retaining link (17) in particular being made of a flexible plastic material.

3. A security system according to claim 2, wherein the element of the front compartment (3) on which the retaining link (17) is fixed is the anti-recoil stop (16) having in particular a cylindrical shape and / or a cross section.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein the retaining link (17) is fixed to the anti-recoil stop (16) by means of a notch (19) formed on a lateral face of the anti-recoil stop (16) and designed to receive and retain the retaining link (17).

5. System according to claim 3, wherein the notch (19) is located at a distance from the proximal end of the anti-recoil stop (16) less than or equal to one third of the total length of said anti-recoil stop (16), the proximal end being defined as the end closest to the fixing screw (7).

6. System according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the predefined longitudinal distance between the anti-recoil stop (16) and the fixing screw (7) is less than the length (L) of the fixing screw (7) when said screw (7) is engaged with said fixing means (4).

7. System according to claim 2, wherein the element of the front compartment (4) on which the retaining link (17) is fixed is the support part (12) of the shield (10), the support part (12) extending into the interior of the front compartment (4) of the vehicle (1).

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the retaining link (17) is fixed by means of a housing (22) provided in the support part (12) of the shield (10) to receive and retain the retaining link (17).

9. System according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the retaining link (17) has sufficient length to permit complete extraction of the shutter strip (13) from the shield (10), freeing up the interior space of the front compartment (3) and ensuring access to the fixing screw (7).

10. System according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the fixing screw (7) comprises a captive washer (8) having an extension (20) configured to allow the attachment of the retaining link (17) and in which an opening (21) is provided to receive and retain the retaining link (17), said extension (20) being positioned at any point on the surface of the captive washer (13).

11. A method for assembling a securing system according to any one of claims 2 to 10 on the fixed hood (2) of a vehicle (1), said method being applied symmetrically to at least two securing mechanisms (15) arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1) and comprising the following steps: - closing the fixed hood (2) onto the front compartment (3) of the vehicle (1) to position said fastening means (4); - attaching the retaining link (17) to the fastening screw (7) and to an element of the front compartment (3) of the vehicle (1); - engaging the fastening screw (7) in said fastening means (4) of the vehicle (1). - tighten the fixing screw (7) to secure the hood (2) to the front compartment (3) of the vehicle (1), and - clip the shutter strip (13) onto the vehicle shield (10).

12. Vehicle (1) equipped with a fixed hood (2) comprising at least one security system (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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