Mounting plate for a pantograph hinge on a front hood of an automobile

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting plate (1) for a pantograph hinge on the front hood of a motor vehicle, the mounting plate (1) comprising a base (11) having fastening elements for the pantograph hinge, pivotally mounted relative to the base (11), a first mounting tab (12) configured to cooperate with a side fender of a first motor vehicle, and a second mounting tab (13) configured to cooperate with a side fender of a second motor vehicle. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Mounting plate for a pantograph hinge on a front hood of a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of opening and closing systems for the front hood of a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a mounting plate for a pantograph hinge of a front hood of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the prior art, motor vehicles are known to have an engine compartment located in front of a passenger compartment. The engine compartment is delimited by a chassis element forming part of the vehicle's body structure, and the engine is mounted on this chassis element. A hood extends over the engine compartment to protect the engine. As is known, the hood is rotatably mounted to allow access to the engine compartment for maintenance operations, for example. To this end, the hood is attached to the chassis element by means of two lateral hinges located on either side of the hood.

[0003] In particular, pantograph hinges are known, each comprising two flanges rotatably mounted from a mounting plate and attached, at one free end, to the hood. Thus, such hinges allow for a more complex movement than simple rotation and permit a rearward translational movement when the hood is closed, towards the windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0004] A known drawback of these pantograph hinges lies in their difficulty of integration on several models of motor vehicles. Thus, car manufacturers are forced to design several different mounting plates for such pantograph hinges, each mounting plate being associated with a particular model of motor vehicle.

[0005] Of course, this configuration is not satisfactory because it increases the production costs of such fixing plates, and also complicates the assembly processes since it is then necessary to plan several assembly ranges on the production lines.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a new fixing plate for such a pantograph hinge in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0007] Another objective of the invention is to offer greater modularity of such a fixing plate.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to reduce the production costs of a pantograph hinge comprising such a fixing plate.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a mounting plate for a pantograph hinge of a motor vehicle's front hood, the mounting plate comprising a base having fastening elements for the pantograph hinge, pivotally mounted relative to the base, the mounting plate comprising:

[0010] - a first mounting bracket configured to be able to collaborate with a wing lateral of a first motor vehicle, the first fixing bracket comprising a linking element of the first fixing bracket to the lateral wing;

[0011] - a second mounting bracket configured to collaborate with a side wing of a second motor vehicle, the second mounting bracket comprising a linking element of the second mounting bracket to the side wing.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the mounting plate according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0013] In addition, a proper elongation axis is also defined in the reference frame of the mounting plate, the proper elongation axis being defined by the principal elongation direction of the mounting plate. In the context of integrating the mounting plate into the motor vehicle, the proper elongation axis of the mounting plate coincides or is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the base forms a central element of the mounting plate, from which the first and second mounting tabs extend. The base forms a bearing surface against the chassis element of the motor vehicle, in the sense of the invention, the base forms a common assembly part for all motor vehicles on which the mounting plate and the pantograph hinge are intended to be mounted.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the first mounting bracket is configured to interact with the structural assembly of a first type of motor vehicle. The first mounting bracket is not necessarily used when the mounting plate is used with a second type of motor vehicle. The first mounting bracket extends from the base to provide a mounting surface—via the associated fastener—at a distance from the base. This advantageous configuration improves the retention of the mounting plate on the chassis element of the motor vehicle. In particular, but not limited to, the first mounting bracket is configured to interact with a side fender and / or a side fender liner of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the second mounting bracket is configured to interact with the structural assembly of a second type of motor vehicle. The second mounting bracket is not necessarily used when the mounting plate is used with a first type of motor vehicle. The second mounting bracket extends from the base to provide a mounting surface—via the associated fastener—at a distance from the base. This advantageous configuration improves the retention of the mounting plate on the chassis element of the motor vehicle. In particular, but not limited to, the second mounting bracket is configured to interact with a side fender and / or a side fender liner of the motor vehicle. The second mounting bracket is separate from the first mounting bracket.

[0017] Of course, when the mounting plate is mounted on the chassis component of a first type of motor vehicle, the arrangement of the second mounting tab does not interfere with the chassis component and does not prevent the mounting of the mounting plate on said chassis component. In other words, when the mounting plate is mounted on the chassis component of a first type of motor vehicle, the second mounting tab extends into a free space on said chassis component of said first type of motor vehicle. Conversely, when the mounting plate is mounted on the chassis component of a second type of motor vehicle, the arrangement of the first mounting tab does not interfere with the chassis component and does not prevent the mounting of the mounting plate on said chassis component.In other words, when the mounting plate is mounted on the chassis element of a second type of motor vehicle, then the first mounting tab extends into a free space on said chassis element of said second type of motor vehicle.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the connecting element allows the first or second connecting lug to be securely attached to a chassis component of the associated motor vehicle. For example, the connecting element has a hole for a fixing screw and engages with the chassis component opposite the motor vehicle. The connecting element thus allows the mounting plate to be securely attached to the chassis component.

[0019] Thus, the mounting plate according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by offering greater modularity: it is compatible with several types of motor vehicles. Consequently, the mounting plate according to the invention allows for production savings by requiring the manufacture of only one model of mounting plate, but on a larger scale, in order to support the production of both types of motor vehicles.

[0020] The mounting plate according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0021] - the first mounting bracket is configured to be able to collaborate with a The first side wing of a first motor vehicle, and the second mounting bracket is configured to work with a second side wing of a second motor vehicle. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the mounting plate can be used either with a first type of motor vehicle having a first side wing, the mounting plate being fixed securely to the first side wing, notably by means of the first mounting bracket, or the mounting plate can be used with a second type of motor vehicle having a second side wing, the mounting plate being fixed securely to the second side wing, notably by means of the second mounting bracket. This advantageous configuration thus offers great modularity in the use of the mounting plate according to the invention;

[0022] - according to a first embodiment, the first fixing tab is derived from the base is made of the same material; and / or the second fixing tab is made of the same material as the base. By "made of the same material," it is understood that the base, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the first fixing tab and / or the second fixing tab cannot be separated from one another without damaging one or both. Alternatively, according to a second embodiment, the first fixing tab is attached and fixed securely to the base by any means; and / or the second fixing tab is attached and fixed securely to the base by any means.

[0023] - the base extends along its own elongation axis, the first fixing tab extending forward of the second mounting tab, relative to the elongation axis proper. In other words, the mounting plate is attached to the first side fender of the first type of motor vehicle via the first mounting bracket, further forward along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle than when the mounting plate is attached to the second side fender of the second type of motor vehicle via the second mounting bracket. This advantageous configuration thus takes into account the available space and the different side fender shapes between the first and second types of motor vehicles. In the context of the present invention, "type of motor vehicle" can be understood as a model, that is, a different form of motor vehicle but possibly sharing a partially common platform with another type of motor vehicle;

[0024] - the first fixing tab forms a tab folded relative to the base and / or The second mounting bracket forms a folded bracket relative to the base. Thus, the first mounting bracket and / or the second mounting bracket extend from the base so as to form mounting surfaces with the side wing of the motor vehicle intended to be located opposite;

[0025] - advantageously, the first fixing tab extends in an inclined manner by relative to the second mounting bracket. In other words, the first and second mounting brackets are not parallel, thus offering different mounting surfaces with a different orientation. This difference is explained by the geometry of the side wing with which each of the mounting brackets is intended to collaborate, each mounting bracket collaborating with a different side wing, as explained previously;

[0026] - more specifically, the first fixing lug and the second fixing lug include an assembly flange against respectively the first side wing and the second side wing of the motor vehicle, the assembly flange of the first mounting tab extending at an angle relative to the assembly flange of the second mounting tab. In the context of the present invention, the assembly flange forms the mounting surface mentioned above;

[0027] - the assembly flange of the first fixing lug is oriented along a plane substantially horizontal, and the assembly flange of the second fixing leg is oriented along a substantially vertical plane;

[0028] - the mounting plate includes a longitudinal alignment element relative to to a chassis element of the first motor vehicle and the second motor vehicle, the alignment member extending projecting from the base, the alignment member forms an indexing element of the mounting plate relative to the side wing of the motor vehicle with which it is intended to interact and / or with the chassis element located opposite the mounting plate. The alignment member allows for more precise localization of the mounting plate and, ultimately, the pantograph hinge;

[0029] - in particular, the longitudinal alignment member is located near the first fixing bracket and second fixing bracket;

[0030] - complementaryly or alternatively, the mounting plate includes a component of attachment to a chassis element of the first motor vehicle and the second motor vehicle, the attachment element extending in projection from the base, in the context of the present invention, the chassis element considered is common to both types of motor vehicle. Thus, the attachment plate is intended to be mounted on the same chassis element on the one hand, and on a side wing - by means of one of its attachment tabs - which is specific to a given model of motor vehicle;

[0031] - the fastening member is located near the first fastening lug and the second mounting bracket.

[0032] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising:

[0033] - a chassis element delimiting an engine compartment;

[0034] - a side wing fixed securely to the chassis element;

[0035] - a hood mounted rotatably relative to the chassis element, the hood being mounted rotating relative to the chassis element by means of at least one pantograph hinge integral with the mounting plate conforming to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the mounting plate being fixed integrally to the chassis element and to the side wing.

[0036] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0038] [Fig.1] illustrates a first three-dimensional view of a pantograph hinge equipped with a fixing plate conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0039] [Fig.2] illustrates a second three-dimensional view of the pantograph hinge illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0040] [Fig.3] illustrates a third three-dimensional view of the pantograph hinge illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0041] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other, according to various combinations, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0042] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0043] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0044] In FIGURES 1 to 3 described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the mounting plate 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0045] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the same motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the same motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0046] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X is understood to be taken along a direction extending from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0047] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis Z.

[0048] In addition, a proper elongation axis is also defined in the reference frame of the mounting plate 1, the proper elongation axis being defined by the principal elongation direction of the mounting plate 1. In the context of the integration of the mounting plate 1 into the motor vehicle, the proper elongation axis of the mounting plate 1 coincides or substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis X.

[0049] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention addresses a mounting plate 1 for a pantograph hinge of a front hood of a motor vehicle. The pantograph hinge is composed of the mounting plate 1, which will be described below, and on which two connecting rods 21 are rotatably mounted. At their free ends, the Connecting rods 21 support a bearing surface 22 onto which the front hood is intended to be fixed. The front hood is not shown in the figures.

[0050] According to the invention, the mounting plate 1 comprises a base 11 comprising:

[0051] - fastening elements for the pantograph hinge, i.e. for each connecting rod 21 mounted pivoting relative to the base 11;

[0052] - a first fixing lug 12 configured to be able to collaborate with a side wing 3 of a first motor vehicle, the first fixing bracket 12 comprising a linking element of the first fixing bracket 12 to the side wing 3;

[0053] - a second mounting tab 13 configured to collaborate with a side wing 3 of a second motor vehicle, the second mounting bracket 13 comprising a linking element of the second mounting bracket 13 to the side wing 3.

[0054] In a particularly ingenious way, the mounting plate 1 according to the invention provides two separate mounting tabs 12, 13s located at different points on the base 11 and extending in different ways in order to provide two distinct interfaces for fixing the mounting plate 1. Thus, the first mounting tab 12 allows the mounting plate 1 to be fixed to a first side wing 3 of a first type of motor vehicle, without the second mounting tab 13 being used for fixing; while the second mounting tab 13 allows the mounting plate 1 to be fixed to a second side wing 3 of a second type of motor vehicle, without the first mounting tab 12 being used for fixing.

[0055] To complete this specific and differentiated fixing of each of the fixing tabs 12, 13 to a different type of side wing, the fixing plate 1 also includes other generic fixing means which systematically collaborate with a chassis element 4 of the motor vehicle: a fixing device 16 and a fixing flange 17 which extend at the level of a front part of the base 11 of the fixing plate 1.

[0056] As can be seen in the FIGURES, the first mounting lug 12 is located further forward than the second mounting lug 13. The first mounting lug 12 extends below the base 11; while the second mounting lug 13 extends behind the base 11.

[0057] The first fixing lug 12 and the second fixing lug 13 both form a lug folded relative to the base 11. Thus, the first fixing lug 12 is folded downwards, along the vertical axis Z; while the second fixing lug 13 is folded towards a lateral edge, relative to the transverse axis Y.

[0058] Each of the mounting brackets 12, 13 has a bearing surface against the side wing 3 of the motor vehicle with which it is intended to interact. In particular, the first fixing bracket 12 has a bearing surface - and fixing surface - which is oriented along a plane delimited by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y; while the second fixing bracket 13 has a bearing surface - and fixing surface - which is oriented along a plane delimited by the vertical axis Z and the transverse axis Y.

[0059] To facilitate the mounting of the mounting plate 1 on each of the side wings 3 with which the mounting plate 1 is intended to collaborate – alternately, and not simultaneously – the mounting plate 1 further comprises means for aligning with the chassis element 4. Such alignment means comprise an alignment member 15 which takes the form of a hole intended to collaborate with a centering pin which extends, for example, from the chassis element 4. This advantageous configuration allows the mounting plate 1 to be indexed along the longitudinal axis X.

[0060] In addition, the mounting plate 1 also includes a fastening element 14 with the chassis element 4. This fastening element 14 is located near the mounting tabs 12, 13. The fastening element 14 takes the form of a screw and / or a nut collaborating with the chassis element 4.

[0061] In summary, the invention relates to a mounting plate 1 for a pantograph hinge of a front hood of a motor vehicle, the mounting plate 1 comprising (i) a base 11 having fixing elements for the pantograph hinge, mounted pivotally relative to the base 11, (ii) a first fixing lug 12 configured to be able to collaborate with a side wing 3 of a first motor vehicle, (iii) a second fixing lug 13 configured to collaborate with a side wing 3 of a second motor vehicle.

[0062] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Mounting plate (1) for a pantograph hinge of a front hood of a motor vehicle, the mounting plate (1) comprising a base (11) having fixing elements for the pantograph hinge, mounted pivotally relative to the base (11), characterized in that the mounting plate (1) comprises: - a first fixing lug (12) configured to be able to collaborate with a side wing (3) of a first motor vehicle, the first fixing lug (12) comprising a linking element of the first fixing lug (12) to the side wing (3); - a second fixing lug (13) configured to collaborate with a side wing (3) of a second motor vehicle, the second fixing lug (13) comprising a linking element of the second fixing lug (13) to the side wing (3).

2. Mounting plate (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the base (11) extends along its own elongation axis, the first mounting tab (12) extending in front of the second mounting tab (13), relative to the own elongation axis.

3. Mounting plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mounting lug (12) extends at an angle relative to the second mounting lug (13).

4. Mounting plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mounting lug (12) and the second mounting lug (13) have an assembly flange against the first side wing (3) and the second side wing (3) of the motor vehicle respectively, the assembly flange of the first mounting lug (12) extending at an angle relative to the assembly flange of the second mounting lug (13).

5. Mounting plate (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the assembly flange of the first mounting lug (12) is oriented along a substantially horizontal plane, and the assembly flange of the second mounting lug (13) is oriented along a substantially vertical plane.

6. Mounting plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting plate (1) comprises a longitudinal alignment member (15) relative to a chassis element (4) of the first motor vehicle and the second vehicle automobile, the alignment member (15) extending in projection from the base (11).

7. Fixing plate (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal alignment member (15) is located near the first fixing lug (12) and the second fixing lug (13).

8. Mounting plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting plate (1) comprises a mounting member (14) on a chassis element (4) of the first motor vehicle and the second motor vehicle, the mounting member extending in projection from the base (11).

9. Fixing plate (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixing member (14) is located near the first fixing lug (12) and the second fixing lug (13).

10. Motor vehicle comprising: - a chassis element (4) delimiting an engine compartment; - a side wing (3) fixed integrally to the chassis element (4); - a hood mounted rotatably relative to the chassis element (4), the hood being mounted rotatably relative to the chassis element (4) by means of at least one pantograph hinge integrally to the mounting plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the mounting plate (1) being fixed integrally to the chassis element (4) and to the side wing (3).

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