VEHICLE WITH WINDSHIELD SIDE MOLDING AND WINDSHIELD SIDE MOLDING.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to side windshield trims and vehicles equipped with such trims.

[0002] Windshield side trims are designed to fit the area where the windshield meets a body panel, particularly at the level of a pillar. These trims serve an aesthetic purpose, providing a finishing touch between the windshield and the vehicle's side pillars, notably by concealing the hood hinges. They also have a technical function, preventing dirt and grime from accumulating in this area.

[0003] An example of such a trim piece is given in document FR2932742. This document describes a two-part trim piece: one part forming an insert and the other forming an outer finishing skin with a side tab. Sealing means in the form of an adhesive film are arranged between the two parts. The trim piece is installed by attaching it to the side frame of the window or door.

[0004] The trim can be fixed in different ways; in FR2950854, it is fixed to a link interface carried by a forward extension of a side bay pillar.

[0005] Document FR 2 920 737 discloses a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] One of the problems encountered with this type of wheel trim is its specific nature, requiring a unique design for each vehicle silhouette. Therefore, there is a need for greater universality in the design of these parts and the front sections of the vehicles that receive them.

[0007] The invention aims to provide a generic solution that can be used on different vehicle designs. In particular, the invention proposes an arrangement for attaching a side windshield trim that can be used on different vehicle models, the vehicle demonstrating this arrangement and the side windshield trim cooperating with this arrangement.

[0008] The aforementioned objectives are achieved through the characteristics of claim 1.

[0009] To this end and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one front side wing and at least one windshield side trim, the vehicle being remarkable in that at least one windshield side trim includes fastening means and indexing means cooperating with a fastening and indexing interface presented by said front side wing.

[0010] As will be understood from the definition just given, the invention is remarkable in that it proposes the use of generic side windshield trim pieces fixed at least to the front side fender, and whose correct positioning is ensured by an indexing system. It is therefore no longer necessary to design a different side windshield trim piece for each vehicle model.

[0011] According to the invention, the vehicle further comprises a hood with a rear edge partially overlapping the cowl grille, and the front side fender has an upper edge extending from the rear edge of the hood. The vehicle is notable in that the side fender's fastening and indexing interface includes a lip extending from said upper edge of the front side fender towards the cowl grille. Preferably, the fastening and indexing interface includes at least one indexing tab extending from said lip.

[0012] Advantageously, the windshield side trim comprising a body, the means for attaching it to said front side fender include at least one rigid attachment in the form of a hook comprising a foot extending from the body of said windshield side trim and a locking pin, defining an air gap with said body. Preferably, the indexing means to said front side fender include at least one rib arranged and configured to cooperate with the indexing tab(s) of the front side fender. Preferably, said rib(s) have at least one recess configured to receive the indexing tab(s).

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle further comprising a canopy grille extending along the transverse direction of the vehicle and comprising two lateral extremities, the vehicle is notable in that at least one side windshield trim further comprises means for attaching to the canopy grille cooperating with a fastening interface presented by said canopy grille.

[0014] Preferably, the means for attaching the side windshield trim to the canopy grille include at least one elastic interlocking means, and the attachment interface of the canopy grille includes at least one opening cooperating with the elastic interlocking means of the side windshield trim.

[0015] Advantageously, the awning grille fixing interface is formed by a raised edge on one of the lateral ends of the awning grille. Preferably, the awning grille fixing interface is not planar.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprising a body and a lower crossmember of the bay, the vehicle is notable in that the side windshield trim further comprises at least one tab forming a counter-support arranged to rest against the body of the vehicle or against the lower crossmember of the bay.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a windshield side trim for a vehicle according to the first aspect, said windshield side trim comprising a body showing a finishing face and a technical face, the windshield side trim being remarkable in that it includes means for fixing to a front side wing comprising at least one rigid fixing means in the form of a hook comprising a foot extending from the technical face of said windshield side trim and a locking finger defining with said body an air gap; and in that it further includes indexing means comprising at least one rib arranged and configured to cooperate with at least one indexing tab presented by the front side wing.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, said side windshield trim further includes at least one elastic interlocking means for its attachment to a canopy grille.

[0019] In addition or alternatively, it includes at least one tab forming a counter-support extending from the technical face of said side windscreen trim in a direction not parallel to the base of the or at least one hook.

[0020] An example not covered by the invention relates to a front side wing for a vehicle according to the first aspect, the front side wing having an upper edge intended to be arranged as an extension of a rear edge of a hood, the front side wing being remarkable in that it has an interface for fixing and indexing a side windshield trim in the form of a lip from said upper edge of the front side wing.

[0021] Preferably, said fixing and indexing interface further includes at least one indexing tab extending as a continuation of said rim.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a canopy grille for a vehicle according to the first aspect, the canopy grille being intended to extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle and comprising two lateral ends, the canopy grille is remarkable in that it includes at least one interface for fixing a side windshield trim comprising at least one opening for fixing said side windshield trim.

[0023] Preferably, the mounting interface is non-planar.

[0024] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will become clear from the following description given by way of example with reference to the attached drawings on which: There figure 1 partially shows a vehicle according to the invention comprising a windshield trim. figure 2 illustrates a side windshield trim according to the invention as seen from its finishing face. figure 3 illustrates a side windshield trim according to the invention as seen from its technical side. figure 4 partially shows a front portion of a vehicle according to the invention without the side windshield trim. figure 5 illustrates the attachment and indexing of the wheel trim onto the front side wing. figure 6 shows in detail the counter-support tab of the side windshield trim according to the invention.

[0025] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not restrictive in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle or the side fender, cowl grille, or windshield side trim to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of." The terms "lower," "upper," "front," "rear," "longitudinal," and "transverse" are understood in relation to the overall orientation of the vehicle. "Lower" denotes a closer proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

[0026] We will refer first to the figure 1 partially showing a vehicle 1 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises, in its front part, a hood 3, a front side wing 5 arranged on each side of said vehicle (only one is partially visible on the figure 1 ), a windshield 7, a canopy grille 9, and side bay pillars 11 (only one is partially visible on the figure 1 ). In a known manner, the hood 3 has a rear edge partially overlapping with the cowl grille 9, and the front side wing 5 has an upper edge 13 arranged as an extension of the rear edge of the hood 3. The vehicle 1 according to the invention further includes at least one lateral windshield trim 15, also referred to simply as "trim" or "windshield trim" below for clarity of explanation.

[0027] The side windshield trim 15 comprises a body including a finishing face 17 illustrated in figure 2 , and a technical side 19 illustrated in figure 3 According to a preferred embodiment, the trim piece 15 is molded in one piece, so that its various parts are formed from a single material. Advantageously, it is made of a plastic, thermoplastic, or thermosetting material. For example, it is made of polypropylene.

[0028] According to the invention, and as illustrated in figure 3 , at least one of the vehicle's side windshield trim pieces 15 and preferably all of the side windshield trim pieces 15 include fastening means 21 and indexing means 23 to the front side wing 5 on the side where they are located. As illustrated in figure 4 The front side wing(s) 5 comprise a fastening and indexing interface 25 configured to cooperate with the fastening and indexing means of the trim piece. This fastening and indexing interface 25 preferably comprises a lip 27 extending from the upper edge 13 of the front side wing 5 towards the cowl grille 9. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening and indexing interface 25 comprises at least one indexing tab 29 extending as a continuation of the lip 27.

[0029] Returning to the figure 3 It can be seen that the trim piece 15 has fastening means 21 and indexing means 23 to the front side wing 5, configured to cooperate with the fastening interface of the front side wing 5. Advantageously, the fastening means 21 to the front side wing 5 comprise at least one rigid fastening means 21 in the form of a hook comprising a foot extending from the body of the trim piece 15 and a locking finger, defining a gap with the body. The gap presented by this gap, namely the gap between the locking finger and the body of the trim piece, is chosen by those skilled in the art to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the lip 27 of the front side wing 5 to which the trim piece 15 is intended to be fastened. The hook(s) 21 are advantageously open upwards when the trim piece is in place.The presence of rigid fixing means in the form of hooks 21 will allow the said trim 15 to be fixed according to the transverse direction of the vehicle (i.e. along the Y axis).

[0030] Furthermore, the indexing means 23 to said front lateral wing 5 include at least one rib arranged and configured to cooperate with the indexing tab(s) 29 of the front lateral wing 5. For example, the rib(s) 23 frame the indexing tab, or as illustrated in the figure 3 have a recess 41, the width of which corresponds to that of the indexing tab, in which the latter is positioned. The positioning of the indexing tab 29 in the recess is illustrated in figure 5 By this means, the wheel trim 15 is indexed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (i.e., along the X-axis). Those skilled in the art may consider other indexing methods, for example, the presence of an indexing pin extending from the technical face of the wheel trim and designed to engage with a hole opening onto the lower edge of the rim. Optionally, the wing's fastening and indexing interface may have at least two fastening tabs.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trim piece 15 has two rigid fastening means 21 arranged on either side of the indexing means 23 on the front side wing. Even more preferably, the trim piece 15 has two rigid fastening means 21 intended to be positioned at different heights, and the rim 27 has a different height on either side of the indexing tab 29.

[0032] To achieve isostatic mounting of the trim piece 15, the latter will ideally also include at least one tab 31 forming a counter-support and arranged to bear against the vehicle body 1 or against the lower crossmember of the window. The combination of this counter-support tab and the rigid hooks 21 will allow the position of the trim piece 15 to be fixed in the vertical direction (i.e., along the Z-axis). This is why, as illustrated in figure 5 The said counter-support leg 31 extends generally downwards. As illustrated in figure 6 , it advantageously shows a support zone along a plane, and presents itself for example in a general U shape.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trim 15 further includes means 33 for fixing to the canopy grid 9 cooperating with a fixing interface 35 presented by said canopy grid 9.

[0034] As illustrated in figure 4, said fixing interface 35 of the canopy grid 9 is formed by a raised edge of one of the lateral ends of the canopy grid 9.

[0035] Advantageously, the means 33 for attaching the trim piece to the cowl grille 9 include one or more elastic interlocking means 33, such as fastening clips. The attachment interface 35 of the cowl grille 9 then includes at least one opening 37 cooperating with the elastic interlocking means 33 of the trim piece 15. Ideally, the attachment interface 35 of the cowl grille 9 is not flat and has a bearing surface 39 against which the trim piece rests. This configuration helps to avoid, or at least limit, the generation of vibration noise while the vehicle is in motion and contributes to the isostatic stability of the part along the vehicle's transverse direction.

[0036] It should be noted that the hook(s) 21 have a load-bearing function, which is why they are rigid. Indeed, the locking finger will press against the edge 27 of the front side wing 5 and will thus hold the trim piece in position against said front side wing 5. This retention by a rigid fastening element limits or even prevents the risk of the elastic fastening means 33 to the canopy grille 9 becoming unclipped.

[0037] The windshield trim 15 is fitted to the vehicle 1 as follows: the rim 27 of the front side wing mounting interface 25 is inserted into the gap of the trim hook(s) 21. This is achieved by positioning the indexing tab 29 in the recess 41 of the ribs 23 that form the trim indexing means. The trim body pivots so that the clipping means 33 are aligned with the openings 37 of the cowl grille mounting interface 35, and then they are pressed into place, securing the trim 15 in position.

Claims

1. Vehicle (1) comprising at least one front lateral wing (5) and at least one windscreen lateral trim (15), at least one windscreen lateral trim (15) comprises fixing means (21) and indexing means (23) cooperating with a fixing and indexing interface (25) presented by said front lateral wing (5), the vehicle (1) further comprising a hood (3) provided with a rear edge partially superposed with the canopy grid (9), the front lateral wing (5) having an upper edge (13) arranged in extension of the rear edge of the hood (3), the vehicle (1) being characterised in that the fixing and indexing interface (25) of the front lateral wing (57) comprises a flange extending from said upper edge (13) of the front lateral wing (5) at the management of the canopy grid (9); preferably, the fixing and indexing interface (25) comprises at least one indexing tongue (29) extending in extension of said rim (27).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, the lateral windscreen trim (15) comprising a body, characterised in that the means (21) for fixing to said front lateral wing (5) comprise at least one rigid fixing means (21) in the form of a hook comprising a foot extending from the body of said lateral windscreen trim (15) and a locking finger and defining with said body an air gap.

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the indexing means (23) for indexing said front lateral wing (5) comprise at least one rib arranged and configured to cooperate with the indexing tongue or tongues (29) of the front lateral wing (5), preferably said rib or ribs (23) have at least one impression (41) configured to receive the indexing tongue or tongues (29).

4. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, the vehicle (1) further comprising a canopy grille (9) extending along the transverse management of the vehicle (1) and comprising two lateral ends, the vehicle being characterised in that at least one windscreen lateral trim (15) further comprises means (33) for fixing to the canopy grille (9) cooperating with a fixing interface (35) presented by said canopy grille (9).

5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that< / b> the means (33) for fastening to the canopy grid (9) of the lateral windscreen trim (15) comprise at least one elastic fitting means, and in that the fastening interface (35) of the canopy grid (9) comprises at least one aperture (37) cooperating with the elastic fitting means of the lateral windscreen trim (15); preferably, said fastening interface of the canopy grid is formed by a raised edge of one of the lateral ends of the canopy grid; more preferably, the fastening interface of the canopy grid is not planar.

6. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, the vehicle (1) comprising a body and a lower bay crossmember, characterised in that the lateral windscreen trim (15) further comprises at least one tab (31) forming a counter-support arranged to bear against the body of the vehicle (1) or against the lower bay crossmember.