Holding device for a plurality of cables intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (1) for at least one cable intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle and to extend between a first component of the vehicle mounted on a mechanical plate of the vehicle and a second component of the vehicle mounted on a body of the vehicle, wherein the holding device (1) comprises at least one accommodating portion (34) for accommodating a cable and an attachment portion (36) for attachment to the body (6) or to the mechanical plate (4), wherein the accommodating portion (34) comprises at least one channel (40, 42) provided with a means for fastening a cable, wherein the attachment portion (36) for attachment to the body or to the mechanical plate comprises at least one positioning means (56, 58) and at least one attachment means (60), and wherein the positioning means (56, 58) is distinct from the attachment means (60).

Description

[0001] Title: Holding device for a plurality of cables intended to equip a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of mechanics and automobiles and more particularly concerns the assembly of components, and in particular cables arranged between these components, within a motor vehicle engine compartment.

[0003] The assembly of a vehicle involves a docking step of a body, associated with the passenger compartment and on which are positioned different components of a motorization system or a thermal regulation system for example, and a mechanical plate, associated with the running gear and on which are positioned other components of these systems. Cables extend between the components of the same system, for a circulation of current for example, and this whether these components are mounted on the body or on the mechanical plate. These cables are previously fixed by one of their ends on one or more components located on the mechanical plate, or on the body, and must be connected to another or more other components located on the body, or on the mechanical plate, once the body and the mechanical plate are fixed to each other at the end of the docking step.

[0004] During the docking stage, when the mechanical plate is moved towards the body, the cables, which at this time have a free end, should not become entangled, which could cause them to be damaged, and should not become sandwiched between a component of the body and a component of the mechanical plate, which would result in damage to the cable and poor attachment of the mechanical plate to the body.

[0005] Furthermore, once the body and the mechanical plate are assembled, and the cables connected at each of their ends, the cables should be held in a position that prevents them from rubbing against vehicle components, to avoid overheating and wear. In this context, holding devices are known that consist of plastic fasteners linked to metal tabs. Such fasteners have the disadvantage of being fragile and risk breaking under heavy stress due to their small thickness. In view of the numerous connection operations to be carried out within the engine compartment after docking, it is necessary to find a holding device that is more robust and more reliable in order to limit the delays that can be caused during the docking stage due to poorly held cables.

[0006] In this context, the main subject of the present invention is a holding device for at least one cable, in particular a plurality of cables, each cable being intended to equip a motor vehicle and to extend between a first component of the vehicle mounted on a mechanical plate of the vehicle and a second component of the vehicle mounted on a body of the vehicle, said holding device comprising at least one portion for receiving a cable and a portion for fixing to the body or to the mechanical plate, the receiving portion comprising at least one chute equipped with a means for attaching a cable, the portion for fixing to the body or to the mechanical plate comprising at least one positioning means and at least one fixing means, the positioning means being distinct from the fixing means.

[0007] The holding device according to the invention is intended to equip a motor vehicle and has the particularity of being pre-assembled with cables by cooperation of the cables and the receiving portion, this subassembly then being fixed, during the docking of a mechanical plate on a body of the vehicle, on a structural element of the body, where appropriate of the mechanical plate. These cables, which have the function of supplying a first component arranged on the mechanical plate or on the body to a second component arranged conversely on the body or on the mechanical plate, are intended to extend into the engine compartment of the vehicle in order to ensure their function. The holding device makes it possible to ensure that the cable(s) associated with it are properly stored during the docking mentioned above, and to ensure that each of the cables maintains a reliable position once the vehicle is assembled.For this purpose, the holding device has a robust fixing portion with at least one positioning means and a separate fixing means, which ensures a stable position relative to the structural element on which the holding device is fixed. The present invention thus aims to propose a solution making it possible to have a holding device for cables which is robust, with ducts equipped with attachment means to allow pre-assembly of the holding device with the cables before docking. In particular in the case of a holding device associated with several cables respectively fixed in their duct, the holding device allows rapid fixing of several cables on the structural element of the body or the mechanical plate, by making the fixing means common to all the cables.

[0008] In the following description, the vehicle body should be considered broadly as the structure of the vehicle linked to the passenger compartment and the mechanical plate should be considered broadly as the underbody of the vehicle, the mechanical components linked to it being able to be for example, and without this being exhaustive, the engine, the electric traction battery, the running gear. The underbody forming the support structure of these mechanical components can also be called a cradle.

[0009] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the fixing portion comprises a flat wall, projecting from which said positioning means extends and on which the fixing means is positioned, said flat wall of the fixing portion being substantially comprising an upper part perpendicular to the at least one chute of the receiving portion.

[0010] In this way, the means for holding the cables on the holding device are clearly separated from the means for fixing the holding device to the vehicle. A holding device is generated with a substantially L-shape, with the flat wall carrying the positioning means on one of its sides and which is extended by the fixing portion on the other side. It is understood that the flat wall is intended to be arranged in the vicinity of, or against, a structural element of the vehicle, and that the receiving portion can thus hang from this structural element so that the cables can be arranged appropriately in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0011] According to an optional feature of the invention, each chute is configured to receive a cable and it is associated with a hooking means so that the cable is held in position in this chute. Each chute has a gutter shape, open along its length to be able to position the cable against a bottom wall of the chute. According to an optional feature of the invention, the receiving portion comprises several chutes respectively configured to receive a cable, a first chute being inclined relative to a second chute adjacent to the first. In other words, the bottom wall of the first chute extends mainly in a first direction which is in a plane secant to the plane in which a second main elongation direction of the bottom wall of the second chute extends.In this way, it is possible to ensure that the cable that the first duct receives is oriented differently from the adjacent cable housed in the second duct, in order to separate them. This separation presents an advantage in the connection step following the docking step because it facilitates the operator in his handling, reducing the risks of interchanging the cables to be connected to the corresponding component.

[0012] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the flat wall extends the receiving portion at a transverse joining edge of the flat wall, the projecting positioning means of the flat wall being arranged on a free transverse edge of said flat wall, opposite the transverse joining edge.

[0013] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the fixing portion comprises a stop wall projecting from the flat wall, opposite the receiving portion, at the level of the transverse junction edge of the flat wall. The stop wall is intended to come into abutment against an element of the body, advantageously against an edge of the structural element which is used for fixing the holding device.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the at least one chute of the receiving portion comprises anti-slip means configured to retain the cable within the chute. The anti-slip means may in particular take the form of a set of grooves extending projecting from the bottom wall of each chute.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the invention, the at least one chute comprises at least one window through which the at least one attachment means associated with the chute passes. Each chute is delimited on either side by two lateral walls extending along the receiving portion. The window for the passage of the attachment means may in particular be formed in one or other of the walls, or it may be formed in the back wall which connects the two lateral walls.

[0016] The attachment means may in particular consist of a clamp. The latter is sized and configured so that the maximum clamping capacity is reached when the attachment means comes into contact with the cable to be held.

[0017] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, a main positioning means comprises a cylindrical barrel, of circular section, configured to cooperate with the edge delimiting a first notch formed in a structural element of the body, the main positioning means having at the base of the cylindrical barrel, in the vicinity of the flat wall, a narrow guide portion.

[0018] The cylindrical barrel is dimensioned to stop the position of the holding device as a whole relative to the structural element and the narrow guide portion allows the insertion of the cylindrical barrel into the first notch. More particularly, on the structural element of the body or the mechanical plate, the first notch has a particular shape with a straight slot which extends from an edge of the structural element and a circular portion at the end of the slot, this circular portion having a shape corresponding to that of the cylindrical barrel. The slot has a narrower width than that of the circular portion. In this way, the cylindrical barrel is positioned at the height of this circular portion by sliding beforehand along the slot, and the narrow guide portion allows this sliding.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cylindrical shaft has a chamfer connecting it to the narrow guide portion. The chamfer makes it possible to generate a slope which centers the cylindrical shaft relative to the circular portion of the first notch.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the main positioning means comprises stiffening ribs extending from the cylindrical shaft to the transverse joining edge of the flat wall. These stiffening ribs have the role of making the cylindrical shaft, which extends at the free transverse edge of the flat wall, robust, as well as participating in guiding the main positioning means in the first notch formed in the structural element. For this purpose, the stiffening ribs are dimensioned to have a total width which corresponds to the width of the slot.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, a secondary positioning means comprises a straight beam, configured to be housed in a second circular-shaped notch formed in the structural element of the body.

[0022] The presence of a secondary positioning means intended to cooperate with another notch of the structural element makes it possible to stabilize the position of the holding device relative to the structural element and in particular to avoid pivoting of the holding device around the axis defined by the axis of elongation of the cylindrical shaft of the main positioning means. The secondary positioning means has a straight beam shape, distinct from the circular shape of the cylindrical shaft, to provide a guiding function while avoiding hyperstaticity which could block the correct positioning of the holding device.

[0023] The positioning means make it possible in particular to ensure that the at least one fixing means of the holding device is indeed opposite the corresponding fixing means formed on the structural element. Furthermore, these positioning means must make it possible to hold the holding device at least temporarily in position before the fixing means are made operational, the user possibly having to release the holding device while the fixing is carried out. In the above, it is the shape and the dimension of the cylindrical barrel, which cooperates with the edge delimiting the circular portion of the first notch, where appropriate via the chamfer, which ensures this temporary holding.

[0024] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the at least one fixing means is an insert attached to an internal face of the flat wall opposite the external face from which the at least one positioning means projects, said insert being configured to receive a clamping means.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the holding device is made of plastic material. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a mechanical plate and a body respectively carrying one or more components and fixed to each other, at least one cable extending between a first component mounted on the mechanical plate and a second component mounted on the body, the motor vehicle comprising a holding device.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises a structural element fixed to the body, the structural element comprising at least one orifice opposite a means of fixing the holding device and configured to be crossed by a fixing element and at least one notch configured to house the at least one positioning means.

[0027] The structural element, which can be defined as a transverse beam, is an element belonging to the body structure and configured to receive the holding device. It is designated in the present application as the portion of the body in which the holding device is arranged using the positioning and locking means.

[0028] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, a main positioning means of the holding device is arranged in a first notch of the structural element and a secondary positioning means of the holding device is arranged in a second notch of the structural element, a first orifice of the structural element being arranged opposite a first fixing means of the holding device and a second orifice of the structural element being arranged opposite a second fixing means of the holding device.

[0029] The holes and the fixing means facing each other are intended to be crossed by a tightening means, and in particular a screw whose threaded rod cooperates with a tapped insert forming the fixing means.

[0030] As discussed, the holding device is correctly positioned, and held in position, by the positioning means, before being secured using the fixing means.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a motor vehicle as mentioned and comprising at least the following steps, including a first step of connecting the first end of the cable to the first component mounted on the mechanical plate, a second step of positioning the holding device on the structural element, the cable being held in position in the holding device by the at least one attachment means, a third step of fixing the holding device to the structural element, a fourth step of docking the body to the mechanical plate of the vehicle and a fifth step of connecting the second end of the cable to the second component mounted on the body.

[0032] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] illustrates the holding device according to the invention, associated with cables fixed at one end to components mounted on a mechanical plate intended to be assembled on a vehicle body;

[0034] [Fig. 2] illustrates the holding device according to the invention and the plurality of cables associated with this holding device;

[0035] [Fig. 3] illustrates the holding device alone;

[0036] [Fig. 4] illustrates the holding device of Figure 3, from another perspective angle;

[0037] [Fig. 5] illustrates the device for holding in position on a structural element of the vehicle it equips, prior to a fixing operation;

[0038] [Fig. 6] illustrates, in top view, the holding device and the structural element of figure 5, here after the fixing operation;

[0039] [Fig. 7] illustrates a vehicle engine compartment, with the mechanical plate of Figure 1 assembled on a vehicle body which includes in particular a transverse structural element, the holding device being fixed on this structural element.

[0040] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

[0041] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0042] In the detailed description which follows, the terms "longitudinal", "vertical" and "transverse" refer to the orientation of the vehicle in which the elements of the invention are placed. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction in which the main axis of elongation of the vehicle and its main direction of advance are inscribed, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle equipped with the holding device according to the invention rests and the corresponding vertical axis V is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0043] As a reminder, the invention relates to a holding device 1 configured to fix the position of at least one cable 2 within an engine compartment of a vehicle, with one of the ends of each cable 2 which is configured to be connected to a first component mounted on a mechanical plate 4 of the motor vehicle and the other end which is configured to be connected to a second component 9 mounted on a body 6 of this vehicle and illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates the mechanical plate 4 of a motor vehicle, and various first components 8 embedded on this mechanical plate, including here, without this being limiting of the invention, a water pump, a compressor, a heat exchanger, the battery or the thermal or electric engine of the vehicle.

[0045] The mechanical plate 4 here comprises a cradle 10 extended longitudinally by side members 12 which are connected to the front end of the plate by a bumper cross member. On the cradle are positioned horns 14 intended to make a mechanical junction between this mechanical plate and the body 6 here not visible.

[0046] As seen in Figure 1, the holding device 1 is configured to fix and hold a plurality of cables 2 associated with the mechanical plate. In this Figure 1, two cables are visible, with a first cable 16 of which we see a first end 16a linked to a first component 8 embedded on the mechanical plate 4 and a second end 16b which is free, not yet connected to a component. A second cable 18 is also seen in Figure 1, of which a first end 18a is linked to another first component 8 embedded on the mechanical plate 4 and of which a second end 18b is free, substantially in the vicinity of the free end of the first cable 16.

[0047] The holding device 1 is associated with the two cables and makes it possible to hold the two free ends 16b, 18b of the cables close to each other, in particular during the operation of docking the mechanical plate on the body, not visible here. More particularly, and as will be described, the holding device 1 is configured to fix a plurality of cables 2 in a specific position so as to orient the free ends 16b, 18b of each cable 16, 18 opposite a second component 9 mounted on the body. Thus, at the connection step, the operator will only have to take hold of the free ends 16b, 18b and attach them to the second component 9 targeted.

[0048] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate in more detail the holding device 1 assembled to the first cable 16 and to the second cable 18.

[0049] In Figure 2, each cable end is connected to a connector 20 configured to allow electrical connection with the corresponding component and in particular to transmit the current that the cable 2 allows to circulate towards the first component 8 or the second component to which it is connected.

[0050] The holding device 1 comprises a first attachment means 22 and a secondary attachment means 24, both gripping the first cable 16 and configured to hold the first cable 16 within the device. Similarly, the holding device 1 comprises a second attachment means 26 adjacent to the first attachment means 22 in the longitudinal direction, as well as a complementary attachment means 28 adjacent to the secondary attachment means 24 in the longitudinal direction configured to hold the second cable 18. The attachment means 22, 24, 26, 28 are for example adjustable clamps adapting to the dimensions of the first and second cables 16, 18. More precisely, the clamp is arranged around the cable to be fixed on the holding device 1.

[0051] Each attachment means 22, 24, 26, 28, or clamp is here covered by a protective device 30 configured to protect them from possible impacts, in particular when the mechanical plate 4 is docked with the body 6, the attachment means being liable to be damaged in particular if they come into direct contact with the engine compartment. In Figure 2, two attachment means 22, 24 are visible and two attachment means 26, 28 are masked by the protective device 30.

[0052] Furthermore, the holding device 1 is configured so that each clamp can be connected to the housing mainly forming the holding device. As detailed in Figures 3 and 4, the holding device 1 comprises a plurality of windows 32 of different shape from one window to another, this shape being able to be substantially parallelepiped or oblong, and these windows 32 are configured for the passage of one of the attachment means 22, 24, 26, 28.

[0053] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the holding device 1 with the housing alone, without the attachment means previously mentioned. In the description which follows, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse reference frame is considered as a function of the position taken by the holding device once fixed to a structural element of the body, but it should be noted that this is not limiting of the invention. These figures make visible in particular the shape of the housing, with a receiving portion 34 for one or more cables and a fixing portion 36, the fixing portion extending the receiving portion at its upper vertical end. In particular, a transverse joining edge 38 can be seen, at the junction between the fixing portion 36 and the receiving portion 34.

[0054] The housing, and more generally the holding device 1, is made of plastic. The material chosen is easy to inject, to be able to give the desired shapes to each of the portions of the holding device, and sufficiently strong to withstand the force under the vibration constraints of the structural element of the body while pipes are held in position.

[0055] The receiving portion 34 comprises at least one chute, here two chutes sized to receive respectively one of the cables 2. In the example particularly illustrated, the receiving portion 34 is split into a first chute 40 and a second chute 42 which extend in parallel to each other, mainly in a vertical direction. The first chute 40 is delimited by a first wall 44 and a central wall 46 and the second chute 42 is delimited by the central wall 46 and a second wall 48. The central wall 46 constitutes a separating element between the first chute 40 and the second chute 42. Each chute 40, 42 has a gutter shape with the corresponding walls which define it laterally and with a bottom wall 50, 52 formed by a main wall of the housing of the holding device.This gutter shape therefore offers an open face, opposite the bottom wall 50, 52, which allows the cables to be inserted and pressed against the bottom wall.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the two chutes have a different orientation from each other, and more particularly a different inclination. This inclination is defined by the plane in which the bottom wall of each chute mainly extends. The first chute 40 is here substantially inclined relative to a vertical-transverse plane, while the second chute is inscribed in this plane. This inclined configuration of the different chutes relative to each other thus makes it possible to offset the cable attachment zones relative to the holding device 1. This facilitates the pre-positioning of the cables 2 within the matrix device by an operator, before the docking of the body 6 and the mechanical plate 4 for the subsequent connection step. The different inclination of the chutes can also make it possible to give a different orientation to the cables and thus form a means of error correction at the time of connection.

[0057] The receiving portion 34 comprises anti-slip means 54, which here consist of grooves made in the material of the bottom wall of each chute, these anti-slip means having the effect of limiting the sliding of the cables 2 against the bottom wall and preventing the attachment means from being overstressed and risking breaking.

[0058] As mentioned above, each chute 40, 42 comprises a plurality of windows 32 configured to allow one of the attachment means 22, 24, 26, 28 to pass through. The second attachment means 26 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 will be taken as an example. The clamp forming this second attachment means is passed through each of the first window 32a and second window 32b by pressing the pipe against the bottom wall of the corresponding chute, and it is tightened to the correct clamping pressure to hold the pipe in the receiving portion 34 without overly constraining it. It is advantageous according to the invention for the holding device and the pipes to be preassembled, and for the holding device to be secured to the pipes before the latter are fixed at their end to a first component, since this makes it possible to adjust the clamping pressure with appropriate means and not quickly on the assembly line of the motor vehicle.

[0059] Similarly, pairs of windows 32c-32d, 32e, 32f-32g are provided in each chute to allow the passage and tightening of the elastic clamps forming the attachment means here.

[0060] As seen in Figure 4, the fixing portion 36 comprises at least one positioning means 56, 58 and at least one fixing means 60, with the positioning means being distinct from the fixing means.

[0061] The fixing portion here comprises a flat wall 62, which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the bottom wall of one of the gutters extends. The means for positioning and fixing the fixing portion 36 are carried by the flat wall. The flat wall extends in particular between the transverse joining edge 38 previously mentioned and an opposite free transverse edge 64.

[0062] Here, the fixing portion 36 comprises two fixing means 60, respectively formed by an insert 66 and fixed under an internal face of the flat wall 62, that is to say the face which is turned towards the receiving portion. A first insert 66a is here arranged opposite this internal face of the flat wall 62 and forms a tapped hole opening onto the external face of the flat wall and a second insert 66b is arranged in the same way, the two inserts being arranged on either side of the at least one positioning means. The tapped holes are intended to receive fixing elements which make it possible to secure the holding device to the structural element of the body, once the position of the holding device has been adjusted by the implementation of the positioning means.

[0063] The holding device here comprises, in its fixing portion 36, a main positioning means 56 and a secondary positioning means 58, which extend projecting from the flat wall, and more particularly projecting from the external face of the flat wall, opposite the receiving portion. The positioning means are here connected by a bridge 68, substantially parallel to the flat wall, which helps to stiffen the positioning means.

[0064] Generally, it is notable that the configuration of the main positioning means 56 is different from the configuration of the secondary positioning means 58 in order to avoid hyperstatic problems which could constrain the housing of the holding device when tightening the fixing elements.

[0065] More particularly, the main positioning means 58 comprises a cylindrical barrel 70, the section of which is circular or partially circular here because extended towards the transverse joining edge by stiffening ribs 72. The cylindrical barrel extends at the edge of the flat wall, in the vicinity of the free transverse edge 64. In the example illustrated, the positioning means are arranged in a recess, but it should be noted that this arrangement is not limiting of the invention. It is however notable that each positioning means is arranged partially projecting from the free transverse edge.

[0066] The main positioning means 56 has, between the flat wall 62 and the cylindrical barrel 70, at the base of the latter, a narrow guide portion 74. A narrowing is thus formed at the base of the cylindrical barrel, which allows the barrel to slide into a slot in the structural element as will be explained below with reference to FIG. 5 in particular. In the example illustrated, the cylindrical barrel has a chamfer 76 which helps to reduce the dimension of the barrel to give it that of the narrow guide portion. In this way, when the cylindrical barrel is slid into the notch of the structural element, the cylindrical barrel rests against the edges delimiting this notch via the chamfer which helps to center the cylindrical barrel.

[0067] As can be seen in Figure 4, the secondary positioning means 58 has a distinct shape, lacking a cylindrical head and formed mainly of a straight beam. The width, that is to say the dimension measured in the transverse direction, of the secondary positioning means in the vicinity of the free transverse edge 64 is smaller than the corresponding width of the cylindrical shaft, which makes it possible to be certain of simultaneously penetrating the two positioning means into their respective notch in the structural element.

[0068] Finally, it is notable that the fixing portion 36 also comprises a stop wall 78 which extends on either side of the positioning means, each part of the stop wall extending from the positioning means 56 forming a projection from the flat wall 62 as far as one of the inserts 66a, 66b. This stop wall extends along the transverse joining edge 38 of the flat wall 62, that is to say on the edge opposite that where the positioning means extend, namely the free transverse edge 64. It is understood that the holding device is positioned on the structural element of the body by positioning the free transverse edge of the flat wall opposite the structural element and the edge where notches are formed for receiving the positioning means, and that the holding device is then inserted into the notches by translation, until the stop wall comes into contact with the structural element.

[0069] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the holding device 1 arranged in a portion of the body 6, and more particularly in the structural element 80, notably better visible in Figure 7 and which extends transversely from one side to the other of the body 6 to stiffen it. The structural element 80 comprises a first notch 82 and a second notch 84 of equivalent shapes and dimensions, and comparable to keyhole orifices with a straight slot which extends from an edge of the structural element and a circular portion at the end of this slot. Each of these notches is intended to cooperate with one of the positioning means. These notches 82, 84 are through-notches, that is to say they extend vertically through the thickness of the structural element, from a lower face to an upper face visible in Figures 5 to 7.As can be seen in particular in Figure 5, the holding device is intended to extend essentially under the structural element, on the lower face side, only a portion of the positioning means and in particular the cylindrical barrel extending on the upper face side of the structural element. Furthermore, the structural element 80 also comprises a first orifice 86 and a second orifice 88, the first orifice 86 being intended to be arranged opposite the first insert 66a and the second orifice 88 being intended to be arranged opposite the second insert 66b.

[0070] The holding device 1 is fixed to the structural element 80 at the time of docking of the mechanical plate 4 of the vehicle on the body 6, in order to be able to block the position of the cables and prevent them from being crushed between components on board the mechanical plate and components on board the body. This fixing is done while the cables are already positioned and fixed in the ducts. The operator does not have to handle the cables but only the housing of the holding device 1.

[0071] More particularly, the operator brings the fixing portion 36 of the holding device towards the structural element, by positioning the free transverse edge 64 of the flat wall 62 opposite the edge of the structural element into which the notches 82, 84 open. The operator translates the manual device so that the main positioning means 56 slides in the first notch 82 and the secondary positioning means 58 slides in the second notch 84. The operator vertically positions the manual device so that it is the narrow guide portion of the main positioning means 56 which slides in the right slot of the first notch 82, before the stiffening ribs 72 penetrate into this right slot and slide therein. The chamfer 76 formed in the main positioning means 56 rests on the edge delimiting the right slot and promotes the centering of the main positioning means 56 during this translation.When the cylindrical barrel 70 enters the circular portion at the end of the straight slot, the width of the notch increases and the cylindrical barrel gradually sinks into the notch, guided by the ramp formed by the chamfer. The translation ends when the cylindrical barrel 70 is in contact with the edge delimiting the circular portion of the first notch 82 or when the stop wall 78 comes into abutment against the structural element 80. In this position illustrated in FIG. 5, the operator can then release the manual device which takes its final position relative to the structural element 80 by moving by gravity, until the bridge 68 comes into contact with the structural element 80. The ramp formed by the chamfer 76 makes it possible to ensure that this movement by gravity results in a position in which the orifices 86, 88 are indeed opposite the inserts 66a, 66b.

[0072] Once the holding device 1 is positioned relative to the structural element, the latter can be maintained in position vertically in particular due to the contact of the bridge 68 with the upper face of the structural element, transversely in particular due to the presence of the stiffening ribs and longitudinally by the complementary shapes of the cylindrical barrel and the notch and which blocks a return backwards in the right slot.

[0073] The holding device is then fixed to the structural element 80 using fixing elements 90, similar to screws as detailed in FIG. 6, which are screws having a threaded rod intended to fit into the tapped holes of the inserts 66a, 66b. In the example illustrated, a first fixing element 92 engages in the first orifice 86 until it reaches the first insert 66a. In the same way, a second fixing element 94 engages in the second orifice 88 until it reaches the second insert 66b. It is understood that this allows a fixed position of the holding device 1 relative to the structural element which prevents the potential movement of the cables 2 when the vehicle is subsequently driven.

[0074] Thus, the holding device 1 is firstly pre-assembled with two cables 2, the first end of one of the cables being connected to a first component 8 mounted on the mechanical plate 4. Secondly, the holding device is positioned on the structural element 80 secured to the body 6 using the positioning means 56, 58 and then fixed to the structural element 80 by means of the fixing means 60 and the fixing elements 90 in a third step. Once all the cables are held in position by fixing one or more holding devices according to the invention, the mechanical plate 4 and the body 6 are then assembled during a docking operation. The free end of each of the cables 2 can then be connected to a second component arranged in the body 6. For this purpose, the operator can easily recover the free end of each of the cables since they are held close to each other.

[0075] As just described, the present invention achieves the aims it has set itself, namely to allow the maintenance of several cables in a defined and desired position with a robust device which facilitates the handling of the cables during a docking operation to allow a rapid electrical connection. The holding device is also configured to allow the cables to be organized so that they do not become tangled. The holding device according to the invention thus allows a saving of mechanical parts and time when connecting the cables after the docking step of the body and the mechanical plate. The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Holding device (1) for at least one cable (2) intended to equip a motor vehicle and to extend between a first component (8) of the vehicle mounted on a mechanical plate (4) of the vehicle and a second component (9) of the vehicle mounted on a body (6) of the vehicle, said holding device (1) comprising at least one receiving portion (34) of a cable (2) and a fixing portion (36) on the body (6) or on the mechanical plate (4), the receiving portion (34) comprising at least one chute (40, 42) equipped with a means (22, 24, 26, 28) for attaching a cable (2), the fixing portion (36) on the body (6) or on the mechanical plate (4) comprising at least one positioning means (56, 58) and at least one fixing means (60), the positioning means (56, 58) being distinct from the fixing means (60).

2. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, in which the fixing portion (36) comprises a flat wall (62), projecting from which said positioning means (56, 58) extends and on which the fixing means (60) is positioned, said flat wall of the fixing portion being substantially perpendicular to the at least one chute of the receiving portion.

3. Holding device (1) according to claim 2, in which the flat wall (62) extends the receiving portion at a transverse joining edge (38) of the flat wall, the positioning means (56, 58) projecting from the flat wall (62) being arranged on a free transverse edge (64) of said flat wall (62), opposite the transverse joining edge (38).

4. Holding device (1) according to claim 3, in which the fixing portion (36) comprises a stop wall (78) projecting from the flat wall (62), opposite the receiving portion, at the level of the transverse joining edge of the flat wall (62).

5. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one chute (40, 42) of the receiving portion (34) comprises anti-slip means (54) configured to retain the cable (2) within the chute (40, 42).

6. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one chute (40, 42) comprises at least one window (32) through which the at least one attachment means (22, 24, 26, 28) associated with the chute passes.

7. Holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a main positioning means (56) comprises a cylindrical barrel (70), of circular section, configured to cooperate with the edge delimiting a first notch formed in a structural element of the body, the main positioning means having at the base of the cylindrical barrel (70), in the vicinity of the flat wall (62), a narrow guide portion.

8. Holding device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cylindrical barrel has a chamfer (76) connecting it to a narrow guide portion.

9. Holding device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the at least one fixing means (60) is an insert (66a, 66b) attached to a face of the flat wall (62) opposite the face from which the at least one positioning means projects, said insert being configured to receive a clamping means.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a mechanical plate (4) and a body (6) respectively carrying one or more components and fixed to each other, at least one cable extending between a first component (8) mounted on the mechanical plate (4) and a second component mounted on the body (6), the motor vehicle comprising a holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 fixing the at least one cable on the body (6) or on the mechanical plate (4).

11. Method for assembling a motor vehicle according to claim 10, comprising at least the following steps among which a first step of connecting the first end of the cable (2) to the first component (8) embedded on the mechanical plate (4), a second step of positioning the holding device (1) on the structural element (80), the cable (2) being held in position in the holding device (1) by the at least one attachment means, a third step of fixing the holding device (1) on the structural element (80), a fourth step of docking the body (6) to the mechanical plate (4) of the vehicle and a fifth step of connecting the second end of the cable (2) to the second component on board the body (6).

Images