FR3131602A1 - Pre-assemblable and removable fastening device for assembling mechanical elements together - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device (1) removable and connectable to a first element (2) and to a second element (3), in particular mechanical elements belonging to a vehicle body According to the invention, the fixing device (1) comprises: a main body (10) an orifice (16) extending through the main body (10);a first securing means (6) for securing the fastening device (1) to the first element;at least one second means (14) made in or next to the orifice (16) and adapted to cooperate with a fixing means (17) fixed to the second element (3), thus allowing the second element (3) to be fixed to the first element (2) when the fixing means (17) is inserted into the hole (16). Figure for abstract: FIG.3C

Description

Pre-mountable and removable fixing device for assembling mechanical elements together Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the production of a pre-mountable and removable fixing device for assembling mechanical elements together, in particular elements at least partially in the form of panels, in particular vehicle body elements, and a system comprising this fixing device.

Technical background

Known fixing devices for fixing a soundproofing panel to a hood often do not allow easy removal of the soundproofing panel from the hood without damage and/or loss of the device.

In the case of pre-assembly of the fixing device on a soundproofing panel, known solutions are often designed with several components (clip + washer, etc.), which results in a high cost and requires that the part can be held in a secure manner. reliable, that is to say unlosable, between the pre-assembly site at the supplier and the assembly line at the manufacturer, as well as during possible dismantling operations. In addition, another solution consists of the use of plastic rivets or clips assembled at the edge of the chain by the fitter. The problem in this case arises from the fact that the operator must hold both the soundproofing panel and place the plasti-rivet or clip in the intended housing. Also in this case, the impregnability of the assembly system is not guaranteed in the event of dismantling.
A first pre-mountable and removable fixing device is known from document WO-A1-2018/044709. This device allows for example to mount a soundproofing panel to the panel of a hood.
This fixing device has a base extending between two substantially flat faces. A through hole extends between the two faces of the base. An anchoring foot, a retention member and two teeth extend from one side of the base, from one of the faces. The anchoring foot, the retention member and the two teeth can be inserted into through holes of mechanical elements to be connected together, which are at least partially in the form of panels. The anchoring foot has two walls parallel to each other and arranged on either side of an orifice passing through the base. The anchoring foot also has two attachment lobes, each mounted tilting relative to the two parallel walls, on a respective side of the central space delimited by the walls. The two teeth are L-shaped, arranged on the base on either side of the pair of parallel walls. The teeth each have one end projecting towards the walls. The retention member comprises two flexible arms, arranged on the base on either side of the pair of teeth, and an annular cage extending between the flexible arms. The retention member is shaped in such a way that the flexible arms can fold towards the base so that the annular cage engages on the teeth. The flexible arms can then sandwich, connect together and hold the mechanical elements together.
This fixing device can also be dismantled by pushing back the lower part of the lobes, that is to say in the part opposite the base, using a tool so as to disengage the lobes from the edge of the through hole (or through holes when several mechanical elements are connected together).
A disadvantage of this known fixing device is its volume due to the successive positioning in the width of the parallel walls, the teeth and the arms.
A first pre-mountable and removable fixing device is known from document FR3100587 which aims to propose a pre-mountable and removable fixing device for fixing mechanical elements to be connected together, at least partially in the form of panels. This fixing device must allow easy disassembly and reassembly of one panel on another, such as a soundproofing panel on the inside of a hood. This fixing device must also be simple to manufacture, reliable, compact and inexpensive.

Also, the connection of elements, such as a base or other elements, to a bodywork by means of bolts and a nut is well known, particularly in motor vehicles. Bolts have been developed for this purpose which are welded, glued, riveted or otherwise attached to the bodywork and then project essentially orthogonally from a body panel or other element plane. Such bolts are therefore also called screw bolts or threaded bolts. The element to be connected typically comprises one or more fixing holes, each of which can receive a bolt. For assembly, the element is positioned on the bodywork so that the bolts protrude through the holes and the element is then secured by screwing nuts onto said bolts. The member may be designed such that the holes are formed in pot-shaped depressions, which receive the bolts as well as nuts without said nuts and bolts projecting beyond a general external contour of the element.

Instead of threads, bolts can also have annular or parallel groove-shaped locking structures. Such bolts are also called spline bolts or annular spline bolts.

For the quick assembly of screw connections, plastic quick-assembly nuts are known, which are hammered, pushed or pressed onto a threaded bolt and then also tightened at a small angle. Such quick-fit nuts have a cylindrical screw receiving opening, the inner face of which is narrower overall or in sections than the associated nominal screw diameter and is made of a resilient material, which yields when pressed on a threaded bolt so as to penetrate the threads of the bolt when the material subsequently relaxes. This creates a quasi-nut thread, by means of which the quick-fit nuts can be tightened further. For disassembly, such a quick-assembly nut must either be unscrewed or extracted. However, the extraction force roughly matches the application force and is difficult to apply. Rapid disassembly is virtually impossible. The tightening torque of such quick-fit nuts is limited due to the material properties. As a result, connections with such nuts can become loose relatively easily.

In addition, such nuts are generally designed for a particular thread value of the corresponding bolt. A nut designed to accommodate an M6 pitch bolt does not have the same thread pitch as a nut designed to accommodate an M5 pitch bolt or a T5 pitch stud. It is therefore necessary to have as many nuts as bolts/studs available, which requires a large stock of parts and significant handling steps.

An aim of the invention is to provide a pre-mountable, removable and universal fixing device allowing all possible types of fixing to be carried out.

Based on the aforementioned problems, the present invention relates to a removable and connectable fastening device to a first element and to a second element, in particular mechanical elements belonging to a vehicle body

Advantageously, the fixing device comprises:

• a main body;
• a port extending through the main body;
• a first securing means making it possible to secure the fixing device to the first element;
• at least a second securing means provided in or next to the orifice and adapted to cooperate with a fixing means secured to the second element, thus making it possible to secure the second element to the first element when the fixing means is inserted into the orifice.

Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises at least a third securing means provided in or next to the orifice and adapted to conform and cooperate with the fixing means when the fixing means is inserted into the orifice.

Advantageously, the fixing device further comprises a base, an annular cage, said main body extending transversely from an internal side of the base towards an internal side of the annular cage, the first securing means being provided with a plurality of flexible arms, each flexible arm having a first end and a second end, each second end being connected to said annular cage and each first end being connected either to said base or to said main body.

Advantageously, when inserting the fixing device into an opening provided in the first element, the flexible arms allow the fixing device to have two possible states:

• before insertion of the fixing device into the opening, an deployed state, in which the flexible arms each extend along the main body; And
• after insertion of the fixing device in the opening in a folded state, in which each flexible arm is folded on itself so as to present two sections substantially parallel to the internal side of the base, in which the annular cage surrounds the body main and in which the annular cage is held in position relative to the base thanks to at least one recess, and in that, in the folded state, the annular cage is snapped against said at least one recess, each flexible arm folded being abutting against an internal face of the first element so that the fixing device is integral with the second element when the flexible arms are in the folded state.

Advantageously, said at least one second and at least one third securing means are provided on an internal wall of the main body, said at least second securing means being a flexible latching arm and said at least one third securing means being a flexible centering tab

Advantageously, the orifice extends through the base, the annular cage and the main body, and in that said at least one second securing means comprises a flexible part and a latching part comprising at least one notch, said latching part being configured to engage in a thread of the fixing means, said at least one second securing means flexing in a direction of insertion of the fixing means into the orifice in order to engage said at minus one notch in the thread, said at least one third securing means extending axially along an axis of symmetry of the orifice and configured to guide the fixing means during its insertion into the orifice.

Advantageously, said at least one third securing means comprises a main body and a protrusion located at the end of the main body, so as to be able to deform during the phases of insertion and unscrewing of the fixing means in order to achieve a guiding the screw in the hole.

Advantageously, each flexible arm comprises a central part surrounded by a first part of the flexible arm and a second part of the flexible arm, said central part being adapted to flex from the deployed state to the folded state of said flexible arm.

Advantageously, at least one flexible arm is fixed on said internal side of the base or said main body via said first end and in that each second end is fixed on said annular cage.

Advantageously, the number of third securing means is at least identical to the number of second securing means.

Advantageously, the fixing device comprises at least one recess placed on an external wall of the main body and located at a distance located halfway up the main body from the base so that once in the folded state, the annular cage snaps against this recess so as to tighten each flexible arm against the first element

Advantageously, the invention also relates to a system for removably fixing a first element to a second element, which are preferably vehicle body elements, comprising a fixing device as introduced previously, the opening of the first element being of dimensions less than the transverse dimensions of the base of the fixing device, said opening being configured to be crossed by the annular cage and the flexible arms when the fixing device is in the deployed state, said opening being of dimensions less than the total transverse dimension of the flexible arms when the fixing device is in the folded state, so that the fixing device remains pre-assembled on the first element when the annular cage is snapped against the release, the fixing means being adapted pressing the second element onto the first element when it is inserted into the orifice.

For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

In the context of the present application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual characteristics of these, can be taken independently or in any combination. In other words, any embodiments and/or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner, unless those features are incompatible.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "for example", "for example" and any other similar terms used herein should be construed as non-limiting, such that any feature so described does not necessarily have to be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. Applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend on and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in this manner

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which we will refer to the appended drawings in which:

schematically shows a fixing device according to the invention in a state called deployed state

schematically shows a fixing device according to the invention in a state called folded state

schematically shows the fixing device according to the invention before insertion and fixing of two elements

schematically shows the fixing device according to the invention in position on the two elements to be fixed and before insertion of the fixing screw allowing the fixing of two elements between them

schematically shows the fixing device according to the invention in the final position allowing the fixing of two elements by the fixing screw

schematically shows a top view of the fixing device according to the invention

Detailed description of the invention

Different aspects of different embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "include" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not exclude) other parts, additives, components, wholes or stages.

In relation to Figures 1 to 4, we will now describe a particular embodiment according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate a fixing device (1) removable and connectable to a first element (2) and to a second element (3), in particular mechanical elements belonging to a vehicle body as illustrated in the figures 3a to 3c.

The first element can, for example, be a soundproofing element and the second element a bodywork element.

As illustrated in the figures, the fixing device (1) comprises:

• a main body (10);
• a port (16) extending through the main body (10);
• a first securing means (6) making it possible to secure the fixing device (1) to the first element;
• at least one second securing means (14) provided in or next to the orifice (16) and adapted to cooperate with a fixing means (17) secured to the second element (3), thus making it possible to secure the second element ( 3) to the first element (2) when the fixing means (17) is inserted into the orifice (16).

The fixing device (1) further comprises at least a third securing means (15) provided in or next to the orifice (16) and adapted to conform and cooperate with the fixing means (17) when the means fixing (17) is inserted into the hole (16).

The fixing device (1) further comprises a base (11), an annular cage (12), said main body (10) extending transversely from an internal side (111) of the base (11) towards a side internal (121) of the annular cage (12), the first securing means (6) being provided with a plurality of flexible arms (60), each flexible arm (60) having a first end (64) and a second end (65), each second end (65) being connected to said annular cage (12) and each first end (64) being connected either to said base (11) or to said main body (10).

Particularly, when inserting the fixing device (1) into an opening (4) provided in the first element (2) such as for example a soloization panel, the flexible arms (60) allow the fixing device (1) two possible states:

• before insertion of the fixing device (1) into the opening (4), an deployed state, in which the flexible arms (60) each extend along the main body (10); And
• after insertion of the fixing device (1) in the opening (4) in a folded state, in which each flexible arm (60) is folded on itself so as to present two sections substantially parallel to the internal side (111) of the base (11), in which the annular cage (12) surrounds the main body and in which the annular cage (12) is held in position relative to the base (11) thanks to at least one recess (13) , and in that, in the folded state, the annular cage (12) is snapped against said at least one recess (13), each folded flexible arm abutting against an internal face of the first element (2) so as to that the fixing device (1) is integral with the second element (3) when the flexible arms (60) are in the folded state.

According to the invention, said at least one second and at least one third securing means (14; 15) are provided on an internal wall (101) of the main body, said at least second securing means (14) being an arm of flexible snap-fastening and said at least one third securing means (15) being a flexible centering tab

Also, the orifice (16) is adapted to extend through the base (11), the annular cage (12) and the main body (10).

Said at least one second securing means (14) further comprises a flexible part (141) and a latching part (142) comprising at least one notch (143), said latching part being configured to engage in a thread (173) of the fixing means (17), said at least one second securing means (14) bending in a direction of insertion of the fixing means (17) in the orifice (16) in order to engage said at least one notch (143) in the thread (173), said at least one third securing means (15) extending axially along an axis of symmetry (160) of the orifice (16) and configured to guide the means fixing (17) when it is inserted into the orifice (16).

Also, said at least one third securing means (15) comprises a main body (151) and a protrusion (152) located at the end of the main body, so as to be able to deform during the insertion and unscrewing phases. of the fixing means (17) in order to guide the screw in the orifice (16).

Again, each flexible arm (60) comprises a central part (63) surrounded by a first part (61) of the flexible arm (60) and a second part (62) of the flexible arm (60), said central part being adapted to flex from the deployed state to the folded state of said flexible arm (60).

According to one characteristic, at least one flexible arm (60) is fixed on said internal side (111) of the base (11) or said main body (10) via said first end (64) and in that each second end ( 65) is fixed on said annular cage (12).

Thus, the first securing means (6) allows, once the fixing device (1) inserted into the opening (4) of the first element, to be able to have an element (for example, a soundproofing panel) equipped with a captive and removable fixing device (1) (using a tool, not shown).

The operator therefore has a soundproofing panel already equipped with a fixing device (1) allowing its attachment to a bodywork element, for this specific example.

With such a fixing device (1) according to the invention, the operator therefore has no need to have as many fixing devices (of the fixing clip type) to be pre-mounted on the first element and to have access to as many stocks of screws (or studs) corresponding to said type of fixing clip since the present invention makes it possible to insert any type of screw or stud, for example M6 or T5 type. As a result, handling operations are greatly reduced and much simpler to implement on the assembly line.

Advantageously, the number of third securing means (15) is at least identical to the number of second securing means (14).

The fixing device also comprises at least one recess (13) placed on an external wall (102) of the main body (10) and located at a distance (H1) located halfway up the main body from the base (11) so that once in the folded state, the annular cage (2) snaps against this recess (13) so as to tighten each flexible arm (60) against the first element (2).

According to one characteristic, the axis of the third securing means (15), for example a centering tab, is not perpendicular to the axis of the fixing means (17) (for example, a screw or a stud), which makes it possible to absorb the variations between the different diameters of the fixing means (17) by bending, while ensuring the centering of the fixing means (17).

The present invention also relates, as shown in Figures 3a to 3C, a system for removably connecting a first element (2) to a second element (3), which are preferably vehicle body elements, comprising a fixing device (1), in which the opening (4) is configured to be traversed by the annular cage (12) and the flexible arms (60) when the fixing device (1) is in the deployed state, said opening (4) being smaller than the total transverse dimension of the flexible arms (60) when the fixing device (1) is in the folded state, so that the fixing device (1) remains pre-assembled on the first element (2) when the annular cage (12) is snapped against the recess (13), the fixing means (17) being adapted to press the second element (3) on the first element (2) during its insertion in the orifice (16).

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention shall be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless inconsistent with this one. All features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), and/or all steps of a method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any manner any combination, except for combinations where at least some of these features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of all the preceding embodiments. The invention extends to any new feature, or any new combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), or to any new feature, or any new combination, steps of any method or process thus disclosed.

List of reference signs

1 fixing device

10 main body

101 inner wall

102 outer wall

11 base

111 internal side of the base

112 external side of the base

2 first element

3 second element

4 opening of the first element

6 first means of securing

60 flexible arm

61 first part of the flexible arm

62 second part of the flexible arm

63 central part of the flexible arm

64 first end of the flexible arm

65 second flexible arm end

12 annular cage

121 internal side of the annular cage

122 external side of the annular cage

13 stall

14 second means of securing

141 flexible part of the second securing means

142 latching part of the second securing means

143 notch of the latching part of the second securing means

15 third means of securing

151 main body of the third means of securing

152 excrescence of the third means of securing

16 fixing device hole

160 axis of symmetry of the orifice

17 fixing means

172 main body of the fixing means

173 thread

Claims (12)

Fixing device (1) removable and connectable to a first element (2) and to a second element (3), in particular mechanical elements belonging to a vehicle body,characterized in thatthe fixing device (1) comprises:

• a main body (10);
• a port (16) extending through the main body (10);
• a first securing means (6) making it possible to secure the fixing device (1) to the first element;
• at least one second securing means (14) provided in or next to the orifice (16) and adapted to cooperate with a fixing means (17) secured to the second element (3), thus making it possible to secure the second element ( 3) to the first element (2) when the fixing means (17) is inserted into the orifice (16).

Fixing device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises at least one third securing means (15) provided in or next to the orifice (16) and adapted to conform and cooperate with the fixing means (17) when the fixing means (17) is inserted into the orifice (16). Fixing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a base (11), an annular cage (12), said main body (10) extending transversely from an internal side (111) from the base (11) towards an internal side (121) of the annular cage (12), the first securing means (6) being provided with a plurality of flexible arms (60), each flexible arm ( 60) having a first end (64) and a second end (65), each second end (65) being connected to said annular cage (12) and each first end (64) being connected either to said base (11) or to said main body (10). Fixing device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that when it is inserted into an opening (4) provided in the first element (2), the flexible arms (60) allow the fixing device (1) to have two possible states :

• before insertion of the fixing device (1) into the opening (4), an deployed state, in which the flexible arms (60) each extend along the main body (10); And
• after insertion of the fixing device (1) in the opening (4) in a folded state, in which each flexible arm (60) is folded on itself so as to present two sections substantially parallel to the internal side (111) of the base (11), in which the annular cage (12) surrounds the main body and in which the annular cage (12) is held in position relative to the base (11) thanks to at least one recess (13) , and in that, in the folded state, the annular cage (12) is snapped against said at least one recess (13), each folded flexible arm abutting against an internal face of the first element (2) so as to that the fixing device (1) is integral with the second element (3) when the flexible arms (60) are in the folded state.

Fixing device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said at least one second and at least one third securing means (14; 15) are provided on an internal wall (101) of the main body, said at least second means securing means (14) being a flexible latching arm and said at least one third securing means (15) being a flexible centering tab Fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that the orifice (16) extends through the base (11), the annular cage (12) and the main body (10), and in that said at least one second securing means (14) comprises a flexible part (141) and a latching part (142) comprising at least one notch (143), said latching part being configured to engage in a thread (173) of the fixing means (17), said at least one second securing means (14) bending in a direction of insertion of the fixing means (17) in the orifice (16 ) in order to engage said at least one notch (143) in the thread (173), said at least one third securing means (15) extending axially along an axis of symmetry (160) of the orifice (16) and configured to guide the fixing means (17) during its insertion into the orifice (16). Fixing device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said at least one third securing means (15) comprises a main body (151) and a projection (152) located at the end of the main body, so as to be able to deform during the insertion and unscrewing phases of the fixing means (17) in order to guide the screw in the orifice (16). Fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterized in that each flexible arm (60) comprises a central part (63) surrounded by a first part (61) of the flexible arm (60) and d a second part (62) of the flexible arm (60), said central part being adapted to flex from the deployed state to the folded state of said flexible arm (60). Fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterized in that at least one flexible arm (60) is fixed on said internal side (111) of the base (11) or said main body ( 10) via said first end (64) and in that each second end (65) is fixed on said annular cage (12). Fixing device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the number of third securing means (15) is at least identical to the number of second securing means (14). Fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10 characterized in that it comprises at least one recess (13) placed on an external wall (102) of the main body (10) and located at a distance ( H1) located halfway up the main body from the base (11) so that once in the folded state, the annular cage (2) snaps against this recess (13) so as to tighten each flexible arm (60) against the first element (2). System for removably fixing a first element (2) to a second element (3), which are preferably vehicle body elements, comprising a fixing device (1) according to claims 3 and 4, the opening ( 4) of the first element (2) being of dimensions smaller than the transverse dimensions of the base (11) of the fixing device (1), said opening (4) being configured to be crossed by the annular cage (12) and the arms flexible arms (60) when the fixing device (1) is in the deployed state, said opening (4) being smaller than the total transverse dimension of the flexible arms (60) when the fixing device (1) is in the deployed state. folded state, so that the fixing device (1) remains pre-assembled on the first element (2) when the annular cage (12) is snapped against the recess (13), the fixing means (17) being adapted pressing the second element (3) onto the first element (2) when it is inserted into the orifice (16).