FR3156110A1 - DEFLECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEFLECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a deflector (1) intended to be fixed under the body of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said deflector (1) comprises at least one fixing member (3) comprising: – an oblong through opening (7); – a receiving cage (9) for a nut, said cage (9) surrounding said oblong opening (7); – a nut (11) which is configured to be mounted inside the cage (9) and on a stud passing through said oblong opening (7). Abstract figure: [Fig. 5]

Description

DEFLECTOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEFLECTOR

The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles comprising an underbody structure under which at least one fairing element is mounted. The present invention relates more particularly to a fairing element and the arrangement of fixing members making it possible to fix said fairing element under the front and/or rear part of the body of a motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle commonly includes an underbody structure under which components and equipment are fixed. Fairing elements are also fixed on or in the underbody structure, particularly under the vehicle body, to cover the equipment and components.

Fairing elements have several possible functions. They provide protection for underbody equipment, particularly against splashes of water or gravel, but also potentially against impacts with objects on the road. Fairing elements generally have aerodynamic shapes, thus improving the stability of the vehicle in motion and/or reducing its drag. Finally, they can also be configured to channel the air flowing under the body in order, for example, to supply a vehicle cooling circuit.

Such bottom fairing elements or deflectors are generally flat and are installed under the body (or platform) of the vehicle, the deflectors being fixed by means of suitable fixing devices.

According to a common embodiment, the fixing devices each combine a fixing member comprising a nut and a threaded attachment member, in particular arranged as a stud. When the deflector is pressed on its upper face against the body (at its lower face), the nuts and studs are brought into cooperation by an operator to fix the deflector to the body, and therefore to the chassis.

The problem arises of the relative positioning between the nuts and the studs, the rigor of which allows them to cooperate with each other when mounting the deflector under the body. There is also the problem of organizing the methods of fixing the deflector to the body allowing quick and easy mounting by an operator.

A known solution is to pre-equip the deflector with nuts designed to cooperate with studs installed under the body. The nuts are, for example, attached inside cages assigned to them and incorporated into the deflector. The cages are notably integrated at lower cost into the deflector, being formed during the manufacture of the deflector and therefore being made from its material. Thus, the deflector is provided with fixing members each comprising a cage housing a nut.

Furthermore, for a deflector to be correctly mounted under the body of a vehicle, it is necessary for the deflector to be positioned and held, for example by pre-holding means, while presenting isostatism, under the body, until the deflector is permanently secured to said body.

As is well known, some underbody deflectors include pre-retaining means and means to ensure the deflector isostatic during installation. Unfortunately, there was no solution that could perform these two functions in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of deflector intended to be fixed under the body of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said deflector comprises at least one fixing member comprising:
– an oblong through opening;
– a nut receiving cage, said cage surrounding said oblong opening;
– a nut which is configured to be mounted inside the cage and (in the mounted position) on a stud passing through said oblong opening.

The deflector according to the invention allows the isostatism function to be achieved through the oblong openings, while the holding or pre-holding function is ensured by the receiving cage and the nut. The deflector according to the invention allows, among other things, to have an isostatism compatible with different versions of fixing members on board the deflector, and can therefore be easily applied to any type of vehicle having underbody deflectors. Furthermore, the deflector according to the invention is inexpensive to manufacture and promotes time savings when mounting it on a vehicle.

According to one possible feature, said oblong opening is a smooth opening.
Advantageously, the smooth opening (or hole) does not exert any torque on the stud or a fixing rod inserted through said opening, the oblong opening only serving for the correct positioning of said studs, and therefore of the deflector.

According to another possible characteristic, the deflector comprises a depression in which the fixing member is arranged.
Advantageously, the fixing member(s) do not protrude from the main extension plane of the deflector, limiting the risk of these members being damaged by obstacles and/or projections during use of the vehicle. In addition, the presence of depressions in which at least one fixing member is arranged facilitates the stacking of the deflectors, simplifying the storage and/or transport of said deflectors.

According to another possible characteristic, said nut comprises retaining tabs configured to come, in the mounted position, into abutment against a stud passing through said oblong opening.
Advantageously, the retaining (or pre-retaining) tabs are located, or even incorporated, in the nut of the fixing member, thus avoiding the tabs being made on the deflector or on a separate additional part.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector comprises at least two fixing members each having oblong openings, the longitudinal axis of each of the oblong openings being substantially orthogonal to each other.
Advantageously, the deflector comprises at least two oblong or elongated openings, the respective longitudinal axes of which are substantially orthogonal to each other, thus facilitating lateral and longitudinal positioning of the deflector, as well as its isostatism.

According to another possible characteristic, said nut comprises positioning ribs, said ribs being configured to center, in the mounted position, the nut relative to said stud.
Said ribs advantageously extend between the retaining tabs and facilitate the correct positioning of the nut and its tabs relative to a stud on which the nut is to be mounted.

According to another possible characteristic, the receiving cage comprises deformable elastic members configured to block, in the mounted position, the nut in the receiving cage.

According to another possible characteristic, said receiving cage comprises an elastically deformable stop configured, when said nut is in the mounted position in the receiving cage, to block any removal of the nut.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, etc.
The deflector is advantageously made of a plastic material and/or a material comprising glass fibers. Indeed, these materials are inexpensive and make it possible to produce deflectors having shapes or conformations adapted to the vehicle model, for example according to the organs, equipment and/or space constraints relating to the underbody of a vehicle, while being light and having good mechanical qualities.

According to another possible feature, said reception cage is made of the same material as the deflector.
Advantageously, said reception cage, and therefore its components, is single-piece or unitary with the deflector.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector is monobloc (or unitary).
Advantageously, the deflector is a single piece, in order, among other things, to reduce its manufacturing cost, improve its mechanical strength, as well as to facilitate the mounting of said deflector under a motor vehicle body.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector has an elongated shape.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector has substantially the shape of a plate.

According to another possible characteristic, said deflector has a first face, called the lower face, and a second face, called the upper face. The first and second faces are the opposite main faces of said deflector.
In the mounted position, the lower face of the deflector is intended to face towards the vehicle (towards the body) and is not visible to the user, while the upper face is intended to face towards the outside of the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a deflector as defined above.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- There FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic and bottom view of a deflector according to the invention intended to be mounted under a motor vehicle body;
- there FIG. 2 is a schematic, enlarged, partial and perspective view of a fixing member of the deflector of the FIG. 1 ;
- there FIG. 3 is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of a nut of the fixing member of the [ FIG. 2 ] ;
- there [ FIG. 4 ] is a schematic, enlarged, partial and perspective view of the fixing organ of the FIG. 2 when the deflector is mounted under a vehicle body;
- there [ FIG. 5 ] is a schematic, enlarged, partial and perspective view of the fixing organ of the FIG. 4 fixed to a vehicle body stud.

In the following description, the term “comprise” is synonymous with “include” and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term “comprise” includes the terms “consist of”.

Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, unless otherwise indicated. The term "lower" shall designate a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

In addition, an orthogonal reference XYZ is defined in relation to the vehicle, namely:
– an X axis, defining a longitudinal and horizontal direction of the vehicle,
– a Y axis, defining a transverse and horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane,
– a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, orthogonal to the horizontal XY plane, the Z axis with the X axis or with the Y axis defining a vertical XZ or YZ plane.

In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

There FIG. 1 thus illustrates a very schematic, partial and bottom view of a deflector 1 according to the invention. Said deflector 1 is thus configured to equip the chassis of a motor vehicle (not shown), for example at the level of the vehicle body (i.e. at the level of the underbody structure of the vehicle which is at least partially delimited by the vehicle body).

Said deflector 1 thus extends generally in a plane P1 and is therefore intended to be installed under a motor vehicle body. Thus, in the mounted position, the deflector 1 (for example its main extension plane P1) extends substantially in an XY plane (or horizontal plane).

In addition, the deflector 1 has a thickness which extends in elevation along an axis El orthogonal to its main extension plane P1, therefore between a first face 1a, called the lower face, and a second face, called the upper face. It will be noted that in the mounted position of the deflector 1, the axis EI corresponds substantially to the axis Z (or vertical axis).

The first 1a and second faces are the opposite main faces of said deflector 1. In the mounted position, the lower face 1a of the deflector 1 is intended to be oriented towards the outside of the vehicle (therefore in the direction of its rolling plane), while the upper face is intended to be oriented towards the vehicle. Furthermore, said deflector 1 therefore has an elongated shape, and for example has substantially the shape of a plate.

The deflector 1 comprises a plurality of fixing members 3 which are configured to mount the deflector 1 under the body of the vehicle, as well as depressions 5. The fixing members 3 are advantageously arranged in the depressions 5 of the deflector 1, at the level of the bottom 5a thereof, therefore below the lower face 1a.

The depressions 5 are for example formed in cells, having substantially vertical (or slightly inclined) walls which extend along the elevation axis El between the lower 1a and upper faces of the deflector 1.

The entrance or open area of the depression 5 is therefore located at the level of the lower face 1a of the deflector 1, while the bottom 5a of the depression is close to the upper face of the deflector 1.

Furthermore, in the mounted position, the bottom 5a of the depression 5 extends substantially in an XY plane, while the axis EI is substantially identified with the Z axis. In a variant of the invention not shown, fixing members 3 are provided at the edge of the deflector 1.

There FIG. 2 is a schematic, partial, enlarged and perspective view of one of the fixing members 3 of the deflector 1 located in one of the depressions 5. The fixing member 3 thus comprises:
– an oblong through opening 7 provided in the bottom 5a of the depression 5, therefore through the upper face of the deflector 1;
– a 9 nut receiving cage;
– a nut 11, more particularly visible at the FIG. 3 And FIG. 4 , configured to be mounted inside the cage 9 and, in the mounted position of the deflector 1, on a stud (or a fixing rod, for example threaded) passing through said oblong opening 7.

Said deflector 1 is preferably made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, etc., and is for example monobloc (or unitary).

Said oblong opening 7 is advantageously a smooth opening, that is to say that the smooth opening (or hole) does not exert any torque on a stud or a fixing rod which is inserted through said opening 7. In addition, the width of the oblong opening 7 is for example substantially equal to the diameter of the body stud intended to pass through said opening 7.

Furthermore, the receiving cage 9 is advantageously made from the material of the deflector 1, or in other words said cage 9 is jointly formed with the deflector 1 during its manufacture, in particular by molding.

Said cage 9 comprises deformable elastic members 13 which are, in the example illustrated in the various figures, three in number distributed at 90° around the oblong opening 7. The elastic members 13 are configured substantially in the form of hooks 15, 16 comprising a foot 15 extended in elevation El and anchored at its base to the bottom 5a of the depression 5, and for example to the substantially vertical walls of the depression 5.

In addition, the foot 15 is extended at its upper end by lugs 16 extending radially from the foot 15 towards the oblong opening 7. The lugs 16 thus define with the bottom 5a of the depression 5 a space or a groove in which at least part of the nut 11 is inserted.

Note the subsidiary and preferred presence of an elastically deformable stop 18 arranged upstream of the oblong opening 7 in the direction of introduction C1 by sliding the nut 11 inside the cage 9. The stop 18 and the deformable members 13 are thus distributed at 90° around the oblong opening 7.

When the nut 11 slides towards the inside of the cage 9, the stop 18 is retracted towards the bottom of the depression 5 by the nut 11, thus allowing its passage towards and into the cage 9, then forms an obstacle or a stop against a movement of the nut 11 in the opposite direction, thus preventing an escape (or any withdrawal) of the nut 11 from the cage 9.

There FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic, enlarged and three-quarter perspective view of a nut 11. Said nut 11 thus comprises:
– a central part 20 in which a through opening 20a is arranged, configured to be mounted on a stud or a fixing rod (for example threaded), that is to say that in the mounted position of the deflector 1, a stud extends through the oblong opening 7 (and the opening 20a);
– a sole 22 configured so that the elastically deformable members 13 come to bear there when said nut 11 is mounted (or inserted) in the cage 9.

The nut 11 thus has a central axis (not shown), here for example an axis of revolution. Advantageously, the central part 20, the opening 20a, and the sole 22 are arranged coaxially with respect to each other along this central axis. Furthermore, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3 , the sole 22 has a substantially disc shape centered on the central axis of the nut 11.

Nut 11 further comprises:
– retaining tabs 24 arranged in the through opening 20a and configured to come, in the mounted position, to bear against a stud passing through said oblong opening 7 and the through opening 20a;
– positioning ribs 25 configured to center, in the mounted position, the nut 11 relative to a stud passing through said oblong opening 7 (and the opening 20a).

Advantageously, the tabs 24 and/or the ribs 25 are integral with the nut 11. Furthermore, said tabs 24 and ribs 25 extend radially from the internal face of the central part 20 (face delimiting the opening 20a) in the direction of the axis of revolution of said nut 11.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 3 , the tabs 24 and the ribs 25 are three in number, distributed at 180° around the axis of revolution of said nut 11, but this number can vary depending on the diameter of the opening 20a and/or the stud intended to pass through the through opening 20a (and the oblong opening 7).

It will also be noted that said deflector 1 comprises at least two fixing members 3 each having oblong openings 3 whose respective longitudinal axes are arranged substantially orthogonally to one another.

THE FIG. 4 And FIG. 5 , as for them, are schematic, enlarged, partial and perspective views of a fixing member 3 of the deflector 1 mounted under the body (not shown) of a vehicle, and of which a stud 26 is inserted into the oblong opening 7 of the fixing member 3. Unlike the FIG. 4 , there FIG. 5 illustrates the nut 11 in the mounted position, i.e. inserted into the cage 9 and mounted on the stud 26.

The nut 11 is introduced inside the cage 9 by sliding along the axis C1, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane P1. When the nut 11 slides towards the inside of the cage 9, the stop 18 is retracted towards the bottom 5a of the depression 5 (or towards the upper face of the deflector), to allow its passage towards the cage 9, then form an obstacle to any withdrawal of the nut 11 from the cage 9.

Furthermore, the introduction of the nut 11 inside the cage 9 causes a deformation by tilting of the elastic members 13 allowing the passage of the nut 11 towards the inside of the cage 9, then a reverse tilting of the hooks 15, 16, when the periphery of the sole 22 of the nut 11 is positioned between the lugs 16 of said elastic members 13 and the bottom 5a of the depression 5.

Indeed, the sole 22 of the nut 11 comes to bear against the elastically deformable members 13, the latter pressing the sole 22 of said nut 11 towards the bottom 5a of the depression 5. The sole 22 is preferably provided with a lug 22a (or an excess thickness) arranged on the periphery of the sole 22, lug 22a for example configured to come, in the mounted position, to bear against the lugs 16 of said members 13, and thus block the nut 11 in the cage 9 (in particular by means of the members 13).

Thus, in the mounted position, the stud 26 is inserted through the oblong opening 7 and the opening 20a of the nut 11, while the nut 11 is locked in position in the cage 9 by the elastic members 13 and the stop 18. The retaining tabs 24 are thus in abutment against the stud 26, thus securing the stud 26 (for example of the vehicle body) with the deflector 1 (by means of the fixing member 3). Subsequently, the deflector 1 is fixed definitively and permanently to the vehicle body.

Claims (10)

Deflector (1) intended to be fixed under the body of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said deflector (1) comprises at least one fixing member (3) comprising:
– an oblong through opening (7);
– a receiving cage (9) for nut, said cage (9) surrounding said oblong opening (7);
– a nut (11) which is configured to be mounted inside the cage (9) and on a stud passing through said oblong opening (7). Deflector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said oblong opening (7) is a smooth opening. Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflector (1) comprises a depression (5) in which the fixing member (3) is arranged. Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said nut (11) comprises retaining tabs (24) configured to come, in the mounted position, to bear against a stud passing through said oblong opening (7). Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said deflector (1) comprises at least two fixing members (3) each having oblong openings (7), the longitudinal axis of each of the oblong openings (7) being substantially orthogonal to each other. Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said nut (11) comprises positioning ribs (25), said ribs (25) being configured to center, in the mounted position, the nut (11) relative to said stud. Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving cage (9) comprises deformable elastic members (13) configured to block, in the mounted position, the nut (11) in the receiving cage (9). Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said receiving cage (9) comprises an elastically deformable stop (18) configured, when said nut (11) is in the mounted position in the receiving cage (9), to block any withdrawal of the nut (11). Deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said receiving cage (9) is made in one piece with the deflector (1). Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a deflector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
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