EP4416395A1

EP4416395A1 - Assembly for attaching an element to be attached to a support wall

Info

Publication number: EP4416395A1
Application number: EP22783355.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Régis MOGNER
Original assignee: Renault SAS
Current assignee: Renault SAS
Priority date: 2021-10-11
Filing date: 2022-09-30
Publication date: 2024-08-21
Also published as: WO2023061787A1; FR3127992B1; CN118043563A; FR3127992A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachment assembly (1) for attaching an element (2) to be attached to a support wall (3), comprising a blade (4) that can cooperate with at least one hole in a support wall (3), a support housing (5) that can essentially receive the blade (4), and a means (6) for moving the blade (4) relative to the housing (5), in particular a screw or a clip.

Description

TITLE: Assembly for fixing an element to be fixed on a support wall

The invention relates to an assembly for fixing an element to be fixed to a support wall. In particular, the invention can be applied to an element to be fixed within a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising such a fixing assembly and to a vehicle equipped with said fixing assembly and/or arrangement.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling the arrangement.

Fixing elements to be fixed comes with many constraints. In particular, the implantation site and the immediate environment of the fixation must be adapted in order to allow, on the one hand, to accommodate conventional means of fixation, such as screws or clips, and, on the other hand, the use of tools, such as screwdrivers, without this resulting in excessive difficulty of access for a technician or the use of said tools being accompanied by the degradation of the element to be fixed, for example the due to a lack of space or a large footprint.

For example, in the automobile or transport environment, the fixing of lighting devices, in particular arranged on the rear face, may be subject to aerodynamic constraints imposed on the exterior side of the vehicle, but also to geometry constraints of design aimed at improving accessibility to the loading area, such that it is essential to reduce the dimensions of the attachment, especially in the width of the vehicle.

The fixings conventionally used involve in particular the use of a fixing means intended to extend perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly, through a part of the element to be fix and the support wall carrying it. Such bindings do not make it possible to best respond to the aforementioned constraints.

The invention falls within this context and aims to provide a fixing assembly for an element to be fixed to a support wall, for example such as a sheet metal element of a motor vehicle, adapted to the aforementioned constraints.

The invention proposes an assembly for fixing an element to be fixed on a support wall, the fixing assembly comprising a blade capable of cooperating with at least one orifice of a support wall, a support box capable of receiving essentially the blade, in particular capable of guiding the blade in translation in the housing, and a means for moving the blade relative to the housing, in particular a screw or a clip:

- the housing being open on at least one side configured to extend opposite an orifice of a support wall;

- the blade comprising a body and at least one attachment member connected to the body and configured to extend through an orifice of a support wall, the at least one attachment member being elastically deformable so to be moved between at least one rest position, in which it extends through an orifice, and a hooking position, in which it is able to cooperate with a support wall;

- the blade comprising a movable element relative to the body, in particular a tongue, arranged so as to cooperate with the moving means, the movable element being configured to be moved between a rest position and a fixing position along at least a first direction so as to move the body relative to the housing.

In particular, the movable element may comprise at least one elastically deformable tab connected to the body. The displacement means can extend through the blade, in particular the movable element, and at least one opening on one side of the housing, the displacement means being able to be mounted in rotation around the first direction relatively to the housing and movable relative to the blade along the first direction, the moving means being configured to move the blade relative to the housing along a second direction, orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

The body can essentially be inscribed in a main plane, the at least one attachment member possibly comprising at least one inclined segment, relative to the main plane, one free end of which carries a hook profile.

The blade may comprise at least one centering member connected to the body and configured to position the fixing assembly relative to an orifice of a support wall, the centering member being able to extend parallel to the at least one member of grip.

In particular, the blade may comprise at least a plurality of attachment members, in particular two attachment members, and a centering member connected to the body and configured to position the fastening assembly relative to an orifice of a wall of support, the centering member extending parallel to the at least one attachment member and the centering member being interposed between two adjacent attachment members.

The housing may include at least one blade holder within the housing configured to hold at least the body of the blade stationary along the first direction. The casing may comprise a base bordering the open side and configured to bear against a surface of a support wall. The housing may comprise at least one sealing member disposed on the base so as to be interposed between said base and a support wall.

The invention also relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising:

- a fixing assembly as described above,

- an element to be fixed capable of housing the box, and

- a support wall intended to carry the element to be fixed and comprising at least one orifice capable of receiving at least the at least one member for attaching the blade.

In particular, in the assembled position:

- the housing can extend in contact with a surface of the support wall, the open side of the housing surrounding an orifice of the support wall;

- the at least one attachment member can extend through the open side and the orifice.

Also, the support wall may comprise a rim bordering at least in part the orifice and extending projecting from a surface of the support wall, the at least one attachment member being able to be configured to cooperate with said edge when placed in the hanging position.

The box can be a removable part, attached and positioned in the element to be fixed.

Alternatively, the housing and at least one side, or even a case, of an element to be fixed can form a one-piece assembly, that is to say they cannot be separated or dissociated without resulting in degradation, or even the destruction, of one and/or the other. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fixing assembly and/or at least one arrangement as described above.

The invention finally relates to a method for assembling an arrangement as described above, comprising:

- a step of positioning the box against the support wall so that the at least one attachment member extends through the orifice

- a step of tightening the moving means so as to move the moving element of the blade towards its fixing position

- a blade attachment step, in which the at least one attachment member is moved from the rest position to the attachment position so as to cooperate with the support wall.

Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, by way of indication and not limitation, in relation to the various embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

FIG. 1 schematically represents an embodiment of an arrangement comprising a fixing assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically represents an embodiment of an arrangement comprising a fixing means according to the state of the art.

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the attachment assembly.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the fastening assembly made along a substantially horizontal plane passing through an attachment member. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the fixing assembly made along a substantially horizontal plane passing through a movable element.

Figure 6 is a schematic front view of a blade of the fastener assembly.

Figure 7 is a schematic representation in perspective of the blade taken in isolation.

Figure 8 is a side schematic representation of the blade taken in isolation.

Figure 9 is a schematic sectional representation of the blade made along the plane passing through the movable element.

Figure 10 is a schematic representation illustrating the interior of a housing of the attachment assembly.

Figure 11 is a perspective schematic representation of the housing.

Figure 12 is a schematic sectional representation along a median plane of the fixing assembly during a step of centering the fixing assembly.

Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional representation along a section plane passing through the attachment member, of the fastening assembly during the step of centering the fastening assembly.

Figure 14 is a schematic sectional representation of the fastener assembly during a step of tightening the fastener assembly.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the fastener assembly during the step of tightening the fastener assembly.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the attachment assembly when attached to a support wall.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the attachment assembly when attached to a support wall. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 100 comprising a fixing assembly 1 according to the invention of an element to be fixed 2 on a support wall 3.

The element to be fixed 2 can, as illustrated and described in the description below, be a lighting device of a motor vehicle, in particular a rear lighting device. It is nevertheless understood that the present invention can extend to any element to be fixed 2 on a support wall 3, both in the automotive field and in other fields such as aeronautics, rail, maritime, household appliances, furniture as well as door and window frames.

In this case, the motor vehicle can be of any kind. In particular, it can be a private vehicle, a commercial vehicle, a truck or a bus. In this sense, the support wall 3 can be, in a non-limiting manner, a sheet metal panel, for example of aluminum alloy or steel, bent or deformed.

The support wall 3 comprises at least one orifice 31 able to cooperate with the fixing assembly 1 according to the invention, that is to say in particular to receive part of the fixing assembly 1. Preferably, the at least one orifice 31 can be oblong in shape. Alternatively, the support wall 3 may comprise a plurality of orifices 31 capable of cooperating with the same fixing assembly 1.

In the present description, reference will be made to an orientation of the vehicle according to which the term “longitudinal” corresponds to a usual direction of advance in a straight line of the vehicle along a longitudinal axis Ox of a reference mark Oxyz. The term "vertical" corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis Oz of the reference, orthogonal to the axis Ox and oriented vertically when the vehicle is on horizontal ground and the term "transverse" corresponds to a direction parallel to an axis transverse Oy of the Oxyz frame, perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical directions.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a fixing conventionally used in the automotive industry for holding an element to be fixed 2′ on a support wall 3′. A fixing means 6' extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a part of the support wall and to a part of the element to be fixed at the level of which it is arranged. The fixing means 6' is arranged at the level of an orifice 3T of the support wall 3' and of a hole 441', included in a side of the element to be fixed 2', for example a skirt of a lighting device. Also, it is necessary to adapt both the shape and the dimensions of the element to be fixed as well as the surrounding environment in order to accommodate the fixing means 6' and the tools necessary for fixing, for example a screwdriver. Such stresses tend to result in an increase in the dimensions of the elements involved in the fastening. In the particular case of fixing a lighting device, this results in a need to integrate large surfaces along the transverse direction, that is to say along the axis Oy, incompatible with compacting the dimensions of the rear faces of vehicles, for example. Moreover, in such a fixing, the positioning of tools perpendicular to the support wall 3', that is to say so as to extend along the element to be fixed, can be accompanied by damage to the latter due to the size of the immediate space surrounding the binding.

In this sense, in general, the fixing assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a blade 4 capable of cooperating with the orifice 31 of the support wall 3, a support housing 5 capable of essentially receiving the blade 4 and a means 6 for moving the blade 4 relative to the housing 5, such as, without limitation, a screw or a clip, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5. For clarity, in Throughout the description below, the first direction D1 will be referred to as a main direction of extension of the displacement means 6.

The box 5 has an open structure on at least one side, called the first side 51 . The casing 5 further comprises a lateral side 52 or several lateral sides participating in delimiting an interior volume 500 of the casing 5 in which the blade 4 can be placed and moved. At least one lateral side 52 of the casing 5 comprises a through opening 53, leading to the interior volume 500, capable of receiving the displacement means 6.

When the fixing assembly 1 is installed in the fixing configuration, that is to say so as to hold the element to be fixed 2 relative to the support wall 3 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first side 51 cooperates with the support wall 3. In particular, the first side 51 bears against a first surface 301 of the support wall 3. The first side 51 extends opposite the orifice 31 of the support wall 3 of so that the orifice 31 opens onto the interior volume 500 of the housing 5.

Advantageously, the casing 5 may comprise a base 54 bordering the first open side 51 and configured to bear against the first surface 301 of the support wall 3 when the fixing assembly 1 is mounted on the latter. Optionally but preferentially, the housing 5 can then comprise at least one sealing member 55 arranged on the base 54 so as to be interposed between the base 54 and the support wall 3. For example, the base 54 can form a recess adapted to receive the sealing member 55 or, alternatively, simply carry such a sealing member. By way of non-limiting example, the sealing member 55 can be made from an elastomer, such as rubber. The box 5, in particular its interior, will be further detailed below. The blade 4 comprises a body 41 and at least one attachment member 42, connected to the body 41. When the fixing assembly 1 is assembled, the body 41 is intended to be placed in the interior volume 500 delimited by the housing 5 while the at least one attachment member 42 is shaped and dimensioned in order to extend at least partly outside of said interior volume 500, in particular so that at least one free end of such a member hook 42 extends outside of said volume.

According to a particular embodiment, the body 41 is essentially inscribed in a main plane 400. In other words, the body 41 is essentially flat, that is to say that at least 50% of its surface is comprised in a same plane. According to preferred, non-limiting examples of embodiment, the body 41 can be of regular polygonal shape, for example rectangular or square. The term “proximal portion” will be used to describe a portion of the body 41 closest to the support wall 3 when the fixing assembly 1 is mounted on the latter. Conversely, a portion of the body 41 furthest from the support wall will be referred to as a “distal portion”.

The attachment member 42 is connected to the proximal portion of the body 41 so as to extend towards the outside of the casing 5, in particular so as to be placed through the orifice 31 of the support wall 3 when the fixing assembly 1 is mounted on the support wall 3.

Advantageously, the blade 4 may comprise a plurality of attachment members 42. According to a preferred embodiment example, illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, the blade 4 may comprise two attachment members 42. For clarity, the description below is made with reference to an attachment member 42. It is nevertheless understood that any characteristic relating to an attachment member 42 can extend to all or part of the plurality of attachment members 42. We will hereinafter qualify as the second direction D2 a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, passing through the distal portion and the proximal portion of the body 41 of the blade 4 and defining for example a height of the body 41, and of third direction D3 a direction orthogonal to the first two and connecting between them attachment members 42.

The attachment member 42 has an elongated shape. The attachment member 42 is elastically deformable so as to be moved between at least one rest position, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 4, in which it extends through the orifice 31, for example without being in contact with the support wall 3, and a hooking position, illustrated in dotted lines, in which it is capable of cooperating with the support wall 3, in particular with a periphery of the orifice 31 included in the wall of support 3 and surrounding the orifice 31 . According to a particular embodiment, the attachment member 42 can be configured to be moved between the rest position and the fixing position by tilting or pivoting, in particular around a tilting axis extending orthogonally to the first direction D1, for example orthogonal to the second direction D2.

According to an alternative not shown, the support wall 3 may comprise a rim at least partially bordering the orifice 31 and extending projecting from a second surface 302, opposite the first surface 301, of the support wall 3 The at least one attachment member 42 can then be configured to cooperate with said rim when it is placed in the attachment position. In particular, such a rim can extend over all or part of a circumference of the orifice 31 .

According to a preferred embodiment, a free end of the attachment member 42 has a hook profile 421 along a plane orthogonal to the main plane 400 of the body 41, here marked by the axis AA. By "hook" is meant that at least part of the attachment member extends transversely to the main plane 400 of the body. Alternatively, said hook 421 can be a tab.

In addition, the attachment member 42 may comprise an inclined segment 43 extending transversely to the main plane 400. By segment is meant here a portion of a whole, in other words a portion of the attachment member 42. Such an inclined segment 43 can, for example, carry the hook 421 . The attachment member 42 is then shaped and sized so that at least the hook 421 extends outside the interior volume 500 of the housing 5 when the fixing assembly 1 is assembled. In particular, such an inclined segment 43 can be defined by an angle of inclination a of between 20 and 80°, particularly between 30 and 70°, or even between 40 and 65°, relative to the main plane 400.

In this case, the two attachment members 42 have identical shapes and inclinations. Advantageously, in particular in order to optimize the insertion and grip of the blade 4 on the fixing wall, the two attachment members 42 are connected to the body 41 so as to extend parallel, or substantially parallel to one another. the other. In other words, the inclined segments 43 of said attachment members 42 extend parallel to each other.

Also, the two attachment members 42 have, along the third direction D3, an opposite extreme positioning relative to the body 41 of the blade. The two attachment members 42 are thus advantageously arranged in the continuity of the side edges of the body 41 of the blade 4 opposite along the third direction D3 within the fastening assembly 1.

The blade 4 further comprises a movable element 44 relative to the body 41, as shown in Figure 5 showing a section made along an axis BB passing through said movable element. Such a moving element 44 is configured to be moved between a rest position, shown in solid lines, and a fixing position, shown in dotted lines, along at least the first direction D1 so as to allow the movement of the body 41 relative to the housing 5. In particular, the mobile element 44 is configured to cooperate with the means 6 for moving the blade 4, such cooperation resulting in a movement of the mobile element 44 from one position to another. In particular, such a displacement is carried out along the first direction D1 relative to the displacement means 6.

In particular, such a mobile element 44 is connected to the body 41 . Furthermore, such a movable element 44 can be elastically deformable. The mobile element 44 can, for example, be obtained by cutting and/or bending. In this case, such elasticity partly results from the presence of a recess 452, or a cutout, at least partially surrounding the movable element 44 and separating it from the body 41 .

For example, the movable element 44 can have the shape of a tab

45 attached to the body 41 by one side. Throughout this description, the terms “tongue 45” and “moving element 44” may thus be used without distinction. The movable element 44 extends so as to be at least partially offset relative to the main plane 400 of the body 41, in particular along the first direction D1.

In other words, at least a part of the mobile element 44 is separated from the main plane 400 by a space K defined along the first direction D1, a dimension of such a space K being caused to vary depending on whether the mobile element is arranged in its rest position, in its fixing position or in an intermediate position between the latter.

In the hope the tab 45 includes an end portion 451, free, having an offset positioning relative to the main plane 400 along the first direction D1. The end portion 451 is connected to the body 41 by an inclined portion 453, relative to the main plane 400 of the body 41, having, for example, an angle of inclination [3 between 20 and 80°, particularly between 30 and 70°, even between 40 and 65°.

The movable element 44 includes a hole 441 adapted to receive the moving means 6. In particular, the hole 441 can be tapped in order to cooperate with a moving means 6 consisting of a screw. Preferably, such a hole 441 is arranged in the end portion 451 of the tab 45 as explained previously.

Thus, when the fixing assembly 1 is assembled, the displacement means 6 extends through the opening 53 of the lateral side 52 of the casing 5 and through the hole 441 of the tongue 45. The displacement means 6 is mounted in the fixing assembly 1 so as to be able to be moved in rotation relative to the housing 5, in particular around an axis of rotation 600 parallel to the first direction D1. The displacement means 6 is also movable relative to the blade 4 along the first direction D1. Specifically, in the previously detailed example, the displacement means 6 is movable relative to the movable element 44, here the tab 45.

In this way, as further detailed below with reference to the assembly method according to the invention, when the displacement means 6 is pivoted, in particular screwed or unscrewed, this results in a displacement of the blade 4 relative to the housing 5 In particular, the movable element 44 is moved relative to the main plane 400 and this results in a movement of the body 41 of the blade 4 relative to the housing 5. According to the example embodiment illustrated, the fixing assembly 1 is configured manner such that the body 41 of the blade 4 is moved according to a translational movement T1 along the second direction D2 relative to the housing 5. Optionally, the blade 4 can comprise at least one centering member 46 of the blade 4 relative to the orifice 31 of the support wall 3. The centering member 46 thus advantageously makes it possible to simplify the positioning of the fixing assembly 1 relative to said wall. It is connected to the body 41 and extends on the same side of the body 41 as the at least one attachment member 42. In other words, when the blade 4 comprises a centering member 46, this as well as the at least one attachment member 42 are configured to extend through the same support wall 3. In this case, the centering member 46 and the two attachment members 42 are connected to the portion proximal to the body

41 and extend through the same orifice 31 of the support wall 3.

The centering member 46 is dimensioned so as to have a length strictly greater than a length of the attachment member(s) 42. The term “length” is understood to mean the dimension of the member considered measured along the second direction D2 between a point connecting it to the body 41 and a point furthest from the body 41 . In other words, similar to the attachment member 42, the centering member 46 is shaped and sized so as to extend outside the interior volume 500 of the housing 5 when the fixing assembly 1 is assembled. Thus, when it is necessary to position the fixing assembly 1 relative to the support wall 3, the centering member 46 is initially positioned through the orifice 31, followed by at least one member grip 42.

In this sense, the centering member 46 can extend at least partly parallel, or substantially parallel, to at least one attachment member 42. For example, as shown in Figure 3 or 6, the centering member 46 extends along the axis BB, while the hooking member

42 extends along axis AA, parallel to axis BB. In addition, the centering member 46 is, optionally but preferentially, positioned so as to present a central positioning within the blade 4 along the third direction D3, that is to read along a width of the blade 4. Alternatively or in combination, when the blade 4 comprises a plurality of attachment members 42, the centering member 46 can be arranged between two adjacent attachment members 42. The centering member 46 is here interposed between the attachment members 42 along the third direction D3.

The centering member 46 preferably has a greater rigidity than that of the attachment members 42. Also, the centering member 46 has a dimension, in particular a width, greater than that of the attachment member 42 along the third direction D3.

Optionally, the centering member 46 may have a shape comparable to that of the attachment member 42. In particular, it may comprise an inclined segment 461 relative to the main plane 400, one free end of which has a hook profile 462. For example , the inclined segment 461 of the centering member 46 can be defined by an angle of inclination p of between 20 and 80°, particularly between 30 and 70°, or even between 40 and 65°.

The blade 4 as set out above can thus be made of an elastically deformable material, such as a plastic or even a thin metallic material, that is to say for example less than 2 mm thick. . The blade 4 can, for example, be obtained by molding, 3D printing or even by cutting and folding. In other words, the body 41 and at least one of the movable element 44, the attachment member 42 and the centering element can be made in one piece. The blade 4 can thus form a one-piece assembly, that is to say for example that the attachment member 42 and the body 41 cannot be separated from each other without resulting in the degradation, or even the destruction, of the blade 4. The rigidity or the elasticity of the different parts of the blade can then be modified according to the dimensions of the part concerned, as explained previously.

The case, in particular its interior arrangement, is detailed in FIGS. 10 and 11 . In order to optimize the movement of the blade 4 within the housing 5, the latter can advantageously comprise at least one member 56 for holding the blade 4 in the housing 5 configured to hold at least the body 41 of the blade 4 fixed to the along the first direction D1. The holding member 56 extends in the interior volume 500 of the casing 5 and is capable of cooperating with at least the body 41 of the blade 4.

The holding member 56 participates in guiding the movement of the blade 4 relative to the housing 5, for example in translation as explained above. Also, the holding member 56 makes it possible to hold the body 41 of the blade 4 along the first direction D1 in order to limit, or even prevent, its displacement, in particular when the mobile element 44 is moved. between the fixing position and the rest position.

Preferably, the casing 5 comprises a plurality of holding members 56, in particular at least two holding members 56 connected to opposite lateral sides 52 of the casing 5.

In particular, the holding member 56 may comprise a rail complementary to a profile of the blade 4, in particular of the body 41 . For example, such a rail can be delimited by a plurality of ribs 561 or, conversely, by a groove carried by a lateral side 52 of the casing 5 and extending into the interior volume 500. The casing 5 represented in the figures 10 and 11 comprises two similar holding members 56, each comprising a rail. Said rails extend along the second direction D2 in order to guide at least the body 41 of the blade 4 in translation along said direction. The rails illustrated here are each defined by two ribs 561 . Said ribs 561 may have, within the same rail, similar dimensions or, as illustrated and further detailed below, distinct dimensions. It is also understood that the housing 5 can be made so as to have holding members 56 of different shapes and/or dimensions.

The ribs 561 are dimensioned in order to extend overlapping a part of the body 41 of the blade 4 along the first direction D1. Preferably, in order to prevent the blade 4 from moving off the rail, the ribs 561 of the same holding member 56 extend overlapping by at least 5%, or even 10%, of a width of the body 41 of blade 4, measured along the third direction D3.

Note that the holding member 56 can also be continuous or, conversely discontinuous, along the length of the blade 4, that is to say along the second direction D2. Alternatively, a plurality of holding members 56 can cooperate with the same edge of the body 41 of the blade 4. In this sense, for a rail defined by ribs 561 as illustrated, these have a total dimension, measured along the second direction D2, preferably greater than 20%, or even 40%, of a height of the body 41 of the blade 4, measured along this same direction within the assembled fastening assembly 1. Preferably, the holding member 56 is configured in order to cooperate with the distal portion and/or the proximal portion of the body 41 of the blade. Specifically, as seen in Figure 4, the holding member 56 may have a height, along the second direction D2, greater than or equal to that of the body 41 along this same direction. The holding members 56 thus hold and guide the blade 4, both when the latter is fixed and when the latter is moved relative to the housing 5.

Similarly, the housing 5 may, optionally but preferentially, comprise at least one holding means 57 for the displacement means 6 making it possible, in particular, to limit its displacements outside its axis of rotation 600. In other words, in the example illustrated , the holding means 57 is configured in order to limit the movements of the displacement means 6 along the second direction D2 and/or the third direction D3.

The case 5 illustrated comprises a first holding means 571 arranged at the level of the lateral side 52 of the case 5 comprising the opening 53 capable of receiving the displacement means 6. The first holding means 571 borders the said opening 53. It extends in particular from an internal face of the first side 51 to one of the ribs 561 of the rail of the holding member 56 of the blade 4 so as not to hinder the movement of the latter.

The box 5 also comprises a second holding means 572, presenting a positioning opposite to the first holding means 571 along the first direction D1. The second holding means 572 comprises a stud comprising a recess capable of partly receiving the displacement means 6, in particular a free end of the displacement means 6. By way of example, such a stud can be configured to receive 5 to 30 % of a length of a body 41 of the displacement means 6, measured along the first direction D1, when the latter consists of a screw, or even 5 to 20%. The first holding means 571 and the second means 572 for holding the displacement means 6 are thus centered on the same axis passing through the hole 441 for receiving the displacement means 6, here the axis of rotation 600. It it is understood that such a representation of the case 5 is in no way limiting, the number and shape of the holding means(s) 57 possibly being altered.

Figures 12 to 17 illustrate different steps of a method of assembling an arrangement 100 comprising the fixing assembly 1 according to the invention. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, the housing 5 is a removable part, added and positioned in the element to be fixed 2, for example in a gutter arranged in the element to be fixed 2. The element to be fixed 2 then comprises at least one hole 21 adapted to receive the displacement means 6, so that the displacement means 6 keeps the blade 4, the casing 5 and the element to be fixed 2 together. For example, such a hole 21 can be arranged in a flank 20 of the element to be fixed 2, or even in a skirt of a lighting device, extending opposite the first side 51 of the casing 5. According to the alternative represented in FIGS. 10 and 11, the casing 5 and at least one side 20, or even a case, of the element to be fixed 2 can form a one-piece assembly, the present method thus also extends to a fixing assembly 1 whose housing 5 is integrated into the element to be fixed 2.

The fixing assembly 1 according to the invention is preassembled so that the blade 4 extends into the casing 5 and that these are held fixed to one another by the displacement means 6. for clarity, the element to be fixed 2 is not represented in FIGS. 12 to 17, it is nevertheless understood that, for the fixing of such an element on the support wall 3, the element to be fixed 2 is then also held integral with the housing 5 and the blade 4 via the moving means 6, as shown in Figure 1. Also for purposes of clarity, the following description is made with reference to one of the gripping members 42, it nevertheless extends to the plurality of gripping members 42 when the blade 4 comprises more than a hook member 42. Prior to the fixing of the element to be fixed 2, the fixing assembly is arranged in such a way that the blade 4 extends into the casing 5, the body 41 being held along the first direction D1 by the Holding members 56, as seen in Figures 12 and 13. The attachment members 42 and the centering member 46 extend outside the interior volume 500 of the housing 5, towards the support wall 3. The mobile element 44 is then either in the rest position or in a predefined pre-assembly position, between the rest position and the fixing position, that is to say that it is not, or weakly , distorted respectively. In other words, the movable element 44 has an offset position presenting a space K relative to the main plane 400 of the body 41 greater than that observed in the fixing position. In particular, if the movable element is positioned in the pre-assembly position, such a spacing K is also less than that observed in the rest position. The dimension of the space K prior to fixing, that is to say in the rest or pre-mounting position, can be predefined or preset according to the dimensions of the blade and/or according to the orifice 31 of the support wall in order to ensure the good grip of the attachment member 42 on the support wall 3 when it is moved towards its attachment position.

Similarly, the attachment member 42 can be in a rest position, that is to say that it is then not deformed, when the movable element 44 is in the rest position, or in a position pre-assembly, between the rest position and the attachment position, when the movable element 44 is in a pre-assembly position.

As illustrated in Figure 12 and Figure 13, the assembly method may include a prior step of centering the fixing assembly 1 relative to the support wall 3 during which the centering member 46 is placed through orifice 31 . The fixing assembly 1 is brought closer to the support wall 3 until the attachment members 42 also extend through the orifice 31, always in the rest or pre-assembly position, that is to say without necessarily being in contact with the support wall 3.

The fixing assembly 1 is then positioned so that the housing 5, in particular its base 54, bears against the first surface 301 of the support wall 3, as seen in Figures 14 and 15. hook 42 and the centering member 46 extend through the orifice 31, the hook members 42 extending around the periphery of the orifice 31 or a rim bordering the orifice 31 and the fixing assembly is in an intermediate configuration called “pre-assembly”.

The displacement means 6 of the blade 4 is then tightened. In the case of a screw, the latter is screwed, that is to say moved in rotation around the axis of rotation 600 so as to move the movable element 44 of the blade 4 towards its fixing position. . In this case, the elastically deformable tongue 45 is moved so as to be brought closer to the main plane 400 of the body 41, in other words so as to reduce the existing space K, along the first direction D1, between the end portion 451 of the tongue 45 and the main plane 400.

In the example illustrated, the tongue 45 is arranged in the blade 4 in such a way that the body 41 is interposed between the tongue 45 and the first side 51 of the casing 5 when the fixing assembly 1 is assembled. The tightening of the displacement means 6 thus gradually displaces the tongue 45 so as to bring it closer to the opening 53, the latter rising along the body 41 of the displacement means 6. According to an alternative not shown, the reverse configuration could be considered, that is to say that the tab 45 can be interposed between the body 41 of the blade 4 and the first side 51 along the first direction D1. The tightening of the displacement means 6 and the displacement of the tab 45 consequently causes the gradual displacement of the blade 4 in the housing 5. The movable element 44 remains stationary along the second direction D2, held by the moving means 6, while the body 41 of the blade 4 is moved according to a translational movement T1 relative to the casing 5 along this same direction. Such a movement is here partly conditioned by the position of the holding members 56 of the blade 4 integrated into the housing 5, such members guiding its movement along the second direction D2.

In particular, the body 41 of the blade 4 is moved in order to be moved away from the support wall 3 along the second direction D2, thus bringing the hooks 421 of the attachment members 42 closer to the second surface 302 of the wall of support 3. With the movement of the blade 4 in the housing 5, the attachment members 42 are brought closer to the holding member(s) 56 until the latter come into contact with the attachment members 42. The retaining 56, here one of the ribs 561 forming the rail, exerts a force on the inclined segment 43, elastically deformable. The latter is then moved so as to approach the main plane 400 of the body 41 so as to place the hook 421 in engagement with the support wall 3. Otherwise formulated, the movement of the body 41 of the blade 4 relative to the housing 5 results in a step of hooking the blade 4 during which the hooking members 42 are moved towards the hooking position. The force exerted by the holding means 57 on the attachment member 42 causes in particular a tilting, or pivoting, of the attachment members 42. Such tilting B1 is in particular produced around a tilting axis orthogonal to the first direction D1, in particular parallel to the third direction D3. Thus, the housing 5 is advantageously configured so as to cooperate with the member hook 42 in order to move it between its rest position, or pre-assembly, and its fixing position. In particular, at least a part of the housing 5, in this case at least one holding member 56, is arranged across a path followed by the gripping member 42 when the blade 4 is moved relative to the housing 5 Here, the holding member 56 is arranged across a trajectory defined by a translational movement along the second direction D2.

In order to facilitate such a tilting, a free end portion of the rib 561, configured to extend around the support wall 3 and to cooperate with the attachment member 42 when the blade 4 is moved within the housing 5, may include an angled edge 573.

Thus, the tightening of the displacement means 6 by rotation around the axis of rotation 600, parallel to the first direction D1, causes the displacement of the movable element 44 along this same direction so as to bring it closer to the body 41 . This results in a displacement of the body along a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, in particular the second direction D2 which can, preferably, take place according to a translation movement. Consequently, the attachment member 42 is brought closer to the support wall 3 and the blade 4 is moved in such a way that the proportion of the blade extending within the interior volume 500 of the casing is increased relative to what is observed during the rest configuration or pre-assembly of the fixing assembly 1 . The blade 4 is thus moved in the housing 5 until the trajectory of the attachment member 42 is impeded by the housing 5 in such a way that the housing exerts a force on the attachment member 42 causing a change of position to its hanging position. In particular, such a change is made by tilting around the tilting axis orthogonal to the first direction D1 and to the second direction D2 as described above until the attachment member 42 comes into contact with the support wall 3, in particularly in grip of the latter. In particular, the attachment member 42 can be deformed in elastic bending by the action of the edge of the orifice 31.

The fixing assembly 1 is thus mounted on the support wall 3. The attachment members 42 are in the attachment position, cooperating with the support wall 3 in order to limit the movements of the housing 5, and therefore of the element to be fixed 2, along one direction of the second direction D2 while the housing 5 prevents any movement in the opposite direction of this same direction. The support wall 3 is thus engaged between the attachment members 42 on the one hand and the housing 5 on the other. Blade 4 and housing 5 are then held in a fixed position relative to each other. The tongue 45 of the blade 4 is pressed by the displacement means 6 in a position such that the dimension of the space K is strictly less than that observed when the tongue 45 is in the rest or pre-assembly position.

In order to disassemble the fixing assembly 1, and thus separate the element to be fixed 2 from the support wall 3, the reverse steps are carried out. The displacement means 6 is thus loosened in order to allow the return of the movable element 44 and of the attachment member 42 to their respective rest positions, that is to say beyond the preposition. - mounting of the attachment member 42. The loosening of the displacement means 6 by rotation around the axis of rotation 600 causes the displacement of the movable element 44 along this same direction so as to move it away from the body 41 . The body 41 is, consequently, moved along a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, in particular the second direction D2, preferably, according to a translation movement in order to bring the blade 4 closer to the support wall 3 and thus move the attachment member 42 away from it. The blade 4 is moved relative to the housing 5 in such a way that the latter no longer exerts any force on the attachment member 42, the latter then returns from itself to its rest position in which it no longer interferes with the orifice 31 . The attachment member 42 is thus detached from the support wall 3 and extends facing the orifice 31 so as to allow the extraction of the fixing assembly 1, in particular of the centering member 46 and hooks 42.

The present invention thus proposes a fixing assembly which advantageously makes it possible not to directly use conventionally used fixing means, such as screws or clips, at the level of a support wall for fixing an element to be fixed. Such an indirect fixing makes it possible to overcome some of the sizing constraints specific to the fixings conventionally used. For example, in the case of a lighting device as described in the present description, it is then possible to reduce the dimensions of the support wall along the first direction D1 and in particular along the transverse direction Oy, thus making the fixing assembly more suitable for compaction constraints of the rear faces as may be the case in the automotive environment, or more generally, compaction of the dimensions of an element to be fixed.

In addition, the present invention also allows a simplification of the fixing, as well as the production, of parts intended for congested environments by moving the fixing means conventionally observed from a perpendicular positioning at the level of the support wall towards a positioning at the level of the support wall. within the element to be fixed transverse or parallel to said wall. Thus also, the use of tools necessary for fixing is facilitated by moving the point requiring the use of such tools away from the fixing wall, thus reducing the constraints of space, but also the risk of damage. of the element to be fixed since the fixing means, in this case the displacement means, here extends at a distance from the support wall, along a direction not perpendicular to the support wall, and that the tool used can then be arranged perpendicular to the side of the element to be fixed carrying the fixing assembly.

The present invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technically effective combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functions described and illustrated. in this document.

Claims

28 CLAIMS

1 . Fixing assembly (1) of an element to be fixed (2) on a support wall (3) characterized in that it comprises a blade (4) capable of cooperating with at least one orifice (31) of a wall (3), a support casing (5) capable of essentially receiving the blade (4), in particular capable of guiding the blade (4) in translation in the casing (5), and a displacement means (6) of the blade (4) relative to the housing (5), in particular a screw or a clip:

- the housing (5) being open on at least one side configured to extend opposite an orifice (31) of a support wall (3);

- the blade (4) comprising a body (41) and at least one attachment member (42) connected to the body (41) and configured to extend through an orifice (31) of a support wall (3), the at least one attachment member (42) being elastically deformable so as to be moved between at least one rest position, in which it extends through an orifice (31), and a hooking position, in which it is able to cooperate with a support wall (3),

- the blade (4) comprising a movable element (44) relative to the body (41), in particular a tongue (45), arranged so as to cooperate with the displacement means (6), the movable element (44) being configured to be moved between a rest position and a fixing position along at least a first direction (D1) so as to move the body (41) relative to the housing (5).

2. Fastening assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the moving means (6) extends through the blade (4), in particular the movable element (44), and at least one opening (53) on one side of the housing (5), the moving means (6) being mounted in rotation around the first direction (D1) relative to the housing (5) and movable relative to the blade (4) along of the first direction (D1), the moving means (6) being configured to move the blade (4) relative to the housing (5) along a second direction (D2), orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction (D1).

3. Fastening assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (41) is substantially inscribed in a main plane (400), the at least one attachment member (42) comprising at least an inclined segment (43), relative to the main plane (400), one free end of which carries a hook profile (421).

4. Fastening assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (4) comprises at least one centering member (46) connected to the body (41) and configured to position the fastening assembly (1 ) relative to an orifice (31) of a support wall (3), the centering member (46) extending parallel to the at least one attachment member (42).

5. Fastening assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (5) comprises at least one holding member (56) of the blade (4) in the housing (5) configured to hold at least the body (41) of the blade (4) fixes along the first direction (D1).

6. Fastening assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (5) comprises a base (54) bordering the open side and configured to bear against a surface of a support wall ( 3), the housing (5) comprising at least one sealing member (55) disposed on the base (54) so as to be interposed between said base (54) and a support wall (3).

7. Arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising:

- a fixing assembly (1) according to one of the claims previous,

- an element to be fixed (2) capable of housing the box (5), and

- a support wall (3) intended to carry the element to be fixed (2) and comprising at least one orifice (31) capable of receiving at least the at least one attachment member (42) of the blade (4 ). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, in which the casing (5) is a removable part, attached and positioned in the element to be fixed (2). Motor vehicle comprising at least one fixing assembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 and/or at least one arrangement according to one of Claims 7 or 8. Method of assembling an arrangement according to Claim 7 Or

8, including:

- a step of positioning the housing (5) against the support wall (3) so that the at least one attachment member (42) extends through the orifice (31);

- a step of tightening the moving means (6) so as to move the movable element (44) of the blade (4) towards its fixing position

- a blade attachment step (4), in which the at least one attachment member (42) is moved from the rest position to the attachment position so as to cooperate with the support wall ( 3).