Abstract:
The invention concerns an equipment module ( 22 ) for a motor vehicle opening panel ( 12 ) comprising in particular an interior door trim element ( 42 ) and an outer cladding ( 14 ) comprising a structural element ( 20 ) whereon are directly mounted accessories internal to the opening panel ( 12 ), characterized in that the structural element ( 20 ) consists of the inner door trim ( 42 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention concerns an equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel comprising a structural element on which accessories internal to the opening are directly mounted. 
   Numerous accessories can be attached onto the opening panel of a motor vehicle, in particular on the rear hatchback. In that way, the opening panel can support, in addition to its closing and locking system, an electric motor. 
   When the opening panel is the rear hatchback of the vehicle, the electric motor allows control of a wiper. The rear hatchback can also support positioning means, in a parked position, a wiper arm, a license plate, and lighting systems, but also, eventually the third required “brake” light, or even all or part of the rear signal light blocks. 
   When the opening panel is a door of the vehicle the electric motor can allow the control of the movement of raising and lowering a window. 
   All the accessories, which are naturally produced independent of the body piece that makes up the opening panel, must thus be mounted on this opening panel during the assembly of the vehicle. Yet the multiplication of accessories creates an increase of mounting time and multiplies the risks of mounting error, in particular positioning. 
   In addition, it is necessary to allow for each of the electric accessories, first the electric power supply and, second, means to control these accessories, and finally surveillance means that allow, in particular, one to be informed of the functioning state of the accessories either by the driver, for example via the intermediary of warning lamps on the dashboard, or by a central electronic management unit of the vehicle. 
   These multiple connections, for which it is necessary to provide on the assembly line of the vehicle, are possible sources of breakdown and it is thus necessary to verify them after assembly. 
   As one can state, the multiplication of the electric accessories borne by an opening panel of the vehicle can lead to a significant increase in the total assembly time of this opening panel. 
   It is common knowledge how to assemble accessories on the structural element then to attach this structure onto the corresponding opening panel. Next an interior door trim element covers the structural element in order to hide it. This necessitates a number of significant operations. 
   SUMMARY 
   With the goal of diminishing the assembly time as well as the number of elements to be assembled, the invention proposes an equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel comprising, in particular, an interior door trim element and an outer cladding of the type that comprises a structural element on which internal accessories are mounted to the opening panel, characterized in that the structural element is made up of the interior door trim element. 
   According to other characteristics of the invention:
         the interior door trim element is made of an electric isolating material and is molded around at least one lead or cable in an electrically conductive material for the electric power supply, at least one accessory borne by the interior door trim element, or for the exchange of signals with this element;   the module comprises at least one electric power supply connector of the module the body of which is molded with the interior door trim element and which is linked electrically to a first end of at least one electric power supply lead;   the module comprises only one power supply connection for all the electric power supply leads of the module;   the module comprises at least one electric power supply connection of at least one accessory the body of which is molded with the interior door trim element and which is electrically linked to a second end of at least one electric power supply lead of at least one accessory;   the module comprises at least one assembly and/or mounting element of at least one accessory which is molded with the interior door trim element;   one of the accessories comprises a light source;   the light source comprises a rear signal fight, in particular, a brake signal light, a turn signal, a reverse light, or an anti-fog light, or part of such a light;   the rear signal light is pushed against the interior face of a rear window borne by a rear opening panel of the motor vehicle, in particular, with interposition of a joint or pushes against the curve of the opening of an outer cladding;   the interior door trim element comprises means of regulating the position of the rear signal light in relation to the interior face of the rear window or of an opening of an outer cladding of an opening panel;   the light source comprises a lighting block for the exterior of the vehicle, such as a light block of the license plate;   an accessory comprises a drive motor of a wiper device;   an accessory comprises a control element of the opening panel, such as a handle;   an accessory comprises a locking element of the opening;   at least one of the accessories, such as the outlet shaft of the drive motor of the wiper device and/or a control element of the opening of the opening panel, is accessible from the exterior of the vehicle across from an opening pierced in an outer cladding of the opening of the vehicle or across from a window;   an accessory comprises an electronic vision system, in particular, a camera which is oriented towards the exterior of the vehicle and which furnishes representative information of the exterior environment situated opposite the electronic vision system;   the representative information of the exterior environment is treated by a treatment system, that is transmitted to a display device on board the vehicle which furnishes a representative image of the exterior environment opposite the electronic vision system;   the representative information of the exterior environment is furnished to a treating system which determines at least one parameter relative to an object in the exterior environment, such as the relative speed or the distance between the object and the vehicle;   the object is another vehicle;   the electronic vision system is situated in the interior of the vehicle cabin opposite from a transparent wall borne by the opening panel, such as a window;   the electronic vision system is in the interior of the opening panel structure, and an opening is pierced in an outer cladding of the opening in order to allow viewing of the electronic vision system;   the interior door trim element is in the form of a rectangular plate, the central part of which comprises an attachment zone of at least one accessory which is made up of at least one partition demarcating at least one chamber designed to receive at least one accessory.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the reading of the detailed description which follows, for the comprehension of which one will refer to the attached drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a rear opening panel and an equipment module according to a first production method of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view, similar to that represented in  FIG. 1 , depicting the equipment module being mounted on the rear opening panel; and 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to that represented in  FIG. 1 , the equipment module being produced according to a second production method of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, in order to facilitate its comprehension, one will use, in a non-limiting manner, the terms horizontal, lower, upper, front, and rear in reference to  FIG. 1 , in particular, to its orientation from right to left. 
   In the following description, identical or similar elements will be designated by the same reference numbers. 
     FIG. 1  represents the rear part  10  of a motor vehicle and, more specifically, a rear opening panel or rear hatchback. 
   The rear opening panel  12  comprises an outer cladding or body  14  which is reinforced on its front face oriented towards the interior of the vehicle via jambs  16 . The rear opening panel  12  is mobile in rotation around an axis X, here horizontal, between an open position and closed position. 
   A window or rear window  18  is mounted in an opening situated in the upper part of the opening panel  12 . 
   The rear opening panel  12  is also made up of a door trim element  42  of the interior of the trunk or the cabin of the vehicle which is assembled on the lower part of the opening panel  12 . The door trim element  42  assures the aesthetics of the unit of the interior of the vehicle. 
   A structural element  20  bears equipment accessories of the motor vehicle, the ensemble thus created being called the equipment module  22  of the vehicle. The module  22  is received on the lower part of the opening panel  12 . The structural element  20  bears a wiper device for the wiping of the rear window  18 , the drive head of which is borne by a drive shaft  24  supported by a bearing or shaft  26  which crosses a passage aperture  28  formed in the outer cladding  14  or in an opening formed in the window  18  while the structural element  20  is attached onto the rear opening panel  12 . 
   The equipment module  22  of the rear opening panel of the motor vehicle here comprises other accessories, in particular, a motor or reduction motor  30  of the drive shaft  24  of the wiper device, light sources, an opening handle  32  of the opening panel  12 , as well as an optic electronic vision system  36 , such as a camera. Here, the light sources consist of a rear signal light, such as a signal light for braking called a brake light  38 , and a light block  40  of the interior of the cabin and/or trunk of the vehicle. 
   Also, the locking device  34  is electrically controlled via the opening handle  32  of the opening panel  12 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , the lighting block  40  is shown disassembled from the structural element  20 . 
   The light sources can also consist of a turn signal, a reverse light, and/or an anti-fog light. A light source can also comprise a light block (not represented) for the vehicle&#39;s exterior, such as a light block for the license plate. 
   In order for the opening handle  32  of the opening panel  12  as well as the optical electronic vision system  36  to be accessible from the exterior of the vehicle, the openings  41  are pierced in an outer cladding  14  of the opening panel  12  of the vehicle. 
   According to the invention, the structural element  20  is made up of the door trim element  42  of the interior of the trunk or the cabin of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 1  represents the rear opening panel  12  before the door trim element  42  according to a first production method is assembled. The door trim element  42  is in a rectangular form, the central part of which comprises an attachment zone  43  for accessories. In this way, the brake light  38 , the light block  40  and the motor  30  are mounted on only one piece made up of the interior door trim element  42  of the trunk or the cabin of the vehicle. 
   The assembly of the equipment module  22  is thus simplified in relation to the state of the art. In effect, the module  22  comprises one single piece first assuring the aesthetics of the unit of the interior of the vehicle and, second, the support of the accessories. 
   The interior door trim element  42  comprises on its rear wall  45  rigidity elements. The interior door trim element  42  is produced via molding an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material. 
   An opening  49  represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is produced in the interior door trim element  42  in such a way that the luminous face of the light block  40  crosses the interior door trim element  42  to light the interior of the cabin and/or the trunk of the vehicle. 
   In a similar manner, an opening  51  allows the passage of, first, the hanging part of the locking device  34  of the opening panel  12  across the interior door trim element  42 . The hanging part allows the locking of the rear opening panel  12 , in a closed position, onto a complementary zone opposite the structure of the vehicle. 
   The interior door trim element  42  is advantageously molded around at least one lead or cable  44  (represented by dotted lines in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) in an electrically conductive material so that the electric power supply of the accessories borne by the structural element  20 , such as the drive motor  30 , the brake light  38 , the light block  40  of the interior of the cabin and/or the trunk of the vehicle, and the locking device  34  is provided. 
   The leads  44 , which can comprise conductive metal bands, also allow the exchange of signals between the accessories and an electric or electrical device (not represented) which can comprise surveillance means of the accessories. The conductive leads  44  can be produced in different materials or comprise different sections according to the magnitude of the current that each carries. In effect, the section of a conductive lead  44  and/or the nature of the material making it up can be different according to whether it supplies the power circuit of the motor  30  or if it permits the exchange of signals between the accessories and an electric device. The utilization of such conductive leads  44  embedded in the interior door trim element  42  is viable, very economical and simple to put into place. 
   An electric connector  46  allows electrical supplying power to the accessories. Here, it is linked to two leads  44  via an electric thread  48 . 
   According to a production variation, the body of the electric connector  46  can be molded with the interior door trim element  42 . The electric connector  46  comprises conductive elements  50  which are electrically linked to a first end of the electric power supply leads  44  of the accessories, here via the thread  48 . 
   While the accessories are assembled onto the equipment module  22 , it is easy to verify the functioning, via the electric connector branching  46 , onto a complementary test connector. Eventual disfunctions are thus quickly and easily detected. 
   During the mounting of the equipment module  22  in the rear opening panel  12  of motor vehicle, the electric connector  46  cooperates with a complementary electric connector  52  which is attached onto the rear opening panel  12  and which permits the electric power supply of the leads  44  and the accessories from the general electric current of the vehicle. The electric connectors  46  and  52  thus allow assurance the exchange of signals between the accessories and electric or electronic devices of the vehicle. 
   In addition, the electric connection of all of the accessories is obtained via branching of the only electric connector  46 . This allows optimization of assembly time of the equipment module  22  of the opening panel  12 . 
   In a similar manner, the interior door trim  42  comprises an electric power supply connection  54  for each of the electric accessories of the equipment module  22 . The body of the connections  54  of preferably molded with the interior door trim element  42 . Each accessory comprises a connection complementary to each connection  54  of the interior door trim element  42  which permits electrically linking each accessory to an electric power supply lead  44 . 
   The interior door trim element  42  comprises, in addition, the elements for mounting and/or attachment of the accessories. The elements  56  consist, for example, of a system of elastic fitting. Mounting screws can be added, in such a way as to remove all risk of accidental removal of an accessory. Such an element  56  of a mounting and/or attachment type of accessories allows facilitating the assembly of the equipment module  22 , and by consequence, diminishing its time and cost. 
   Advantageously, the electric power supply connections  54  as well as the mounting and/or attachment elements  56  of the accessories are identical. The electric connection as well as the mounting and/or attachment of the accessories onto the interior door trim element  42  are standardized. 
   It is thus possible to easily assemble onto the interior door trim element  42  a different accessory, according to the equipment level of the vehicle. 
   The interior door trim element  42  integrates of mounting and/or attachment elements  56  of the accessories, as well as the leads  44  and the electric power supply connections  54  of the accessories. It can also integrate the electric connector  46 . Such a door trim element  42  facilitates the assembly of the accessories of the module  22 . 
   In order to assure an optimal efficiency of the rear signal light  38 , that is to say, emission of a maximum of light towards the exterior of the vehicle, it is preferable to block dust from entry between the interior face of the window  18  and the rear signal light  38 . To this effect, the rear signal light  38  is preferably pushing against the interior face of the rear window  18  borne by the rear opening panel  12  of the motor vehicle. In addition, an annular-shaped joint  64  is interposed between the periphery of the light  38  and the interior face of the window  18  in such a way as to assure water tightness. 
   However, the dimensional tolerance of the different pieces, in particular, the position of the attachment of the equipment module  22  onto the outer cladding  14 , is sometimes too significant to assure the joint contact  64  with the interior face of the window  18 . In this way, so that the joint contact  64  is always in contact with first the periphery of the rear signal light  38  and with the interior face of the window  18 , the equipment module  22  comprises regulating means, not represented, the longitudinal position of the signal light  38 . 
   It is possible to interpose a spring between the interior door trim element  42  and the signal light  38 . Thus, while the equipment module  22  is attached onto the rear opening panel  12 , the spring allows permanent application on the front face of the signal light  38  of a longitudinal force in the direction of the window  18 . 
   The optical electronic vision system  36  is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle. It furnishes representative information of the exterior environment situated across from it. In order to protect the electronic vision system  36 , in particular, from dirt and the projection of elements, such as gravel, a transparent protection hood, not represented, is attached between the exterior of the vehicle and the electronic vision system  36 . 
   A shock absorbing element, also not represented, can be interposed between the electronic vision system  36  and the interior door trim element  42  in order to absorb vibrations of the rear opening panel in such a way such that the electronic vision electronic  36  is in the most stable possible position and furnishes to the user precise information. 
   During the assembly of the equipment module  20  with the rear opening panel  12 , the water tight seal at the level of the opening  41  corresponding to the outer cladding  14  of the rear opening panel  12  is obtained by arrangement of a joint, not represented, in a circular shape in a groove created for this purpose in a rear side support of the protection hood. Thus, during the attachment of the equipment module  22  onto the rear opening panel  12 , the joint is squeezed between the front face of the outer cladding  14  and the groove of the protection hood. 
   The embedded leads  44 , to which the electronic vision system  36  is electrically attached, permit the supply of electric power to it, but also permit it to transmit representative information of the exterior environment to a treating system, which then transmits treated information to a display device on board the vehicle. 
   The display device furnishes a representative image of the exterior environment opposite the electronic vision system  36 . Thus, the display device such as a control screen, furnishes to the driver a view of the environment found at the rear of the vehicle. Such an electronic vision system  38  associated with the display device permits, for example, replacement of the interior rear-view mirror of the vehicle. 
   The treatment system can also determine a parameter relative to an object in the exterior environment. The object can be another stopped or moving vehicle. 
   The parameter can be the relative speed or distance between the object and the vehicle. The electronic vision system  36  allows, in this way, helping the driver during a maneuver, in particular, during parallel parking, by indicating to him the distance that separates the rear end of his vehicle and the object situated at the rear of the vehicle. 
   According to a variant, the electronic vision system  36  can be received in the casing of the brake light  38 . 
   According to another variant, an accessory comprises a rain and/or frost and/or dirt sensor which allows detection of the presence of rain and/or frost on the external face of the outer cladding  14  and/or the window  18 . The rain and/or frost sensor can be assembled onto the interior door trim element  42  in the place of the electronic vision system  36  or at a different place not represented. 
   According to a second production method represented on  FIG. 3 , the attachment zone  43  comprises a partition  58  that demarcates the chambers  60  designed to receive the accessories. In addition to separating the accessories between them, the partitions  58  allow rigidifying the interior door trim element  42 . 
   The invention allows the use of a unique type of interior door trim element and assembly of the accessories as a function at the level of the equipping of the constructed vehicle. The stocking, development, and production costs of the interior door trim element  42  are thus significantly diminished.