Patent Description:
It is well-known to install an exterior air guiding device on a motor vehicle intended to guide the flow of air around the guiding device in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of the motor vehicle and thus increase fuel efficiency, as well as to improve vehicle dynamics.

Such an exterior air guiding device is for example a spoiler mounted on the rear part of the motor vehicle.

In order to modulate the air flow around the vehicle, it is known to install a movable air guiding device mobile between a stowed position and a deployed position. The air guiding device is for example placed in the deployed position when the vehicle circulates at an important speed and in the stowed position when the speed is reduced. <CIT> describes an example of a variable spoiler of a rear bumper for a vehicle.

However, a movable air guiding device arrangement is often complex, requires many parts, which makes it cumbersome and expensive.

Indeed, the fastening systems used to assemble such a movable guiding system are often made of several intermediate parts in order to ensure a robust assembly. Such a system is thus complex to assemble, especially in a factory.

Furthermore, such fastening systems are often easy to access when the air guiding device is mounted, which makes it easy to vandalize, for example, when the vehicle is parked outside.

One of the aims of the invention is to provide a mobile exterior air guiding device easy to mount in a robust way on a motor vehicle while being difficult to remove once mounted on the motor vehicle.

To this end, the invention proposes an air guiding device of the afore-mentioned type, wherein the assembling device comprises one fastening element extending along a fastening axis and locking the link bar in position, the bar axis and the fastening axis extending in different directions.

The assembling device composed of a link bar locked by one fastening element makes the assembly of the connecting mechanism on the movable part very easy simply by putting the link bar in place and then lock it. The fact that the bar axis and the fastening axis are distinct and extend in different directions improves the robustness of the assembly.

According to other embodiments, the exterior air guiding device comprises one or several following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination:.

The invention further relates to a method for assembling such an exterior air guiding device on a motor vehicle, the method comprising at least the following steps, for each connecting mechanism:.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:.

In the description, the terms "lower", "upper", "transverse", "front", "rear" are defined in the usual directions of an assembled vehicle, these terms referring, if applicable, to the position of the air guiding device when it is assembled on the vehicle. The transverse direction refers to a direction that extends substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the vehicle. The term "inner" refers to what faces the body of the vehicle and the term "outer" to what faces the outside of the vehicle when the air guiding device is assembled on the vehicle.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows a motor vehicle <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> and an exterior air guiding device <NUM>.

The motor vehicle <NUM> is for example a car, a bus, a van or a truck.

The body <NUM> of the motor vehicle <NUM> delimits an exterior space and an interior space intended notably for receiving passengers.

The body <NUM> of the motor vehicle <NUM> comprises a front part <NUM>, a rear part <NUM> and a roof <NUM> extending between the front part <NUM> and the rear part <NUM>.

The air guiding device <NUM> is installed on the exterior space and for example on the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air guiding device <NUM> is a spoiler installed between the vehicle roof <NUM> and the rear windshield.

Alternatively, the air guiding device <NUM> is, for example, a spoiler installed on the trunk of the vehicle, or a rear diffuser installed under the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

In another variant, the air guiding device <NUM> is a spoiler installed on the front part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The exterior air guiding device <NUM> comprises a fixed part <NUM>, a movable part <NUM> mounted on the fixed part <NUM>, at least one connecting mechanism <NUM> allowing a movement of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM> and for each connecting mechanism <NUM>, an assembling device <NUM> for connecting the connecting mechanism <NUM> to the movable part <NUM>.

The fixed part <NUM> is attached to the body <NUM> of the motor vehicle <NUM>.

More specifically, the fixed part <NUM> is fastened directly to the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM> or, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is part of the body <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> is movably mounted on the fixed part <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> is mounted for example in a rotating manner about a transverse axis A-A' relative to the fixed part <NUM> between a stowed position and a deployed position, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this case, the connecting mechanism <NUM> is formed by a hinge connecting the movable part <NUM> to the fixed part <NUM>.

The rotation angle of the movable part <NUM> between the stowed position and the deployed position is for example comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

As an alternative, the movable part <NUM> is mounted in translation along the transverse axis A-A' relative to the fixed part <NUM> between the stowed position and the deployed position. In this case, the connecting mechanism <NUM> is for example formed by a rail allowing the movable part <NUM> to slide relative to the fixed part <NUM>.

In another alternative, the movement of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM> between the stowed position and the deployed position is a combination of a translation along the transverse axis A-A' and a rotation with the transverse axis A-A' as rotation axis.

The transverse axis A-A' defines thus a rotation axis and/or a translation axis of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> comprises an air guiding face <NUM> and an opposite face <NUM> that is substantially opposite to the air guiding face <NUM>.

When the movable part <NUM> is in the stowed position, shown in <FIG>, the air guiding face <NUM> guides the flow of air following the curves of the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

Advantageously and in reference to <FIG>, when the movable part <NUM> is in the stowed position, the air guiding face <NUM> extends substantially in the continuation of the fixed part <NUM>. "In the continuation" means that the air guiding face <NUM> and the fixed part <NUM> together form a substantially continuous and regular air-guiding surface.

When the movable part <NUM> occupies the stowed position, the opposite face <NUM> is in contact with the fixed part <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> occupies the stowed position when the speed of the motor vehicle is low, for example less than <NUM>/h.

When the movable part <NUM> is in the deployed position, shown in <FIG>, the air guiding face <NUM> guides the flow of air away from the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

Advantageously and in reference to <FIG>, when the movable part <NUM> is in the deployed position, the opposite face <NUM> is not in contact with the fixed part <NUM>. The air guiding face <NUM> is inclined relative to the fixed part <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> occupies the deployed position when the speed of the motor vehicle is important, for example above <NUM>/h.

The movable part <NUM> moves from the stowed position toward the deployed position when the speed of the motor vehicle increases, for example exceeds <NUM>/h, and the movable part <NUM> moves from the deployed position toward the stowed position when the speed of the motor vehicle decreases for example falls below <NUM>/h.

The air guiding face <NUM> has for example a substantially flat shape. In a variant, it has a convex or concave shape.

At least one connecting mechanism <NUM> mounted on the fixed part <NUM> and on the movable part <NUM>, for example two connecting mechanisms <NUM> as shown on <FIG>, allows such a movement of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM>.

In the case where the connecting mechanism(s) <NUM> is(are) or comprise(s) a hinge,-each connecting mechanism <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> fastened on the fixed part <NUM>, a second portion <NUM> mounted on the movable part <NUM> and an articulating mean <NUM>.

The articulating mean <NUM> comprises for example, in a well-known manner, knuckles and a pin allowing the rotation of the second portion <NUM> relative to the first portion <NUM>, and thus the rotation of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM> along the transverse axis A-A'.

In the case where the connecting mechanism(s) <NUM> is(are) or comprise(s) a rail, the articulating mean <NUM> defines a slide rail allowing the translation of the second portion <NUM> relative to the first portion <NUM> and thus the translation of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM> along the transverse axis A-A'.

The second portion <NUM> of each connecting mechanism <NUM> is mounted on the movable part <NUM> by means of an assembling device <NUM>.

The assembling device <NUM> comprises a link bar <NUM> and one fastening element <NUM>.

The link bar <NUM> extends along a bar axis B-B'.

Advantageously, the bar axis B-B' is substantially parallel to the transverse axis A-A'.

As shown on <FIG>, the link bar <NUM> comprises advantageously a fastening head <NUM> and a rod <NUM> extending from the fastening head <NUM> along the bar axis B-B'.

The fastening head <NUM> is located at one end of the rod <NUM>.

The rod <NUM> for example has a circular cross-section with a diameter substantially comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>. The rod <NUM> has for example a length, measured along the bar axis B-B', substantially comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The fastening head <NUM> is, for example, substantially rectangular in shape with lateral dimensions greater than the diameter of the rod <NUM> such that the fastening head <NUM> protrudes radially from the rod <NUM>.

The link bar <NUM> is for example made of metal.

When the assembling device <NUM> is mounted, the link bar <NUM> is inserted in at least one opening <NUM> defined in the movable part <NUM> and in at least one opening <NUM> defined in the connecting mechanism <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated on <FIG> and <FIG>, the link bar <NUM> is inserted into two openings <NUM> defined in the movable part <NUM> and into one opening <NUM> defined in the connecting mechanism <NUM>, and more specifically defined in the second portion <NUM> of the connecting mechanism <NUM>.

In another embodiment not illustrated, the link bar <NUM> is inserted into two openings defined in the connecting mechanism <NUM> and into one opening defined in the movable part.

The insertion of the link bar <NUM> into two openings defined either in the movable part <NUM> or in the connecting mechanism <NUM> allows a better positioning and alignment of the link bar <NUM> along the bar axis B-B' than with only one opening and thus avoids torsion.

As shown on <FIG>, the three openings <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned along the bar axis B-B' and the opening <NUM> defined in the connecting mechanism <NUM> is located between the two openings <NUM> defined in the movable part <NUM>. More specifically, when the assembling device <NUM> is mounted as shown on <FIG>, the rod <NUM> is inserted in the three openings <NUM>, <NUM> and the fastening head <NUM> is located close to one of the openings defined in the movable part <NUM>.

Advantageously, two protruding housings <NUM> are defined on the movable part <NUM>, and more specifically on the opposite face <NUM> of the movable part <NUM>.

Each one of the housings <NUM> defines a space to receive a part of the link bar <NUM>.

Each one of the housings <NUM> comprises one of the two openings <NUM> for the passage of the link bar <NUM>.

Advantageously, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a rail <NUM> is defined at least in one of the housings <NUM> in order to guide the insertion of the link bar <NUM> in the openings <NUM>, <NUM>.

Such a geometry of the housing <NUM> allows a simplified positioning of the link bar <NUM>.

Advantageously, such a geometry of the housing <NUM>, and more specifically the rail <NUM>, makes it possible to hold the link bar <NUM> inside said housing <NUM>, even before the definitive fastening of the link bar <NUM>.

The movable part <NUM> has for example the shape of a fork with two branches, each branches defining a housing <NUM>.

Each opening <NUM> is preferably defined on a lateral side <NUM> of one of the housing <NUM>.

The two housings <NUM> define between them a cavity <NUM>, corresponding for example to the space between the two branches of the fork. More specifically, the cavity <NUM> is defined as the space between two lateral sides <NUM> in which the openings <NUM> are defined. Said two lateral sides <NUM> are facing each other.

When the assembling device <NUM> is mounted, the part of the connecting mechanism <NUM>, and more specifically of the second portion <NUM>, in which the opening <NUM> is defined, is received into said cavity <NUM>, so that the three openings <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned and the link bar <NUM>, and more specifically the rod <NUM>, extends in the openings <NUM>, <NUM> along the bar axis B-B'.

In such an embodiment, when the assembling device <NUM> is mounted as shown on <FIG>, the fastening head <NUM> lies preferably against one of the lateral sides <NUM> in which an opening <NUM> is defined.

The fastening element <NUM> locks the link bar <NUM> in position, such that all rotation and translation movements of the link bar <NUM> relative to bar axis B-B' are blocked.

The fastening element <NUM> extends along a fastening axis F-F'.

As shown in <FIG>, the bar axis B-B' and the fastening axis F-F' are distinct from each other, meaning that they extend in different directions. In other words, the bar axis and the fastening axis are not parallel to each other. According to a particular embodiment, the bar axis and the fastening axis are substantially perpendicular.

The fastening element <NUM> fastens the link bar <NUM>, and more specifically the fastening head <NUM>, to the movable part <NUM>, and more specifically to one of the housing <NUM>.

The fastening element <NUM> is preferably a screw. In variant, the fastening element <NUM> is a bolt.

Preferably, a threaded hole <NUM> is defined in the fastening head <NUM>.

In order to lock the link bar <NUM> in position, the screw <NUM> is screwed into said threaded hole <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, when the fastening element <NUM> locks the link bar <NUM> in position, the rotation between the movable part <NUM> and the connecting mechanism <NUM> is blocked.

In a variant not shown, the rotation between the movable part <NUM> and the connecting mechanism <NUM> is allowed.

Preferably, the air guiding device <NUM> device further comprises a sealing system <NUM>.

The sealing system <NUM> is for example a rubber boot fixed to the movable part <NUM> and to the fixed part <NUM>.

The assembling device <NUM> and the connecting mechanism <NUM> are advantageously located inside said sealing system <NUM>.

Said sealing system <NUM> is flexible, such that so that it is able to adapt its shape according to the position of the movable part <NUM>.

A method for assembling such an exterior air guiding device <NUM> will now be described.

First, the fixed part <NUM> of the exterior air guiding device <NUM> is fastened to the body <NUM> on the exterior side, and for example to the rear part <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

For example, as shown on <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixed part <NUM> is fastened between the roof <NUM> and the rear windshield.

Secondly, at least one connecting mechanism <NUM>, and more specifically the first portion <NUM> of each connecting mechanism <NUM>, is fastened on the fixed part <NUM>.

The fastening of the first portion <NUM> on the fixed part <NUM> is well known and will not be described in more detail below.

Then, for each connecting mechanism <NUM> installed, an assembling device <NUM> comprising a link bar <NUM> and a fastening element <NUM> is provided.

The link bar <NUM> is placed close to one of the openings <NUM> defined in the movable part <NUM>, and more particularly on the opposite face <NUM>.

As shown on <FIG>, the link bar <NUM> is preferably inserted into the rail <NUM> defining in one of the housing <NUM>.

Afterwards, the movable part <NUM> is placed on the connecting mechanism <NUM>.

More specifically, in the preferred embodiment shown on <FIG>, the part of the connecting mechanism <NUM>, and more specifically of the second portion <NUM>, in which the opening <NUM> is defined, is received into the cavity <NUM> defined between the two housings <NUM>.

After this step, as shown on <FIG>, the three openings <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned along the bar axis B-B'.

The link bar <NUM> is then pushed along the bar axis B-B', so that the link bar <NUM> passes through the openings <NUM>, <NUM>, and more specifically through the three openings <NUM>, <NUM>.

After this step, as shown on <FIG>, the link bar <NUM> is in its final position.

The link bar <NUM> extends preferably along the bar axis B-B' parallel to the transverse axis A-A. The transverse axis A-A' defines the rotation axis and/or the translation axis of the movable part <NUM> relative to the fixed part <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment shown on <FIG>, the fastening head <NUM> of the link bar <NUM> lies against one of the lateral sides <NUM> in which an opening <NUM> is defined.

Next, the link bar <NUM> is locked in this position by means of the fastening element <NUM>.

The fastening element <NUM>, preferably a screw, extends along the fastening axis F-F' distinct from the bar axis B-B', and more specifically perpendicular to said bar axis B-B'.

In the preferred embodiment shown on <FIG>, the fastening element <NUM> is a screw screwed into a threaded hole <NUM> defined in the fastening head <NUM> of the link bar <NUM>.

Advantageously, a sealing system <NUM> is then installed and fixed.

For example, the sealing system <NUM> constituting of a rubber boot is first clipped to the movable part <NUM>, more specifically into a trail defined in the movable part <NUM>, for a fixation in a form-fitting manner.

Then, the rubber boot is fastened to the fixed part <NUM>, advantageously thanks to invisible fixing. In other words, the fixing of the rubber boot to the fixed part <NUM> is not visible from the outside of the rubber boot.

Such an exterior air guiding device <NUM> is easy to assemble, notably thanks to the assembling device <NUM> composed only of a link bar <NUM> and one screw <NUM>. The assembly cost are therefore reduced.

Furthermore, such an assembling device <NUM> ensures a robust and reliable assembly of the movable part <NUM> on the connecting mechanism <NUM>.

Moreover, such an assembling device <NUM> is space-saving while ensuring good resistance to effort, notably thanks to the fastening element <NUM> extending along a fastening axis F-F' extending in a different direction than the transverse axis A-A'. This resistance is even more increased when the fastening axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis A-A'.

Claim 1:
Vehicle exterior air guiding device intended to be installed on a motor vehicle (<NUM>) comprising :
- a fixed part (<NUM>) intended to be attached to said motor vehicle (<NUM>),
- a movable part (<NUM>) movably mounted on the fixed part (<NUM>),
- at least one connecting mechanism (<NUM>) allowing a movement of the movable part (<NUM>) relative to the fixed part (<NUM>) between a stowed position and a deployed position, and
- for each connecting mechanism (<NUM>), an assembling device (<NUM>) for connecting the connecting mechanism (<NUM>) and the movable part (<NUM>), the assembling device (<NUM>) comprising a link bar (<NUM>) extending along a bar axis (B-B'), the link bar (<NUM>) being inserted in at least one opening (<NUM>) defined in the movable part (<NUM>) and in at least one opening (<NUM>) defined in the connecting mechanism (<NUM>),
characterized in that the assembling device (<NUM>) comprises one fastening element (<NUM>) extending along a fastening axis (F-F') and locking the link bar (<NUM>) in position, the bar axis (B-B') and the fastening axis (F-F') extending in different directions.