Fabrication method for making a trim element by welding of a structural element and a functional element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10377119-B2
Application number	US-201514606681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2015
Priority date	Jan 28, 2014
Publication date	Aug 13, 2019
Grant date	Aug 13, 2019

Abstract

An assembly method for assembling a structural element and a functional element constituted of a first functional element part and a second functional element part. The method includes the steps of (a) bringing into contact the first functional element part, the second functional element part and the structural element in at least one assembly zone, with the first functional element part being in contact with the second functional element part, and the first functional element part and the second functional element part being respectively in contact with the structural element in the assembly zone, and (b) welding of the first and the second functional element parts on to the structural element in the assembly zone in a single welding pass in a manner so as to simultaneously attach the first and the second functional element parts to the structural element.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An assembly method for assembling a lining element comprising at least one structural element and one functional element made of plastic material constituted of a first functional element part and a second functional element part, wherein the method includes the following steps:
bringing into contact the first functional element part, the second functional element part and the structural element in at least one assembly zone, the first functional element part being in contact with the second functional element part, and the first functional element part and the second functional element part in addition being respectively in contact with the structural element in the assembly zone,
welding of the first and the second functional element parts on to the structural element in the assembly zone in a single welding pass in a manner so as to simultaneously attach the first and the second functional element parts to the structural element,
wherein the first and the second functional element parts each comprise at least one rib extending in the assembly zone, said ribs being brought into contact with the structural element in the assembly zone and being welded to the structural element during the welding step,
wherein the first and the second functional element parts are welded to each other during the welding of the first and second functional element parts to the structural element, and
wherein the ribs are welded together at least in certain zones during the welding step.

2. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the second functional element part comprises at least one through opening in the vicinity of its rib in the assembly zone, the rib of the first functional element part passing through the said opening during bringing into contact of the first and the second functional element parts, the two ribs extending, substantially parallel to and in the vicinity of one another, to the structural element.

3. An assembly method according to claim 1 , including a step of fastening of the first and second functional element parts to each other over the course of their bringing into contact, the said fastening being ensured by reciprocal fastening elements provided on the first and on the second functional element parts.

4. An assembly method according to claim 3 , wherein the reciprocal fastening elements comprise at least one snap in tab provided respectively on the first and the second functional element parts and a snap in orifice provided respectively on the second and the first functional element parts, the first and the second functional element parts being fastened to each other during the step of bringing into contact of the first and the second functional element parts, the said snap in tab and the said snap in orifice being capable of cooperating with each other.

5. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and the second functional element parts are arranged so as to define a duct therebetween when they are brought into contact with one another.

6. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the second functional element part is arranged between the structural element and the first functional element part.

7. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the structural element comprises at least one opening, the first and the second functional element parts being arranged so as to define a duct there between when they are brought into contact with one another, the said duct opening at least into the said opening when the first and the second functional element parts are brought into contact with the structural element.

8. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the functional element forms an air duct and wherein the structural element forms the body of a vehicle dashboard.

9. An assembly method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and the second functional element parts have complementarily shaped forms in a manner so as to ensure a sealing between the parts.

10. An assembly method according to claim 9 , wherein the complementarily shaped forms are baffles.

Assignees

• Faurecia Interieur Ind

Inventors

• Poiret Gérard

Classifications

• B60H1/00564

  of air ducts · CPC title

• B60K2350/401

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B62D25/142

  having ventilation channels incorporated therein · CPC title

• B29C66/112

  Single lapped joints · CPC title

• B29C66/114

  Single butt joints · CPC title