Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
  • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
  • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
  • B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
  • B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
  • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
  • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
  • B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
  • B60R2021/21537—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by hinges

Definitions

• Piece of motor vehicle equipment comprising an airbag safety device, and method of assembling such a piece of equipment
• a first aspect of the present invention relates to a piece of motor vehicle equipment comprising: an airbag safety device, comprising a housing and an airbag contained in said housing, - a dashboard part formed with a hatch d extraction adapted to open under the effect of the swelling of the bag when the device is triggered, - a frame fixed to the dashboard part, and arranged between the housing and the hatch, so as to form a guide channel deployment of the bag, and - a reinforcement flap of the hatch, part of which is pressed against a face of the hatch and is fixed to the latter, and a retaining part of which is connected to the frame by means of at minus a retaining hook acting against ejection of the flap when the device is triggered.
• this arrangement makes the assembly of the piece of equipment complex, since it requires precise positioning and maintaining in position of the shutter retaining parts on the frame, prior to the installation of the air bag module. .
• the reinforcing flap is connected to the frame by screwing or by riveting. This technique is not satisfactory, insofar as the fixing of the flap to the frame involves additional fixing parts, and additional mounting time.
• the object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks set out above. This object is achieved thanks to the invention, by the fact that the hook is formed in one piece with the flap, and cooperates, when the device is triggered, with a complementary shoulder formed with the frame.
• said shoulder is defined by a window formed in the frame, and the dashboard part has at least one rib which projects into the window, so as to close off the at least partially the latter and to keep the hook engaged in said window;
• the hook has a T shape, the window being of corresponding shape;
• the frame has a rim for fixing to the dashboard part, having a flat face and fixed on a complementary face of the dashboard part, and an adjacent wall substantially orthogonal, and in that each window includes a part of introduction of the respective hook, formed in said flange, and a retaining part forming a shoulder for the hook, formed in said adjacent wall, the introduction part being at least partially closed by the respective ribs of the dashboard part ;
• the flap comprises a plate of complementary shape to the hatch and fixed to the latter, and in that the retaining part comprises at least one strip formed in one piece with said plate from an edge of the latter, and said hook, formed on the side of the free edge of said strip; and the strip has an undulation, so that
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling a piece of equipment as described above, in which the following successive operations are carried out: - the flap is fixed on the corresponding face of the hatch; - The frame is presented for attachment to the dashboard part, and the hooks are engaged in the respective windows; and - the frame is fixed to the dashboard part.
• - the safety device is then fixed relative to the frame; - the flap is fixed to the hatch by welding; and - the frame is fixed to the dashboard part by welding.
• the invention relates to a dashboard assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a dashboard portion having an internal face provided with a peripheral line of least resistance defining a gate area; an element for guiding the deployment of the airbag of an airbag safety device, said guiding element being fixed on the internal face of the dashboard part and comprising: o walls forming a guide channel provided to surround at least partially the airbag safety device, and o a peripheral rim for fixing the guide element to the internal face of the dashboard part around the gate area, and internally delimiting an opening area of the dashboard part and passage of the bag, - at least one added reinforcement flap fixed on the internal face of the dashboard part facing the gate area; and - a hinge element connecting the reinforcement flap to the guide element and / or to the dashboard part.
• the operating principle of such a dashboard assembly is as follows.
• the guide channel concentrates the pressure forces developed by the inflation of the bag and exerted by the bag on the reinforcement flap and the gate area.
• the line of least resistance breaks, separating the perimeter of the gate area from the rest of the dashboard part.
• the gate area and the associated reinforcement flap release the area of opening of the board part and passage of the bag, on the one hand by the deployment of the hinge element and on the other hand, sequentially and / or simultaneously, by pivoting the gate area and the associated reinforcement flap around an axis belonging to the hinge element.
• EP-A-0970856 and FR-A-2776974 propose motor vehicle dashboard assemblies of the type described above.
• the hinge element is disposed in the guide channel. It follows that, during the deployment of the bag, the latter comes into interference with the hinge element thereby affecting the kinematics of deployment of the hinge element and pivoting of the gate area and the associated reinforcement flap and therefore the optimal deployment of the bag in the passenger compartment.
• the positioning of the hinge element in the guide channel limits the possibilities of optimizing the length or shape of the hinge element due to this interference during deployment.
• the motor vehicle dashboard assemblies of the prior art present a risk that can affect the optimal deployment of the airbag and / or limit the freedom of design of the hinge element for optimizing the deployment of the airbag.
• the invention relates to a dashboard assembly dashboard assembly of a motor vehicle comprising a board portion having an internal face and a gate area having a peripheral line of least resistance; an element for guiding the deployment of the airbag of an airbag security device, said guide element being fixed to the internal face and comprising: o walls forming a guide channel provided to at least partially surround the security device with an inflatable bag, and o a peripheral rim for fixing to the internal face of the board part around the gate area, and which internally delimits an opening area of the board part and passage of the bag, at least one added reinforcement flap fixed on the internal face of the dashboard part opposite the gate area; and - a hinge element connecting the reinforcement flap to the guide element.
• the guide element comprises a hinge shield isolating the hinge element from the guide channel.
• the hinge can be deployed and ensure the pivoting of the gate area and the associated reinforcement flap without being disturbed by interference with the bag during deployment.
• the hinge no longer being in interference with the bag when deployed, the designers of the hinge element have more freedom as to the dimensional and / or shape parameters of the hinge element.
• the walls forming the guide channel are co-molded with the peripheral rim for fixing by injection of plastic material.
• the wall of the guide element opposite the hinge element has a double wall forming a cavity surrounding said hinge element, the double wall comprising a first shield wall which ensures the continuity of the guide channel to the reinforcement flap, and a second wall which is connected to the peripheral fixing rim.
• the hinge element is co-molded with the reinforcing flap.
• the hinge element has a technical fixing zone opposite the reinforcement flap, said technical fixing zone being fixed to the peripheral fixing flange of the guide element and / or to the board part. edge.
• the invention relates to a piece of motor vehicle equipment comprising: - a dashboard part formed with an extraction hatch adapted to open under the effect of the swelling of the bag of a device airbag safety system, when the device is triggered, - a frame fixed to the dashboard part, and arranged so as to form a channel for guiding the deployment of the bag, and - a reinforcement flap of the hatch, of which a reinforcement plate is pressed against one face of the hatch and is fixed to the latter, and a hinge element of which is connected to the frame and / or to the dashboard part by means of at least one technical assembly zone acting against an ejection. of the shutter when the device is triggered.
• the reinforcing flap is connected to the frame by screwing or by riveting.
• This technique is not satisfactory, insofar as the fixing of the flap to the frame involves additional fixing parts, and additional mounting time.
• the object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks set out above. This object is achieved thanks to the invention, by the fact that the hinge element is formed in one piece with the flap, and cooperates, when the device is triggered, with at least one additional shoulder formed with the frame or with the dashboard part.
• the shoulder is defined by a rib projecting from the frame or on the dashboard part, and the technical area of assembly of the hinge element is provided with at least one opening through which the rib, the rib having a free end coming into contact respectively with the dashboard part or the frame so as to keep the rib engaged in the opening of the technical assembly area at the interface of the frame and the part dashboard.
• the frame has a rim for fixing to the dashboard part, having a plated face and fixed on a complementary face of the dashboard part, and the ribs are located in zones set back from the plated face and fixed on the complementary face of the dashboard part, so that the free ends of the ribs are in the plane of the plated face and fixed to a complementary face of the dashboard part.
• the shoulder is defined by a passage formed in the frame, and the technical area for assembling the hinge element is provided with at least one lug directed opposite to the dashboard part and passing through the passage.
• the frame has a rim for fixing to the dashboard part, having a plated face and fixed on a complementary face of the dashboard part, and the passages are located in zones set back from the plated face and fixed on the complementary face of the dashboard part, so that the pins are locked in position in the passage by an overlap of the dashboard part.
• the flap comprises a plate of complementary shape to the hatch and fixed to the latter, and in that the hinge element comprises at least one strip formed in one piece with said plate from an edge of the latter, a technical assembly zone being formed on the side of the free edge of said strip; -
• the strip has an undulation, so that said strip can be stretched, thus allowing the hatch to come off completely and to be ejected from the dashboard part, when the device is triggered; -
• the shutter comprises at least two such strips arranged symmetrically from an edge of the plate, and each formed with a technical assembly area.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling a piece of equipment as described above, in which the following successive operations are carried out: - the flap is fixed on the corresponding face of the hatch; - The frame is presented for attachment to the dashboard part, and the technical areas are made to cooperate with the respective complementary shoulders; and - the frame is fixed to the dashboard part.
• the flap is fixed to the hatch by welding.
• the frame is fixed to the dashboard part by welding.
• FIG. 1 is a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a piece of interior equipment of a motor vehicle conforming in the first aspect of the invention, and a transverse beam of the vehicle structure;
• - Figure 2 is a sectional view in direction 2-2, on a larger scale, of the piece of equipment of Figure 1, in the assembled configuration;
• - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of Figure 1, showing the elements involved in the connection between the reinforcing flap and the frame;
• Figure 4 is a partial exploded schematic view of a dashboard assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention;
• - Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a dashboard assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention;
• - Figure 6 is a partial schematic view, in exploded perspective, of a piece of interior equipment of a motor vehicle according to the third aspect of one invention;
• - Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a piece of equipment, in the assembled configuration according to a first
• FIG. 1 to 3 there is shown a piece of equipment 1 for a motor vehicle, which includes a dashboard part 3, and an airbag safety assembly 5.
• the dashboard portion 3, in the example shown, consists of a dashboard front portion located on the passenger side, the safety assembly 5 being of the type called "passenger airbag".
• the dashboard part 3 comprises a wall 7 of plastic material, covered, in the example shown, with a layer 9 of appearance coating.
• a weakening line 11 delimiting a hatch 13, detachable from the wall 7 during the inflation of the bag of the security assembly 5.
• the security assembly 5 essentially comprises a device (or “module”) ) with an inflatable bag 21, a frame 23 for guiding the deployment of the bag, and a reinforcing flap 25.
• the Figures have been oriented in a system of orthogonal axes X, Y, Z, different from the system of axes generally used to define the orientation of a vehicle, and in which: the axis Z represents the main axis of deployment of the airbag, directed substantially from the part of dashboard to the location of the head of a passenger, for which the safety device is intended; the X axis is a transverse axis, substantially horizontal, corresponding to a transverse axis of the vehicle oriented here from the left to the right of the vehicle; and - the Y axis is the axis orthogonal to the two axes mentioned above, directed substantially from rear to front of the vehicle.
• the Z axis which is actually substantially inclined relative to the vertical, will be assumed to be vertical, the XY plane therefore being assumed to be horizontal. All terms of position and direction, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower” will be understood with respect to this Z axis.
• the term “axial” will also be understood with respect to l 'Z axis, that is to say along the main axis of deployment of the airbag. Still with reference to Figures 1 to 3, we will now describe with greater precision the safety assembly 5.
• the module 21 comprises an airbag (not shown in the Figures), a housing 31 in which the airbag is housed , an inflation gas generator (not shown), also contained in the housing 31, and a breakable membrane 35 for temporary closure of the housing.
• the housing 31 has a bottom 37, so that the housing 31 is closed in its lower part, and an opening 39 on the upper side of the housing, this opening being of substantially rectangular shape.
• the opening 39 extends substantially in the plane XY, and is elongated along the axis X. The opening 39 thus defines two sides of larger dimension and two sides of smaller dimension, of the housing 31.
• the housing 31 is further provided with a square bracket 41 for fixing to a complementary bracket 43, integral with the beam 27.
• the bracket 41 is provided on the side of the bottom 37 of the housing, and rigidly fixed to the complementary bracket 43, for example by means of a bolt 45.
• the housing 31 On the side of the opening 39, the housing 31 is formed with a flange 49, on each side of the smaller dimension of the housing, each flange 49 being provided with two offset mounting holes 50 along the Y axis.
• the frame 23 is essentially formed by a peripheral rim 61, internally delimiting an opening 63 for releasing the bag, of generally rectangular shape corresponding substantially to the shape of the opening 39 of the housing, and of a axial channel 65 of section corresponding to the opening 63.
• the peripheral flange 61 is made in one piece of plastic with the channel 65, but the latter could be attached to the peripheral flange.
• the housing 31 of the module 21 opens through its opening 39 in the channel 65, the latter therefore extending between the module 21 and the opening 63 for releasing the bag.
• the upper face of the peripheral rim 61 is inscribed in a slightly curved, almost planar and substantially horizontal surface, corresponding to the region peripheral to the line of weakness 11 of the lower face of the dashboard wall 7.
• the peripheral flange 61 is fixed, by its upper face, preferably by welding, to this region of the wall 7 of the dashboard.
• the frame 23 is further formed with two protruding bands forming ears 71, on each side of smaller dimension of the peripheral rim 61, with which they came from matter.
• ears 71 each have a substantially horizontal face, on which two fixing holes 73 corresponding to the holes 50 are provided.
• the ears 71 are rigidly fixed to the flanges 49, each by means of a bolt, the screw of which is substantially axial Z, is engaged in the respective holes 50, 73.
• the housing 31 is here fixed to the frame 23 by screwing, on two opposite sides of the peripheral rim 61.
• the direct connection of the housing to the frame could, in other embodiments, be provided in another region, or even be deleted.
• the frame 23 has two opposite walls 77, 78 which protrude downwards from the peripheral rim 61, forming linings which are substantially parallel or slightly inclined with respect to the walls of the channel 65 situated on the longer sides. .
• the walls 77, 78 extend externally with respect to the corresponding walls of the channel 65, over a greater height, so that they reach a lower level along the axis Z.
• one 77 of the walls forming a lining is connected to the peripheral rim 61 by means of a recess 81.
• the latter is formed by a substantially vertical wall 82, adjacent to the rim 61, and by a horizontal wall 83 , adjacent to the vertical wall 82 on the one hand and to the wall 77 on the other hand.
• stiffening ribs at an angle 85 connect the walls 77 and 83.
• similar ribs 86 connect the flange 61 to the wall 78.
• the frame 23 is provided, on one of its large sides, with windows 87, here two in number, arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical median plane YZ.
• Each window 87 has a general T shape, cut in the horizontal edge 61 and the vertical wall 82: as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3, the central bar 87A of the T is cut in part vertically in the wall 82, and horizontally in the rim 61, and this continuously, while the upper bar 87B of the T extends horizontally, along the axis X, in the rim 61.
• the flap 25 comprises a metal plate 91, of shapes and dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the release opening 63 and of the hatch 13, and of the retaining parts 93 formed in one piece with the plate 91.
• the metal plate 91 is fixed, for example by welding, to the underside of the hatch 13 of the dashboard part 3.
• the retaining parts 93 which are provided to cooperate with the windows 87 of the frame 23, are also two in number in the example shown, and are correspondingly arranged in the same côt é of the flap 25.
• Each retaining part 93 comprises a strip or strap 94, which projects laterally along the axis Y from a side of greatest length of the plate 91, and a hook 95 integral with the strip 94 at its free end.
• the hook 95 is formed in one piece of metal with the strip 94 and the plate 91.
• the hook 95 has a shape corresponding to that of the respective window 87.
• the hook 95 has, on the side of the free end of the strip 94, a bar 96 elongated transversely along the X axis, intended to engage in the part 87B of the window 87, by insertion along the vertical axis Z.
• the hook 95 at the level of the bar 96, is stiffened by an end folding, which gives the bar 96 a double thickness with respect to the band 94.
• the width of the band 94 is provided so that this the latter can slide freely in the vertical direction Z, inside the part 87A of the window 87. It is understood that the bar 96, by cooperating with the wall parts 82 adjacent to the window 87, prevents the hook 95 from being removed window 87.
• the vertical wall 82 thus defines a complementary shoulder for the hook 95.
• the window part 87B will be called “introduction part” of the hook 95, while the window part 87A will be called “retaining part” of this same hook.
• the strip 94 has a ripple 97, provided to give the strip the ability to be stretched under a tensile force. Such an effort occurs when the safety device is triggered.
• the strip 94 By stretching, the strip 94 allows the hatch 13 to detach completely from the rest of the dashboard part 3, and to be ejected while being held integral with the latter.
• the underside of the dashboard wall 7 is formed with ribs 101 which engage in the introduction portion 87B, to hold the hook 95 inside of the latter. After engagement of the hook 95 in the window 87, the bar 96 cannot therefore be extracted from the window 87, due to the at least partial closure of the latter produced by the ribs 101.
• These ribs 101 are formed like vertical strips YZ, which each extend over the essential part of the width Y of the insertion part 87B of the window, and on the essential part of the thickness Z of the rim 61.
• the ribs 101 are distributed along the axis X,. over most of the length of the introduction portion 87B. It is understood that, when the device is triggered, from the assembled configuration shown in FIG. 2, the swelling of the bag causes the membrane 35 to rupture, then the flap 25 opens under the impact of the bag, around the parts retainer (or hinges) 93. The hatch 13 then detaches from the rest of the dashboard part 3, being cut at the level of the weakening lines 11. The hinges 93 stretch at the same time as the hatch 13 is ejected from the dashboard surface. Thanks to the locking of the hooks 95 in the windows 87, the hinges 93 hold the metal plate 91, and the hatch 13 together, to the frame 23.
• the flap 25 is fixed to the corresponding face of the hatch 13, by welding the upper face of the metal plate 91 to the lower face of the hatch 13.
• the hooks 95 are then free, in a vacuum, in waiting for engagement.
• the frame 23 is presented under the dashboard part 3, for attachment to the latter. Approaching it from wall 7, we engages the hooks 95 in the respective windows 87, the insertion being carried out essentially along the axis Z by the insertion part 87B, substantially "flat".
• the bar 96 is held in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the rim 61, when it engages in the window 87. Simultaneously, the ribs 101 engage in the insertion parts 87B, and block the extraction. bars 96 by the introduction parts 87B.
• the frame 23 is kept in contact with the wall 7, and it is fixed to the latter, for example by welding the flange 61 on the underside of the wall 7.
• the air bag module 21 is fixed relative to the assembly thus obtained, in particular relative to the frame 23.
• the legs 41, 43 are fixed by means of the bolt 45, and in the example shown, fixes the flanges 49 of the air-bag module to the ears 71 of the frame, by screwing or by riveting.
• the invention which has just been described provides great simplicity, as well as great reliability, of the connection between the shutter and the frame, and allows assembly of the piece of equipment by relatively rapid operations, which require less tooling as assembly processes of the state of the art. Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5.
• the dashboard assembly makes it possible to mount an airbag safety device (not shown) invisible from the passenger compartment aiming to protect the passenger of the vehicle in the event of a significant shock suffered by said vehicle, by deployment by inflating the bag.
• This type of dashboard assembly comprises a dashboard part 201 provided with a gate area 216 having a peripheral line of least resistance 217 located on the internal face 207 of the dashboard part so as to be invisible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
• This gate area 216 defines an opening area 214 through which, in the event of triggering of the airbag security device, the bag of the security device deploys towards the passenger compartment.
• This dashboard part 201 includes a dashboard insert 204 made of rigid, self-supporting plastic material.
• this insert 204 has, opposite the internal face 207, a decorative face.
• the insert 204 is covered with a layer of foam 205 itself covered with a skin of appearance 206.
• a guide element 202 for deploying the airbag On the internal face 207 of the dashboard part 1 is assembled a guide element 202 for deploying the airbag. The objective of this guide element 202 is to channel the direction of exit of the airbag during deployment.
• the guide element 202 comprises walls 208, 209, 210, 211 forming a guide channel 212 provided to at least partially surround the airbag security device, and a peripheral flange 213 for fixing to the internal face 207 of the dashboard portion 201, surrounding the opening area 214 of the dashboard portion In an embodiment not shown, at least part of the free edges 215 of the walls 208, 209, 210,
• the guide element 202 comprises fixing means intended to cooperate with complementary fixing means of the airbag safety device.
• the latter is provided on the internal face 207 with at least one added reinforcement flap 218.
• This reinforcing flap 218 can be attached to the internal face of the gate area 216 by any known means. Mention will be made, by way of nonlimiting example, of vibration welding and of the buttress.
• the remainder of the description will relate to the case of a single wicket with "U” opening, without excluding the case of a double wicket with "H” opening.
• a hinge element 219 connects the reinforcement flap 218 to the guide element 202 and / or to the insert 204.
• the hinge element 219 has a technical fixing zone 223 opposite to the reinforcement flap 218, said technical zone attachment 223 being secured to the peripheral fixing rim 213 of the guide element 202 and / or to the insert 204.
• this hinge element 219 allows the gate area 216 and the reinforcement flap 218 associated, to disengage from the dashboard part 201, and to pivot, opening the opening zone 214 and letting the airbag deploy in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
• the guide element 202 comprises a hinge shield 220 making it possible to isolate the hinge element 219 from the guide channel 212.
• the hinge shield 220 is constituted through one 210 of the walls 208, 209, 210, 211 of the guide element 202, the hinge element 219 being located behind the shield 220 with respect to the guide channel 212.
• the wall 210 actually forms opposite the hinge element 219 a double wall 220, 221 delimiting a cavity 222 surrounding said hinge element 219.
• the double wall comprises a first wall which forms the shield 220 and which ensures the continuity of the guide channel 212 up to the flap reinforcement 218, and a second wall 221 which is connected to the peripheral fixing rim 213.
• the line of peripheral resistance 217 is at least partially opposite the peripheral fixing rim 213, however in order to improve the deployment of the hinge element 219 and the pivoting of the door area 216 and of the associated reinforcement flap 218: - the reinforcement flap 218 is secured to the door area 216 as far as the cavity 222; and / or - part of the line of lower peripheral resistance 217 is located opposite the cavity 222.
• the hinge element 219 and the reinforcement flap 218 are co-molded by injection of plastic material.
• the hinge element 219 and the reinforcing flap 218 can be co-formed by stamping a metal sheet.
• the hinge element 219 can be a net molded by a plastic reinforcement flap (not shown).
• the guide element is molded in one piece with walls 208, 209, 210, 211 forming the guide channel 212 and the peripheral fixing flange 213.
• the technical fixing zone 223 is assembled to the peripheral fixing rim 213 of the guide element
• dashboard assembly 202 and / or 1 insert 204 by any known means.
• the dashboard assembly described by way of illustration is of the "U” opening type. It is understood that the present invention also covers dashboard assemblies of the "H” opening type.
• the "H" opening there are two hinge elements to be protected by a hinge shield as described above.
• Figures 6 to 8 there is shown a piece of motor vehicle equipment, which allows to mount an airbag safety device (not shown) invisible from the passenger compartment to protect the passenger of the vehicle in case significant shock suffered by said vehicle, by deployment of the airbag.
• This type of piece of equipment comprises a dashboard part 301 provided with a hatch 316 having a peripheral line of least resistance 317 located on the internal face 307 of the dashboard part 301 so as to be invisible from the vehicle interior.
• This hatch 316 defines an opening zone 314 through which, in the event of the triggering of an airbag safety device, the bag of the safety device deploys towards the passenger compartment.
• This dashboard part 301 comprises a dashboard insert 304 made of rigid, self-supporting plastic material.
• this insert 304 has, opposite the internal face 307, a decorative face.
• one insert 304 is covered by a foam layer 305 itself covered by a skin 306.
• a frame 302 On the inner side 307 of plate edge portion 301 is assembled a frame 302 forming a guide channel 312 for deploying the airbag.
• the frame 302 comprises walls 308, 309, 310, 311 forming the guide channel 312 provided to at least partially surround the airbag safety device, and a peripheral flange 313 for fixing to the internal face 307 of the board part edge 301, surrounding the opening area 314 of the board part 301.
• at least part of the free edges 315 of the walls 308, 309, 310, 311 of the guide element 302 comprise fixing means intended to cooperate with complementary fixing means of the airbag safety device.
• the latter is provided on the internal face 307 with an added reinforcement flap 303.
• This reinforcing flap 303 comprises a reinforcing plate 318 attached to the internal face of the hatch 316 by any known means. Mention will be made, by way of nonlimiting example, of vibration welding, and of buttressing. In the case of a single hatch with an "U" opening, there is a single reinforcing flap 303, in the case of a double hatch with an "H" opening, there are two reinforcing flaps. For the sake of simplification, the remainder of the description will relate to the case of a single hatch with an "U" opening, without excluding the case of a double hatch with an "H” opening.
• the reinforcement flap 303 further comprises a hinge element 319 connecting the reinforcement plate 318 to the frame 302 and / or to the insert 304.
• the hinge element 319 has a technical assembly area 323 opposite the plate 318, said technical assembly area 323 being associated with the frame 302 and / or with the insert 304.
• the technical assembly area 323 cooperates with an additional shoulder 330, 350 formed with the frame 302 and / or the insert 304 in such a way that, when the bag is deployed, this hinge element 319 acts against an ejection of the hatch 316 and of the associated reinforcement plate 318, and allows the hatch 316 and the associated reinforcement plate 318 to disengage from the dashboard part 301, and to pivot, opening the opening zone 314 and letting the airbag deploy in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, while remaining linked to the dashboard part 301.
• the shoulder 330, 350 is defined by a rib 330 projecting from the frame 302, and the technical assembly area of the hinge element is provided with at least one o opening 331 through which the rib 330 passes, the rib 330 having a free end 332 coming into contact with the dashboard part 301 so as to keep the rib 330 engaged in the opening 331 of the technical assembly area 323 at the interface of the frame 302 and the dashboard part 301.
• the frame 302 has a flange 313 for fixing to the dashboard part 301, having a face 329 pressed and fixed on a complementary face of the dashboard part 301.
• the rib 330 is located in a recessed area 333 of the face 329 plated and fixed on the complementary face of the dashboard part 301, so that the free end 332 of the rib 331 is flush with the level and is in the plane of the region surrounding the face 329, which face 329 is flattened and fixed to a complementary face of the dashboard part 301.
• the opening 331 has dimensions slightly greater than those of the rib 330 which it must accommodate.
• the recessed area 333 has dimensions slightly greater than the technical assembly area 323 that it must accommodate.
• the ribs are carried by the dashboard portion 301.
• the shoulder 330, 350 is defined by a passage 350 formed in the frame 302, and the area assembly technique 323 of the hinge element 319 is provided with at least one lug 351 directed opposite the dashboard part 301 and passing through the passage 350.
• the frame 302 has a rim 313 for attachment to the dashboard part 301, having a plated face and fixed on a complementary face to the dashboard part 301, and the passages 350 are located in zones set back from the plated face and fixed on the complementary face of the dashboard part 301, so that the lugs 351 are locked in position in the passage 350 by an overlap of the dashboard part 301.
• the hinge element 319 preferably comprises at least one strip 340 formed integrally with the reinforcing plate 318 from an edge of the latter, a technical assembly area 323 being formed on the side of the free edge of said strip 340.
• the strip 340 has an undulation 341, so that said strip 340 can be stretched, thus allowing the hatch 316 to come off completely and be ejected from the board part on board 301, when the device is triggered ".
• the reinforcing flap 303 comprises at least two such strips 340 arranged symmetrically from an edge of the reinforcing plate 318, and each formed with a technical assembly area 323.
• the flap 303 is fixed to the corresponding face of the hatch 316, by welding the upper face of the reinforcing plate 318 to the lower face.
• the frame 302 is presented on the underside 307 of the dashboard part 301, for attachment to the latter. By approaching it from the face 307, the technical assembly zones are made to cooperate with the complementary shoulders.
• the frame 303 is kept in contact with the wall 307, and it is fixed to the latter, for example by welding the flange 313 on the underside 307.
• the dashboard piece of equipment described by way of illustration is of the "U” opening type. It is understood that the present invention also covers the pieces of instrument panel type “H” opening. In the case of the "H” opening, there are two distinct hinge elements on either side of the opening 314, each element cooperating with a complementary shoulder as described above.

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