DEVICE FOR THE ATTACHMENT OF A FIRST SUBSET AT A SECOND SUBSET OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Device for fixing a first subset on a second in - motor vehicle assembly.

The invention relates generally to devices for attaching a first structural subassembly to a second functional or structural subassembly or function of a motor vehicle, and in particular a device for fixing an instrument panel on the body of a vehicle.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device for fixing a first subassembly to a second subset of motor vehicle, of the type comprising: - a female member linked to the second subset;

- a male member linked to the first subset and being engageable with the female member in a direction of engagement;

- a blocking member, movable relative to the female member between a standby position in which the blocking member allows the engagement of the male member into the female member in the direction of engagement and an active position in which the locking member cooperates with the male member to lock the male member relative to the female member at least in the direction of engagement;

- automatic means for moving the blocking member from its rest position to its active position, activated by the engagement of the male member into the female member.

Such a device is known Patent deposited under number 05, 01433 FRs, which describes that the locking member is a rotatable cam engaging a portion of the male member forming a cam follower. This device has the defect of have a large number of parts and be particularly expensive.

In this context, to provide a device for fastening an instrument panel on a vehicle body structure which is simpler and less expensive. To this end, the invention relates to a fastening device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the locking member moves relative to the female part from its standby position to its active position according to a movement comprising at least one translation. The attachment device may also include one or more of the characteristics below, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations.

- the means for automatically moving the blocking member KOM - take an elastic member urging the locking member in translation towards its active position, and means for releasably locking the locking member in the standby position;

- the female member includes a cavity for receiving the male member defined by an inner surface, the means for automatically moving the blocking member comprising at least two guide grooves of the blocking member in translation, parallel to one another, formed on the interior surface of the cavity;

- the means for releasably locking the locking member in the standby position comprise catches projecting inside the grooves - [...] mistletoe;

- the locking member is slidably mounted and tiltable in the guide grooves, the automatic means for moving the blocking member comprising means for tilting said locking member into the locking grooves as a result of the engagement of the male member into the female member to release the locking member from its standby position;

- the blocking member comprises a latch slidably mounted in the guide grooves and rocker linked to the latch at pivot connection means, the rocker cooperating with the teeth for locking the locking member in the standby position, the means for automatically moving the blocking member KOM - taking means for pivoting the rocker arm with respect to the latch as a result of the engagement of the male member into the female member to release the locking member from its standby position;

- the blocking member comprises pegs engaged in the guide grooves and adapted to cooperate with the notches to lock the locking member in the standby position, and to pivot to slide between the detents and opposing edges of the guide grooves and releasing the locking member from its standby position; - the blocking member has a fracture of each stud being broken permits pivoting pins relative to the remainder of the stop member to release the blocking member from its standby position;

- after the rupture of the breaking areas, each pin remains attached to the remainder of the blocking member;

- the blocking member comprises a plastic body in which are formed the pieces, an intermediate portion and the breakaway regions between the studs and the intermediate portion, and an insert extending through the rupture zone of each stud to secure the connection between each stud and the portion un - [...] after rupture zones breaks;

- the blocking member is disposed within the cavity of the female member;

- the male member includes a loop, the blocking member comprising a bolt engaged in the loop in the active position and cooperates with an edge of the loop for locking the male member relative to the female member;

- the bolt cooperates with the edge of the loop by an oblique face with respect to the direction of translation of the locking member;

- the bolt cooperates with the edge of the loop by an arcuate surface;

- the blocking member moves relative to the female part from its - into a partnership except wait its active position according to a movement comprising at least one translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of engagement of the male member;

- the second subset is a crate, the first subset being a dashboard; - the blocking member has a marker adapted to cooperate with a sensor to detect that the locking member has reached its active position;

- the mark is a task of predetermined color, suitable for use with an optical sensor for detecting said predetermined color;

- the elastic member comprises a plurality of compression springs mounted parallel to each other;

- the spiral springs are associated in pairs, the springs of each pair being arranged concentrically one within the other;

- the edge of the loop is removable of the loop; and - the loop comprises two through holes aligned with one another, the edge being a straight axis engaged clamped by opposite end portions in the two through holes.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of monitoring the locking of the male member into the female member for a fixing device as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

- arranging the sensor relative to the second functional or structural subassembly such that said sensor comprises a sensor field covering a nominal position occupied by the mark when the locking member is in its active position,

- securing the first structural subassembly to the second functional or structural or functional - in assembly by engaging the male member into the female member;

- detecting the occurrence of the fiducial in the field of the sensor. Further, the field of the sensor may cover an area around the nominal position function mounting tolerances of the first structural - functional or structural assembly on the second functional or structural subassembly; and

In yet another aspect, the invention concerns a method of [...] - ration of a first functional or structural subassembly secured to a second structural assembly or under - functional using a device as described above, characterized in that the method comprises a step of expelling the axis out of the two through holes on said axis.

Other features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent from the detailed [...] - of which is given below, illustratively the least and limiting, with reference to the drawings appended hereto, among which:

figure 1 - is a perspective schematic view, showing a vehicle control system, a vehicle body portion, and a fixing device according to the invention, which effect the fixing of this cross member on the car body part;

figure 2 - is a view in exploded view of a fixation device according to the invention; figure 3 - is a side view of the different elements of a first under - assembly of the fixation device, intended to be fixed to the body, prior to assembly of these elements;

figure 4 - is a side view showing the first subset DIS - positive fixation assembled to the body and a second subset of the fastening device, attached to the dashboard cross member, the male member of the second subset being engaged partially in the female member of the second assembly and - under the blocking member occupying its standby position;

figure 5 - is a view similar to that of Figure 4 showing the male member almost completely engaged in the female member, in the situation where the blocking member has just been released from its standby position;

figure 6 - is a view similar to that of Figure 5, showing the locking member being moved onto its active locking position of the male member; - Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, illustrating the situation in which the bolt of the blocking member comes into contact with the loop of the male member;

- figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, showing the locking member in the active position, the bolt being engaged in the loop complement the male member;

- figure 9 is a perspective exploded view of the locking member, for a variant embodiment of the invention wherein the blocking member is in two parts;

figures 10 and 11 - are side views showing the blocking member of Figure 9 respectively into the standby position and in a situation where the blocking member has just been released from its standby position;

figures 12 and 13 - are side views, enlarged, respectively of the bolt of the locking member of Figures 2 to 8, and a variant of the bolt wherein the latter cooperates with the male member by an arcuate surface; - Figures 14 and 15 are graphical representations indicating the ordinate to the load from the spring (solid line) and the effort to be exerted on the male member to compensate possible clearance of the instrument panel with respect to the body in the direction of engagement (mixed strokes), depending on the position of the male member in the direction of engagement (in abscissa), respectively for the bolt of Figure 12 and for the bolt of Figure 13;

- figure 16 is a simplified view in elevation of a left side portion of a motor vehicle, wherein the left shackle of the dashboard cross member is mounted on the frame by two fixing devices according to the invention, two sensors control the blocking the male organs of the two mounting devices in the corresponding female members further being represented;

- figure 17 is a view of the left side of a fastening device of the IF figure - 16;

- figure 18 is a sectional view of a front part of a motor vehicle in a vertical longitudinal plane, showing the securing device of the link TiB and showing two possible positions for a control sensor for locking the male member of the fastening device into the female member; - Figure 19 is a perspective view of the male member of the fastening device of Figures 16 to 18, for an alternative embodiment wherein the edge of the ball cooperating with the blocking member is removable;

- figure 20 is a perspective view of the blocking member of Figures 9 to 13 and comprises elastic means for biasing said member toward its position an AC - w, for a variant embodiment years which said means comprise a plurality of compression springs parallel;

- figure 21 is a front view of a cam follower of a blocking member according to an alternative embodiment of the invention similar to that of Figures 9 to 11; - Figures 22 to 24 are views showing the rocker face of Figure 21 in different successive configurations upon release of the locking member from its standby position,

- figure 25 and a side view of a cam follower of a blocking member according to an alternative embodiment to that of Figure 21; - Figure 26 is a sectional view of the toggle of Figure 25, as considered along the incidence arrows XXVI herein of Figure 25; - figure 27a is a side view of the toggle of Figures 21 and 22, when the locking member is in the waiting position, the pins are supported by the locking notches provided in the grooves;

- figure 27b is a view similar to that of Figure 27a, in the organizational - except where the rocker has swung under the engagement of the male member into the female member, [...] the pawns are not yet detached from the body of the rocker;

- figure 27c is a view similar to that of Figures 27a and 27b, illustrating the situation when the pins are disengaged from the body of the rocker and have pivoted relative to the locking notch;

- figure 28 is a front view of the female member of a fixing device according to a variant embodiment of the invention, in which the female member has tabs check adapted to lock the male member in translation counter to the engagement direction once the male member is partially engaged within the female member; and

- figure 29 is a sectional view of the female member of Figure 28 and a male member partially engaged in said female member.

The embodiment shown in Figures 2 and example 3 is provided for attaching a first structural subassembly or vehicle operating on a second functional or structural subassembly of the vehicle. Thus, it is for example, but not exclusively, suitable for consolidating the dashboard on the vehicle body or a seat on the body of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 1, the fastening device 1 is for rigidly securing a structural member of the dashboard 3, e.g. the crossbar of the dashboard 5, 7 to a structural member of the vehicle.

The structural member of the vehicle, that [...] generically "box" or "body portion" is typically a crosspiece called "passes through the lower bay" or "T the GDP". The cross member 5 of the dashboard is provided with a bracket 9, called "link [...]", which has a supporting and fixing part 11 facing the car body part 7, and at which is formed the fastener by the device 1. a single fastener has been shown in fig. 1, it being understood that the cross member 5 is fixed at several points distributed along the length of the crosspiece, preferably at three points, - designed and using and spons attachment preferably identical or similar to that shown in Figures 2 to 8.

In Figure 1, has carried a system of X, Y and Z, X-axis defining the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, [...] i.e. the direction of movement of the vehicle to nor - [...], the Y-axis extending in the transverse direction and the Z-axis defining the vertical direction. Furthermore, the right, the left, the front and back will be heard in the description which will follow with respect to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 2, the fastening device 1 comprises: a female member - 13 provided for attachment to the box 7;

15 - a male member that fits into the female member 13 in a direction longitudinal engagement;

17 - a nut securing the male member 15 on the link [...] 11, usually called SADs nut; a locking member - 19, movable relative to the female member 13 between a standby position in which the blocking member 19 permits the engagement of the male member into the female member 15 13 in the direction of engagement and an active position in which the blocking member 19 cooperates with the male member 15 in order to selectively lock the male member 15 relative to the female member 13 according to the engagement direction;

21 - automatic means for moving the blocking member 19 from its rest position to its active position, activated by the engagement of the male member into the female member 15 13.

The automatic means 21 moving the blocking member 19 22 comprise an elastic member biasing the blocking member 19 in translation towards its active position, and means 23 for releasably locking the locking member 19 in the standby position.

The elastic member 22 is a compression coil spring.

The female member 13 has a tubular outer shell 24, of axis intended to be transverse, and rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its axis. The casing 24 is open at both axial ends thereof. Two crimp lugs 25 at a first axial end 26. The casing 24 includes a wall 27 provided to be perpendicular to the direction engagement, an opening 29 passing the male member 15. The opening 29 has a T-section and is disposed at the axial end 30 of the housing remote from the tabs 25. The opening 29 comprises a section 31 provided to be vertical, and a section 33 extending axially toward the legs 25 from a central portion of the section 31.

The outer casing 24 defines therein a cavity 35 for receiving the male member 15, bounded by an inner surface 37. two axial recessed grooves 39 formed on the interior surface 37, 38 in two walls opposite the casing 23 [...] to the wall 27. The grooves 39 extend from the end of the outer shell 26 flukes are 25, substantially to the opening 29. Each of the grooves 39 has an open end 40 to the end 26 of the casing, and has a closed end opposite to the 41.

Each of the walls 38 also carries two ribs 43 and 44 parallel, projecting on the inner surface 43 and 44 37. ribs extend axially, from the end 30 of the envelope. The rib 44, the nearest the wall 27 of the shell, is longer than the rib 43.

The male member 15 has a rectangular loop 45, an actuating pin 47 projecting from a side of the loop 45 from an edge of the loop 48, 49 stops extending in continuation of the border 48 on either side of the loop, and a threaded rod 51 adapted to cooperate with the nut 17. The finger 47 extends from the edge 48 to the edge 52 of the loop parallel to and opposite the edge 48. The threaded rod 51 extends in the plane of the loop 45, from the edge 48, in the direction opposite to the edge 52. The blocking member 19 comprises: - a frame 53 substantially conforming to the cross section of the internal cavity of the female member 35;

- a bolt 55 projecting frame 53, intended to cooperate with the loop 45 of the male member for locking thereof with respect to the female member; - a release arm 57, projecting from the frame 53 on the same side as the bolt 55, and capable of cooperating with the finger 47 of the male member to release the locking member from its standby position 19; 59 - two flanges projecting from the frame opposite the latch bolt 53 to 55, extending from sides 60 of the frame to be oriented towards the walls 38 of the female member, the two flanges 59 being disposed facing each other; - a rib 61 extending from a flange 59 to each other, projecting from the frame 53 on the same side as the flanges 59;

- a material bridge 63 projecting from the frame opposite the latch bolt 53 to 55, extending along an edge of the frame intended to face the wall 27 of the female member. As shown in Figure 2, the arm 57 has a lumen 58 at its center, but has a free end full. In addition, the frame 53 is hollow under the bridge of material 63.

The locking member has two pins 19 half moon 65 carried by the flanges 59 and projecting outwardly of the frame 53. The pins 65 are for engaging in the grooves 39. Each pin half moon 65 is bounded laterally by a straight base 67 and a surface having a semicircular 66 extending from one end of the base to the other. As seen in Figure 4, the center axis common to two pins I-half moon 65 runs along the upper edge of the rib 61. Furthermore, two notches 68, intended to cooperate with the inner Res. [...] - 43 and 44 of the female member, are formed in each of the sides 60 of the frame to be face the walls 38.

The means 23 for releasably locking the locking member 19 in the standby position comprise, in each of the grooves 39, 69 a detent protruding from one of the edges of the slot to the inside thereof. The detent 69 is delimited towards the open end of the groove 40 by a piece 71 25° inclined at about relative to the axis of the shell 24.

The bolt 55 is delimited towards the release arm 57 77 by a flat face substantially perpendicular to the frame 53.

The bolt 55 is bounded opposite the arm 57 by a face comprising, from the free end of the bolt, a first oblique plane surface inclined about 79 24° 77 relative to the face, and a second oblique plane surface 81 3° inclined by about with respect to the face 77. As seen in Figure 8, the closed end 41 of each groove is delimited by an inclined edge 83 and 85 having an arcuate edge conjugated forms of those studs half moon.

The assembly of the various elements of the fixing device described above and 1 - the operation of this device will now be detailed with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

The male member 15 is first secured to the connecting strap [...] 11 using the SADs nut 17.

Then, the female member 13, the blocking member and the spring 19 - 22 are aces [...] to form a subset of the fastening device for attachment to the vehicle body.

The locking member 19 is first introduced into the casing 24, through the open end 26 flukes are 25. The blocking member is oriented such that the bolt 55 and the release arm 57 are turned towards the end 30 of the shell, the flanges 59 pointing to the opposite end 26. The sides 60 of the frame supporting the flanges 59 and the slots 68 are turned towards the walls 38 in which are incorporated the grooves 39. The bridge of material 63 is disposed along the wall 27 in which there is cut the opening 29.

The locking member 19 is introduced into the cavity 35 according to the axis of the casing 24 to engage the pins 65 in the grooves 39 open ends 40 thereof. Then, the blocking member 19 is moved toward the opening 29 until the bases 67 pins engage the inclined faces of the locking notches 71.

The member 19 takes up its standby position, and is held in said standby position by the lugs cooperating with the teeth 65 69. In this position, the frame 53 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the casing 24 and the inclination bases 67 pins with respect to said axis corresponds substantially to that faces notches 71. The face 77 of the bolt is parallel to the axis of the casing 24 and faces toward the opening 29. The oblique surfaces 79 and 81 are turned away from the opening 29.

Then, the coil spring 22 is introduced into the shell 24 through the open end 26 thereof. The end of the spring 22 facing the blocking member is shaped such that the spring 22 relates to both the bridge of material 63, 61 on the rib extending between the flanges 59, 87 and along the edge of the frame opposite the bridge of material 63.

Then, the spring is compressed so as to fit entirely within the casing 24, and the crimping tabs 25 are folded toward the interior of the shell 24 to lock the coil spring 22 within the envelope. As shown in Figure 4, in this position, the free end of the release arm 57 substantially faces of the section 33 of the insertion opening of the male member.

The subset female formed by the female member 13, the hoistway of BLO - 19 and the spring 22 is then fixed to the body 7, the female member 13 being oriented such that the axis of the jacket extends transversely and that the wall 27 faces toward the rear of the vehicle.

Attachment of the subassembly on the box 7 has only to position and maintain the subset female on the body 7 of the vehicle juice - that a lock with the male member is performed. Once lock effected, to the vehicle body part 7 is clamped between the male and female members of the device. The type of fastener will be preferably a fastening clip type with option for relative movement adjusting production and assembly between the subassembly and the body female 7 of the vehicle in the plane perpendicular to the engagement direction.

To achieve fixation of the dashboard 3 on the body 7, the dashboard 3 is brought against the box 7 so as to place the male member 15 opposite the opening 29. Then, the male member is engaged in the female member 13 through the opening 29, by displacement of the dashboard, a moves - telling the longitudinal forward direction marked by the arrow of Figure 4 f1.

The male member is oriented such that the loop 45 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction. Upon engagement of the male member into the female member 15 13, the loop 45 passes through the section 31 of the opening, and the actuating arm 47 passes through the section 33 of the opening. In a first portion of the stroke of engagement of the male member into the female member 15 13, the loop 45 into the cavity of the female member 13, without the operating finger 47 is engaged about the release arm 57 of the blocking member. This situation is shown in Figure 4.

Then, in a second portion of the stroke of the male member, the loop 45 penetrates deeper into the cavity 35, and the actuating arm 47 bears upon the release arm 57 and push it away from the opening 29.

As seen in Figures 4 and 5, in the standby position of the stop member 19, semi-circular faces of the pegs 66 65 75 bear against the edges of the grooves 39 opposite the detent 69. The bias applied in the direction of engagement by the driving finger 47 on the release arm 57 has the effect of putting the faces semicircular studs 66 65 75 on the edges of the grooves, so that the entire locking member 19 is rotated through about 25° clockwise in Figure 5, about the I axis passing through the center of the pegs. This rotation is materialized by arrow of Figure 5. f2 this rotation positioning the bases of studs 65 67 in a plane [...] - [...] to the transverse direction, the height of the notches 69, the width of the grooves 39 and the radius 65 studs being provided so that the pegs 65 can slide between the detents 69 75 and the edges of the grooves when the bases 65 67 of these pins are oriented transversely.

As shown in Figure 6, under the effect of the thrust of the spring 22, the blocking member 19 then moves downwardly of Figure 6, [...] to say towards the closed ends of the grooves 41. The ends of the ribs 44 begin to enter the notches 38 corresponding to the blocking member. In this situation, the actuation finger 47 of the male member is located facing the aperture 58 of the release arm of the blocking member. Under the effect of the thrust of the coil spring 22, the blocking member 19 continuous to move downwardly of Figure 6 and the ribs 44 penetrate deeper into the notches 68. Shapes of ribs 44 and those notches 68 are such that the ribs 44 slide on the walls defining the slots 68, and cause the rotation of the stop member 19 in counterclockwise direction in Figure 6. this switching is demonstrated by the arrow of Figure 6. f3 it returns the blocking member to its initial orientation, [...] to say with the frame 53 perpendicular to the transverse direction of the pegs and the bases 67 half moon 25° inclined at about relative to the transverse direction. This double translation movement and tilting is not prevented by the actuation finger 47, because the release arm 57 is recessed and because the frame 53 of the blocking member is also hollow under the bridge of material 63. The blocking member 19 then arrives in the position illustrated in Figure 7.

The free end of the bolt 55 enters the inside of the loop 45 of the male member and the female connector abuts the edge 52 of this loop. The release arm 57 is also engaged within the loop 45 but does not interfere with any of the edges of the loop. The bolt 55 is first in contact with the edge 52 of the loop from the first oblique surface 79.

Under the effect of the pressure exerted by the coil spring 22, the movement of the blocking member 19 continues, so that the bolt 55 engages deeply through the loop 45 of the male member, the inclined surface 79 bearing on the edge 52 of the loop and moving accordingly - the slide in the engagement direction at most 4 mm, in the sense of a deeper engagement of the male member into the female member. Before the blocking member 19 reaches the closed ends of the grooves 41, the stops 49 of the male member to abut against the case 7 (fig. 8). Simultaneously, the Cabinda inclined surface 81 - is brought to bear against the edge 52. The blocking member 19 continues its motion, but the male member moves substantially more relative to the female member because of the very low inclination of the surface 81 with respect to the transverse direction. The phase during which the surface 79 biases the edge 52 allows to compensate possible clearance of the dashboard by RAP - port to the body, the phase during which the surface 81 for abutment against the edge 52 for clamping effect of the dashboard against the case. The member 19 stops and thus reaches its active position when the reaction of the edge 52 on the inclined surface 81 balances the force of the spring 22.

In this position, the bolt 55 locks the male member 15 within the gold mokume gane female - 13 according to the engagement direction.

In this position, the actuating arm 47 is received in the frame 53 - [...] centeredly, under the bridge of material 63. II is to be noted that, in the position of Figure 8, it normally remains a set (not shown) between the pins half moon 65 and the ends 41 to ensure optimum clamping [...] system operation of the set of items). Indeed, it would not only that the pegs half moon 65 make contact to the ends 41 while the clamping surface 81 has not applied will function. The closed ends 41 function to avoid that, under manipulation of accidentally subset female, triggering the member 19 without the presence of the male part, there is expelled member 19 outside the female member 13. A variant embodiment of the invention, in which the blocking member

19 is not a room such as in Figures 2 to 8 but is divided into two parts, will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. The elements of similar or the same function will be denoted by the same references that on the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8. the blocking member 19 includes a latch 90, 92 and rocker linked to the latch 90 by pivot connection means 94. The latch 90 includes a frame 53, 59 two flanges, and a bridge of material 63, similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8.

The rocker 92 includes a release arm 57, a rib 61 and two pins half moon 65, similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8. the arm 57 is rigidly secured to the rib 61. The pins 65 are integral with the two opposite ends of the rib 61.

The pivot connection means 94 between the latch member 90 and the rocker 96 92 comprise two notches provided in the flanges 59, and two half-disks 98 formed on the rib 61. The notches 96 are open only towards the bridge of material 63 and are closed opposite the frame 53. They form bearings for guiding said rocker arm 92. The 98 parts by half - disks are formed immediately adjacent studs 65 and constitute the ends of the rib 61. They project relative to the base right 67 (fig. 10) of the pegs. Portions 98 are engaged in the slots 96 and rotate freely in the notches 96 about an I axis passing through the centers of pins half moon 65 and also by the centers of the portions 98, as seen in Figures 10 and 11. II is to be understood that the edge 87 of the frame is designed into a bridge of material similar to the bridge 63, the frame being recessed below the bridge 87.

Furthermore, the ribs 43 and 44 formed on the walls 38 of the female member are identical to each other, unlike the embodiment to re - presented in Figures 2 to 8.

The assembly of the various elements of the fixing device is according to a procedure similar to that described with reference to Figures 2 to 8. however, the procedure includes an additional step of engaging the half-disk 98 96 of the rocker in the notches of the latch. This additional step is performed prior to introducing the blocking member 19 in the female member 13.

The operation of the fastening device will now be detailed with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

As shown in Figure 10, in the standby position of the stop member 19, the bases 67 pieces may bear against the inclined faces of the locking notches 71. The faces semicircular 66 pieces may bear against the edges of the grooves opposite to the notches 75 69. The frame 53 of the latch is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the casing 24. The solid end of the release arm 57 is located facing the section 33 of the insertion opening of the male member. The spring 22 relates to both the two bridges of material 87 and 63 and biases the blocking member 19 downward. It is blocked in translation in the grooves 39, because the bases 67 studs are not parallel to the axis of the casing 24.

When the male member 15 has sufficiently penetrated into the inside of the female member 13, the actuating arm 47 bears upon the release arm 57 of the rocker, and pushes it back away from the opening 29. The bias applied in the direction of engagement by the driving finger 47 has the effect of putting the semicircular edges 66 75 pawns on the edges of the grooves, so that the rocker arm 92 is rotated through about 25° clockwise of Figure 11 with respect to the latch 90, around the I axis passing through the center of the pegs. This rotation is materialized by arrow of Figure 11 f4.

This rotation of positioning the bases 67 members in a plane parallel to the transverse direction, such that the pins are free to slide between the notches 69 and the edges of the grooves 75. The latch 90 remains substantially perpendicular to the axis of the casing 24, and is not rotatable. The locking member 19 is then free to move downwardly, under the urging of the spring 22. operation of the fixing device is then substantially thesaurus - to that described above with reference to Figures 2 to 8 . 43 and the ridges 44 received in the recesses 68 without causing tilting of the latch 90. This switching is not required as the latch maintains its orientation when the locking member is released from its standby position.

As shown in Figure 11, the release arm 57 pivots under the action of the actuating arm 47 to lie parallel to the planar surface 77 of the bolt. It maintains the orientation throughout the descent of the blocking member 19.

A second alternate embodiment of the fastening device will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 15. As described above, in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, the bolt 55 is bounded opposite the release arm 57 by a face 99 (fig. 12) having a rounded free end 100, and then a first planar surface 79 obliquely, 24° inclined by about with respect to the face 77, 81 and a second planar surface obliquely, 3° inclined by about with respect to the face 77. Said face 99 also has between the surfaces 79 and 81 a transition area 102 is slightly arched. The phase during which the surface 79 bears against the edge 52 of the male member allows to compensate possible clearance in the direction of engagement of the dashboard with respect to the body. The phase during which the surface 81 bears against the edge 52 enables clamping of the dashboard against the case.

In the variant embodiment shown in Figure 13, the face of the bolt has 99, from the rounded end 100, 104 an arcuate surface outwardly curved from the bolt, and an oblique surface inclined about 3 106^I 77 relative to the face. The surface 104 extends, parallel to the axis of the shell 24, on the substantially same height as the surfaces 79 and 102 of Figure 12. the surface 106 is substantially identical to the surface 81. The bolt 55 extends substantially the same height as on the ice plant 12. The arcuate profile of the surface 104 reduces the load on the spring 22 to move the male member during the lash adjuster, as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

On these drawings, the abscissa corresponds to movement of the male member, expressed in millimeters, the zero corresponding to the point where contact takes place between the bolt 55 and the edge 52 of the male member. The curves are established for one example embodiment wherein there is a set of 4 mm in the direction of engagement between the body and the dashboard. This means in practice that the movement in the direction of engagement of the dashboard is BLOs - that before the dogs 49 of the male member from coming into contact with the car body part 7, a gap of 4 mm remains between the stops 49 and to the vehicle body part 7 when the movement of the dashboard is blocked. The fixing device 1 can catch up the game, essentially by deformation of the tab 11 under the effect of the force exerted by the spring 22 on the blocking member 19, said force being transmitted to the male member by the surface 79 104 or coming into contact with the edge 52 of the male member.

The curves of solid lines of Figures 14 and 15 represent the forces exerted by the spring 22 on the blocking member 19. The dashed curves represent the forces necessary minimum for moving the male member of 4 mm according to the engagement direction, [...] to say to take up play between the box and the dashboard by deforming the bracket 11.

The force supplied by the spring 22 decreases as the blocking member 19 moves, because the spring 22 expands.

See Figure 14, corresponding to a bolt with an oblique profile as this - it shown in fig. 12, that the effort required to move the male member from 0 mm to 3 mm about increases linearly, of 0 to about 1800 Newton. This portion of the curve corresponds to the phase during which the edge 52 is in contact with the surface 79. Then, between 3 mm and 4 mm, the effort required to move the male member decreases, first slowly, then more rapidly. This portion of the curve corresponds to the phase during which the edge 52 is contacted first with the surface 102 and then with the surface 81.

As shown in Figure 15, the force to be supplied for moving the male member of 0 mm to 3 mm for taking up the slack is much lower with the bolt arcuate profile of Figure 13. In a load of 0 mm to 1 mm for passing is substantially equal in Figures 14 and 15. 2 mm to pass, it is slightly weaker on the curve of Figure 15 that on the curve of Figure 14. On the curve of Figure 15, it leveling off very rapidly above 2 mm. Thus, at most, the force to be supplied is about 1100 newtons for the bolt of Figure 13. The effort, beyond 3 mm, decrease rapidly, this portion of the curve corresponding to the phase where the edge 52 of the male member is in contact with the end of the surface 104 and then with the surface 106.

Thus, the fact that the bolt 55 is delimited by a surface 104 arcuate to OP - laid the arm 57 reduces the force to be exerted on the male member for taking up the slack between the vehicle body and the instrument panel in the direction of engagement, and can thus make a spring 22 less efficient. The spring 22 will be accordingly less heavy and less costly.

According to another aspect of the invention, illustrated in particular in Figures 16 to 18, the blocking member 19 carries a marker 110 (fig. 17) adapted to cooperate with a sensor 112 (fig. 16) to detect that the locking member has reached its active position.

The mark 110 is typically a predetermined color patch. The spot is such as tape, which typically has a height of 1 mm and a length of 6 mm. The height is taken herein parallel to the axis of the outer casing 24 of the female member, and the length perpendicular to said axis. The stain could for example take the form of a square, a rectangle, a point, a disk, or any other form allowing its detection by the sensor. This band is for example white color but could be of a different color. The spot 110 is typically, but not always, positioned on the edge of the bolt 55, [...] to say on a face of the bolt 55 38 facing one of the walls of the outer shell of the female member.

The spot 110 is provided to engage an optical sensor type RGB (red, green, blue). Such sensors are known, and are likely to be programmed for the detection of a predetermined color, herein as the color of the spot 110, for example white.

It is possible to employ other types of sensor, for example cameras coupled to digital means of pattern and/or colors, or photocells cooperating with reflective flecks carried by the locking member.

As explained above, the cross beam 5 is generally fixed at three points on the body. It is fixed to the body at its opposite ends by means of brackets 114 visible in Figure 1, and also by the binding [...] 9. has been described above that the fixing device 1 for fixing the link to the crosspiece 9 [...] lower bay was oriented such that the axis of the envelope of the female member 13 of this device was transverse.

As shown in Figure 16, each yoke 114 is rigidly fixed on a bracket 116 secured to the body of the vehicle using two fastening devices 1 of the type described above. Each of the two devices is oriented such that the axis of the housing of the female member is vertically oriented. The wall 27 of the female member facing rearwardly, the walls 38 being turned to the right and one to the left of the vehicle. Alternatively, each yoke 114 may be secured by a single fastening device 1 or by more than two fasteners.

We now describe more specifically the arrangement of fasteners 114 left of the bracket 1.

The female member 13 of each of these fasteners has a window 118 (fig. 17) cut in the wall 38 rotated to the left of the vehicle. This window is provided between the closed end 41 of the groove 38 carried by the wall, and the end 30 of the envelope of the female member. The window 118 is arranged as an extension of the groove 39. E.g. has a height of approximately 12 mm axially and has for example a width of about 6 mm.

The color patch 110 is provided on the edge of the bolt 55 facing the wall 38 wherein the window 118 is cut. In the active position of the stop member 19, the color patch 110 is in the loop 45 of the male member, substantially at mid-height of the window 118. The sensors 112 for detecting the occurrence of the mark 110 in the window 118 are typically attached to the gripper (not shown) manipulation which displaces the dashboard for placement into the vehicle interior. It is this manipulator that approaches the dashboard the crate 7 for penetration of the male member fastening devices 1 in the female members thereof. Alternatively, the sensors may be mounted directly on the body 7.

The sensors 112 associated with attachment devices 1 of the caliper left 114, are disposed outside of the vehicle, to the left thereof (fig. 16). Each detector 112 is placed so that its sensing field is rotated rightward, [...] to say towards the female member of the fastening device associated therewith. Rectangular holes 120 are provided in the casing side 122, in the lining of the body side 124 and in the angle bracket 116, at right sensors. These holes 120 are in the extension of one another. They have for example a height of 22 mm and a width of 11 mm. The window 118 is placed in the extension holes 120, so that the field of the sensor 112 extends from the sensor 112 through the holes 120 up to the window 118. This sensing field 126, as shown in Figure 17, is, at the window 118, a circle having a diameter of 8 mm about whose center is substantially superimposed on the center of the window 118.

The shape and size of the holes 120, the window and sensing field 126 may vary depending on the environment of the vehicle and the size of the fixation devices 1. the dashboard when occupying its normal position relative to the body, [...] to say when mounted without clearance with respect to the body, the band 110 appears in a nominal position at the center of the window 118 and at the center of the sensing field 126 119 when the blocking member is in the active position. However, the detection field 126 of the sensor covers an area around the nominal position of the band due to tolerances of mounting the instrument panel on the chassis. Thus, if the instrument panel is mounted to the chassis with an offset in the X, Y or Z remaining in the tolerances indicated above, the web 110 remains in the window 118 and 126 in the detection field of the sensor. The fastening devices 1 provided for securing the bracket right 114 are similar to securing devices on the left bracket, to the except that the windows 118 are drilled into the walls 38 of the female member facing to the right of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 18, the sensor 112 for monitoring the fixation device 1 link [...] can be disposed either above the dashboard, either in the engine compartment, the front of the dashboard. In the first case, the fixing device 1 is oriented such that the wall 38 of the female member in which is formed the window 118 is turned upwards. Rectangular holes 120 are in this case arranged successively in the reinforcement of dashboard 128, in the soundproof layer 130, in box 7, and, optionally, in the connecting strap [...] 9 it - same. These holes 120 have the same shape and dimensions as previously.

In the second case, is used to form the mounting 132 controls the opening of the female member 13 on the body 7. the opening is provided in the cowl box 134 which partially closes the engine room to the AR - [...]. It has a rectangular shape of about 80 mm by 110 mm. This opening is cut in the cowl box so as to allow the placing of the female member 13 on the body 7 before mounting of the dashboard.

In this case, it is not necessary to cut holes 120 in order to provide field of the sensor reaching the female member 13, the detection field passing through the aperture 132.

In this case, the window 118 is not provided on one of the walls 38 of the outer envelope of the shell female, but on the wall 136 of the enclosure opposite the wall 27 of insertion of the male member. Accordingly, the color stripe is not positioned on the edge of the bolt 55 99 but rather on the side facing the wall 136.

The control method of the locking of the male member into the female member of each of the fixation devices of the dashboard on the body will now be described.

The method comprises the following steps: - providing, for each attachment device 1, a sensor 112 in such a position, with respect to the body 7, that said sensor 112 comprises a sensor field 126 covering the nominal position occupied by the mark 110 of the stop member of the fastening device; - securing the dashboard 3 on the body 7 by engaging male organs 15 of different fastening devices in the female members 13 thereof;

- detecting the occurrence marks 110 126 in sensor fields from different sensors 112.

The first two steps are generally performed concurrently, because the sensors, or at least some of them, are mounted on the gripper for handling the dashboard.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fixation device includes a male member 15 whose loop 45 has an edge 52 for cooperating with the locking member 19 which is removable from the loop.

As shown in Figure 19, the loop 45 includes, in addition to the edge 52, an edge 48 carrying the finger 47, parallel to and opposite the edge 52, and two edges joining the flanges 48 and 138 52. Each edge 138 has at its end opposite the edge 48 a through hole 140. The through holes 140 138 both edges are aligned with each other. The edge 52 is a straight axis, for example on round, square or rectangular, which is engaged clamped by its two end portions in the two through holes 140.

The axis 52 can be separated from the loop by expulsion from the two through holes 140. For this, as shown in Figure 19, is pressed on one end of the shaft 52, with a pointed tool 114 screwdriver type or ejector - pin. The force is applied by the tool on the axis 52 in the direction of the arrow of Figure 19 f5, [...] i.e. parallel to the axis 52. When effort is sufficient, the axis 52 is pushed and disengages first with a first of the two ports 140, and then, after passing through entirely, [...] to say over its entire length, the second of the two holes 140, is completely separate from the loop 45.

The use of fastening devices whose male organs have edges 52 allows removable, end-of-life of the vehicle, separating the dashboard of the car body. To this end the orifices 120 described above relative to the means for detecting the locking of the male member into the female member.

As shown in Figure 17, each sensing device 142 includes a window in the wall 38 of the female member which already carries the window 118. The window 142 is disposed immediately adjacent to the window 118, slightly offset towards the wall 136. When the male member is fully engaged in the female member, the window 142 is disposed as an extension of the axis 52. It overlaps then above one of the through holes 140. For comstically - ward the axis 52 of the loop 45, holes 120 are used.

As shown in Figure 17, the size of the holes 120 is such that the window 142 is disposed in line with the holes 120. Is shown in Figure 17 the footprint 146 corresponding to the projection of the section of the hole 120 on the wall 38. This print completely surrounds the windows 118 and 142, my - is focusing although they both lie in the extension holes 120.

Thus, to completely free the dashboard of the car body, it is sufficient to separate the edge 52 of the corresponding loop of each of the fixation devices of the dashboard. This is accomplished by introducing a tool through the holes 144 120 corresponding and depress the end of the pin 52 until it is expelled out through holes 140. Can then be removed from the dashboard through longitudinal movement rearwardly relative to the body, male organs becomes non retained within the female organs.

In yet another aspect of the invention, shown in Figure 20, the remainder exits - single spiral, shown for example in Figure 2 may be replaced by a plurality of coil springs of smaller diameter 150, disposed parallel to each other.

The elastic member 22 comprises in this case, also the springs 150, an upper bearing plate springs 152, a lower bearing plate springs 154, the springs 150 being held in compression between the two plates 152 and 154.

As shown in Figure 20, the plate 152 includes a plurality of cylindrical barrels 156, each spring 150 having an end portion engaged in one of the tangs 156. The lower plate 154 also has barrels 156, the CHA - that spring being engaged by a second end opposite the first drums in a 156 of the lower plate.

The springs 150 are all spiral springs. They are arranged in pairs, the springs of each pair being disposed concentrically to a in the other. More specifically, each pair comprises a spiral spring of greater diameter, and a coil spring of smaller diameter. The spring of small diameter is disposed coaxially within the spring of large diameter. The winding direction of the small diameter spring is reversed relative to the direction of winding of the spring of larger diameter.

The lower plate 154 is supported on the bridges of material 63 and 87 of the stop member 19. The upper plate 152 is rigidly attached to the axial end of the shell 26 of the female member. For example by being pushed onto the shell using tabs 157. With respect to the single coil spring described above, the elastic means 150, 152, 154 represented in Figure 1 have the advantage, for a compressive force to provide predetermined, be lighter and offer greater working stroke. Thus for a force supplying 1300 Newton, the single coil spring must have a weight of 162 g and offers a working stroke of 12.8 mm. The springs 150 and 152 and 154 both plates have a total weight of about 105 grams and offers a working stroke of about 20 mm, always for a force supplying 1300 Newton.

The fixing device described above has multiple advantages. The fact that the locking member moves relative to the female member from its standby position to its active position for locking the male member according to a movement comprising at least one translation, the kinematics of the fastening device is very simple, and the device may be made with a very limited number of parts.

The fact that the locking member is maintained in the standby position by simple locking catches within grooves for guiding in translation of said blocking member, contributes to the simplicity of the device.

Similarly, the fact that the locking member may be released by a simple tilting in the guide grooves, or from any of the blocking member, or only a portion of the organ, caused by the engagement of the male member into the female member, also contributes to make the fixing device very simple.

Furthermore, the shape of the bolt of the locking member can catch up play up to a 4 mm of the instrument panel relative to the body of the [...] - vehicle, in the direction of engagement. The force to be developed by the spring biasing the locking member against the male member to take up the clearance may be reduced when the bolt has an arcuate profile.

The dimensions of the opening 29 formed in the female member for engagement of the male member are selected to tolerate a set of plus or minus 3 mm in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction. Similarly, the positions and dimensions of the actuating arm and the arm are selected so that the cooperation between the two arms is possible within the transverse and vertical tolerances specified above. An alternative embodiment of a cam follower for a catch member similar to that of Figures 9 to 11 will now be described with reference to Figures 21 to 24. The elements of the toggle of similar or the same function will be designated by the same numeric references that on the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the rocker 92 includes a release arm 57, a rib 61 and two pins half moon 65, similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11.

The pivot connection means between the latch member and the rocker 92 comprise two parts by half disk 98 formed on the rib 61 near studs 65.

The rocker 92 differs from that of the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11 in particular in that it comprises fields of breaks 170 located in the areas in which half disk 98 between the rib and the pins 61 65.

The rocker 92 comprises a plastic body 172 wherein are integrally formed the arm 57, the rib 61, the parts half disk 98 and player [...] slugs from 65 . 65 provided with lands at their vertices, [...]-to - e. opposite bases pins 67.

The rocker 92 includes an insert metal 174 extending through the rib into the pins 61 and 65. The end portions of the insert 174 extend through breakdown regions 170. The insert 174 176 is provided with steps between a central portion extending within the rib 61 and end portions extending portions in the half disk 98 and in the studs 65.

In the pins 65, the insert 174 extends along an axis offset from the I axis studs 65, so that the insert 174 is substantially tangent to the base studs 65 (fig. 22).

At least the end portions of the insert 174 have a round cross section.

The areas of breaks 170 are provided in the form of notches in the body [...][...] - 172.

The breakaway regions 170 are designed to fail when a torque exceeding a determined threshold, is applied about the I axis.

After rupture zones 170 breaks, the pegs 65 remain bound to the rest of the rocker arm 92 by the insert 174, and pivotable about the end portions thereof.

The operation of this idler arm 92 will now be detailed with reference to Figures 22 to 24.

As shown in Figure 22, in the standby position of the blocking member, the bases 67 65 pieces may bear against the inclined faces of BLO notches 71 69 - stand. The faces a semi circular 66 pieces may bear against the edges of the grooves 39 75 opposite notches 69. See Figure 22 that the serrations 69 each comprise a panel 178, substantially parallel to the edge 75 of the rib. The panels 71 178 and 180 are separated by an edge. The spring 22 applies to the blocking member 19 a force parallel to the edge of the groove 75, whose resultant is applied at noted point g on Figures 22 to 24. This point grams corresponds substantially to the centers of gravity of the pegs 65 in Figures 22 to 24. To ensure the stability of the locking element is in the standby position, the point g is located to the right of the chute 71, [...] to say to the left in Figure 22 of the edge 180. Thus, the force applied by the spring 22 to the locking member parallel to the edge of the groove 75 does not pawns half moon 65 in rotation about the I axis. Preferably, the incline with respect to the edge 71 forms an angle of between 75 and 90° 45. This angle is for example 80°. The greater the angle will be important, the greater the stability of the locking member in the standby position 19 will be large.

When the male member has sufficiently penetrated to the interior of the organ of Fe - Ms, the actuating arm of the male member bears on the release arm 57 92 of the rocker. The stress applied in the direction of the engagement by the actuating arm causes the release arm 57 about the axis I after a travel angle of approximately 15 degrees, the rocker 92 abuts the latch 90. The pins 65 are rotated by the release arm 57, and extend partially around the edge 180. This situation is shown in Figure 23. In this situation, the contact area between the detent 69 and the base 67 of the pegs is limited to 180 stops.

The spring 22 exerts a force very important on the blocking member 19, downward of Figure 23. Said force will cause deformation of the edge 180, and slippage of the base 67 downwardly of Figure 23 with respect to the detent 69.

Due to the rotation of the rocker, point G will pass beyond the contact area between the base 67 and the detent 69. The force applied by the coil spring 22 will then create a torque between the pawns half moon 65 61 and the rib of the dumper, since the rocker arm abuts. This torque is sufficient to break the breakaway regions 92 of the rocker.

Because of the breaking areas 170 breaks, the pins 65 are free in rotation around the insert 174 while remaining linked to the rest of the rocker 92, and oriented in a manner easily for pivoting to a position such that they can slide between the notches 69 and the edges 75 as shown in Figures 23 and 24.

Because of the swing of the rocker arm 92, the end portions of the insert 174 eccentric with respect to the I axis₁ shifts relative to the detents 69 so that it can pass between them and the edges 75.

In this alternative embodiment, due to the presence of areas of ORs - ation 170, the pins 65 are integral with the remainder of the rocker arm 92 to maintain it in a blocking position of the blocking member in the standby position, and break to facilitate release of the locking member from its standby position. The rocker 92 [...] 174 reinforced, particularly in the pins 65, when resting on the notches 69 for locking the locking member in the standby position.

The insert 174 also ensures the connection between the pins and the remainder of the rocker 65 92 after rupture areas 174 breaks, to avoid that the pegs 65 is completely detached from the rocker arm 92, and wander in the motor vehicle.

Breaking areas and an insert could also be provided at the alternative embodiment similar to that of Figures 2 to 8 wherein the lever and the latchbolt are made in one piece.

An alternative embodiment of the rocker arm of Figures 21 to 24 will now be described with reference to Figures 25, 26, and 27a to 27c.

The elements of the toggle of similar or the same function will be designated by the same numeric references that the variant shown in Figures 21 to 24.

As previously, the rocker comprises a metal insert 174 and portions of plastic overmolded onto the insert 174. The insert 174 has a straight center section and two end portions 182 184 offset from the central portion. The end portions 184 are aligned with each other, in a direction substantially parallel to that of the central portion 182. 182 and 184 portions are round in cross-section.

The insert 174 further comprises two tabs 186 formed integrally with the central portion 182 188 and two tabs integral therewith, each with one end portions 184. The tabs 186 and 188 extend substantially radially in re - 182 and 184 respectively to the parties.

Two plastic parts 190 are overmoulded on the end portions of the insert 184. Each portion 190 forms a pin 65 and a portion half disk 98 adjoins a pin 65.

The rib 61 is overmolded onto the central portion 182 of the insert, the arm 57 being integrally molded with the rib 61. The rib 61 is completely disengaged from the 190 plastic overmolded onto the ends 184 of the insert. It is mean that the rib portions 61 and 190 are linked only by way of the insert, the plastic forming the rib 61 and 190 parts constituting the only being directly connected to one another at any point. Hence there is a discontinuity in the plastic 192 between on the one hand, the rib 61 and on the other hand, the portions 190.

The tabs 188 are embedded in the plastic material constituting the pins 65.

The rib 61 has a fault line 194, extending parallel to the central portion 182 of the insert, the entire length of the rib 61. This line 194 is effected for example by providing incisions 196 in the plastic, these incisions being spaced away from each other. The incisions have e.g. a V-section perpendicularly to the portion 182 of the insert (see Figure 26).

As shown in Figure 26, two housings for receiving the tabs 198

186 are provided in the rib 61. These housings 98 are located away from the fault line 194 relative to the insert 174. Each recess is bounded by two opposite walls 200 arranged V-shaped walls 200 converge towards the central axis of the portion 182 of the insert.

In the standby position of the blocking member, the tabs are pressed against the wall 186 200 located to the left of Figure 26.

Due to the presence of the tongues 188 embedded in the plastic material forming the pins 65, and due to the existence of the fault line, the connection between the pins and the insert 65 is stronger than the bond between the rib 61 and the insert when a torque is exerted between the pins and the rib 61 65 around the insert 174.

Thus, when a torque is exerted between the pins and the insert 61 65, the BTSs [...] - 61 will be disengaged from the insert 174 before the pegs 65 become disengaged from said insert.

The operation of the rocker described above will now be detailed, with reference to Figures 27a to 27c.

In the standby position of the blocking member, the pins are supported at their bases 65 67 on the inclined faces notches 71. This situation is shown in Figure 27a. As previously, the inclined faces 71 form an angle between 45 and 75 90° relative to the edges of the grooves. Preferably, this angle is 80°. As previously, the point g of apply the force exerted by the spring 22, seen in Figure 27a, is located to the right of the chute 71, near the edge of the notch 180. The release arm 57 forms an angle of about 75 15° relative to the edge. The tabs 186 of the insert are in abutment against the walls of the rib 200 61, said walls being oriented to the left of Figure 26 and to the right of Figure 27a.

The locking element is held in the standby position due to the strong inclination of the inclined plane 71 with respect to the direction of movement of the blocking member, and also because the point g is located on the left of the edge 180 in Figure 27a. When the male member has sufficiently penetrated into the inside of the female member, the actuating arm of the male member bears upon the release arm 57 92 of the rocker. The stress applied in the direction of the engagement by the actuator arm, causing the release arm 57 about the axis i. the arm 57 rotates the rib 61, - the motor drives in turn the pegs 65 via the insert 174.

When the arm 61 and the rib have performed a rotation of about 15° around the I axis, they form a stop against the latch 90. It is then in the situation of Figure 27b.

As previously, the rotation of the pegs 65 about 15° fact that the pegs 65 has been pivoted with respect to the edge 180, the contact area between the notches and the bases 67 69 pieces may then correspond essentially to the edge 180. Under the effect of the bias applied by the spring 22 to the locking member, it occurs as previously a deformation of this edge 180 and a sliding studs 65 with respect to the edge 180. Due to the rotation of the rocker, point G passes beyond the edge 180. The force applied by the spring 22 created torque between the studs 65, and the assembly formed by the rib 61 and the arm 57, since the rocker arm abuts.

This torque is sufficient to cause breakage of the rib 61 along the fault line 194, such that the insert 174 becomes free from the rib 61.

The assembly formed by the two studs 65 and the insert 174 is pivoted about the edge 180 under the effect of the bias applied by the spring and oriented such that the base 67 of the pegs is parallel to the edges of the groove 75. At during this movement, the tabs 186 move rotationally with respect to the rib 61, within the housings 198. In the situation of Figure 27c, the tabs 186 situated against the walls 200 located left of Figure 27c and right of Figure 26. With respect to the embodiment of Figures 21 to 24, the variant of Figures 25 and 26 is advantageous in that a break better controlled within the rocker.

Another aspect of the invention is illustrated in Figures 28 and 29. As shown in Figure 28, the female member 13 may include a mas-- that 210 disposed in the passage opening 29 of the male member, the mask comprising means check 212 adapted to lock the male member relative to the female member in translation away from the engagement direction, when the male member is partially engaged in the female member.

The mask 210 has a generally rectangular shape. The mask is attached to the outer shell 24 of the female member. To this end, as shown in Figure 29, the edge bounding the section 214 31 of the opening towards the first axial end 26 of the sheath forms a groove 216. By [...], the shell 24 is closed by a bottom 218 at its second axial end 30.

The mask 210 is engaged by an edge 220 in the groove 216, and the COM - 221 carries on its edge opposite to the edge 220, 222 clips adapted to snap over the bottom 218.

The mask 210 is cut to form four pairs of legs 224, 226. The legs of the two pairs of lugs 224 are relatively wider, the legs of the two pairs of tabs 226 are relatively narrower. Two legs of a same pair extend from the edge 220 and the other from the edge towards the center of the mask 221. The legs of a same pair are aligned, their free ends being separated from one another by a gap.

The legs 224, 226 are flexible or are bonded to the edges 220, 221 by a film hinge allowing them to tilt relative to these edges. As described above (fig. 18), the male member 15 includes a loop

45 52 having an edge for cooperating with the blocking member, an edge 48 carrying the operating finger 47, parallel to and opposite the edge 52 and two edges joining the flanges 48 and 138 52. As seen in Figure 29, the edges 138 are notched on the faces adapted to be rotated toward both ends 26 and 30 of the female member. Each notch is delimited towards the edge 48 by a face substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction, and toward the edge 52 by a face inclined with respect to the engagement direction. Thus, as shown in Figure 29, when the male member into the female member 29 through the opening, the male member pushes the tabs 224, 226 inwardly of the female member, some of the tongues slide along the edges 138 of the loop, especially on notched portions of these edges. The orientation of the notches 228, the tabs 224, 226 may slide as the male member moves in the direction of engagement, [...] to say moves in the direction of insertion of the male member is greater within the female member. In contrast, if the male member is biased in the reverse direction, [...] to say in the direction of output of the male member from the female member to, the free ends of the tongues 224, 226 engage notches 228 faces perpendicular to the engagement direction. The tabs 224, 226 cooperate with the notches 228 and lock the male member in translation counter to the engagement direction.

Alternatively, one or more pairs of tabs 224, 226 may, before engagement of the male member into the female member, be joined by a wire, for example a plastic wire integral with two tongues of said pair.

The existence of these wires limits the opportunity for objects from entering the interior of the female member so as unintentionally, such entry that can release the locking member from its standby position if it leads to [...] - equipped working of the arm 57.

In contrast, the wires are provided fine enough to break at the time of engagement of the male member into the female member, and not interfering with it.

The fixing device described above may have multiple the Varian - tees.

Thus, the male member may be fixed to the body, and the female member can be attached to the dashboard. The blocking member does not move in translation necessarily perpendicular to the direction of engagement of the male member, but movable in a slightly inclined direction with respect to the engagement direction.