A vehicle body panel including an added reinforcement element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle body panel, which body panel (1) comprises an outer wall (5) supported by a structural lining (2), the structural lining including reinforcing ribs (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) arranged to impart a given mechanical strength to said body panel. One or more additional connecting elements (3) are connected by each of its two ends (31) to different attachment points (21) arranged on said lining.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and more particularly to the panels forming the body elements. Background Art

[0002] More precisely, a vehicle closure is composed of a lining forming a structural part and a skin covering the lining and forming a wall visible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0003] The lining includes a group of stiffeners which are interconnected to give the lining (and thus more globally the closure) the desired rigidity and mechanical stress resistance.

[0004] The present invention applies to body panels made of molded plastic or thermoplastic or composite materials formed by a lining covered with a skin, such as for example the tailgate or side door of a vehicle. More generally, the external skin can be produced separately from the lining and then assembled by gluing, or in a simpler case, molded integrally with the stiffeners forming the lining.

[0005] The refinement of these specific panels is carried out during the vehicle model design phase according to precise tender specifications provided by the vehicle designers. These tender specifications inform the designers of the body panels or closures about the overall shape of the vehicle, the connection points of the panels or closures to the rest of the vehicle, the mechanical strength levels to be met and numerous other criteria (such as mass, vehicle power type, the level of equipment that can be accommodated in the body panels according to options and the excitation frequencies that may trigger the natural vibration modes of the panels).

[0006] This design phase is completed by manufacturing and refining such molds which are intended to produce the linings for all versions of the vehicle model to be equipped.

[0007] However, it has been observed that during the testing phase of the first sample parts on the vehicle, especially during the testing of combinations of different options proposed, for the installation of specific equipment combinations, especially for linings made of molded thermoplastic, plastic or composite materials, the panels exhibit unwanted and particularly troublesome vibrations at certain excitation frequencies. Thus, for example, for a closure of the tailgate type, for versions of the model equipped with the above-mentioned specific options (such as a heavier opening and closing system with a motorized power cylinder), when the vehicle is traveling on a specific road surface or when the engine is running at a given speed, the tailgate starts to vibrate. Similarly, these unexpected events can also occur during the life of the vehicle when equipment options not initially provided are proposed to enhance the vehicle's attractiveness again.

[0008] These situations appear later in the refinement of the structural lining or closure, often at a stage where it is not possible to industrially or economically design a new lining and new molds specifically for this particular version of the vehicle model. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose an economical and easily implementable solution to solve this problem.

[0010] The body panel of a vehicle according to the present invention includes an outer wall supported by a structural lining, and the structural lining made of molded plastic or composite material includes reinforcing ribs arranged to impart a given mechanical strength to the body panel.

[0011] The panel is characterized in that one or more additional connecting elements are connected to different attachment points arranged on the lining through each of their ends.

[0012] The purpose of the connecting element is to connect appropriately selected attachment points, form a bridge between these points, and generate an optional additional strengthening device that can be added and inserted into models of the same vehicle series with the above abnormal vibrations as needed.

[0013] Therefore, since its design, the lining has presupposed such specific accommodating parts for forming attachment points that are intended to receive one or more suitable connecting elements when needed.

[0014] The body panel according to the present invention may individually or combinatorially include the following features:

[0015] - At least one connecting element connects at least two different reinforcing ribs of the lining.

[0016] - At least one connecting element is connected to an attachment point arranged on a device through one of its ends, and the device is fixed on the lining.

[0017] - The ends of the connecting element and the attachment point together define an embedded connection.

[0018] - The connecting element has a linear overall shape.

[0019] - The attachment point is in the form of an accommodating part adapted to receive the end of the connecting element.

[0020] - The ends of the connecting element and the accommodating part include anti-misalignment devices associated in pairs to prevent incorrect insertion.

[0021] - The reinforcing rib is formed by a bottom wall and at least one side plate.

[0022] - The accommodating part is arranged on the bottom wall of the reinforcing rib or on the side of the side plate.

[0023] - At least one connecting element is arranged on the part of the lining located inside the vehicle.

[0024] - At least one connecting element is arranged on the part of the lining located outside the vehicle.

[0025] - The side walls at the ends of the connecting element form narrowing portions designed to cooperate with projections arranged in the receiving portion, and the projections are arranged to prevent the connecting element from being removed from the receiving portion along the longitudinal direction of the connecting element.

[0026] - The lining is made of a molded composite material or a thermoplastic material.

[0027] - The connecting element is made of a molded thermoplastic material.

[0028] - The connecting element includes a metal part inserted into a composite or thermoplastic matrix.

[0029] - The body panel forms a vehicle closure.

[0030] - The body panel is a tailgate or a side door. Description of the Drawings

[0031] The present invention will be better understood by reading the accompanying drawings provided by way of example and in no way limiting, in which:

[0032] - Figure 1 is a view of a tailgate including a connecting element according to the present invention as observed from the interior of the vehicle;

[0033] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a lining including attachment points that form receiving portions designed to receive the connecting element;

[0034] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lining in which the connecting element is inserted into the receiving portion;

[0035] - Figure 4 is a view of a tailgate showing a connecting element formed by a plurality of branches;

[0036] - Figure 5 is a view of a tailgate showing where the connecting element is attached to a device mounted on the lining;

[0037] - Figure 6 is a view showing a specific connecting element along three different planes;

[0038] - Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of an end of a connecting element;

[0039] - Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a specific installation of the connecting element between two reinforcing ribs of the lining;

[0040] - Figures 9 to 13 shows a variant of the fixing manner of the connecting element in the receiving portion. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0041] Figure 1 Shows the structural lining 2 of the vehicle tailgate 1, which lining 2 includes reinforcing ribs 20, the overall rigidity of which imparts to the tailgate the mechanical strength required by the vehicle design tender rules. These reinforcing ribs 20 are, for example, along the edges of the tailgate and thus form a structural frame for the skin 5 visible from the outside of the vehicle that supports the outer edge of the tailgate, or constitute a structural frame around the window opening.

[0042] The reinforcing ribs 22 form the side posts of the tailgate, on or inside which are arranged the opening and closing power cylinders, the side edges of the rear window glass, the electrical cables or the electronic or lighting devices forming part of the accessories of the tailgate.

[0043] The lining (especially the reinforcing ribs located on the outer edge) serves as a fixed support for the hinges or locks.

[0044] Preferably, the lining of the tailgate (more generally the lining of the body panels) is formed by molding a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polypropylene filled with talcum powder.

[0045] The connecting element 3 connects two different reinforcing ribs of the structural lining 2 by its two ends 31.

[0046] Preferably, the connecting element 3 together with the attachment points arranged on the lining defines a connection of the embedded type without translational or rotational degrees of freedom in order to provide the additional rigidity required to eliminate the vibration mode response of the reinforcing ribs at the natural excitation frequencies. The connecting element thus allows preventing the relative movement of the two reinforcing ribs.

[0047] Figure 2 Shows the tailgate without the connecting element 3 as it appears at the end of the molding step operation.

[0048] The receiving portions 21 serving as attachment points are prefabricated at different predetermined points of the reinforcing ribs 20. These receiving portions 21 have a shape adapted to receive the ends 31 of the connecting element 3, as Figure 3 shown.

[0049] It can be observed here that Figure 1 the connecting element shown only includes two ends. However, the present invention does not exclude the case where the connecting element 3a shown in Figure 4 includes multiple branches and thus includes more than two ends.

[0050] As an implementation variant of the present invention, one of the ends of the connecting element can also be fixed to a device itself mounted on the skin of the body part, or preferably to a device (such as, for example, a wiper motor or the lock 6 of the closing member as Figure 5 shown) firmly mounted on the lining. In this case, adapted attachment points 31a are then preset on the device in question.

[0051] Figure 6 Show the connecting element 3 as viewed from its front, side, and rear.

[0052] The connecting element 3 has an elongated overall shape. Here, the "elongated overall shape" refers to a connecting element in which the square root of the area of any straight cross-section 315 is much smaller than the length of the median line shown by the dashed line LL' in the figure. The shape of the connecting element 3 and the line LL' ( Figure 6 shown as a dashed line in the figure) is designed to connect two reinforcing ribs while reserving the space necessary for accommodating the above-mentioned accessory equipment.

[0053] For supporting this specification Figure 6 and 7 The connecting element 3 shown is in the form of a beam including a bottom wall (semelle) 313 connecting two side walls 312 on the sides. The connecting element 3 includes two ends 31, the shape of which is adapted to be inserted into the receiving portion 21 arranged on the reinforcing rib 20 by embedding. The rigidity of the connecting element is set according to the desired result.

[0054] To prevent insertion errors, the ends 31 of the connecting element may have a specific shape adapted to the shape of the receiving portion into which it is intended to be inserted in the manner of two jigsaw puzzle pieces, or include anti-misalignment devices such as positioning pins 310, 311 that are properly arranged to be placed into specific cut portions made in the receiving portion 21.

[0055] The side walls 312 of the ends 31 also form narrowing portions 314 designed to cooperate with the protrusions 210 (see Figure 8 ) arranged in the receiving portion 21, and the protrusions are arranged to prevent the connecting element 3 from disengaging from the receiving portion along the longitudinal direction LL' of the connecting element.

[0056] Figure 8 Allow an example to show in detail the installation of the connecting element between two reinforcing ribs 20a and 20c. Each reinforcing rib includes a bottom wall (200a and 200c respectively), which is connected to the walls (201a, 201b and 201c, 201d respectively) serving as side plates (voile latéral) through its two side edges (lisières latérales). The concave portions of the reinforcing ribs 20a and 20c face the outside of the vehicle here. This specific embodiment of the reinforcing rib does not exclude the case where a simpler reinforcing rib only includes a single side plate.

[0057] The connecting element 3 connects the bottom walls of the reinforcing ribs 20a and 20c.

[0058] It can be observed that the partitions 201b and 201c are themselves interconnected by the bottom wall 200b and together form a stiffening rib 20b, the recess of which faces towards the inside of the vehicle. The stiffening rib 20b may also include one or more receiving portions for connection to adjacent stiffening ribs (not shown) by means of one or more connecting elements if necessary.

[0059] Alternatively, the receiving portions may also be arranged on the side faces of the side panels.

[0060] From these observations, it can be concluded that the connecting elements may be arranged similarly on the inside or outside of the vehicle as required.

[0061] The connecting element 3 is preferably made of a molded thermoplastic material or any other material capable of imparting the strength and rigidity required to reduce lining vibrations. For this purpose, and if necessary, hybrid connecting elements including metal parts inserted in a thermoplastic matrix may also be manufactured.

[0062] Figures 9 to 13 The preferred manner of fixing the end 31 in the receiving portion 21 by embedding is shown. In fact, it is important that the connecting element 3 does not become disengaged untimely after being inserted through its two ends into the receiving portions arranged in two different stiffening ribs.

[0063] Thus, it can be arranged that at the end 31, the shape of the side wall 312 of the connecting element 3 is in permanent contact with the side wall 212 of the receiving portion 21.

[0064] Figure 9 The case where the end 31 is fixed in the receiving portion 21 by means of an adhesive film 40 is shown. In order to ensure a constant thickness of the adhesive, it is advantageous to make discharge holes 400 in the bottom wall 313 of the connecting element 3.

[0065] Figure 10 The case where the end 31 is fixed in the receiving portion 21 by means of a screw 41 which is inserted into a bulge 410 arranged on the bottom of the receiving portion 21 is shown. Plastic self-tapping screws may be usefully used.

[0066] Figure 11 The manner of fixing by means of a rivet 42 is shown in.

[0067] Figure 12 The case where the end 31 is connected to the receiving portion by welding 43 (preferably by ultrasonic welding) is shown.

[0068] Finally, Figure 13Shows the case where the end 31 is forced into the receiving portion 21. For this purpose, the side wall 312 has an inclination α1 which is slightly greater than the inclination α2 of the side wall 212 of the receiving portion 21. The strength of this type of nesting can be usefully improved by creating slight roughness on the side wall 312 of the end 31 and on the side wall 212 of the receiving portion 21.

[0069] Other fixing methods can also be considered, such as fixing by means of binding (agrafage) or clips.

[0070] All these fixing methods, which can be combined in pairs if possible, allow the connection element 3 to be introduced as required and removed if necessary, in order to adjust the vibration mode response of the lining.

[0071] Of course, all the arrangements mentioned in the above description are also applicable to the side door, with the necessary adaptations.

[0072] Glossary:

[0073] 1 Body panel / rear door

[0074] 2 Structural lining

[0075] 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Reinforcement ribs

[0076] 22 Posts

[0077] 200, 200a, 200b, 200c Bottom wall

[0078] 201, 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d Side panels

[0079] 21 Attachment point, receiving portion

[0080] 210 Protrusion

[0081] 212 Side wall of the receiving portion

[0082] 3 Connection element

[0083] 3a Connection element

[0084] 31 End of the connection element

[0085] 310, 311 Locating pins

[0086] 312 Side wall of the connection element

[0087] 313 Bottom wall of the connection element

[0088] 314 Narrowing portion

[0089] 315 Straight section

[0090] 40 Adhesive

[0091] 400 Drain hole

[0092] 41 Screw

[0093] 410 Bulge

[0094] 42 Rivet

[0095] 43 Welding

[0096] 44 Press-fit

[0097] 5 Outer skin

[0098] 6 Locking part of the tailgate

Claims

1. A body panel of a vehicle, the body panel (1) comprising an outer wall (5) supported by a structural lining (2), the structural lining made of molded plastic or composite material comprising reinforcing ribs (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) arranged to impart a given mechanical strength to the body panel, the body panel being characterized in that: one or more additional connecting elements (3) are each connected at its end (31) to different attachment points (21) arranged on the lining, and the connecting element (3) provides the additional rigidity required to eliminate the vibration mode response of the reinforcing ribs at their natural excitation frequencies; the attachment points (21) are in the form of receptacles adapted to receive the ends (31) of the connecting elements (3), the shape of the ends (31) of the connecting element (3) being adapted to be inserted by embedding into the receptacles arranged on the reinforcing ribs to define an embedded connection together with the receptacles; the side walls (312) of the ends (31) of the connecting element (3) are in permanent contact with the side walls (212) of the receptacles and form a narrowing (314) intended to cooperate with a projection (210) arranged in the receptacle, the projection being arranged to prevent the connecting element (3) from disengaging from the receptacle along the longitudinal direction (LL') of the connecting element (3).

2. The body panel according to claim 1, wherein, At least one connecting element connects at least two different reinforcing ribs of the lining (2).

3. The body panel according to claim 1, wherein, At least one connecting element is connected at one of its ends to an attachment point arranged on a device (6) fixed to the lining (2).

4. The vehicle body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connecting element (3) has a linear overall shape.

5. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The ends (31) of the connecting element (3) and the receptacles include anti-misalignment devices (310, 311) associated in pairs to prevent incorrect insertion.

6. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The reinforcing ribs (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) are formed by a bottom wall (200, 200a, 200b, 200c) and at least one side wall (201, 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d).

7. The vehicle body panel according to claim 6, wherein, The receptacles are arranged on the bottom walls (200, 200a, 200b, 200c) of the reinforcing ribs (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) or on the sides of the side walls (201, 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d).

8. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one connecting element (3) is arranged on the part of the lining (2) located on the inner side of the vehicle.

9. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one connecting element (3) is arranged on the part of the lining located on the outer side of the vehicle.

10. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connecting element (3) is made of molded composite material or thermoplastic material.

11. The vehicle body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connecting element (3) includes a metal part inserted in a thermoplastic matrix.

12. The body panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3 above, the body panel forming a closure of a vehicle.

13. The body panel according to claim 12, the body panel forming a tailgate or a side door.

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