Device for protecting the rear panel of a motor vehicle in the event of a rear impact sustained by the vehicle

Abstract

The invention aims to provide a device for protecting a rear panel (2) included in a body subassembly of a motor vehicle, the body subassembly also comprising a bumper (1) and a support (6) for supporting the bumper (1), the support extending longitudinally between a wing (7) of the rear panel (2) and a wall (8) of the bumper (1). The bumper (1) comprises at least one projection (11) extending longitudinally toward the rear panel (2). The support (6) is equipped with a ramp (12) against which the projection (11) can rest and be guided away from the rear panel (2) under the action of a collision sustained by the bumper (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application claims priority from French application No. 2006840, filed on June 30, 2020, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of rear body subassemblies for motor vehicles and more particularly to a means for protecting a rear panel included in such a body subassembly in the event of a rear impact sustained by the vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with a rear body subassembly comprising a plurality of body elements that are fixed to one another and / or to the chassis of the vehicle. Depending on the configuration of this body subassembly, the body subassembly comprises a bumper that is arranged at a longitudinal distance from the rear of the rear panel. Depending on the architecture of the vehicle, the bumper is positioned more or less longitudinally adjacent to the rear panel.

[0004] The bumper includes a deformable element generally provided with a housing for receiving a license plate. The license plate is secured within the housing and is designed to rest against a bottom wall of the housing. The bottom wall of the housing is defined by the deformable element of the bumper and extends substantially along a transverse-vertical plane of the vehicle.

[0005] According to the specific structure of the vehicle, a support member for supporting a deformable member of the bumper (which is used to receive the license plate) extends longitudinally between the aile of the rear panel and the deformable member of the bumper, the support member being fixed to the aile and the deformable member. The aile of the rear panel extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the receiving portion, and the support member extends longitudinally between the bumper and an abutment wall for abutting the support member against the aile of the rear panel.

[0006] In this context, the rear panel is particularly formed by a lining, and the bumper extends in the longitudinal vicinity of the rear panel not only in the area of ​​its housing for receiving the license plate but also potentially facing the wall of the rear panel that extends under the wing included by the rear panel.

[0007] This is therefore detrimental to the rear panel in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle. In fact, deformation of the bumper in the direction of the rear panel can significantly damage this rear panel, including in the event of a low-magnitude impact (which, as an illustrative example, corresponds to an impact suffered by a vehicle travelling at a low speed of approximately 10 km / h).

[0008] Therefore, devices have been developed for protecting the rear panel in the event of a rear-end collision with the vehicle, as shown, for example, in document FR 2931124-B1 (Automobiles Peugeot Citroën). According to this document, this protection device comprises a reinforcement element for reinforcing the rear panel, which is arranged entirely or partially as a fixing area for fixing the rear panel to the bumper assembly. This makes it possible to rigidify the connection between the rear panel and the bumper assembly.

[0009] However, the bumper may include one or more projections that extend longitudinally toward the rear panel, which presents a risk of damage to the rear panel due to the projections in the event of a rear impact sustained by the vehicle, particularly in the event of a collision against the bumper.

[0010] It can thus be seen that the problem posed consists in protecting the rear panel against the impact caused by one or more such projections comprised by the bumper and extending longitudinally towards the rear panel in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a device for protecting the rear fascia of a motor vehicle in the event of a rear impact sustained by the rear bumper of the vehicle.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the problem just posed.

[0013] The solution is particularly intended to protect the rear panel against impacts against the rear panel that may be caused by at least one projection extending longitudinally protruding towards the rear panel in the event of a low-magnitude rear impact sustained by the rear bumper of the vehicle.

[0014] A related object of the present invention is to better protect the rear panel from degradation in the event of low-magnitude collisions sustained by the bumper. The invention is particularly intended in this case to avoid undue increases in vehicle repair costs to which the customer and / or vehicle insurance bodies are sensitive.

[0015] An associated object of the present invention is to provide such a low-cost solution in the context of fierce economic competition in the automotive industry, which makes potential solutions difficult to implement due to the costs incurred.

[0016] To this end, the present invention proposes, in summary, that when the rear bumper is subjected to a low-magnitude collision, at least one protrusion included in the bumper is deflected relative to the rear panel to protect the rear panel from being impacted by the at least one protrusion.

[0017] For this purpose, the support element for supporting the bumper (in particular via its deformation for receiving the license plate) is equipped with a guide slope that causes the deflection in the event of an impact sustained by the bumper. The guide slope is particularly provided at the base of the support element and is advantageously inclined toward the front of the vehicle.

[0018] In the event of an impact sustained by the bumper, the ramp, along its slope, preferably guides the at least one projection towards a free space comprised by the rear panel. The at least one projection is thus directed towards the free space to avoid hitting the rear panel.

[0019] The free space of the rear panel is advantageously defined by the wall of the rear panel, which extends below the so-called support. The wall of the rear panel is particularly inclined towards the front of the vehicle to extend the slope, the slope having a slope defined to be substantially equal to the slope of the wall of the rear panel.

[0020] Thus, in a general sense, a related device of the present invention is a device for protecting a rear panel that participates in a body subassembly included in a motor vehicle. The body subassembly includes a bumper, the rear panel, and a support for supporting the bumper, the support extending longitudinally between a wing of the rear panel and a wall of the bumper, the wall extending substantially along a transverse-vertical plane. The bumper includes at least one projection that extends longitudinally toward the rear panel.

[0021] In this context according to the invention, the support element is equipped with a ramp against which the at least one projection can come into contact under the effect of an impact sustained by the bumper and can be guided away from the rear panel.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the ramp is provided on the base of an abutment wall of the support, via which the support is embodied to bear longitudinally against the wing of the rear panel.

[0023] More precisely, the ramp extends transversely while being inclined towards the front of the vehicle relative to a substantially transverse-vertical extension plane of the wing of the rear panel.

[0024] Advantageously, said rear plate comprises a free space for the passage of said at least one projection after being guided along said ramp.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the empty space is provided by a wall of the rear plate, which wall extends transversely below the support.

[0026] More specifically, the ramp is preferably inclined along the same slope as the inclination slope of the wall of the rear plate, the ramp and the wall of the rear plate being arranged in extension of each other.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the at least one projection is a mounting plot for mounting the bumper, the bumper being maneuverable via the mounting plot in order to fit the bumper on the chassis of the vehicle.

[0028] More specifically, the bumper potentially comprises a plurality of so-called lugs that are substantially transversely aligned.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the abutment wall of the support is equipped with transverse ribs distributed vertically on the abutment wall of the support, via which ribs the abutment wall of the support is embodied to bear longitudinally against the wing of the rear panel.

[0030] Such a rib strengthens the longitudinal bearing of the support against the wing of the plate, while reinforcing the position maintenance of these parts against the forces to which they may be subjected when at least one projection is guided along a ramp advantageously integral with the support.

[0031] The present invention is also directed to a motor vehicle comprising a body subassembly including a bumper, a rear panel, and a support for supporting the bumper. The support extends longitudinally between a wing of the rear panel and a wall of the bumper, the wall extending substantially along a transverse-vertical plane of the vehicle. The bumper comprises at least one projection extending longitudinally toward the rear panel.

[0032] In this context, the vehicle according to the invention is equipped with the device just described for protecting the rear panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] - Figure 1 The present invention shows a diagram of a rear motor vehicle body subassembly in longitudinal section according to an embodiment of the invention, the body subassembly being equipped with a device for protecting a rear panel included in the rear subassembly in the event of a collision sustained by the vehicle.

[0035] - Figure 2 The three figures (a), (b) and (c) show in succession the method for implementing Figure 1 An embodiment of a protective device included in a vehicle body subassembly is schematically shown above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The accompanying drawings and their non-limiting detailed description illustrate the invention in a particular manner without limiting the scope of the invention. The accompanying drawings and detailed description of embodiments of the invention serve to better define the invention, if necessary in conjunction with the general description just given.

[0037] In the accompanying drawings, reference is made, where necessary, to an orthogonal coordinate system commonly used in the automotive field to define the vehicle's extension direction and / or the extension directions of its components, as well as the relative positions of these components on the vehicle. According to this orthogonal coordinate system, the vehicle extends longitudinally L1 between a front portion AV1 and a rear portion AR1, transversely T1 between the left and right sides of the vehicle, and vertically upward V1 relative to the vehicle's travel plane. Relative concepts (e.g., above and / or below) or related relative concepts (e.g., base B1 and top) are typically defined along the vehicle's vertical extension direction V1 relative to the vehicle's ground travel plane.

[0038] exist Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the illustrations (a), (b) and (c) of FIGURE 1, a rear motor vehicle body assembly of a motor vehicle comprises a bumper 1 and a rear panel 2 arranged in front of the bumper 1. The bumper 1 comprises a deformation part 3, which is provided with a receptacle 4 for receiving a license plate, which is embodied so as to abut against a bottom wall 5 of the receptacle 4.

[0039] A support element 6 for supporting the bumper 1 extends longitudinally between a wing 7 of the rear panel 2 and a wall 8 of the bumper 1, said wall extending substantially along a transverse-vertical plane. The support element 6 comprises a contact wall 9 for contacting the wing 7 of the rear panel 2 and is fixed 15 to the bumper 1 via a deformation element 3 included in the bumper.

[0040] The contact wall 9 of the support member 6 is integrated with a transverse rib 10 on its surface oriented toward the fender 7 of the rear panel 2. The ribs 10 are vertically distributed on the contact wall 9 of the support member 6 and longitudinally abut against the fender 7 of the rear panel 2. Such ribs 10 can stabilize the position and / or shape maintenance of the support member 6 and the fender 7 of the rear panel 2, especially when the support member 6 is placed in a restrained position after the bumper 1 has received a rear collision C1, as described below in conjunction with Figure 2 As described in the diagram.

[0041] Bumper 1 comprises at least one transversely aligned projection 11, in particular two in number, which is integral with bottom wall 5 of housing 4 for receiving the license plate. Each of said projections 11 has a substantially hollow frustum shape, while projecting significantly longitudinally towards rear panel 2. Such projections 11 constitute, in particular, a mounting post for mounting bumper 1, which is used to maneuver bumper 1 on the vehicle's assembly chain.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown successively in the figures of FIG, the presence of the projection 11 is problematic in the event of a collision C1 (including a low-magnitude collision C1) borne by the bumper 1. In fact, in the event of such a collision C1, even a slight deformation of the bumper 1 tends to destroy the fixing 15 between the support 6 and the bumper 1 and tends to push the projection 11 towards the rear panel 2 (risking deterioration of the latter).

[0043] In order to prevent degradation of the rear panel 2, the support member 6 is equipped with a slope 12, against which the projection 11 is longitudinally abutted in the event of a rear collision C1 against the bumper 1. In the embodiment of the figures, the slope 12 is provided at the base of the abutment wall 9 of the wing panel 7 for abutting the support member 6 against the rear panel 2, extending along a transversely extending plane and sloping toward the front lower portion of the vehicle.

[0044] In the event of an impact C1 inflicted upon the bumper 1, the projection 11, under the effect of said impact, comes to rest against the slope 12, which causes said projection to deflect D1 towards the lower part of the vehicle, thus avoiding impacting a wall 13 of the rear panel 2 extending below the fender 7 of the rear panel 2 against which the support 6 is designed to bear. In other words, in the event of an impact C1 inflicted upon the bumper 1, this slope 12 forms a guide element for guiding the projection 11, under the effect of the thrust exerted against the deformed bumper 1, away from the wall 13 of the rear panel 2 deflected D1 towards the lower part of the vehicle.

[0045] In order to better protect the rear panel 2, the wall 13 of the rear panel 2 is inclined so as to extend the ramp 12 substantially along the same slope. This inclination of the wall 13 of the rear panel 2 not only gives it a sliding ramp configuration for the lug 11 to slide along the wall 13 of the rear panel 2, but also makes it possible to provide a free space 14 for the lug 11 to pass through in the event of an impact C1 suffered by the bumper 1.

[0046] In a variant not shown in the figures, ramp 12 is oriented toward the front and top of the vehicle so that in the event of a collision C1 , projection 11 abuts against ramp 12 , causing it to deflect D1 toward the top of the vehicle to avoid impact with wall 13 .

Claims

1. A device for protecting a rear panel (2), said rear panel being part of a body subassembly comprised by a motor vehicle, said body subassembly comprising a bumper (1), said rear panel (2) and a support (6) for supporting said bumper (1), said support extending longitudinally between a wing (7) of said rear panel (2) and a wall (8) of said bumper (1), said wall extending substantially along a transverse-vertical plane, said bumper (1) comprising at least one projection (11) projecting longitudinally towards said rear panel (2), characterised in that The support member (6) is provided with a ramp (12), which is arranged on the base of the abutment wall (9) of the support member (6), and the support member (6) is implemented to longitudinally abut the wing (7) of the rear panel (2) via the abutment wall, and the ramp (12) extends transversely and is inclined toward the front of the motor vehicle relative to the basic transverse-vertical extension plane of the wing (7) of the rear panel (2), and under the action of the collision (C1) borne by the bumper (1) that causes the bumper (1) and the protrusion (11) to approach the support member (6), the at least one protrusion (11) abuts against the ramp so as to be guided away (D1) from the rear panel (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The rear plate (2) comprises a free space (14) for the passage of the at least one projection (11) after being guided along the ramp (12).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The empty space (14) is defined by a wall (13) of the rear panel (2), which extends transversely below the support (6).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The slope (12) is inclined along the same slope as the inclination slope of the wall (13) of the rear panel (2), and the slope (12) and the wall (13) of the rear panel (2) are arranged to be extended from each other.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The at least one protrusion (11) is a mounting post for mounting and dismounting the bumper (1), and the bumper (1) can be manipulated via the mounting post so that the bumper is mounted on the chassis of the motor vehicle.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The bumper (1) comprises a plurality of so-called lugs (11) which are substantially laterally aligned.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fitting wall (9) of the support member (6) is equipped with transverse ribs (10), which are vertically distributed on the fitting wall (9) of the support member (6). The fitting wall (9) of the support member (6) is implemented to longitudinally abut the wing (7) of the rear plate (2) via the transverse ribs (10).

8. A motor vehicle comprising a body subassembly, the body subassembly comprising a bumper (1), a rear panel (2) and a support (6) for supporting the bumper (1), the support extending longitudinally between a wing (7) of the rear panel (2) and a wall (8) of the bumper (1), the wall extending substantially along a transverse-vertical extension plane of the motor vehicle, the bumper (1) comprising at least one projection (11) projecting longitudinally towards the rear panel (2), characterised in that The motor vehicle is equipped with a device for protecting a rear panel (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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