Fracturable fastening joint for integrally connecting bumper element with headlight housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening joint (1) designed to form an assembly which integrally connects a bumper element to a headlamp housing, the invention relates to an assembly for a bumper element, comprising a fixed joint (1) designed to break and separate the bumper element from the headlamp housing when a vehicle equipped with the assembly is subjected to a front impact with a strength greater than a predetermined threshold, the joint (1) having at least one attachment surface (8) and a fixing part (9), the invention relates to a connecting part (1) for a bumper element of a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening part (9), which protrudes from a contact surface (8) and is integrally formed with the contact surface, the fastening part (9) being designed to fasten the bumper element to the headlamp housing, the connecting part (1) having at least one fragile region (13), which is arranged around the fastening part (9), the attachment surface (8) is designed to break and separate the fastening part (9) from the attachment surface (8) in the event of a front impact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application claims priority from French application No. 2212263, filed on November 24, 2022, the content (text, drawings and claims) of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The technical field relates to a fixing joint which enables the assembly of a bumper element and a headlight housing, an assembly which is implemented by means of such a joint, and a vehicle comprising such a joint. Background Art

[0003] For automakers, the refinement and aesthetics of their vehicles are crucial to distinguishing them from other brands. In particular, customers pay close attention to the quality of the assembly of various bumper elements around the vehicle's headlights. Manufacturers are striving to continuously improve these areas.

[0004] Aesthetics aside, automakers must obviously comply with regulations, such as those requiring successful passing of standardized frontal crash simulations, particularly those involving so-called pedestrian impacts (which simulate a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle). In a frontal crash, particularly a pedestrian impact, the bumper and front hood must sag under the weight of the pedestrian and must not create resistance that could injure the pedestrian. Consequently, bumpers are typically designed to separate from their supports under the energy released by a pedestrian impact.

[0005] Against this background, it is technically difficult to design a vehicle in which the bumper skin is fixed sufficiently rigidly over the headlamp housing while ensuring appropriate behavior in the event of a frontal collision.

[0006] Therefore, a solution is needed that allows the fastening of a bumper element to a headlamp housing in such a way as to meet both aesthetic requirements and safety service performance in the event of a frontal vehicle collision. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned problems. Against this technical background, the object of the present invention is to provide a fixing joint which enables a bumper element to be rigidly fixed to a headlamp housing while enabling such an assembly to comply with standards relating to frontal impacts.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a fixing joint designed to form an assembly, wherein the assembly connects at least one bumper element of a motor vehicle to a headlamp housing of the vehicle in one piece, the fixing joint being designed to break and separate the at least one bumper element from the headlamp housing when the vehicle equipped with the assembly is subjected to a frontal collision of an intensity greater than a predetermined threshold, the joint having at least one contact surface and a fixing component, the fixing component protruding from the contact surface being integrally formed with the contact surface, the fixing component being designed to allow the bumper element to be fixed to the headlamp housing, the joint having at least one fragile area, the at least one fragile area being at least partially arranged around the fixing component and being designed to break and separate the fixing component from the contact surface during the frontal collision.

[0009] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a vehicle bumper element which is assembled on a headlamp housing by means of at least one fastening joint according to the invention.

[0010] Finally, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one assembly according to the invention.

[0011] The fixing joint according to the invention thus enables an assembly according to the invention to be obtained, which is formed by a bumper element and a headlamp housing. The fixing joint allows for rigid fixing: on the one hand, each joint has appropriate rigidity, and on the other hand, a plurality of joints according to the invention can be used to implement the assembly. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle according to the invention, each fixing joint breaks, allowing the bumper element to be separated from the headlamp housing. This separation is ensured by the breaking of each fragile area, which separates the fixing part protruding from the contact surface from the contact surface. Obviously, the fixing part can be adapted to achieve the desired fixing in the desired position.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, each fragile area is formed by at least one material reduction.

[0013] According to one possibility, the fixing member comprises a truncated cone or cylindrical column which projects from the abutment surface.

[0014] Advantageously, the frustoconical or cylindrical body comprises a screw-on barrel ( de vissage), the threaded barrel being designed to receive a set screw.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the fixed joint according to the invention, said frustoconical or cylindrical cylinder is associated with at least one rib extending between said frustoconical or cylindrical cylinder and said abutment surface.

[0016] According to one possibility, the fragile zone extends over at least one rib, so that in the event of rupture of the fragile zone, the rib breaks into at least two parts.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the assembly, the bumper element is a bumper support which is designed to support a second bumper element formed by a bumper skin.

[0018] Advantageously, the bumper support comprises at least one fastening joint according to the invention, which is designed to allow the bumper skin to be fastened to the headlamp housing by means of the bumper support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the invention, given only as a non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention, said vehicle using a plurality of fixed joints according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention, comprising a headlamp unit and a bumper support, the headlamp unit and the bumper support being fixed together by a plurality of joints according to the invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A perspective view of a fixed joint according to the present invention is shown, which has been used in Figure 2 Components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements.

[0024] According to the present invention, the fixed joint 1 ( Figure 3 shown above) is designed to form component 2 (in Figure 2 ), said assembly aligns at least one bumper element 3 of a motor vehicle 4 with a headlamp housing 5 of the vehicle (shown in FIG. Figure 2 The bumper element 3 is, for example, a bumper support 6 (shown above). Figure 2 Shown above), or the bumper skin 7 (in Figure 1(shown above). The bumper support 6 is thus shaped to support the second bumper element 3 formed by the bumper covering 7, in order to indirectly fasten the second bumper element 3 to the headlamp housing 5. The fastening joint 1 is particularly suitable for an assembly 2 comprising a bumper support 6 fastened to the headlamp housing 5 and a bumper covering 7, which is also fastened to the headlamp housing 5 indirectly by means of the bumper support 6. In the example shown in the figures, the bumper covering 7 is thus indirectly fastened above and below the headlamp housing 5. In the example shown in the figures, a plurality of fastening joints 1 according to the invention are used to fasten the bumper support 6 to the headlamp housing 5 or, furthermore, to fasten the bumper covering 7 to the bumper support 6.

[0025] The fixed joint 1 is designed to break and separate the at least one bumper element 3 from the headlight housing 5 when a vehicle 4 equipped with the assembly 2 is subjected to a frontal collision of an intensity greater than a predetermined threshold. The frontal collision considered is, for example, a so-called pedestrian collision, which corresponds to the collision used during the standardized procedures used for the categories of vehicles 4.

[0026] The joint portion 1 has at least one contact surface 8 and a fixing member 9, which is integrally formed with the contact surface and projects from the contact surface 8. In the example shown in the drawings, as will be described in detail below, when the bumper element 3 is indirectly integrated with the headlamp housing 5 by means of the bumper support 6, the contact surface 8 is an integral part of the headlamp housing 5 and / or the bumper support 6.

[0027] The fixing part 9 is designed to allow the bumper element 3 to be fixed to the headlamp housing 5. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fixing member 9 comprises a truncated cone or cylindrical column 10, which protrudes from the contact surface 8. In the example shown in the drawings, the column 10 extends along an axis perpendicular to the contact surface 8. Figure 3 As shown, each column 10 has a cross shape along a transverse cross section (viewed along a plane parallel to the abutment surface 8 ).

[0028] Advantageously, the frustoconical or cylindrical body 10 includes a threaded barrel 11 designed to receive a fixing screw in order to form the assembly 2. The threaded barrel 11 is implemented, for example, along the axis of the body 10. Optionally, the free end of the body 10 is shaped to allow a snap-on fastening. Other fastening methods are of course conceivable. Furthermore, the dimensions of each body 10 can be adapted to the geometric requirements of the assembly 2.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, each cylinder 10 is advantageously associated with at least one rib 12 extending between the truncated cone or cylindrical cylinder 10 and the abutment surface 8. In this example, the joint 1 (at Figure 3 ) has at least three ribs 12 extending perpendicularly to the abutment surface 8. Advantageously, these ribs 12 are arranged with equal angular spacing. Figure 3 The joint 1 thus has four ribs 12 arranged at 90° to one another around the cylinder 10 .

[0030] The fastening joint 1 according to the invention has at least one fragile area 13 arranged at least partially around the fastening part 9. The fragile area 13 is designed to break during a frontal impact and to separate the fastening part 9 from the contact surface 8. In the example shown in the figures, the fragile area 13 extends around the fastening part 9 and completely surrounds it.

[0031] Advantageously, the fragile area 13 is formed by at least one material reduction 14. Such a material reduction 14 has the advantage that it is easy to implement, for example during the moulding of the fixed joint 1.

[0032] In order to facilitate the fracture of the fragile region 13, as Figure 3 As shown, the fragile area extends over at least one rib 12, in this example over each rib 12 of the fixed joint 1, so that in the event of a rupture of the fragile area 13, the rib 12 breaks into at least two parts. Thus, the fragile area 13 consists of a first part 15 and a second part 16. The first part 15 forms a plurality of first grooves 17, which are provided in the abutment surface 8 and each extend between two adjacent ribs 12, while reducing the thickness of the abutment surface 8. Figure 3 In the example shown above, each first groove 17 substantially forms a circular arc, and the opening angle of the circular arc is approximately 90°.

[0033] The second portion 16 is formed, for its part, by a reduction in the thickness of each rib 12: for example, each rib 12 is thus provided with two second grooves 18 which reduce the thickness of the rib 12 and extend over the entire height of the rib 12. Each second groove 18 extends from the contact surface 8 on each face of the rib 12 and prolongs the first groove 17. Advantageously, as Figure 3 As shown, two second grooves 18 of the same rib 12 are arranged opposite one another so as to form only one material reduction 14. Advantageously, the second grooves 18 extend perpendicularly to the first grooves 17.

[0034] Thus, the fixing joint 1 according to the invention makes it possible to form a rigid assembly 2, if necessary by increasing the number of fixing joints 1 used. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 4, the consistent performance of the assembly 2 is ensured by the rupture of each fragile zone 13, which separates each bumper element from the headlamp housing 5.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the fixing joint described above which are merely examples, and those skilled in the art may design other embodiments without departing from the framework and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixed joint (1) designed to form an assembly (2) for connecting at least one bumper element (3) of a motor vehicle (4) to a headlamp housing (5) of the vehicle, the fixed joint (1) being designed to break and separate the at least one bumper element (3) from the headlamp housing (5) when the vehicle (4) equipped with the assembly (2) is subjected to a frontal collision of an intensity greater than a predetermined threshold, the joint (1) having at least one fitting surface (8) and a fixing part (9), the fixing part protruding from the fitting surface (8) being integrally formed with the fitting surface, the fixing part (9) being designed to allow the bumper element (3) to be fixed to the headlamp housing (5), the joint (1) having at least one fragile area (13) being at least partially arranged around the fixing part (9) and being designed to break and separate the fixing part (9) from the fitting surface (8) in the event of the frontal collision.

2. The fixed joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each fragile area (13) is formed by at least one material reduction (14).

3. The fixed joint (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The fixing member (9) comprises a truncated cone or cylindrical column (10) which protrudes from the abutment surface (8).

4. The fixed joint (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The frustoconical or cylindrical body (10) comprises a threaded barrel (11) designed to receive a fixing screw.

5. The fixed joint (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The frustoconical or cylindrical body (10) is associated with at least one rib (12) extending between the frustoconical or cylindrical body (10) and the abutment surface (8).

6. The fixed joint (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The fragile area (13) extends over at least one rib (12) so that when the fragile area (13) breaks, the rib (12) breaks into at least two parts.

7. An assembly (1) comprising a bumper element (3) of a vehicle (4), which is assembled on a headlamp housing (5) by means of at least one fixing joint (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The bumper element (3) is a bumper support (6) which is designed to support a second bumper element (3) formed by a bumper skin (7).

9. Assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The bumper support (6) comprises at least one fixing joint (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is designed to allow the bumper skin (7) to be fixed to the headlamp housing (5) by means of the bumper support (6).

10. A motor vehicle (4) comprising at least one assembly (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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