Front structure of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a front structure (10) of a motor vehicle comprising a windshield (12), a cowl (14) extending along a lower edge (24) of the windshield, and a side arrangement (16) comprising: - a pillar (34) fixed to a windshield end (20), - a fender (36) extending rearwardly from the pillar, and - a daytime running light (38) comprising a front face (44). The side arrangement further comprises a trim piece (40) comprising: - a rear edge (50), - a front portion (52) extending between a first portion (60) of the rear edge and the daytime running light front face (44), - a side portion (54) having a curved shape and forming a continuous surface with the fender (36), and - a shield portion (56) inclined with respect to the side portion (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a front structure of a motor vehicle, the structure comprising: a windshield intended to form a front surface of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel; the windshield extending between a first end and a second end in the lateral direction of the motor vehicle; the windshield extending substantially vertically between a lower edge and an upper edge; a front bulkhead extending in the lateral direction along the lower edge of the windshield between the first end and the second end; a first lateral arrangement comprising: a pillar fixed to the first end of the windshield and extending substantially vertically between the lower end and the upper end; a fender extending substantially rearward from the lower end of the pillar in the direction of travel; and a daytime running light substantially aligned in the direction of travel with the first end of the front bulkhead, the daytime running light being positioned forward relative to the front bulkhead; the daytime running light including a front surface including a substantially horizontally extending upper edge. Background Technology

[0002] In most known vehicles, the hood extends between the windshield and the headlights, and there are lateral spaces between the front bulkhead and each fender of the vehicle. These lateral spaces are typically concealed by additional components located between the hood and the corresponding fenders. These components are usually small and difficult to securely attach to the vehicle structure. As a result, these components are easily damaged or stolen, thus exposing some of the vehicle's internal equipment.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to propose an improved front structure, particularly suitable for situations where the distance between the windshield and the vehicle's headlights, especially the daytime running lights, is very short. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the present invention relates to the front structure of a motor vehicle of the above type, wherein the first lateral arrangement further includes a trim piece comprising: a rear edge comprising a first portion and a second portion extending from each other, the second portion having a curved shape; a front portion, which is substantially flat and extends in the driving direction from the first portion of the rear edge to the upper edge of the front surface of the daytime running light; a side portion, integral with the front portion, having a curved shape, extending from the second portion of the rear edge and forming a continuous surface with the fender; and a protective portion integral with the side portion and inclined relative to the side portion, the protective portion extending substantially downward from the second portion of the rear edge to a free edge positioned facing the windshield.

[0005] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the front structure includes one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0006] - The protective part forms a curved surface, which has a concave surface oriented toward the upper edge of the windshield;

[0007] - The first distance between the free edge of the windshield and the protective part is less than the second distance between the windshield and the first part of the rear edge of the trim piece;

[0008] - The front structure includes a front cavity, which is located on one side between the windshield and the front bulkhead, and on the other side between the first laterally arranged decorative elements; and the first part of the rear edge of the decorative elements is the free edge defining the front cavity.

[0009] -The first laterally arranged daytime running light includes a housing fixed to and located behind the front surface, the housing being located below the front portion of the trim piece and within the front cavity;

[0010] - The front bulkhead includes a first hinge opening located near a first end of the front bulkhead; the first hinge opening is located within a front cavity; and the front structure also includes a windshield wiper assembled to the first hinge opening;

[0011] - The front structure also includes a central trim piece that extends laterally from the first laterally arranged trim piece, and the front cavity also extends on one hand between the windshield and the front bulkhead, and on the other hand between the windshield and the central trim piece.

[0012] -The front bulkhead includes a water channel located in the front cavity, the water channel opening upward and extending in the lateral direction;

[0013] - The front structure also includes a second lateral arrangement that is substantially symmetrical to the first lateral arrangement with respect to the midplane of the front structure.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle including the front structure described above. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial view of the front structure; and

[0018] - Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A sectional view of the front structure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figures 1 to 3A front structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The front structure 10 is particularly intended for integration into a motor vehicle (not shown).

[0020] The front structure 10 specifically includes a windshield 12, a front bulkhead 14, and a first lateral arrangement 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the front structure 10 also includes a central trim piece 17 and at least one first windshield wiper 18.

[0021] The windshield 12 is intended to form the front surface of the vehicle in the horizontal direction of travel. In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood relative to the direction of travel.

[0022] In the following description, we consider an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z, where direction X represents the vehicle's direction of travel and direction Z represents the vertical direction.

[0023] The windshield 12 extends between a first end 20 and a second end 22 in a direction Y, referred to as the lateral direction. The first end 20 and the second end 22 are substantially symmetrical with respect to the midplane (X, Z) of the front structure 10.

[0024] In the Z direction, the windshield 12 extends between the lower edge 24 and the upper edge 26. Preferably, the windshield 12 is tilted at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical direction.

[0025] The front bulkhead 14 extends along the lower edge 24 of the windshield 12 in the Y direction. The front bulkhead 14 extends downwards from the windshield 12, forming a substantially continuous surface with the windshield 12.

[0026] The front bulkhead 14 extends in the Y direction between a first end 27 and a second end 28. The first end 27 and the second end 28 of the front bulkhead 14 are located below the first end 20 and the second end 22 of the windshield 12, respectively.

[0027] On the opposite side of the lower edge 24 of the windshield 12, the front bulkhead 14 includes a water channel 30 that opens upward and extends in the direction Y.

[0028] Furthermore, the front bulkhead 14 includes at least one first hinge opening 32 located near a first end 27 of the front bulkhead. The first hinge opening 32 is located between the windshield 12 and the water channel 30. Preferably, the front bulkhead 14 includes a similar second hinge opening 33 located near a second end 28.

[0029] The first lateral arrangement 16 will be described later. Preferably, the front structure 10 also includes a second lateral arrangement, not shown. In the following description, the second lateral arrangement is considered to be symmetrical with respect to the midplane (X, Z) of the front structure 10 with respect to the first lateral arrangement 16.

[0030] The first lateral arrangement 16 includes pillars 34, fenders 36, daytime running lights 38, and trim pieces 40.

[0031] The column 34 is fixed to the first end 20 of the windshield 12 and extends substantially vertically between the lower end 42 and the upper end.

[0032] The fender 36 extends substantially rearward from the lower end 42 of the pillar 34 in the direction X. Preferably, the fender 36 forms the outer side surface of the vehicle.

[0033] The daytime running light 38 is substantially aligned with the first end 27 of the front bulkhead 14 in the direction X, and the daytime running light is positioned in front of the front bulkhead.

[0034] Daytime running light 38 includes a front surface 44, which includes an upper edge 46. The upper edge extends substantially horizontally. Preferably, the upper edge 46 of the front surface 44 extends substantially in the lateral direction Y.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the daytime running light 38 also includes a housing 48 assembled to the front surface 44 and located behind the front surface.

[0036] It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the daytime running light 38 is positioned closer to the windshield 12 and front bulkhead 14 in the direction X than the turn signals of most known motor vehicles.

[0037] The decorative element 40 includes a rear edge 50, a front portion 52, a side portion 54, and a protective portion 56.

[0038] The rear edge 50 of the trim piece 40 includes a first portion 60 and a second portion 62 extending from each other. The first portion 60 of the rear edge extends substantially in the lateral direction Y and is preferably substantially straight. The second portion 62 has a shape that curves rearward in the driving direction X. The first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 is closer to the mid-plane (X, Z) of the vehicle than the second portion 62.

[0039] The front portion 52 of the trim piece 40 is generally flat and extends in the direction X between the first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 and the upper edge 46 of the front surface 44 of the daytime running light 38.

[0040] The side portion 54 of the trim piece 40 is integral with the front portion. The side portion 54 has a curved shape that extends from the second portion 62 of the rear edge 50 and forms a continuous surface with the fender 36.

[0041] The protective portion 56 is integral with the side portion 54 and is inclined relative to the side portion. More precisely, the protective portion 56 extends substantially downward from the second portion 62 of the rear edge 50. On the side opposite to the second portion 62 of the rear edge, the protective portion 56 includes a free edge 64 positioned facing the windshield 12.

[0042] Preferably, the protective part 56 forms a curved surface, the curved surface having a concave surface oriented toward the upper edge 26 of the windshield 12.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the central decorative element 17 extends the front portion 52 of the decorative element 40 towards the mid-plane (X, Z) in the Y direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the mid-plane forms the plane of symmetry of the central decorative element 17. The central decorative element 17... Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is not visible in the middle.

[0044] The central trim 17 includes an upper edge 66 that extends in the direction Y from the first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 of the trim 40.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the front structure 10 further includes an upwardly open front cavity 68. In the X direction, the rear end of the front cavity 68 is formed by the windshield 12 and the front bulkhead 14; the front end of the front cavity 68 is formed by a central trim piece 17 and a first laterally arranged trim piece 16 and a second laterally arranged trim piece 40.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 of the trim 40 is the free edge defining the front cavity 68. More precisely, the front cavity 68 is open at the first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 of the trim 40. Conversely, the protective portion 56 of the trim 40 at least partially closes the front cavity 68 at the second portion 62 of the rear edge 50 of the trim 40.

[0047] In other words, the first distance between the windshield 12 and the free edge 64 of the protective part 56 is less than the second distance between the windshield 12 and the first part 60 of the rear edge 50 of the trim piece 40.

[0048] In this way, the protective part 56 of the trim piece 40 at least partially covers the components located in the front cavity 68, making them invisible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0049] For example, the housing 48 of the daytime running light 38 is located in a cavity 68 below the trim piece 40. Specifically, the housing 48 of the daytime running light 38 is located below the front portion 52 of the trim piece 40. The protective portion 56 of the trim piece 40 partially obscures the housing 48, making it invisible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper edge 66 of the central trim 17 is the free edge defining the front cavity 68. More precisely, the front cavity 68 opens at the upper edge 66 of the central trim 17.

[0051] Preferably, as shown in the embodiment, the lower edge 24 of the windshield 12 and the front bulkhead 14 are located within the front cavity 68. In other words, the first portion 60 of the rear edge 50 of the trim 40 and the upper edge 66 of the central trim 17 are located above the lower edge 24 of the windshield 12 and the front bulkhead 14 in the Z direction.

[0052] Specifically, the first end 27 of the front bulkhead 14 is located within the front cavity 68. According to an embodiment, in the Y direction, a space (not shown) is provided between the first end 27 of the front bulkhead 14 and the fender 36 of the first lateral arrangement 16. This space is at least partially shielded by the protective portion 56 of the trim member 40, making it invisible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0053] Therefore, the water channel 30 of the front bulkhead 14 is located within the front cavity 68. In particular, the water channel 30 is capable of collecting rainwater that falls into the front cavity 68 and / or flows down the windshield 12.

[0054] Similarly, the first hinge opening 32 is located in the front cavity 68 of the front structure 10.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the first windshield wiper 18 includes an arm 70 and a hinge (not shown) located at one end of the arm 70. The hinge of the first windshield wiper 18 is assembled to a first hinge opening 32 of the front bulkhead 14. The arm 70 of the first windshield wiper 18 is rotatably movable relative to the front bulkhead 14. In particular, the arm 70 is capable of extending from a cavity 68 to wipe the windshield 12. The hinge of the first windshield wiper 18 is partially concealed and not visible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0056] Preferably, the second hinge opening 33 is located within the front cavity 68; and the front structure 10 also includes a second windshield wiper (not shown) assembled to the second hinge opening 33.

[0057] The aforementioned front structure 10 is suitable for situations where the distance between the windshield 12 and the daytime running lights 38 is very short. Each laterally arranged trim piece 40 can be securely attached to the rest of the front structure 10, particularly to the corresponding daytime running light 38. This configuration improves the robustness and durability of the front structure 10 over time.

Claims

1. The front structure of a motor vehicle, including: - Windshield (12), intended to form the front surface of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel (X); The windshield extends between a first end (20) and a second end (22) in the lateral direction (Y) of the motor vehicle; the windshield extends substantially vertically between a lower edge (24) and an upper edge (26); - Front bulkhead (14) extends in the lateral direction between the lower edge (24) of the windshield and the first end (27) and the second end (28); - First lateral arrangement (16); The first lateral arrangement includes: - A column (34) is fixed to the first end (20) of the windshield and extends substantially vertically between the lower end (42) and the upper end; - The fender (36) extends substantially rearward from the lower end (42) of the pillar in the direction of travel; and - Daytime running lights (38) are substantially aligned with the first end (27) of the front bulkhead (14) in the direction of travel, and the daytime running lights are positioned forward relative to the front bulkhead; the daytime running lights include a front surface (44) which includes an upper edge (46) that extends substantially horizontally. The front structure of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the first lateral arrangement further includes a decorative element (40), the decorative element comprising: - Rear edge (50), the rear edge comprising a first portion (60) and a second portion (62) extending from each other, the second portion having a curved shape; - The front portion (52) is substantially flat and extends in the direction of travel from the first portion (60) of the rear edge to the upper edge (46) of the front surface (44) of the daytime running light. - A side portion (54), integral with the front portion (52), the side portion having a curved shape, extending from the second portion (62) of the rear edge (50) and forming a continuous surface with the fender (36); and - Protective part (56), which is integral with the side part (54) and inclined relative to the side part, the protective part extends substantially downward from the second part (62) of the rear edge to the free edge (64) positioned facing the windshield (12).

2. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective part (56) forms a curved surface having a concave surface oriented toward the upper edge (26) of the windshield (12).

3. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first distance between the windshield (12) and the free edge (64) of the protective part (56) is less than the second distance between the windshield (12) and the first portion (60) of the rear edge (50) of the decorative element (40).

4. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The front structure of the motor vehicle includes a front cavity (68), which is disposed on one side between the windshield (12) and the front bulkhead (14), and on the other side between the windshield (12) and the decorative element (40) of the first lateral arrangement (16); and the first portion (60) of the rear edge (50) of the decorative element is the free edge defining the front cavity.

5. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The daytime running light (38) of the first lateral arrangement (16) includes a housing (48) fixed to the front surface (44) and located behind the front surface, the housing being located below the front portion (52) of the trim piece (40) and within the front cavity (68).

6. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The front bulkhead (14) includes a first hinge opening (32) located near the first end (27) of the front bulkhead; the first hinge opening (32) is located within the front cavity (68); and the front structure of the motor vehicle also includes a windshield wiper (18) assembled to the first hinge opening (32).

7. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The front structure of the motor vehicle also includes a central trim piece (17) that extends in the lateral direction (Y) from the trim piece (40) of the first lateral arrangement (16). The front cavity (68) also extends on one hand between the windshield (12) and the front bulkhead (14), and on the other hand between the windshield (12) and the central trim piece (17).

8. The front structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The front panel (14) includes a water channel (30) located within the front cavity (68), the water channel opening upward and extending in the lateral direction (Y).

9. The front structure (10) of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The front structure of the motor vehicle also includes a second lateral arrangement that is substantially symmetrical with respect to the midplane of the front structure of the motor vehicle and the first lateral arrangement (16).

10. A motor vehicle, including the front structure (10) of the motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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