AIR DUCT WITH CLIP ELEMENT FOR A FRONT CARRIER OF A LANDING VEHICLE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles, and more specifically to the air channeling devices which equip certain front beams forming part of the front parts of such vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Some land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a front part comprising a front beam installed transversely and to which a front bumper or a front shield is generally fixedly secured. This front beam is designed to absorb (or absorb) in a regulatory manner at least partially longitudinal impacts suffered by the front of its (land) vehicle.

[0003] Sometimes the right or left end of the front beam must serve as a securing area for an air ducting device comprising walls delimiting an air ducting conduit responsible for supplying air to at least one piece of vehicle equipment, such as a heat exchanger.

[0004] The air ducting device is generally secured to one end of the front beam by screwing via at least one dedicated hole which is expressly defined in this end. The disadvantage of defining such a dedicated hole lies in the fact that it locally induces a weakening zone (or incipient fracture) in its end which reduces its capacity to absorb shocks and therefore prevents the front beam from fully complying with the safety regulations in force. In addition, the use of screws and the creation of dedicated hole(s) induces an additional cost.

[0005] An air channeling device is known from WO 2013 / 014347 A1.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks. Presentation of the invention

[0007] For this purpose, it proposes in particular an air ducting device suitable for being coupled to a right or left end of a front beam of a land vehicle, and comprising walls delimiting an air ducting conduit.

[0008] This air ducting device is characterized by the fact that one of its walls comprises a clipping element suitable for being introduced and clipped into a through hole that comprises the end concerned and which is dedicated to the passage of a screw towards the base of a right or left foot of the front beam, located set back, with a view to securing it to the structure of the vehicle. Thanks to this clipping in a hole in one end of a front beam having another primary function (screw passage), it is now possible to couple the air ducting device without using screws and without having to define an additional dedicated hole in this end.

[0009] The air channeling device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: the clipping element may comprise at least two tabs intended to pass through the corresponding through hole, and among which a first tab is flexible and comprises a notch suitable for ensuring clipping behind this through hole and a second tab is located opposite this first tab, being offset relative to the latter by an angular sector of 180°, and provides guidance during the crossing; in the presence of the first option, the clipping element may comprise a third tab offset relative to the first tab by an angular sector of between 30° and 150°, intended to pass through the corresponding through hole and suitable for ensuring guidance during the crossing;in the presence of the first option, the clipping element may comprise a fourth leg offset relative to the first leg by an angular sector between -30° and -150°, intended to pass through the corresponding through hole and suitable for providing guidance during the crossing; in the presence of the last two sub-options, at least one of the third and fourth legs may be flexible; the wall concerned may comprise a fixing leg comprising a rear face comprising the clipping element;it can be produced by injection molding of a plastic material. The invention also proposes a front beam suitable for being installed transversely in a front part of a land vehicle, and comprising right and left feet each provided with a base intended to be fixedly secured by screwing to a structure of the vehicle, and right and left ends each comprising a through hole dedicated to the passage of a screw towards the corresponding base, located set back, with a view to securing it to the structure. ;

[0010] This front beam is characterized by the fact that it also includes an air channeling device of the type presented above and clipped into a corresponding through hole in one of its two ends.

[0011] For example, this front beam may comprise a main part suitable for being installed transversely in the front part of the vehicle and comprising end parts to which the feet are secured. In this case, each end may be a part which is attached to one of the end parts of the main part.

[0012] The invention also provides a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a front part comprising a front beam of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which: [ Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a front view from the front side, an exemplary embodiment of a front beam comprising an exemplary embodiment of an air channeling device according to the invention and before equipping a front part of a vehicle, [ Fig. 2 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the right end of the front beam of the figure 1 to which the air ducting device is secured, [ Fig. 3 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear face side, the fixing lug of the air ducting device of the figure 1 before clipping it into a through hole in the right end of the front beam, [ Fig. 4 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear face side, the fixing lug of the air ducting device of the figure 1 after clipping it into a through hole in the right end of the front beam, [ Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical and longitudinal plane, the front beam of the figure 1 , And [ Fig. 6 ] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane, the fixing lug of the figure 1 once its clipping element is clipped into a through hole in the right end of the front beam. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] The invention aims in particular to propose a DC air ducting device suitable for being coupled to a right or left end Ej of a front beam PV of a land vehicle, without screws and without defining a dedicated hole.

[0015] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the front beam PV is intended to be part of a motor vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It in fact relates to any land vehicle comprising a front part comprising a front beam intended to absorb (or absorb) at least partially longitudinal impacts suffered by the front.

[0016] On the figures 1 to 6 the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0017] We have schematically illustrated on the figures 1, 2 And 5an exemplary embodiment of a front beam PV according to the invention, before it equips a front part of a land vehicle. As illustrated, this front beam PV comprises right and left feet PPj (j = 1 or 2) each provided with a base EP intended to be fixedly secured by screwing to a structure of the vehicle, and right and left ends Ej. When j is equal to 1 its element is located on the right longitudinal (or lateral) side of the vehicle, and when j is equal to 2 its element is located on the left longitudinal (or lateral) side of the vehicle.

[0018] The ends Ej may be right and left end portions of a main part PPD of the front beam PV, suitable for being installed transversely (i.e. mainly in the transverse direction Y) in the front part of the vehicle, or may be parts which are attached respectively to the front face of the right and left end portions of the main part PPD, for example by welding or screwing, as illustrated non-limitingly in the figures 1, 2 And 5 .

[0019] Furthermore, the feet PPj may be an integral part of the main part PPD, or may be parts which are attached respectively to the rear face of the right and left end parts of the main part PPD, for example by welding or screwing, as illustrated non-limitingly on the figures 1, 2 And 5The EP base of each PPj foot is located behind the main PPD part, i.e. offset towards the rear (along the longitudinal direction X).

[0020] In the following and the preceding, the notions of "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the front end of the vehicle.

[0021] The main PPD part is the element which is intended to absorb (or absorb) the at least partially longitudinal impacts suffered by the front of the vehicle. The PPj feet can also be arranged in such a way as to absorb (or absorb) the impacts.

[0022] For example, a front bumper (or a front shield) can be fixedly attached to the front beam PV, in particular to hide its main part PPD.

[0023] As illustrated on the figures 1, 2 And 5, the front beam PV also comprises at least one air ducting device DC coupled to one of its two right ends E1 and left E2. This (each) air ducting device DC comprises walls Pk (here k = 1 to 5) which together delimit an air ducting duct CC, for example responsible for supplying air to a heat exchanger of the vehicle. For example, the air ducting device DC may be responsible for supplying air to a cooling radiator of a motor machine (possibly thermal) of the powertrain of the vehicle. In this case, the air ducting device DC may also be, optionally, secured to a front face of the cooling radiator (or heat exchanger).

[0024] One (P1) of the walls Pk of the air ducting device DC comprises a clipping element EC which is suitable for being introduced and clipped into a through hole TT which comprises the end Ej. This through hole TT is advantageously dedicated, initially, to the passage of a screw towards the base EP of a right or left foot PPj of the front beam PV, located set back, with a view to securing it to the structure of the vehicle. It will be understood that the holes of the base EP, which allow the passage of screws for securing it to the structure of the vehicle, are masked by the corresponding end Ej, and therefore this end Ej comprises through holes TT and TT' centered respectively on the axes of the holes of the base EP and allowing the passage of screws towards the latter during the phase of securing the front beam PV.

[0025] Thus, the DC air ducting device can now be coupled to a right or left Ej end of a PV front beam, without using screws and without having to define an additional dedicated hole in this Ej end. This facilitates the work of the technician responsible for the coupling on the assembly line and avoids additional costs. In addition, since no weakening (or fracture initiation) zone is created locally in the Ej end, the capacity of the PV front beam to absorb (or absorb) impacts is not reduced and therefore the latter (PV) fully complies with the safety regulations in force.

[0026] It should be noted that in certain vehicles the front beam PV may include two DC air ducting devices coupled respectively to its two right ends E1 and left ends E2.

[0027] For example, and as illustrated without limitation on the figures 3 to 6, the clipping element EC may comprise at least two tabs PCn which are intended to pass through the corresponding through hole TT. In this case, a first tab PC1 (n = 1) is flexible and comprises a notch CR which is suitable for ensuring clipping behind the corresponding through hole TT (i.e. at the rear face FR' of the end Ej (here E1) concerned). In addition, a second tab PC2 (n = 2) is located opposite this first tab PC1, being offset relative to the latter (PC1) by an angular sector of 180°. This second tab PC2 ensures guidance of the clipping element EC when passing through the corresponding through hole TT for the purpose of coupling the air ducting device DC to the corresponding end Ej.It will be understood that when the clipping element EC is introduced into the corresponding through hole TT, the first tab PC1 deforms in contact with the wall edge delimiting this through hole TT in order to allow the passage of its notch CR, while the second tab PC2 ensures the guidance of its clipping element EC by sliding on this wall edge. The coupling is effective when the notch CR has passed behind the rear face FR' of the corresponding end Ej (here E1), and the first tab PC1 has at least partially resumed its initial shape (without stress).

[0028] It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 3 to 6, that the clipping element EC may also, optionally, comprise a third tab PC3 (n = 3) offset relative to the first tab PC1 by an angular sector which is between 30° and 150°. This third tab PC3 is intended to pass through the through hole TT and is suitable for ensuring additional guidance of the clipping element EC when passing through the corresponding through hole TT for the purpose of coupling the air ducting device DC to the corresponding end Ej.

[0029] In the example illustrated without limitation on the figures 3, 4 And 6 , the third leg PC3 is offset relative to the first leg PC1 by an angular sector equal to 90°. But other angular offsets can be considered.

[0030] It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 3 to 6, that the clipping element EC may also, optionally, comprise a fourth leg PC4 (n = 4) offset relative to the first leg PC1 by an angular sector which is between -30° and -150°. This fourth leg PC4 is intended to pass through the through hole TT and is suitable for ensuring additional guidance of the clipping element EC when passing through the corresponding through hole TT for the purpose of coupling the air ducting device DC to the corresponding end Ej.

[0031] In the example illustrated without limitation on the figures 3, 4 And 6 , the fourth leg PC4 is offset relative to the first leg PC1 by an angular sector equal to -90°. But other angular offsets can be considered.

[0032] It will also be noted that at least one of the third PC3 and fourth PC4 legs may be flexible in order to facilitate the crossing of the corresponding through hole TT by the clipping element EC.

[0033] It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation on the figures 1 to 6 , that the wall P1 of the air ducting device DC may comprise a fixing lug PF comprising a rear face FR comprising the projecting clipping element EC. But in an alternative embodiment not illustrated the clipping element EC could project directly from the wall P1.

[0034] It should also be noted that the DC air ducting device can, for example, be made by injection molding a plastic material, preferably rigid and resistant. The latter can, for example, be polypropylene (or PP) or polyethylene (or PE).

[0035] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, the four legs PC1 to PC4 are independent, as they protrude in four places from the rear face FR of the fixing leg PF, while together defining the coupling element EC. This makes it easier to produce the air channeling device DC, and more precisely the production of its possible mold, as well as its demolding. But it could be produced in the form of a single clipping leg comprising at least two sub-parts similar to PC1 and PC2.

Claims

1. Air channeling device (DC) adapted to be coupled to a right or left end (Ej) of a front beam (PV) of a land vehicle, and comprising walls (Pk) delimiting an air channeling duct (CC), characterized in that one (P1) of said walls (Pk) comprises a clipping element (EC) adapted to be inserted and clipped into a through hole (TT) that said end (Ej) comprises and which is dedicated to the passage of a screw towards a base (EP) of a right or left foot (PPj) of said front beam (PV), located recessed, with a view to being secured to a structure of said vehicle.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said clipping element (EC) comprises at least two tabs (PCn) intended to pass through the said through-hole (TT), and among which a first tab (PC1) is flexible and comprises a notch (CR) capable of ensuring clipping behind the said through-hole (TT) and a second tab (PC2) is situated opposite the said first tab (PC1), being offset with respect to the latter (PC1) by an angular sector of 180°, and provides guidance during the said passage.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the said clipping element (EC) comprises a third lug (PC3) offset with respect to the said first lug (PC1) by an angular sector of between 30° and 150°, intended to pass through the said through hole (TT) and capable of providing guidance during the said passage.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the said clipping element (EC) comprises a fourth lug (PC4) offset with respect to the said first lug (PC1) by an angular sector of between -30° and -150°, intended to pass through the said through hole (TT) and suitable for providing guidance during the said passage.

5. Device according to the combination of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that at least one of said third (PC3) and fourth (PC4) lugs is flexible.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said wall (P1) comprises a fixing lug (PF) comprising a rear face (FR) comprising the said clipping element (EC).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is produced by injection molding a plastic material.

8. A front beam (PV) adapted to be installed transversely in a front part of a land vehicle, and comprising right and left legs (PPj) each provided with a base (EP) intended to be fixedly secured by screwing to a structure of said vehicle, and right and left ends (Ej) each comprising a through hole (TT) dedicated to the passage of a screw towards said corresponding base (EP), located set back, with a view to its securing to said structure, characterized in that it further comprises an air channeling device (DC) according to one of the preceding claims, clipped into a through hole (TT) of the one of the ends (Ej).

9. Front beam according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a main part (PPD) able to be installed transversely in the said front part of the vehicle and comprising end parts to which the said feet (PPj) are secured, and in that each end (Ej) is a part added to one of the said end parts of the main part (PPD).

10. Land vehicle comprising a front part, characterized in that said front part comprises a front beam (PV) according to claim 9.