Device for reinforcing a bumper support with an opening for a trailer hitch

Description

[0001] The technical field concerns bumper beam reinforcement devices and vehicles equipped with such devices.

[0002] In the area of ​​road safety, car manufacturers must consider numerous concerns and regulations when developing new vehicles. In particular, they must ensure the safety of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision, but also protect other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. Finally, they must strive to control vehicle repair costs when vehicles sustain urban impacts, also known as repairability impacts, which occur at low speeds of around 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. Vehicle behavior in these three situations is regulated and tested using standardized testing procedures. The requirements for these test results are constantly increasing and becoming more demanding, forcing car manufacturers to continually innovate.To meet the requirements mentioned above, motor vehicle manufacturers have developed shock absorption systems, also known as SACs, which generally include a bumper beam connected to the vehicle chassis by means of absorption boxes placed between the bumper beam and a side member and designed to deform during an impact, typically by undergoing compression so as to allow the relative approach of the bumper beam towards the side members.

[0003] To optimize the behavior of a SAC, manufacturers use modular reinforcements, fixed to the beam, which make it easier to repair the vehicle after an impact.

[0004] There are several types of SAC (Sun-Ball Assist), distinguished, in particular, by the relative height of the bumper beam along a vertical axis of the vehicle. The bumper beam can indeed be positioned higher or lower relative to a given reference point, for example, the ground on which the vehicle is parked.

[0005] Among the available modular reinforcements, some vehicles feature a specific type with a circular opening to accommodate a tow ball socket. Therefore, depending on the type of SAC (Structural Arming Control), a modular reinforcement with this circular opening positioned correctly must be used to allow the tow ball socket to be inserted. Consequently, several different modular reinforcements must be produced to fit each type of SAC, i.e., each beam height.

[0006] Such a diversity of modular reinforcements therefore represents a cost and complexity that runs counter to the efforts of automakers to harmonize and simplify production systems. US patent 2017 / 274849 A1 discloses an assembly featuring a bumper beam of a vehicle conforming to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a solution that reduces the diversity of modular reinforcements to be produced.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a modular reinforcement device capable of being adapted to different types of SACs.

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a bumper beam of a vehicle, with the characteristics of claim 1.

[0010] Thus, the modular reinforcement device can be attached to a bumper beam to perform a function similar to a modular reinforcement. Thanks to the opening in the mounting plate, which has a curved extension greater than its width, a tow socket can be attached through the plate. The position of the tow socket mounting hole is irrelevant, as the shape of the opening ensures that it extends directly over the mounting hole, regardless of its height relative to a mounting edge.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the light has an oblong and rectilinear shape.

[0012] According to one possibility, the light is designed to extend along a transverse axis of the bumper beam when the device is fixed to the bumper beam.

[0013] According to one possibility, the assembly also includes a towing socket fixed in the fixing hole, through the light of the device.

[0014] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 , represents a perspective and front view of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 , represents a detailed view of an assembly according to the invention showing the device fixed to the beam.

[0015] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0016] A modular reinforcement device, illustrated on the figures 1 et 2 , is designed to reinforce a portion of a bumper beam 2 of a vehicle, partially illustrated on the figure 2 . There Figure 2 represents the device 1 fixed on the bumper beam 2 to form an assembly 3 according to the invention.

[0017] Such a bumper beam 2 has a front face 4 extended by an upper face 5 and a lower face 6 which form various faces of a profile 7. The bumper beam 2 is fixed at each of its ends 8, one of which is shown on the figure 2 , on an absorber 9 itself fixed to an interface 10, illustrated on the figure 2 , designed to fix assembly 3 to a vehicle chassis, for example to a side member, not shown in the figures.

[0018] Device 1 includes a plate 11, intended to be positioned against the front face 4 of the bumper beam 2. Advantageously, the plate 11 has a shape complementary to the shape of the profile 7 corresponding to the front face 4. The plate 11 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the front face 4, its width being substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the front face 4. In cross-section, the plate 11 has a W shape with rounded vertices. Device 1 includes at least two opposing mounting flanges 12a, 12b, extending from the plate 11 and inclined relative to the plate 11. The mounting flanges 12a, 12b are designed to allow the device 1 to be fixed to the upper face 5 and lower face 6 of the bumper beam 2, respectively.Thus, the fixing edges 12a, 12b are shaped to bear against the lower face 5 and upper face 6 while the plate 11 extends opposite the front face 4. In order to secure the device 1, the fixing edges 12a, 12b are for example welded respectively to the upper face 5 and lower face 6.

[0019] The plate 11 includes at least one slot 13, formed in the plate 11 and having a curvilinear extension L greater than its width I, illustrated on the figure 1 The opening 13, for example, has an oblong and rectilinear shape along a transverse axis of the bumper beam 2 when the device 1 is fixed to the bumper beam 2. The opening 13 is sized to allow the attachment of a tow socket, not shown, through the opening 13, into a mounting hole 14 provided in the bumper beam 2. For this purpose, the width of the opening 13 is greater than the width of the tow socket. In the assembly 3 according to the invention, illustrated in the figure 2 , device 1 is positioned on the front face 4 so that the towing socket mounting hole 14 is accessible to the towing socket through the light 13.

[0020] Thus, the reinforcement device 1 is designed to be fixed to a bumper beam 2 in order to strengthen it. The curved extension L of the opening 13 ensures that the mounting hole 14 is always accessible through the opening 13 regardless of its position relative to one of the mounting edges 12a, 12b. Therefore, a single device 1 eliminates the need for several conventional reinforcements.

[0021] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be devised by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Set (3) having a bumper beam (2) of a vehicle, the bumper beam (2) having a front face (4) extended by a top face (5) and a lower face (6), the bumper beam (2) having a fixing hole (14), housed in the front face (4) and designed to allow the attachment of a towing socket, (3) in addition to a system (1) of a modular reinforcement device to strengthen a bumper beam (2) of a vehicle, a device (1) of a plate (11), fitted in support of the front face (4) of the bumper beam (2), a device (1) of at least two attachment edges (12a, 12b) opposite, the plate (11) and inclined to the plate (11), fixed respectively on the upper (5) and lower (6) faces of the bumper beam (2), the plate (11) having at least one light (13), housed in the plate (11) and having a curviline extension (L) greater than its width (I), characterized in This is what the assembly allows the attachment of a towing socket in the bumper beam (2) through the light (13).

2. Together (3) according to Claim 1, characterized in that light (13) has an oblong and straight shape.

3. Set (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized as light (13) extends along a transverse axis of the bumper beam (2).

4. Set (3) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized by the addition of a towing socket fixed in the attachment hole (14) through the light (13) of the device (1).

5. A vehicle with at least one set in accordance with any of the preceding claims.