Aerodynamic rear fairing element for an instrumented motor vehicle

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear aerodynamic fairing element of a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle environment data detection device enabling the detection of the presence of an object, in particular an object located in the vehicle's blind spot.

[0002] A particularly advantageous application is the detection of objects in the vehicle's blind spots, specifically the left and / or right side blind spots. A vehicle blind spot is defined as an area visually inaccessible to the driver. It's important to note that the term "object" encompasses both moving objects such as motor vehicles, pedestrians, etc., and stationary objects such as parked vehicles, walls, or utility poles. The types of objects detected will largely depend on the application of the detection system.

[0003] These detection devices may, for example, include at least one radar and / or lidar type sensor.

[0004] For example, it is well known to install these sensors in corners of the rear bumper of the vehicle so that their field of view is oriented towards the blind spot of the vehicle and thus provide optimal blind spot detection zones.

[0005] Document FR 3 098 771 A1 describes a rear aerodynamic fairing element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The rear bumper is a bodywork component forming the lower part of the vehicle's body, closest to the ground. Its role is to ensure safety by absorbing impacts from the rear of the vehicle. The rear bumper comprises an outer panel, generally molded from a polymer material, designed to extend transversely across the vehicle's entire width and laterally forward on each side, forming a return or corner that defines an internal housing. A radar or lidar sensor can then be housed within this internal housing, located behind the outer panel at the bumper's corners.

[0007] However, the installation of radars and lidars in the vehicle must meet relatively stringent requirements to ensure operational detection of the vehicle's environment.

[0008] In particular, the wall thickness in front of the sensor in its mounting area must be uniform or constant, with a tight tolerance of + / - 0.1 mm. Furthermore, no metallic or chrome-plated parts, nor any reflective devices, should be located within the sensor's field of view. Additionally, the presence of sharp edges or material inhomogeneity within the sensor's field of view must be avoided.

[0009] Today, vehicle designers are increasingly opting for pronounced body shapes, particularly in terms of curves and the narrower rear end, to give the vehicle both a distinctive style and improved aerodynamic performance. This design trend also applies to the rear bumper, where very sharp lines are often found, making it difficult to properly integrate radar and lidar systems according to the principles outlined above.

[0010] In this context and given the above-mentioned requirements related to the installation of radar and lidar type sensors, it becomes difficult to define a viable implantation area for these sensors at the level of the rear bumper for some vehicles, unless the stylistic developments of this bumper are constrained too strongly, to the detriment of the aesthetics and / or the overall aerodynamics.

[0011] Also, a problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is to propose an area for the implantation of such sensors intended to detect the presence of an object in the blind spot of the vehicle, which is free from the limitations set out above.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a rear aerodynamic fairing element for a motor vehicle comprising an external wall and at least one internal housing delimited by said external wall, fastening means located inside said internal housing and at least one vehicle environment data detection device adapted to be attached to said fastening means so that the field of view angle of said detection device is oriented towards the blind spot of the vehicle to detect the presence of an object located in the blind spot of the vehicle when said rear aerodynamic fairing element is attached to the vehicle; said rear aerodynamic fairing element consists of a lateral deflector, essentially vertical, intended to extend a central deflector adapted to extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle in line with the roof of the vehicle and overhanging the rear tailgate of the vehicle.According to the invention, the fairing element comprises two side partitions defining said internal housing, said fixing means comprising a slide arranged on each side partition to respectively receive by sliding corresponding assembly means of said detection organ.

[0013] The primary function of this essentially vertical side deflector is to improve airflow over the vehicle's bodywork and reduce drag, thereby lowering CO2 emissions and enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic appeal. A key feature of the invention lies in utilizing an existing, functional bodywork element—this side deflector, also known as a spoiler or "visor"—to house the detection devices used to monitor the vehicle's blind spots. The placement and configuration of this side deflector on the vehicle are particularly well-suited for integrating these blind spot monitoring devices.Thus, this essentially vertical side deflector, which is an extension of the central deflector that overhangs the tailgate, also called the rear spoiler, extends at least partially along an upper side edge of the tailgate and is therefore advantageously located in a position that corresponds substantially to an upper rear corner of the vehicle, from which the vehicle's blind spot can be optimally monitored.

[0014] Moreover, this side deflector, which is increasingly larger to improve vehicle aerodynamics, is generally designed without a careline on its outer surface or internal molding marks, and its thickness remains constant. It is therefore particularly well-suited to the stringent requirements governing the installation of radar and lidar sensors, whose integration is thus facilitated. Consequently, the detection of the vehicle's surroundings, especially blind spots, is no longer hindered by the technology and / or style of the bodywork components intended to house the vehicle's environmental detection systems, and, in particular, designers can regain more freedom in the styling of the rear bumper.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic perspective view of the rear of a motor vehicle equipped with the object of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic interior perspective view of the object of the invention equipped with a radar sensor-type detection device; [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic view of the installation of the object of the invention on the vehicle with its wiring, in top view; [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic perspective view of an example of application of the object of the invention to the detection of an object in the rear lateral blind spot of the vehicle.

[0016] For the purposes of this description, we will refer to a direct orthonormal XYZ coordinate system, commonly used in automotive design, in which the X-axis represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y-axis represents the transverse direction and is oriented to the right of the vehicle, and the Z-axis represents the vertical direction, oriented upwards. The terms "front" and "rear" are thus used to designate elements in the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of a motor vehicle on which they are normally positioned, the terms "lower" and "upper" to designate elements along the vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, and "right" and "left" to designate directions along the transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.

[0017] There figure 1 illustrates the positioning of an aerodynamic fairing element 10 according to the invention on a motor vehicle 1. The figure 1 The figure shows the rear of a motor vehicle 1 having a roof 2 extended rearward by a central deflector, called a rear spoiler 3, which overhangs a rear hatch 4. Thus, the rear spoiler 3 extends transversely across the width of the roof 2, which it extends. It has an oblong outer wall 31 which has a front edge 32, abutting the roof 2, and a rear edge 33 running along the hatch 4. The aerodynamic fairing element 10 according to the invention consists of a lateral deflector, essentially vertical, also called a "visor," which extends laterally on each right and left side of the rear spoiler 3, which extends transversely at the top of the hatch.The side deflector 10 comprises an outer wall 11 and has a generally triangular shape, the sides of which form edges 12, 13, and 14: respectively, a front edge 12, intended to be flush with an upper edge of the rear tailgate 4; an opposing rear edge 13, intended to be free; and an upper edge 14, intended to be flush with a lateral end portion of the rear edge 33 of the rear spoiler 3, which runs along the tailgate 4. The side deflector 10 is attached to the adjacent elements by suitable reversible fastening means, for example, by sliding clips. The outer wall 11 forms an essentially uniform area, without internal mold lines or molding marks, and of constant thickness.

[0018] There figure 2 Figure 1, illustrating an internal view of the right-hand side deflector 10 of the vehicle, without its outer wall, shows a vehicle environment data sensing device 20, installed inside an internal housing 30 of the side deflector 10 located between two side partitions 31, 32, extending parallel to each other between the front edge 12 and the rear edge 13 of the side reflector 10, thus defining the internal housing. The sensing device 20 is a radar sensor that detects, in the vehicle's environment, the presence and volume of distant objects located within its field of vision, by emitting radio waves from at least one antenna and measuring the time of flight of the reflected signal.

[0019] This radar sensor 20 can be contained in a housing 21, of overall parallelepiped shape, for example made of synthetic material, intended to be mounted in the internal housing of the lateral deflector provided with means for fixing for this purpose, which will be detailed later.

[0020] The housing 21 includes a connector 22 opening onto the front edge 12 of the side deflector 10, so that it can be connected to a wiring harness extending to the vehicle's processing and control components. As illustrated in the figure 3 The cable harness 23, intended to be connected to the radar sensor 20 via its connector 22, is routed to the side deflector 10 in which the radar sensor 20 is mounted, first passing through the rear spoiler 3, before reaching the side deflector 10 where it is connected to the connector 22 of the radar sensor 20. According to the example of the figure 3 , the rear edge 33 of the rear spoiler accommodates a vehicle brake light 34, the power wiring of which 35 also runs through the rear spoiler 3.

[0021] The housing 21 of the radar sensor 20 includes on its opposite longitudinal lateral faces 23, 24 assembly means for inserting the radar sensor 20 into the internal housing 15 of the lateral deflector. These assembly means include, on each longitudinal lateral face 23, 24 of the housing, a front tab 25, 26 and a rear tab 27, 28, projecting perpendicularly from the longitudinal lateral faces 23, 24 of the housing.

[0022] The two lateral partitions 31, 32, extending parallel to each other between the front edge 12 and the rear edge 13 of the lateral reflector 10 and which define the internal housing 30 where the radar sensor 20 is intended to be mounted, are respectively provided with two flat profiles 33, 34 extending perpendicularly to the plane of the lateral partitions 31, 32. The two flat profiles, respectively 33, 34, each have a longitudinal bearing surface, respectively 35, 36, coplanar with each other. The two lateral partitions 31, 32 are also each equipped with two front and rear tabs, respectively 37, 38 and 39, 40 extending overhanging the longitudinal bearing surfaces 35, 36 of the two flat profiles 33, 34. In this way, the two flat profiles 33, 34 and the front and rear tabs, respectively 37, 38 and 39, 40, then define two slides facing each other 41, 42.

[0023] In addition, and particularly advantageously, the two flat profiles 33, 34, and the front and rear legs, respectively 37, 38 and 39, 40, are molded in one piece on the two side partitions 31, 32. The whole is for example molded in ABS type polymer material.

[0024] The insertion opening of the radar sensor 20 in the internal housing 30 is located on the side of the front edge 12 of the lateral deflector 10. Thus, the radar sensor 20 can be inserted into the internal housing 30 by engaging the opposing front and rear tabs of the housing 25, 26 and 27, 28 in the two slides 41, 42 respectively between the longitudinal bearing surfaces 35, 36 of the two flat profiles 33, 34 and the front and rear tabs 37, 38 and 39, 40 respectively, following the mounting direction illustrated by arrow F on the figure 2 In the mounting position in the internal housing 30, as illustrated figure 3 The front and rear tabs 25, 26 and 27, 28 of the radar sensor housing 21 are engaged respectively under the front and rear tabs 37, 38 and 39, 40 of the lateral partitions 31, 32 of the internal housing 30. In the mounting position, the connector 22 of the radar sensor 20 is located at the entrance of the internal housing 30 on the side of the front edge 12 of the lateral deflector 10. The front and rear tabs 37, 38 and 39, 40 are spaced from the longitudinal bearing surfaces 35, 36 of the two flat profiles 33, 34 by a distance equal to the thickness of the opposing front and rear tabs of the radar sensor housing 20, so that the tabs can be forcefully driven between these elements, while the polymer materials deform substantially, ensuring the The casing is held in place by elastic deformation.Also, at the ends of the longitudinal bearing surfaces 35, 36 of the two flat profiles 33, 34, opposite the insertion point in the internal housing 30, stop stops (not shown) prevent the sensor housing 21 from stopping when the rear tabs precisely meet the stop stops. In this way, the housing can be precisely positioned within the internal housing of the lateral deflector 10.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the rear tabs 39, 40 of the side partitions may comprise a first portion 391, 401, designed to engage with the rear tabs 27, 28 of the housing 21 when the latter is inserted in the mounting position within the internal housing 30, and, extending from this first portion and forming an elbow, a second portion 392, 402, forming a bearing surface designed to engage with an upper longitudinal face 29 of the housing 21 when the latter is inserted in the mounting position. In this way, the housing 21 of the radar sensor 20 is held securely in a fixed position relative to the lateral deflector 10.

[0026] Par ailleurs, According to another embodiment of the invention not shown, the lateral deflector further comprises a second internal housing, intended to receive another environmental detection device or a communication device.

[0027] There figure 4Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle 1 equipped with right and left side deflectors 10 according to the invention. As illustrated in the figure, the radar sensor, mounted in the right side deflector 10 according to the principles described, is particularly suitable for monitoring the right rear lateral angle of the vehicle. Thus, the field of view D of the radar sensor is oriented towards this blind spot area of ​​the vehicle. Therefore, a moving object appearing in this area, such as a motorcycle 50 as illustrated, can be detected by the radar sensor installed in the right side deflector 10.

Claims

1. Rear aerodynamic fairing element (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising an outer wall (11) and at least one inner housing (30) delimited by said outer wall, fastening means situated inside said inner housing and at least one detection member (20) for detecting environmental data relating to the vehicle, said detection member being designed to be secured to said fastening means such that the field-of-view angle (D) of said detection member is oriented toward the blind spot of the vehicle so as to detect the presence of an object located in said blind spot when said rear aerodynamic fairing element is fastened to the vehicle, said rear aerodynamic fairing element being constituted by an essentially vertical lateral deflector (10) intended to extend a central deflector (3) designed to extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle in the continuation of the roof (2) of the vehicle, overhanging the tailgate (4) of the vehicle, characterized in that the fairing element comprises two lateral partitions (31, 32) defining said inner housing (30), said fastening means comprising a slideway (41, 42) arranged on each lateral partition so as to respectively slidingly receive corresponding assembly means of said detection member.

2. Fairing element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the slideways of said lateral partitions extend facing one another.

3. Fairing element according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, since said detection member (20) comprises a casing (21) intended to be inserted in the inner housing, said assembly means comprise tabs (25, 26, 27, 28) protruding perpendicularly from lateral longitudinal faces (23, 24) of the casing.

4. Fairing element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said slideways (41, 42) each comprise an end stop for stopping the translational movement of said casing.

5. Fairing element according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said tabs comprise anterior (25, 26) and posterior (27, 28) tabs designed to engage respectively under corresponding anterior (37, 38) and posterior (39, 40) lugs of the lateral partitions overhanging a bearing surface (35, 36) protruding perpendicularly from said lateral partitions so as to form said slideways.

6. Fairing element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said posterior lugs (39, 40) are designed to form a bearing surface (392, 402) able to engage against an upper longitudinal surface (29) of said casing.

7. Fairing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection member (20) comprises a connector (22) for connecting said detection member to a wiring harness (23), said wiring harness being routed to said lateral deflector by passing through the central deflector.

8. Motor vehicle comprising an aerodynamic fairing element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.