BUMPER SKIN FOR LIQUID REMOVAL FOR USE ON A LAND VEHICLE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2204106 filed on April 29, 2022.

[0002] The invention relates to land vehicles, and more specifically to the bumpers (or shields) of such vehicles. State of the art

[0003] Some land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a structure to which at least one bumper (or shield) is attached.

[0004] It is recalled that a land vehicle bumper generally comprises a bumper frame, a possible lower bumper crossmember, and a bumper skin fixedly attached to the bumper frame and the possible lower bumper crossmember, and notably masking the latter.

[0005] In order to reduce the energy consumption of vehicles, it has been proposed to fix one or more screens under their underbody designed to improve aerodynamics, and in particular to prevent disturbances in air circulation by protruding elements.

[0006] When such a screen extends to the lower part (or "skirt") of a bumper skin, it becomes difficult to permanently attach the "transverse" end of the screen to the underbody and the "transverse" end of the lower part of the bumper skin. It has therefore been proposed to permanently attach the transverse end of the screen to the underbody, and then to permanently attach the transverse end of the lower part of the bumper skin to the transverse end of the screen. However, this method of assembly results in an overlap of the two transverse end pieces, preventing them from extending beyond each other and thus locally disrupting airflow. Document JP 2015 217838 A discloses an example of a bumper skin suitable for equipping a land vehicle.

[0007] The invention is therefore intended, in particular, to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a bumper skin, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a land vehicle having an underbody partially masked by a screen, and, on the other hand, comprising an inclined lower wall intended to be fixedly attached to an end part of this screen.

[0009] This bumper skin is characterized by the fact that its lower wall includes a first edge extended by a sub-part intended to be installed in an upright position under an area at least partially upright of a second edge of the end part, and comprising, at an interface with this first edge, at least one passage allowing gravity drainage of liquid flowing on an internal face of the lower wall.

[0010] Thanks to the housing of the sub-part of the lower part of the bumper skin in an upright position in an area at least partially upright of the screen, the lower part and the screen extend each other without locally inducing disturbance of the air circulation, and each passage allows that the liquid cannot accumulate at the interface with the first edge due to the upright position of the sub-part.

[0011] The bumper skin according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: The sub-part may include N passages which are distributed over its extension along a transverse direction of the land vehicle, with N ≥ 2; the sub-part may be flexible so as to be able to move from a folded position, before assembly of the bumper skin to the land vehicle, to an upright position, during this assembly; in the presence of the last option, the flexibility may result from a thinning of a local thickness at the interface with the first edge; the sub-part may be suitable for being secured by screwing to the end part of the screen.

[0012] The invention also proposes a bumper for equipping a land vehicle, comprising a bumper frame and a bumper skin of the type shown above, fixedly attached to this bumper frame.

[0013] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising a base partially masked by a screen and at least one bumper of the type shown above and fixedly attached to this screen.

[0014] For example, this land vehicle may include a front part that includes the bumper.

[0015] Also, for example, the screen can provide an aerodynamic function. Brief description of the figures

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which: [ Fig.1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the inner face, part of an example of an embodiment of a bumper skin according to the invention, attached to a screen of a land vehicle, [ Fig. 2 ] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a small part of the bumper skin and screen of the figure 1 , [ Fig.3 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the outer and underside, a portion of the bumper skin of the figure 1 before its attachment to a screen of a land vehicle, and [ Fig. 4 ] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the inner face, the sub-part of the lower wall of the bumper skin of the figure 1 , before its formation in solidarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] The invention aims in particular to provide a PP bumper skin for use on a land vehicle, allowing liquid drainage while being inclined, and whose attachment to an EA screen, attached to the external face of the underbody of this land vehicle, does not disrupt air circulation.

[0018] In what follows, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the PP bumper skin is intended to be part of a motor vehicle, such as a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of motor vehicle. Indeed, the PP bumper skin according to the invention can be fitted to any motor vehicle comprising a structure to which at least one bumper skin and at least one screen are attached, the latter being at least partially mutually extended.

[0019] Furthermore, in the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the PP bumper skin is intended to be part of the front section (and more specifically the front fascia) of a land vehicle (here, a motor vehicle). However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, a PP bumper skin according to the invention could be part of the rear section of a land vehicle.

[0020] On the figures 1 to 4 The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the side sides containing the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0021] We have schematically illustrated on the figure 1an example of an embodiment of a PP bumper skin according to the invention, attached to an example of an embodiment of an EA screen of a land vehicle.

[0022] Although this does not appear on the figure 1 The land vehicle comprises a structure to which the PP bumper skin and the EA screen are attached. More specifically, the structure includes a subframe to which the EA screen is fixedly attached, and the PP bumper skin is fixedly attached, in particular, to at least one crossmember of the front fascia (of which it is a part) and to a PE end portion of this EA screen. As partially illustrated on the figure 1 , the EA screen may include PF fixing pads (or tabs) which are passed through by screws ensuring its fixed attachment to the base.

[0023] This EA screen is designed to partially conceal the underbody. For example, this EA screen can serve an aerodynamic function, preventing airflow disturbances on the external FE surface caused by protruding or attached elements of the underbody. Alternatively, or in addition, the EA screen could also protect a portion of the underbody and any equipment attached to it.

[0024] The PP bumper skin, according to the invention, is intended to be part of a vehicle (land) bumper that also includes a bumper frame and an optional lower bumper crossmember. More specifically, this bumper skin is intended to be permanently attached to the bumper frame and the optional lower bumper crossmember, and to conceal them.

[0025] As illustrated on the figures 1 to 4A bumper skin PP, according to the invention, comprises a front wall which is extended in its lower part, and here towards the rear of the (land) vehicle, by a lower wall PI which is inclined (here downwards, from front to rear) and intended to be fixedly attached to the end part PE (here front) of the screen EA. This fixed attachment can be achieved by means of screws passing through the first dedicated holes T1 defined in the first edge B1 and the second dedicated holes T2 defined in the second edge B2 and optionally threaded. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, which is not exhaustive, on the figure 3 , the first edge B1 includes two small fixing tabs in which are defined respectively two first dedicated holes T1 and which are finally placed respectively in two small housings defined by recesses of the second edge B2 which include respectively two second dedicated holes T2.

[0026] This lower wall PI comprises a first edge B1 which is extended (here rearward along the longitudinal direction X) by a sub-part SP intended to be installed in an upright position under a zone Z, at least partially upright, of a second edge B2 of the end portion PE. This sub-part SP has, at its interface with the first edge B1, at least one passage (or through hole) PL which allows the gravity drainage of liquid flowing down an internal face FI of the lower wall PI due to its inclination.

[0027] It will be understood that defining a zone Z, at least partially upright, in the second edge B2 of the screen EA advantageously allows the sub-part SP to be housed in an upright position. This allows the lower part PI and the screen EA to extend seamlessly without any break, thus preventing local disruption of airflow. As for each passage (or through hole) PL, it advantageously prevents the liquid flowing over the inclined inner face FI from accumulating at the interface with the first edge B1 due to the upright position of the sub-part SP.

[0028] It should be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the following, Figures 1 , 3 And 4 , that subpart SP can include N PL passages distributed over its extension along the transverse direction Y, with N ≥ 2. In the example illustrated, but not limited to, on the figures 3 And 4The sub-part SP comprises three PL passages (N = 3). However, it could have only two, or more than three (for example, four or five). The number N must not be too large, though, if we want to prevent the sub-part SP from gradually detaching from the lower part PI due to shocks and vibrations.

[0029] It should also be noted that it is particularly advantageous for the SP sub-part to be flexible enough to move from a folded position, before the PP bumper skin is attached to the vehicle, to an upright position, during (and after) this attachment. This significantly facilitates the demolding of the SP sub-part when the PP bumper skin is produced using a highly complex mold. The transition from the folded to the upright position is carried out by the technician responsible for attaching the PP bumper skin to the vehicle, specifically when attaching the lower PI portion of the PP bumper skin to the PE end portion of the EA screen.

[0030] For example, the flexibility of sub-part SP can result from a local thinning of the thickness at the interface with the first edge B1. This thinning can result from the shape of the mold or from an operation carried out by a technician after demolding.

[0031] It should also be noted that sub-part SP is preferably designed to be screwed to the PE end part of the EA screen. This fastening can be achieved using screws passing through the third dedicated holes T3 defined in sub-part SP and the fourth dedicated holes defined in zone Z of the second edge B2, and optionally threaded.

[0032] However, in an alternative embodiment, sub-part SP could be screwed to the base, which is possible when zone Z of the second edge B2 has a cutout (hidden from the outside by sub-part SP), as illustrated in the figure 1 .

Claims

1. Bumper skin (PP) suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising a base partially concealed by a screen (EA), said bumper skin (PP) comprising an inclined lower wall (PI) and intended to be fixedly attached to an end part (PE) of said screen (EA), wherein said lower wall (PI) comprises a first edge (B 1) extended by a sub-part (SP) intended to be installed in a position straightened under a zone (Z) at least partially straightened from a second edge (B 2) of said end part (PE), and comprising, at an interface with said first edge (B 1), at least one passage (PL) allowing evacuation by gravity of liquid flowing on an internal face (FI) of said lower wall (PI).

2. Bumper skin according to claim 1, wherein said sub-part (SP) comprises N passages (PL) distributed over its extension along a transverse management of said land vehicle, with N≧2.

3. Bumper skin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sub-part (SP) is flexible so as to be able to pass from a folded position, before assembling said bumper skin (PP) to said land vehicle, to a straightened position, during said assembling.

4. Bumper skin according to claim 3, characterised in that said flexibility results from a thinning of a local thickness at said interface with the first edge (B 1).

5. Bumper skin according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said sub-part (SP) is capable of being secured by screwing to said end part (PE) of the screen (EA).

6. Bumper intended to be fitted to a land vehicle and comprising a bumper reinforcement, characterised in that it further comprises a bumper skin (PP) according to one of the previous claims, fixedly attached to said bumper reinforcement.

7. Ground vehicle comprising a base partially concealed by a screen (EA), wherein it comprises at least one bumper according to claim previous secured to said screen (EA).

8. Land vehicle according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a front part comprising said bumper.

9. Land vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said screen (EA) performs an aerodynamic function.

10. Land vehicle according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterised in that it is of the automobile type.