Optimised end piece for a rear panel of a vehicle

Abstract

A stop piece (PB) comprises a wall (PA) having a main part (PP) with an upper face (FS) defining a stop for a trunk lid of a vehicle and an upper peripheral edge (BPS) continuing this main part (PP) and rigidly connected to a rear panel (PR) of the vehicle. This main part (PP) comprises a lower sub-part (SPI) situated below its upper face (FS), extending as far as the rear panel (PR) and continued by at least one lower extension (EI) able to bear on and be rigidly connected to the rear panel (PR).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2201651 filed on February 24, 2022

[0002] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a trunk partially delimited by a rear panel on which a trunk lid rests, and more specifically the stop pieces that equip such rear panels. State of the art

[0003] Many vehicles, generally automobiles, include a trunk partially enclosed by a rear panel, access to which is controlled by a trunk lid designed to rest against this rear panel when closed. Document DE202010011403 U1 discloses such a vehicle.

[0004] To cushion the impact of the tailgate against the rear panel at the end of its closing motion, at least one stop piece, possibly equipped with a rubber (or possibly synthetic) damping element, can be attached to the outer face of this rear panel. Each stop piece comprises a wall with a main portion having an upper face that projects towards the rear of the vehicle and defines a stop for the tailgate, and an upper peripheral edge that extends from this main portion and is attached to the rear panel.

[0005] In some vehicles, the shape of the rear panel prevents the lower peripheral edge, which extends from the lower sub-section of the main body, from bearing against the rear panel. This leaves a gap between the rear panel and this lower peripheral edge (which is essentially suspended). Consequently, when the vehicle's rear bumper sustains a so-called "repairable" impact (i.e., one of low intensity or at low speed), it may come to rest against a bumper guard. This contact almost always causes significant deformation of the rear panel, at least in the contact area where the upper peripheral edge is welded, due to the leverage effect resulting from the suspension of the lower sub-section of the main body from the bumper guard.This proves problematic because while it is easy to replace a damaged rear bumper, the same cannot be said of the rear panel, which can only be repaired in situ by hammering in a metalworking shop, which is time-consuming, expensive and does not always allow a return to the original shape and therefore can be visible and / or disturbing to neighboring equipment.

[0006] Furthermore, deformation of the rear panel can also cause damage to equipment located near the damaged support area. The invention therefore aims, in particular, to improve this situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a vehicle according to claim 1.

[0008] Thanks to the absence of empty space between the rear panel and a portion of the main part of the wall of the stop piece, when the rear bumper of the vehicle comes to rest against this stop piece during a repairable impact, this does not induce any real deformation of the rear panel in the support area where the stop piece is welded due to the absence of a lever arm effect.

[0009] The stop piece according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular: In a first embodiment, the lower extension may constitute a lower peripheral edge extending the lower sub-part of the main part at an angle adapted to its bearing on the rear panel; in a second embodiment, the lower extension may constitute a fixing tab extending the lower sub-part of the main part at an angle adapted to its bearing on the rear panel; in this second embodiment, the lower sub-part may include at least one first lateral zone located to the right or left of the lower extension and devoid of material; also, at least in this second embodiment, the wall of the stop piece may include, on a part of the upper peripheral edge and / or the main wall, outside of its lower sub-part, at least one second lateral zone located to the right or left of the lower extension and devoid of material;It can be made of steel; the upper peripheral edge and the lower extension can be designed to be welded to the rear panel; it can include a damping element attached to the upper face.

[0010] According to the invention, a vehicle is proposed, possibly of the automobile type, comprising a rear panel partially delimiting a trunk and including at least one stop piece of the type presented above, and a trunk flap controlling access to this trunk and adapted to rest against this rear panel. Brief description of the figures

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view of the rear side of the vehicle, a portion of a first example of a vehicle rear panel comprising a first example of an embodiment of a stop piece according to the invention, and [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view of the rear side of the vehicle, part of a second example of a rear vehicle panel comprising a second example of an embodiment of a stop piece according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0012] The invention aims in particular to provide a stop piece PB intended to equip a rear panel PR of a vehicle and to prevent damage to this rear panel PR in the support area including this stop piece PB when the rear bumper of the vehicle comes to rest against the latter (PB) during a repairability shock.

[0013] In what follows, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the stop piece PB is intended to equip a rear panel PR of a motor vehicle, such as a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising a trunk partially delimited by a rear panel and whose access is controlled by a trunk lid designed to rest against this rear panel in its closed position.

[0014] We have schematically illustrated on the figures 1 et 2 two examples of rear panel PR of vehicle comprising respectively first and second examples of embodiment of a stop piece PB according to the invention.

[0015] Although not shown, the rear panel PR partially delimits the vehicle's trunk, access to which is controlled by a trunk lid. In its closed position, this trunk lid rests against the rear panel PR and, in particular, on each of its stop pieces PB.

[0016] As illustrated, a stop piece PB, according to the invention, comprises at least one wall PA which includes a main part PP, an upper peripheral edge BPS and at least one lower extension EI.

[0017] The main part PP has an upper face FS, which projects towards the rear end of the vehicle and defines a stop for the vehicle's trunk lid, and a lower sub-part SPI.

[0018] The upper peripheral edge BPS extends the main part PP and is designed to be joined to an upper sub-zone ZS of a rear panel support zone PR, for example by welding. This support zone is located near the vehicle's rear bumper.

[0019] The lower sub-part SPI of the main part PP is located under the upper face FS and is designed to extend to the rear panel PR. In addition, this lower sub-part SPI is extended by at least one lower extension EI which is designed to rest on the rear panel PR and to be secured to this rear panel PR in a lower sub-zone ZI of the aforementioned support area.

[0020] Thus, there is no longer a gap between the rear panel PR and a portion of the main part PP of the wall PA of the stop piece PB. Therefore, when the vehicle's rear bumper comes into contact with this stop piece PB during a repairable impact, it does not induce any real deformation of the rear panel PR in the bearing area where the stop piece PB is welded, due to the absence of a lever arm effect. This is particularly advantageous because it avoids the need for specific on-site hammering repair of this area in a metalworking shop. Furthermore, the absence of deformation in the aforementioned area prevents damage to equipment located near this zone.

[0021] At least two embodiments of the PB stop piece can be envisaged.

[0022] In a first embodiment illustrated, but not limited to, on the figure 1 , the lower extension EI can constitute a lower peripheral edge which extends the lower sub-part SPI at an angle adapted to its support on the rear panel PR.

[0023] The extension of this lower peripheral edge EI around the lower sub-part SPI can vary. However, the longer this extension, the larger the bearing surface of the stop piece PB on the rear panel PR, and therefore the more the impact force can be distributed.

[0024] In a second embodiment illustrated, but not limited to, on the figure 2 , the lower extension EI can constitute a fixing tab which extends the lower sub-part SPI at an angle adapted to its support on the rear panel PR.

[0025] This allows for the local definition of a relatively large support surface while reducing the mass of a lower peripheral edge EI of the type illustrated on the figure 1 The bearing surface here is smaller than that offered by the lower peripheral edge EI of the first embodiment, and therefore the fixing tab EI must absorb a significant force during the impact because this force is distributed over a smaller area.

[0026] It should be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the figure 2 , that the lower sub-part SPI may include at least one first lateral zone Z1 located to the right or left of the lower extension EI and devoid of material. This allows for a reduction in the mass of the thrust bearing PB. Note that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, on the figure 2 The first lateral zone Z1 is located to the right of the lower extension EI. However, in an unillustrated alternative embodiment, it could be located to the left of the lower extension EI.

[0027] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to the following, on the figure 2 , that the PA wall may include, on a portion of the upper peripheral edge BPS and / or the main wall PP (excluding its lower sub-part SPI), at least one second lateral zone Z2 located to the right or left of the lower extension EI and devoid of material. This also allows for a reduction in the mass of the stop piece PB. Note that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, the figure 2 The second lateral zone Z2 is located to the right of the lower extension EI, and is defined both in the upper peripheral edge BPS and the main wall PP. However, in an unillustrated alternative embodiment, it could be located to the left of the lower extension EI.

[0028] In unillustrated embodiment variants, the stop piece PB could comprise only a first lateral zone Z1 or only a second lateral zone Z2.

[0029] When the stop piece PB comprises a first lateral zone Z1 and a second lateral zone Z2, it is necessary, as illustrated in the figure 2 that its main PP part includes a lateral fixing tab PF between its first Z1 and second Z2 lateral zones (here on the right). This makes it sufficiently resistant.

[0030] It should also be noted, although not illustrated, that each PB stop piece may include a damping element attached to its upper face FS and designed to contribute to the damping of the trunk lid at the end of its closing motion. This attachment can be achieved by screwing it in place via a TF hole (possibly threaded) defined in the upper face FS, as illustrated (though not exhaustively) in the following examples: figures 1 et 2 or by gluing. Such a damping element can, for example, be made of rubber (possibly synthetic). But in an alternative design, the damping element could be attached to the trunk lid, in which case it abuts against the upper face FS at the end of the trunk lid's closing motion.

[0031] Preferably, each PB stop component is made of metal. For example, it can be made of steel or aluminum. However, in an alternative design, each PB stop component could be made of a rigid and highly resistant plastic or synthetic material.

[0032] Also preferably, the upper peripheral edge BPS and the lower extension EI of each stop piece PB are welded to the rear panel PR. Note that when the main part PP includes a lateral mounting tab PF, the latter (PF) is also preferably welded to the rear panel PR. On the figure 2 The preferred locations for the welding points are marked by dotted circles.

Claims

1. Vehicle comprising a rear panel (PR) partially delimiting a trunk and a trunk flap controlling access to said trunk and able to rest on said rear panel (PR), said rear panel (PR) comprising at least one stop component (PB), said stop component (PB) comprising a wall (PA) comprising a main part (PP) having an upper face (FS), projecting towards the rear of a vehicle and defining a stop for a trunk flap of said vehicle, and an upper peripheral edge (BPS), extending said main part (PP) and able to be secured to a rear panel (PR) of said vehicle, characterised in that said main part (PP) comprises a lower sub-part (SPI) situated under said upper face (FS), able to extend as far as said rear panel (PR), and extended by at least one lower extension (EI) able to bear on said, and to be secured to said, rear panel (PR).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that said lower extension (EI) constitutes a lower peripheral edge extending said lower sub-part (SPI) at an angle adapted to its bearing on said rear panel (PR).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that said lower extension (EI) constitutes a fixing lug extending said lower sub-part (SPI) at an angle adapted to its bearing on said rear panel (PR).

4. Vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said lower subpart (SPI) comprises at least one first lateral zone (Z1) located to the right or to the left of said lower extension (EI) and devoid of material.

5. Vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said wall (PA) comprises, on a part of said upper peripheral edge (BPS) and / or said main wall (PP), outside said lower sub-part (SPI), at least one second lateral zone (Z 2) located to the right or to the left of said lower extension (EI) and devoid of material.

6. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it is realised of steel.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said upper peripheral edge (BPS) and said lower extension (EI) are suitable for being welded to said rear panel (PR).

8. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a depreciation item secured to the said upper face (FS).

9. Vehicle according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is of the automobile type.

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