Controlled air inlet module for a motor vehicle front face, motor vehicle front face comprising such a module, and motor vehicle comprising such a front face

Abstract

The invention relates to a controlled air inlet module (9) for a motor vehicle front face, said controlled air inlet module (9) being designed to adjust the air flow penetrating same and being intended to be attached to a rear portion of a front bumper, the controlled air inlet module (9) comprising a controlled air inlet cassette (11). According to the invention, the controlled air inlet cassette (11) comprises a reinforced bearing piece (29) arranged so as to bear on a lower front beam (7) of the front face (1) when the controlled air inlet module (9) is mounted in the front face (1) of the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a front face comprising such a controlled air inlet module and to a motor vehicle comprising such a front face.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle, front of a motor vehicle comprising such a module and motor vehicle comprising such a front [Technical field]

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2211108 filed on October 26, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and more particularly concerns a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle. The invention also concerns a front of a motor vehicle comprising such a controlled air intake module and a motor vehicle comprising such a front. [State of the prior art]

[0003] As is known, the front of the motor vehicle includes, among other things, a front bumper and, behind the front bumper, a controlled air intake module, frequently referred to by the acronym “MEAP”.

[0004] The MEAP aims to improve the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle and, when the motor vehicle is an electric motor vehicle, to increase its autonomy.

[0005] The MEAP typically comprises a controlled air inlet cassette designed to prohibit, limit or authorize an air flow passing through the MEAP. The controlled air inlet cassette typically comprises a frame, delimiting one or more air inlets, a set of flaps, movable between a closed position and an open position of said air inlets, and actuators of said flaps.

[0006] The front of the motor vehicle may also include, behind the MEAP, an air duct conveying air from the cassette air inlet to a motor-fan unit, frequently designated by the acronym "GMV", also called "cooling facade". Thus, the MEAP regulates the air supply to the GMV.

[0007] The air duct typically has a front part made of flexible material and a rear part made of rigid material. The front part made of flexible material is intended to provide a seal and a good seal between the controlled air inlet cassette and the rear part of the air duct, made of rigid material.

[0008] Among the many tests used for the approval of motor vehicles, a so-called "repairability" impact consisting of projecting the motor vehicle onto a barrier oriented at 10° at a speed of approximately 16 km / h is carried out.

[0009] At the end of this test, the vehicle obtains a classification according to the RCAR system (the English acronym for “Research Council for Automobile Repairs”).

[0010] The vehicle successfully passes the “repairability” impact when, at the end of the impact, certain parts of the vehicle are not impacted, in particular the motor-fan unit.

[0011] According to a known embodiment of the prior art, in particular from document FR 3 120 022, the controlled air intake cassette can be mounted behind a radiator grille on the front of the vehicle. It is located in a rear area of ​​the front of the vehicle and is fixed to a repairable beam of the vehicle, beam extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle and mounted substantially opposite the longitudinal structural beams, also called "stretchers".

[0012] A new architecture for the front of a motor vehicle, however, proposes to arrange the controlled air intake cassette in the lower part of the front of the motor vehicle, i.e. below the vehicle's repairability beam relative to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In such an embodiment, the controlled air intake cassette is mounted directly behind a lower grille of the front bumper. It is fixed in a front area of ​​the front face of the motor vehicle, directly on the front bumper skin.

[0014] For regulatory reasons, the bottom of the front bumper of a motor vehicle is generally further forward, along a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, than the rest of the skin of the front bumper.

[0015] Thus, during a repairable impact, the deformation of the bumper in the lower part and of the controlled air intake cassette fixed on it generates a rotation of the controlled air intake cassette.

[0016] Such rotation of the controlled air intake cassette causes a tilting of the lower front beam extending transversely relative to the front face of the motor vehicle and located in front of deformable boxes, boxes also called "crash boxes" or "sacrificial".

[0017] Such a tilting of the lower front beam then prevents it from dissipating all the desired energy during the impact.

[0018] Also, during such a repairable impact, we also observe a downward tilting of the deformable boxes, which causes crushing of the controlled air intake cassette and the air duct on the vehicle's motor-fan unit.

[0019] Given the rigidity of the assembly formed by the controlled air inlet cassette and the air duct on the motor-fan unit, the impact of this assembly causes damage to the motor-fan unit, or even its rupture.

[0020] Such damage negatively impacts the classification of the motor vehicle according to the RCAR system.

[0021] Also, in case of damage or breakage of the motor-fan unit of the motor vehicle, the cost of repairing the vehicle is extremely high. [Statement of the invention]

[0022] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to do so relates to a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle, said controlled air intake module being designed to regulate the flow of air passing through it and being intended to be fixed to a rear part of a front bumper of said front, said controlled air intake module comprising a controlled air intake cassette, said controlled air intake module being remarkable in that said controlled air intake cassette comprises a reinforced support piece, arranged so as to bear on a lower front beam of said front when said controlled air intake module is mounted in said front of said motor vehicle.

[0023] By planning to equip the controlled air intake cassette with a reinforced support piece, rigidity is given to the air intake cassette, which helps to promote its rupture at the start of an impact, particularly during a "repairable" impact.

[0024] By reducing the incompressible volume of the controlled air inlet cassette, the impact of the air inlet cassette on the motor-fan unit is reduced and its rupture is prevented.

[0025] Also, the fact that the reinforced support piece rests on the lower front transverse beam prevents the cassette from pivoting downwards at the start of an impact.

[0026] In this way, the recoil of the cassette relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is stabilized, which prevents the lower front beam and the deformable box facing the impact from tipping over.

[0027] Thus, the deformable box works in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which allows for better energy dissipation during impact.

[0028] The air intake module obtained thanks to the present invention very advantageously makes it possible to improve the classification according to the RCAR system of the motor vehicle which is equipped with it.

[0029] Also, thanks to the present invention, oversizing of the structural elements of the vehicle is avoided, in particular the deformable boxes, a solution which would negatively impact the price / mass ratio.

[0030] According to optional features of the piloted air inlet module: - said reinforced support piece comprises at least one stiffening rib arranged longitudinally relative to said front face when said controlled air intake module is mounted in said front face of said motor vehicle; - said reinforced support piece comprises a support plate extending transversely relative to said front face when said controlled air intake module is mounted in said front face of said motor vehicle, said support plate being arranged to bear on said lower front beam of said front face when said controlled air intake module is mounted in said front face of said motor vehicle; - said controlled air inlet cassette comprises a peripheral frame delimiting in its inner part at least one air inlet and said at least one stiffening rib extends from a front edge of said peripheral frame of said controlled air inlet cassette to said support plate; - said at least one stiffening rib extends under said peripheral frame; - said reinforced support piece comprises several stiffening ribs, in particular three stiffening ribs.

[0031] The invention also relates to a front face of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a front bumper, - a controlled air inlet module, - a lower front beam, extending transversely relative to said front face and arranged in front of deformable boxes of said front face, - a motor-fan unit, arranged in said front face behind said lower front beam, said front face being remarkable in that said controlled air intake module is obtained according to the invention, in that said controlled air intake module is fixed on a rear part of said front bumper and in that said reinforced support piece of said controlled air intake cassette rests on said lower front beam of said front face.

[0032] Depending on optional front panel features: - the front face comprises an air duct mounted behind said controlled air inlet module, arranged to convey the air entering said controlled air inlet module to said motor-fan unit, said air duct comprising a flexible part in contact with the controlled air inlet cassette and a rigid part behind said flexible part and in contact with said flexible part; - said controlled air intake module is arranged in the lower part of said front bumper.

[0033] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front face, remarkable in that said front face is obtained according to the invention. [Description of the drawings]

[0034] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] is a front isometric view of a front face of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig. 2] is a longitudinal section of the front face according to the invention.

[0037] [Fig. 3] is an isometric view from below of the MEAP and the lower front beam of the front face according to the invention.

[0038] [Fig. 4] shows the behavior of the front face during a first stage of a “repairability” shock applied to the motor vehicle.

[0039] [Fig. 5] shows the behavior of the front face during a second stage of a “reparability” shock applied to the motor vehicle.

[0040] [Fig. 6] shows the behavior of the front face during a third stage of a “reparability” shock applied to the motor vehicle.

[0041] [Fig. 7] shows the behavior of the front face during a fourth stage of a “reparability” shock applied to the motor vehicle. [Description of embodiments]

[0042] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0043] By convention, we will adopt, without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0044] In the following, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" refer to the vehicle.

[0045] Reference is made to figures 1 and 2 showing a front face 1 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, respectively in front isometric view and in longitudinal section.

[0046] The front face 1 admits a longitudinal median plane of symmetry. Thus, the description given for the left part of the front face 1 applies by analogy to the right part of the front face 1 , and vice versa.

[0047] The front face 1 of the motor vehicle comprises a set of structural elements 3.

[0048] The set of structural elements 3 comprises longitudinal lower beams, commonly called “extensions” and positioned parallel on either side of the powertrain (not shown in the figures).

[0049] These longitudinal lower beams or extensions are mounted below, in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, longitudinal structural beams commonly called "stretchers" (not shown in the figures).

[0050] The front ends of the longitudinal lower beams are extended forward by boxes 5 which are deformable in the event of impact, commonly called "crash boxes" or "sacrificial", and configured to be compressed in the event of impact of the motor vehicle so as to absorb the forces.

[0051] At the junction of each of the deformable boxes 5 and each of the corresponding longitudinal lower beams there is a front support (not shown), extending vertically relative to the vehicle and serving in particular to support the front face 1 of the motor vehicle. The front ends of the longitudinal lower beams are fixed to these front supports.

[0052] At the front of these deformable boxes 5 is a lower front beam 7, a beam extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle and connecting the deformable boxes together.

[0053] The lower front beam 7 is mounted below a repairable beam 8 (not shown in FIG. 1), or upper front beam, extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle and being mounted substantially opposite the beams. longitudinal structural or “stretchers”. In other words, the lower front beam 7 is mounted under the repairable beam 8 relative to a vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

[0054] The structural elements of the motor vehicle body are also provided, in particular, with a plurality of transverse cross members (not shown) intended to absorb the transverse forces which may occur in particular in the event of an impact of the vehicle, each being fixed to the front supports present on one side and the other of the motor vehicle.

[0055] These transverse cross members include in particular a so-called lower transverse cross member and a so-called upper transverse cross member with reference to their respective locations relative to the front face 1 of the vehicle.

[0056] The front face 1 further comprises a front bumper 10 (not shown in FIG. 1) and, behind the front bumper 10, a controlled air intake module 9 (designated by the acronym “MEAP”).

[0057] The MEAP 9 is mounted behind a lower air intake grille made on the front bumper 10.

[0058] The MEAP 9 is arranged in the lower part of the front bumper. More particularly, the MEAP 9 is arranged under the repairability beam 8 of the front face 1.

[0059] The MEAP 9 is attached to a rear part of the front bumper, for example by screwing.

[0060] The MEAP 9 is designed to regulate the airflow through it.

[0061] For this purpose, the MEAP 9 comprises a controlled air inlet cassette 11 designed to prohibit, limit or authorize the flow of air which passes through the MEAP 9.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment of the MEAP 9 illustrated in the figures, the MEAP 9 comprises a single controlled air inlet cassette 11.

[0063] However, a distinct number of cassettes 11 may equip the MEAP 9. For example, two cassettes 11 may equip the MEAP 9, for example arranged in stages one above the other in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle.

[0064] The controlled air inlet cassette 11 comprises a frame 13, delimiting at least one air inlet.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment of the MEAP 9 illustrated in the figures, the controlled air inlet cassette 11 has two air inlets.

[0066] However, a distinct number of air inlets may be provided to the MEAP 9. For example, a single air inlet may be provided to the MEAP 9. Alternatively, more than two air inlets may be provided to the MEAP 9.

[0067] The controlled air inlet cassette 11 further comprises a set of flaps 15, movable between a position for closing the air inlet, position shown in FIG. 1, and a position for opening the air inlet (position not shown in the figures).

[0068] The controlled air inlet cassette 11 further comprises a set of actuators (not shown) for the flaps 15, the activation of which ensures the passage from one to the other of the open and closed positions of the flaps 15.

[0069] The front face 1 also includes a motor-fan unit 17, frequently designated by the acronym “GMV”, also called “cooling facade”.

[0070] The GMV 17 comprises an upper part, fixed to the upper transverse cross member (not shown) and to the lower transverse cross member (not shown), for example by means of fixing studs.

[0071] The GMV 17 comprises an upper part 19, for example fixed to the upper transverse crosspiece (not shown), and a lower part 21, for example fixed to the lower transverse crosspiece (not shown), for example by means of fixing studs.

[0072] Thus, the GMV 17 is arranged in the front face 1 of the motor vehicle behind the lower front beam 7.

[0073] The front face 1 of the motor vehicle may also comprise, behind the MEAP 9, an air duct 23 arranged in the front face 1 to convey the fresh air entering the MEAP 9 to the GMV 17. Thus, the MEAP 9 regulates the air supply to the GMV 17.

[0074] The air duct 23 comprises in its front part a flexible part 25 made of a flexible material, for example a flexible plastic, in contact with the controlled air inlet cassette 11. The flexible part 25 of the air duct 23 can for example be made of rubber of the “EPDM” type, an acronym for “ethylene-propylene-diene monomer”.

[0075] The air duct 23 also comprises in its rear part a rigid part 27 in contact with the flexible part 25 of the air duct 23.

[0076] The rigid part 27 of the air duct 23 may for example be made of a rigid material, for example a rigid plastic.

[0077] The flexible part 25 aims to ensure a good seal between the controlled air inlet cassette 11 and the rigid part 27 of the air duct 23, so as to guarantee a good seal at the air inlets of the controlled air inlet cassette 11. Thus, the flexible part 25 extends opposite the rear of the corresponding air inlet, in the continuity of the corresponding air inlet. Also, the air duct 23 comprises as many flexible parts 25 as there are air inlets.

[0078] The rigid part 27 makes it possible to give the air duct 23 sufficient functional rigidity.

[0079] We refer to figure 3 which partially shows in isometric view from below the MEAP 9 and the lower front beam 7 of the front face 1.

[0080] According to the invention, the controlled air inlet cassette 11 comprises a reinforced support piece 29 bearing on the lower front beam 7 of the front face 1.

[0081] The reinforced support piece 29 is stiffened longitudinally relative to the front face 1, that is to say that the reinforced support piece 29 comprises a means of stiffening in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle equipped with the front face 1.

[0082] For this purpose, the longitudinal reinforcement of the reinforced support piece 29 is for example obtained by means of a set of stiffening ribs 31 arranged longitudinally relative to the front face 1, conferring rigidity to the reinforced support piece 29.

[0083] In the example embodiment of the MEAP 9 given in the figures, the reinforced support piece 29 comprises three stiffening ribs 31.

[0084] However, a distinct number of stiffening ribs 31 may equip the MEAP 9. For example, the reinforced support piece 29 may comprise a lower number or a higher number of stiffening ribs 31.

[0085] In particular, the reinforced support piece 29 may comprise a single longitudinal stiffening rib 31. In this case, the stiffening rib 31 has a transverse thickness greater than that retained when the reinforced support piece 29 comprises several stiffening ribs 29.

[0086] The reinforced support piece 29 comprises, for example, in its rear part a support plate 33 arranged in the front face 1 to bear on the lower front beam 7.

[0087] For this purpose, the support plate 33 extends transversely relative to the stiffening ribs 31, that is to say it extends transversely relative to the front face 1.

[0088] In the embodiment of the reinforced support piece 29 illustrated in the figures, the stiffening ribs 31 extend from a front edge 35 of the peripheral frame 13 of the controlled air inlet cassette 11 to the support plate 33.

[0089] The stiffening ribs 31 extend under the peripheral frame 13 of the controlled air inlet cassette 11.

[0090] For example, the stiffening ribs 31 extend under the air inlet of the controlled air inlet cassette 11.

[0091] The MEAP 9 can have as many reinforced support pieces 29 as there are air inlets.

[0092] We refer to figures 4 to 7 which represent the chronological simulation of the behavior of the front face 1 during a “repairability” impact applied to the motor vehicle.

[0093] Figure 4 illustrates the condition of the front face 1 at the time of impact due to the shock.

[0094] The vehicle is projected in a "repairable" impact onto a barrier oriented at 10°, at a speed of approximately 16 km / h. The impact occurs in the example at the front left part of the vehicle.

[0095] Figure 5 illustrates the state of front face 1 after a time equal to 25 milliseconds has elapsed after impact.

[0096] The reinforced support piece 29 of the controlled air inlet cassette 11, stiffened longitudinally, causes the cassette 11 to break approximately 25 milliseconds after the impact (zone A of FIG. 5). The incompressible volume of the controlled air inlet cassette 11 is thus reduced.

[0097] The impact continues and the fact that the reinforced support piece 29 rests on the lower front beam 7 prevents the air inlet cassette 11 from pivoting downwards.

[0098] In this way, the recoil of the air intake cassette 11 is stabilized relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which makes it possible to avoid a tilting of the lower front beam 7 and the deformable box 5 located opposite the impact.

[0099] Thus, as visible in figure 6 showing the state of the front face 1 after a duration equal to 55 milliseconds has elapsed after the impact, it can be seen that there is no tilting of the lower front beam 7 and the deformable box 5 located opposite the impact (zone B of figure 6).

[0100] By avoiding such a tilting of the lower front beam 7 and the deformable box 5, the deformable box 5 works in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which makes it possible to obtain better energy dissipation during the impact.

[0101] The fact of obtaining better energy dissipation of the shock at the level by the deformable box 5 and the fact of having reduced the incompressible volume of the controlled air intake cassette 11 during its breakage at the start of the shock makes it possible to reduce the impact of the air intake cassette 11 on the motor-fan unit 17.

[0102] Thus, as visible in Figure 7 showing the state of the front face 1 after a duration equal to 100 milliseconds has elapsed after the impact, it can be seen that there is no rupture of the motor-fan unit 17 (zone C of Figure 6).

[0103] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the controlled air intake module 9 very advantageously makes it possible to improve the classification according to the RCAR system of the motor vehicle which is equipped with it.

[0104] Also, thanks to the present invention, oversizing of the structural elements of the vehicle is avoided, in particular the deformable boxes, a solution which would negatively impact the price / mass ratio.

[0105] The motor vehicle in which the front panel 1 is mounted may, for example, be a motor vehicle with an electric motor.

[0106] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle, of this front comprising such a controlled air intake module and of this motor vehicle comprising such a front, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Controlled air intake module (9) for a front face (1) of a motor vehicle, said controlled air intake module (9) being designed to regulate the flow of air passing through it and being intended to be fixed on a rear part of a front bumper (10) of said front face (1), said controlled air intake module (9) comprising a controlled air intake cassette (11), said controlled air intake module (9) being characterized in that said controlled air intake cassette (11) comprises a reinforced support piece (29), arranged so as to bear on a lower front beam (7) of said front face (1) when said controlled air intake module (9) is mounted in said front face (1) of said motor vehicle.

2. Controlled air intake module (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that said reinforced support piece (29) comprises at least one stiffening rib (31) arranged longitudinally relative to said front face (1) when said controlled air intake module (9) is mounted in said front face (1) of said motor vehicle.

3. Controlled air intake module (9) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said reinforced support piece (29) comprises a support plate (33) extending transversely relative to said front face (1) when said controlled air intake module (9) is mounted in said front face (1) of said motor vehicle, said support plate (33) being arranged to bear on said lower front beam (7) of said front face (1) when said controlled air intake module (9) is mounted in said front face (1) of said motor vehicle.

4. Controlled air inlet module (9) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein said controlled air inlet cassette (11) comprises a peripheral frame (13) delimiting in its inner part at least one air inlet, characterized in that said at least one stiffening rib (31) extends from a front edge (35) of said peripheral frame (13) of said controlled air inlet cassette (11) to said support plate (33).

5. Controlled air inlet module (9) according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one stiffening rib (31) extends under said peripheral frame (13).

6. Controlled air inlet module (9) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said reinforced support piece (29) comprises several stiffening ribs (31), in particular three stiffening ribs (31).

7. Front end (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a front bumper (10), - a controlled air inlet module (9), - a lower front beam (7), extending transversely relative to said front face (1) and arranged in front of deformable boxes (5) of said front face (1), - a motor-fan unit (17), arranged in said front face (1) behind said lower front beam (7), said front face (1) being characterized in that said controlled air intake module (9) is obtained according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in that said controlled air intake module (9) is fixed on a rear part of said front bumper (10) and in that said reinforced support piece (29) of said controlled air intake cassette (11) rests on said lower front beam (7) of said front face (1).

8. Front end (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an air duct (23) mounted behind said controlled air intake module (9), arranged to convey the air entering said controlled air intake module (9) towards said motor-fan unit (17), said air duct (23) comprising a flexible part (25) in contact with the controlled air intake cassette (11) and a rigid part (27) behind said flexible part (25) and in contact with said flexible part (25).

9. Front end (1) of a motor vehicle according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said controlled air intake module (9) is arranged in the lower part of said front bumper (10).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front face (1), characterized in that said front face (1) is obtained according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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