Front bumper for a motor vehicle incorporating a lighting and / or signalling headlight

Abstract

The invention relates to a front bumper including a headlight (200) comprising a lens including a first translucent portion (221) having a front façade (222) provided with an outer lateral edge (222B) that is flush with the inner lateral edge (121A) of the front façade (121) of a lateral brace (120) of this bumper; the lens including a second portion (224) overmoulded on the first portion and comprising a groove (226) turned towards the rear, adjacent by the front face of one of its side arms (226A) to the inner face of the outer lateral edge of the front façade of this lens and extending set back from same, the lateral brace comprising a return with an L-shaped section (122) comprising a dropped proximal arm (122A) connected to the inner lateral edge of the front façade of this brace, as well as a distal arm (122B) projecting in front of the proximal arm and being inserted into the groove.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Front bumper for a motor vehicle incorporating an optical lighting and / or signaling unit The present invention claims priority from French application 2302120 filed on 08.03.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field] [1] The present invention relates generally to the field of front bumpers for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to such a front bumper incorporating at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit. [Earlier technique] [2] The front bumpers of motor vehicles have an outer skin typically comprising a central shield and two side brackets. [3] As disclosed for example in document FR 3 083 514 A1, certain front bumpers can also integrate at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit embedded in an opening made in said outer skin between said central shield and a said side crosspiece. [4] Such optical units are, for example, commonly used to provide the daytime running light function, also known by the English acronym DRL for “Day time Running Lamp”, which is automatically activated when the vehicle moves forward in order to increase its visibility in daylight conditions. [5] Each of these optical units conventionally comprises a housing housing at least one light module and being closed by an external covering glass intended to be surrounded at least partially by the external bumper skin. [6] The housing of each optical unit is generally fixedly secured by screwing to internal reinforcement elements of the front bumper, themselves fixedly secured (by screwing, welding or clipping) to the outer skin of the bumper. [7] The outer cover glass of each optical unit has a front face provided with an external lateral edge which is flush with the internal lateral edge of the front face of a lateral bracket to form a docking line. Managing clearances and flushness at this docking line is essential for the aesthetics of the front of the vehicle. [8] In order for the play at this docking line to be uniform, the external lateral edge of the front face of the ice generally takes the form of a U-shaped groove whose opening faces forward and in which a dropped return is housed connected to the internal face of the internal lateral edge of the front face of the stock. [9] Unfortunately, this type of groove cannot be made on certain types of ice cream whose demoulding directions have too great an angle of inclination with the longitudinal direction.

[0010] Furthermore, some optical units may have windows with an upper front panel involving a greater number of docking lines between this window and the bumper skin, so as to generate certain difficulties in managing clearances and flushness. [Statement of the invention]

[0011] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0012] To this end, it proposes a front bumper for a motor vehicle comprising an outer skin comprising a central shield and two lateral brackets, as well as at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit embedded in an opening made in said skin between said central shield and a said lateral bracket, said optical unit comprising a housing housing at least one light module and being closed by an outer cover glass comprising a first translucent portion having a front facade provided with an external lateral edge coming flush with the internal lateral edge of the front facade of said lateral bracket to form a first docking line; characterized in that said glass also comprises a second portion overmolded on the peripheral edge of said first translucent portion and comprising a first groove whose opening is turned towards the rear, this first groove being attached by the front face of one of its lateral branches to the inner face of the external lateral edge of the front facade of said glass and extending back from this front facade, said lateral stock comprising a first return with an L-shaped section comprising a dropped proximal branch connected to the internal lateral edge of the front facade of this stock, as well as a distal branch projecting in front of said dropped proximal branch and being inserted into said first groove.

[0013] The invention thus makes it possible to manage the clearances and flushness along this first docking line while allowing relatively easy demolding of the glass even if its front face has a complex geometric shape and / or an upper face also coming flush with the outer skin of the bumper.

[0014] According to preferred characteristics of said front bumper according to the invention: - the distal branch of said first return comprises at least one protruding boss in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with a lateral branch of said first groove of the glass; - said glass comprises at least one rib extending substantially horizontally in said first groove and being inserted into a corresponding cutout made in the distal branch of said first return; - said glass comprises several said vertically stepped ribs, each of which is inserted into a corresponding cutout made in the distal branch of said first return; - the distal branch of said first return extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge of the front face of said lateral stock; - said second portion of the ice is opaque; - said first translucent portion of the glass has an upper front provided with an external lateral edge curved downwards and coming flush with the internal lateral edge of the upper front of said lateral stock to form a second docking line joining said first docking line at the upper front corner of said glass, said stock lateral comprising a second dropped return extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge of its upper facade and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge of said upper facade of the glass; - the front face of said glass is provided with an internal lateral edge coming flush with the external lateral edge of the front face of said central shield to form a third docking line, said glass comprising a second groove whose opening is turned towards the front, this second groove being connected by one of its lateral branches to the internal lateral edge of the front face of said glass and extending back from this front face while projecting laterally from the internal side of the latter, said central shield comprising a third dropped return extending towards the rear from the external lateral edge of the front face of this shield and being inserted into said second groove; and / or - said second groove is formed in said first translucent portion of the glass.

[0015] The invention finally aims, in a second aspect, at a motor vehicle comprising at least one such front bumper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig 1] represents a perspective view of the left side part of a motor vehicle front bumper incorporating an optical unit embedded in an opening made in the outer skin of this bumper between its central shield and its left side crosspiece; - [Fig 2] is a three-quarter rear view of the upper part of the optical block of figure 1; - [Fig 3] represents a view of the upper front corner of the left side cross member of the outer skin of the bumper of figure 1; - [Fig 4] is a sectional view of the left side portion of the front bumper of Figure 1, taken along a horizontal sectional plane passing through the front face of the optical unit glass; and - [Fig 5] represents a sectional view of the left side part of the bumper front of figure 1, taken along a vertical transverse section plane crossing the upper facade of the optical unit glass. [Detailed description]

[0017] Figure 1 represents a three-quarter front view of the left side part of a front bumper 1 of a motor vehicle comprising an outer bumper skin 100 comprising a central shield 110 and two side brackets of which only the left side bracket 120 is visible in this figure 1.

[0018] This left side part of the bumper 1 incorporates an optical unit 200 participating in this case in the daytime running light or DRL signaling function and being embedded in an opening made in the bumper skin 100 between its central shield 110 and its left side crosspiece 120.

[0019] Generally speaking, this optical unit 200 can participate in the realization of any photometric signaling function (for example, the brake light, reversing light, position light or even direction indicator function) or lighting function (for example, the main beam, dipped beam or even fog light function).

[0020] In the description which follows and by convention, we define with respect to the front bumper 1 an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, - a Y axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane.

[0021] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinally" will refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms "transverse" or "transversely" will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms "vertical" or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0022] On the other hand, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X axis. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used to specify the relative position of certain elements relative to the orientation of the Z axis.

[0023] The terms "external" and "internal" will be used to define the relative position of an element with reference to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the bumper 1. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal as opposed to the other element further from this same plane which will be described as external.

[0024] Finally, the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" indicates that a deviation of the order of 15 to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0025] Partially shown in a three-quarter rear view in Figure 2, the optical unit 200 comprises a housing 210 advantageously molded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and housing at least one light module.

[0026] This housing 210 is fixed to several interior reinforcement elements of the front bumper 1, which are not visible and are themselves fixedly secured (by screwing, welding or clipping) to the outer skin 100 constituting the only part visible from the outside of this bumper 1.

[0027] The housing 210 also has an exit opening for the light rays which is closed by an external cover glass 220 fixedly attached to this housing 210 on the peripheral periphery of its opening, by gluing or by laser welding so as to ensure perfect sealing.

[0028] The glass 220 comprises a first translucent portion of crystal tint 221 made of a translucent thermoplastic polymer such as a polycarbonate (PC).

[0029] This first translucent portion 221 forms the front 222 and upper 223 facades of the window 220, visible from the exterior of the vehicle and bordered by the outer bumper skin 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0030] The glass 220 also includes a second opaque portion of black tint 224 overmolded on the peripheral edge of the first translucent portion 221 and visible in figures 2, 4 and 5.

[0031] Intended to mask the technical zones (in particular, those of docking of the window 220 and the bumper skin 100) from the view of an observer looking at this window from outside the vehicle, this second opaque portion 224 is made from a second opaque thermoplastic polymer, advantageously of the same family as that forming the first translucent portion 221 in order to ensure better adhesion between the two portions, in particular at the level of the surface zone(s) of edge-to-edge junction that the window 220 comprises.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the internal lateral edge 222A of the front facade 222 of the glass 220 is flush with the external lateral edge 111A of the front facade 111 of the central shield 110 of the outer skin 100 to form a docking line Lfi.

[0033] In order to manage the clearances and flushness along this docking line Lfi, the glass 220 comprises a groove 225 with a U-shaped section whose opening faces forward, this groove 225 being connected by one 225A of its lateral branches 225A, 225B in the thickness of the internal lateral edge 222A of the front facade 222 and extending back from this facade 222 while projecting laterally from the internal side of the latter.

[0034] This groove 225 is advantageously formed in the translucent portion 221 of the glass 220 as illustrated by this figure 4.

[0035] The central shield 110 of the outer skin 100 comprises a dropped return 112 extending rearward from the external lateral edge 111A of its front facade 111 and being inserted into the groove 225.

[0036] Still with reference to this figure 4, the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 of the glass 220 comes flush with the internal lateral edge 121A of the front facade 121 of the lateral stock 120 of the external skin 100 to form a docking line Lf e .

[0037] According to the invention and in order to manage the clearances and outcrops along this docking line Lf e , the ice 220 comprises a groove 226 with a V-shaped section formed in its second opaque portion 224 and the opening of which is turned towards the rear, this groove 226 being connected by one 226A of its lateral branches 226A, 226B to the inner face of the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 and extending back from this facade 222.

[0038] More precisely and as illustrated by figure 4, the lateral branch 226A of this groove 226 is attached by its front face to the inner face of the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 so as to define a surface area of ​​junction between the two translucent 221 and opaque 224 portions of the glass 220.

[0039] The lateral butt 120 of the outer skin 100 comprises a return 122 with an L-shaped section comprising a dropped proximal branch 122A connected in the thickness of the internal lateral edge 121A of the front facade 121 of the lateral butt 120, as well as a distal branch 122B projecting in front of this dropped proximal branch 122A and being inserted into the groove 226.

[0040] This distal branch 122B advantageously extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge 121A of the front face 121 of the lateral stock 120.

[0041] With reference to figure 3 and in order to precisely manage the longitudinal positioning of the internal lateral edge 121A of the front face 121 of the lateral stock 120, the distal branch 122B of the return 122 comprises at least one boss 125 projecting in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with the lateral branch 226A of the groove 226 of the glass 220.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 5, the outer lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220, curved downwards and coming flush with the inner lateral edge 123A of the upper facade 123 of the lateral stock 120 of the outer skin 100 to form a docking line L se joining the Lf berthing line e at the upper front corner of the 220 ice.

[0043] In order to manage the clearances and outcrops along this berthing line L se, the lateral butt 120 of the outer skin 100 comprises a dropped return 126 extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge 123A of its upper facade 123 and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220.

[0044] As illustrated in Figure 2 and in particular to avoid any vertical play between the internal lateral edge 123A of the upper facade 123 of the lateral stock 120 and the external lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220, this glass 220 advantageously comprises at least one rib 227 extending substantially horizontally in the groove 226 and being inserted into a corresponding cutout 124 formed in the distal branch 122B of the return 122 (see Figure 3).

[0045] Preferably and as can be seen in this figure 2, the glass 220 comprises several ribs 227 arranged vertically and each inserted into a corresponding cutout 124 made in the distal branch 122B of the return 122.

[0046]

Claims

Claims

1. Front bumper (1) of a motor vehicle comprising an outer skin (100) comprising a central shield (110) and two lateral brackets (120), as well as at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit (200) embedded in an opening made in said skin (100) between said central shield (110) and a said lateral bracket (120), said optical unit (200) comprising a housing (210) housing at least one light module and being closed by an outer cover glass (220) comprising a first translucent portion (221) having a front facade (222) provided with an external lateral edge (222B) coming flush with the internal lateral edge (121A) of the front facade (121) of said lateral bracket (120) to form a first docking line (Lf e); characterized in that said glass (220) also comprises a second portion (224) overmolded on the peripheral edge of said first translucent portion and comprising a first groove (226) whose opening is turned towards the rear, this first groove (226) being attached by the front face of one (226A) of its lateral branches (226A, 226B) to the inner face of the external lateral edge (222B) of the front facade (222) of said glass (200) and extending back from this front facade (222), said lateral stock (120) comprising a first return with an L-shaped section (122) comprising a dropped proximal branch (122A) connected to the internal lateral edge (121 A) of the front facade (121 ) of this stock (120), as well as a distal branch (122B) projecting in front of said dropped proximal branch (122A) and being inserted into said first groove (226).

2. Front bumper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122) comprises at least one boss (125) projecting in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with a lateral branch (226A) of said first groove (226) of the glass (220).

3. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said glass (220) comprises at least one rib (227) extending substantially horizontally in said first groove (226) and being inserted into a corresponding cutout (124) made in the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122).

4. Front bumper (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said glass (220) comprises several said ribs (227) arranged vertically and each inserted into a corresponding cutout (124) made in the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122).

5. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122) extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge (121 A) of the front face (121) of said lateral butt (120).

6. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said second portion (224) of the glass (220) is opaque.

7. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first translucent portion (221) of the glass (220) has an upper front (223) provided with an external lateral edge (223B) curved downwards and coming flush with the internal lateral edge (123A) of the upper front (123) of said lateral crosspiece (120) to form a second docking line (L se ) joining the said first docking line (Lf e ) at the upper front corner of said glass (220), said lateral crosspiece (120) comprising a second dropped return (126) extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge (123A) of its upper facade (123) and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge (223B) of said upper facade (223) of the glass (220).

8. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front facade (222) of said glass (220) is provided with an internal lateral edge (222A) coming flush with the external lateral edge (111A) of the front facade (111) of said central shield (110) to form a third docking line (LA), said glass (220) comprising a second groove (225) whose opening is turned towards the front, this second groove (225) being connected by one (225A) of its lateral branches (225A, 225B) to the internal lateral edge (222A) of the front facade (222) of said glass (220) and extending back from this front facade (222) by projecting laterally from the internal side of the latter, said central shield (110) comprising a third dropped return (112) extending rearwardly from the external lateral edge (111 A) of the front facade (111) of this shield (110) and being inserted into said second groove (225).

9. Front bumper (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said second groove (225) is formed in said first translucent portion (221) of the glass (220).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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