Covering part for a bumper of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a covering part (18) for a bumper (14) of a motor vehicle, with an external component and with an internal component (22, 24) which are each formed from plastic and are connected to each other at least in a connecting region (36). The internal component (24) has a first wall region (42) and a second wall region (44) which is formed more flexibly in relation thereto.

Description

[0001] Trim part for a bumper of a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a trim part for a bumper of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Such a trim part is used, for example, as the central front trim part of a bumper fascia, particularly in electrically powered motor vehicles. The trim part typically comprises an outer component forming the vehicle's outer skin and an inner component, each made of plastic and connected to one another at least in one connecting area.

[0004] Particularly in the connection area of ​​the two components, this can lead to a significant increase in the rigidity, in particular the flexural rigidity, of the entire component or the cladding part, which can lead to high loads on the person hit in pedestrian protection load cases.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a trim part whose rigidity, in particular flexural rigidity, is reduced at least in some areas.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a trim part having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The trim part according to the invention comprises an exterior component, in particular and preferably forming the outer skin of the motor vehicle, and a component arranged on the inside thereof, which is in particular at least partially covered by the exterior component. Both components are formed from a respective, possibly different, plastic and are connected to one another at least in a connecting region.

[0008] To create a trim part whose rigidity, in particular flexural rigidity, is reduced at least in some areas, the inner component according to the invention has a first wall region and a second wall region that is more flexible than the first. This allows the inner component to be specifically designed to be flexible at appropriate locations, so that the connecting region between the two components, in particular, is not excessively rigid. Accordingly, the inner component has the more flexible second wall region, particularly in the connecting region with the outer component, or the more flexible wall region at least partially forms the connecting region of the inner component, so that its rigidity in the connecting region is specifically reduced.As a result, a targeted reduction or weakening of the rigidity, particularly the flexural rigidity, of the entire component or the trim panel is achieved, particularly in the connection area between the two components, but possibly also at other points on the inner component, so that in pedestrian protection load cases, the person struck is subjected to only a reduced load. The outer component, on the other hand, ensures that the trim panel has sufficient rigidity during vehicle operation to withstand normal operational loads.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer and inner components delimit a receiving space, resulting in a box-shaped trim part, at least in some areas—as seen in a cross-sectional view of the trim part—with the components spaced apart from one another at least in some areas. In order to specifically reduce the rigidity of the box-shaped trim part, especially in the connection area of ​​the two components, the inventive flexibility of the second wall area of ​​the inner component is provided, preferably in the connection area with the outer component.

[0010] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the outer component and the inner component are tightly connected to one another along a circumferential connecting region to form a sealed receiving space. In other words, the inner component, in particular, with its respective, differently flexible wall regions, is designed in such a way that a tight connection between the two components is achieved in the connecting region, especially when the flexible wall region of the inner component forms the connecting region with the outer component.

[0011] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the more flexible second wall region of the inner component is provided at least partially in the connection area with the outer component. This results in a particularly advantageous reduction in the rigidity of the trim part in the connection area of ​​the two components with regard to pedestrian protection.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the more flexible second wall region forms an at least substantially flat surface area of ​​the inner component. This also allows the rigidity of the trim part to be specifically reduced with regard to pedestrian protection.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second wall regions of the interior component are manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. This two-component injection molding process allows the interior component to be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively.

[0014] Finally, it is advantageous if the exterior component is designed as an at least partially transparent front panel. This allows a corresponding lighting device to be integrated into the receiving space, which is preferably sealed, and illuminates the front of the vehicle.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0016] Showing:

[0017] Fig. 1a, b, c a perspective rear view, a perspective sectional view along a center plane of the motor vehicle running in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction and an enlarged perspective sectional view through a bumper arrangement for a passenger car with a bumper in whose bumper lining a lining part according to the invention is integrated;

[0018] Fig. 2 is a sectional view along a center plane of the motor vehicle running in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the bumper arrangement with the trim part integrated into the bumper trim in an operating position,

[0019] Fig. 3 is a sectional view along a center plane of the motor vehicle running in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the bumper arrangement with the trim part integrated into the bumper trim in a position displaced rearward due to an accident,

[0020] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the trim part of the bumper fascia; and

[0021] Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a sectional plane shown by the line VV, running in the vertical direction and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, through the trim part according to Fig. 4.

[0022] Figure 1a shows a perspective rear view of a bumper assembly for a passenger car, which is particularly powered by an electric drive. Visible in particular are two energy absorption elements 10, also referred to as crash boxes, which are connected at one end to main longitudinal members of a front-end structure of the motor vehicle and at whose front ends a bumper cross member 12 extends horizontally and in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0023] A bumper 14, which includes a bumper fascia 16, is held at the front of the motor vehicle by means of a base support. In a central upper region, the bumper fascia 16 of the bumper 14 includes a fascia part 18, which in this case—as can be seen in Figure 1b in a perspective sectional view along a center plane of the motor vehicle running in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle, and in Figure 1c in a perspective sectional view enlarged compared to Figure 1b—is designed like a housing to accommodate a lighting device 28. The design of the fascia part 18, which in this case is illuminated, for example, as an indication of the vehicle's electric drive, will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 5.

[0024] In conjunction with Figures 2 and 3, which each show a sectional view along a center plane of the motor vehicle running in the vehicle's vertical and longitudinal directions through the bumper assembly with the trim part 18 integrated into the bumper fascia 16, it is initially apparent that a limiting part 20 is arranged and supported on the front side of the bumper cross member 12. This limiting part 20 extends, for example, across the entire length or width of the trim part 18 in the vehicle's transverse direction. By means of the limiting part 20, which is also referred to as a pendulum stop, an accident-related backward displacement of the trim part 18, as indicated in Figure 3, can be limited.The use of the pendulum stop makes it possible to achieve sufficiently high rigidity and, for example, to decelerate or stop collision objects other than pedestrians that impact the bumper fascia 16. This allows, for example, objects simulated by a pendulum to be stopped and impacted by the bumper fascia to prevent excessive intrusion into the front end of the vehicle. The bumper fascia 16 with the fascia part 18 is arranged at a distance in front of the bumper cross member 12 and the limiting part 20.

[0025] In this case, the trim part 18 comprises a front or outer component 22 in the form of a front panel, which is made, for example, partially transparent from a plastic. The front panel, together with an inner component 24 of the trim part 18, forms a sealed receiving space 26 within which a lighting device 28 is arranged. The outer component 22, i.e. here the front panel, and the inner component 24 are connected to one another via a plug-in connection 30 with a plug-in part 32 on the front panel side and a receiving groove 34 with an approximately C-shaped cross-section on the inner component 24 side in a connecting region 36 running around the outer circumference. This connecting region 36 running around the outer circumference is clearly visible in Figure 4, in which the trim part 18 is shown in a rear view from the back to the front, or from the interior of the motor vehicle towards the outside.

[0026] According to Figure 5, which shows the trim part 18 in a sectional view along a sectional plane shown by the line VV, running in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle, through the trim part 18 according to Figure 4, it can be seen in particular that the lighting device 28 is arranged within the receiving space 26. This comprises in particular a reflector 40, within which light elements, in particular LEDs (LED = English term "Light Emitting Diode"), are arranged, as well as a cover layer 43 designed as a diffuser, which is arranged behind the outer component 22 / front panel. The front panel is also transparent, at least in some areas, so that the light from the LEDs is visible from the front.

[0027] As a combination of Figures 4 and 5 shows, the inner component 24 has at least one, in the present case several, first wall regions 42 and at least one, in the present case also several, second wall regions 44 which are more flexible than the first wall regions. As can be seen in particular from Figure 5, the more flexible second wall region 44 of the inner component 24 is provided at least partially - in the lower region of the connection region 36 with the outer component 22. In particular, in the present case, the C-shaped receiving groove 34 on the side of the inner component 24, which forms a plug-in connection 30 with a plug-in part 32 on the side of the front panel, is partially created on the underside by the more flexible second wall region 44 of the inner component 24.It can also be seen that respective first wall regions 42 and more flexible second wall regions 44 form respective, at least substantially flat surface regions of the inner component 24. The first and second wall regions 42, 44 of the inner component 24 are, in particular, manufactured from a respective plastic using a two-component injection molding process. The outer component 22, i.e., the front panel, is also made of plastic.

[0028] It can thus be seen that the two components 22, 24 of the trim part 18 are tightly connected to one another in a circumferential connecting region 36 in order to form the sealed receiving space 26 for the lighting device 28. If the trim part 18 is displaced rearward from the operating position shown in Figure 2 as a result of a pedestrian impact and comes into contact, for example, with the limiting part 20 according to Figure 3, the flexible design of the at least one second wall region 44 of the inner component 24 ensures that the trim part 18 does not have excessive rigidity, but rather yields in a targeted manner. This can prevent excessive force from being applied to the pedestrian as a result of excessive rigidity of the trim part 18.

[0029] Considering Figures 2 and 3, the necessary clearance, i.e., the distance between the limiting part 20 and the inner component 24, for pedestrian protection is increased by using a soft material for the trim part 18. Thus, when subjected to load, the housing of the trim part 18 yields even under low loads. This applies to any component in this load range, which consists of multiple components, not all of which need to be rigid.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Trim part (18) for a bumper (14) of a motor vehicle, with an outer and an inner component (22, 24), which are each formed from plastic and are connected to one another at least in a connecting region (36), characterized in that the inner component (24) has a first wall region (42) and a second wall region (44) which is more flexible than the first wall region.

2. Covering part (18) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer and inner components (22, 24) delimit a receiving space (26).

3. Covering part (18) according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer component (22) and the inner component (24) are tightly connected to one another along a circumferential connecting region (36) to form a tight receiving space (26).

4. Covering part (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the more flexible second wall region (44) of the inner component (24) is provided at least partially in its connection region (36) with the outer component (22).

5. Covering part (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the more flexible second wall region (44) forms an at least substantially flat surface region of the inner component (24).

6. Trim part (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second wall region (42, 44) of the inner component (24) are produced in a two-component injection molding process.

7. Covering part (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer component (24) is designed as an at least partially transparent front panel.

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