Trim element for the rear door of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim element (200) for the rear door of a motor vehicle, the element being intended to be fixedly mounted on the main door body of the rear door while extending transversely between two rear optical units, the trim element constituting a hollow elongate body that is open in its rear portion intended to be fitted against the main door body, the trim element comprising an elongate core (210) that is open at both of its lateral ends and two lateral closure cheeks (220) that are fixedly attached to the core (210), each cheek comprising an outer lateral end wall (221) that closes a respective lateral end of the core and having at least one portion that is intended to interlockingly fit together with an inner portion of the peripheral perimeter of a corresponding optical unit, the two lateral closure cheeks and the core each being moulded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Trim for the rear flap of a motor vehicle [Technical field] [1] The present invention claims priority from French application 2305437 filed on 31.05.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. [2] The present invention relates generally to trim elements intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle opening. It relates more particularly to a trim for the rear flap of such a motor vehicle. [Earlier technique] [3] A motor vehicle comprises, in a known manner, optical units mounted at the front and rear of said vehicle. These optical units make it possible, on the one hand, to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings to improve the driver's visibility, particularly in night conditions, and, on the other hand, to signal the position of the vehicle to other road users. [4] For primarily aesthetic reasons and to improve perceived quality, a trim is sometimes fixedly mounted on the main body of the rear flap of certain motor vehicles, so as to extend between two rear light signalling units mounted on this flap body or on the body structure of the vehicle. [5] Document FR 3 084 309 A1 discloses such a trim for a rear flap of a motor vehicle in the form of an elongated hollow body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main flap body. [6] This trim comprises two external end side walls, each having at least one portion which fits in a form-fitting manner with an internal portion of the peripheral edge of a corresponding rear light unit, so as to obtain a small, homogeneous clearance between these various elements, guaranteeing an optimal aesthetic appearance. [7] In order to obtain optimal freedom of form associated with a reasonable cost price, such a hubcap is generally molded from a single piece by an injection process of a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers. [8] For reasons mainly linked to the complexity of the demoulding operations which can generate burrs, such a manufacturing process does not allow, except in the case of the use of particularly expensive special moulds, the production of hubcaps whose longitudinal depth is greater than 20 or 30 millimetres, which leads to certain limitations in the freedom of style of the rear part of the vehicles. [Statement of the invention] [9] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0010] To this end, it proposes a trim for a rear flap of a motor vehicle designed to be fixedly mounted on the main body of the flap of said rear flap, extending transversely between two rear optical units of said vehicle, said trim constituting a hollow elongated body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main body of the flap, and comprising two external end side walls each having at least one portion designed to fit by correspondence of shape with an internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a said corresponding optical unit;characterized in that said trim comprises an elongated core open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks fixedly attached to said elongated core and each comprising a said external lateral end wall closing a respective lateral end of said elongated core, the two said lateral closing cheeks and said elongated core each being molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer.;

[0011] Such a multi-piece design thus makes it possible to obtain, at a reasonable cost, a rear flap trim with a significant longitudinal depth (typically greater than 100 millimeters), so as to offer greater freedom of style.

[0012] According to preferred characteristics of said hubcap according to the invention: - each said lateral closing cheek also comprises an attachment wall extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end lateral wall and fixed against the inner face of a corresponding end lateral portion of said elongated core; - said attachment wall of each said lateral closing cheek is fixed by hot-stamping against the inner face of a said corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core; - said attachment wall of each said lateral closing cheek is fixed by gluing against the inner face of a corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core; - each said lateral end portion of said elongated core comprises at least one stop member projecting from its inner face and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch formed in the inner edge of said attachment wall of a corresponding lateral closing cheek; - said elongated core, having a cross-sectional shape of 7, comprises a rear strip as well as an upper aerodynamic support fin extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of said rear strip; - each said lateral closing cheek comprises a partition extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall and from the top of which several first support pads project, spaced longitudinally from each other, said first pads resting against the inner face of said upper fin of the elongated core; - said partition of each said lateral closing cheek is extended at its rear end by a return extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second support pads project, spaced longitudinally from each other, said second pads resting against the inner face of said upper fin of the elongated core near its front edge; and / or - said return of each said side closing cheek carries a staple metal forming a nut and constituting a fixing member by screwing said trim onto said main shutter body.

[0013] The invention finally relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising a body structure, two rear optical signaling units fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of said body structure, as well as a rear flap pivotally mounted about a transverse axis on said body structure and provided with a main flap body; characterized in that said rear flap comprises such a rear flap trim, fixedly mounted on said main flap body and extending transversely between said optical units. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] 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 three-quarter rear perspective view of a rear flap of a motor vehicle equipped with a flap trim according to the invention; - [Fig 2] is a three-quarter rear perspective view from another angle of the shutter trim according to the invention mounted on the shutter of Figure 1 and consisting of a main core and two lateral closing cheeks; - [Fig 3] represents a three-quarter front perspective view of the main core which comprises the shutter trim of figure 2; - [Fig 4] is a three-quarter rear perspective view of one of the side cheeks included in the flap trim of Figure 2; - [Fig 5] represents an elevational view of one of the lateral end portions of the shutter trim of Figure 2; and - [Fig 6] is a three-quarter front perspective view of one of the side end portions of the flap trim of Figure 2. [Detailed description]

[0015] Figure 1 shows a rear trunk or tailgate flap 1 intended to be pivotally mounted around a transverse axis at the rear of a motor vehicle on the body structure of this vehicle, between a closed closing position of the opening of this trunk and an open position of release of this opening.

[0016] We define with respect to this rear flap 1 a direct orthogonal reference XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - a longitudinal axis X, parallel to the ground and coincident with the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a transverse axis Y, also parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the X axis; and - a vertical Z axis, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.

[0017] 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.

[0018] On the other hand and by convention, the terms "lower", "upper", "front" and "rear" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle on which this rear flap 1 is mounted. The terms "lower" and "lower" will indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "high". The term "front" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the front of the vehicle 1 in the horizontal direction and the term "rear" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the rear of this vehicle 1 in the same horizontal direction.

[0019] 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 rear trunk flap 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.

[0020] Finally, the use of the term "substantially" will indicate that a deviation of 10 to 20° is permitted from a predetermined nominal orientation, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" will indicate that a deviation of the order of 10° to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0021] The rear trunk flap 1 comprises a main metal flap body 100 consisting for example of an outer skin 110 and an inner lining (not visible) formed from stamped sheets and assembled together so as to form a hollow box having a closed cross-section in order to ensure their rigidity.

[0022] The upper part of this main shutter body 100 has an opening 111 covered by a rear window (not shown) made of glass, the periphery of which is attached by gluing to a strip 120 provided on this shutter body 100 and extending around the perimeter of this opening 111.

[0023] The rear trunk flap 1 also comprises a flap trim according to the invention 200 fixedly mounted on the main flap body 100 and extending transversely over the entire width of this flap 1 below the opening 111.

[0024] The two lateral ends of this flap trim 200 are designed to come into contact in the closed position of this flap 1, each with a respective rear optical signaling unit fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of the body structure of the vehicle (the left rear optical signaling unit 300 being thus represented in FIG. 1 in order to allow the final aesthetic rendering on the vehicle to be visualized.

[0025] Shown alone in Figure 2, this flap trim 200 constitutes an elongated hollow body here in the form of a spoiler, open in its rear part attached against the main flap body 100.

[0026] According to the invention, the shutter trim 200 comprises an elongated core 210 open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks 220, advantageously symmetrically identical with respect to its median plane, and fixedly attached to the two lateral ends of this elongated core 210.

[0027] The core 210 and the two side closing cheeks 220 are each molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0028] Having a 7-shaped cross-section, this elongated core 210, shown alone in Figure 3, comprises a rear strip 211 as well as a upper aerodynamic support wing 212 extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of this rear strip 211.

[0029] In the mounted configuration of the flap trim 200 on the main flap body 100 illustrated by FIG. 1, the lower edge 211A of the rear strip 211 and the front edge 212A of the upper fin 212 of this elongated core 210 come to rest against the outer skin 110 of this main flap body 100, the profile of which they match.

[0030] Each lateral edge 211 B of the rear strip 211 has a concave curved profile corresponding in shape to the internal portion of the rear peripheral edge of a corresponding rear optical unit 300, so as to come, in the closed position of the rear trunk flap 1 and as illustrated by FIG. 1, flush along a docking line and with a homogeneous clearance with this rear optical unit 300.

[0031] In the same way, each lateral edge 212B of the upper spoiler 212 has a rectilinear profile corresponding in shape to the internal upper edge of a respective external spoiler appendage 400 surmounting a corresponding optical unit 300 to which it is fixed, so as to come, in the closed position of the rear trunk flap 1 and as illustrated by FIG. 1, flush along a docking line and with a homogeneous clearance with this external spoiler appendage 400.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 3, the elongated core 210 of the trim 200 comprises a plurality of support bridges 213 taking root on the inner face of its rear strip 211 and each comprising a front top wall having an insertion notch 213A for the positioning and retention along a longitudinal axis of fixing clips not shown and provided with elastically deformable heads intended to cooperate by snap-fastening with orifices provided in the outer skin 110 of the main shutter body 100 in order to ensure the fixing of the trim 200 on this main shutter body 100.

[0033] Still with reference to Figure 3, this elongated core 210 also includes indexing means intended to ensure precise positioning of the trim 200 on the main shutter body 100, so as to obtain a correct docking of this trim 200 with respect to the optical units 300 in the closed position of the shutter 1.

[0034] These indexing means comprise in this case two first pins with a cross section 214 projecting longitudinally forward from the top walls of two support bridges 215 taking root on the inner face of the rear strip 211, at the level of its two lateral portions, and provided to be inserted into holes of corresponding shape made in the outer skin 110 of the main body of the flap 100.

[0035] These indexing means further advantageously comprise two other cross-section pins 216 projecting longitudinally forward directly from the inner face of the rear strip 211, close to its two upper corners, and also provided to be inserted into holes of corresponding shape made in the outer skin 110 of the main shutter body 100.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each lateral closing cheek 220 of the shutter trim 200 comprises an external end lateral wall 221 closing a respective lateral end of the elongated core 210.

[0037] This external end side wall 221 comprises a main portion 221 A having a concave shape complementary to that of the internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a corresponding rear optical unit 300, as well as an upper portion 221 B surmounting this main portion 221 A and having a substantially planar shape complementary to that of the internal end wall of a respective external spoiler appendage 400.

[0038] Each side closure cheek 220 also comprises an attachment wall 222 extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end side wall 221 and fixed by riveting (or hot riveting) against the inner face of a corresponding end side portion of the elongated core 210 (see figure 5).

[0039] To do this, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 comprises several fixing pins 217 projecting longitudinally from the inner face of its rear strip 211 (see figures 3 and 5) and passing through corresponding oblong orifices 223 formed in the front attachment wall 222 to be hot-stamped against this attachment wall 222 around the perimeter of these orifices 223.

[0040] In order to guarantee optimal transverse and vertical positioning of the lateral closing cheeks 220 on the elongated core 210, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 advantageously comprises at least one stop member 218 projecting from its inner face and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch 224 formed in the inner edge of the attachment wall 222 of a corresponding lateral closing cheek 220.

[0041] Preferably and in order to ensure optimal positioning while avoiding any risk of pivoting around a longitudinal axis, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 will advantageously comprise at least two said stop members 218 offset vertically from one another.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 6 and in order to ensure better vertical support of the lateral portions of the upper fin 212 of the elongated core 210, each lateral closing cheek 220 advantageously comprises a partition 225 extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall 221 and from the top of which several first support studs 226 project, spaced longitudinally from each other, these first studs 226 resting against the inner face of this upper fin 212.

[0043] This partition 225 is advantageously extended at its rear end by a return 227 extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second supporting studs 228 project, spaced longitudinally from each other, these second studs 228 resting against the inner face of this upper wall 212 of the elongated core 210 near its front edge.

[0044] Finally, and as can be seen in this figure 6, this return 227 preferably carries a metal clip 229 forming a nut and thus constituting an additional fixing member by screwing the trim 200 onto the main body of the shutter 100.

[0045] According to embodiment variants not shown, the attachment wall of each side closing cheek to the main core can be fixed by gluing.

[0046] Many variant embodiments are of course conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all variant embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art. I

Claims

Claims

1. Trim (200) for rear flap (1) of a motor vehicle intended to be fixedly mounted on the main flap body (100) of said rear flap (1) by extending transversely between two rear optical units (300) of said vehicle, said trim (200) constituting a hollow elongated body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main flap body (100), and comprising two external end lateral walls (221) each having at least one portion (221 A) intended to fit by correspondence of shape with an internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a said corresponding optical unit (300);characterized in that said trim (200) comprises an elongated core (210) open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks (220) fixedly attached to said elongated core (210) and each comprising a said external lateral end wall (221) closing a respective lateral end of said elongated core (210), the two said lateral closing cheeks (220) and said elongated core (210) each being molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer.;

2. Hubcap (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said lateral closing cheek (220) also comprises an attachment wall (222) extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end lateral wall (221) and fixed against the inner face of a corresponding end lateral portion of said elongated core (210).

3. Hubcap (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment wall (222) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is fixed by hot-stamping against the inner face of a said corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core (210).

4. Hubcap (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment wall (222) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is fixed by gluing against the inner face of a corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core (210).

5. Hubcap (200) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each said lateral end portion of said core elongated (210) comprises at least one stop member (218) projecting from its inner face and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch (224) formed in the inner edge of said attachment wall (222) of a corresponding lateral closing cheek (220).

6. Hubcap (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said elongated core (210), having a cross-sectional shape of 7, comprises a rear strip (211) as well as an upper aerodynamic support fin (212) extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of said rear strip (211).

7. Hubcap (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that each said lateral closing cheek (220) comprises a partition (225) extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall (221) and from the top of which several first supporting studs (226) project longitudinally spaced from each other, said first studs (226) resting against the inner face of said upper fin (212) of the elongated core (210).

8. Hubcap (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that said partition (225) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is extended at its rear end by a return (227) extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second supporting studs (228) project longitudinally spaced from each other, said second studs (228) resting against the inner face of said upper fin (212) of the elongated core (210) near its front edge.

9. Trim (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that said return (227) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) carries a metal clip (229) forming a nut and constituting a member for fixing by screwing said trim (200) onto said main shutter body (100).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a body structure, two rear optical signaling units (300) fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of said body structure, as well as a rear flap (1) pivotally mounted about a transverse axis on said body structure and provided with a main shutter body (100); characterized in that said rear shutter (1) comprises a rear shutter trim (200) according to one of claims 1 to 9, fixedly mounted on said main shutter body (100) extending transversely between said optical units (300).

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