Automotive body wing sealing piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing element (5) for a body wing (4) of a motor vehicle (2) configured to conceal an internal technical area (14) of the motor vehicle (2). The sealing element (5) comprises a closing portion (6) that conforms to the structure (3) of the motor vehicle (2) and the body wing (4) of the motor vehicle (2). The sealing element (5) includes a sealing extension (7) that extends the closing portion (6) and bears against an upper portion (17) of the body wing (4) on the inside of the body wing (4). The sealing extension (7) and the closing portion (6) articulate about an axis of rotation of a flexible joint (30) of the sealing element (5) in order to adjust its interaction with the body wing (4) of the motor vehicle (2) and with the structure (3) of the motor vehicle (2). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Automotive body wing sealing component

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of motor vehicle body fenders, and more particularly that of acoustic sealing of front body fenders in order to limit noise pollution. More specifically, the invention relates to a sealing component for a motor vehicle body fender.

[0002] In the prior art, there are known sealing pieces for body wings of motor vehicles made of a sound-absorbing material and intended to be fixed laterally to a structure of the motor vehicle such as a chassis, in line with the windshield support pillars of the motor vehicle, called A-pillars. Each body wing sealing piece extends over the lateral part of the body wing, and between the body wing and a front door of the motor vehicle, so as to provide acoustic insulation of the passenger compartment against the noises emitted by the motor vehicle engine.

[0003] The drawback of these vehicle body wing sealing components is that they are limited to providing lateral insulation, that is, insulation on one side of the vehicle, at the level of the front body wing. Such a sealing component thus leaves an exposed internal technical area of ​​the vehicle, partially covered by the body wing. This internal technical area is then visible from the upper side of the body wing, at the base of the windshield on the A-pillar side.

[0004] Motor vehicles are also known in which the interior technical area is concealed by a windshield trim. The windshield trim then closes off the interior technical area by extending along the A-pillar to the hood, thus covering the interior technical area.

[0005] One disadvantage of these windshield trim pieces is that they do not provide a satisfactory technical solution for all vehicle hood shapes.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a new sealing piece for a motor vehicle body wing in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a material-efficient automotive body wing sealing part, so as to limit the cost of such a part compared to existing automotive body wing sealing parts.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle body wing sealing part configured to limit the number of operations required for its manufacture, so as to reduce the cost of said part.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle body wing sealing piece configured to limit the number of operations required for its assembly with the structure of the vehicle, so as to optimize the production time of said vehicle.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a universal motor vehicle body wing sealing piece configured to fit different motor vehicle structures, and more particularly a motor vehicle body wing sealing piece independent of the hood.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a vehicle body wing sealing element, the sealing element comprising a closure portion intended to be interposed between the vehicle body wing and a structure of said vehicle, characterized in that the sealing element comprises a sealing extension located at an upper end of the closure portion and connected to the closure portion by a flexible link. The sealing element according to the first aspect of the invention is a sealing element configured to cooperate with the vehicle body wing in order to limit the noise emitted by said vehicle. The sealing element according to the first aspect of the invention comprises two sound insulation elements, namely the closure portion and the sealing extension.The closing section and the sealing extension are each configured to acoustically isolate, in separate locations, a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle from noise pollution originating in particular from an engine compartment of said motor vehicle.

[0012] The closing portion is intended to provide lateral acoustic insulation between the body wing of the motor vehicle and the structure of said motor vehicle. The acoustic insulation is referred to as "lateral" in the sense that the closing portion is intended to cooperate with a lateral portion of said body wing extending primarily along one side of the motor vehicle.

[0013] The closing portion is delimited by the upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the position of the closing portion on the side of the motor vehicle equipped with the sealing piece according to the first aspect of the invention. The upper end is intended to be oriented towards the hood of the motor vehicle and the lower end is intended to be oriented in the opposite direction, towards a bumper of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the sealing extension, located at The upper end of the closing part is intended to be oriented towards the hood.

[0014] The sealing extension is intended to provide superior sound insulation. The sound insulation is "superior" in the sense that the sealing extension is intended to cooperate with an upper part of the body wing which is located in the extension of the lateral part of said body wing, on the hood side.

[0015] The sealing extension makes it possible to conceal a technical area of ​​the interior of the motor vehicle equipped with the sealing component conforming to the first aspect of the invention. This technical area, which is located near the engine compartment, is usually left exposed when using sealing components prior to the present invention.

[0016] The flexible connection takes the form of a hinge linking the closing portion to the sealing extension, allowing the sealing extension to pivot around an axis of rotation relative to the closing portion. This pivoting capability facilitates the installation of the sealing component on the vehicle's body wing. More specifically, this pivoting capability facilitates the installation of the sealing extension on the upper part of the vehicle's body wing, once the closing portion of the sealing component has been securely fastened to the body wing at its lateral edge.

[0017] The invention in its first aspect is thus configured to extend along the entire length of the body wing of the motor vehicle laterally and in the upper part so as to improve the acoustic insulation between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle.

[0018] The motor vehicle body wing sealing piece according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the following improvements, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0019] - according to a first alternative, the sealing extension is attached to the part of The closure occurs at the flexible joint, which then takes the form of a hinge fixed on one side to the sealing extension and on the other side to the closing portion of the sealing component. Generally, the flexible joint can be attached to the sealing extension and the closing portion by any means of fastening, whether detachable or permanent. An example of a detachable fastening method is screwing. An example of a permanent fastening method is a non-detachable one, such as adhesive bonding. According to a second preferred alternative, the sealing extension and the flexible joint are formed from a single material along with the closing portion. The term "material defects" refers to the fact that, in the sealing element conforming to the first aspect of the invention, the sealing extension, the flexible connection, and the closing portion cannot be separated from one another without compromising all or part of their integrity. Thus, in the sealing element according to the invention, the sealing extension, the flexible connection, and the closing portion form a single unit, described as a monobloc, because they together constitute a single, continuous piece, made from a single piece and produced during the same manufacturing process.The invention, in its first aspect, advantageously provides a prefabricated sealing element, the manufacture of which is simplified since it eliminates the need to assemble the sealing extension, the flexible connection, and the closure portion, as well as the need for fastening means between the sealing extension and the flexible connection, and between the flexible connection and the closure portion. Furthermore, a one-piece sealing element can be machined into a variety of different dimensions to suit various motor vehicle models. Such a sealing element is also more rigid and lighter. When made from a material, the automotive body wing sealing element, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is preferably obtained by molding.When the automotive body wing sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention is demolded, it is in a so-called "unfolded" conformation. Advantageously, it extends only in one principal plane during its manufacture, which facilitates molding. For the purpose of installing the automotive body wing sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention in the vehicle, said sealing piece is in a so-called "folded" conformation, so as to extend in a secondary plane intersecting the principal plane. The folding is achieved during the rotation of the sealing extension around the axis of rotation relative to the closing portion, at the flexible connection, for the purpose of installing the automotive body wing sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention in the vehicle.

[0020] - the flexible connection comprises at least two local thinnings of material, each local thinning forming a flexible deformation zone. Local thinning is an area of ​​low mechanical strength compared to the rest of the sealing component. Local thinning is an area of ​​reduced thickness relative to the rest of the sealing component. For example, local thinning includes a groove. Local thinnings are configured so that the flexible connection deforms, allowing the sealing extension to pivot around the axis of rotation and relative to the closing portion. Advantageously, in a first embodiment, local thinnings are obtained at the same time time as the sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention is formed, for example during the molding of the latter. In this case, the number of manufacturing steps of the invention is minimized. In a second alternative embodiment to the first embodiment, the local thinnings are obtained successively during the formation of the sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention, for example by grooving said sealing piece;

[0021] - all local thinnings of material are aligned and together form an axis rotation of the flexible joint relative to the closing part. The local thinnings together form the sealing extension relative to the closing part;

[0022] - Preferably, the flexible connection is formed by exactly two amines local thinning of material, each local thinning being located near a lateral bearing edge of the sealing piece. The lateral bearing edges are opposite each other and border the sealing piece so that they can bear against the motor vehicle. For example, one of the lateral bearing edges is intended to bear against the body fender of the motor vehicle, and the other lateral bearing edge is intended to bear against the structure of the motor vehicle. The fact that the local thinnings are each located near a lateral bearing edge of the sealing piece facilitates the correct positioning of the sealing extension when it is rotated about the axis of rotation;

[0023] - two directly adjacent local thinnings of material are separated by a Circular or elliptical profile of the sealing piece. A circular or elliptical profile of the sealing piece between two directly adjacent local thinnings of material mechanically reinforces the flexible connection. In addition, such a profile allows the closing part and the sealing extension to come closer together during rotation, limiting the amount of material at the axis of rotation;

[0024] - a profile of the closing part is identical to a profile of the body wing of motor vehicle, in order to allow the closing part to rest flat against the body wing of said motor vehicle. When the profile of the closing part is identical to the profile of the body wing of the motor vehicle, the shapes of the closing part and the body wing are complementary at the level of the profile of the closing part and the profile of the body wing of the motor vehicle. This complementarity contributes, when the invention is implemented in the motor vehicle, to good sound insulation between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment;

[0025] - the sealing extension includes means for retaining against the wing of the car Vehicle fender flares. The retaining devices contribute to the positioning of the sealing extension against the vehicle's bodywork fender. Thus, During the implementation of the invention in the motor vehicle, the retaining means contribute to good sound insulation between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. In particular, the retaining means make it possible to compensate for vibrations of the sealing extension, whether these vibrations are intrinsic or extrinsic to the motor vehicle;

[0026] - the retention means take the form of an adhesive bonded to a support face of the sealing extension intended to be placed against the body wing of the motor vehicle. More specifically, the adhesive is fixed securely to the bearing surface of the sealing extension, for example by means of double-sided adhesive;

[0027] - the retention means take the form of a magnetic surface attached to a bearing surface of the sealing extension intended to bear against the body wing of the motor vehicle. According to a first alternative embodiment, the magnetic surface is obtained by applying magnetic paint to the bearing surface of the sealing extension. According to a second alternative embodiment distinct from the first alternative embodiment, the magnetic surface is formed by a magnetic material bonded to the bearing surface;

[0028] - the sealing piece is formed from a plastic material. The material in plastic thus includes a plastic or a plastic composite. By way of non-limiting example, the plastic material forming the sealing part may include polyurethane and / or be non-woven;

[0029] - the sealing piece is obtained by molding.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a structure supporting a body wing and a sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any of its improvements, fixed securely to the structure of the motor vehicle.

[0031] The structure supporting the body wing takes, for example, the form of a chassis. The structure is a set of rigid profiles designed to support bodywork elements such as the body wing.

[0032] The body wing forms a fairing around one of the wheels. Advantageously, the sealing piece according to the first aspect of the invention cooperates with a front body wing of a motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, whether right or left, so as to acoustically isolate an engine compartment located at the front of the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention from the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle. The body wing comprises a lateral portion that extends along one side of the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention. The body wing comprises an upper portion that is located in line with the lateral portion of said body wing, on the hood side.

[0033] The closing part and the sealing extension each isolate the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention from noise nuisances coming from the engine compartment of said motor vehicle.

[0034] The closing part ensures lateral acoustic insulation between the body wing of the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention and the structure of said motor vehicle by cooperating with the lateral part of the body wing.

[0035] The upper end of the closing portion is oriented towards the hood of the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, and the lower end is oriented in the opposite direction, towards a bumper of the motor vehicle. Consequently, the sealing extension, located at the upper end of the closing portion, is oriented towards the hood.

[0036] The sealing extension provides superior sound insulation by cooperating with the upper part of the body wing.

[0037] The sealing extension makes it possible to mask the internal technical area of ​​the motor vehicle in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

[0038] The flexible connection takes the form of a hinge linking the closing portion to the sealing extension, allowing the sealing extension to pivot around an axis of rotation relative to the closing portion. This pivoting capability facilitates the installation of the sealing component on the body wing of the motor vehicle, as described in the second aspect of the invention. More specifically, this pivoting capability facilitates the installation of the sealing extension of the sealing component on the upper part of the body wing of the motor vehicle, once the closing portion of the sealing component has been securely fixed to the body wing at the lateral part of the body wing of the motor vehicle.

[0039] The sealing piece is fixed rigidly to the structure of the motor vehicle at one of the lateral support edges of said sealing piece. This lateral support edge then bears against the body wing of the motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0040] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0041] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0042] [fig. 1] illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention, comprising a sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0043] [fig.2] illustrates a detailed schematic view of the motor vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention presented in FIGURE 1;

[0044] [fig.3] illustrates a schematic view of the sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention in a first conformation corresponding to that adopted by the sealing piece when it extends in a principal plane;

[0045] [fig.4] illustrates a schematic view of the sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention in a second conformation corresponding to that adopted by the sealing piece when it extends in two distinct planes;

[0046] [fig.5] illustrates a schematic view of an interior technical area of ​​the vehicle at tomobile conforming to the second aspect of the invention, the body wing cooperating with the sealing piece conforming to the first aspect of the invention as presented in FIGURE 3.

[0047] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0048] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0049] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0050] Figure 1 shows one of the sides 1 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the second aspect of the invention. The motor vehicle 2 comprises a structure 3 shown in Figure 2, a body wing 4 at the front of the motor vehicle 2, and a sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention. The sealing piece 5 is located between the body wing 4 and the structure 3. The sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention can be positioned on one of the body wings 4 of the motor vehicle 2, and advantageously on both body wings 4 at the front of the motor vehicle 2.

[0051] The body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 is curved to have a radius of curvature oriented towards the side of an engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2. The engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2 is represented by transparency in dashed lines in FIGURE 1.

[0052] The body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 comprises a side portion 16 extended by an upper portion 17. The side portion 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 is located on the side 1 of the motor vehicle 2. The upper portion 17 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 is located between the side portion 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and a hood 9 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0053] The sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is shown in bold and dashed lines in FIGURE 1. The sealing piece 5 comprises a closing part 6 fixed securely to a sealing extension 7 by means of a flexible link 30 of the sealing piece 5.

[0054] The closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5 extends in the continuation of a support pillar 18 of the windscreen 10 of the motor vehicle 2 included in the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0055] The closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 includes an upper end 8 on the side of the hood 9 of the motor vehicle 2, and a lower end 11 on the side of a bumper 12 of the motor vehicle 2. The flexible link 30 of the sealing part 5 securely fixes the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 and the upper end 8 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5.

[0056] The side portion 16 of the wing 4 of the motor vehicle body 2 cooperates with the closing portion 6 of the sealing part 5. The cooperation of the side portion 16 of the wing 4 of the motor vehicle body 2 and the closing portion 6 of the sealing part 5 is illustrated in more detail in FIGURE 2. The upper portion 17 of the wing 4 of the motor vehicle body 2 cooperates with the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5. The cooperation of the upper portion 17 of the wing 4 of the motor vehicle body 2 and the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is illustrated in more detail in FIGURE 5.

[0057] The motor vehicle 2 comprises an internal technical area 14. The internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 is shown in transparent dashed lines in FIGURE 1. According to the invention, the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 is located under the sealing piece 5. The internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 is open to the engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2. The body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2, together with the hood 9 of the motor vehicle 2, helps to cover the engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0058] In the absence of the sealing piece 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention, the engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2 would be open to a passenger compartment 21 of the motor vehicle and the interior technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 would be visible and open to the outside of the motor vehicle 2.

[0059] FIGURE 2 shows in more detail the arrangement of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention with respect to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 and with respect to the lateral part 16 of the body wing 4 of said motor vehicle 2. The motor vehicle 2 is shown partially to facilitate understanding of the implementation of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention in its cooperation with the other elements of the motor vehicle 2. FIGURE 2 illustrates in particular how, according to the invention, the sealing piece 5 provides acoustic insulation between the engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2, covered by the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 in FIGURE 2, and the passenger compartment 21 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0060] The structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 supports the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 includes a body side 13. The body side 13 forms a front door frame intended to support a front body door of the motor vehicle 2 immediately adjacent to the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The front body door of the motor vehicle 2 is not shown in FIGURE 2.

[0061] The body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 are, in the absence of the sealing piece 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention, separated by a gap 22 at the level of the lateral part 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. In this case, the closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5 fills the gap 22 between the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0062] The closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a first face directed towards the engine compartment 15 and a second face 20 opposite to the first face and directed towards the passenger compartment 21. Only the second face 20 of the closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5 is visible on FIGURE 2 due to the angle of view.

[0063] The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention extends along the lateral portion 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and bears against it. The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 has a profile identical to the profile of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 so as to fit the lateral portion 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 in order to close the gap 22.

[0064] The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5, according to the first aspect of the invention, and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 cooperate together. The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 has a profile complementary to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2. The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 bears against the structure 3 of the motor vehicle, so as to close the gap 22.

[0065] The sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is fixed rigidly to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 according to the second aspect of the invention by means of a removable fastening means 26. The fastening means 26, in this case, comprises a mounting plate 27 with tabs. The mounting plate 27 includes holes 28. Screws 29 pass through the holes 28 of the mounting plate 27 to secure the sealing piece 5 to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0066] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the sealing piece 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention is schematically represented in two different situations in order to highlight the invention according to its first aspect. Figure 3 and Figure 4 each schematically represent a conformation of the sealing piece 5, respectively a first conformation, referred to as "unfolded," and a second conformation, referred to as "folded." The first conformation of the sealing piece 5 and the second conformation of the sealing piece 5 are distinct by the relative position between the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 and the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5.

[0067] FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4 show that the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is connected to the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 by the flexible link 30. The flexible link 30 includes a rotation axis 31 around which the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is articulated, as illustrated by an arrow 310.

[0068] The sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is a single piece: the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5, the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5, and the flexible connection 30 of the sealing piece 5 together form a single continuous piece, made in one piece and obtained during the same manufacturing process. Said manufacturing process is, for example, a process for molding a plastic material.

[0069] Figure 3 illustrates the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention as it appears after molding. The sealing piece 5 extends mainly in a principal plane 32, so as to facilitate its manufacture and in particular its demolding. In the first conformation, the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 and the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 both extend mainly in the principal plane 32.

[0070] The closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a body 33 and two lateral support edges 24, 25 opposed to each other, a first lateral support edge 24 and a second lateral support edge 25. Each lateral support edge 24, 25 has its own profile to fit on the one hand to the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and on the other hand to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0071] The first lateral support edge 24 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is configured to complement the curve of the lateral portion 16 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The profile of the first lateral support edge 24 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 forms a curve that is continuous from the upper end 8 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 to the lower end 11 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5. The profile of the first lateral support edge 24 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 has a radius of curvature oriented towards the side of the body 33 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5. The profile of the first lateral support edge 24 thus follows the curve of the lateral portion 16 of the wing 4.

[0072] The second lateral support edge 25 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention has a profile that is configured to fit into the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2. The profile of the second lateral support edge 25 has a crenellated shape, with two rectangular recesses 43 between the upper end 8 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 and the lower end 11 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5. The two rectangular recesses 43 are intended to house elements of the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0073] The second lateral support edge 25 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 and the first lateral support edge 24 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 are connected to each other on the side of the upper end 8 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 by the flexible link 30. The second lateral support edge 25 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 and the first lateral support edge 24 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 are connected to each other on the side of the lower end 11 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 by a lower edge 34.

[0074] The lower edge 34 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a material recess 35. In this case, the material recess 35 corresponds to a slot having a U-shaped profile. The material recess 35 contributes to the positioning by interlocking of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention on the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2, in particular by means of an assembly surface 36 intended to be housed in the material recess 35 of the inner edge 34 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5.

[0075] The closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 is a solid piece, except for an opening 37 located at the second lateral edge 25 of the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5. The opening 37 passes through the closing portion 6 of the sealing piece 5 from its first face 19 to its second face 20. This opening 37, adjacent to one of the two hollows 37, is intended to receive the fastening means 26.

[0076] The sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 includes an inner face 39 opposite the bearing face 38.

[0077] The bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is intended to bear against the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. More particularly, the bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is intended to bear against the upper part 17 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2, on the side of the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

[0078] The bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 is in line with the first face 19 of the closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5. The inner face 39 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 is in line with the second face 20 of the closing part 6 of the sealing piece 5.

[0079] The sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 is a solid piece which includes a peripheral border 40 delimiting the sealing extension with the flexible link 30. The peripheral border 40 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing piece 5 comprises successive portions of straight shape.

[0080] The flexible joint 30 comprises at least two local thinnings 41 of material, each local thinning 41 forming a flexible deformation zone. The two local thinnings 41 are aligned and together form the axis of rotation 31.

[0081] FIGURE 4 shows the sealing piece 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention as described in FIGURE 3.

[0082] To go from the first conformation of the sealing part 5 to the second conformation of the sealing part 5, the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is rotated around the axis of rotation 31 of the flexible link 30 of the sealing part 5. The rotation is possible thanks to the two aligned local thinnings 41 of the flexible link 30.

[0083] The rotation of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 around the axis of rotation 31 of the flexible link 30 of the sealing part 5 is oriented so that the inner face 39 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5, not visible due to the viewing angle, is brought closer to the second face 20 of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5. Consequently, the bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5, not visible due to the viewing angle, can be brought into contact with the upper part 17 of the wing 4 of the body of the motor vehicle 2 as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

[0084] The sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is rotated about the axis of rotation 31 of the flexible link 30 of the sealing part 5 so as to extend in a secondary plane 45 intersecting the main plane 32. Then, the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 forms an angle with the closing portion 6 of the sealing part 5. The angle formed between the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 and the closing portion 6 of the sealing part 5 is, for example, an angle between 40° and 50°. Advantageously, the angle formed between the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 and the closing portion 6 of the sealing part 5 is an angle of 45°.

[0085] Figure 5 illustrates the relative position of the sealing piece 5 according to the first aspect of the invention with respect to the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The body wing 4 of the vehicle is shown from the side of the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2. In Figure 5, the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2 is shown schematically with thin dashed lines and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 is shown schematically with thick dashed lines. The axis of rotation 31 is also shown.

[0086] FIGURE 5 shows the cooperation of the closing part 6 of the sealing part 5 with the side part 16 of the wing 4 of the body of the motor vehicle 2, and shows the cooperation of the upper part 17 of the wing 4 of the body of the motor vehicle 2 with the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5.

[0087] The body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 are, in the absence of the sealing element 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention, separated by a gap 23. The gap 23 is located between the upper part 17 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2. The gap 23 is left free in the absence of the sealing element 5 conforming to the first aspect of the invention. In this case, the sealing extension 7 of the sealing element 5 fills the gap 23 between the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2. The sealing element 5 thus covers the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0088] Retaining means 42, such as adhesives, are associated with the bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 according to the first aspect of the invention. The retaining means 42 of the sealing extension 7 fix the sealing extension 7 to the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. In particular, the bearing face 38 of the sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 is retained, by means of the retaining means 42, against the upper part 17 of the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 according to the first aspect of the invention is thus held in position and stably covers the internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0089] The sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5, according to the first aspect of the invention, provides acoustic insulation for the engine compartment 15 of the motor vehicle 2. The sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 also prevents the intrusion of external debris into the interior technical area 14. The sealing extension 7 of the sealing part 5 also improves the aesthetics of the motor vehicle 2 by concealing the interior technical area 14.

[0090] In summary, the invention relates to a sealing element 5 for a body wing 4 of a motor vehicle 2 configured to conceal an internal technical area 14 of the motor vehicle 2. The sealing element 5 comprises a closing portion 6 that conforms to the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2 and the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The sealing element 5 includes a sealing extension 7 that extends the closing portion 6 and bears against an upper portion 17 of the body wing 4 inside the body wing 4. The sealing extension 7 and the closing portion 6 articulate about a rotation axis of a flexible joint 30 of the sealing element 5 in order to adjust the interaction with the body wing 4 of the motor vehicle 2 and with the structure 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0091] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Sealing piece (5) for wing (4) of motor vehicle body (2), the sealing piece (5) comprising a closing part (6) intended to be interposed between the wing (4) of motor vehicle body (2) and a structure (3) of said motor vehicle (2), characterized in that the sealing piece (5) comprises a sealing extension (7) located at an upper end (8) of the closing part (6) and connected to the closing part (6) by a flexible link (30).

2. Sealing piece (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing extension (7) and the flexible link (30) are made of material with the closing part (6).

3. Sealing piece (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein the flexible link (30) comprises at least two local thinnings (41) of material, each local thinning (41) forming a flexible deformation zone.

4. Sealing piece (5) according to the preceding claim, in which all local thinnings (41) of material are aligned and together form an axis of rotation (31) of the flexible link (30) with respect to the closing part (6).

5. Sealing piece (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing extension (7) includes retention means (42) against the body wing (4) of the motor vehicle (2).

6. Sealing piece (5) according to claim 5, wherein the retention means (42) take the form of an adhesive attached to a bearing face (38) of the sealing extension (7) intended to be placed against the wing (4) of the body of the motor vehicle (2).

7. Sealing piece (5) according to claim 5, wherein the retention means take the form of a magnetic surface attached to a bearing face (38) of the sealing extension (7) intended to be supported against the body wing (4) of the motor vehicle (2).

8. Motor vehicle (2) comprising a structure (3) supporting a body wing (4) and a sealing piece (5) according to any one of the preceding claims fixed securely to the structure (3) of the motor vehicle (2).

Images