CARPET AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A CARPET

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle interior mat (5) comprising a peripheral edge forming the perimeter of said mat (5), the mat (5) having an upper face intended to be visible and an underside, the mat (5) being notable in that the peripheral edge is in the form of a folded edge (13) over at least a portion of its length, said folded edge(s) (13) being configured to extend towards the underside of said mat (5). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a mat (5) and a method for manufacturing such a mat (5). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: CARPET AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A CARPET

[0001] The invention relates to a floor mat for motor vehicles and to motor vehicles comprising such a mat laid on the floor of the passenger compartment. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to vehicles equipped with a right-hand drive configuration and to the mats fitted to them.

[0002] A floor mat generally covers and conceals the floor of a vehicle, as well as soundproofing elements typically placed between the floor and the mat. The mat, consisting of a textile covering on a pre-formed heavy plastic base, extends throughout the passenger compartment from the top of the front footwells to the boundary between the trunk and the rear seats. At the front, between the passengers, it covers the central tunnel corresponding to the exhaust system and part of the center console connected to the dashboard. At the driver's position, the mat extends up behind the control pedals (namely the brake, accelerator, and, possibly, clutch pedals) and thus onto the firewall and soundproofing panels separating the passenger compartment from the vehicle's engine compartment.

[0003] The mat is obtained by cutting a side panel and thermoforming it to conform to the shape of the vehicle body on which it is installed. The edge of the mat (at its plastic base) has a white or light-colored strip that contrasts with the dark color of its textile portion. This light strip at the peripheral edges is not visible in most configurations because it is concealed by other vehicle components. For example, the front edge of the mat at the driver's footwell or the front passenger seat extends under the side rail of the firewall, making its edge invisible to the vehicle occupants.However, it has been observed that in some vehicles, the light-colored edge of the front edge of the carpet is visible to the vehicle user in the area adjacent to the accelerator pedal, where it extends up onto the soundproofing panel of the firewall, and particularly in "D to D" type driving positions, i.e., "right-hand drive". This area is indeed visible when the vehicle user is standing outside the vehicle, in the doorway.

[0004] The visible nature of the edge of the carpet, light in a dark environment, degrades the perceived quality of the vehicle and a solution remains to be found to remedy this.

[0005] Furthermore, the visible edge of the carpet in this area may be accompanied by a sagging of the carpet towards the accelerator pedal If the vertical section of this mat, extending up onto the soundproofing panel of the firewall, is too high, this sagging towards the accelerator pedal will worsen over the vehicle's lifespan and is unacceptable from a safety standpoint, as it creates a risk of the pedal becoming stuck. A solution to this problem still needs to be found.

[0006] Document FR2955824 proposes placing the edges of the carpet in contact with the woodwork so as to conceal its edge. This solution is interesting but not necessarily applicable in this case.

[0007] The solution of installing a masking strip, which, in addition to holding the carpet in place against the soundproofing wall, would also mask the light edge of the carpet, is not satisfactory because it would require adding an extra part, thus increasing costs and complicating installation. Similarly, a solution of painting the edge of the carpet is not satisfactory since it would involve additional costs during carpet manufacturing and would not resolve the problem of carpet sagging.

[0008] The invention aims to address at least one of the problems encountered in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a new carpet that is simple to produce and install, and whose visible edge does not affect the perceived quality of the vehicle for the user. More generally, the invention aims to provide a new carpet that is simple to produce and install, improving the perceived quality of the vehicle for a user and / or preventing, or at least limiting, the risk of sagging at its vertical section(s).

[0009] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle interior carpet comprising a peripheral edge forming the perimeter of said carpet, the carpet showing an upper face intended to be visible and an lower face, the carpet is remarkable in that the peripheral edge is in the form of an edge that falls over at least a portion of its length, said or said fallen edges being configured to extend towards the lower face of said carpet.

[0010] As will be understood from the definition just given, the invention is remarkable in that, on the portion or portions of the carpet showing a dropped edge, the edge of the carpet is turned towards the vehicle body or the wall on which the carpet is placed, for example, towards the soundproofing panel of the firewall. This configuration makes it possible to conceal the edge of the carpet, and therefore the clear line it forms, without requiring the addition of masking pieces. The invention is particularly suited to concealing the edge of the carpet at the level of the driver's seat footwell. However, the invention can be adapted to any area of ​​the carpet where the edge of the carpet's peripheral border may be visible. The invention is remarkable in that it does not entail any additional steps. during the installation of the mat in the vehicle compared to the previous situation.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the carpet is pre-formed so as to include at least one area rising in a substantially vertical direction and at least one dropped edge is present at said area rising in a substantially vertical direction.

[0012] The presence of a dropped edge at the level of an area of ​​the carpet intended to extend in a substantially vertical direction also makes it possible to give more rigidity to the carpet at the level of said area, and therefore avoids -or at least reduces - the risks of sagging of the carpet at the level of this area when it is mounted in the vehicle.

[0013] Advantageously, the carpet, having at least one cut forming an angle at its peripheral edge, is notable in that at least one of its folded edges is arranged to include at least one of these angles. The presence of an angle in the folded edge will create a "box" effect that will further increase the stiffness of the carpet in this area and therefore its durability, particularly when it extends in a substantially vertical direction.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the folded edge(s) are obtained by a thermoforming operation of said carpet. The invention is remarkable in that the production of the folded edge(s) can be carried out during the shaping of the carpet so as not to generate additional production costs.

[0015] Optionally, the peripheral edge of the mat may be in the form of an edge that falls over one or more sections whose cumulative lengths are equal to or greater than 50% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, equal to or greater than 80% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, the peripheral edge of the mat may be in the form of an edge that falls over its entire length. Alternatively, the peripheral edge of the mat may be in the form of an edge that falls over one or more sections whose cumulative lengths are less than 50% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, less than 20% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, less than 10% of the total length of said peripheral edge.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a mat according to the first aspect. Preferably, the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the carpet includes a zone rising in a substantially vertical direction. The vehicle is notable in that the carpet has a folded edge over at least part of the zone rising in a substantially vertical direction. Preferably, the vehicle includes a platform covered with a soundproofing panel, and the carpet has a zone positioned against the soundproofing panel. The carpet has a folded edge over at least part of the zone. contact with the soundproofing wall of the deck.

[0018] Advantageously, the carpet has a folded edge on the area in contact with the soundproofing panel of the bulkhead at the footwell of the front seat on the left side of the vehicle. Preferably, the carpet is asymmetrical and has no folded edge on the area in contact with the soundproofing panel of the bulkhead at the footwell of the front seat on the right side of the vehicle. If it is possible to create a folded edge in multiple locations, the invention can focus on areas where the perceived quality would be affected by the visibility of a light edge; this optimization gives the carpet an asymmetrical character.

[0019] In a variant of the invention, the area of ​​the mat rising in a substantially vertical direction is placed against a wall and has a height of 200 mm or less, preferably 150 mm or less, and the vehicle is free of any means of attaching the mat to said wall at the level of said area. The stiffness of the mat, as improved in this area by the presence of the dropped edge, is sufficient so that it is not necessary to attach the mat to the wall with which it is in contact.

[0020] Alternatively, the area of ​​the mat rising in a substantially vertical direction is placed against a wall and has a height greater than or equal to 150 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm, and the vehicle has at least one means of attaching the mat to said wall at the level of said area; preferably, at least one means of attachment is a fastening clip and / or at least one means of attachment is located at mid-height of said area. When the mat rises to a certain height, and depending on the initial stiffness of the mat, it may be preferable to attach the mat to the wall with which it is in contact to prevent detachment and / or sagging. The invention nevertheless limits the number of fastening means to be used and provides more freedom in their positioning.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle mat according to the first aspect, the method comprising a step of shaping the mat by thermoforming during which at least one dropped edge is made on a part of the peripheral edge of said mat.

[0022] The invention will be well described and other aspects and advantages will become clear from reading the following description, given with reference to the figures in which:

[0023] [fig. 1] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a vertical area of ​​a carpet in which the invention can be implemented.

[0024] [fig.2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the previous situation.

[0025] [fig.3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the invention.

[0026] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements or shapes in the carpet or vehicle to which it relates or other steps in the process to which it reference is made. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of". Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", and "transverse" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as viewed from its normal direction of travel. In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0027] Reference will first be made to Figure 1, which is a simplified perspective view of the driver's side footwell of a right-hand drive motor vehicle 1. In this type of vehicle 1, the driver's seat is located on the left side of the vehicle to provide the driver with optimal visibility for driving on the right side of the road. The footwell has several control pedals, but only the accelerator pedal 3 is shown. A floor mat 5, or mat 5, is placed on the vehicle floor and extends under the pedals 3. The mat 5 is generally a base made of a plastic material pre-formed to conform to the shape of the walls of the passenger compartment on which it is placed.It shows an upper layer made of a textile material, generally dark, the upper surface of which is intended to be visible, and a lower layer formed by the base made of plastic material, the underside of which is intended to be in contact with the floor and with one or more soundproofing panels. A zone 7 of the carpet extends vertically so as to rest on the soundproofing panel 9 of the floor. The carpet 5 includes a peripheral edge forming its perimeter, which is obtained by cutting it during its manufacture.

[0028] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the edge 11 of the peripheral edge of the mat may be visible at certain points. In Figure 1, the light edge 11 of the mat 5, which is visible and stands out by contrast in this dark environment, extends between points A and B. According to the invention illustrated in Figure 3, the peripheral edge of the mat is in the form of a folded edge 13 over at least a portion of its length, said folded edge(s) 13 being configured to extend towards the underside of said mat 5. By comparison between Figures 2 and 3, respectively without and with the folded edge 13, it is immediately understood that the invention makes it possible to conceal the light edge 11 of the edge of the mat 5 by turning it against the wall 9 on which the mat 5 is placed.

[0029] For example, the peripheral edge of the mat 5 is in the form of a folded edge 13 over one or more portions whose cumulative lengths are equal to or greater than 50% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, equal to or greater than 80% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably still, the peripheral edge of the mat 5 is in the form of a folded edge 13 over its entire length.

[0030] Alternatively, the peripheral edge of the mat 5 is in the form of a folded edge 13 over one or more portions whose cumulative lengths are in less than 50% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably, less than 20% of the total length of said peripheral edge; preferably still, less than 10% of the total length of said peripheral edge.

[0031] The creation of a folded edge 13 takes place during the manufacture of the mat 5. Indeed, the manufacturing process of the mat 5 includes a step of shaping the mat 5 by thermoforming during which at least one folded edge is created on a part of the peripheral edge of said mat 5. Thus, the implementation of the invention does not involve any additional costs, either at the time of the manufacture of the mat 5, or at the time of its assembly in the vehicle 1.

[0032] The invention is remarkable in that, in addition to solving the problem related to the visibility of the light-colored section 11 of the conveyor belt 5, it provides a solution to the risks of the conveyor belt 5 sagging in the area(s) 7 of the belt that rise in a substantially vertical direction. Thus, according to the invention, at least one dropped edge 13 is present at the level of at least one area 7 that rises in a substantially vertical direction, preferably at least at the level of the highest edge. In the case illustrated in Figure 1, even if forming the dropped edge along line AB would be sufficient to mask the light-colored area of ​​the section 11 of the upper front edge of the conveyor belt, those skilled in the art would benefit from forming a dropped edge along the length AC of the peripheral edge so as to include the cutting angle at point B.This creates a "box" effect which further increases the stiffness of the mat 5 in that area and helps to avoid, or at least limit, the risk of sagging.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the mat 5 has a folded edge on the area in contact with the soundproofing panel of the bulkhead at the footwell of the front seat on the left side of the vehicle. Preferably, the mat is asymmetrical and does not have a folded edge on the area in contact with the soundproofing panel of the bulkhead at the footwell of the front seat on the right side of the vehicle. This is because, in the passenger-side footwell, the issue is less pronounced due to the possible presence of a footrest.

[0034] When zone 7 of the mat, rising in a substantially vertical direction, is placed against a wall and has a height of 200 mm or less, preferably 150 mm or less, the implementation of the invention makes it possible to avoid using a means of fixing the mat to the wall against which it rests, as the rigidity gained by the presence of the dropped edge is sufficient. Thus, the vehicle is free from the need for a means of fixing the mat to said wall at the level of said zone.

[0035] However, depending on the initial characteristics of the mat 5, when the area 7 of the mat rising in a substantially vertical direction is placed against a wall and has a height greater than or equal to 150 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm, it may be advantageous for the vehicle to show at least one means of fixing the carpet to said wall at the level of said area; preferably, at least one means of fixing is a fixing clip and / or at least one means of fixing is disposed at mid-height of said area 7.

[0036] The clips for attaching a carpet to the soundproofing panel of the apron are well known and will not be described in further detail. They may, for example, be in the form of a retaining clip made of plastic or metal.

[0037] The invention has been described in relation to a vertical area 7 of a passenger compartment carpet 5 extending up onto the soundproofing wall 9 of the vehicle's bulkhead, but is applicable to any area of ​​the peripheral edge of the carpet for which it would be advantageous to mask the edge and / or to any area of ​​the carpet extending vertically and for which it would be advantageous to increase the stiffness.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle (1) interior carpet (5) comprising a peripheral edge forming the perimeter of said carpet (5), the carpet (5) showing an upper face intended to be visible and an under face, the carpet (5) is characterized in that the peripheral edge is in the form of a dropped edge (13) over at least a portion of its length, said dropped edge(s) (13) being configured to extend towards the under face of said carpet (5).

2. Passenger compartment carpet (5) according to claim 1, the carpet (5) being preformed so as to include at least one zone (7) rising in a substantially vertical direction, the carpet (5) is characterized in that at least one dropped edge (13) is present at the level of at least one zone (7) rising in a substantially vertical direction.

3. Passenger compartment carpet (5) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, the carpet (5) showing at least one cut forming an angle at its peripheral edge, the carpet (5) is characterized in that at least one dropped edge (13) is arranged so as to include at least one of said angles.

4. Passenger compartment carpet (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the folded edge(s) (13) are obtained by a thermoforming operation of said carpet (5), and / or in that the peripheral edge of the carpet (5) is in the form of a folded edge (13) on one or more portions whose cumulative lengths are less than 20% of the total length of said peripheral edge.

5. Motor vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises a mat (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4; preferably, the vehicle (1) is a vehicle (1) of the right-hand drive type.

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, the mat (5) comprising a zone (7) rising in a substantially vertical direction, the vehicle (1) is characterized in that the mat (5) shows a dropped edge (13) on at least a part of the zone (7) rising in a substantially vertical direction; preferably, the vehicle (1) comprising a deck covered with a soundproofing wall (9), and the mat (5) showing a zone (7) placed against the soundproofing wall (9), the mat (5) shows a dropped edge (13) on at least a part of the zone (7) in contact with the soundproofing wall (9) of the deck.

7. Vehicle (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the mat (5) shows a folded edge (13) on the area (7) in contact with the wall (9) soundproofing of the apron at the level of the footwell of the front seat on the left side of the vehicle (1); preferably the carpet (5) is asymmetrical and is free from a dropped edge (13) on the area (7) in contact with the wall (9) of soundproofing of the apron at the level of the footwell of the front seat on the right side of the vehicle (1).

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 characterized in that the area (7) of the mat (5) rising in a substantially vertical direction is placed against a wall (9) and has a height less than or equal to 200 mm, preferably less than or equal to 150 mm, and in that the vehicle (1) is free of any means of fixing the mat (5) to said wall (9) at the level of said area (7).

9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the area (7) of the mat (5) rising in a substantially vertical direction is placed against a wall (9) and has a height greater than or equal to 150 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm, and in that the vehicle (1) shows at least one means of fixing the mat (5) to said wall (9) at the level of said area (7); preferably, at least one means of fixing is a fixing clip and / or at least one means of fixing is disposed at mid-height of said area (7).

10. Method of manufacturing a vehicle (1) interior carpet (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising a step of shaping the carpet (5) by thermoforming during which at least one dropped edge (13) is made on a part of the peripheral edge of said carpet (5).

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