FRAME FOR HOLDING A BUMPER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A FOLDING ZONE

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle comprising a folding zone. The frame (2) according to the invention comprises a front part (4) intended to serve as a support for a bumper, and an upper part (6) intended to be opposite a hood of the motor vehicle. Remarkably, the upper part (6) of the frame (2) comprises at least one folding line (10) extending along the front part (4) of the frame (2). Thus, the upper part can deform without breaking, under the effect of a pedestrian impact, so as to allow a hood to be pushed in more deeply. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: FRAME FOR HOLDING A BUMPER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A FOLDING ZONE Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The regulations require motor vehicle manufacturers to take into account new standards known as "pedestrian impact", aimed at making the front of vehicles less aggressive in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.

[0003] In order to mitigate the impact of a pedestrian's head on the bonnet of a motor vehicle, the use of so-called "active" technologies is known, allowing the triggering of an airbag system, during an impact with a pedestrian, in order to avoid direct contact between the pedestrian's head and the bonnet (see for example document EP 1 319 559 A2).

[0004] Another so-called "passive" solution consists of taking into account, when designing the front of a motor vehicle, the constraints linked to the impact of a pedestrian, so as to reduce the consequences of the impact. The design of the front of a motor vehicle can thus include a first deformable vertical part, at the level of the grille, in order to protect its lower limbs and cause the pedestrian's upper body to tilt onto the hood. The front continues with a curved hood in order to leave more space between the engine and the hood, so as to allow the hood to deform under the impact and thus absorb part of the shock.

[0005] In a head-on collision with a small pedestrian, for example a child, the pedestrian's head hits the bonnet, substantially above the upper air intake grille. The natural flexibility of the bonnet, made of sheet steel, allows the shock to be absorbed by deformation of the bonnet. However, for several years, for reasons of style, motor vehicles have had large front bumpers, comprising a central part between the front headlights, called a bonnet nose trim, which rises towards the bonnet.

[0006] The bumper and the hood nose trim are fixed to the same rigid frame, so as to preserve their arrangement over time. In other words, the bumper and the hood nose trim are held on this rigid frame which interfaces with the chassis of a motor vehicle, at the level of its front supports.

[0007] It is known that the rigid frame comprises an upper part, arranged opposite and close to the hood, one end of which rests on an upper cross member of the chassis of a motor vehicle. Due to its rigidity and its support on the upper cross member, this upper part of the frame opposes the sinking of the hood in the event of an impact. The impact of a pedestrian is therefore less well absorbed by the hood, at the level of the upper part of the rigid frame.

[0008] An aim of the invention is to propose a rigid frame for holding a bumper, reducing the risks of serious injuries when the upper part of a pedestrian hits the hood of a motor vehicle. Subject of the invention

[0009] In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a frame for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle, comprising a front part intended to serve as a support for a bumper, and an upper part intended to be opposite a hood of the motor vehicle.

[0010] The invention is remarkable in that the upper part of the frame comprises at least one fold line which extends along the front part of the frame.

[0011] Advantageously, the fold line is configured to allow the flexing of the frame, under the stress of a mechanical shock. Thus, advantageously, the frame can be articulated along the fold line, so as to move partially in order to allow a hood to be pushed further in, in particular during its deformation under the impact of an upper part of the body of a pedestrian. As a result, the invention provides a passive solution for reducing the risks of injury during a collision with a pedestrian, while preserving the necessary mechanical rigidity properties of the frame, in order to ensure both the maintenance of a bumper and a hood nose trim.

[0012] According to another advantage, the fold line(s) allow deformation of the upper part of the frame under the effect of a mechanical shock, without dislocation of the frame.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, a fold line extends along the entire front part of the frame.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the fold line separates a proximal area of ​​the upper portion, adjacent to the front portion of the frame, from a distal area of ​​the upper portion of the frame. In other words, the fold line extends along the entire length of the upper portion of the frame, so as to promote greater flexion of the upper portion. Preferably, the distal area is intended to be opposite an upper cross member of a motor vehicle chassis.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the upper part is thinner at a fold line. This embodiment has the advantage of being economical to produce.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the frame comprises means for fixing a hood nose trim. Optionally, a fold line may extend between two means for fixing a hood nose trim.

[0017] Preferably, the fixing means are held at the upper part of the frame by frangible means. The frangible means are configured to detach the fixing means from the upper part of the frame, in the event of mechanical impact.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a frame as described above.

[0019] Other advantages and characteristics may emerge more clearly from the description which follows. Description of the figures

[0020] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a frame according to the invention, for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle;

[0022] [Fig.2] represents a top view of a frame according to [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.3] represents a cross-section of a frame according to [Fig.2];

[0024] [Fig.4] represents a cross-section of a frame according to [Fig.2], after impact with a pedestrian.

[0025] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] As a reminder, the invention proposes a rigid frame for holding a bumper, reducing the risks of serious injuries when the upper part of a pedestrian hits the hood of a motor vehicle.

[0027] [Fig.l] represents a non-limiting embodiment of a frame 2 for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle, according to the invention.

[0028] In a known manner, the frame 2 comprises a front part 4 intended to serve as a support for a front bumper of a motor vehicle. The front part 4 is extended by an upper part 6, forming an obtuse angle with the front part 4.

[0029] The upper part 6 is intended to serve as a support for a hood nose trim, not shown in the figures in order to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0030] The upper part 6 comprises means 8 for fixing a bonnet nose trim, in the form of protrusions positioned on each side of the frame 2 (see [Fig.2]).

[0031] Remarkably, the upper part 6 of the frame comprises a fold line 10 extending over the entire length of the front part 4. The fold line thus separates the upper part 6 into a proximal zone 12, attached to the front part 4 of the frame, from a distal zone 14.

[0032] According to the present example, at the fold line 10, the thickness of the upper part 6 is reduced. For example, the average thickness of the upper part may be of the order of 3 mm on average, and 1 mm at the fold line. The width of the fold line is on average a few millimeters.

[0033] Thus, advantageously, the mechanical rigidity of the upper part 6 is preserved during normal use, as illustrated by [Fig. 3], but in the event of a mechanical shock 16 in a direction normal or substantially normal to its largest face, the proximal zone 12 can be articulated relative to the distal zone 14, along the fold line 10, as illustrated by [Fig. 4].

[0034] As a result, when the distal zone 14 bears on an upper cross member of a chassis of a motor vehicle, the proximal zone 12 can tilt with respect to the distal zone 14, so as to allow greater depression of a hood under the impact of a pedestrian.

[0035] According to another advantage, the fold line 10 allows both movement between the proximal and distal zones of the upper part, while keeping these two parts linked together.

[0036] According to an alternative embodiment, the upper part 6 of the frame may comprise frangible means 18 so as to allow detachment of the fixing means 8 of a bonnet nose trim, in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. According to the present example, the frangible means 18 are delimited by a groove made in the frame, so as to allow detachment of the fixing means of the proximal zone 12 of the upper part.

[0037] This embodiment makes it possible to offer greater freedom of deformation of the proximal zone 12 during a pedestrian impact.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, repair kits for the fixing means 8 can be envisaged in order to allow for faster repair. and economical replacement of the frame after a pedestrian impact, in order to avoid a complete replacement of the bumper frame.

Claims

Claims

1. Frame (2) for holding a bumper of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a front part (4) intended to serve as a support for a bumper; and - an upper part (6) intended to be opposite a hood of the motor vehicle, the upper part (6) of the frame (2) comprising at least one fold line (10) extending along the front part (4) of the frame (2), the upper part (6) comprising means (8) for fixing a hood nose trim, characterized in that the fixing means (8) are held to the upper part (6) of the frame (2) by frangible means (18).

2. Frame (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that a fold line (10) extends along the entire length of the front part (4).

3. Frame (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fold line (10) separates a proximal zone (12) from a distal zone (14).

4. Frame (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the distal zone (14) is intended to be opposite an upper cross member of a chassis of a motor vehicle.

5. Frame (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the thickness of the upper part (6) is thinner at a fold line (10).

6. Frame (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a fold line (10) extends between two fixing means (8) of a hood nose trim.

7. Motor vehicle comprising a frame (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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