Motor vehicle with a body structure including a front bumper

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body structure with two absorbers (1), each absorber (1) showing at least one external side (3), and with a bumper beam (5) showing a front face (7) and comprising a central zone (9) mounted on said two absorbers (1), the vehicle is remarkable in that the central zone (9) is extended by two lateral zones (11), each lateral zone (11) extending from the external side (3) of an absorber (1) towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that each lateral zone (11) shows on the front face (7) a notch (13) arranged at a level located near the absorber (1), said notch (13) extending over the height of the lateral zone (11). The invention also relates to a method of mounting such a vehicle. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle with a body structure comprising a front bumper

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and in particular to the field relating to the management of impacts suffered by motor vehicles. Thus, the invention relates to motor vehicles comprising a body structure comprising a front bumper. The invention also relates to a method for mounting such a vehicle.

[0002] In the event of a frontal impact, the energy induced in a motor vehicle will deform the body structure. In order to limit the deformation, the body structure comprises a bumper device, comprising a bumper beam mounted on two absorbers, arranged in the extension of the side members defining the underbody of the vehicle. In the event of a frontal impact coupled with a side impact, at low speed, it is useful to ensure that the shock absorber is protected as much as possible. The prior art thus shows different possibilities in order to preserve the integrity of the shock absorber.

[0003] Document US 10,086,784 describes a bumper unit which makes it possible to improve the behavior of the vehicle structure in the event of a frontal impact with a small overlap. A deformation element folded laterally on the absorber makes it possible to absorb the lateral forces experienced by the vehicle in such impact conditions. The deformation element is connected to the crossmember by bolts. These attachment means not only have to be added when the vehicle is assembled but are liable to break, firstly when the force experienced by the vehicle is a little greater.

[0004] Document DE 2020012003073 describes a bumper crossmember with, at each end of the crossmember, an end section extending transversely beyond the corresponding absorber and a deflector designed to be arranged inclined towards the rear of the vehicle, in order to protect the absorber in the event of a frontal impact with a small overlap experienced by the vehicle. The cross-section of the deflector is smaller than the cross-section of the crossmember. Thus, in the event of an impact, the deflector comes into contact with the absorber with very little overlap and is supported by it, which makes it possible to prevent the end section protruding from the absorber from deforming within the limit of the violence of the impact. In this configuration, in the event of a frontal impact with also a laterally induced force, the absorber ends up supporting the elements supposed to protect it in the event of an impact, which is not ideal.

[0005] The invention aims to address at least one of the problems or drawbacks encountered in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to improve the behavior of the body structure of a motor vehicle when it is faced with a frontal impact with lateral overlap of the force. The invention aims to provide optimal lateral protection of the absorber which allows the front bumper to be mounted.

[0006] For this purpose and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body structure with two absorbers, each absorber showing at least one external side, and with a bumper beam showing a front face and comprising a central zone mounted on said two absorbers, the vehicle is remarkable in that the central zone is extended by two lateral zones, each lateral zone extending from the external side of an absorber towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that each lateral zone shows on the front face a notch arranged at a level located near the absorber, said notch extending over the height of the lateral zone.

[0007] As will be understood from reading the definition just given, the invention proposes to produce a motor vehicle whose body structure shows a bumper beam having a central zone mounted between the two absorbers and two lateral zones in the extension of said central zone. The particularity of the invention is to ensure that these lateral zones which extend from the external side of an absorber towards a lateral side of the vehicle have a notch which will allow the lateral zone to bend in the event of a frontal impact at low speed also inducing a lateral force. Thus, according to the invention, the notch does not have to be aligned with the absorber but is offset to the side, that is to say at the level of the lateral zone. The notch therefore serves as a bending initiation and allows the lateral zone to bend towards the rear of the vehicle, without however involving, within the limit of the violence of the impact, the absorber.

[0008] It will also be understood from reading the definition of the invention that the central zone and the lateral zones form a single part, which avoids the use of connecting means between the two zones. This configuration not only guarantees the robustness of the bumper beam but also simplifies its manufacture.

[0009] Preferably, said notch extends over the height of the bumper beam.

[0010] Advantageously, each side zone shows a free end and each side area shows a beveled shape from the level of said notch to the free end.

[0011] For example, the central zone is a U-shaped profile with a bottom corresponding to the front face, the arms of the U respectively forming a face upper and a lower face and each side zone shows an upper part and / or a lower part. The upper part is defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face arranged behind the front face, one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the upper face of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to a lower face of the upper part of the side zone. The lower part is defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face arranged behind the front face, one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the lower face of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to an upper face of the lower part of the side zone.

[0012] Preferably, each side zone shows an upper portion and a lower portion.

[0013] For example, the bumper beam has a curved profile at the central area and the side areas.

[0014] For example, each side zone shows a length between 7% and 15% of the length of the central zone, preferably between 9% and 13%, more preferably between 10% and 12%.

[0015] For example, each lateral zone has a length that is less than the length of an absorber.

[0016] For example, the notch has a length that is between two and four times greater than its depth.

[0017] According to one implementation of the invention, the body structure comprises a metal plate attached to the front of each lateral zone. Preferably, one of the lateral ends of the metal plate is welded to the central zone. Advantageously, the metal plate comprises at least one positioning hole. For example, the thickness of the metal plate is less than or equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam; preferably, the thickness of the metal plate is equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam.

[0018] Alternatively, the body structure comprises a plastic plate attached to the front of each side zone. Preferably, the plastic plate is clipped to the side zone. For example, the thickness of the plastic plate is less than or equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam; preferably, the thickness of the plastic plate is equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of assembling a motor vehicle according to the first aspect, said method comprising a step (a) of providing a body structure with two absorbers, each absorber showing at least one external side, and a step (c) of mounting at least one central zone of a bumper beam on said two absorbers, said method is remarkable in that the central zone is extended by two lateral zones, each lateral zone extending from the external side of an absorber towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that it comprises a step (b) of forming a notch extending over the height of the lateral zone, the step (b) of forming a notch being carried out at the level of the front face of each lateral zone at a level located near the absorber, the step (b) being carried out after step (a) and before step (c).

[0020] Advantageously, step (b) is carried out by machining.

[0021] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a right side view of the vehicle body structure automobile according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of the part showing in particular the area lateral of the bumper beam of the body structure of the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] at the notch shown through the side area.

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a right side view of the vehicle body structure automobile according to a preferred implementation of the invention.

[0026] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle or in the method to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". The terms "lower" and "upper" will be understood in their general sense, the term "lower" designating a greater proximity to the ground. The terms "front" and "rear" correspond to the orientation of the vehicle taken in its normal direction of travel. The terms "external" and "internal" will designate respectively that which is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0027] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0028] A motor vehicle generally has a body structure with two absorbers 1, each absorber 1 showing at least one external side 3, and a bumper beam 5 showing a front face 7 and comprising a central zone 9 mounted on said two absorbers 1. In the event of a frontal impact, the bumper beam 5 absorbs the force which is absorbed by the two absorbers 1. These are for example connected to the side members of the vehicle by a plate 35. In the event of a frontal impact with overlapping of the force on the sides of the vehicle, which can happen in the event of impacts of the "pedestrian impact" type, the lateral force that the vehicle's body structure undergoes can interfere with the absorber and / or the plate, causing, even at low speed, considerable damage to the underbody of the vehicle. In these circumstances, the vehicle's repair costs can easily rise since the entire underbody can be impacted.

[0029] Therefore, the invention proposes to protect the absorber 1 in the event of an impact of the “pedestrian impact” type, within the limit of the violence of the impact.

[0030] Thus, according to the invention, and as illustrated in [Fig.l] for the right side of the vehicle, this is remarkable in that the central zone 9 is extended by two lateral zones 11, each lateral zone 11 extending from the external side 3 of an absorber 1 towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that each lateral zone 11 shows on the front face 7 a notch 13 arranged at a level located near the absorber 1, said notch 13 extending over the height of the lateral zone 11, preferably over the height of the bumper beam 5.

[0031] The invention therefore offers additional protection which makes it possible to protect the external side 3 of the absorber 1. During a frontal impact, the notch 13 will allow the lateral zone 11 to bend so that the rear face thereof ends up facing the external side 3 of the absorber 1. The creation of the notch 13 at the level of the lateral zone 11 makes it possible to create an axis of rotation around which the lateral zone can fold back towards the external side 3 of the absorber. At low speed, this arrangement makes it possible to preserve the impact on the absorber 1 within the limit of the violence of the impact and therefore to reduce the repair costs to only the bumper beam 5.

[0032] For example, each lateral zone 11 has a length which is less than the length of an absorber 1. Thus, during a frontal impact with side overlap, the lateral zone 11 folds to show its rear face facing the external side 3 of the absorber 1 without however touching the plate 35 which makes it possible to connect said absorber 1 to the side member of the vehicle. The configuration according to the invention therefore makes it possible to protect the absorber 1 without involving the plate 35.

[0033] It is also noteworthy that the lateral zones 11 and the central zone 9 are made in one piece and are therefore part of the same part, namely the bumper beam 5. This gives great robustness to said beam 5.

[0034] As shown in [Fig.2], each lateral zone 11 has a free end 15. The lateral zone 11 may have a beveled shape from the level of said notch 13 to the free end 15. The beveled shape makes it possible to reduce the rigidity of the lateral zone 11 by progressively reducing the separation distance between the front face 7 and the face arranged behind the front face. This promotes the folding of the lateral zone 11 towards the rear in the event of a frontal impact with lateral overlap of the force and therefore improves the protection capabilities of the absorber 1.

[0035] The central zone 9 may be a U-shaped profile with a bottom corresponding to the front face 7, the arms of the U respectively forming an upper face 17 and a lower face and each lateral zone 11 may have an upper part 19 defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face 23 arranged behind the front face 7, one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the upper face 17 of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to a lower face 25 of the upper part of the lateral zone. For example, the upper part 19 may extend up to at most 50% of the height measured from the upper face 17 of the central zone 9 to the lower face of the central zone 9, preferably up to at most 45% or up to at most 40%.This makes it possible to limit the input of material when creating the lateral zone 11 in comparison with a body structure without a bumper beam 5 showing a lateral zone 11 extending from the external side 3 of an absorber 1 towards a lateral side of the vehicle.

[0036] Similarly, the central zone 9 may be a U-shaped profile with a bottom corresponding to the front face 7, the arms of the U respectively forming an upper face 17 and a lower face and each lateral zone 11 may have a lower part 21 defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face 27 arranged behind the front face 7, one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the lower face of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to an upper face 29 of the lower part of the lateral zone. For example, the lower part 21 may extend up to at most 50% of the height measured from the lower face of the central zone 9 to the upper face 17 of the central zone 9, preferably up to at most 45% or up to at most 40%.This also makes it possible to limit the input of material when creating the lateral zone 11 in comparison with a body structure without a bumper beam 5 showing such a lateral zone 11.

[0037] Preferably, as shown in the figures, each lateral zone 11 shows both an upper part 19 and a lower part 21, which makes it possible to offer protection over the entire height of the bumper beam 5. It should be noted that the face 23 of the upper part 19 and arranged behind the front face 7 and the face 27 of the lower part 21 and also arranged behind the front face 7 are preferably in the same plane.

[0038] For example, the upper part 19 can extend up to at most 50% of the height measured from the upper face 17 of the central zone to the lower face of the central zone, preferably up to at most 45% or up to at most 40% and the lower part 21 can extend up to at most 50% of the height measured from the upper face 17 of the central zone to the lower face of the central zone. from the lower face of the central zone to the upper face 17 of the central zone, preferably up to at most 45% or up to at most 40%.

[0039] More preferably, the upper part 19 extends to less than 50% of the height measured from the upper face 17 of the central zone to the lower face of the central zone, even more preferably to less than 45%, or to less than 40%, and the lower part extends to less than 50% of the height measured from the lower face of the central zone to the upper face 17 of the central zone, even more preferably to less than 45%, or to less than 40%. In this case, not only is the material input limited compared to a body structure without a bumper beam 5 showing a lateral zone 11 extending from the external side 3 of an absorber 1 towards a lateral side of the vehicle, but the protection of the absorber 1 is also advantageously provided over the entire height of the bumper beam 5.

[0040] For example, the bumper beam 5 has a curved profile at the central zone 9 and the lateral zones 11.

[0041] For example, each lateral zone 11 shows a length between 7% and 15% of the length of the central zone 9, preferably between 8% and 14%, more preferably between 9% and 13%, or between 10% and 12%.

[0042] As visible in the enlargement of [Fig. 3], the notch 13 may advantageously have a length which is between two and four times greater than its depth in order to allow the folding of the lateral zone while allowing it to retain a certain rigidity. Thus, the length of the notch may for example be between 5 mm and 10 mm and the depth of the notch may be between 2.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0043] The extension of the upper face 17 and / or the lower face of the central zone 9, as well as the presence of a lower face 25 of the upper part of the lateral zone and / or an upper face 29 of the lower part of the lateral zone induces the presence of edges facing the front of the vehicle. These edges can be aggressive, in this case sharp, with respect to the obstacle during the impact suffered by the vehicle, in particular if the obstacle turns out to be a pedestrian. Thus, in a preferred implementation of the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 4], the body structure comprises a metal plate 31 attached to the front of each lateral zone 11.

[0044] Preferably, one of the lateral ends of the metal plate 31 is welded to the central zone 9, for example by means of a spot weld with added material. Advantageously, the metal plate 31 comprises at least one positioning hole 33 which allows the metal plate 31 to be correctly positioned when it is mounted on the lateral zone 31. For example, the metal plate 31 comprises two positioning holes 33.

[0045] For example, the thickness of the metal plate 31 is less than or equal to the thickness of the front face 7 of the bumper beam; preferably, the thickness of the metal plate 31 is equal to the thickness of the front face 7 of the bumper beam.

[0046] Alternatively to the metal plate 31, a plastic / metal hybrid system may be used for the purpose of lightening the vehicle. Thus, the body structure may comprise a plastic plate attached to the front of each side zone (made of steel). Preferably, the plastic plate is clipped to the side zone. For example, the thickness of the plastic plate is less than or equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam; preferably, the thickness of the plastic plate is equal to the thickness of the front face of the bumper beam.

[0047] The invention also relates to a method of mounting a motor vehicle as described above. The method comprises a step (a) of providing a body structure with two absorbers 1, each absorber 1 showing at least one external side 3, and a step (c) of mounting at least one central zone 9 of a bumper beam on said two absorbers 1.

[0048] The method according to the invention is remarkable in that the central zone 9 is extended by two lateral zones 11, each lateral zone 11 extending from the external side 3 of an absorber 1 towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that it comprises a step (b) of forming a notch 13 extending over the height of the lateral zone 11, the step (b) of forming a notch 13 being carried out at the level of the front face 7 of each lateral zone 11 at a level situated close to the absorber 1, the step (b) being carried out after step (a) and before step (c).

[0049] Advantageously, step (b) is carried out by machining, for example using numerically controlled machine tools.

[0050] It is interesting to note that the bumper beam 5 used in the method described above is a monolithic part comprising both a central zone 9 and two lateral zones 11 extending from the external side 3 of the corresponding absorber 1 towards a lateral side of the vehicle. The lateral zones 11 are therefore not attached to the central zone 9 of the bumper beam, which makes it possible to avoid using connection means between the central zone 9 and the lateral zones 11 and to simplify the progress of the method.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising a body structure with two absorbers (1), each absorber (1) showing at least one external side (3), and with a bumper beam (5) showing a front face (7) and comprising a central zone (9) mounted on said two absorbers (1), the central zone (9) extending by two lateral zones (11), each lateral zone (11) extending from the external side (3) of an absorber (1) towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that each lateral zone (11) shows on the front face (7) a notch (13) arranged at a level located near the absorber (1), said notch (13) extending over the height of the lateral zone (11), characterized in that the central zone (9) is a U-shaped profile with a bottom corresponding to the front face (7),the arms of the U respectively forming an upper face (17) and a lower face and in that each lateral zone (11) has an upper part (19) and / or a lower part (21); in which the upper part (19) is defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face (23) arranged behind the front face (7), one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the upper face (17) of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to a lower face (25) of the upper part of the lateral zone; in which the lower part (21) is defined as being a profile with a U-shaped section with a bottom corresponding to a face (27) arranged behind the front face (7), one of the two arms of the U corresponding to the extension of the lower face of the central zone and the other of the two arms of the U corresponding to an upper face (29) of the lower part of the lateral zone; preferably,each side zone (11) shows an upper part (19) and a lower part (21).,

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that each lateral zone (11) shows a free end (15) and in that each lateral zone (11) shows a beveled shape from the level of said notch (13) to the free end (15).

3. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bumper beam (5) has a curved profile at the central zone (9) and the lateral zones (11).

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each lateral zone (11) has a length of between 7% and 15% of the length of the central zone (9) and / or in that each lateral zone (11) has a length which is less than the length of an absorber (1).

5. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the notch (13) has a length which is between two and four times greater than its depth.

6. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body structure comprises a metal plate (31) attached to the front of each lateral zone; preferably, one of the lateral ends of the metal plate is welded to the central zone (9).

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the metal plate (31) comprises at least one positioning hole (33) and / or in that the thickness of the metal plate (31) is less than or equal to the thickness of the front face (7) of the bumper beam.

8. A method of mounting a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, said method comprising a step (a) of providing a body structure with two absorbers (1), each absorber (1) showing at least one outer side (3), and a step (c) of mounting at least one central zone (9) of a bumper beam on said two absorbers (1), said method being characterized in that the central zone (9) is extended by two lateral zones (11), each lateral zone (11) extending from the outer side (3) of an absorber towards a lateral side of the vehicle, and in that it comprises a step (b) of forming a notch (13) extending over the height of the lateral zone (11), the step (b) of forming a notch (13) being carried out at the front face (7) of each lateral zone at a level located near the absorber (1), step (b) being carried out after step (a) and before step (c).

9. Mounting method according to claim 8, characterized in that step (b) is carried out by machining.

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