BUMPER SKIN WITH CONTROLLED LATERAL DEFORMATIONS, FOR A LAND VEHICLE
The bumper skin with controlled deformation zones addresses the issue of excessive rigidity in frontal impacts by minimizing wing and door deformation, reducing repair costs and simplifying manufacturing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022004193
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-05-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing bumper skins with integrated optical units become excessively rigid, leading to significant vehicle repair costs when subjected to frontal impacts, as they deform the vehicle's wings and doors, necessitating replacement of multiple components.
A bumper skin designed with zones that induce controlled lateral deformations during impacts, preventing rear edges from exerting pressure on the wings and reducing the need for extensive repairs.
Reduces repair costs by minimizing wing and door deformation, requiring only the bumper replacement, and eliminates the need for costly fusion zones in manufacturing.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: BUMPER SKIN WITH CONTROLLED LATERAL DEFORMATIONS, FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles, and more precisely to the bumpers (or shields) of such vehicles. State of the art
[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure to which right and left body wings and at least one bumper (or shield) are attached.
[0003] It is recalled that a land vehicle bumper generally comprises a bumper frame, a possible lower bumper crossmember, a bumper skin fixedly secured to the bumper frame and to the possible lower bumper crossmember and in particular masking the latter, and a possible bumper lining fixedly secured to the internal face of the bumper skin.
[0004] In some land vehicles, the bumper skin has an upper edge which is installed along the transverse direction of the vehicle and comprises two right and left end portions which are extended downwards by two rear edges each installed in front of a front edge of a corresponding (body) wing. Generally, when the bumper skin undergoes a substantially frontal impact, it is sufficiently flexible to deform at the location of the impact, and therefore it generally does not risk causing damage to at least one of the (body) wings. However, when relatively massive optical units are integrated into the bumper skin and fixedly secured to the latter or to the bumper lining, two very rigid zones are created where the optical units are integrated.Consequently, when the bumper skin undergoes a substantially frontal impact, at least one of its rear edges exerts pressure on the front edge of the corresponding wing due to this high rigidity combined with the fact that this front edge is substantially in the axis of the direction of the impact, and therefore this wing is pushed backwards and deformed. This results in a significant additional cost for repairing the vehicle due to the fact that not only the bumper but also each damaged wing must be replaced.
[0005] This situation is significantly worsened when the intensity of the impact is significant, typically when the relative speed of the vehicle in relation to the object contacted is greater than 10 km / h. Indeed, in this case the pushed and deformed wing will in turn exert pressure on the side door located in its extension, which pushes it backward and deforms it. This results in an even greater cost of repairing the vehicle because not only the bumper and each damaged wing but also each damaged side door will have to be replaced.
[0006] It has certainly been proposed to produce melting zones at the level of the fixings of the optical units (or lights) on the bumper and / or the fixings of the bumper on the wings, but the development of these melting zones is difficult and therefore expensive and time-consuming.
[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0008] It proposes in particular for this purpose a bumper skin, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising two right and left wings each comprising a front edge, and, on the other hand, comprising an upper edge suitable for being installed in a transverse direction of the vehicle and having two right and left end parts extended downwards by two rear edges suitable for being installed each in front of a corresponding front edge.
[0009] This bumper skin is characterized by the fact that each end portion comprises a zone which is arranged so as to induce a local deformation of the bumper skin in a predefined direction, in the event of a substantially frontal impact suffered by the latter.
[0010] Thanks to this controlled deformation of the bumper skin during a substantially frontal impact, at least one of its rear edges is completely or almost completely prevented from exerting pressure on the front edge of the corresponding wing, including in the presence of very rigid zones, which makes it possible to reduce the repair costs of the vehicle.
[0011] The bumper skin according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0012] - each zone can be arranged so as to induce local deformation of the bumper skin following a predefined direction parallel to the transverse direction, in the event of a substantially frontal impact;
[0013] - each zone may have a thickness which is less than a local thickness of its end part;
[0014] - in the presence of the last option, each zone can have a general V shape;
[0015] - in the presence of the last sub-option, each zone can be capable of extending substantially following a vertical direction of the vehicle, with the narrowest sub-part of the V placed at a vertical level lower than a level where the widest sub-part of the V is placed;
[0016] - each end portion may be adapted to extend towards the front edge corresponding.
[0017] The invention also proposes a bumper, on the one hand, intended to equip a land vehicle comprising two right and left wings each comprising a front edge, and, on the other hand, comprising a bumper skin of the type presented above.
[0018] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising two right and left wings each comprising a front edge and at least one bumper of the type presented above.
[0019] For example, this land vehicle may comprise a front portion which includes the bumper. Brief description of the figures
[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:
[0021] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the external face, a left part of an exemplary embodiment of a bumper skin according to the invention, integrating a left front light, with a left wing installed in the extension of its rear edge and a left front headlight installed above its upper edge,
[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the external face side, a small part of the bumper skin of [Fig.l], in the absence of the left wing and the left front headlight,
[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the inner face side, the bumper skin of [Fig.l], in the absence of the left wing and the left front headlight, but in the presence of a bumper lining and the left front light, and
[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the inner face side, the left end portion of the upper edge of the bumper skin of [Fig.l], in the absence of the left wing and the left front headlight. Detailed description of the invention
[0025] The invention aims in particular to propose a PP bumper skin intended to equip a land vehicle and which is subject to controlled lateral deformations when it undergoes a substantially frontal impact.
[0026] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the PP bumper skin is intended to be part of a land vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. terrestrial. Indeed, the PP bumper skin according to the invention can equip any land vehicle comprising a structure to which at least one bumper skin and right and left body wings are secured.
[0027] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the PP bumper skin is intended to be part of the front part (and more precisely the front facade) of a land vehicle (here a motor vehicle). But this is not obligatory. Indeed, a PP bumper skin according to the invention could be part of a rear part of a land vehicle.
[0028] In Figures 1 to 4, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.
[0029] In the following and the preceding, the concepts of front and rear are understood in relation to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle (parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors). Consequently, a front part or face of an element is oriented towards the front end of the vehicle while the rear part or face of this same element is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle and therefore opposite the front part or face.
[0030] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a left part of an exemplary embodiment of a PP bumper skin according to the invention, intended to form part of a land vehicle.
[0031] Although this does not appear in [Fig.l], the land vehicle comprises a structure to which the bumper skin PP and the wings (here front) left AG and right are secured. The bumper skin PP is more precisely fixedly secured, in particular, to at least one cross member of the front facade of the vehicle (of which it is part).
[0032] The PP bumper skin is intended to be part of a bumper of a (land) vehicle which also comprises a bumper frame, a possible lower bumper crossmember, and a possible bumper lining DP. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the bumper lining DP is fixedly secured to the inner face FI of the PP bumper skin, which is opposite the outer face FE of the latter (PP) which is oriented towards the outside. It will be noted that the PP bumper skin is intended to be fixedly secured to the bumper frame and to the possible lower bumper crossmember and to mask in particular the latter.
[0033] As partially illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the PP bumper skin comprises an upper edge BS which is suitable for installation in the direction transverse Y of the vehicle and has two right and left end parts PE which are extended downwards by two rear edges BR.
[0034] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1] the left part of the bumper skin PP incorporates a left front light (or optical unit) FV and has a left front wing (bodywork) AG which is installed in the extension of its rear edge BR and a left front headlight PV which is installed above the left lateral part of its upper edge BS. It will be noted that the right part of the bumper skin PP incorporates a right front light (or optical unit) and has a right front wing (bodywork) which is installed in the extension of its rear edge and a right front headlight which is installed above the right lateral part of its upper edge.
[0035] The left rear edge BR, respectively right, of the bumper skin PP is therefore suitable for being installed in front of the front edge BV of the left front wing AG, respectively right. For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, each end portion PE may be suitable for extending towards the corresponding front edge BV.
[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the left front light FV is fixedly secured to the inner face FI of the bumper skin PP and to the left part of the bumper lining DP. The right front light (not illustrated) is fixedly secured to the inner face FI of the bumper skin PP and to the right part of the bumper lining DP.
[0037] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, each end portion PE of the upper edge BS of the bumper skin PP comprises a zone ZD which is arranged so as to induce a local (and therefore lateral) deformation of the bumper skin PP in a predefined direction, when the latter (PP) undergoes a substantially frontal impact. The word "substantially" here means parallel to the longitudinal direction X at plus or minus 20°.
[0038] Thus, when the bumper skin PP undergoes a substantially frontal impact, it deforms laterally in a controlled manner in the predefined direction, thus totally or almost totally preventing at least one of its rear edges BR from exerting pressure on the front edge BV of the corresponding wing (here front), even in the presence of very rigid zones where the right and left front lights FV are integrated. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the repair costs of the vehicle, since only the damaged bumper needs to be replaced.
[0039] It will be noted that when the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the object contacted in a substantially frontal impact is greater than 20 km / h, at least one rear edge BR could push the corresponding wing. But, due to the controlled lateral deformation induced by the neighboring zone ZD, this thrust is very limited and risks at most inducing a small deformation of this wing, without the risk of the latter exerting in turn, pressure on the side door located in its extension. This avoids having to replace each side door.
[0040] The invention also makes it possible to avoid having to produce fusion zones at the level of the fixings of the FV lights on the bumper and / or the fixings of the bumper on the AG wings, and therefore to reduce the manufacturing costs of the vehicles.
[0041] For example, each zone ZD can be arranged so as to induce a local lateral deformation of the bumper skin PP in a predefined direction which is parallel to the transverse direction Y, in the event of a substantially frontal impact. But it could be envisaged that each zone ZD is arranged so as to induce a local lateral deformation of the bumper skin PP in a predefined direction which is parallel to the vertical direction Z.
[0042] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, each zone ZD may have a thickness which is less than the local thickness of its end portion PE, preferably on the side of the internal face FI. In other words, it is local thinnings of the end portions PE which define the zones ZD. This is particularly advantageous because the zones ZD are not visible from the outside when they are produced on the side of the internal face FI, and their possible imperfections (or appearance defects), such as deformation or shrinkage, are here masked by the presence just above them (ZD) of the front projectors PV.
[0043] But in an alternative embodiment, each zone ZD could for example be produced in the form of weakening lines comprising small through holes.
[0044] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, that each zone ZD can have a general V-shape. In this case, the reduction in thickness weakens the PP bumper skin, and the “V” shape makes it possible to orient the direction of folding of the PP bumper skin. Indeed, the PP bumper skin folds along at least one V-shaped zone ZD and takes up volume laterally (along the transverse direction Y) instead of having at least one rear edge BR which moves back towards the rear and therefore towards the neighboring wing.
[0045] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 2 to 4, each zone ZD may be able to extend substantially along the vertical direction Z (of the vehicle) with the narrowest sub-part of the V placed at a vertical level which is lower than the level where the widest sub-part of the V is placed. In other words, the widest sub-part of each zone ZD is located higher than the narrowest sub-part of this same zone ZD, and preferably at the level of an upper face FS of its end part PE.
Claims
Claims
1. Bumper skin (PP) suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising two right and left wings (AG) each comprising a front edge (BV), said bumper skin (PP) comprising an upper edge (BS) suitable for being installed in a transverse direction of said vehicle and having two right and left end portions (PE) extended downwards by two rear edges (BR) suitable for being installed each in front of a corresponding front edge (BV), characterized in that each end portion (PE) comprises a zone (ZD) arranged so as to induce a local deformation of said bumper skin (PP) in a predefined direction parallel to said transverse direction, in the event of a substantially frontal impact suffered by the latter (PP), said zone (ZD) having a thickness which is less than a local thickness of its end portion (PE) and a general V shape.
2. Bumper skin according to claim 1, characterized in that each zone (ZD) is capable of extending substantially in a vertical direction of said vehicle with the narrowest sub-part of the V placed at a vertical level lower than a level where the widest sub-part of the V is placed.
3. Bumper skin according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that each end portion (PE) is capable of extending in the direction of said corresponding front edge (BV).
4. Bumper intended to equip a land vehicle comprising two right and left wings (AG) each comprising a front edge (BV), characterized in that it comprises a bumper skin (PP) according to one of the preceding claims.
5. Land vehicle comprising two right and left wings (AG) each comprising a front edge (BV), characterized in that it further comprises at least one bumper according to claim 4.
6. Land vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a front part comprising said bumper.
7. Land vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.