IMPROVED front bumper frame for automobiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a front bumper frame (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a front panel supporting a structural element for mounting a camera (2) and its bracket (22), characterized in that said structural element comprises a central post (11) provided with an open window (10) in which the camera and its bracket are mounted, and which allows the camera (2) and its bracket (22) to recoil freely in the event of a frontal impact on the vehicle. (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED front bumper frame for motor vehicles

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of passive safety of motor vehicles and is interested, more particularly, in front bumpers equipped with means for supporting a camera.

[0002] Most current motor vehicles are equipped with driver assistance and parking systems (also known as ADAS) including, in particular, cameras (for example, infrared night vision cameras). These cameras are integrated into the lower part of the front bumper and, although visible, they are positioned outside the regulatory safety zone known as the "pedestrian impact corridor," which is centered at the front of the vehicle.

[0003] On the front of the vehicle, a set of critical regulatory conditions must therefore be met, requiring the presence of a free space to allow for the sudden displacement, under the effect of an impact, of all the technical components. This space, which must present neither resistance nor any obstacle likely to generate a peak of stress, generally corresponds to a length of approximately 100 mm towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] On high-end vehicles, the trend is to integrate the camera behind the manufacturer's logo. However, this logo and its support are generally mounted on the grille at the centerline of the bumper. Due to this specific placement, the logo and the camera are therefore located directly in the "pedestrian impact zone," which is problematic with regard to regulatory constraints.

[0005] French patent application FR3070648A1 describes a structural component for a motor vehicle comprising a frame supporting a bumper skin and a sensor bracket. The frame and the sensor bracket are connected by a mechanically weakened area configured to deform or break upon impact and allow the sensor bracket to move relative to the frame.

[0006] Furthermore, patent EP2951376B1 describes a method for automatically moving a pivoting opening of a motor vehicle by means of a drive mechanism coupled to an obstacle detection sensor on the path of movement of the opening.

[0007] However, the technical means described in these documents do not allow for the resolution of the specific problem that the invention must address. In particular, these means are neither suitable nor intended for establishing a security zone, however regulatory, allowing the free recoil of the camera and its support during the kinematics of impact at the front of the vehicle and without these components coming into contact with an obstacle likely to cause a peak of forces.

[0008] In this context, the invention sought a technical solution which, in its most general aspect, makes it possible to compensate for the shortcomings of the prior art and which, while respecting the regulatory constraints relating to the protection of pedestrians, also avoids weighing down and weakening the bumper frame.

[0009] This goal is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a front bumper frame for a motor vehicle comprising a front wall carrying a structural element intended for the attachment of a camera and its support, said structural element comprising a central foot provided with an open window in which the camera and its support are mounted and which allows the free recoil of the camera and its support in the event of a collision at the front of the vehicle.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the frame of the invention, the window delimits a hollowed-out cavity towards the rear.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central stand comprises two vertical uprights framing the window and carrying mounting elements for the camera and its support.

[0012] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, one of the two vertical uprights has a stiffening side extending parallel to the front wall.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature, this stiffening side extends into the bottom of the window.

[0014] According to other features, the window is made in the upper part of the central post and, in the lower part of the post, the two uprights have identical profiles.

[0015] According to yet another feature, the uprights have an overthickness projecting forward.

[0016] According to yet another variant, the two uprights are connected by a horizontal spacer extending under the window and carrying fixing elements for a logo support.

[0017] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a bumper frame having the characteristics defined above.

[0018] Thus, in principle, the invention proposes a bumper frame ensuring, in the event of a front impact, the absence of any obstacle likely to form a stopping stop during the recoil of the camera and its support, thus avoiding a peak of forces while simultaneously preventing the bumper from sagging.

[0019] The invention makes it possible to lighten the frame or at least to avoid increasing the weight of its structure and therefore that of the bumper by creating a window whose dimensions are strictly adapted to the size of the camera and its support.

[0020] In all cases, the invention offers both a weight saving because it does not involve adding a new part and a substantial saving because it only directly creates a new interface on an existing frame.

[0021] Furthermore, the invention allows the camera to be installed behind the manufacturer's brand logo, which is of interest for style while ensuring optimum and regulatory protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the vehicle.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, for which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bumper frame according to the invention associated with a camera, a camera mount and a logo mount.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a detailed perspective view of the bumper frame of the [Fig.1] associated with a camera, a camera mount and a logo mount.

[0025] [Fig.3] is a detailed front view of the bumper frame of the associated [Fig.1] to a camera, a camera mount and a logo mount.

[0026] [Fig.4] is a detailed front view of the bumper frame only of [Fig.1] without any other functional component.

[0027] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0028] The invention relates to the general field of passive safety of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with the structure of the front bumper.

[0029] More specifically, the invention sought to develop a front bumper frame incorporating means suitable for creating a space free of any obstruction at the rear of the front panel. This free space allows the camera and its mount to be accommodated when they retract following an impact occurring at the front of the vehicle.

[0030] Indeed, in the event of a pedestrian collision, the movement of the camera and its support must not generate a peak of effort, which, in terms of safety, corresponds to regulatory requirements.

[0031] In a known manner and as illustrated by [Fig.1], the front wall of the front bumper frame 1 of the object of the invention carries a structural element intended for the attachment of a camera 2 and its support 22.

[0032] The invention consists of perfecting this structural element to form a central foot 11 provided with an open window 10 in which the camera 2 and its support 22 are mounted.

[0033] More specifically, the window 10 defines, towards the rear of the frame, a recessed area, in the form of a cavity 10a, allowing the camera 2 and its support 22 to move freely in the event of a frontal impact (in the direction of the arrow in [Fig. 2]). The window 10 is formed in the upper part of the central support 11, into which it is directly integrated.

[0034] Thus, during a front-end collision, particularly with a pedestrian (or a bumper during the testing phase), the presence of cavity 10a allows the camera 2 and its support 22 to recoil through window 10 over a minimum distance of 100 mm, which corresponds approximately to the depth of this cavity. This safety distance ensures the proper execution of the impact kinematics.

[0035] However, the presence of the window 10 and the cavity 10a leads to the widening and increased weight of the frame 1 due to the addition of extra material on either side of the central support 11. To compensate for this excess weight, the invention provides for the central support 11 to be made in the form of two vertical uprights 1la, 11b, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The uprights 1la, 11b frame the window 10 and carry mounting elements (not shown) for the camera 2 and its support 22. Under these conditions, with the window 10 open and the cavity 10a hollowed out, this configuration can then contribute to lightening the structure by removing material.

[0036] At least one of the two vertical uprights (and here the right upright 11b) has a stiffening side 12 extending parallel to the front wall of the frame 1 and into the bottom of the window 10. The presence of this side prevents the front wall of the vehicle from collapsing in the event of an impact.

[0037] The two uprights 1a, 11b are connected by a horizontal spacer 13 extending below the window 10 and carrying fixing elements (not shown) for a logo support 3. In the lower part of the foot 11 and below the spacer 13, the two uprights 1a, 11b have identical profiles.

[0038] As apparent in figures 2 and 4, the uprights 1la, 11b have an overthickness 1 projecting forward and connect to a lower cross member 14 extending over the entire length of the frame 1, as illustrated by [Fig.1].

Claims

Demands

1. Front bumper frame (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a front panel carrying a structural element for the attachment of a camera (2) and its support (22), said structural element comprising a central post (11) having an open window (10) in which the camera and its support are mounted and which allows the free recoil of the camera (2) and its support (22) in the event of a collision to the front of the vehicle, the central post (11) comprising two vertical posts (1a, 11b) framing said window (10) and carrying mounting elements for the camera (2) and its support (22), characterized in that the two posts (1a, 11b) are connected by a horizontal spacer (13) extending under the window (10) and carrying attachment elements for a logo support (3).

2. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that said window (10) delimits towards the rear a hollowed cavity (10a).

3. Reinforcement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one (11b) of the two vertical uprights (lia, 11b) comprises a stiffening side (12) extending parallel to the front wall.

4. Reinforcement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stiffening side (12) extends into the bottom of said window (10).

5. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the lower part of the foot (11) the two uprights (11a, 11b) have identical profiles.

6. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said uprights (11a, 11b) have an overthickness (11c) projecting forward.

7. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said window (10) is made in the upper part of the central leg (H).

8. Motor vehicle equipped with a bumper frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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