Bumper skin assembly assembled by centrally stacking fixing interfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) forming a bumper skin for a motor vehicle, comprising a license plate bracket (3) and assembly elements including a lower grille (5), an upper grille (7), and a pair of side bumper brackets (9, 11); the assembly elements (5, 7, 9, 11) are mounted on the license plate bracket (3) by a stack of complementary fastening interfaces and secured together by screws. The invention also relates to the method of assembling the assembly and the vehicle comprising said assembly. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bumper skin assembly assembled by centralized stacking of fixing interfaces

[0001] The invention relates to the field of the automotive industry and in particular relates to an assembly forming a bumper skin intended to be mounted on the body of a vehicle and to vehicles equipped with such assemblies. The invention also relates to a method for mounting such a motor vehicle bumper skin.

[0002] The bumper skin is one of the body parts of a motor vehicle that are visible to the end user, and which must combine good aesthetic performance with technical performance. Many parts forming the body of a vehicle are currently prepared in plastic material, this makes it possible to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and therefore its greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. This is for example the case of parts that can be assembled to form a bumper skin commonly called a bumper although the actual shock absorption is done by means of a system internal to the vehicle comprising transverse beams associated with shock absorbers.

[0003] The assembly of the different elements constituting a bumper skin (or simply bumper) must allow precise positioning of the different elements relative to each other, in particular due to the embedding of the front optical units (or front headlights) in the front face of the vehicle. For this purpose, the elements each comprise fixing and positioning elements.

[0004] Document CN113428102 relates to an automobile front bumper structure which comprises two bumper side brackets, an upper grille, a lower grille and a lower surface layer. The two bumper side brackets are respectively removably attached to the left side and the right side of the upper grille. The other elements are also attached to each other. A license plate holder is attached to the upper grille. There are therefore a significant number of fixing elements and positioning elements.

[0005] When made of a plastic material, the elements forming the bumper skin are generally made by molding. These elements are then liable to have molding defects, for example sink marks. Sink marks are shallow ridges or depressions on the surface of a molded part. They are caused by thicker than usual sections, non-uniform part design or injection point positioning Incorrect. Thicker-than-usual sections may include parts that attach to the part, such as mounting barrels or clips, extending from its inner face. Sink marks are cosmetic defects that are then visible on the outer face of the part, which is a face visible to the end user of the vehicle. These cosmetic defects result in a loss of perceived quality by the user that must be remedied. The large number of fasteners and positioning elements found in known bumper skin assemblies further complicates the task.

[0006] The invention aims to provide a solution to at least one of the problems and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a solution to the problems of appearance defects likely to appear on the assemblies forming a bumper skin.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an assembly forming a motor vehicle bumper skin, the assembly comprising a license plate holder and assembly elements including a lower grille, an upper grille, and a pair of bumper side brackets; the license plate holder showing an outer face intended to receive a license plate and an inner face opposite the outer face; the assembly is remarkable in that the inner face of the license plate holder comprises an initial fixing interface, in that the assembly elements each show a complementary fixing interface, and in that said complementary fixing interfaces are stacked on the initial fixing interface, said assembly elements being fixed by screwing onto the initial fixing interface of the license plate holder by means of their complementary fixing interface.

[0008] As will be understood from reading the definition just given, the invention relates to an assembly comprising different technical and style elements which are fixed together by centralized screwing. The invention is remarkable in that it makes it possible to mask any appearance defects, such as shrinkage linked to the presence of fixing barrels on the rear face of the assembled parts by concentrating them on the police plate support. In doing so, the invention will, on the one hand, limit the number of fixing barrels likely to generate shrinkage and, on the other hand, place them strategically at the level of an element whose external face will be covered.So if the fixing elements (for example fixing barrels) generate shrinkage during the molding of the part, these are masked by the said police plate (or registration plate) when the vehicle is put into service and are then invisible to the end user.

[0009] The invention therefore proposes stacking the fixing lugs of the different elements on a limited number of fixing barrels arranged centrally. In preferred embodiments which will be described further, the invention will provide extensions to some of the elements fixed to the police plate support in order to allow them to reach this centralized fixing and optionally indexing position. Indeed, and advantageously, the invention will combine multiple fixings and multiple indexings, and associate positioning means (i.e. control) with the stack of fixing interfaces generated.

[0010] In preferred embodiments, the invention proposes, in addition to centralized fixing of the parts, centralized indexing by superimposing and nesting the positioning means so that the fixing interface of an element assembled directly or indirectly on the fixing interface of the police plate support carries the indexing (or piloting) elements of the following element in the stack.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the initial attachment interface comprises one or more attachment barrels which extend from the inner face of the police plate holder. Preferably, the police plate holder comprises at least two attachment barrels. For example, the attachment barrel(s) of the police plate holder comprise first positioning means; preferably the first positioning means are positioning fins.

[0012] Advantageously, each complementary fixing interface of assembly elements has at least one hole for the passage of a screw.

[0013] Advantageously, the assembly elements each have a complementary fixing interface with at least one hole for the passage of a fixing screw and said complementary fixing interfaces stack so as to align said holes with the fixing barrel(s) of the police plate support.

[0014] Advantageously, the fixing barrels of the police plate support show positioning means cooperating with complementary means shown by the complementary fixing interface of one of the assembly elements placed in direct contact with the police plate support; preferably, the assembly element placed in direct contact with the police plate support is the upper grid

[0015] For example, the complementary fixing interface of the upper grid shows one or more indentations intended to receive the fixing barrel(s) so as to index onto the fixing barrel(s) and these indentations show at their bottom a hole intended for the passage of a fixing screw.

[0016] According to an alternative or complementary embodiment to the previous ones, each of the side bumper brackets comprises an extension forming a fixing lug sized to extend until it overlaps at least in part the initial fixing interface of the license plate support and carrying at its end an additional fixing interface. Advantageously, the additional fixing interfaces of the side bumper brackets each have a footprint, the bottom of which has a hole for the passage of a fixing screw.

[0017] Preferably, the complementary fixing interface of each of the side bumper brackets comprises means for positioning the next assembly element in the stack and said positioning means comprise at least one control pin.

[0018] According to one implementation of the invention, each of the bumper brackets comprises an extension forming a fixing lug sized to extend until it overlaps at least in part with the initial fixing interface of the license plate holder and said extensions are integral with each other so as to form a connecting strip and so that the pair of side brackets forms a single piece.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the assembly elements comprise a first assembly element whose complementary fixing interface is placed in direct contact with the initial fixing interface of the police plate support and a second assembly element whose complementary fixing interface is placed in direct contact with that of the first assembly element, and the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element is configured to be positioned on the first positioning means shown by the initial fixing interface and shows second positioning means intended for positioning the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element.

[0020] Preferably, the assembly elements comprise a third assembly element, and the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element is configured to position itself on the second positioning means shown by the fixing interface of the first assembly element and shows third positioning means intended for positioning the complementary fixing interface of the third assembly element.

[0021] Advantageously, the assembly elements comprise a first and a second assembly element and the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element is arranged interposed between the initial fixing interface of the police plate support and the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element.

[0022] Preferably, the assembly elements comprise a third assembly element and the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element is arranged interposed between the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element and the complementary fixing interface of the third assembly element.

[0023] For example, the assembly elements comprise a first, a second and a third assembly element and the first assembly element is the upper grille, the second assembly element comprises at least one of the bumper side brackets and the third assembly element is the lower grille. When the pair of bumper side brackets comprises two separate pieces, the second assembly element is a bumper bracket. When the pair of bumper side brackets forms a single piece, the second assembly element is the pair of bumper brackets.

[0024] For example, the police plate holder is integral with the upper grid or the lower grid. In this embodiment, the number of assembly elements whose complementary fixing interfaces stack is reduced.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle which is remarkable in that it comprises an assembly forming a bumper skin according to the first aspect.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a bumper side butt for an assembly according to the first aspect, remarkable in that it comprises an extension forming a fixing lug carrying at its end a complementary fixing interface, said extension being dimensioned to extend until it overlaps at least in part the initial fixing interface of the police plate support when the side butt is mounted in said assembly.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method of assembling a bumper skin according to the first aspect, remarkable in that it comprises the following steps:

[0028] providing a police plate holder showing an outer face for receiving a police plate and an inner face from which one or more fixing barrels extend so as to form an initial fixing interface;

[0029] providing assembly elements selected from a lower grille, an upper grille, two bumper side brackets, and a bumper side bracket reinforcement; said assembly elements each showing a complementary fixing interface with at least one hole for the passage of a fixing screw;

[0030] stacking the complementary fixing interfaces of the different assembly elements on the initial fixing interface carried by the police plate support so as to form a stack in which the screw passage hole(s) are aligned with the fixing barrels of the police plate support, and

[0031] fix the police plate support and the various assembly elements together by screwing into the fixing barrels;

[0032] preferably, the different assembly elements are stacked at their complementary fixing interface in a given order, and the initial fixing interface and the complementary fixing interfaces have positioning means cooperating with complementary means shown by the initial or complementary fixing interface(s) with which they are in contact in the stack produced.

[0033] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the figures appended and listed below.

[0034] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a view of a bumper skin according to the invention such that view from outside the vehicle.

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an elevational view of a police plate holder seen from its inner face.

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an elevation view of an upper grid according to the invention.

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a detailed view of the complementary attachment interface of the upper grille mounted on the police plate holder.

[0038] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an elevation view of the pre-assembly formed by the support of police plate, upper grille and pair of bumper brackets.

[0039] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a partial view of the complementary attachment interface of a bumper bracket mounted on the upper grille mounting interface.

[0040] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is an elevation view of the assembly formed by the support of police plate, the lower grille, the upper grille and the pair of bumper brackets.

[0041] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a partial view of the complementary attachment interface of the lower grille mounted on the additional fixing interface of the bumper brackets, before final screwing.

[0042] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partial sectional view of the stack of interfaces of fixing once fixed together by a fixing screw.

[0043] 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 motor vehicle assembly or other steps in the method to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". 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.

[0044] In the present description, the term “longitudinal”, the term “longitudinally”, the term “transverse”, and the term “transversely” are used according to the reference system of the vehicle, in the mounting configuration. The term “longitudinal” corresponds to the main direction of movement of the vehicle. The term “transverse » corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's main direction of travel. The term "front" refers to the vehicle's main direction of travel. The term "rear" refers to the opposite of the front of the vehicle.

[0045] Throughout the description, the different figures use the same reference signs to designate identical or similar entities.

[0046] [Fig.l] shows an example of an assembly 1 forming a front bumper skin for a motor vehicle according to the invention seen from the front, visible to the end user. Advantageously, the assembly 1 forms a front bumper skin.

[0047] The assembly 1 comprises a police plate support 3 and assembly elements including a lower grid 5, an upper grid 7 and a pair of side brackets (9, 11). Openings 13 are provided for the passage of the optical units (not shown).

[0048] The assembly and its assembly method will be described jointly. The police plate support 3 has an outer face intended to receive a police plate (or registration plate) and an inner face from which extends an initial fixing interface comprising, in the illustrated embodiment, one or more fixing barrels. [Fig. 2] represents the police plate support 3 as seen from its inner face 15. This face is the face opposite that on which said police plate is fixed. In [Fig. 2], the number of fixing barrels 17 is two. They are advantageously integral with the body of the police plate support, the assembly being made of plastic material by injection molding. However, it is possible to make the police plate support from another material and / or to fix said fixing barrels there.According to an advantageous embodiment, the fixing barrels 17 of the police plate holder have first positioning means 19 for the first assembly element. These first positioning means 19 can be of any kind, for example they can comprise an external shape of the fixing barrel(s) which is different from a straight cylinder, for example a rectangular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the first positioning means 19 are in the form of positioning fins made of the same material as said fixing barrels 17 and extending along the body of said fixing barrels 17; preferably, the positioning fins allow positioning of a first assembly element in two different directions, for example, the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0049] Indeed, according to the invention the complementary fixing interfaces of the different assembly elements are stacked on the initial fixing interface carried by the police plate support so as to form a stack in which the screw passage hole(s) are aligned with the fixing barrel(s) shown by the interface initial fixing of the police plate holder. This arrangement allows centralized screwing of all elements using a limited number of fixing screws.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper grid 7 is the first assembly element to be positioned and indexed to the initial attachment interface of the police plate holder. However, those skilled in the art may consider using another assembly element as the first assembly element, for example the lower grid. For this purpose, and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the attachment grid comprises a complementary attachment interface 21 comprising indentations showing screw holes, the indentations being configured to cooperate with the positioning means 19 shown by the attachment barrels 17 (visible in [Fig. 2]). In [Fig. 3], the complementary attachment interface 21 of the upper grid 7 is in the form of a plate repeating the dimensions of the police plate holder and on which said police plate holder is fixed, for example by clipping.However, the complementary fixing interface of the upper grid may have other shapes and may be presented for example in the form of one or more tabs extending from one of the edges of said upper grid. Whatever the shape chosen, it will be understood that the complementary fixing interface 21 of the upper grid shows one or more indentations 23 intended to receive the fixing barrel(s) 17 so as to be indexed on the fixing barrel(s) and that these indentations 23 show at their bottom a hole 25 intended for the passage of a fixing screw (not shown).

[0051] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, it will be advantageous for the indentations, which extend in projection on the rear face of the complementary fixing interface 21, to show a shape which is non-circular so as to be able to serve in turn as a positioning element for the following complementary fixing interface. Thus the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element is configured to be positioned on the first positioning means shown by the initial fixing interface and shows second positioning means intended for the positioning of the second assembly element.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], the second assembly element is chosen to be a bumper bracket. For this purpose, each of the brackets (9, 11) will show an extension 27 forming a fixing lug sized to extend until it overlaps at least in part the initial fixing interface of the license plate holder and carrying at its end a complementary fixing interface 29.

[0053] In the example illustrated in [Fig.6], it can be seen that the interface, a complementary fixing interface 29, comprises a footprint complementary to that of the previous interface so as to be positioned and indexed on it. Here, the lateral crosspieces are separate elements. However, in an embodiment not shown, the two side bumper brackets form a single piece and are integral at their extensions which thus form a connecting element. In such an embodiment, the complementary fixing interface is carried by said connecting element.

[0054] It is understood that the imprint of the complementary fixing interface 29 of each of the bumper brackets shows a hole 31 at its bottom for the passage of a fixing screw. This or these holes 31 are aligned with the hole or holes carried by the fixing interface of the upper grille. The complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element (here the upper grille) is thus sandwiched between the initial fixing interface of the police plate support and the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element (here the bumper brackets).

[0055] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the complementary fixing interface 29 of each of the bumper crosspieces further shows positioning means 33 (i.e. third positioning means), in the form, for example, of one or more pilots or pilot pins. These third positioning means are intended to cooperate with the complementary fixing interface of the third assembly element, here the lower grille 5.

[0056] Indeed, the lower grid 5 also shows a complementary fixing interface 35 (visible in [Fig.8]) intended to be stacked on the others. The assembly step of the third element is illustrated in figures 7 and 8.

[0057] In [Fig.8], it can be seen that the complementary fixing interface 35 of the lower grille 5 is stacked on the previous one and comprises at the level of each fixing barrel of the police plate support a hole 37 for the passage of a fixing screw aligned with said fixing barrel, and a positioning hole 39 intended to cooperate with the pilot of the complementary fixing interface 29 of one of the bumper brackets.

[0058] In a final step illustrated in [Fig.9], a fixing screw 41 cooperates with one of the fixing barrels to fix the various assembly elements to the police plate support.

[0059] It is understood that in the embodiment described, the license plate support 3 is an element distinct from the other constituent elements of the bumper. In a variant of the invention not shown, the license plate support is integral with the upper grille or the lower grille and the number of assembly elements fixed to the rear of the license plate support is thus reduced by one element.

[0060] For example, if the license plate holder is integral with the upper grille, then the first assembly element may comprise at least one of the side bumper brackets and the second assembly element will be the lower grille. Similarly, if the license plate holder is integral with the lower grille, then the first assembly element may be the upper grille and the second assembly element will comprise at least one of the side bumper brackets. The order and number of the assembly elements may therefore be adapted by those skilled in the art.

[0061] The assembly method according to the invention therefore comprises the following steps:

[0062] Supplying a police plate support 3 showing an outer face intended to receive a police plate and an inner face 15 from which one or more fixing barrels 17 extend so as to form an initial fixing interface;

[0063] Providing assembly elements chosen from a lower grille 5, an upper grille 7, and two side bumper brackets (9, 11); said assembly elements each showing a complementary fixing interface with at least one hole for the passage of a fixing screw;

[0064] Stacking the complementary fixing interfaces of the different assembly elements on the initial fixing interface carried by the police plate support so as to form a stack in which the screw passage hole(s) are aligned with the fixing barrels of the police plate support, and

[0065] Fix the police plate holder and the various assembly elements together by screwing them into the fixing barrels;

[0066] Preferably, the different assembly elements are stacked at their interface in a given order, and the initial fixing interface and the complementary fixing interfaces have positioning means cooperating with complementary means shown by the complementary fixing interfaces with which they are in contact in the stack produced.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1) forming a motor vehicle bumper skin, the assembly (1) comprising a license plate support (3) and assembly elements including a lower grille (5), an upper grille (7), and a pair of side bumper brackets (9, 11); the license plate support (3) showing an outer face intended to receive a license plate and an inner face (15) opposite the outer face;the inner face (15) of the police plate support (3) comprising an initial fixing interface, the assembly elements (5, 7, 9, 11) each showing a complementary fixing interface (21, 29, 35), and said complementary fixing interfaces (21, 29, 35) being stacked on the initial fixing interface, said assembly elements (5, 7, 9, 11) being fixed by screwing on the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) by means of their complementary fixing interfaces (21, 29, 35), the initial fixing interface comprises one or more fixing barrels (17) which extend from the inner face (15) of the police plate support (3);preferably, the police plate support (3) comprises at least two fixing barrels (17) and / or the fixing barrel(s) (17) of the police plate support (3) comprise first positioning means (19), characterized in that the assembly elements (5, 7, 9, 11) each have a complementary fixing interface (21, 29, 35) with at least one hole (25, 31, 37) for the passage of a fixing screw and said complementary fixing interfaces (21, 29, 35) stack so as to align said holes (25, 31, 37) with the fixing barrel(s) (17) of the police plate support (3); and / or in that the fixing barrels (17) of the police plate support (3) show positioning means (19) cooperating with complementary means shown by the complementary fixing interface (21, 29, 35) of one of the assembly elements (5, 7, 9, 11) placed in direct contact with the police plate support (3);preferably, the assembly element placed in direct contact with the police plate support (3) is the upper grid (7)..;

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the side bumper crosspieces (9, 11) comprises a extension (27) forming a fixing lug sized to extend until it overlaps at least in part the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) and carrying at its end a complementary fixing interface (29); preferably, the complementary fixing interface (29) of each of the side bumper brackets (9, 11) comprises positioning means (33) for the next assembly element in the stack and said positioning means (33) comprise at least one control pin.

3. Assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly elements comprise a first assembly element whose complementary fixing interface is placed in direct contact with the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) and a second assembly element whose complementary fixing interface is placed in direct contact with that of the first assembly element, in that the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element is configured to be positioned on the first positioning means shown by the initial fixing interface and shows second positioning means intended for positioning the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element.

4. Assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the assembly elements comprise a first and a second assembly element and the complementary fixing interface of the first assembly element is arranged interposed between the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) and the complementary fixing interface of the second assembly element; and / or the assembly elements comprise a first, a second and a third assembly element and the first assembly element is the upper grille (7), the second assembly element comprises at least one of the side bumper crosspieces (9, 11) and the third assembly element is the lower grille (5).

5. Assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the police plate support (3) is integral with the upper grille (7) or the lower grille (5) and / or in that each of the side bumper brackets (9, 11) comprises a extension (27) forming a fixing lug sized to extend until it overlaps at least in part with the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) and in that said extensions (27) are integral with each other so as to form a connecting strip and so that the pair of lateral brackets (9, 11) form only one piece.

6. Vehicle characterized in that it comprises an assembly (1) forming a bumper skin according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Side bumper cross member (9,11) for assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an extension (27) forming a fixing lug carrying at its end a complementary fixing interface (29), said extension (27) being dimensioned to extend until it overlaps at least in part the initial fixing interface of the police plate support (3) when the side cross member (9,11) is mounted in said assembly (1).

8. Method for assembling a bumper skin according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: providing a license plate support showing an outer face intended to receive a license plate and an inner face from which one or more fixing barrels extend so as to form an initial fixing interface; providing assembly elements chosen from a lower grille, an upper grille, two bumper side brackets, and a bumper side bracket reinforcement; said assembly elements each showing a complementary fixing interface with at least one hole for the passage of a fixing screw;stacking the complementary fixing interfaces of the different assembly elements on the initial fixing interface carried by the police plate support so as to form a stack in which the screw hole(s) are aligned with the fixing barrels of the police plate support, and fixing the police plate support and the different assembly elements together by screwing into the fixing barrels.;

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