Front bumper for motor vehicles incorporating a lighting and / or signaling optical unit
The innovative bumper design addresses docking line management issues by using a cover with a connected throat and rib structure, enabling seamless integration of optical blocks with complex geometries and maintaining aesthetic consistency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023002120
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-03-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing front bumpers with optical lighting and signaling blocks face challenges in managing aesthetic docking lines due to complex geometric shapes and excessive angles of inclination, leading to difficulties in manufacturing and assembly.
The bumper design incorporates a cover with a first throat connected to the external side edge of the front facade, featuring a distal branch with a salient boss and ribs, along with a second throat and rib structure to manage docking lines, allowing for easy assembly even with complex geometric shapes.
The design facilitates easy management of docking lines and outcrops, ensuring a homogeneous aesthetic appearance and seamless integration of optical blocks with the bumper skin.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Front bumper for a motor vehicle incorporating an optical lighting and / or signaling unit Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of front bumpers for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to such a front bumper incorporating at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit. Prior art
[0002] The front bumpers of motor vehicles comprise an outer skin conventionally comprising a central shield and two side crosspieces.
[0003] As disclosed for example in document FR 3 083 514 A1, certain front bumpers can also integrate at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit embedded in an opening made in said outer skin between said central shield and a said side crosspiece.
[0004] Such optical units are for example commonly used to provide the daytime running light function also known by the English acronym DRL for “Day time Running Lamp” and which are activated automatically when the vehicle moves forward in order to increase its visibility in daylight conditions.
[0005] Each of these optical units conventionally comprises a housing housing at least one light module and being closed by an external covering glass intended to be surrounded at least partially by the external bumper skin.
[0006] The housing of each optical unit is generally fixedly secured by screwing to internal reinforcement elements of the front bumper, themselves fixedly secured (by screwing, welding or clipping) to the outer skin of the bumper.
[0007] The outer cover glass of each optical unit has a front face provided with an external lateral edge which is flush with the internal lateral edge of the front face of a lateral bracket to form a docking line. Managing clearances and flushness at this docking line is essential for the aesthetics of the front of the vehicle.
[0008] In order for the play at this docking line to be uniform, the external lateral edge of the front face of the glass is generally in the form of a U-shaped section groove whose opening is turned towards the front and in which is housed a dropped return connected to the internal face of the internal lateral edge of the front face of the stock.
[0009] Unfortunately, this type of groove cannot be made on certain types of ice cream whose demolding directions have too great an angle of inclination with the longitudinal direction
[0010] Furthermore, certain optical units may have windows provided with an upper front panel involving a greater number of docking lines between this window and the bumper skin, so as to generate certain difficulties in managing clearances and flushness. Statement of the invention
[0011] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.
[0012] For this purpose, it proposes a front bumper for a motor vehicle comprising a outer skin comprising a central shield and two lateral brackets, as well as at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit embedded in an opening made in said skin between said central shield and a said lateral bracket, said optical unit comprising a housing housing at least one light module and being closed by an outer covering glass having a front facade provided with an external lateral edge coming flush with the internal lateral edge of the front facade of said lateral bracket to form a first docking line; characterized in that said glass comprises a first groove whose opening faces rearward, this first groove being connected by one of its lateral branches to the inner face of the external lateral edge of the front facade of said glass and extending back from this front facade, said lateral stock comprising a first return with an L-shaped section comprising a dropped proximal branch connected to the inner face of the internal lateral edge of the front facade of this stock, as well as a distal branch projecting in front of said dropped proximal branch and being inserted into said first groove.
[0013] The invention thus makes it possible to manage the clearances and flushness along this first docking line while allowing relatively easy demolding of the glass even if its front facade has a complex geometric shape and / or an upper facade also coming flush with the outer skin of the bumper.
[0014] According to preferred characteristics of said front bumper according to the invention: - the distal branch of said first return comprises at least one protruding boss in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with a lateral branch of said first groove of the glass; - said glass comprises at least one rib extending substantially horizontally in said first groove and being inserted into a corresponding cutout made in the distal branch of said first return; - said glass comprises several said ribs offset vertically two by two and each inserted into a corresponding cutout made in the distal branch of said first return; - the distal branch of said first return extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge of the front face of said lateral stock; - said first groove is formed in an opaque portion of said glass; - said glass has an upper front provided with an external lateral edge curved downwards and coming flush with the internal lateral edge of the upper front of said lateral bracket to form a second docking line joining said first docking line at the upper front corner of said glass, said lateral bracket comprising a second dropped return extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge of its upper front and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge of the upper front of said glass; - the front face of said glass is provided with an internal lateral edge coming flush with the external lateral edge of the front face of said central shield to form a third docking line, said glass comprising a second groove whose opening is turned towards the front, this second groove being connected by one of its lateral branches to the internal face of the internal lateral edge of the front face of said glass and extending back from this front face and projecting laterally from the internal side of the latter, said central shield comprising a third dropped return extending rearwardly from the external lateral edge of the front face of this shield and being inserted into said second groove; and / or - said second groove is formed in a translucent portion of said glass.
[0015] The invention finally aims, in a second aspect, at a motor vehicle comprising at least one such front bumper. Brief description of the drawings
[0016] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of the left side part of a front bumper of a motor vehicle incorporating an optical unit embedded in an opening made in the outer skin of this bumper between its central shield and its left side crosspiece; - [Fig.2] is a three-quarter rear view of the upper part of the optical block of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] represents a view of the upper front corner of the left side crosspiece of the outer skin of the bumper of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the left side portion of the front bumper of [Fig.l], taken along a horizontal section plane passing through the front face of the window of the optical block; and - [Fig.5] represents a sectional view of the left side part of the front bumper of [Fig.l], taken along a vertical transverse section plane crossing the upper front of the glass of the optical unit. Description of the embodiments
[0017] [Fig.l] represents a three-quarter front view of the left side part of a front bumper 1 of a motor vehicle comprising an outer bumper skin 100 comprising a central shield 110 and two side brackets of which only the left side bracket 120 is visible in this [Fig.l].
[0018] This left lateral part of the bumper 1 incorporates an optical unit 200 participating in this case in the daytime running light or DRL signaling function and being embedded in an opening made in the bumper skin 100 between its central shield 110 and its left lateral crosspiece 120.
[0019] Generally speaking, this optical unit 200 can participate in the realization of any photometric signaling function (for example, the brake light, reversing light, position light or even direction indicator function) or lighting function (for example, the main beam, dipped beam or even fog light function).
[0020] In the description which follows and by convention, an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two is defined with respect to the front bumper 1, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, - a Y axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane.
[0021] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms “longitudinal” or “longitudinally” will refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms “transverse” or “transversely” will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms “vertical” or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.
[0022] On the other hand, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X axis. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used to specify the relative position of certain elements relative to the orientation of the Z axis.
[0023] The terms “external” and “internal” will be used to define the relative position of an element with reference to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the bumper 1. The element closest to this plane will thus be qualified as internal by op position to the other element further away from this same plane which will be qualified as external.
[0024] Finally, the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" indicates that a deviation of the order of 15 to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.
[0025] Partially shown in a three-quarter rear view in [Fig. 2], the optical unit 200 comprises a housing 210 advantageously molded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and housing at least one light module.
[0026] This housing 210 is fixed to several interior reinforcement elements of the front bumper 1, which are not visible and are themselves fixedly secured (by screwing, welding or clipping) to the outer skin 100 constituting the only part visible from the outside of this bumper 1.
[0027] The housing 210 also has an exit opening for the light rays which is closed by an external cover glass 220 fixedly attached to this housing 210 on the peripheral periphery of its opening, by gluing or by laser welding so as to ensure perfect sealing.
[0028] The glass 220 comprises a first translucent portion of crystal tint 221 made of a translucent thermoplastic polymer such as a polycarbonate (PC).
[0029] This first translucent portion 221 forms the front 222 and upper 223 facades of the window 220, visible from the outside of the vehicle and bordered by the outer bumper skin 100 as illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0030] The glass 220 also includes a second opaque portion of black tint 224 overmolded on the peripheral edge of the first translucent portion 221 and visible in figures 2, 4 and 5.
[0031] Intended to mask the technical zones (in particular, those of docking of the window 220 and the bumper skin 100) from the view of an observer looking at this window from outside the vehicle, this second opaque portion 224 is made from a second opaque thermoplastic polymer, advantageously of the same family as that forming the first translucent portion 221 in order to ensure better adhesion between the two portions, in particular at the level of the surface zone(s) of edge-to-edge junction that the window 220 comprises.
[0032] As illustrated by [Fig.4], the internal lateral edge 222A of the front facade 222 of the glass 220 is flush with the external lateral edge 111A of the front facade 111 of the central shield 110 of the outer skin 100 to form a docking line Lfi.
[0033] In order to manage the clearances and outcrops along this docking line Lfi, the ice 220 comprises a U-shaped section groove 225 whose opening faces forward, this groove 225 being connected by one 225A of its lateral branches 225A, 225B to the inner face of the inner lateral edge 222A of the front facade 222 and extending back from this facade 222 while projecting laterally from the inner side of the latter.
[0034] This groove 225 is advantageously formed in the translucent portion 221 of the glass 220 as illustrated by this [Fig.4].
[0035] The central shield 110 of the outer skin 100 comprises a dropped return 112 extending rearwardly from the external lateral edge 11 1A of its front facade 111 and being inserted into the groove 225.
[0036] Still with reference to this [Fig.4], the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 of the glass 220 comes flush with the internal lateral edge 121A of the front facade 121 of the lateral stock 120 of the external skin 100 to form a docking line Lfe.
[0037] According to the invention and in order to manage the clearances and flushness along this docking line Lfe, the glass 220 comprises a groove 226 with a V-shaped section whose opening is turned towards the rear, this groove 226 being connected by one 226A of its lateral branches 226A, 226B to the inner face of the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 and extending back from this facade 222.
[0038] As illustrated by [Fig.4], this groove 226 is advantageously formed in the opaque portion 224 of the glass 220: the lateral branch 226A of this groove 226 being joined by its front face to the rear face of the external lateral edge 222B of the front facade 222 so as to define a surface area of junction between the two translucent 221 and opaque 224 portions of the glass 220.
[0039] The lateral butt 120 of the outer skin 100 comprises a return 122 with an L-shaped section comprising a dropped proximal branch 122A connected to the inner face of the internal lateral edge 121A of the front facade 121 of the lateral butt 120, as well as a distal branch 122B projecting in front of this dropped proximal branch 122A and being inserted into the groove 226.
[0040] This distal branch 122B advantageously extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge 121A of the front facade 121 of the lateral stock 120.
[0041] With reference to [Fig. 3] and in order to precisely manage the longitudinal positioning of the internal lateral edge 121A of the front face 121 of the lateral stock 120, the distal branch 122B of the return 122 comprises at least one boss 125 projecting in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with the lateral branch 226A of the groove 226 of the glass 220.
[0042] As illustrated by [Fig.5], the external lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220, curved downwards and coming flush with the internal lateral edge 123A of the upper facade 123 of the lateral stock 120 of the external skin 100 to form a docking line Lse joining the docking line Lfe at the upper front corner of the ice 220.
[0043] In order to manage the clearances and flushness along this docking line Lse, the lateral butt 120 of the outer skin 100 comprises a dropped return 126 extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge 123A of its upper facade 123 and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220.
[0044] As illustrated in [Fig.2] and in particular to avoid any vertical play between the internal lateral edge 123A of the upper facade 123 of the lateral stock 120 and the external lateral edge 223B of the upper facade 223 of the glass 220, this glass 220 advantageously comprises at least one rib 227 extending substantially horizontally in the groove 226 and being inserted into a corresponding cutout 124 formed in the distal branch 122B of the return 122 (see [Fig.3]).
[0045] Preferably and as can be seen in this [Fig.3], the glass 220 comprises several ribs 227 offset vertically two by two and each inserted into a corresponding cutout 124 made in the distal branch 122B of the return 122.
[0046] Numerous variant embodiments are of course conceivable and it is recalled in this respect that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all variant embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art.
Claims
Claims
1. Front bumper (1) of a motor vehicle comprising an outer skin (100) comprising a central shield (110) and two lateral brackets (120), as well as at least one optical lighting and / or signaling unit (200) embedded in an opening made in said skin (100) between said central shield (110) and a said lateral bracket (120), said optical unit (200) comprising a housing (210) housing at least one light module and being closed by an outer cover glass (220) having a front facade (222) provided with an external lateral edge (222B) coming flush with the internal lateral edge (121A) of the front facade (121) of said lateral bracket (120) to form a first docking line (Lfe);characterized in that said glass (220) comprises a first groove (226) whose opening is turned towards the rear, this first groove (226) being connected by one (226A) of its lateral branches (226A, 226B) to the inner face of the external lateral edge (222B) of the front facade (222) of said glass (200) and extending back from this front facade (222), said lateral stock (120) comprising a first return with an L-shaped section (122) comprising a dropped proximal branch (122A) connected to the inner face of the internal lateral edge (121 A) of the front facade (121) of this stock (120), as well as a distal branch (122B) projecting in front of said dropped proximal branch (122A) and being inserted into said first groove (226).;
2. Front bumper (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122) comprises at least one boss (125) projecting in relief from its front face and cooperating in abutment with a lateral branch (226A) of said first groove (226) of the glass (220).
3. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said glass (220) comprises at least one rib (227) extending substantially horizontally in said first groove (226) and being inserted into a corresponding cutout (124) formed in the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122).
4. Front bumper (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said glass (220) comprises several said ribs (227) offset vertically two by two and each inserted into a cutout corresponding (124) arranged in the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122).
5. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distal branch (122B) of said first return (122) extends substantially parallel to the internal lateral edge (121 A) of the front face (121) of said lateral crosspiece (120).
6. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first groove (226) is formed in an opaque portion (224) of said glass (220).
7. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said window (220) has an upper front (223) provided with an external lateral edge (223B) curved downwards and coming flush with the internal lateral edge (123A) of the upper front (123) of said lateral crossbar (120) to form a second docking line (Lse) joining said first docking line (Lfe) at the upper front corner of said window (220), said lateral crossbar (120) comprising a second dropped return (126) extending on the internal side from the internal lateral edge (123A) of its upper front (123) and coming to be housed under the external lateral edge (223B) of the upper front (223) of said window (220).
8. Front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front facade (222) of said window (220) is provided with an internal lateral edge (222A) coming flush with the external lateral edge (111 A) of the front facade (111) of said central shield (110) to form a third docking line (Lfl), said window (220) comprising a second groove (225) whose opening is turned towards the front, this second groove (225) being connected by one (225A) of its lateral branches (225A, 225B) to the internal face of the internal lateral edge (222A) of the front facade (222) of said window (220) and extending back from this front facade (222) by projecting laterally from the internal side of the latter, said central shield (110) comprising a third dropped return (112) extending rearwardly from the external lateral edge (11 IA) of the front facade (111) of this shield (110) and being inserted into said second groove (225).
9. Front bumper (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said second groove (225) is formed in a translucent portion (221) of said glass (220).
10. Motor vehicle comprising a front bumper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9