Trim for rear hatch of automobile
A multi-part design for rear vehicle shutter enhancers using thermoplastic polymer and secure fixation methods addresses demolding challenges, enabling enhanced styling and secure attachment with optical blocks, achieving greater depth and aesthetic integration.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005437
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing manufacturing processes for rear vehicle shutters with elongated enhancers face limitations in style freedom due to demolding complexities, especially when the longitudinal depth exceeds 20 or 30 millimeters, leading to increased costs and design constraints.
A multi-part design for the rear shutter enhancer, comprising an elongated body with two side closing cheeks, fixed to the main shutter body using thermoplastic polymer, allows for significant longitudinal depth and enhanced styling freedom, with features like attachment walls, indexing means, and metal clips for secure fixation.
The solution enables the production of rear shutter enhancers with greater longitudinal depth at a reasonable cost, offering improved aesthetic and functional integration with optical blocks, while ensuring secure and precise attachment.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Trim for the rear flap of a motor vehicle Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to trim elements intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle opening. It relates more particularly to a trim for the rear flap of such a motor vehicle. Prior art
[0002] A motor vehicle comprises, in a known manner, optical units mounted at the front and rear of said vehicle. These optical units make it possible, on the one hand, to illuminate the environment of the vehicle to improve the driver's visibility, particularly in night conditions, and, on the other hand, to signal the position of the vehicle to other road users.
[0003] For mainly aesthetic reasons and in order to improve the perceived quality, a trim is sometimes fixedly mounted on the main body of the rear flap of certain motor vehicles, so as to extend between two rear optical signaling units mounted on this flap body or on the body structure of the vehicle.
[0004] Document FR 3 084 309 A1 discloses such a trim for a rear flap of a motor vehicle in the form of an elongated hollow body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main flap body.
[0005] This trim comprises two external end side walls each having at least one portion which fits in a corresponding shape with an internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a corresponding rear optical unit, so as to obtain a small, homogeneous clearance between these various elements, guaranteeing an optimal aesthetic result.
[0006] In order to obtain optimal freedom of form associated with a reasonable cost price, such a hubcap is generally molded in a single piece by an injection process of a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers.
[0007] For reasons mainly linked to the complexity of the demolding operations which can generate burrs, such a manufacturing process does not allow, except in the case of the use of particularly expensive special molds, to obtain hubcaps whose longitudinal depth is greater than 20 or 30 millimeters, which leads to certain limitations in the freedom of style of the rear part of the vehicles. Statement of the invention
[0008] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.
[0009] To this end, it proposes a trim for a rear flap of a motor vehicle designed to be fixedly mounted on the main body of the flap of said rear flap, extending transversely between two rear optical units of said vehicle, said trim constituting a hollow elongated body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main body of the flap, and comprising two external end side walls each having at least one portion designed to fit by correspondence of shape with an internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a said corresponding optical unit; characterized in that said trim comprises an elongated core open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks fixedly attached to said elongated core and each comprising a said external lateral end wall closing a respective lateral end of said elongated core, the two said lateral closing cheeks and said elongated core each being molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer.
[0010] Such a multi-piece design thus makes it possible to obtain, for a reasonable cost price, a rear flap trim having a significant longitudinal depth (typically greater than 100 millimeters), so as to offer greater freedom of style.
[0011] According to preferred characteristics of said trim according to the invention: - each said lateral closing cheek also comprises an attachment wall extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end lateral wall and fixed against the inner face of a corresponding end lateral portion of said elongated core; - said attachment wall of each said lateral closing cheek is fixed by hot rolling against the inner face of a said corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core; - said attachment wall of each said lateral closing cheek is fixed by gluing against the inner face of a corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core; - each said lateral end portion of said elongated core comprises at least one stop member projecting from its inner face and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch formed in the inner edge of said attachment wall of a corresponding lateral closing cheek; - said elongated core, having a cross-sectional shape of 7, comprises a rear strip as well as an upper aerodynamic support fin extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of said rear strip; - each said lateral closing cheek comprises a partition extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall and from the top of which several first support pads project, spaced longitudinally from each other, said first pads resting against the inner face of said upper fin of the elongated core; - said partition of each said lateral closing cheek is extended at its rear end by a return extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second supporting studs project longitudinally spaced from each other, said second studs resting against the inner face of said upper fin of the elongated core near its front edge; and / or - said return of each said lateral closing cheek carries a metal clip forming a nut and constituting a member for fixing by screwing said trim onto said main shutter body.
[0012] The invention finally aims, in a second aspect, at a motor vehicle comprising a body structure, two rear optical signaling units fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of said body structure, as well as a rear flap pivotally mounted around a transverse axis on said body structure and provided with a main flap body; characterized in that said rear shutter comprises such a rear shutter trim, fixedly mounted on said main shutter body and extending transversely between said optical units. Brief description of the drawings
[0013] 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 three-quarter rear perspective view of a rear flap of a motor vehicle equipped with a flap trim according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a three-quarter rear perspective view from another angle of the shutter trim according to the invention mounted on the shutter of [Fig.l] and consisting of a main core and two lateral closing cheeks; - [Fig.3] represents a three-quarter front perspective view of the main core which comprises the shutter trim of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] is a three-quarter rear perspective view of one of the side cheeks that comprise the flap trim of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.5] represents an elevational view of one of the lateral end portions of the flap trim of [Fig.2]; and - [Fig.6] is a three-quarter front perspective view of one of the portions side end pieces of the flap trim of [Fig.2]. Description of the embodiments
[0014] [Fig.l] represents a rear trunk or tailgate flap 1 intended to be pivotally mounted around a transverse axis at the rear of a motor vehicle on the body structure of this vehicle, between a closed position for closing the opening of this trunk and an open position for clearing this opening.
[0015] A direct orthogonal reference frame XYZ is defined with respect to this rear flap 1, comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - a longitudinal axis X, parallel to the ground and coincident with the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a transverse axis Y, also parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the X axis; and - a vertical Z axis, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.
[0016] 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.
[0017] On the other hand and by convention, the terms "lower", "upper", "front" and "rear" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle on which this rear flap 1 is mounted. The terms "lower" and "lower" will indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "high". The term "front" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the front of the vehicle 1 in the horizontal direction and the term "rear" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the rear of this vehicle 1 in the same horizontal direction.
[0018] 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 rear trunk flap 1. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal as opposed to the other element further away from this same plane which will be described as external.
[0019] Finally, the use of the term "substantially" will indicate that a deviation of 10 to 20° is permitted with respect to a predetermined nominal orientation, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" will indicate that a deviation of the order of 10° to 20° with respect to a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.
[0020] The rear trunk flap 1 comprises a main metal flap body 100 consisting for example of an outer skin 110 and an inner lining (not visible) formed from stamped sheets and assembled together to form a hollow box with a closed cross-section to ensure their rigidity.
[0021] The upper part of this main shutter body 100 has an opening 111 covered by a rear window, not shown, made of glass, the periphery of which is attached by gluing to a strip 120 provided on this shutter body 100 and extending around the periphery of this opening 111.
[0022] The rear trunk flap 1 also comprises a flap trim according to the invention 200 fixedly mounted on the main flap body 100 and extending transversely over the entire width of this flap 1 below the opening 111.
[0023] The two lateral ends of this flap trim 200 are designed to come into contact in the closed position of this flap 1, each with a respective rear optical signaling unit fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of the body structure of the vehicle (the left rear optical signaling unit 300 being thus shown in [Fig.l] in order to allow the final aesthetic rendering on the vehicle to be visualized.
[0024] Shown alone in [Fig.2], this flap trim 200 constitutes a hollow elongated body here in the form of a spoiler, open in its rear part attached against the main flap body 100.
[0025] According to the invention, the shutter trim 200 comprises an elongated core 210 open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks 220, advantageously symmetrically identical with respect to its median plane, and fixedly attached to the two lateral ends of this elongated core 210.
[0026] The core 210 and the two lateral closing cheeks 220 are each molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers.
[0027] Having a 7-shaped cross-section, this elongated core 210, shown alone in [Fig. 3], comprises a rear strip 211 as well as an upper aerodynamic support fin 212 extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of this rear strip 211.
[0028] In the mounted configuration of the flap trim 200 on the main flap body 100 illustrated by [Fig.l], the lower edge 21 1A of the rear strip 211 and the front edge 212A of the upper fin 212 of this elongated core 210 come to rest against the outer skin 110 of this main flap body 100 whose profile they match.
[0029] Each lateral edge 21 1B of the rear strip 211 has a concave curved profile corresponding in shape to the internal portion of the rear peripheral edge of a corresponding rear optical unit 300, so as to come, in the closed position of the rear trunk flap 1 and as illustrated by [Fig.l], flush along a docking line and with a homogeneous clearance with this rear optical unit 300.
[0030] In the same way, each lateral edge 212B of the upper spoiler 212 has a rectilinear profile corresponding in shape to the internal upper edge of a respective external spoiler appendage 400 surmounting a corresponding optical unit 300 to which it is fixed, so as to come, in the closed position of the rear trunk flap 1 and as illustrated by [Fig.l], flush along a docking line and with a homogeneous clearance with this external spoiler appendage 400.
[0031] As illustrated by [Fig. 3], the elongated core 210 of the trim 200 comprises a plurality of support bridges 213 taking root on the inner face of its rear strip 211 and each comprising a front top wall having an insertion notch 213A for the positioning and retention along a longitudinal axis of fixing clips not shown and provided with elastically deformable heads intended to cooperate by snap-fastening with orifices provided in the outer skin 110 of the main body of the shutter 100 in order to ensure the fixing of the trim 200 on this main body of the shutter 100.
[0032] Still with reference to [Fig. 3], this elongated core 210 also comprises indexing means intended to ensure precise positioning of the trim 200 on the main shutter body 100, so as to obtain correct docking of this trim 200 with respect to the optical units 300 in the closed position of the shutter 1.
[0033] These indexing means comprise in this case two first pins with a cross section 214 projecting longitudinally forward from the top walls of two support bridges 215 taking root on the inner face of the rear strip 211, at the level of its two lateral portions, and provided to be inserted into holes of corresponding shape made in the outer skin 110 of the main body of the flap 100.
[0034] These indexing means further advantageously comprise two other cross-section pins 216 projecting longitudinally forward directly from the inner face of the rear strip 211, close to its two upper corners, and also provided to be inserted into holes of corresponding shape made in the outer skin 110 of the main shutter body 100.
[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.4], each lateral closing cheek 220 of the shutter trim 200 comprises an external end lateral wall 221 closing a respective lateral end of the elongated core 210.
[0036] This external end side wall 221 comprises a main portion 221A having a concave shape complementary to that of the internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a corresponding rear optical unit 300, as well as an upper portion 221B surmounting this main portion 221A and having a substantially planar shape complementary to that of the internal end wall of a respective external spoiler appendage 400.
[0037] Each lateral closing cheek 220 also comprises an attachment wall 222 extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end lateral wall 221 and fixed by riveting (or hot riveting) against the inner face of a corresponding end lateral portion of the elongated core 210 (see [Fig.5]).
[0038] To do this, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 comprises several fixing pins 217 projecting longitudinally from the inner face of its rear strip 211 (see figures 3 and 5) and passing through corresponding oblong orifices 223 formed in the attachment wall 222 before being hot-rolled against this attachment wall 222 around the periphery of these orifices 223.
[0039] In order to guarantee optimal transverse and vertical positioning of the lateral closing cheeks 220 on the elongated core 210, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 advantageously comprises at least one stop member 218 projecting from its inner face and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch 224 formed in the inner edge of the attachment wall 222 of a corresponding lateral closing cheek 220.
[0040] Preferably and in order to ensure optimal positioning while avoiding any risk of pivoting around a longitudinal axis, each lateral end portion of this elongated core 210 will advantageously comprise at least two said stop members 218 offset vertically from one another.
[0041] As illustrated by [Fig.6] and in order to ensure better vertical holding of the lateral portions of the upper fin 212 of the elongated core 210, each lateral closing cheek 220 advantageously comprises a partition 225 extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall 221 and from the top of which several first supporting studs 226 project longitudinally spaced from each other, these first studs 226 resting against the inner face of this upper fin 212.
[0042] This partition 225 is advantageously extended at its rear end by a return 227 extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second supporting studs 228 project, spaced longitudinally from one another, these second studs 228 resting against the inner face of this upper wall 212 of the elongated core 210 near its front edge.
[0043] Finally, and as can be seen in this [Fig.6], this return 227 preferably carries a metal clip 229 forming a nut and thus constituting an additional fixing member by screwing the trim 200 onto the main body of the shutter 100.
[0044] According to embodiment variants not shown, the fixing of the attachment wall of each side closing cheek on the main core can be ensured by gluing.
[0045] Many variant embodiments are of course conceivable and it is recalled in this regard 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. Trim (200) for a rear flap (1) of a motor vehicle intended to be fixedly mounted on the main flap body (100) of said rear flap (1) by extending transversely between two rear optical units (300) of said vehicle, said trim (200) constituting a hollow elongated body, open in its rear part intended to be attached against said main flap body (100), and comprising two external end lateral walls (221) each having at least one portion (221A) intended to dock by correspondence of shape with an internal portion of the peripheral periphery of a said corresponding optical unit (300);characterized in that said trim (200) comprises an elongated core (210) open at its two lateral ends, as well as two lateral closing cheeks (220) fixedly attached to said elongated core (210) and each comprising a said external lateral end wall (221) closing a respective lateral end of said elongated core (210), the two said lateral closing cheeks (220) and said elongated core (210) each being molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer.;
2. Hubcap (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said lateral closing cheek (220) also comprises an attachment wall (222) extending transversely from the rear edge of its external end lateral wall (221) and fixed against the inner face of a corresponding end lateral portion of said elongated core (210).
3. Hubcap (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment wall (222) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is fixed by hot-stamping against the inner face of a said corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core (210).
4. Hubcap (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment wall (222) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is fixed by gluing against the inner face of a corresponding lateral end portion of said elongated core (210).
5. Hubcap (200) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each said lateral end portion of said elongated core (210) comprises at least one stop member (218) projecting from its in- interior and designed to cooperate in abutment with a corresponding notch (224) formed in the internal edge of said attachment wall (222) of a corresponding lateral closing cheek (220).
6. Hubcap (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said elongated core (210), having a cross-sectional shape of 7, comprises a rear strip (211) as well as an upper aerodynamic support fin (212) extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the upper edge of said rear strip (211).
7. Hubcap (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that each said lateral closing cheek (220) comprises a partition (225) extending along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane from the inner face of its external end lateral wall (221) and from the top of which several first supporting studs (226) project longitudinally spaced from each other, said first studs (226) resting against the inner face of said upper fin (212) of the elongated core (210).
8. Hubcap (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that said partition (225) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) is extended at its rear end by a return (227) extending along a substantially vertical transverse plane and from the top of which several second supporting studs (228) project longitudinally spaced from each other, said second studs (228) resting against the inner face of said upper fin (212) of the elongated core (210) near its front edge.
9. Trim (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that said return (227) of each said lateral closing cheek (220) carries a metal clip (229) forming a nut and constituting a member for fixing by screwing said trim (200) onto said main shutter body (100).
10. Motor vehicle comprising a body structure, two rear optical signaling units (300) fixedly mounted on a corresponding rear corner of said body structure, as well as a rear flap (1) pivotally mounted about a transverse axis on said body structure and provided with a main flap body (100); characterized in that said rear flap (1) comprises a rear flap trim (200) according to one of claims 1 to 9, fixedly mounted on said main flap body (100) extending transversely between said optical blocks (300).