Hinge reinforcement device for the opening.

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcement device (1) designed to equip a door or window, the device (1) comprising a first part (8) designed to reinforce the attachment of a hinge, the first part (8) being designed to extend along a lateral side, receiving each hinge, and to allow the attachment of door or window hinges to the first part (8), the device (1) having a second part (15), formed from the same material as the first part (8) and forming a plate (16) designed to allow the attachment of a stiffener. The invention further relates to the door or window comprising an outer panel extending from the lateral side, the door or window comprising a device (1) fixed to the door or window, the first part (8) extending along the lateral side, the door or window having a stiffener fixed to the plate (16) and extending along an inner face of the outer panel. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for reinforcing an opening hinge.

[0001] The technical field concerns reinforcement devices designed to reinforce an opening hinge, openings equipped with such a reinforcement device and finally motor vehicles comprising at least one such opening.

[0002] In terms of road safety, automobile manufacturers must take into account multiple concerns and regulations when developing new vehicles. Thus, automobile manufacturers must ensure the safety of vehicle passengers in the event of a collision. In order to guarantee passenger safety, vehicles are subjected to various impact simulation procedures, including impacts against a rigid post impacting the vehicle on the side, at the passenger doors, called side impact against a post or against a barrier. In a side impact, the deformations undergone by the vehicle are particularly studied in order to minimize the intrusion of the post into the protected space around the passengers.

[0003] In this context, most motor vehicle doors include a stiffener extending across the door, between an outer panel and an inner panel, in order to stiffen the door in the event of a side impact and to form a force path that allows the dissipation of the energy of a side impact. The stiffener is generally fixed at two points on the door, preferably in the lower part of the door. At the front of the door, to ensure continuity of the force path, the stiffener must be fixed to a robust element of the door, such as a hinge reinforcement that allows the attachment of a hinge to be reinforced. However, the attachment of the stiffener to the hinge reinforcement requires an intermediate piece, called a front lateral reinforcement support, which is fixed by spot welds to the hinge reinforcement. The intermediate piece is designed to allow plane-on-plane support of the support and the stiffener.

[0004] However, in the event of a side impact, the front lateral reinforcement support constitutes a weak point since the welding points are likely to break easily in the event of side impacts, which has the effect of separating the stiffener from the hinge reinforcement. In such a case, the force path is ineffective and the controlled deformation scenario in the event of an impact is no longer respected.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a solution to ensure that the stiffener attachment to the hinge reinforcement remains secure in the event of a side impact.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing device for fixing a stiffener of an opening to maintain the force path in the event of a side impact.

[0007] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a reinforcement device designed to equip an opening of a motor vehicle, the device comprising a first part designed to reinforce the fixing of at least one hinge of the opening, the first part being designed to extend along a lateral flank of the opening, receiving each hinge, and to allow the fixing of at least one opening hinge on the first part, the reinforcement device having a second part, integral with the first part and forming a plate designed to allow the fixing of an opening stiffener.

[0008] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle opening comprising an outer panel extending from a lateral flank, comprising at least one zone for fixing a hinge, the opening comprising a reinforcing device according to the invention fixed to the opening, the first part extending along the lateral flank, the opening further comprising an opening stiffener fixed to the plate of the device and extending along an internal face of the outer panel.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one opening according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, the reinforcement device makes it possible to reinforce the fixing of a hinge and therefore to ensure the functions of a conventional hinge reinforcement thanks to the first part. The device also allows the fixing of a stiffener on the device according to the invention thanks to the second part. The device advantageously makes it possible to dispense with the front lateral reinforcement support whose function is ensured by the second part. Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain an opening according to the invention in which the fixing of the stiffener is carried out using only the device according to the invention, instead of the two elements usually required. The device therefore makes it possible to simplify the assembly of an opening according to the invention.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first part forms a U-shaped or L-shaped profile.

[0012] According to one possibility, the plate of the second part extends between two plates of the profile.

[0013] Advantageously, the plate is shaped to extend in a plane parallel to an exterior panel of the opening, when the device is fixed to the opening.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device is formed from a stamped sheet metal.

[0015] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] [Fig.l], represents a perspective view of a reinforcement device according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of an opening according to the invention implementing a device.

[0018] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0019] A reinforcing device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to equip an opening 2 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.2]. The reinforcing device 1 makes it possible to reinforce the fixing of a hinge of the opening 2, not illustrated. The device 1 is, for example, formed from a stamped sheet metal.

[0020] The opening 2 according to the invention comprises an external panel 3 having an external face 4, visible from the outside of the vehicle, and an internal face 5 opposite the external face 4. The opening 2 also comprises a lateral flank 6 extending the external panel 3. The lateral flank 6 comprises at least one fixing zone 7 of an opening hinge.

[0021] The device 1 comprises a first part 8 designed to reinforce the fixing of at least one hinge of the opening 2. The first part 8 is designed to extend along the lateral flank 6 of the opening 2, receiving each hinge, and to allow the fixing of at least one opening hinge on the first part 8. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the first part 8 forms an L-shaped profile 9 composed of two plates 10. For example, one of the plates 10 has a rim 11 extending the plate 10. Advantageously, the first part 8 has reinforcing ribs 12, illustrated in [Fig.l]. Each plate 10 has, for example, openings 13 designed to lighten the first part 8. According to one embodiment, the first part 8 has fixing orifices 14 allowing the device 1 to be fixed on the opening 2 and / or an opening hinge.

[0022] The reinforcement device 1 has a second part 15, integral with the first part 8 and forming a plate 16 designed to allow the fixing of an opening stiffener 17, illustrated in [Fig.2]. The plate 16 of the second part 15 extends between two plates 10 of the first part 8. The plate 16 is advantageously shaped to allow plane-on-plane support of the plate 16 and the stiffener 17.

[0023] In the opening 2, the second part 15 advantageously extends in a plane substantially parallel to the outer panel 3, when the device 1 is fixed to the lateral flank 6. As illustrated in the figures, the plate 16 is parallel to one of the plates 10. In the example illustrated in the figures, the plate 16 is extended by two lateral walls 18 extending between the plate 16 and one of the plates 10.

[0024] The fixing of the device 1 is obtained, for example, by welding the first part 8 to the lateral flank 6 or by riveting using, for example, the orifices 14. Advantageously, a plate 10 of the device is welded to the internal face 5.

[0025] The opening 2 according to the invention further comprises the stiffener 17 formed, for example, of a bar extending between two ends 19, 20, one of which 19 is fixed to the plate 16 of the device 1 and the other end 20 is fixed to the internal face 5 of the external panel 3. The stiffener 17 is dimensioned to reinforce the opening 2 in order to give it satisfactory behavior in the event of a side impact to allow the vehicle according to the invention to successfully complete the impact simulation procedures.

[0026] Thus, the reinforcement device 1 makes it possible to reinforce the fixing of a hinge thanks to the first part 8. The device 1 also makes it possible to fix the stiffener 17 on the device 1 thanks to the second part 15. The device 1 advantageously makes it possible to dispense with the front lateral reinforcement support whose function is ensured by the second part 15. Thus, the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain the opening 2 according to the invention in which the fixing of the stiffener 17 is carried out using only the device 1, instead of the two elements usually required. The device 1 therefore makes it possible to simplify the assembly of the opening 2.

[0027]

[0028] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the reinforcement device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Reinforcing device (1) designed to equip an opening (2) of a motor vehicle, the device (1) comprising a first part (8) designed to reinforce the fixing of at least one hinge of the opening (2), the first part (8) being designed to extend along a lateral flank (6) of the opening (2), receiving each hinge, and to allow the fixing of at least one opening hinge on the first part (8), the reinforcing device (1) having a second part (15), integral with the first part (8) and forming a plate (16) designed to allow the fixing of an opening stiffener (18).

2. Reinforcing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (8) forms a U-shaped or L-shaped profile (9).

3. Reinforcing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plate (16) of the second part (15) extends between two plates (10) of the profile (9).

4. Reinforcing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate (16) is shaped to extend in a plane parallel to an external panel (3) of the opening (2), when the device (1) is fixed to the opening (2).

5. Reinforcing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is formed from a stamped sheet metal.

6. Opening (2) of a motor vehicle comprising an outer panel (3) extending from a lateral flank (6), comprising at least one fixing zone (7) of a hinge, the opening (2) comprising a reinforcing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 fixed to the opening (2), the first part (8) extending along the lateral flank (6), the opening (2) further comprising an opening stiffener (18) fixed on the plate (16) of the device (1) and extending along an internal face (5) of the outer panel (3).

7. Motor vehicle comprising at least one opening (2) according to claim 6.

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