Shock absorption device, particularly for motor vehicles, and front or rear face of a motor vehicle including such a shock absorption device

Abstract

Shock absorption device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a body (2) formed from a composite material and intended to absorb the energy of an impact by deforming, said device (1) further comprising at least one metal flange (4) configured to accommodate attachment elements for said device (1), said body (2) and said flange (4) having respectively a first zone (20, 40), referred to as the connection zone, in surface contact with each other, said first connection zone (40) of the flange (4) having a surface forming a first attachment interface (10) of said flange (4) on said body (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Shock absorption device, particularly for motor vehicles, and front or rear face of motor vehicles comprising such a shock absorption device

[0001] The invention relates to a shock absorption device, particularly for a motor vehicle. It relates to a front or rear face of a motor vehicle comprising such a device.

[0002] In this field, shock absorbers are currently known that limit damage to a vehicle or its occupants in the event of a collision. Initially, these absorbers were made of metallic materials, with the chosen structure configured to compress upon itself to absorb the shocks. More recently, it has been proposed to use composite materials to perform this function. In the case of composite shock absorbers, the attachment to adjacent parts must be sufficiently strong and is achieved by means of metallic inserts overmolded into the composite material.

[0003] With such shock absorbers, however, it has been observed that the inserts are pulled out when the forces exerted on the neighboring parts are too great, such as forces exerted by a pull bar or in the event of shocks.

[0004] The invention aims to overcome at least in part the previous drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a shock absorption device, in particular for motor vehicles, said device comprising a body, formed in a composite material and intended to absorb the energy of a shock by deforming, said device further comprising at least one metal flange configured to accommodate attachment elements of said device, said flange and said body respectively having a first zone, called the connection zone, in surface contact with each other, said first connection zone of the flange having a surface forming a first interface for attaching said flange to said body.

[0005] By "surface contact", we mean a contact extending over a two-dimensional area, flat and / or curved.

[0006] By "gripping interface," it is understood that the part equipped with it has a surface finish in a three-dimensional configuration that gives it gripping capabilities on a surface of the part in contact with it, for example, through its roughness and / or its corrugated nature. This three-dimensional configuration notably features point shapes, one-dimensional and / or two-dimensional, distributed regularly according to patterns and / or randomly on the surface of said part. The shapes have a very low elevation, in particular on the order of of the millimeter, of the tenth of a millimeter, of the hundredth of a millimeter, or even of the micron.

[0007] The invention thus provides enhanced adhesion between the composite body of the device and its mounting flange(s) through the surface finish applied to these parts, without drilling or additional parts. The flange(s) therefore exhibit a high level of integration within the device body, with improved adhesion.

[0008] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said flange is made of aluminium and / or steel, - said flange includes inserts for fixing the fastening components, - said first interface penetrates a thickness of material in the body, - said first interface presents a multiplicity of protrusions extending from a first basic surface, - said protrusions have a pointed and / or claw-like shape, - said device includes an adhesive material between said flange and said body to reinforce their attachment, - said device includes a covering layer made of plastic material, - said covering layer is overmolded onto said body and / or onto said flange level of respective second connection zones, - the second connection zone has a second attachment interface, - said second attachment interface is in the form of housings and / or grooves extending inward from a second base surface, - said first and / or second attachment interfaces are formed by a textured surface, - said textured surface is obtained by laser treatment, - said cladding layer forms a covering for the flange, - said first interface is located on one side of the flange and said The second interface is located on another side, opposite the first side; said cladding layer forms a covering of said body. - said second attachment interface is located on said body, - said first interface penetrates a first side of said body, opposite another side of said body bearing said second interface, - said covering layer extends over said body beyond said flange, - said composite material comprises fibres, in particular continuous and / or long, - said first interface penetrates the composite material down to the fibers, - said long fibers are unidirectional,

[0009]

[0010]

[0011] - said fibers are oriented in a direction intended to correspond to the direction of movement of the vehicle, - said fibers are made of glass fibers, basalt fibers, carbon fiber and / or natural fibers, - said fibers are woven, - said fibers are wavy, - these fibers are stacked in layers, - said fibres are formed into ribbons, possibly split and woven, - said composite material comprises a resin matrix, in particular a thermoplastic material, - said matrix is ​​reinforced by said fibers, - said second interface is formed in said resin, - said resin and / or said coating layer have counterforms to accommodate said adhesive material, - said composite material comprises a material obtained by pultrusion. - said body includes an arrangement of partitions, for example flat and / or tubular, - said partitions are arranged in such a way as to give the body an alveolar structure, - the said flange(s) are attached to one or more of the said partitions. The invention also relates to a front and / or rear face of a vehicle comprising at least one absorption device as described above. According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said device is in the form of a casing, - said front or rear face includes a bumper beam, - said beam is fixed to the casing by at least one first said flange of the housing, - said housing is intended to be fixed to a chassis by at least one second housing flange, - said front and / or rear face includes a towing hook, - said towing hook is fixed to said flange and / or formed by said flange. The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0012] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates in longitudinal section view an example of a shock absorption device according to the invention;

[0013] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically in cross-sectional view, according to a first variant, an example of attaching the parts of a shock absorption device according to the invention;

[0014] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically in cross-sectional view, according to a second variant, an example of attaching the parts of a shock absorption device according to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in perspective a surface condition of a part of a shock absorption device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0016] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates in perspective a surface finish of a part of a shock absorption device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment

[0017] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates in perspective a surface condition of a part of a shock absorption device according to the invention, according to a third embodiment.

[0018] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the invention relates to a shock absorption device 1, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0019] Said device comprises a body 2. Said body 2 is formed in a composite material and intended to absorb energy from a shock by deforming.

[0020] Said material preferably comprises fibers, in particular continuous and / or long fibers. Said fibers are advantageously unidirectional. They are oriented, for example, in a direction intended to correspond to a direction of movement of the vehicle, identified by the X-axis in the figure.

[0021] Said fibers are formed, for example, of glass fibers, basalt fibers, carbon fibers, and / or natural fibers. Said fibers are optionally woven and / or corrugated. Said fibers are advantageously stacked in layers. Alternatively or cumulatively, said fibers are formed into ribbons, optionally slit and woven.

[0022] Said material preferably comprises a resin matrix, in particular a thermoplastic material. Said matrix is ​​reinforced by said fibers.

[0023] Said composite material is obtained, for example, by pultrusion.

[0024] Said device further comprises at least one metal flange 4. Said flange is formed, for example, from aluminium and / or steel.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, according to the invention, said body 2 and said flange 4 respectively have a first zone 20, 40, referred to as the contact zone, in surface contact with each other. By "surface contact" is meant a contact extending on a two-dimensional area, flat and / or curved.

[0026] Said first connection zone 40 of the flange 4 has a surface forming a first attachment interface 10 of said flange 4 on said body 2. By "attachment interface," it is understood that the part having such an interface has a surface finish in a three-dimensional configuration that gives it the ability to grip a surface of the part with which it is in contact, for example, through its roughness and / or its corrugated nature. Said three-dimensional configuration has, in particular, point shapes, one-dimensional and / or two-dimensional, distributed regularly in patterns and / or randomly on the surface of said part. The shapes have a very small elevation, in particular on the order of a millimeter, a tenth of a millimeter, a hundredth of a millimeter, or even a micron. This elevation will depend, in particular, on the surface treatment technology used to create said shapes.

[0027] The invention thus makes it possible to strengthen the attachment between the composite body 2 of the device and its attachment flange 4 by means of the surface finish given to the flange 4, without drilling and / or additional parts. The flange 4 therefore exhibits a high level of integration into the body 2 of the device, with improved attachment.

[0028] The attachment of the flange 4 to the body 2 takes place at the level of the said first connection zones 20, 40. According to a first embodiment, the first attachment interface 10 is limited to these first connection zones 20, 40. Alternatively, it extends on the flange 4 beyond this zone.

[0029] Said first interface 10 has multiple protrusions 12 extending from a first base surface 14. Said first attachment interface 10 is formed, in particular, by a textured surface. Said textured surface is advantageously obtained by laser processing. A wide variety of shapes can be given to said protrusions.

[0030] In figures 2 and 3, the dimensions of the protrusions 12 of the attachment interface 10 are shown in a deliberately exaggerated manner, in particular in comparison with a material thickness of the body 2 and / or the flange 4.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, by way of non-limiting example, said protrusions 12 have a pointed shape, with a tapered end, as in [Fig.4], a flat end, as in [Fig.5], or a spherical end, as in [Fig.6]. Alternatively, they are, in particular, claws.

[0032] Referring again to figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that said first interface 10 advantageously penetrates a thickness of material of the body 2. Said first interface 10, more particularly its protrusions 12, in particular its points and / or claws, penetrate into the composite material up to the fibers.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiments, said device further comprises a layer cladding layer 16 made of plastic material. Said cladding layer 16 is, for example, overmolded onto said body 2 and / or onto said flange 4 at the level of respective second connection zones 160, 22, 42. Here, said cladding layer 16 extends onto said body 2 beyond said flange 4.

[0034] Advantageously, at least one of the second bonding zones has a second attachment interface 18. This is the bonding zone 42 of the flange 4 and / or the bonding zone 22 of the body 2. The coating layer 16 conforms to said second attachment interface 18, notably through its overmolding onto the flange 4 and / or the body 2. For this purpose, said second attachment interface 18 is in the form of recesses and / or grooves extending inward from a second base surface 30. Said second attachment interface 18 is formed, for example, by a textured surface. Said textured surface is advantageously obtained by laser processing.

[0035] According to the embodiment of [Fig.2], said cladding layer 16 forms a covering of the flange 4. Said flange 4 is here sandwiched between the body 2 and the cladding layer 16. Said first interface 10 is located on a first side of the flange 4 and said second interface 18 is located on another side of the flange 4, opposite to the first side.

[0036] According to the embodiment of [Fig. 3], said covering layer 16 forms a coating of said body 2. Said body 2 is here sandwiched between the flange 4 and the covering layer 16. Said second attachment interface 18 is located on said body 2. More specifically, said second interface 18 is formed in the resin of the composite material forming the body 2. Said first interface 10 penetrates a first side of said body 2, opposite another side of said body 2 bearing said second interface 18.

[0037] Said body 2 and / or said flange 4 are assembled, for example, by pressing the parts together, in particular with heating in a mold. Said first interface 10 is obtained on the flange 4, for example, during a preliminary step. When present, said second interface 18 is obtained on the body 2, for example, during said pressing step. The optional covering layer 16 is obtained, for example, by overmolding during a step subsequent to said pressing step.

[0038] To reinforce their attachment, said device optionally includes an adhesive material between said flange 4, said body 2 and / or said covering layer 16. Said adhesive material is located, for example, at said first attachment interface 10 and / or said second attachment interface 18, in particular between the raised features, such as protrusions, recesses and / or grooves, of said attachment interfaces 10, 18. The body 2 and / or said covering layer 16 have advantages counterforms are used to accommodate said adhesive material and prevent it from flowing beyond said first attachment interface 10 and / or said second attachment interface 18. Said adhesive material is distributed, for example, in the form of dots and / or rings 62, here only provided between the body 2 and the flange 4.

[0039] Referring again to [Fig. 1], it can be seen that, according to the illustrated embodiment, said flange 4 is configured to accommodate fastening elements 6 of said device, such as screws or bolts. Said flange 4 here includes inserts 8 for securing the fastening elements 6. Said inserts 8 are attached, for example welded, to said flange 4.

[0040] The flange 4 here comprises a plate 50, perforated or not, and an annular flange 52 attached to said plate. Said inserts 8 are located on said plate 50. The first connecting area 40 of the flange 4 is located, for example, on an inner and / or outer face of said annular flange 52.

[0041] Although not shown, said body 2 comprises an arrangement of partitions, for example flat and / or tubular, advantageously configured to promote the crushing of said body 2 upon itself in the event of impacts. Said partitions are arranged so as to give the body a honeycomb structure, in particular a cellular structure.

[0042] The said flange(s) 4 are attached to one or more of the said partitions. In other words, the said first connection zone 20 and / or the said second connection zone 22 of the body 2 are formed on the surface of one or more of the external and / or internal partitions of said body 2.

[0043] The front or rear face of a vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one absorption device 1 as described above. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], this is a shock-absorbing housing.

[0044] Said front or rear face further includes herein a bumper beam, not illustrated. Said beam is attached to the housing by a first flange 4 of the housing. Said first flange 4 is located on a first longitudinal side of the housing 1. It includes four inserts 8, only two of which are visible in [Fig. 1]. Said housing 1 is intended to be attached to a chassis of the vehicle, in particular a longitudinal member 60 of said chassis, by a second flange of the housing 1. Only the inserts 8 of said second flange are shown in [Fig. 1]. It is possibly of the same shape as said first flange 4 and arranged symmetrically.

[0045] Advantageously, said front or rear face further comprises a towing hook, not shown. Said towing hook is optionally attached to said first flange 4 and / or formed by said first flange 4.

Claims

Claims

1. Shock absorption device, in particular for a motor vehicle, said device (1) comprising a body (2), formed from a composite material and intended to absorb energy from an impact by deforming, said device (1) further comprising at least one metal flange (4) configured to accommodate attachment members (6) of said device (1), said body (2) and said flange (4) respectively having a first zone (20, 40), called a connecting zone, in surface contact with each other, said first connecting zone (40) of the flange (4) having a surface forming a first attachment interface (10) of said flange (4) on said body (2).

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said first interface (10) penetrates into a thickness of material of the body (2).

3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said first interface (10) has a multiplicity of protrusions (12) extending from a first base surface (14).

4. Device according to the preceding claim in which said protrusions (12) have the shape of points and / or claws.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an adhesive material between said flange (4) and said body (2) to reinforce their attachment.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a covering layer (16) of plastic material.

7. Device according to the preceding claim in which said covering layer (16) is overmolded onto said body (2) and / or onto said flange (4) at the level of respective second connection zones (160, 22, 42).

8. Device according to the preceding claim in which the second connecting zone has a second attachment interface (18).

9. Device according to the preceding claim in which said second attachment interface (18) is in the form of housings and / or grooves extending in a hollow from a second base surface (30).

10. Front or rear face of a vehicle comprising at least one device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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