Mechanical reinforcement comprising a prismatic skeleton for a bumper skin having at least one protruding angle

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical reinforcement comprising a prismatic skeleton for a bumper skin having at least one projecting angle. The mechanical reinforcement (2A) comprises a main part (4) and at least one arm (10) intended to border one side of an opening (16) formed through a bumper skin (6). At least one arm (10) of the mechanical reinforcement (2A) comprises a prismatic skeleton (24). Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Mechanical reinforcement comprising a prismatic skeleton for a bumper skin comprising at least one projecting angle Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of the automobile industry and, more particularly, that of bumper skins comprising at least one projecting angle. Technological background

[0002] Bumper skins are used to protect the body of vehicles from impacts and damage caused during low speed collisions.

[0003] Bumper skins are specifically designed to be mounted on the front and rear of motor vehicles, thus providing additional protection to the most exposed parts in the event of an impact.

[0004] In addition to their protective function, bumper skins have become important style elements, bumper skins allow for example a more aesthetic integration of daytime running lights.

[0005] Daytime running lights improve the visibility of motor vehicles in daytime conditions. More specifically, daytime running lights are configured to turn on automatically when the vehicle is in motion, in order to increase the visibility and therefore the safety of the motor vehicle as well as other road users.

[0006] In order to increase their mechanical rigidity, it is known to use mechanical reinforcements placed against a non-visible face of a bumper skin, from the outside of the motor vehicle. For this, the mechanical reinforcements must conform to the specific shape of the bumper skin, in order to allow homogeneous reinforcement of said skin.

[0007] One issue related to the design of bumper skins concerns the protruding angles that bumper skins sometimes have for aesthetic reasons.

[0008] These projecting angles impose particular shapes on the mechanical reinforcements, in particular when the projecting angle borders an opening made in a bumper skin, an opening intended to accommodate a daytime running light for example. In this case, a mechanical reinforcement can suitably surround only part of said opening. More precisely, the mechanical reinforcement consists of a main part, positioned opposite one edge of the opening, and two branches extending along the other two adjacent edges. When the opening is intended to accommodate a large daytime running light, the space available for positioning the branches around the opening is often limited. As a result, the branches generally have a low, or even very low, width to length ratio. The branches are therefore relatively fragile when the mechanical reinforcement is handled, particularly when the mechanical reinforcement is extracted hot from an injection mold.

[0009] The objective of the invention is to propose a mechanical reinforcement for a bumper skin, comprising at least one projecting angle bordering an opening intended to accommodate a daytime running light, the mechanical reinforcement comprising at least one branch intended to border one side of said opening, said branch being less likely to deform when the mechanical reinforcement is handled. Subject of the invention

[0010] For this, the invention proposes a mechanical reinforcement for a bumper skin, the bumper skin comprising at least one projecting angle bordering an opening intended to accommodate a daytime running light, the mechanical reinforcement comprising a main part and at least one branch intended to border one side of said opening.

[0011] The invention is remarkable in that at least one branch of the mechanical reinforcement, intended to border one side of said opening, comprises a prismatic skeleton.

[0012] Thus, advantageously, at least one branch of the mechanical reinforcement intended to border a first side of an opening made in a bumper skin, has increased mechanical rigidity compared to the state of the art, due to the presence of a prismatic skeleton on said branch. The invention therefore allows easier handling of the mechanical reinforcement, without risk of deformation of the branch or of breakage of the latter, during handling of the mechanical reinforcement, in particular when the mechanical reinforcement must be removed hot from an injection mold.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the prismatic skeleton comprises a main groove, extending along the direction of elongation of said branch, and the main groove is formed in a first face of the branch. Preferably, the skeleton extends over at least 60% or 80% of the length of the branch.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the prismatic skeleton comprises at least one second groove extending from the main groove. Preferably, at least one second groove extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the main branch.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one second groove is provided in the first face of the branch.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one second groove is deeper than the main groove. The depth is measured in a direction normal or substantially normal to the first face of the branch of the mechanical reinforcement.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one second groove does not open into the main groove. In other words, at least one second groove is juxtaposed with the main groove. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to preserve the mechanical properties of the main groove.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least two second grooves are aligned and connected to each other by a rib, the rib extending from a second face opposite the first face. Preferably, the second face is intended to face a bumper skin.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, a rib is integral with the bottom of the main groove. In other words, a rib may be present on the bottom of the main groove, so as to connect two second ribs present on each side of said main groove.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the branch comprises at least one rib on a second face opposite the first face, and the rib extends from the main groove.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the main groove and / or at least one second groove have a depth of between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the main groove and / or at least one second groove has a width of between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0023] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0024] The invention also relates to a bumper skin comprising a reinforcement as described above. Preferably, the bumper skin comprises at least one projecting angle bordering or extending from an edge or corner of an opening intended to accommodate a daytime running light, the mechanical reinforcement is arranged so that at least one branch comprising a prismatic skeleton according to the invention runs along an edge of the opening, preferably an edge adjacent to the projecting angle.

[0025] The branch may extend in a direction normal or substantially normal to the direction of elongation of the projecting angle bordering said opening, or in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the projecting angle when said angle extends from one side of the opening.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin as mentioned above. Description of figures

[0027] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] illustrates a front view of a non-limiting example of a reinforcement mechanics according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] illustrates a partial view of a branch of the mechanical reinforcement shown in [Fig.l];

[0030] [Fig.3] illustrates a cross-section of the branch shown in [Fig.2];

[0031] [Fig.4] illustrates a longitudinal section of the branch shown in [Fig.2];

[0032] [Fig.5] illustrates a partial view of an alternative embodiment of a branch of a mechanical reinforcement according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.6] illustrates a bumper skin comprising a mechanical reinforcement according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] As a reminder, the invention proposes a mechanical reinforcement for a bumper skin, comprising at least one projecting angle bordering an opening intended to accommodate a daytime running light, the mechanical reinforcement comprising at least one branch intended to border one side of said opening, said branch being less likely to deform when the mechanical reinforcement is handled.

[0035] [Fig. 1] illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a mechanical reinforcement according to the invention. The mechanical reinforcement 2A consists of a main part 4, of elongate or substantially elongate shape. As presented below, this main part 4 is intended to run along an edge of an opening 4 formed through a bumper skin.

[0036] The mechanical reinforcement 2A comprises a first branch 8 extending from a first end 10 of the main part 4. The mechanical reinforcement also comprises a second branch 12 extending from a second end 14 of the main part. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the branches extend in a direction normal or substantially normal to the direction of elongation of the main part 4.

[0037] The first branch 8 and the second branch 12 are intended to run along the edges of an opening 16 formed through a bumper skin 6 as illustrated by [Fig.6], so that the mechanical reinforcement 2A at least partially surrounds said opening in order to reinforce the bumper skin at the level of the opening 16.

[0038] As mentioned above, the bumper skin has a projecting angle 18 extending from a corner 20 of the opening, not allowing mechanical reinforcement 2A to close the space delimited by opening 16.

[0039] According to the present example, the surface area of ​​the first branch increases towards its free end 22. In other words, the thickness of the first branch 8 is thinner at the main part 4. As a result, at the main part, the first branch 8 is mechanically more fragile. The first branch 8 is then likely to collapse under the weight of its free end 22 and therefore to deform or break when the mechanical reinforcement 2A is handled.

[0040] In order to prevent irreversible deformation of the first branch 8, the invention proposes the arrangement of a prismatic skeleton 24 along the first branch 8.

[0041] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the prismatic skeleton 24 consists of a main groove 26, extending over at least 80% of the length of the first branch 8.

[0042] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the main groove 26 is formed in a first face 28 of the mechanical reinforcement. The second face 30 of the mechanical reinforcement, opposite the first face 28, is intended to be opposite a bumper skin.

[0043] Preferably, the main groove 26 has a depth of between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm, the depth being measured in a direction normal or substantially normal to the first face 28.

[0044] According to the present example, the main groove 26 has a width of between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0045] Thus advantageously, the main groove increases the mechanical resistance of the first branch 8, so that it is less likely to deform when the mechanical reinforcement is manipulated.

[0046] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the first branch 8 also comprises second grooves 32, extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the main groove 26. The second grooves may open into the main groove 26. Preferably, the second grooves 32 do not open into the main groove 26 in order to preserve the mechanical properties of the main groove.

[0047] Preferably, the second grooves 32 have a depth of between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm, the depth being measured in a direction normal or substantially normal to the first face 28.

[0048] According to the present example, the second grooves 32 have a width of between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0049] The second grooves are spaced apart by a distance of between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0050] As illustrated by [Fig.4], the second grooves 32 are preferably spaced regularly, in order to form a regular pattern of notches.

[0051] Preferably, as illustrated by [Fig.2], the second grooves 32 are aligned or substantially aligned on either side of the main groove 26.

[0052] Optionally, the first branch 8 may also comprise ribs 34 extending from the main groove 26, parallel or substantially parallel to the second grooves 32. The ribs 34 offer the advantage of being able to compensate for the absence of a second groove on the first branch, when the space is not sufficient.

[0053] [Fig. 5] now illustrates another alternative embodiment of a mechanical reinforcement 2B according to the invention. The mechanical reinforcement 2B differs from the mechanical reinforcement 2A described above in that the first branch 8 comprises second ribs 34 deeper than the main groove 26. The bottoms 36 of the second grooves are connected by ribs 34 extending above the bottom 38 of the main groove 26. Preferably, the ribs are integral with the bottom 38 of the main groove.

[0054] Optionally, according to an embodiment not shown, ribs can be made on the bottom of the main groove, without necessarily being linked to a second groove.

[0055] Preferably, the mechanical reinforcements described above are produced using a molding or injection technique, allowing the production of mechanical reinforcement in a single piece. The mechanical reinforcements according to the invention are preferably produced from synthetic polymers, promoting easy molding of the mechanical reinforcement using a hot injection technique of said polymers.

[0056] [Fig. 6] now illustrates a bumper skin 6 comprising a mechanical reinforcement 2A as described above. The bumper skin comprises an opening 16 intended to accommodate a daytime running light, for example. For aesthetic reasons, the bumper skin comprises a projecting angle 18 extending from a corner of the opening 16. As mentioned above, the presence of this projecting angle 18 prevents the ends of the first branch 8 and the second branch of the mechanical reinforcement 2A from being properly connected, so that the latter can completely surround the opening 16. A mechanical reinforcement according to the invention makes it possible to partially surround the opening 16 of the bumper skin 6, with a mechanical reinforcement less likely to deform or break during handling. It should be noted that the prismatic skeleton 24 extends over the part of the first branch 8 whose thickness is the thinnest.

Claims

Claims

1. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) for a bumper skin (6), the bumper skin (6) comprising at least one projecting angle (18) bordering an opening (16) intended to accommodate a daytime running light, the mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) comprising a main part (4) and at least one branch (10) intended to border one side of said opening (16), characterized in that at least one branch (10) of the mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) intended to border one side of said opening (16), comprises a prismatic skeleton (24).

2. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to claim 1, characterized in that the prismatic skeleton (24) comprises a main groove (26) extending along the direction of elongation of said branch (10), and in that the main groove (26) is formed in a first face (28) of the branch (10).

3. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to claim 2, characterized in that the prismatic skeleton (24) comprises at least one second groove (32) extending from the main groove (26).

4. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one second groove (32) extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the main groove (26).

5. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one second groove (32) is provided in the first face (28) of the branch (10).

6. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one second groove (32) is deeper than the main groove (26).

7. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least one second groove (32) does not open into the main groove (26).

8. Mechanical reinforcement (2B) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at least two second grooves (32) are aligned and connected to each other by a rib (34) extending from a second face opposite the first face (28).

9. Mechanical reinforcement (2B) according to claim 8, characterized in that the rib (34) is integral with the bottom (38) of the main groove (26).

10. Mechanical reinforcement (2A, 2B) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the branch (10) comprises at least one rib (34) on a second face (30) opposite the first face (28), and in that the rib (34) extends from the main groove (26).

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