Complete shutter and frame assembly for motor vehicles and vehicles including such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a shutter-frame assembly (20) for a motor vehicle, said assembly (20) comprising at least one shutter (3), a bodywork element (5) forming a frame, and a sealing gasket (22), said shutter (3) being configured to be movably mounted on the motor vehicle and to cooperate with said frame, said shutter (3) comprising a structural element (7), an outer skin (9) covering said structural element (7), said gasket (22) extending between the shutter (3) and said at least one bodywork element (5);characterized in that said sealing gasket (22) comprises at least three portions (25, 27, 29): a fixing portion (25) configured to fix said gasket (22) to the flap (3), a contact portion (27) configured to be in contact with said bodywork element (5), a connecting portion (29) connecting the fixing portion (25) to the contact portion (27), the contact portions (27) and connecting portion (29) extending in planes substantially orthogonal to each other. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: [Fig. 4];

Description

Title of the invention: SHUTTER-FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A SET

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of motor vehicle bodywork elements, and more particularly to bodywork elements associated with a shutter and which thus form a shutter-frame assembly for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Indeed, a motor vehicle generally comprises several openings, flaps, or doors, mounted movably by means of hinges allowing openings provided in the vehicle to be closed or not. For example, for a vehicle trunk, the rear flap or tailgate of the vehicle is a hinged door or a sliding door which allows access to the trunk of the vehicle.

[0003] [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and sectional view of a shutter-frame assembly 1, more particularly a rear shutter or tailgate 3, in the closed position, and a roof 5 forming a frame. The shutter 3 further comprises a structural element 7 and an external skin 9 covering said structural element 7.

[0004] The flap 3 is therefore mounted movably on a bodywork element of the vehicle and must therefore, in the closed position, be positioned in the frame formed by the roof 5. As is more particularly visible in [Fig.l], the rear flap 3 and the roof 5 have clearances, or spaces. These clearances correspond, in the mounted position, to a clearance along the vertical axis (or Z axis), and to a clearance along a horizontal axis, here an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (or X axis). Thus, the clearance between flap 3 and roof 5 is drawn at the nominal value of 5 mm with a position tolerance in X of + / - 1.5 mm, clearance referenced b, and in Z of -1.5 mm + / -1.5 mm, clearance referenced a (roughly the distance between the upper faces of flap 3 and roof 5).

[0005] Unfortunately, as illustrated in [Fig.2], when the vehicle on which the flap 3 and the roof 5 are mounted, air F rushes into the space between the flap 3 and the roof 5 and circulates between these elements (air circulation represented by arrows F), and generates noise, noise also referred to as "flap top noise".

[0006] For reasons of comfort and perceived quality, such noise from the top of the flap is not acceptable for the user of the vehicle, and one of the ways to eliminate this defect is to close or block off the space between the flap 3 and the roof 5, for example over the entire width of the flap 3 (i.e. along the transverse axis of the vehicle or Y axis).

[0007] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic, partial and sectional view of a shutter assembly- frame 10 of the prior art which aims to solve the problem of noise from the top of the shutter. The assembly 10 comprises a rear shutter or tailgate 3, in the closed position, a roof 5 forming a frame, as well as a seal 11 fixed to the shutter 3.

[0008] Said seal 11 comprises a flexible lip 13 which extends between the flap 3 and the roof 5 (therefore at the level of the clearance between these parts), one end of the lip 13 coming into contact with the flap 3, while the other (free) end is located opposite the roof 5 (therefore extends along the X or longitudinal axis of the vehicle), but without being in contact with the roof 5, because this can cause wear of the paint of the roof 5, therefore the lip seal 11 is drawn at nominal with a slight clearance (for example between 0.1 to 0.3 mm).

[0009] Unfortunately, the dimensional dispersions can be very significant on the flap 3 and the roof 5, especially along the X axis, which limits, or even cancels out, the effectiveness of the seal 11, and therefore does not prevent the appearance of a noise of the “top of flap noise” type, while allowing the friction of the seal 11 against the roof 5, and therefore the wear of the paint of the roof 5 by said seal 11.

[0010] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of shutter-frame assembly for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising at least one shutter, a bodywork element forming a frame, as well as a seal mounted on said shutter, said shutter being configured to be mounted movably on the motor vehicle and to cooperate with said frame, said shutter comprising a structural element, an external skin covering said structural element, said seal extending between the shutter and said at least one bodywork element; characterized in that said seal comprises at least three portions: - a fixing portion configured to fix said seal on the shutter; - a contact portion configured to be in contact with said bodywork element; - a connecting portion connecting the fixing portion to the contact portion; the contact and connecting portions extending in planes substantially orthogonal to each other.

[0011] This shutter-frame assembly according to the invention, and the associated sealing joint structure, makes it possible to compensate for and adapt to the dimensional dispersions of the shutter relative to the roof, while limiting, or even preventing, the entry of air between the shutter and the bodywork element, thus avoiding the appearance of unpleasant noises for the user of the vehicle. In addition, such an assembly ensures contact between the seal and said bodywork element which prevents wear of the bodywork paint, in particular because said seal is in continuous contact with the bodywork element, therefore without moving and rubbing against it.

[0012] According to a possible characteristic, the contact portion or the connecting portion is configured to deform in two distinct directions, or that one or other of said portions has two degrees of freedom (this depending on the dispersion of the parts and the dispersion directions).

[0013] Advantageously, the contact portion or the connecting portion can deform along a vertical axis and along a horizontal axis, in order to take up the clearances between the flap and the bodywork element.

[0014] According to a possible characteristic, among the contact portion and the connecting portion, at least one of the portions is rigid, while the other portion is flexible. The assembly according to the invention advantageously has a sealing joint whose connecting portion is flexible, while the contact portion is rigid, or else the connecting portion is flexible, while the contact portion is rigid, this in particular allows the joint to deform and adapt to variations in dimensions of the shutter and / or said bodywork element.

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, in the mounted position, the contact portion extends, in the direction of the bodywork element, in a substantially horizontal plane. The contact portion thus has an elongated shape which extends in the direction of the bodywork element, until it comes into contact with said bodywork element and thus ensures sealing between the flap and the bodywork element. The fact that the contact portion extends substantially horizontally also makes it possible to compensate for certain dimensional variations (in particular along the X axis) of the flap and / or the bodywork element.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, in the mounted position, at least part of the connecting portion extends in a substantially vertical plane. At least part of the connecting portion of the seal extends, in the mounted position, substantially vertically, in order to compensate for certain dimensional variations (in particular along the Z axis) of the flap and / or the bodywork element.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, the contact portion comprises a sole in contact with said bodywork element, as well as a connecting segment extending said sole and connected to the connecting portion.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, a part of the connecting portion is in contact with the flap. This contact between the connecting portion of the seal and a part of the flap makes it possible to optimize the sealing provided by said seal between the flap and the bodywork element, as well as to facilitate the positioning of the seal between the flap and the bodywork element.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, the sealing gasket is a single piece. The fact that the seal is a single-piece or unitary seal reduces production costs, facilitates its manufacture, as well as its assembly on the shutter, but also its positioning between the shutter and the bodywork element.

[0020] According to another possible characteristic, the sealing gasket is made of plastic or rubber. The sealing gasket is advantageously made of plastic or rubber, for example a material with a hardness of between 50 and 90 Shore A, in order to allow the rigidity (or flexibility) of each of the portions of said gasket to be adapted (the flexibility may also be a function of the thickness of the parts of said gasket).

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, said flap is a tailgate, and said at least one bodywork element is a roof. The assembly according to the invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the context of a rear flap, or tailgate, which closes the access opening to the trunk of a motor vehicle.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, hybrid or electric, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a shutter-frame assembly as defined above.

[0023] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] illustrate schematic, partial, and longitudinal sectional views of a shutter-frame assembly of the prior art; - [[Fig.3]] illustrates a schematic, partial, longitudinal sectional view of another shutter-frame assembly of the prior art; - [[Fig.4]] illustrates a schematic, partial, longitudinal sectional view of a shutter-frame assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; - [[Fig.5]] illustrates a schematic, partial, longitudinal sectional view of a shutter-frame assembly according to another variant embodiment of the invention.

[0024] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0025] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even at most 10° or at most 5° from a direction parallel. It should also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even at most 10° or at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0026] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrate schematic, partial views, and in longitudinal section (therefore along a plane XZ) of a shutter-frame assembly 20, 20' intended to be mounted or integrated into a motor vehicle, for example electric, thermal or hybrid. Each of [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] thus illustrates distinct embodiment variants, but which will be described below together for their common and / or similar parts.

[0027] Said assembly 20, 20' thus comprises at least one flap 3, one or more bodywork elements 5 forming a frame (very partially illustrated), as well as a seal 22, 22' mounted on the flap 3, said frame 20, 20' being configured to accommodate, in the closed position, the flap 3, and for example at least one edge of said flap 3. It will also be noted that the seal 22, 22' also extends along the Y axis (or along a transverse axis) over the entire length of the tailgate 3 and of the bodywork element 5.

[0028] Whatever the embodiment variant presently described, the flap 3 or opening is a motor vehicle tailgate, that is to say a rear flap allowing access to the trunk (not shown) of said vehicle, but the flap 3 according to the invention can be any opening of a motor vehicle, such as a side door.

[0029] Said flap or tailgate 3 is thus configured to be mounted movably on a motor vehicle, in particular on the bodywork element(s) 5, such as a roof, rear pillars, etc., and to cooperate with the frame delimited by at least one bodywork element 5, here a roof.

[0030] The tailgate 3 can therefore take two extreme positions: an open position in which the frame delimits an access opening to the trunk of the vehicle and a closed position in which the tailgate 3 comes to bear against the frame and closes said access opening to the trunk.

[0031] Said flap or tailgate 3 comprises among other things: - a structural element 7 also referred to as a structural lining, an element which can also contribute to the aesthetic appearance of the tailgate 3; - an external skin 9 which at least partially covers said structural element 7 and which is, in the closed position, (at least in part) the external face visible, from the outside of the vehicle, of the tailgate 3.

[0032] Said tailgate 3 may also comprise an interior trim (not shown), which at least partially covers said structural element 7 and which is intended to define, in the mounted position and when the tailgate 3 is in the closed position, at least partially the face facing the interior of the vehicle. The interior trim carries gé generally all the technical elements necessary for the operation of section 3.

[0033] The outer skin 9 is for example a stamped metal sheet and / or a plastic plate. The interior trim is, for its part, generally a single piece made of textile fibers and / or plastic. The interior trim is an element which contributes, among other things, to the rigidity of the flap 3, to the sound insulation of the vehicle, and also to the quality perceived by the user of the vehicle.

[0034] As can be seen in [Fig.4] or [Fig.5], said seal 22, 22' extends between the flap 3 and said roof 5 and comprises at least three portions: - a fixing portion 25 configured to fix said seal 22 or 22' on the flap 3; - a contact portion 27, 27' configured to be in contact with the pavilion 5; - a connecting portion 29, 29' connecting the fixing portion 25 to the contact portion 27, 27'.

[0035] Said seal 22, 22' is advantageously a single piece or unitary, and is for example made of plastic or rubber. Said seal 22, 22' can also be made of several types of plastic, having different flexibilities (or rigidities), and / or for example made of a material having a hardness of between 50 and 90 Shore A.

[0036] The fixing portion 25 here has substantially the shape of a sleeve configured to be fitted or threaded onto a free end of the structural element 7, the free end of said element 7 located opposite the roof 5 (in particular a face of the roof which extends substantially in a vertical plane or YZ plane).

[0037] The contact portion 27, 27' has a free end which is configured to come to bear against one of the faces of the pavilion 5 (in particular the face of the pavilion which extends substantially in a transverse vertical plane or YZ plane).

[0038] Said contact portion 27, 27' further comprises: - a contact sole 27a, 27'a whose free end is, in the mounted position, in contact with the pavilion 5; - a connecting segment 27 b, 27'b extending said sole 27a, 27'a, for example on the side opposite the free end of the sole 27a, 27'a, and connected to the connecting portion 29, 29'.

[0039] The connecting portion 29, 29', for its part, therefore connects the connecting segment 27b, 27'b of the contact portion 27, 27' to the fixing portion 25. Said connecting portion 29, 29' has in cross-section a substantially n-shaped or upside-down U-shaped shape, each of the ends of the U being connected respectively to the contact portion 27, 27' and to the fixing portion 25. The apex (or the center) of the U of the connecting portion 29, 29' is, in the mounted position, in contact with the external skin 9 of the tailgate 3.

[0040] In the mounted position, the contact 27 and connecting 29 portions extend in planes that are substantially orthogonal to each other. In fact, the contact portion 27 extends, in the mounted position, in a substantially horizontal plane (or XY plane), while at least part of the connecting portion 29 extends in a substantially vertical plane (or YZ plane).

[0041] Whatever the embodiment variant of the assembly 20, 20', the joint 22, 22' has, among the contact portion 27, 27' and the connecting portion 29, 29', a rigid portion and the other portion is flexible.

[0042] It will be noted that rigid or flexible is understood here to mean that one of the portions (contact or connection) is more flexible (or rigid) than the other of the joint 22, 22', and can therefore deform in two directions in space, a direction advantageously corresponding to the vertical and horizontal axes (or even axes Z and X), and to the directions in which the tailgate 3 and the roof 5 can have dimensional variations and therefore variable clearances.

[0043] Thus, in the variant embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 4], the connecting portion 29 is more flexible than the contact portion 27 (advantageously rigid portion), connecting portion 29 which can therefore deform substantially along the vertical axis (Z axis) and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (X axis), this to facilitate the positioning of the seal 22 between the tailgate 3 and the roof 5, but also to maintain it in position over time and to guarantee good sealing between the tailgate 3 and the roof 5.

[0044] Whereas in the variant embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 5], it is the contact portion 27' which is more flexible than the connecting portion 29', and advantageously the connecting segment 27'b which can therefore deform substantially along the vertical axis (Z axis) and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (X axis), this to facilitate the positioning of the seal 22' between the tailgate 3 and the roof 5, but also to maintain it in position over time and to guarantee good sealing between the tailgate 3 and the roof 5.

[0045] Examples of variation in position of the connecting portions 29 and contact 27' are more particularly illustrated in dotted lines in [Fig.4] and [Fig.5], showing possible movements of said portions 27' or 29 depending on the clearances between the tailgate 3 and the roof 5.

Claims

Claims

1. A shutter-frame assembly (20; 20') for a motor vehicle, said assembly (20; 20') comprising at least one shutter (3), a bodywork element (5) forming a frame, and a seal (22; 22'), said shutter (3) being configured to be movably mounted on the motor vehicle and to cooperate with said frame, said shutter (3) comprising a structural element (7), an external skin (9) covering said structural element (7), said seal (22; 22') extending between the shutter (3) and said at least one bodywork element (5); characterized in that said seal (22; 22') comprises at least three portions (25, 27; 27', 29; 29'): - a fixing portion (25) configured to fix said seal (22; 22') on the shutter (3); - a contact portion (27; 27') configured to be in contact with said bodywork element (5); - a connecting portion (29; 29') connecting the fixing portion (25) to the contact portion (27;27'); the contact (27; 27') and connecting (29; 29') portions extending in planes substantially orthogonal to each other.;

2. Assembly (20; 20') according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact portion (27; 27') or the connecting portion (29; 29') is configured to deform in two distinct directions.

3. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the mounted position, the contact portion (27; 27') extends, in the direction of the bodywork element (5), in a substantially horizontal plane.

4. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the mounted position, at least part of the connecting portion (29; 29') extends in a substantially vertical plane.

5. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact portion (27; 27') comprises a sole in contact (27a; 27'a) with said bodywork element (5), as well as a connecting segment (27b; 27'b) extending said sole (27a; 27'a) and connected to the connecting portion (29; 29').

6. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the connecting portion (29; 29') is in contact with the flap (3).

7. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing joint (22; 22') is in one piece.

8. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing gasket (22; 22') is made of plastic or rubber.

9. Assembly (20; 20') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flap (3) is a tailgate, and said at least one bodywork element (5) is a roof.

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a shutter-frame assembly (20; 20') according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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