Automotive bumper frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcement (1) for mounting on a beam of a motor vehicle bumper attached to a structure of the motor vehicle. The reinforcement (1) comprises two mounting brackets (4) for support by the beam. Each mounting bracket (4) comprises a bearing piece (6) at one end (7) of the mounting bracket (4) for bearing against a support plate of the beam. The bearing piece (6) comprises three positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) arranged to form a recess (30) into which the support plate (5) of the beam (2) fits after the reinforcement (1) has been positioned on the beam (2). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Frame for a motor vehicle bumper

[0001] The invention relates to front bumpers of motor vehicles and more particularly to a frame intended to be mounted on a beam of a motor vehicle bumper.

[0002] Motor vehicles comprise a front part comprising a large bumper, which requires that they comprise not only a shock absorbing device but also a frame, both being masked by a bumper skin.

[0003] The absorption device comprises at least one beam (or crosspiece) which is installed transversely to an energy absorber arranged so as to compress its material in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the event of an impact suffered by the beam, in order to absorb at least part of the energy of this impact.

[0004] The frame comprises a main part to which the skin is fixedly secured in order to give it rigidity and two fixing lugs fixedly secured to the beam while being supported by the latter.

[0005] The frame is fixed to the structure of the vehicle. To do this, it is first necessary to correctly position the frame in relation to the structure. The frame fixing lugs are initially fixed to the beam to position the frame correctly in relation to the beam and therefore in relation to the structure.

[0006] Each fixing lug of the frame comprises a support piece at one end which rests on a support plate of a bracket provided on the beam. The support piece is crossed by an orifice.

[0007] To fix the fixing brackets to the beam support plate, a screw is inserted into the hole in the support piece of the fixing bracket to be screwed into a threaded hole provided in the beam support plate.

[0008] This fixing step thus makes it possible to ensure correct positioning of the frame relative to the beam before fixing it to the structure of the vehicle.

[0009] However, this positioning solution requires the formation of an orifice on the support part of the fixing lug of the reinforcement and a fairly large length of fixing lug. Similarly, a threaded hole must be formed in the support plate of the beam, resulting in additional manufacturing steps.

[0010] In addition, this solution requires an additional step of screwing in the screws to fix the fixing lugs of the frame to the beam.

[0011] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a motor vehicle bumper frame designed so as to simplify the positioning of the frame relative to the beam and to reduce the duration of the positioning step.

[0012] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a frame intended to be mounted on a beam of a motor vehicle bumper fixed to a structure of the motor vehicle. The frame comprises two fixing lugs intended to be supported by the beam. Each fixing lug comprises a support piece at one end of the fixing lug intended to bear against a support plate of the beam.

[0013] According to the invention, the support piece comprises three positioning lugs arranged so as to form a housing in which the support plate of the beam fits when the reinforcement is positioned on the beam.

[0014] The invention thus provides a motor vehicle bumper frame designed to simplify the positioning of the frame relative to the beam and to carry out a faster positioning step than that of the prior art, thus reducing the manufacturing time.

[0015] Manufacturing time is also reduced by eliminating the steps of forming holes in the support piece of the reinforcement fixing bracket and in the beam support plate.

[0016] It is also possible to provide shorter mounting brackets, lightening the vehicle and providing greater flexibility in design.

[0017] According to a variant, the three positioning lugs protrude from a first support face of the support piece.

[0018] According to a variant, the three positioning lugs are adjacent to a peripheral edge delimiting the first support face.

[0019] This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the width of the support piece and therefore of the fixing lug.

[0020] According to one variant, the peripheral edge comprises four sides, including three positioning sides. Each positioning lug comprises an external face extending from one of the three positioning sides.

[0021] This makes it possible to reduce the width of the support piece, and therefore of the fixing lug.

[0022] According to a variant, each positioning lug extends from the first face support of the support piece over a distance d between 10 and 30 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm.

[0023] These dimensions allow effective support of the fixing lugs without them touching the beam.

[0024] According to a variant, each positioning lug has a general shape tra- pezodiacal.

[0025] This shape is optimal for maintaining the fixing tab.

[0026] According to a variant, each positioning lug comprises a first internal face extending from the first bearing face of the bearing piece. The first internal face is extended by a second internal face inclined relative to the first internal face so as to form a beveled end.

[0027] This beveled shape makes it easier to fit the support plate into the housing formed in the support piece by the positioning lugs. When the fixing lug is approaching the support plate of the beam, the peripheral edge of the support plate slides along the second inclined internal face of each positioning lug so as to correctly guide the fixing lug so that the support piece comes right up against the support plate.

[0028] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a frame as defined above.

[0029] According to a variant, the positioning lugs are positioned around a peripheral edge of the support plate and bear against the peripheral edge when the support part of the fixing lug bears against the support plate of the beam.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method for positioning a frame on a beam of a motor vehicle bumper as defined above and comprising: - a first step of fitting the beam support plate into the housing of the support piece of the fixing bracket, the beam support plate bearing against the support piece of the fixing bracket and the three positioning lugs being positioned around a peripheral edge of the support plate and bearing against the peripheral edge, and - a step of fixing the frame to the structure of the motor vehicle.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a transparent view of a shield frame front vehicle impacts;

[0033] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a detailed view of a support piece of a fixing lug of the frame of [Fig.l];

[0034] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a detailed view of the support piece being positioned on a support plate of a beam;

[0035] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a view of the fixing lug positioned on the beam support plate;

[0036] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a view of the reinforcement positioned on the beam.

[0037] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0038] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a frame 1 intended to be mounted on a beam 2 (or crossmember) of a motor vehicle bumper. The beam 2 is fixed to a structure of the motor vehicle.

[0039] The frame 1 comprises a main part 22 which is also intended to be fixed to the structure of the motor vehicle and to which a bumper skin is fixedly secured in order to give it rigidity.

[0040] The frame 1 comprises two fixing lugs 4 positioned to rest on the beam 2.

[0041] Each fixing lug 4 extends perpendicularly from the main part 22 in a first direction X. The main part 22 extends mainly in a second direction Y, perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0042] The beam 2 comprises two brackets 23 each comprising a support plate 5. Each fixing lug 4 comprises a support piece 6 at one end 7 of the fixing lug 4. The support piece 6 is intended to bear against the support plate 5 of the beam 2, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. The end 7 forms a foot.

[0043] More precisely, the support piece 6 comprises a first support face 15 bearing against a second support face 24 of the support plate 5 of the beam 2, when the reinforcement 1 is positioned on the beam 2. The first and second support faces 15, 24 are substantially flat.

[0044] According to the invention, the support piece 6 comprises three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 arranged so as to form a housing 30 in which the support plate 5 of the beam 2 fits to position the reinforcement 1 on the beam 2.

[0045] The three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 are positioned around a peripheral edge 19 of the support plate 5 and bear against the peripheral edge 19 when the support piece 6 of the fixing lug 4 bears against the support plate 5 of the beam 2.

[0046] The three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 project from the first bearing face 15 of the bearing piece 6 in the first direction X and towards a direction opposite the main part 22 of the frame 1, i.e. towards the beam 2.

[0047] Alternatively, the support piece 6 may comprise more than three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10.

[0048] According to a variant, the three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 are adjacent to a peripheral edge 16 delimiting the first bearing face 15.

[0049] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the peripheral edge 16 comprises four sides 11, 12, 13, 14 including three positioning sides 11, 12, 13.

[0050] A first positioning lug 8 is adjacent to a first positioning side operation 11. A second positioning lug 9 is adjacent to a second positioning side 12. A third positioning lug 10 is adjacent to a third positioning side 13.

[0051] Each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 comprises an external face 20 extending from one of the three positioning sides 11, 12, 13.

[0052] The peripheral edge 16 comprises a fourth side 14 without a positioning lug 8, 9, 10 adjacent to the latter.

[0053] The three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 can be rigid or flexible.

[0054] The fixing lug 4 comprises a front wall 25 connected to the second side of posi positioning side 12, a first side wall 26 connected to the first positioning side 11 and a second side wall 27 connected to the third positioning side 13.

[0055] The fourth side 14 is not connected to a wall so that the fixing lug 4 is hollow and it comprises an opening 28 on the side of the fourth side 14. The opening 28 is intended to be oriented facing the structure of the vehicle. The front wall 25 is intended to be opposite the bumper skin.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig.2], each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 extends from the first bearing face 15 of the bearing part 6, substantially along the first direction X, over a distance d of between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably of between 15 mm and 20 mm.

[0057] Each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 has a generally trapezoidal shape.

[0058] Each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 comprises a first internal face 17 extending from the first bearing face 15 of the bearing piece 6. The first internal face 17 is extended by a second internal face 18 inclined relative to the first internal face 17 so as to form a beveled end 21. The angle formed by the first internal face 17 with the second internal face 18 is greater than 100° and less than 170°.

[0059] According to a variant, the first internal face 17 extends substantially perpendicular to the first bearing face 15 of the bearing piece 6.

[0060] Each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 comprises an external face 20 extending from one of the three positioning sides 11, 12, 13.

[0061] According to a variant, the external face 20 is inclined relative to the first internal face 17.

[0062] The external face 20 is positioned opposite the first and second internal faces 17, 18.

[0063] The second internal face 18 connects the first internal face 17 to the external face 20 by forming an angular part 31 at the beveled end 21.

[0064] Each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 comprises a first lateral face 32 and a second lateral face 33, opposite and identical to the first lateral face 32. The first lateral face 32 and the second lateral face 33 have a trapezoidal shape.

[0065] According to a method for positioning the reinforcement 1 on the beam 2, the reinforcement 1 is moved towards the beam 2 until the support plate 5 of the beam 2 is fitted into the housing 30 of the support piece 6 of the fixing lug 4. The support plate 5 of the beam 2 is then in abutment against the support piece 6 of the fixing lug 4 and the three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 are positioned around the peripheral edge 19 of the support plate 5 and in abutment against the peripheral edge 19.

[0066] According to a variant, the reinforcement 1 is moved towards the beam 2 by a translation of the reinforcement 1 along the first direction X.

[0067] The beveled shape of the beveled ends 21 of the positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 of the fixing lug 4 makes it easier to fit the support plate 5 into the housing 30 of the support piece 6.

[0068] When the fixing lug 4 is approaching the support plate 5, the peripheral edge 19 of the support plate 5 slides along the second inclined internal face 18 of each positioning lug 8, 9, 10 so as to correctly guide the fixing lug 4 so that it is correctly opposite the support plate 5.

[0069] The three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 block the translation of the fixing lug 4 relative to the support plate 5 in the second direction Y and the direction opposite to the second direction Y, and in a direction opposite to the first direction X.

[0070] The three positioning lugs 8, 9, 10 thus hold the fixing lug 4 in a fixed position, as illustrated in [Fig.5], until the frame 1 is fixed to the motor vehicle structure by means of screws inserted into fixing holes 29 provided in the main part 22 of the frame 1.

Claims

Claims

1. Frame (1) intended to be mounted on a beam (2) of a motor vehicle bumper fixed to a structure of the motor vehicle, the frame (1) comprising two fixing lugs (4) intended to be supported by the beam (2), each fixing lug (4) comprising a support piece (6) at one end (7) of the fixing lug (4) intended to bear against a support plate (5) of the beam (2), characterized in that the support piece (6) comprises three positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) arranged so as to form a housing (30) in which the support plate (5) of the beam (2) fits when the frame (1) is positioned on the beam (2).

2. Armature (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the three positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) project from a first bearing face (15) of the bearing piece (6).

3. Armature (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the three positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) are adjacent to a peripheral edge (16) delimiting the first bearing face (15).

4. Frame (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral edge (16) comprises four sides (11, 12, 13, 14) including three positioning sides (11, 12, 13), each positioning lug (8, 9, 10) comprising an external face (20) extending from one of the three positioning sides (11, 12, 13).

5. Armature (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each positioning lug (8, 9, 10) extends from the first bearing face (15) of the bearing piece (6) over a distance d of between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably of between 15 mm and 20 mm.

6. Armature (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each positioning lug (8, 9, 10) has a generally trapezoidal shape.

7. Armature (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each positioning lug (8, 9, 10) comprises a first internal face (17) extending from the first bearing face (15) of the bearing piece (6), the first internal face (17) being extended by a second internal face (18) inclined relative to the first internal face (17) so as to form a beveled end (21).

8. Motor vehicle comprising a bumper comprising a beam (2) fixed to a motor vehicle structure, characterized in that it comprises a frame (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) are positioned around a peripheral edge (19) of the support plate (5) and bear against the peripheral edge (19) when the support piece (6) of the fixing lug (4) bears against the support plate (5) of the beam (2).

10. Method for positioning a frame (1) on a beam (2) of a motor vehicle bumper, as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises: - a first step of fitting the support plate (5) of the beam (2) into the housing (30) of the support piece (6) of the fixing lug (4), the support plate (5) of the beam (2) bearing against the support piece (6) of the fixing lug (4) and the three positioning lugs (8, 9, 10) being positioned around a peripheral edge (19) of the support plate (5) and bearing against the peripheral edge (19), and - a step of fixing the frame (1) to the motor vehicle structure.

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