Emblem device for the front bodywork element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an emblem device (1a) for a front body panel of a motor vehicle, the front body panel comprising a bracket (3) and an emblem (4) attached to the bracket (3), a protruding area (5) being formed on an upper portion (11) of the emblem (4) and projecting from the front body panel in the direction of travel of the vehicle (X) when the emblem device (1a) is attached to the front body panel. The bracket (3) includes a fusible area (7a) positioned opposite the protruding area (5) of the emblem (4), the fusible area (7a) being configured to detach from the bracket (3) when the protruding area (5) of the emblem (4) is forced towards the bracket (3) in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X) during an impact of an obstacle against the front body panel. Abstract figure: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Emblem device for front bodywork element of a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle body structures, and more particularly to an emblem device for a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Certain body structures include a front structural element positioned at the front of the vehicle, substantially between two front light blocks and between a front bumper and a hood of the vehicle.

[0003] This front structural element includes an emblem device with a decorative function and on which the vehicle brand is mentioned, for example.

[0004] The emblem device comprises a support and an emblem attached to the support. On certain vehicles, the upper part of the emblem device is positioned at a curved area of ​​the front structural element. This positioning of the emblem device causes the emblem to form a protruding area that projects beyond the front structural element and towards the front of the vehicle.

[0005] This protruding area poses a safety problem because it is positioned at the level of a pedestrian's femur during a front impact.

[0006] In a frontal collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the femur will wrap around the curved front face of the vehicle. The protruding area then creates a hard point against the femur, increasing the risk of injury to the pedestrian's femur.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing an emblem device for a front bodywork element of a vehicle that reduces the risk of injury to a pedestrian during a collision with the front of the vehicle.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates, in its broadest sense, to an emblem device for a front body panel of a motor vehicle. The front body panel comprises a support and an emblem attached to the support. A protruding area is formed on the upper part of the emblem and projects beyond the front body panel in the direction of travel of the vehicle when the emblem device is attached to the front body panel.

[0009] According to the invention, the support comprises a fusible zone positioned opposite the protruding area of ​​the emblem. The fusible zone is configured to detach from the support when the protruding area of ​​the emblem is pushed towards the support in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle during an impact of an obstacle against the front bodywork element.

[0010] The invention thus provides an emblem device for a front bodywork element reducing the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of a front-end collision.

[0011] The energy absorption means prevents the protruding area from causing a hard point against the femur of a pedestrian during the impact.

[0012] It is therefore possible to provide for emblem devices with a raised thickness that protrudes from the front bodywork element without endangering pedestrians hitting the vehicle.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the fusible zone is delimited by a border formed in a bottom wall of the support. The border separates the fusible zone from a main part of the bottom wall and has a thickness less than the thickness of the main part.

[0014] This lower thickness allows the fusible zone to detach easily from the support during an impact.

[0015] According to one variant, the thickness of the border is less than 0.5 mm and is preferably 0.3 mm.

[0016] According to one variant, a cavity is formed in the fusible zone.

[0017] The protruding area sinks at least partially into the cavity during an impact before the fusible area breaks, absorbing more of the energy generated by the impact.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cavity extends over the entire fusible zone. The cavity is partially delimited by the border.

[0019] This configuration allows for better shock absorption.

[0020] According to one variant, the main part of the bottom wall comprises receptacles The emblem includes clips designed to fit into the mounting receptacles. The mounting receptacles are positioned outside the fusible area.

[0021] The fusible zone bypasses the fixing receptacles providing better detachment of the fusible zone.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the back wall comprises a first fixing receptacle and a second fixing receptacle positioned along the edge. The fusible zone is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles.

[0023] The fusible zone bypasses the fixing receptacles providing better detachment of the fusible zone, while ensuring good fixing of the emblem on the support.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall is delimited by a peripheral border. The fusible zone extends up to an upper portion of the peripheral border.

[0025] This allows better detachment of the fusible area at the level of the upper part of the emblem device.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the rim comprises a concave end portion connected to two opposite convex lateral edges forming a narrowing zone. The first and second fixing receptacles are positioned approximately opposite the two respective lateral edges.

[0027] This shape allows the fixing receptacles to be bypassed as best as possible.

[0028] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front bodywork element on which is mounted an emblem device as defined above.

[0029] The following are examples of embodiments of the present invention, by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a front view of an emblem device of a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view of the rear of a support for the emblem device of the [Fig.1];

[0032] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the emblem device of [Fig.1];

[0033] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an upper part of the emblem device of the [Fig.1];

[0034] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a rear view of an emblem device, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the emblem device of [Fig.5];

[0036] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an upper part of the emblem device of [Fig.5].

[0037] Similarly, the terms "lower" and "upper" shall be understood according to their usual definition, in which the term "lower" indicates a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the term "upper".

[0038] The terms "front" and "rear" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0039] In the following description, elements having an identical structure and / or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0040] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a front structural element 2 of a body structure positioned at the front of a motor vehicle, substantially between two front optical blocks and between a front bumper and a hood of the vehicle.

[0041] This front structural element 2 includes an emblem device presenting a decorative function and on which the brand of the vehicle is mentioned, for example.

[0042] The emblem device comprises a support 3 and an emblem 4 fixed to the support 3.

[0043] An upper part 11 of the emblem 4 is positioned at the level of a curved area 19 of the front structural element 2, as illustrated in [Fig.3]. This position of the emblem 4 results in the emblem 4 forming a protruding area 5 projecting from the front structural element 2 in a direction of advancement of the vehicle X, corresponding to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle in forward motion.

[0044] The emblem device is positioned in the center of the front structural element 2 and has an oval shape in the example of figures 1 to 4.

[0045] According to the invention, the support 3 includes a fusible zone 7a positioned opposite the protruding zone 5 of the emblem 4. The fusible zone 7a is configured to break when the protruding zone 5 of the emblem 4 is pushed towards the support 3 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle X during a collision of an obstacle, such as a pedestrian, against the front bodywork element 2.

[0046] The fusible zone 7a is positioned at the location of the upper part 11 of the emblem 4, opposite the protruding zone 5.

[0047] The fusible zone 7a is delimited by a border 10 formed in a bottom wall 6 of the support 3. The border 10 separates the fusible zone 7a from a main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 and has a thickness less than the thickness of the main part 29.

[0048] The thickness of the border 10 is less than 0.5 mm and preferably 0.3 mm.

[0049] The thickness of the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 is greater than 0.5 mm.

[0050] The border 10 has a width greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0051] The edge 10 forms a line of weakness, more easily breakable than the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6.

[0052] According to one embodiment, a cavity 30 is formed in the fusible zone 7a.

[0053] In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the cavity 30 is delimited by the rim 10 and extends over the entire fusible zone 7a. The cavity 30 comprises an internal wall 20 connected to the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 by a peripheral rim 35.

[0054] The cavity 30 is positioned opposite the protruding area 5 and is configured to receive at least part of the protruding area 5 during its deformation during the shock.

[0055] When the front structural element 2 strikes a pedestrian's femur at the location of the emblem device la, the upper part 11 of the emblem 4 deforms and moves backward toward the support 3 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle X. At least part of the protruding area 5 of the emblem 4 is pushed into the cavity 30. The pressure exerted by the protruding area 5 on the inner wall 20 of the cavity 30 causes the edge 10 of the fusible area 7a to break, thus absorbing the mechanical energy through the deformation of the emblem 4.

[0056] The upper part 11 of the emblem 4 is able to pivot about a transverse axis along a concave end part 15 of the rim 10 during the impact.

[0057] The cavity 30 has a depth adapted to allow free movement or rotation of the protruding area 5 between its initial position and its final position in which it has moved back towards the cavity 30 without hitting the internal wall 20 of the cavity 30.

[0058] The cavity 30 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement of the vehicle X, towards the front structural element 2, i.e. towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0059] In the example of figures 1 to 4, only the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 includes fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21. The emblem 4 includes clips 25 intended to be inserted into the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0060] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 each include an orifice 24 receiving the clip 25.

[0061] Other means of fastening may be used.

[0062] Advantageously, the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned outside the fusible zone 7a and the cavity 30. The fusible zone 7a does not include any fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0063] The border 10 partially delimits the fusible zone 7a and bypasses the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0064] The main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 includes a first fixing receptacle 8 and a second fixing receptacle 9 positioned along the edge 10. The fusible zone 7a is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles 8, 9.

[0065] The main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 includes two additional fixing receptacles 21 positioned at a lower part 23 of the support 3.

[0066] The back wall 6 is delimited by a peripheral border 12 forming a housing 13 receiving the emblem 4.

[0067] The fusible zone 7a extends from the vicinity of a central zone 27 of the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 to an upper portion 14 of the peripheral border 12.

[0068] The fusible zone 7a is delimited by the border 10 and by the upper portion 14 of the peripheral border 12 which is arched.

[0069] The border 10 of the fusible zone 7a includes a concave end portion 15 connected to two opposite convex lateral edges 16a, 16b forming a narrowing zone 17.

[0070] The fastening receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges 16a, 16b. The first fastening receptacle 8 runs along a first lateral edge 16a and the second fastening receptacle 9 runs along a second lateral edge 16b.

[0071] The cavity 30 has a depth e of at least 0.5 mm.

[0072] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the depth e of the cavity 30 is variable. The depth e of the cavity 30 is greater at the concave end portion 15 and gradually decreases to the upper portion 14 of the peripheral edge 12 of the support 3.

[0073] Alternatively, the depth e of the cavity 30 can be constant.

[0074] According to another embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 7, the emblem device 1b includes a support 3 having a fusible zone 7b.

[0075] The emblem device 1b has a general shield shape.

[0076] The emblem device 1b is virtually identical to that of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 but the cavity 31 formed in the fusible zone 7b does not extend to an upper portion 18 of a peripheral border 12 of the support 3.

[0077] The fusible zone 7b is delimited by the border 10 and by the upper portion 18 of the peripheral border 12 which is straight.

[0078] The fusible zone 7b extends from the vicinity of a central zone 27 of the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 to the upper portion 18 of the peripheral border 12.

[0079] The support 3 includes a bottom wall 6 having fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21. The emblem 4 includes clips 25 for inserting into the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0080] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 each include an orifice 24 receiving the clip 25.

[0081] Advantageously, the fastening receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned outside the fuse zone 7b. The fuse zone 7b does not include any fastening receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0082] The edge 10 goes around the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0083] The bottom wall 6 includes a first fixing receptacle 8 and a second fixing receptacle 9 positioned along the edge 10. The fusible zone 7b is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles 8, 9.

[0084] The bottom wall 6 is delimited by the peripheral border 12 forming a housing 13 receiving the emblem 4.

[0085] The bottom wall 6 includes four additional fixing receptacles 21 along the peripheral edge 12.

[0086] The rim 10 has a V-shaped form and includes a rounded end 22 connected to two opposite and substantially straight lateral edges 16a, 16b.

[0087] The fastening receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges 16a, 16b. The first fastening receptacle 8 runs along a first lateral edge 16a and the second fastening receptacle 9 runs along a second lateral edge 16b.

[0088] The cavity 31 has a U-shaped form and includes a bottom 33 connected to an internal wall 20 of the fusible zone 7b by a side wall 34. The cavity 31 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement of the vehicle X, towards the front structural element 2, i.e. towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0089] The cavity 31 has a depth e of at least 0.5 mm.

[0090] As illustrated in [Fig. 6], the depth e of the cavity 31 is variable. The depth e of the cavity 31 is greater at the rounded end 22 of the rim 10 and gradually decreases to the upper portion 18 of the peripheral rim 12 of the support 3.

Claims

Claims

1. Emblem device (1a, 1b) for a front body element (2) of a motor vehicle, the front body element (2) comprising a support (3) and an emblem (4) fixed to the support (3), a protruding zone (5) being formed at an upper portion (11) of the emblem (4) and projecting relative to the front body element (2) in a direction of advance of the vehicle (X) when the emblem device (1a, 1b) is fixed on the front body element (2), characterized in that the support (3) comprises a fusible zone (7a, 7b) positioned opposite the protruding zone (5) of the emblem (4), the fusible zone (7a, 7b) being configured to detach from the support (3) when the protruding zone (5) of the emblem (4) is pressed towards the support (3) in a direction opposite to the direction of advance of the vehicle (X) when an obstacle hits the front body element (2).

2. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fusible zone (7a, 7b) is delimited by a border (10) formed in a bottom wall (6) of the support (3), the border (10) separating the fusible zone (7a, 7b) from a main part (29) of the bottom wall (6) and having a thickness less than the thickness of the main part (29).

3. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the border (10) is less than 0.5 mm and is preferably 0.3 mm.

4. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that a cavity (30, 31) is formed in the fusible zone (7a, 7b).

5. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 4, characterized in that the cavity (30) extends over the entire fusible zone (7a, 7b), the cavity (30) being partly delimited by the border (10).

6. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the main part (29) of the bottom wall (6) comprises fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21), the emblem (4) comprising clips (25) intended to be inserted into the fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21), the fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21) being positioned outside the fusible zone (7a, 7b).

7. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 6, characterized in that that the bottom wall (6) comprises a first fixing receptacle (8) and a second fixing receptacle (9) positioned along the edge (10), the fusible zone (7a, 7b) being positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles (8, 9).

8. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the bottom wall (6) is delimited by a peripheral border (12), the fusible zone (7a, 7b) extending to an upper portion (14) of the peripheral border (12).

9. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 7, characterized in that the border (10) comprises a concave end portion (15) connected to two opposite lateral edges (16a, 16b) of convex shape forming a narrowing zone (17), the first and second fixing receptacles (8, 9) being positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges (16a, 16b).

10. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a front bodywork element (2) on which is mounted an emblem device (1a, 1b) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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