BUMPER ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle bumper assembly (1) comprising a bumper skin (3) and a bumper skirt (5), notable in that the bumper skin (3) and / or the bumper skirt (5) have at least one attachment area (7) with a plurality of attachment interfaces (9, 11) for attaching a wheel trim, at least one of said attachment interfaces being of the first type (9) and having a cavity (17) with at least one water drainage hole (19). Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: BUMPER ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

[0001] The invention is in the field of motor vehicles having wheel arches equipped with wheel arch trims.

[0002] As is known, the bodywork of motor vehicles features wheel arches at the level of their wheels. These wheel arches provide access to the wheels of said vehicles and allow them freedom of movement. They also include, in order to protect the body and the engine compartment, mudguards positioned above each wheel. The main purpose of these mudguards is to act as a barrier against rain, mud, and stones thrown up by the wheels towards the body and the engine compartment.

[0003] The wheel arches can also be fitted with wheel arch trims. Wheel arch trims offer two advantages. The first advantage lies in the vehicle's aesthetics. Indeed, wheel arch trims can be used as fender flares to give the vehicle a sportier look. The second advantage lies in the protection of the vehicle's bodywork. Indeed, the wheel arch trims form a protrusion on the bodywork that comes into contact with external objects before those objects make contact with the bodywork.

[0004] It is known to attach front wheel trims to bumper reinforcements. This can be achieved using clips, which may be made of steel, in specially designed fastening interfaces. Unfortunately, it has been observed that the use of steel clips can, over time, lead to the appearance of small rust streaks at the junction between the wheel trim and the bumper, visible from outside the vehicle. Although the appearance of such rust does not impair the vehicle's safety performance, it can be concerning to the user who is unaware of its origin. Furthermore, it constitutes a negative signal regarding perceived quality that should be addressed.

[0005] Document FR3038286B1 describes an assembly comprising a mudguard, a body panel having a curved cutout following the mudguard, a series of holes along the cutout, and a wheel arch trim complementary to the shape of the cutout in the body panel. The trim includes a series of fastening means that fit into the holes in the body panel, which itself includes at least one opening. The mudguard includes a lip provided with at least one window aligned with the opening in the body panel, and the trim It includes at least one barrel positioned directly above the opening of the bodywork element and the fender window. Furthermore, to allow for its attachment, the fender includes recesses with holes. The overall design is interesting, but the document does not provide an answer to the problem posed.

[0006] Document FR3126391A1 describes a bodywork element forming part of a vehicle and comprising a mounting area with first sub-areas defined by recesses from its outer face and respectively including first coupling elements cooperating with corresponding second coupling elements of a wheel trim. The mounting area also includes second sub-areas, each defined by recesses from the outer face, located near at least one first sub-area in order to increase its rigidity. The first coupling elements may be clip holes. In this case, the second coupling elements of the wheel trim are clip tabs. This approach is advantageous; however, the use of clip tabs alone reduces mechanical performance, particularly robustness.

[0007] Document EP2423080B1 describes a wheel arch structure formed by attaching a wheel arch protector to a wheel arch formed in an arc shape from an external panel on a bumper. The wheel arch protector comprises: a protective body formed in an arc shape, a plurality of fasteners projecting from an inner side surface of the protective body, and an engagement claw disposed on a lower end of the protective body on the side of the bumper. The external panel includes a plurality of mounting holes, each of which is connected to a portion of the plurality of fasteners. The bumper also includes a plurality of mounting holes, each of which is connected to another portion of the plurality of fasteners, and an engagement portion disposed on a lower end of the bumper with which the engagement claw meshes.

[0008] The invention aims to address one or more problems or drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a solution for attaching a wheel arch trim that is both robust and aesthetically pleasing.

[0009] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a set of bumpers for motor vehicles comprising a bumper skin and a bumper skirt notable in that the bumper skin and / or the bumper skirt shows at least one fixing area with a plurality of fixing interfaces intended for the fixing of a wheel trim, of which at least one of said fixing interfaces is of the first type and is in the form of a cavity with at least one water drainage hole.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a bumper skin for an assembly according to the first aspect, the bumper skin comprising at least one fixing area for a wheel arch trim notable in that the fixing area(s) comprise a plurality of fixing interfaces intended for the fixing of said trim and in that at least one of said fixing interfaces is a first type fixing interface and is in the form of a cavity with at least one water drainage hole.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a bumper skirt for an assembly according to the first aspect, the bumper skirt comprising at least one fixing area for a wheel arch trim notable in that the fixing area(s) comprise a plurality of fixing interfaces intended for the fixing of said trim and in that at least one of said fixing interfaces is a first type fixing interface and is in the form of a cavity with at least one water drainage hole.

[0012] Regardless of the aspect considered, it will be understood that, to ensure its function, the water drainage hole is located in the lower part of the cavities. It has been found that the fastening interfaces can form a water retention basin. By draining the water that may accumulate at such interfaces, the invention will, on the one hand, limit the corrosion of the clips by limiting the contact time of said clips with water; but also provide water that may contain rust particles with another, more internal drainage path, thus invisible to the user. The advantages of the invention are therefore twofold, since the invention improves the overall quality of the vehicle in addition to its perceived quality. The solution for attaching a wheel arch trim proposed by the invention is remarkable in that it combines the robustness of a metal clip fastening while avoiding the generation of rust stains.

[0013] One or more of the following features can be used to better define the bumper assembly according to the first aspect, the bumper skin according to the second aspect and the bumper skirt according to the third aspect.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first type of fastening interface(s) further comprise at least one fastening hole intended to cooperate with a first supplementary fastening means, the fastening hole(s) being separate from the water drainage hole(s). Preferably, the first supplementary fastening means is a clip or a clipping tab; more preferably, a clip.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the fastening area(s) further comprise at least one second-type fastening interface in the form of a cavity without a water drainage hole. Preferably, the second-type fastening interface(s) further comprise at least one fastening orifice intended to cooperate with a second complementary fastening means. For example, the second complementary fastening means is a clip or a clipping tab; preferably a clipping tab.

[0016] Advantageously, the cavities of the second type of fixing interfaces are less deep than the cavities of the first type of fixing interfaces.

[0017] Complementarily or alternatively, the first and second type fixing interfaces are aligned along a circular arc and are alternated along at least a portion of the length of said circular arc.

[0018] Preferably, each fixing zone showing a free end edge, the first type fixing interfaces are arranged closer to said free end edge than the second type interfaces.

[0019] For example, the first-type fastening interfaces are arranged in a first row and the second-type fastening interfaces are arranged in a second row, the two rows describing an arc of a circle and being concentric. Preferably, since each fastening area has a free end edge, the first row is arranged closer to said free end edge than the second row.

[0020] For example, first-type and second-type fastening interfaces form cavities on one face of a fastening zone and bosses on the other face of said fastening zone, and at least two successive bosses meet on at least part of their perimeter to form at least one stiffening relief extending over at least part of the length of the fastening zone.

[0021] In addition, the additional feature(s) can be used to define the bumper skin according to the second aspect.

[0022] Preferably, the fixing area(s) further include third type fixing interfaces for fixing a bumper reinforcement; more preferably, the third type fixing interfaces are clipping tabs rising from one of the faces of the fixing area(s).

[0023] Advantageously, the fastening zone(s) comprise second-type and third-type fastening interfaces, and at least one third-type interface is disposed between two second-type fastening interfaces, on the same row as the second-type fastening interfaces.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle notable in that it comprises a set of bumpers according to the first aspect, or a bumper skin according to the second aspect, or a bumper skirt according to the third aspect; preferably, the vehicle further comprises at least one first complementary fastening means chosen to be a steel clip.

[0025] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will become apparent clearly from reading the description that follows, given with reference to the figures attached and listed below.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a view of a bumper assembly comprising a bumper skin according to the invention and a bumper skirt.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a view of a bumper assembly comprising a bumper skin according to the invention and a bumper skin reinforcement.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a view from outside the vehicle of a fixing area for a wheel arch trim.

[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates a first-type fixing interface.

[0030] Figure 5 is a view similar to the previous one in which a staple is inserted in the mounting hole.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a partial view of the attachment area showing at least first, second and third type attachment interfaces.

[0032] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements in the motor vehicle or bumper skin. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of". The terms "external" and "internal" shall respectively refer to what is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0033] The terms "longitudinal," "longitudinally," "transverse," and "transversely" are used with respect to the vehicle's frame of reference in the mounting configuration. The term "longitudinal" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "front" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "rear" refers to the opposite of the front of the vehicle.

[0034] Throughout the description, the various figures use the same reference numerals to designate identical or similar entities. The bumper skin, the bumper skirt, the bumper assembly, and the vehicle are described together. In particular, it should be noted that the description of a mounting area for a wheel arch trim given below in relation to a bumper skin is valid for a mounting area for a wheel arch trim of a bumper skirt unless otherwise indicated.

[0035] Reference will first be made to [Fig. 1] illustrating an assembly 1 forming a front bumper of a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises a bumper skin 3 and a bumper skirt 5. The assembly 1 further comprises a bumper skin reinforcement 15 visible in [Fig. 2] and attached to the inner face of the bumper skin 3. The invention will be described in relation to a front bumper assembly but is also applicable to rear bumpers of motor vehicles.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the bumper skin 3 shows, at each wheel arch, a mounting area 7 for a wheel arch trim (not shown). Each of the mounting areas 7 comprises a plurality of mounting interfaces and, in particular, includes at least one first-type mounting interface 9 and optionally at least one second-type mounting interface 11 and / or a third-type mounting interface 13 (visible in [Fig. 2] and 6). As will be seen in detail, the first-type mounting interfaces 9 and second-type mounting interfaces 11 are intended for mounting a wheel arch trim (not shown), while the third-type mounting interfaces are intended for mounting a bumper skin reinforcement 15.

[0037] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of the mounting areas 7 as seen from outside the vehicle. For clarity, this document will focus on describing one mounting area; however, it is understood that a bumper skin may have two, one near each wheel arch.

[0038] The mounting area 7 comprises at least one first-type mounting interface 9 and at least one second-type mounting interface 11; the third-type mounting interfaces are not visible on this face of the bumper skin 3. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a first-type mounting interface 9. According to the invention, said first-type mounting interface(s) 9 are in the form of a cavity 17 with at least one water drainage hole 19 in the lower part of the cavity 17. Thus, the risk of water retention in the bottom of the cavity 17 is eliminated, and thereby the risk of rust formation when a supplementary steel mounting means is used.

[0039] Advantageously, and as illustrated, the first-type fastening interfaces 9 further comprise at least one fastening hole 21 for cooperating with a first supplementary fastening means, for example, a clip 23 (visible in [Fig. 5]) or a clipping tab. The fastening hole(s) 21 are separate from the water drainage hole(s) 19. Preferably, the first supplementary fastening means is a clip 23.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening area 7 further comprises at least one second-type fastening interface 11. Advantageously, the second-type fastening interface(s) 11 are in the form of a cavity 25 without a water drainage hole. Preferably, the second-type fastening interface(s) 11 further comprise at least one fastening orifice 27 for cooperating with a second complementary fastening means, for example, a clip or a clipping tab 29 (visible in [Fig. 6]). Preferably, the second complementary fastening means is a clipping tab 29.

[0041] Thus, the first-type 9 attachment interface(s) are preferentially intended to cooperate with steel fastening means, for example staples; and the second type fastening interface(s) 11 are intended to cooperate with fastening means made of plastic or composite material, for example clip tabs.

[0042] As will be understood, it is not necessary to drill all the mounting interfaces (9, 11) which are in the form of a cavity in the mounting area 7 without risking the appearance of rust. Furthermore, in addition to the presence of a water drainage hole 19, the first-type mounting interfaces 9 and the second-type interfaces 11 may differ in the depth of the cavity (17, 25) and / or their positioning on the mounting area 7.

[0043] Thus, it is advantageous for the second-type interfaces 11 to have a cavity 25 that is shallower than the cavities 17 of the first-type fastening interfaces 9. This reduces the risk of water retention basin formation. Alternatively, for fastening areas with a free end edge, it is advantageous for the first-type fastening interfaces 9 to be positioned closer to this free end edge than the second-type interfaces 11.

[0044] It is also advantageous for the first-type 9 and / or second-type 11 fastening interfaces to have indexing means. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 6], the indexing means are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are formed by raised features 31 (e.g., ribs) on the clipping tab 29 that passes through the opening 27 of a second-type 11 fastening interface. These clipping tabs 29 may also carry indexing means that cooperate with the edges of the fastening opening for indexing the wheel arch trim vertically.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the first-type fastening interfaces 9 are arranged in a first row and the second-type fastening interfaces 11 are arranged in a second row, the two rows describing an arc along the wheel arch and being concentric. Preferably, since the fastening area 7 has a free end edge, the first row is arranged closer to said free end edge than the second row.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the mounting area 7 has an arc-shaped form to follow the curvature of the wheel arch, and the first-type mounting interfaces 9 and second-type mounting interfaces 11 are aligned along an arc. Preferably, the first-type mounting interfaces 9 and second-type mounting interfaces 11 alternate along at least a portion of the length of said arc. This configuration is suitable for mounting areas 7 located on the bumper skin. The mounting areas on the bumper skirt may be curved or straight.

[0047] As will be understood, since the first-type 9 and second-type 11 fastening interfaces are in the form of a cavity on one face of the fastening zone, they form bosses on the other face. Advantageously, at least two successive bosses meet along at least part of their perimeter to form at least one stiffening relief extending over at least part of the length of the fastening zone. At least part of their perimeter includes an edge when the bosses have a parallelepiped shape.

[0048] Thus, at least two fastening interfaces (9, 11) are arranged adjacently so as to touch at least one corner or at least a portion of their perimeter. The at least two fastening interfaces can be fastening interfaces of the first type 9 and / or of the second type 11. The succession of adjacent bosses serves to form at least one stiffening relief of the fastening zone 7. Advantageously, the fastening zone 7 shows an alternation of fastening interfaces of the first type 9 and of the second type 11 arranged in distinct rows, giving a stiffening relief with a crenellated appearance. The presence of such a stiffening relief is advantageous in that it makes it possible to do without the presence of a reinforcement at the level of said fastening zone 7. This advantage is illustrated in [Fig.2] where it should be noted that the bumper skin reinforcement 15 is dimensioned so that the edge of its body follows the profile of the fixing area 7 without overlapping it.

[0049] The bumper skin reinforcement 15 can, however, be attached to the bumper skin 3 at its attachment area 7. For this purpose, it will have attachment means configured to cooperate with third-type attachment interfaces 13. These third-type attachment interfaces 13 are located on the attachment area 7. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the reinforcement's attachment means are tabs 33 extending from the body of the bumper skin reinforcement 15 and having attachment holes. The third-type attachment interface 13 then appears as a clipping tab extending from the inner face of the attachment area 7 and designed to cooperate with said hole.However, a reverse configuration could be envisaged by a person skilled in the art, in which the third type of fixing interfaces include fixing holes (which may possibly be placed in the bottom of cavities) and the means for fixing the reinforcement are in the form of a clip tab.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one third-type interface 13 is disposed between two second-type fastening interfaces 11, in the same row as the second-type fastening interfaces 11. Advantageously, the third-type fastening interfaces 13 are further disposed near the first-type fastening interfaces 9 so as to be arranged in a portion of the fastening zone 7 where the rigidity obtained by the combination of the different ri- reliefs gidification is maximal.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], only the bumper skin 3 shows a mounting area 7 with a plurality of mounting interfaces for attaching a wheel trim, at least one of which is of the first type 9 and is in the form of a cavity 17 with at least one water drainage hole 19. However, in an embodiment not shown, the bumper skirt also includes, at the wheel rim, a mounting area with a plurality of mounting interfaces for attaching a wheel trim, at least one of which is of the first type and is in the form of a cavity with at least one water drainage hole in the lower part of the cavity.

Claims

Claims

1. Bumper assembly (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin (3) and a bumper skirt (5), characterized in that the bumper skin (3) and / or the bumper skirt (5) has at least one fixing zone (7) with a plurality of fixing interfaces (9, 11) intended for fixing a wheel trim, at least one of said fixing interfaces being of the first type (9) and having the form of a cavity (17) with at least one water drainage hole (19).

2. Bumper assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first type fixing interface(s) (9) further comprise at least one fixing orifice (21) intended to cooperate with a first complementary fixing means, the fixing orifice(s) (21) being distinct from the water drainage hole(s) (19); and / or in that the fixing zone(s) (7) further comprise at least one second type fixing interface (11) in the form of a cavity (25) without a water drainage hole.

3. Bumper assembly (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the cavities (25) of the fixing interfaces of the second type (11) are less deep than the cavities (17) of the fixing interfaces of the first type (9) and / or the fixing interfaces of the first type (9) and of the second type (11) are aligned along an arc of a circle and are alternated along at least a portion of the length of said arc of a circle.

4. Bumper assembly (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first type fixing interfaces (9) are arranged aligned in a first row and the second type fixing interfaces (11) are arranged aligned in a second row, the two rows describing an arc of a circle and being concentric; preferably, each fixing zone (7) showing a free end edge, the first row is arranged closer to said free end edge than the second row.

5. Bumper assembly (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first type (9) and second type (11) fixing interfaces form cavities (17, 25) on one of the faces of the fixing zone(s) (7) and bosses on the other face of said fixing zone(s) (7) and in that at least two successive bosses meet on at least part of their periphery to form at least one stiffening relief extending over at least part of the length of said fixing zone(s) (7).

6. Bumper skin (3) for assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, the bumper skin comprising at least one fixing zone (7) for a wheel arch trim characterized in that the fixing zone(s) (7) comprise a plurality of fixing interfaces (9, 11) intended for fixing said trim and in that at least one of said fixing interfaces is a first type fixing interface (9) and is in the form of a cavity (17) with at least one water drainage hole (19).

7. Bumper skin (3) according to claim 6 characterized in that the fixing zone(s) (7) further comprise third type fixing interfaces (13) intended for fixing a bumper reinforcement (15); preferably, the third type fixing interfaces (13) are clipping tabs rising from one of the faces of the fixing zone(s) (7).

8. Bumper skin (3) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the fixing zone(s) (7) comprise fixing interfaces of the second type (11) and of the third type (13), and at least one interface of the third type (13) is arranged between two fixing interfaces of the second type (11), on the same row as the fixing interfaces of the second type (11).

9. Bumper skirt (5) for assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, the bumper skirt comprising at least one fixing zone (7) for a wheel arch trim characterized in that the fixing zone(s) (7) comprises a plurality of fixing interfaces (9, 11) intended for fixing said trim and in that at least one of said fixing interfaces is a first type fixing interface (9) and is in the form of a cavity (17) with at least one water drainage hole (19).

10. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a set (1) of bumpers according to one of claims 1 to 4, or a bumper skin according to one of claims 6 to 8, or a bumper skirt according to claim 9; preferably, the vehicle further comprises at least one first complementary fixing means chosen to be a steel clip (23).

Images