Embellishment for automotive vehicle bumper skin

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim (1) for a motor vehicle bumper skin intended to rest fixedly against the outer face of said skin, said trim being made up of two transversely elongated plastic parts (100, 200) and intended to be fixedly attached one after the other end to end against the outer face of said skin, each said part comprising an internal lateral portion comprising a front face (141, 241), one (100) of said parts further comprising a tenon (150) extending in the internal side extension of its internal lateral portion (140), set back inwards with respect to the internal edge of the latter, and on which the internal lateral end of the internal lateral portion (240) of the other (200) of said parts is intended to fit together overlapping, so that the internal edges of the internal lateral portions of these two parts come to be located opposite each other. from each other.Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Embellishment for the skin of a motor vehicle bumper Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bumper skins for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to a trim for such a bumper skin. Prior art

[0002] The front bumpers of motor vehicles conventionally comprise an outer skin conventionally made from one or more parts, each molded from a thermoplastic material.

[0003] For reasons of style, it is known to add decorative pieces commonly referred to as hubcaps to this outer bumper skin, also made of plastic, so as not to increase the mass of the vehicle too much.

[0004] These trims are conventionally fitted at least partially by correspondence of shape into impressions made on the outer face of the bumper skin.

[0005] Each trim is generally fixed to the bumper skin by means of tabs arranged on this trim and cooperating by snap-fastening with corresponding slots provided in the bumper skin.

[0006] Managing the clearances between the edges of these trims and those of the corresponding prints of the bumper skin proves to be essential for the aesthetics of the front of the vehicle.

[0007] In the case of very long trims extending transversely along at least the major part of this bumper skin, the dimensional dispersions due to normal manufacturing tolerances unfortunately prevent optimal management of these clearances at the external lateral ends of these trims from being obtained, which is detrimental to the aesthetic appearance of the front of the vehicle and to the level of quality perceived by customers. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0009] To this end, it proposes a trim for the skin of a motor vehicle bumper designed to rest fixedly against the outer face of said skin so as to extend transversely along at least the major part of this skin; characterized in that it consists of two elongated plastic parts transversely and intended to be fixedly attached one after the other end to end against the outer face of said skin, each said part comprising an internal lateral portion with a U-shaped section whose concavity is turned towards said skin and comprising a front facade bordered by two upper and lower edges, one of said parts further comprising a tenon extending in the internal side extension of its internal lateral portion, set back inwards with respect to the internal edge of the latter, and on which the internal lateral end of the internal lateral portion of the other of said parts is intended to fit together overlapping, so that the internal edges of the internal lateral portions of these two parts come to be located opposite each other.

[0010] Due to its two-piece construction, the trim according to the invention makes it possible to optimally adjust the position of the external lateral ends of these parts with respect to the bumper skin by adjusting the spacing between the internal edges of the internal lateral portions of these two parts.

[0011] Furthermore, the presence of the tenon makes it possible to obtain a “tiling” effect largely concealing the lateral play which may appear between the internal edges of the internal lateral portions after the two parts have been placed on the bumper skin.

[0012] According to preferred characteristics of said trim according to the invention: - the facades of the internal lateral portions of said parts each comprise means for attaching fixedly, astride the latter, a police plate or a support for such a police plate, so that said plate or said support covers the junction zone between these two facades; - said means provided on the front of each said internal lateral portion comprise at least one pre-drilling intended to be passed through by a fixing member such as a rivet or a screw; - said means provided on the front of each said internal lateral portion comprise at least one access window allowing a fixing member to pass through said trim and to be fixed to said bumper skin; - the internal lateral portions of said parts each comprise in the lower part, at least one orifice allowing the evacuation of water which may infiltrate into their internal volume; - each said part has at least one passage opening for the beam of a sensor of a driving assistance device; - said parts are shaped in a symmetrically identical manner with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry, with the exception of their respective internal ends; and / or - each of said parts comprises several tabs designed to snap into slots made in said bumper skin so as to allow the attachment of these parts to this skin.

[0013] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin and such a trim fixedly attached against the outer face of this skin.

[0014] This vehicle also advantageously comprises a police plate or a support for such a police plate fixedly attached astride the facades of the internal lateral portions of said parts, so that said plate or said support covers the junction zone between these two facades. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents an exploded three-quarter front perspective view of a trim for the outer skin of a motor vehicle bumper according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is an exploded three-quarter rear perspective view of the bumper trim of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] represents a three-quarter front perspective view of an outer skin of a front bumper of a motor vehicle intended to receive the trim of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.4] is an enlargement illustrating the assembly by overlapping interlocking of the internal lateral portions of the two constituent parts of the hubcap of the figure; - [Fig.5] represents a three-quarter front perspective view of the subassembly consisting of the front bumper of the motor vehicle of [Fig.3] and the trim of [Fig.l] fixedly attached by snap-fastening to this front bumper; and - [Fig.6] is a sectional view of the central part of the subassembly of [Fig.5], taken along a horizontal section plane crossing the junction area between the two parts of the trim of [Fig.l]. Description of the embodiments

[0016] Figures 1 and 2 show a trim 1 according to the invention intended to be mounted on an outer skin of a front bumper 2 of a motor vehicle shown alone in [Fig. 3], this subassembly once assembled being itself intended to be mounted on the body structure, not shown, of this vehicle.

[0017] We define with respect to this hubcap 1 and to this front bumper skin 2 in their normal configuration of mounting on the vehicle, an orthogonal reference XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, parallel to the ground and confused with the general direction of travel of the vehicle - a Y axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, also parallel to the ground and which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.

[0018] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms “longitudinal” or “longitudinally” will refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms “transverse” or “transversely” will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms “vertical” or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0019] On the other hand and by convention, the terms "lower" and "lower" will indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "high". The term "front" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the front of a vehicle in the horizontal direction and the term "rear" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the rear of a vehicle in the same horizontal direction.

[0020] The terms "external" and "internal" will be used to define the relative position of an element with reference to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal as opposed to the other element further from this same plane which will be described as external.

[0021] Finally, the use of the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" will indicate that a deviation of the order of 10° to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0022] Made from one or more parts molded from a thermoplastic polymer, possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, the outer bumper skin 2 shown in [Fig. 3] conventionally comprises a front central part or shield 3 and two lateral parts or crosspieces 4 extending the lateral ends of the shield 3 towards the rear so that this skin 2 has, when viewed from above, substantially the shape of a U open towards the rear.

[0023] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], this outer bumper skin 2 has a receiving imprint 5 for the trim 1 extending transversely over the entire length of its shield 3 and having a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry merged with the median vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle.

[0024] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the front bumper trim 1 according to the invention consists of two transversely elongated plastic parts 100, 200, intended to be fixedly attached by snap-fastening one after the other end to end against the outer face of the bumper skin 2, fitting by shape correspondence into the receiving imprint 5.

[0025] As can be seen in these figures, the two parts 100, 200 are shaped in a symmetrically identical manner with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry, with the notable exception of their respective internal connecting ends which will be described in more detail in the remainder of this description.

[0026] Molded from a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, each part 100, 200 is in the form of a hollow body whose concavity is turned towards the interior of the vehicle (i.e. in the direction of the bumper skin 2).

[0027] Each of the parts 100, 200 comprises several tabs 110, 210 designed to be inserted by snap-fastening in a longitudinal translational movement from front to back into non-visible slots made in the bumper skin 2, so as to allow the attachment of these parts 100, 200 to this skin 2.

[0028] As illustrated by [Fig.2], most of these clip tabs 10, 210 project longitudinally rearwardly from and along the peripheral edge of each part 100, 200. Several clip tabs 110, 210 also project longitudinally rearwardly from support barrels 120, 220 extending in relief from the inner face of each of these parts 100, 200.

[0029] As is clearly visible in [Fig.4], each clip tab 10, 210 has a window 111, 211 housing a tooth 112, 212 connected to the rear edge of this window 111, 211 and formed by an inclined ramp extending to a retaining step.

[0030] The dimensions of the receiving slots of these tabs 110, 210 formed in the bumper skin 2 are adapted to offer a slight lateral play for positioning each of these parts 100, 200 with respect to the bumper skin 2, so as to allow perfect positioning of the external lateral ends of these two parts 100, 200 with respect to those of the receiving imprint 5.

[0031] The parts 100, 200 also each advantageously have at least one passage opening 130, 131, 230, 231, 232 for the beam of a sensor of a driving assistance device.

[0032] In this case and as illustrated by figures 1 and 2, the part 100 (respectively 200) has two passage openings 130 (respectively 230) for the respective beams of sensors (not shown in the figures) of a parking assistance device mounted at the front of the vehicle, these two openings preferably being offset transversely from each other by at least 250 millimeters and being intended to come opposite corresponding windows 6 formed in the skin of bumper 2 and visible in [Fig.3].

[0033] It will also be noted that the passage openings 230 of the part 200 are arranged in a symmetrically identical manner to those of the passage openings 130 of the part 100.

[0034] The part 100 further has a passage opening 131 for the beam of a camera (not shown in the figures) of a night vision device mounted at the front of the vehicle, this passage opening 131 being intended to come opposite a corresponding window 7 formed in the bumper skin 2 and visible in [Fig.3].

[0035] With reference to [Fig.4], each part 100, 200 comprises an internal lateral portion 140, 240 with a U-shaped section whose concavity is turned towards the skin 2 and comprising a substantially flat front facade 141, 241 bordered by two upper 142, 242 and lower 243 edges (the lower edge of the portion 140 not being visible).

[0036] The internal lateral end of the part 100, intended to be assembled first on the bumper skin 2, further comprises a tenon 150 extending in the internal side extension of its internal lateral portion 140, this tenon 150 being connected to the internal edge of this internal lateral portion 140 by a recess so as to extend back inwards with respect to this internal edge.

[0037] When the part 200 is put into place on the bumper skin 2 after that of the part 100 and as illustrated by this [Fig. 4], the internal lateral end of the internal lateral portion 240 of this part 200 is designed to fit overlappingly onto the tenon 150 of the part 100, so that the internal edges of the internal lateral portions 140, 240 of these two parts 100, 200 come to be located opposite each other (see [Fig. 6])

[0038] As illustrated by figures 5 and 6, the presence of this tenon 150 thus makes it possible to obtain a “tiling” effect largely concealing the lateral play j which may appear between the internal edges of the internal lateral portions 140, 240 of the parts 100, 200.

[0039] In order to make the central junction zone between the two parts 100, 200 completely invisible, the facades 141, 241 of the internal lateral portions 140, 240 of these parts 100, 200 advantageously each comprise means making it possible to fix a police plate P or a support for such a police plate mounted against the latter, so that this plate P or this support covers the junction zone between these two facades 141, 241.

[0040] These means provided on the facade 141, 241 of each internal lateral portion 140, 240 may for example comprise at least one pre-drilling 160 intended to be passed through by a fixing member such as a rivet or a screw.

[0041] These means may also comprise, on each facade 141, 241 and in addition to or in replacement of the pre-drilling(s) 160, at least one access window 161, 261 (for example of circular shape) allowing a fixing member to pass through the trim 1 and to be fixed to the bumper skin 2.

[0042] The internal lateral portions 140, 240 of the parts 100, 200 may also each comprise in the lower part at least one orifice 170 allowing the evacuation to the outside of the vehicle of water which may have infiltrated into their internal volume, so as to prevent this water from flowing into the radiator of the vehicle located behind the front bumper skin.

[0043] Many other variants are also possible and it will be recalled in this respect that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all the variants of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art. The invention may for example also relate to a rear bumper trim for a motor vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Trim (1) for the skin of a bumper (2) of a motor vehicle designed to rest fixedly against the outer face of said skin (2) so as to extend transversely along at least the major part of this skin (2); characterized in that it consists of two transversely elongated plastic parts (100, 200) and intended to be fixedly attached one after the other end to end against the outer face of said skin (2), each said part (100, 200) comprising an internal lateral portion with a U-shaped section (140, 240) whose concavity is turned towards said skin (2) and comprising a front facade (141, 241) bordered by two upper (142, 242) and lower (243) edges, one (100) of said parts (100, 200) further comprising a tenon (150) extending in the internal side extension of its internal lateral portion (140), set back inwards with respect to the internal edge of the latter,and on which the internal lateral end of the internal lateral portion (240) of the other (200) of said parts (100, 200) is provided to fit together overlappingly, so that the internal edges of the internal lateral portions (140, 240) of these two parts (100, 200) come to be located opposite each other.,

2. Hubcap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the facades (141, 241) of the internal lateral portions (140, 240) of said parts (100, 200) each comprise means for attaching fixedly, astride the latter, a police plate (P) or a support for such a police plate, so that said plate (P) or said support covers the junction zone between these two facades (141, 241).

3. Hubcap (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said means provided on the front (141, 241) of each said internal lateral portion (140, 240) comprise at least one pre-drilling (160) intended to be passed through by a fixing member such as a rivet or a screw.

4. Hubcap (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said means provided on the front (141, 241) of each said internal lateral portion (140, 240) comprise at least one access window (161, 261) allowing a fixing member to pass through said hubcap (1) and to be fixed on said bumper skin (2).

5. Hubcap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal lateral portions (140, 240) of said parts (100, 200) each comprise in the lower part, at least one orifice (170) allowing the evacuation of water which may infiltrate into their internal volume.

6. Hubcap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each said part (100, 200) has at least one passage opening (130, 230) for the beam of a sensor of a driving assistance device.

7. Hubcap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said parts (100, 200) are shaped in a symmetrically identical manner with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry, with the exception of their respective internal ends.

8. Hubcap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of said parts (100, 200) comprises several tabs (110, 210) designed to snap into slots made in said bumper skin (2) so as to allow these parts (100, 200) to be fixed to this skin (2).

9. Motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin (2) and a trim (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 fixedly attached against the outer face of this skin (2).

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises a police plate (P) or a support for such a police plate fixedly attached astride the facades (141, 241) of the internal lateral portions (140, 240) of said parts (100, 200), so that said plate (P) or said support covers the junction zone between these two facades (141, 241).

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