Sealing device that can be combined with a controlled air inlet module.

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle, designed to be disposed between a vehicle bumper and a controlled air intake module, in order to guide an airflow towards the module. The device (1) has a front wall (4) delimited by a front face (5), designed to be disposed opposite the bumper, and a rear face (6), designed to extend opposite the module. The front wall (4) delimits a supply opening (7) for supplying air to the module. The device (1) includes at least one anti-deformation tab (11) projecting from the rear face (6) and extending towards the module. When the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle, each anti-deformation tab (11) is designed to bear against the module to limit the deflection of the front wall (4) when the vehicle (2) is in operation. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Sealing device that can be associated with a controlled air inlet module.

[0001] The technical field relates to sealing devices designed to supply air to a controlled air intake module and vehicles equipped with such devices.

[0002] Most modern vehicles are equipped with a controlled air intake module, an essential component of the vehicle's thermal management system, as it adjusts the airflow entering the radiator based on various parameters such as engine temperature, vehicle speed, and cooling demand. An air intake module generally consists of several movable flaps controlled by a complex and fragile linkage system. The controlled air intake module is sometimes combined with sealing elements to channel airflow through the bumper towards the module. However, when the vehicle is in operation, the airflow drawn through the controlled air intake module and the relative winds, due to the vehicle's movement, acting on the sealing elements tend to cause deformation of these elements.These deformations prove detrimental to the efficiency of the thermal management system.

[0003] Furthermore, in terms of road safety, car manufacturers must take into account numerous concerns and regulations when developing new vehicles. Thus, car manufacturers must ensure the safety of passengers and other road users in the event of a collision involving the vehicle. To this end, vehicles are subjected to various standardized procedures simulating impacts against a rigid obstacle. These standardized procedures are, for example, described by the international organization Euro NCAP.

[0004] Among manufacturers' concerns, one in particular is controlling vehicle repair costs when they are subjected to urban impacts, referred to as repairability impacts, i.e., impacts sustained at low speeds of around 15 to 20 kilometers per hour. Hereafter, a repairability frontal impact refers interchangeably to a pedestrian impact or an impact as defined by standardized procedures. The results of repairability frontal impacts are particularly important for insurance companies, which establish ratings for marketed vehicles to reflect the potential repair costs incurred during such a repairability frontal impact. Therefore, to improve the results of repairability frontal impact tests, it is necessary to ensure that such an impact affects the as few possible parts of the vehicle.

[0005] In such a context, in the event of a frontal impact, the sealing elements, if damaged, retract towards the controlled air intake module. If the retraction of the sealing elements is significant, the module is also likely to be damaged, thus generating very high repair costs.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution to improve the vehicle's thermal management system to increase its efficiency and limit damage in the event of a frontal collision and repairability.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a sealing device offering improved efficiency.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a sealing device for a motor vehicle, designed to be disposed between a bumper of the vehicle and a controlled air intake module, in order to guide an airflow towards the module, the device having a front wall delimited by a front face, designed to be disposed opposite the bumper, and a rear face, designed to extend opposite the controlled air intake module, the front wall delimiting a supply opening intended to supply air to the module, the device comprising at least one anti-deformation tab protruding from the rear face and extending towards the module, when the device is mounted on the vehicle, each anti-deformation tab being designed to support the module to limit the deflection of the front wall when the vehicle is in operation.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having a sealing device according to the invention mounted between the bumper of the vehicle and a controlled air intake module to supply air through the supply opening to the controlled air intake module.

[0010] Thus, the sealing device according to the invention limits deformations of the front wall, thereby limiting disturbances to the airflow passing through the opening of the device towards the controlled air intake module. The device according to the invention therefore improves the cooling efficiency of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, each anti-deformation tab is dimensioned to bear against the module in the absence of deformation of the front wall when the device is mounted on the vehicle. Thus, no deformation is observed when the vehicle is in operation.

[0012] According to one possibility, the device has at least one breakable zone, each designed to break and detach at least a portion of each anti-deformation tab from the front wall in the event of a frontal impact on the vehicle. Thus, each anti-deformation tab allows, in the event of the device recoiling according to The invention, triggered by a frontal impact, is designed to prevent damage to the controlled air intake module. Indeed, in the event of the device's recoil, each frangible zone is broken, thus limiting the device's pressure on the controlled air intake module. Therefore, the device according to the invention, featuring such a frangible zone, meets insurance companies' requirements regarding vehicle repairability.

[0013] Advantageously, each frangible zone surrounds at least part of an anti-deformation tab.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the device, each frangible zone is made by a reduction in the thickness of the material of the front wall, preferably by a groove made on the rear face.

[0015] According to one possibility, each anti-deformation tab is connected to the rear face by a hinge film allowing the tab to pivot around an axis of rotation in the event of a break in its frangible zone.

[0016] In one embodiment of the device, each anti-deformation tab has at least one reinforcing rib extending between the rear face and the anti-deformation tab. Such a reinforcing rib prevents the anti-deformation tab from bending.

[0017] According to one possibility, the device is obtained by molding plastic material.

[0018] Advantageously, each anti-deformation leg forms a flat trapezoidal surface.

[0019] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a sealing device according to the invention, showing the rear face and an anti-deformation rib;

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of the device of [Fig.1] mounted on a controlled air intake module of a vehicle according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic view of the movement of an anti-leg deformation in case of rupture of its frangible zone.

[0023] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0024] A sealing device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.1], is designed to equip a motor vehicle 2, partially illustrated in [Fig.2], designed to be disposed between a bumper, not illustrated, of the vehicle 2 and a controlled air intake module 3, illustrated in [Fig.2], in order to guide an airflow towards the module 3. Advantageously, the sealing device 1 is obtained by molding plastic material.

[0025] The device 1 has a front wall 4 delimited by a front face 5, designed to be positioned opposite the bumper, and a rear face 6, designed to extend opposite the controlled air intake module 3.

[0026] The front wall 4 defines a supply opening 7 intended to supply air to the module 3.

[0027] When the sealing device 1 is mounted on the module 3, the device 1 and the module 3 define a space 8. The device 1 is designed to ensure that an airflow entering the space 8 through the opening 7 is directed entirely towards the controlled air inlet module 3. To this end, the module 3 has at least one side wall 9, each extending from the front wall 4 and closing the space 8. Advantageously, each side wall 9 has fastening means 10 for attaching the sealing device 1 to the module 3. The front wall 4 also advantageously includes a portion of the fastening means 10.

[0028] The sealing device 1 includes at least one anti-deformation tab 11 projecting from the rear face 6 and extending towards the module 3, when the device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0029] Each anti-deformation tab 11 forms a flat, trapezoidal surface, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. Each tab 11 has rounded corners 12, as shown in [Fig. 3], to facilitate sliding of the tab 11 on the module 3. To reinforce each tab 11, each has at least one reinforcing rib 13 extending between the rear face 6 and the anti-deformation tab 11. In this case, each tab 11 has four ribs 13.

[0030] Each anti-deformation tab 11 is designed to bear against module 3 to limit the deflection of the front wall 4 when the vehicle 2 is in operation. When the vehicle is in operation, a low-pressure area, generated by an airflow passing through the opening 7 and module 3, generates a force applied to the front wall 4, which tends to deform the front wall 4 towards module 3. Similarly, movement of the vehicle 2 causes a relative wind exerting pressure on the front face 5, which tends to deform the front wall 4 towards module 3. Each anti-deformation tab 11 limits these deformations of the front wall 4. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], each anti-deformation tab 11 is dimensioned to bear against module 3 when the device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 2, in the absence of deformation of the front wall 4.

[0031] In order to preserve the controlled air intake module 3 in the event of a repairable frontal impact suffered by the vehicle 2, the device 1 has at least one frangible zone 14. Each frangible zone 14 is designed to break and detach at least a portion of each anti-deformation tab 11 from the front wall 4, under the effect of the recoil of the device 1 towards the module 3 in the event of a repairable frontal impact suffered by the vehicle 2. As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and in simple terms, each frangible zone 14 is achieved by a reduction 15 of material thickness of the front wall 4. Preferably each reduction 15 of material thickness is achieved using a groove 16 cut on the rear face 6. As an example, the front wall 4 has a thickness of approximately 2 mm and each groove 16 has a depth of approximately 1 mm.

[0032] As illustrated in the figures, each frangible zone 14 surrounds at least part of each anti-deformation tab 11. In this case, each frangible zone 14 delimits three successive sides of a rectangle surrounding the tab 11.

[0033] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], each anti-deformation tab 11 is connected to the rear face 6 by a hinge film 17, allowing the tab 11 to pivot around an axis of rotation A, illustrated in [Fig. 3], in the event of a rupture of its frangible zone 14. In this case, when the frangible zone 14 delimits three successive sides of a rectangle surrounding the tab 11, the fourth side of the rectangle is formed by the hinge film 17. Thus, in the event of a frontal impact sustained by the vehicle 2, the frangible zone 14 ruptures and the anti-deformation tab 11 pivots, as illustrated by the dashed line in [Fig. 3]. This pivoting allows the front wall 4 to move closer to the module 3 without forming a hard point that could damage the controlled air intake module 3.

[0034] Thus, the vehicle 2 according to the invention, thanks to the sealing device 1, guarantees increased cooling efficiency. The anti-deformation tab 11 effectively counteracts, at least partially or even completely, the deformations of the front wall 4 usually observed when the vehicle is in operation. Furthermore, in the event of a repairable frontal impact, the device 1 protects the controlled air intake module 3 by breaking the frangible zone 14.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the sealing device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), designed to be arranged between a bumper of the vehicle (2) and a controlled air intake module (3), in order to guide an air flow towards the module (3), the device (1) having a front wall (4) delimited by a front face (5), designed to be arranged opposite the bumper, and a rear face (6), designed to extend opposite the controlled air intake module (3), the front wall (4) delimiting a supply opening (7) intended to supply air to the module (3), the device (1) comprising at least one anti-deformation tab (11) projecting from the rear face (6) and extending towards the module (3), when the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle (2), each anti-deformation tab (11) being designed to come into contact with the module (3) to limit the deflection of the wall front (4) when the vehicle (2) is in operation.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each anti-deformation tab (11) is sized to rest on the module (3) in the absence of deformation of the front wall (4), when the device (1) is mounted on the vehicle (2).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) has at least one frangible zone (14), each designed to break and separate from the front wall (4) at least a part of each anti-deformation tab (11) in the event of a frontal impact repairable to the vehicle (2).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that each frangible zone (14) at least partly surrounds an anti-deformation tab (11).

5. Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each frangible zone (14) is produced by a reduction (15) in the thickness of material of the front wall (4), preferably by a groove (16) formed on the rear face (6).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each anti-deformation tab (11) is connected to the rear face (6) by a hinge film (17) allowing the tab (11) to tilt around an axis of rotation (A) in the event of rupture of its frangible zone (14).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each anti-deformation tab (11) has at least one reinforcing rib (13) extending between the rear face (6) and the anti- deformation.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is obtained by molding plastic material.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each anti-deformation tab (11) forms a flat trapezoidal surface.

10. Motor vehicle (2) having a sealing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 mounted between the bumper of the vehicle (2) and a controlled air intake module (3) for supplying air through the supply opening (7) to the controlled air intake module (3).

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