Mounting bracket for a motor vehicle headlight adapted to support a vehicle hood stop and associated hood stop device

Abstract

This one-piece mounting part (5) for a headlight (3) of a motor vehicle (1) includes a mounting portion (5a) for a rigid support (4) of the vehicle. The part (5) further includes a support portion (5b) integral with the mounting portion (5a) and adapted to support a stop (2) of a vehicle hood. For the abbreviated version: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Attachment part for a motor vehicle headlight adapted to support a stop on a vehicle hood and associated hood stop device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing part for a headlight and a stop device for a motor vehicle hood. Previous techniques

[0002] Conventionally, the hood stops of motor vehicles are mounted on rigid elements of the vehicle chassis, typically a substantially longitudinal side member or a transverse element, called the "technical front face", which carries vehicle components.

[0003] The position and mechanical characteristics of the hood stops must meet a series of often conflicting objectives. For example, the hood stops must be placed at locations where the vibration response of the hood is significant so that the support provided is effective. The hood stops must be sufficiently rigid to maintain the amplitude and frequency of the hood vibrations within acceptable ranges. However, the hood stops must have sufficient flexibility to allow for a certain regulatory sag of the hood to take into account pedestrian protection in the event of a head impact. Furthermore, the design of the hood stops must allow for mounting adjustments to facilitate fitting.

[0004] For reasons of rationalization of manufacturing costs, automobile manufacturers favor the use of the same modular platform when manufacturing different vehicle models. This platform includes in particular the engine compartment.

[0005] Generally, the platform is associated with an envelope or bodywork which is specific to each model.

[0006] However, some envelopes have a smaller size which results in a more restricted space under the hood, particularly in the height direction. In the most extreme cases, it becomes difficult, or even impossible, to position the hood stops on a side member or on the technical front face of the chassis.

[0007] Providing a new part whose sole function is to support the stop would generate significant production and development costs, particularly linked to integration into the engine compartment and the risk of conflict with pre-existing elements.

[0008] Furthermore, such stops have a function of holding the hood and are subject to significant vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the stop supports and are incompatible with the safety standards for projectors, due to the significant risks of flickering of the light beam caused by the vibrations. Statement of the invention

[0009] The aim of the invention is to provide a support for a hood stop and a hood stop device making it possible to achieve the series of objectives cited above.

[0010] Such supports and stop devices are compatible with reduced-size envelopes, favor the use of elements already existing in the engine compartment and do not create any risk of the headlights flickering.

[0011] The subject of the invention is a single-piece fixing part for a headlight of a motor vehicle comprising a mounting part on a rigid support of the vehicle.

[0012] The part further comprises a support portion secured to the mounting portion and adapted to support a stop of a hood of the vehicle. Such a fixing part makes it possible to combine the functions of fixing the headlight and of supporting the stop.

[0013] Advantageously, the support part is cantilevered. Such a support part makes it possible to isolate the projector from the vibrations of the stop and thus protects against the risk of flickering.

[0014] For example, the fixing part is made of plastic. Such a characteristic facilitates the single-piece manufacture of the part.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic, the fixing part comprises a plate provided on its periphery with a vertical wall oriented in a direction opposite to the rigid support relative to the plate. Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the bending stiffness of the fixing part by raising the neutral axis of the part. In addition, this configuration promotes good fixing between the mounting part and the rigid support of the vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, the fixing part comprises at least one stiffener secured to the wall and the plate and / or at least one fin arranged on the wall and parallel to the plate. Such a configuration improves the stiffness of the fixing part.

[0017] According to one feature, ribs of the headlight are securely connected to a front edge of the mounting portion adjacent to the headlight. The headlight is thus attached to the rigid support of the vehicle via the mounting portion of the attachment piece.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the support part is provided with an opening adapted to accommodate a hood stop. This characteristic makes it possible to control the position of the stop and promotes good fixing of the stop on the support part.

[0019] The invention also relates to a hood stop device comprising a fixing part as defined above, and a hood stop mounted on the support part of the fixing part.

[0020] Preferably, the hood stop comprises a threaded base mounted on the support portion, a threaded adjustment screw which cooperates with the threaded base, a stop rod mounted on the screw, a compression pad which covers the stop rod, and a gasket surrounding the stop rod and extending between the adjustment screw and the compression pad.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fixing part or at least one hood stop device as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] is a partial perspective view of the front of a motor vehicle comprising a hood stop device according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the hood stop device of [Fig. 1] according to a direction II-II. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0025] In the description, the directions and orientations are given with reference to a direct orthonormal reference frame conventionally used in automobile design, in which X designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, pointing towards the rear of the vehicle, Y is the direction transverse to the vehicle pointing towards the right of the vehicle, and Z is the vertical direction, pointing upwards.

[0026] The concepts “front” and “rear” are given with reference to the normal direction of travel, towards the front of the vehicle.

[0027] [Fig.l] partially shows the front of a vehicle 1 having a hood, not shown, in the open position. The hood opens by pivoting about rotation axes, not shown, located along its edge located at the bottom of the vehicle's windshield.

[0028] Stops 2 are fixed near the front edge of the hood. The stops 2 prevent the hood from coming into contact with the structure of the vehicle when the hood is slammed when closing the hood, and to absorb the shock of slamming. The stops 2 are placed on the front part of the hood because, when slamming, this part moves with a greater speed than the rest of the hood, since it must travel the greatest distance between the open position and the closed position.

[0029] The vehicle 1 is equipped with projectors 3 positioned at the front of the vehicle.

[0030] Here, the projector 3 is fixed to a rigid support 4 of the vehicle 1 by means of a single-piece fixing part 5, i.e. formed from a single piece.

[0031] The part 5 comprises a mounting part 5a which is fixed to the rigid support 4 using fixing means 6, for example bolts.

[0032] The part 5 further comprises a support part 5b secured to the mounting part 5a and adapted to support the stop 2 of the hood of the vehicle 1.

[0033] The front side part of the vehicle is provided with an external envelope or wing 7 indirectly fixed to the rigid support 4 by means of a sheet metal 9 and using assembly means 8, such as welding points or rivets.

[0034] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the fixing part 5 of [Fig.l], according to a plane vertical YZ.

[0035] The same references correspond to the same elements from one figure to another.

[0036] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the wing 7 is fixed by the assembly means 8 on a vertical edge 10 of the sheet 9. The sheet 9 is fixed on the rigid support 4 using fixing means such as bolts 11.

[0037] The fixing of the sheet metal 9 on the rigid support 4 is improved by the presence of the fixing part 5 which clamps the sheet metal 9 against the rigid support 4 by means of the fixing means 6.

[0038] The fixing part 5 rests on the rigid support 4, and the support part 5b of the part 5 is cantilevered. In other words, no support external to the part 5 is in contact with the support zone 5b.

[0039] The fixing part 5 comprises a plate 12 common between the mounting part 5a and the support part 5b. The plate 12 is provided on its periphery with a vertical wall 13 oriented in a direction opposite to the rigid support 4 relative to the plate 12. Preferably, the wall 13 is continuous over the entire periphery of the plate 12.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the projector 3 is provided with ribs 16 which are securely connected to a front edge of the mounting part 5a and adjacent to the projector 3. This configuration makes it possible to fix the projector 3 to the rigid support 4 by means of the fixing part 5 and the fixing means 6. It should be noted that the ribs 16 are not connected to the support part 5b, which must remain cantilevered, but only to the mounting part 5a. Here, the projector is provided with four vertical ribs 16. Depending on the configurations, the number of ribs 16 and their shape may vary.

[0041] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the fixing part 5 comprises at least one stiffener 14 secured to the wall 13 and the plate 12. The part 5 can also be stiffened by a fin 15 arranged on the wall 13 and parallel to the plate 12. Preferably, the fin 15 is arranged so as not to hinder the connection of the part 5 with the ribs 16 of the projector 3, for example at the rear of the part 5. fixing 5.

[0042] By way of example, the minimum stiffness of the fixing part 5 at the level of the support of the stop 2 is of the order of 250 N / mm, that is to say that a minimum vertical force of 250 N is required applied to the stop to generate a vertical displacement of the fixing part equal to one millimeter.

[0043] Alternatively, it remains possible not to stiffen the part 5 and not to provide a stiffener or fin on the part 5.

[0044] The support part 5b is provided with an opening 18 adapted to receive a hood stop 2. The fixing part 5 and the hood stop 2 are part of a hood stop device 17 according to the invention.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the stop 2 comprises a threaded base 19 mounted on the support part, for example crimped or force-fitted into the opening 18. The stop 2 also comprises a threaded adjustment screw 20 which cooperates with the threading of the base 19, a stop rod 21 mounted on the screw 20, a compression pad 22 which covers the stop rod 21, and a gasket 23 surrounding the stop rod 21 and extending between the adjustment screw 20 and the compression pad 22.

[0046] Here, the screw 20 and the base 19 are conical, but alternatively they can be cylindrical. It is of course possible to use other stop configurations without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. One-piece fixing part (5) for a headlight (3) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a mounting part (5a) on a rigid support (4) of the vehicle, said part (5) being characterized in that it further comprises a support part (5b) integral with the mounting part (5a) and adapted to support a stop (2) of a hood of the vehicle.

2. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein the support portion (5b) is cantilevered.

3. Fastening part according to any one of the preceding claims, made of plastic material.

4. Fixing part according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plate (12) provided on its periphery with a vertical wall (13) oriented in a direction opposite to the rigid support (4) relative to the plate (12).

5. Fastening part according to claim 4, comprising at least one stiffener (14) integral with the wall (13) and the plate (12) and / or at least one fin (15) arranged on the wall (13) and parallel to the plate (12).

6. A fixing part according to any preceding claim, wherein ribs (16) of the projector (3) are integrally connected to a front edge of the mounting portion (5a) adjacent the projector.

7. A fixing part according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support part (5b) is provided with an opening (18) adapted to receive a hood stop (2).

8. Motor vehicle bonnet stop device (17) comprising a fixing part (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a bonnet stop (2) mounted on the support part (5b) of said fixing part.

9. A stop device according to claim 8, wherein the hood stop (2) comprises a threaded base (19) mounted on the support part (5b), a threaded adjustment screw (20) which cooperates with said threaded base (19), a stop rod (21) mounted on the screw (20), a compression pad (22) which covers the stop rod (21), and a gasket (23) surrounding the stop rod and extending between the adjustment screw (20) and the compression pad (22).

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one fixing part (5) according to claims 1 to 7 or comprising at least one hood stop device according to claim 8 or 9.

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