Device to limit the "overtravel" of a rear opening of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (300) for limiting the "overtravel" of a rear opening (100) of a motor vehicle, mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening in the fixed rear section (200) of that vehicle. The device comprises a protrusion (310) arranged on a first (100) of the two sub-assemblies (100, 200) consisting of the rear opening (100) and the fixed rear section (200), as well as a stop (320) arranged on the second (200) of said sub-assemblies (100, 200), against which the protrusion abuts when the rear opening (100) is brought into the closed position. The device is characterized in that the protrusion (310) is formed as a single piece with an element (110) of the first sub-assembly (100), while the stop (320) consists of an element (224B) of said second subset (200). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for limiting the “overtravel” of a rear opening of a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for limiting the “overtravel” in the operation of a rear opening of a motor vehicle. Prior art

[0002] By “rear opening” is meant any movable bodywork element that opens upwards, such as a rear flap, a rear hatch, a trunk lid, etc.

[0003] Overly forceful closing or "over-slamming" of such a rear opening of a motor vehicle tends to cause it to move beyond its normal travel ("over-travel"), which can cause markings (for example in the form of paint flakes) on the skin of the rear bumper and / or deterioration of certain fragile parts constituting this opening or the fixed rear part of the vehicle, which collide with other parts.

[0004] In order to address this problem, it is known to install devices on the vehicle to limit the overtravel of such a rear opening.

[0005] Document US 2005 / 0093342 A1 discloses such a device comprising a protuberance fixed to the inner lining of the rear opening as well as a stop member made of elastically deformable material, mounted on the fixed rear part of the vehicle and against which this protuberance abuts, when the opening is brought into the closed position.

[0006] The stop member comprises a contact portion and a lateral fixing portion. The contact portion is configured so as to come into contact with the protrusion when the rear opening comes into the closing position. The lateral fixing portion has a projecting shape for forcibly pressing a lateral face of the protrusion. The contact portion of the stop member deforms when the rear opening comes into the closing position, and consequently absorbs the shock, reduces the impact noise, and prevents excessive insertion of the rear hatch. The lateral fixing portion forcibly presses a lateral face of the protrusion, which makes it possible to prevent any "misalignment" of the opening.

[0007] Unfortunately, these devices for limiting the overtravel of the rear opening are relatively bulky, which does not allow them to be installed on all motor vehicle models. Furthermore, they lead to a significant increase in the production and assembly costs of the motor vehicle. Statement of the invention

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

[0009] To this end, it proposes a device for limiting the "overtravel" of a rear opening of a motor vehicle mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening provided in the fixed rear part of this vehicle, said device comprising a protuberance arranged on a first of the two sub-assemblies which constitute said rear opening and said fixed rear part, as well as a stop member arranged on the second of said sub-assemblies, and against which said protuberance abuts, when said rear opening is brought into the closed position; characterized in that said protuberance is formed from a single piece with an element of said first subassembly, while said stop member is constituted by an element of said second subassembly.

[0010] By directly integrating the protuberance and the stop member into elements of the rear opening and the fixed rear part of the vehicle, the device according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be installed in areas where the lack of free space between this rear opening and this fixed rear part in the closed position of this opening would not allow the installation of an added device for limiting the "over-travel".

[0011] The invention also has the advantage of not generating any additional manufacturing or assembly costs.

[0012] According to preferred characteristics associated with a first embodiment of said device according to the invention: - said protuberance is made from a single piece of material with an element of said rear opening, while said stopping member is constituted by an element of said fixed rear part of the vehicle; - said protuberance is molded from plastic in one piece with the inner lining of said rear opening; - said protrusion is made from a single piece of sheet metal with the inner lining of said rear opening; and / or - said stopping member is constituted by the lip made of elastomer material of the skirt of a rear light of said fixed rear part of the vehicle.

[0013] According to preferred characteristics associated with a second embodiment of said device according to the invention: - said protuberance is made from a single piece of material with an element of said fixed rear part of the vehicle, while said stopping member is constituted by an element of said rear opening; - said protuberance is made of a single piece with the lip made of elastomeric material of the skirt of a rear light of said fixed rear part of the vehicle; and / or - said stop member is constituted by the inner lining of said rear opening.

[0014] Furthermore, and for reasons of ease of production, said protuberance is in the form of a hollow cone flattened at its distal end.

[0015] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising a rear opening mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening provided in the fixed rear part of this vehicle, characterized in that it comprises such a device for limiting the “overtravel” of said rear opening. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] 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 a perspective view of the rear part of a motor vehicle comprising two devices according to the invention to limit the “overtravel” of its rear flap; - [Fig.2] is a partial sectional view of the rear part of the vehicle of [Fig.l], taken along a vertical longitudinal sectional plane passing through one of the “overtravel” limiting devices; - [Fig.3] represents a partial perspective sectional view of the rear part of the vehicle of [Fig.l], taken along a horizontal plane crossing one of the “overtravel” limiting devices; and - [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3] of the rear part of a motor vehicle comprising two “over-travel” limiting devices in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0017] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of the rear part of a motor vehicle 1 comprising a rear trunk opening 100 (in this case a rear flap) mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening provided in the fixed rear part 200 of this vehicle 1, between a closed position for closing this opening and an open position for clearing this same opening.

[0018] We define with respect to this vehicle 1 an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, parallel to the ground and coincident with the general direction of movement 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.

[0019] 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, "Transverse" or "Transversely" will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and "Vertical" or "Vertical" will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0020] On the other hand, and by convention, the terms "lower", "upper", "front" and "rear" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle. 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] As illustrated in this [Fig.l], the rear flap 100 comprises an inner lining 110 made of an opaque plastic material such as a polypropylene advantageously reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers (for example, a polypropylene loaded with talc such as PPTD40).

[0023] This rear flap 100 also comprises two flap deflectors 120 covering the two lateral ends of the upper portion of the inner lining 110 (only the flap deflector located on the right side of this inner lining 110 being shown in FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0024] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, each flap deflector 120 comprises: - a relatively fragile outer skin 121 made of a transparent plastic material such as Polymethyl methacrylate (more commonly referred to by the English acronym PMMA for “poly(methyl methacrylate)”); and - a flap deflector lining 122 made of an opaque plastic material such as a polypropylene advantageously reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers (for example, a polypropylene loaded with glass fibers such as PPGF30) and fixed against the inner face of the skin 121, this lining 122 also being fixedly attached against the inner lining 110 of the flap 100.

[0025] The fixed rear part 200 of this vehicle 1 comprises a sheet metal trunk structure 210 comprising in particular two passenger compartment sides 211 and two flap side gutters 212 (only the passenger compartment side and the flap side gutter located on the right side of the vehicle 1 being partially visible in figures 1 to 3).

[0026] This fixed rear part 200 of the vehicle 1 also comprises two rear lights 220 (only the rear light located on the right side of the vehicle 1 being partially visible in FIGS. 1 to 3) each comprising a housing 221 open at the rear and housing lighting and signaling modules 222, this housing 221 being made of an opaque plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene (PP).

[0027] Each rear light 220 also comprises a transparent outer cover glass 223 closing the housing 221 and made of a transparent plastic such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the housing 221 of each of the rear lights 220 is partially embedded in a respective reception window provided in the trunk structure 210.

[0029] Each reception window is delimited in the upper part by a passenger compartment side 211 and a respective flap lateral gutter 212 of the trunk structure 210, these two sheet metal parts being fixed to each other by electric welding points (EPS) at the level of an overlap zone visible in [Fig.3].

[0030] As is clearly visible in this [Fig. 3], each rear light 220 also includes a light skirt 224 here molded in one piece with the housing 221 and intended to conceal the technical zone of this light which could be highlighted through the reception window when the rear flap 100 is opened.

[0031] Still with reference to [Fig. 3], each fire skirt 224 comprises a proximal portion 224A connected to the housing 221 as well as a lip made of elastomeric material 224B (for example made of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer commonly designated by the acronym EPDM), overmolded onto this proximal portion 224A and covering the periphery of the corresponding reception window.

[0032] As can be understood with reference to [Fig. 1], it could happen with such a configuration of the rear part of the vehicle 1 and in the event of too forceful closing or "over-slamming" of the rear flap 100, that the external lower corner of the outer skin 121 of at least one of the flap deflectors 120 impacts the rear edge of the corresponding passenger compartment side 211 of the trunk structure 210 of the vehicle.

[0033] Due to its constitution in a relatively fragile plastic material (PMMA), this outer skin 121 could thus for example chip or crack.

[0034] In order to avoid any risk of deterioration of these outer skins 121 of the flap deflectors 120, each lateral portion of the rear part of the vehicle 1 also comprises a device 300 for limiting the “overtravel” of the rear flap 100.

[0035] With reference to figures 2 and 3, each device 300 comprises a protuberance 310 mounted on the inner lining 110 of the flap 100, as well as a stop member 320 mounted on the fixed rear part 200 of the vehicle 1 and against which this protuberance abuts. tube 310 when the rear flap 100 is brought into the closed position.

[0036] As can be seen in these figures 2 and 3, the protuberance 310 is made of a single piece with the inner lining 110 of the flap, while the stop member 320 is constituted by the lip made of elastomeric material 224B of a rear light skirt 224.

[0037] In order to facilitate the operations of demolding the inner lining 110, the protuberance 310 of each device 300 is advantageously in the form of a hollow cone flattened at its distal end coming into contact with the lip 224B. According to alternative embodiments not shown, this protuberance 310 may be shaped differently and may be in the form of a rib, for example.

[0038] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the protrusion 310 can be made from a single piece of sheet metal with the inner lining 110 of the rear flap 100.

[0039] According to other variant embodiments not shown, the stop member 320 may be made of a single piece with another element of the fixed rear part of the vehicle, made of an elastomer material or of another material.

[0040] This stop member 320 can thus be constituted by a plastic element of this fixed rear part of the vehicle, such as for example the proximal portion of a rear light skirt such as 224, a rear light housing such as 221 or even a rear body part trim not shown.

[0041] It may also be constituted by a sheet metal element of this fixed rear part of the vehicle, such as for example a passenger compartment side such as 211 or a side flap gutter such as 212.

[0042] [Fig.4] illustrates another possible embodiment of a device 300' according to the invention for limiting the "overtravel" of the rear flap 100.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the protuberance 310' is made of a single piece with the lip made of elastomeric material 224B of a rear light skirt 224 of the fixed rear part 200 of the vehicle 1, while the stop member 320' is constituted by the inner lining 110 of the rear flap 100.

[0044] According to embodiment variants not shown, the protuberance 310' may be made from a single piece with another element of the fixed rear part 200 of the vehicle 1, made from an elastomer material or from another material.

[0045] This protuberance 310' can thus be molded from a single piece of plastic material with the proximal portion of a rear light skirt such as 224, with a rear light housing such as 221 or even with a rear body part trim not shown.

[0046] It could also be made in one piece by sheet metal stamping with a passenger compartment side such as 211 or a flap side gutter such as 212.

[0047] Numerous variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present 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.

[0048] It will be noted in particular that the device according to the invention can be used to limit the “overtravel” of any rear opening of a vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (300; 300') for limiting the "overtravel" of a rear opening (100) of a motor vehicle (1) mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening provided in the fixed rear part (200) of this vehicle (1), said device (300; 300') comprising a protuberance (310; 310') arranged on a first (100; 200) of the two sub-assemblies that constitute said rear opening (100) and said fixed rear part (200), as well as a stop member (320; 320') arranged on the second (200; 100) of said sub-assemblies (100, 200) and against which said protuberance (310; 310') abuts when said rear opening (100) is brought into the closed position; characterized in that said protuberance (310; 310') is formed from a single piece with an element (110; 224B) of said first subassembly (100; 200), while said stop member (320; 320') is constituted by an element (224B; 110) of said second subassembly (200; 100).

2. Device (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that said protuberance (310) is made of a single piece with an element (110) of said rear opening (100), while said stop member (320) is constituted by an element (224B) of said fixed rear part (200) of the vehicle (1).

3. Device (300) according to claim 2, characterized in that said protuberance (310) is molded from plastic material in one piece with the inner lining (110) of said rear opening (100).

4. Device (300) according to claim 2, characterized in that said protuberance (310) is made of a single piece of sheet metal with the inner lining (110) of said rear opening (100).

5. Device (300) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said stop member (320) is constituted by the lip made of elastomer material (224B) of the skirt (224) of a rear light (220) of said fixed rear part (200) of the vehicle (1).

6. Device (300') according to claim 1, characterized in that said protuberance (310') is made of a single piece with an element (224B) of said fixed rear part (200) of the vehicle (1), while said stop member (320') is constituted by an element (110) of said rear opening (100).

7. Device (300') according to claim 6, characterized in that said protrusion (310') is made of a single piece with the lip made of elastomeric material (224B) of the skirt (224) of a rear light (220) of said fixed rear part (200) of the vehicle (1).

8. Device (300') according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said stop member (320') is constituted by the inner lining (110) of said rear opening (100).

9. Device (300; 300') according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said protuberance (310; 310') is in the form of a hollow cone flattened at its distal end.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a rear opening (100) mounted pivotally on the edge of an opening provided in the fixed rear part (200) of this vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (300; 300') for limiting the "overtravel" of said rear opening (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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