Combination of motor vehicles and motor vehicles comprising such a combination

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly (1) and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly (3), comprising: - a canopy (11), including a canopy manifold (13) having an opening (21), - an air conditioning unit fixed to a bulkhead of said vehicle, - an air intake collar (23), providing a connection between said air conditioning unit and said opening, said air conditioning unit being supplied with air by said canopy manifold and by said air intake collar, - an air / water deflector (25), fixed to said canopy manifold, comprising a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges (31). According to the invention, said front edge and said side edges (31) of said deflector have a downward flow slope, arranged between said deflector and said canopy manifold and at least partially covering said canopy manifold. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly.Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of the front unit of the motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a motor vehicle assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. Prior art

[0003] In a motor vehicle, the air conditioning unit is fixed to an apron of the vehicle body structure.

[0004] The air conditioning unit is supplied with air from outside the motor vehicle via a cowl collector.

[0005] The cowl collector comprises an opening made on the cowl of the motor vehicle, the cowl defining the part of the body located at the bottom of the windshield.

[0006] A large volume of water entering the air conditioning unit, for example when it rains or when washing the motor vehicle, would seriously damage the air conditioning unit, and its replacement may be necessary.

[0007] In order to limit the volume of water entering the air conditioning unit via the awning collector, it is known to install an air / water deflector which clips onto the awning collector.

[0008] In certain configurations, provision is made to connect the air conditioning unit to the awning manifold via an air inlet neck, an interface part fixed on the one hand to the air conditioning unit and on the other hand to the awning manifold.

[0009] However, it has been noted that water stagnates at the junction between the cowl manifold and the air inlet neck. This leads to a deterioration in the seal between the cowl manifold and the air inlet neck, ultimately leading to water intrusion into the air inlet neck.

[0010] However, given that the air inlet neck is directly attached to the air conditioning unit, water can penetrate into the air conditioning unit.

[0011] Document FR 2 623 455 A1 seeks to solve the problem of protecting electrical and mechanical components inside an awning against water, while allowing efficient air circulation, and discloses a device consisting of a conduit inside an awning box, arranged along the entire length of the opening allowing air intake and overlooking the elements to be protected.

[0012] The application of such a solution would require modifying the vertical stacking of the elements of the front block. However, the architectural constraints in this area are such that it is not possible to modify the air inlet neck. Thus, the solution described in document FR 2 623 455 A1 is not directly transposable. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle assembly, comprising: - a canopy, comprising a canopy collector extending substantially transversely relative to said motor vehicle, said canopy collector comprising an opening, - an air conditioning unit, fixed to an apron of a body of said motor vehicle, - an air intake neck, providing a connection between said air conditioning unit and said opening of said cowl collector, said air conditioning unit being supplied with air by said cowl collector and by said air inlet neck, - an air / water deflector, fixed to said awning collector, comprising a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, said assembly being remarkable in that said front edge and said lateral edges of said air / water deflector comprise a downward flow slope, arranged between said air / water deflector and said cowl collector and at least partially covering said cowl collector.

[0014] Thus, by providing such downward flow slopes at least partially covering the cowl collector, the water received by the air / water deflector is directly drawn towards the cowl collector, the shape of which makes it possible to evacuate the water outside the vehicle. This prevents water from stagnating at the junction between the awning collector and the air inlet neck.

[0016] Thanks to the present invention, the sealing between the cowl collector and the air inlet neck is improved, which makes it possible to limit the risk of water intrusion into the air inlet neck and therefore into the air conditioning unit.

[0017] According to optional characteristics of the assembly according to the invention: - said rear edge of said air / water deflector comprises a downward flow slope, arranged between said air / water deflector and said cowl collector and at least partially covering said cowl collector; - said rear edge of said air / water deflector comprises an upward slope, arranged between said air / water deflector and said cowl collector and at least partially covering said cowl collector; - said downward flow slope of said front edge extends over the entire length of said front edge, and / or said downward flow slope of said side edges extends over the entire length of said side edges, and / or said downward flow slope of said rear edge extends over the entire length of said rear edge; - said downward flow slope of said rear edge of said air / water deflector or said upward flow slope of said rear edge of said air / water deflector extends to said apron of said assembly; - said downward flow slope has a length of between approximately 2 cm and approximately 4 cm; - the angle formed between said canopy collector and said downward flow slope is between approximately 20° and approximately 40°; - said canopy collector comprises at least one flow slope arranged at least at one lateral end of said canopy collector.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly, remarkable in that said assembly is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] partially shows an assembly of a motor vehicle according to the invention in front section.

[0021] [Fig.2] shows the assembly according to the invention, in longitudinal section.

[0022] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the air / water deflector of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.4] shows the air / water deflector in front view. Description of the embodiments

[0024] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0025] By convention, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle will be adopted, without limitation.

[0026] In the following, the terms “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0027] Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0028] Reference is made to [Fig.l] which shows an assembly 1 of a motor vehicle 3 according to the invention in front section, centered on the front-right zone of the motor vehicle 3, and in [Fig.2] which shows the assembly 1 in longitudinal section.

[0029] The motor vehicle 3 comprises a body 5, comprising a set of structural sheet metal elements conferring stiffness to the motor vehicle 3, assembled to each other and forming the frame of the motor vehicle 3.

[0030] The body 5 defines a passenger compartment 7, capable of receiving the occupants of the motor vehicle 3, and a front unit 9, receiving in particular the powertrain of the motor vehicle 3.

[0031] The assembly 1 comprises a canopy 11, defining the part of the body 5 located at a lower part of a windshield (not shown). The canopy 11 is part of the body 5 of the motor vehicle 3 and consists of a piece of sheet metal arranged in the area between the passenger compartment 7 and the front block 9.

[0032] The cowl 11 comprises a cowl collector 13, extending substantially transversely relative to the motor vehicle 3, as far as the wheel arches 14 of the motor vehicle 3 (only one wheel arch being visible in [Fig.l]).

[0033] The awning collector 13 is typically used, for example, to support various tanks and filters as well as a windscreen wiper system, and to ensure the evacuation of water coming from outside.

[0034] For this purpose, the cowl collector 13 comprises flow slopes 15 arranged at the lateral ends of the cowl collector 13 (only the right flow slope being visible in [Fig.l]).

[0035] The cowl collector 13 is positioned in front of a body apron 17, connected to a front part of a bay opening intended to accommodate the windshield (not shown).

[0036] The assembly 1 further comprises an air conditioning unit 19 fixed to the body panel 17.

[0037] The air conditioning unit 19 is supplied with air from outside the motor vehicle 3 via the cowl collector 13.

[0038] For this purpose, the awning collector 13 has an opening 21 made on the awning 11.

[0039] The air conditioning unit 19 is connected to the cowl collector 13 via an air inlet neck 23, an interface part which provides a connection between the air conditioning unit 19 and the opening 21 of the cowl collector 13.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air inlet neck extends in front of the air conditioning unit and is fixed on the one hand to the air conditioning unit 19 and on the other hand to the cowl collector 13.

[0041] In order to prevent a large volume of water from entering the air conditioning unit 19 via the cowl collector 13 and via the air inlet neck 23, the assembly 1 comprises an air / water deflector 25 fixed to the cowl collector 13, for example by clipping.

[0042] The air / water deflector 25 has a front edge 27, a rear edge 29 and two side edges 31.

[0043] The air / water deflector 25 comprises at its front part an air inlet opening 33 adapted to admit air coming from outside the motor vehicle. The opening 33 can be partially closed by a protective grille (not shown) adapted to filter impurities likely to enter from outside the vehicle.

[0044] In order to further limit the risk of a large volume of water entering the air conditioning unit, the air inlet neck 23 comprises a small diameter water flow orifice 35, for example made at the lower part of the air inlet neck 23. In this way, some of the water which inadvertently enters the air inlet neck 23 can be evacuated, in order to limit the volume of water likely to enter the air conditioning unit 19.

[0045] For better visibility, reference is made, in addition to figures 1 and 2 to which reference continues, to [Fig. 3] showing the air / water deflector 25 of the invention seen in perspective.

[0046] According to the invention, the front edge 27 and the lateral edges 31 of the air / water deflector 25 comprise a downward flow slope 37, arranged between the air / water deflector 25 and the cowl collector 13 and at least partially covering the cowl collector 13 when the air / water deflector is mounted in the assembly 1.

[0047] Thus, by providing such downward flow slopes 37 at least partially covering the cowl collector 13, the water received by the air / water deflector 25 is directly drawn towards the cowl collector 13, the shape of which makes it possible to evacuate the water outside the vehicle.

[0048] Thus, thanks to the present invention, water no longer stagnates at the junction between the cowl collector 13 and the air inlet neck 23.

[0049] This improves the sealing between the cowl collector 13 and the air inlet neck 23, which makes it possible to limit the risk of water intrusion into the air inlet neck 23 and therefore into the air conditioning unit 19.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rear edge 29 of the air / water deflector 25 also comprises a downward flow slope 37, arranged between the air / water deflector 25 and the cowl collector 13 and at least partially covering the cowl collector 13.

[0051] Thanks to such an arrangement, the risk of water stagnation in a rear zone between the air / water deflector 25 and the body panel 17 is limited, which prevents the appearance of odors harmful to the user. By limiting the risk of water stagnation in this rear zone, premature wear of the seal present between the air inlet neck 23 and the air conditioning unit 19 is avoided.

[0052] According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the rear edge 29 of the air / water deflector 25 may comprise an upward slope arranged between the air / water deflector 25 and the cowl collector 13, also at least partially covering the cowl collector 13. With this arrangement, it has been noted that the water which comes into contact with the rear edge 29 begins to move and flows towards the lateral edges 31.

[0053] According to another variant embodiment not shown in the figures, the rear edge 29 has no slope.

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the downward flow slope 37 of the front edge 27 extends over the entire length of the front edge 27.

[0055] Complementarily, the downward flow slope 37 of the rear edge 29 extends over the entire length of the rear edge 29.

[0056] Similarly, the downward flow slope 37 of the side edges 31 extends over the entire length of the side edges 31.

[0057] According to another arrangement, as best seen in [Fig. 2], the downward flow slope 37 of the rear edge 29 or, alternatively, the upward flow slope of the rear edge 29 of the air / water deflector 25, extends to the body apron 17. This makes it possible to further limit the risk of water being introduced, and therefore of water stagnation, in the rear area between the air / water deflector 25 and the body apron 17.

[0058] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing the air / water deflector 25 in front view.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, the length L of the downward flow slope 37 is between approximately 2 cm and approximately 4 cm.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the downward flow slope 37 is equal to approximately 3 cm.

[0061] Also, in order to allow a gentle start of water flow along the downward flow slope 37, the angle a formed between the awning collector 13 (not shown in [Fig.4]) and the downward flow slope 37 is between approximately 20° and approximately 40°.

[0062] For example, in a particular embodiment, the angle α formed between the cowl collector 13 and the downward flow slope 37 is equal to approximately 30°.

[0063] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations, if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising: - a cowl (11), comprising a cowl collector (13) extending substantially transversely relative to said motor vehicle (3), said cowl collector (13) comprising an opening (21), - an air conditioning unit (19), fixed to an apron (17) of a body of said motor vehicle (3), - an air inlet neck (23), providing a connection between said air conditioning unit (19) and said opening (21) of said cowl collector (13), said air conditioning unit (19) being supplied with air by said cowl collector (13) and by said air inlet neck (23), - an air / water deflector (25), fixed to said cowl collector (13), comprising a front edge (27), a rear edge (29) and two lateral edges (31), said assembly (1) being characterized in that said front edge (27) and said lateral edges (31) of said air / water deflector (25) have a downward flow slope (37),arranged between said air / water deflector (25) and said cowl collector (13) and at least partially covering said cowl collector (13).,

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear edge (29) of said air / water deflector (25) comprises a downward flow slope (37), arranged between said air / water deflector (25) and said cowl collector (13) and at least partially covering said cowl collector (13).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear edge (29) of said air / water deflector (25) comprises an upward slope, arranged between said air / water deflector (25) and said cowl collector (13) and at least partially covering said cowl collector (13).

4. Assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: - said downward flow slope (37) of said front edge (27) extends over the entire length of said front edge (27), and / or - said downward flow slope (37) of said lateral edges (31) extends over the entire length of said lateral edges (31), and / or - said downward flow slope (37) of said rear edge (29) extends over the entire length of said rear edge (29).

5. Assembly (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that that said downward flow slope (37) of said rear edge (29) of said air / water deflector (25) or said upward flow slope of said rear edge (29) of said air / water deflector (25) extends to said apron (17) of said assembly (1).

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said downward flow slope (37) has a length (L) of between approximately 2 cm and approximately 4 cm.

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the angle (a) formed between said cowl collector (13) and said downward flow slope (37) is between approximately 20° and approximately 40°.

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said cowl collector (13) comprises at least one flow slope (15) arranged at least at one lateral end of said cowl collector (13).

9. Motor vehicle (3) comprising an assembly (1), characterized in that said assembly (1) is according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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