MOTOR VEHICLE BUMPER SUPPORT FRAME AND MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH FRAME

Abstract

The invention relates to a bumper support frame (3) for a motor vehicle, said frame (3) comprising an elongated main body (3a), characterized in that each of the longitudinal ends of said main body (3a) is extended by an extension (7) on which is arranged a fastening device (7a) configured to establish a mechanical connection with a light assembly. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE BUMPER SUPPORT FRAME AND VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A FRAME

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the front or rear face of a motor vehicle, and more particularly concerns a bumper support frame and the fixing of at least one optical unit thereon. The invention also concerns a motor vehicle equipped with such a frame.

[0002] Indeed, motor vehicles are equipped with optical units (or projectors), such as low beams, main beams, fog lights, etc. Ideally, these optical units must be fixed to different elements of the vehicle, and for example at least by three fixing points, ensuring that these three points substantially define an equilateral triangle, this type of fixing is also referred to as a support triangle.

[0003] Thus, generally speaking, an optical unit located on the front of a vehicle is fixed, at its upper part, to a front wing and to the upper part of a bumper support frame, and in the lower part of the optical unit to a sheet metal part or a bumper support frame.

[0004] Having three fixing points at approximately equal distances, and therefore forming substantially an equilateral triangle, is very difficult to achieve and very rarely done, in particular because the fixing point in the lower part of the optical unit is difficult to access and complicated to position ideally, due to the space constraints of adjacent elements.

[0005] It will be noted that this requirement to have an optical unit having a fixing, or support triangle, having substantially the shape of an equilateral triangle is all the more critical as the optical unit has a significant mass.

[0006] However, the aesthetic developments of motor vehicles lead to equipping vehicles with increasingly large and heavy optical units, resulting in the need to fix these optical units in an ideal manner, and respecting a fixing in which the support triangle substantially defines an equilateral triangle. A fixing in the lower part on one of the sides of the optical unit (therefore not centered) is therefore no longer sufficient.

[0007] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of motor vehicle bumper support frame, said frame comprising an elongated main body, characterized in that each of the longitudinal ends of said main body is extended by an extension on which is fitted a fixing device configured to establish a mechanical connection with an optical unit.

[0008] Extending the support frame by extensions makes it possible to provide a fixing device configured to be fixed to an optical unit, more particularly at the lower part of the optical unit, in a centered manner, in order to define a support triangle having a substantially equilateral shape. It will also be noted that this modification of the frame is a simple and inexpensive solution to implement.

[0009] According to a possible characteristic, said extensions are integral with the main body of the frame. Advantageously, said extensions are made in one piece with the support frame, that is to say that this assembly is a single piece or unit, facilitating the integration of such extensions at low or no cost.

[0010] According to another possible characteristic, said frame is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, etc. Advantageously, the fact that the frame is made of plastic material makes it possible to reduce its cost and / or its weight, while giving it adequate mechanical properties.

[0011] According to another possible characteristic, in the mounted position, the fixing device (of each of said extensions) is configured to establish a mechanical connection substantially oriented along a horizontal axis. The mechanical connection between the extension of the frame and the optical unit is advantageously oriented substantially along a horizontal axis, that is to say substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or along the transverse axis of the vehicle, in order to facilitate and / or reduce the working time of the operator connecting the extension of the frame to the optical unit via the fixing device.

[0012] According to another possible characteristic, each of said extensions comprises a support zone configured so that in the mounted position, an element of the bumper comes to bear on said frame via said support zone. Advantageously, each of the extensions of the frame has a support zone configured to cooperate mechanically with an element of the bumper, for example to best position the elements relative to each other, but also to withstand the forces of the elements bearing on said support zone.

[0013] According to another possible characteristic, each of the support zones comprises an opening arranged substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the main body of the frame. Each of the support zones is, for example, a through opening arranged substantially orthogonally to the main extension plane of the frame. The support zone(s) are configured to accommodate a support pad or rib of a bumper element, for example a reinforcement of a bumper skin. Said support zones thus allow, through their cooperation with the support pads of the bumper element, to support, substantially along the vertical axis, said element.

[0014] According to another possible characteristic, each of said extensions extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of said frame. Advantageously, in the mounted position, said extensions extend substantially along a horizontal axis transverse to the vehicle (axis which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle). Said extensions extend cantilevered relative to the main body of the frame, that is to say that each of the extensions is not supported and projects relative to the main body of the frame.

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, each of said extensions has a length of between 100 and 250 mm, and preferably between 150 and 200 mm. The length of the extension varies depending on the mass and / or dimensions of the optical unit, but also on the width and / or thickness of the extension, the extensions having to be sufficiently robust to support part of the weight of an optical unit and / or a bumper element.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, each of said extensions comprises stiffening ribs. Advantageously, each of the extensions includes stiffening ribs to reinforce their mechanical strength and robustness.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, each of said extensions of the frame is configured so that in the mounted position the extension is located under an optical unit.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, said frame comprises two distinct parts, the main body and a secondary body, in the mounted position, the secondary body being, on the one hand, located above the main body and, on the other hand, configured to be fixed to an optical unit.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, characterized in that said assembly comprises at least one bumper support frame as defined above, as well as at least one optical unit fixed to said frame.

[0020] According to a possible characteristic, said assembly comprises a bumper skin comprising at least one reinforcement which cooperates mechanically with said frame.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an assembly as defined above.

[0022] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative purposes. and non-limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view of an assembly according to the invention intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle; - [Fig.2] is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of a bumper support frame of the assembly of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of a bumper element of the assembly of [Fig.l]; - [[Fig.4]] is another enlarged, partial and perspective view of the whole of [Fig.l].

[0023] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of".

[0024] Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, unless otherwise indicated. The term "lower" will designate a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0025] In addition, an orthogonal reference frame XYZ is defined with respect to the vehicle, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal and horizontal direction of the vehicle, - a Y axis, defining a transverse and horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, orthogonal to the horizontal XY plane, the Z axis with the X axis or with the Y axis defining a vertical XZ or YZ plane.

[0026] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0027] [Fig.l] thus illustrates a very schematic, partial and perspective front view of an assembly 1 for a motor vehicle (not shown), for example thermal, electric or hybrid. Advantageously, said assembly 1 is intended to be mounted on a front or rear face of a motor vehicle. It will be noted that only one of the sides of the assembly 1 is shown in [Fig.l], the right side, but that said assembly 1 has a left side similar, or even identical, in terms of its structure to the right side.

[0028] Said assembly 1 comprises: - at least one bumper support frame 3 configured to support one or more bumper elements; - at least one optical unit 5 fixed to said frame 3, said optical unit 5 or projector is for example low beams, main beams, fog lights, etc., or a combination of several of these elements.

[0029] In the embodiment presently described, the frame 3 comprises two distinct parts, a main body 3a and a secondary body 3b, however said frame 3 can also be a single (and monobloc) element.

[0030] As can be seen more particularly in [Fig. 1], in the mounted position, the secondary body 3b is located above the main body 3a. Each of said main bodies 3a and 3b are fixed to the optical unit 5.

[0031] It will be noted that each of the bodies 3a and 3b of said frame 3 is a single-piece or unitary part, that is to say that each of the main body 3a and secondary body 3b is a single piece. In addition, each of the bodies 3a and 3b of the frame 3 are generally made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, by injection or molding.

[0032] The optical unit 5 comprises, for its part, three fixing devices 5a, 5b and 5c which are each configured to be fixed to various elements of a motor vehicle: - a first fixing device 5a configured to be fixed to a wing (not shown) of a motor vehicle, for example a front wing; - a second fixing device 5b fixed to the secondary body 3b of the frame 3; - a third fixing device 5c fixed to the main body 3a of the frame 3.

[0033] The various fixing devices 5a to 5c of the optical unit 5 therefore make it possible to establish a mechanical connection with various elements of the vehicle, the fixing devices 5a to 5c forming a support triangle for the optical unit 5. Advantageously, the fixing devices 5a to 5c are arranged to form substantially an equilateral triangle.

[0034] Thus, in the mounted position, the first and second fixing devices 5a and 5b are located on the upper part of the optical unit 5, while the third fixing device 5c is located in the lower part of the optical unit 5.

[0035] [Fig. 2] is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of the main body 3a of the frame 3. Thus, said frame 3, and more particularly the main body 3a, has an elongated shape and is extended at each of its longitudinal ends by an extension 7.

[0036] Each of said extensions 7 comprises a fixing device 7a configured to establish a mechanical connection with an optical unit 5, for example by mechanical cooperation with the third fixing device 5c of the optical unit 5.

[0037] Said extensions 7 are advantageously made in one piece with the body. main body 3a of the frame 3. In addition, the fixing device 7a is also preferably made of the same material as the main body 3a.

[0038] The fixing device 7a of the extension 7 and the fixing device 5c of the optical unit are therefore configured to be complementary and are for example a system of clips and / or complementary shapes secured to each other by means of a fixing member, such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc.

[0039] Advantageously, the connection between the fixing device 7a of the extension 7 and the fixing device 5c of the optical unit 5 is made along a horizontal axis, that is to say that the mechanical connection between the fixing devices 7a and 5c is made and oriented substantially along the transverse horizontal axis of the vehicle (or Y axis) or along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (or X axis).

[0040] In addition, each of the extensions 7 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the main body 3a of the frame 3, and therefore, in the mounted position, substantially along a horizontal axis transverse to the vehicle (or Y axis). Each of the extensions 7 projects relative to the main body 3a, having a length of between 100 and 250 mm, and preferably of between 150 and 200 mm.

[0041] Advantageously, each of the extensions 7 is configured to extend cantilevered relative to the main body 3a of the frame 3 and, so that in the mounted position, the fixing device 7a of the extension 7 is located below the optical unit 5 (therefore at the level of the lower part of the optical unit 5).

[0042] Furthermore, each of the extensions 7 comprises a support zone 10 configured so that in the mounted position an element of the bumper comes to bear on said frame 3 by means of said zone 10.

[0043] Each of said support zones 10 is configured to mechanically cooperate with an element of the bumper, such as a bumper skin reinforcement. Said support zones 10 comprise, for example, a through opening 10a arranged substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the main body 3a of the frame 3, that is to say that in the mounted position the opening 10a extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (or axis X).

[0044] [Fig. 3] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view of the internal face of a bumper element 11, such as a bumper skin. Said assembly 1 can thus comprise the bumper skin 11 which comprises at least one reinforcement 13 of bumper skin 11.

[0045] It will be noted that the bumper skin 11 has two opposite main faces 11a and 11b, in particular a first face 11a, called the internal face, and a second face 11b, called the external face. Thus, in the mounted position, the internal face 11a of the bumper skin 11 is oriented towards the vehicle, while the external face 11b is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0046] The reinforcement 13 is advantageously fixed to the bumper skin 11 at its internal face 11a. In addition, said reinforcement 13 comprises a support stud 13a, or a rib, configured to cooperate mechanically with the support zone 10 of the extension 7.

[0047] Indeed, the stud 13a is configured to be inserted into the through opening 10a (of the support zone 10) and to come to bear on the walls defining said opening 10a. Said opening 10 and the stud 13a extend, in the mounted position, substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (or axis X).

[0048] [Fig. 4] is a schematic, partial and perspective view of the internal face of the assembly 1 in the mounted position. Thus, the stud 13a of the reinforcement 13 of the bumper skin 11 is inserted into the opening 10a of the support zone 10 along an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the frame 3. The stud 13a is therefore embedded in the opening 10a of the extension 7 of the frame 3, and rests on the walls delimiting the opening 10a, for example on the lower wall delimiting the opening 10a.

[0049] The bumper skin 11 is thus supported by the support frame 3, along the vertical axis (or Z axis), by means of the support zones 10 of the extensions 7 and the pads 13a of the reinforcement(s) 13 of the bumper skin 11.

[0050] Furthermore, as is more particularly visible in [Fig. 4], each of the extensions 7 comprises stiffening ribs 7c, for example arranged on the internal face of the frame 7 (that is to say the face oriented, in the mounted position of the assembly 1 or of the frame 3, towards the vehicle). While the optical unit 5 is fixed to the frame 3, at the level of the extension 7, by means of their respective fixing device 5a and 7c.

[0051] In a variant embodiment of the invention not shown, said ribs 7c are arranged on the external face of the frame 3 (i.e. the face oriented, in the mounted position of the frame 3, towards the outside of the vehicle).

[0052] In another variant embodiment of the invention, not shown, the support zone(s) 10 are arranged at the level of the main body 3a of the frame 3. It will also be noted that, whatever the position of the support zones 10, said support zones 10 make it possible to position the bumper skin 11 along the transverse horizontal axis (or Y axis) relative to the frame 3, but also relative to the other adjacent bumper elements.

Claims

Claims

1. Frame (3) for supporting a motor vehicle bumper, said frame (3) comprising an elongated main body (3a), characterized in that each of the longitudinal ends of said main body (3a) is extended by an extension (7) on which is arranged a fixing device (7a) configured to establish a mechanical connection with an optical unit (5).

2. Frame (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said extensions (7) are integral with the main body (3a) of the frame (3).

3. Frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the mounted position, the fixing device (7a) is configured to establish a mechanical connection substantially oriented along a horizontal axis.

4. Frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said extensions (7) comprises a support zone (10) configured so that in the mounted position an element of the bumper comes to bear on said frame (3) via said support zone (10).

5. Frame (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of the support zones (10) comprises an opening (10a) arranged substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the main body (3a) of the frame (3).

6. Frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said extensions (7) extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of said frame (3).

7. Frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said extensions (7) has a length of between 150 and 250 mm.

8. Frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said extensions (7) of the frame (3) is configured so that in the mounted position the extension (7) is located under an optical unit.

9. Assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that said assembly (1) comprises at least one bumper support frame (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, as well as at least one optical unit (5) fixed to said frame (3).

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an assembly (1) according to the preceding claim.

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