Motor vehicle incorporating means of protecting the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs in the event of a pedestrian impact

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a front body structure (100) comprising a transverse bumper beam (101); - a front bumper skin (140) covering said structure; - a hood (200) the rear portion of which is mounted pivotally articulated with respect to said structure; - a lock (110) provided to cooperate with a strike wire (210) fixed to said hood; - a sheet metal support (120) carrying said lock and comprising an upper attachment portion (121) fixed to a front cross member (130) rigidly connected to said structure, said support also comprising a front portion (124) extending substantially vertically opposite said skin, between said lock and said beam to which it is rigidly connected; and - an energy absorption device (160) interposed longitudinally between said skin and said front portion of the support. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle incorporating means of protecting the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs in the event of a pedestrian impact Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle incorporating means for protecting the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs in the event of a pedestrian impact. Prior art

[0002] A motor vehicle conventionally comprises a hood, the rear portion of which is mounted so as to pivot relative to the front structure of the body of this vehicle by means of two articulation hinges.

[0003] In order to allow the hood to be locked in the closed position, the front part of such a vehicle is commonly equipped with a lock designed to cooperate with a latch wire fixed to the front portion of this hood.

[0004] As described for example in application FR 2 891 234 A1, such a lock is conventionally carried by a sheet metal support comprising an upper attachment portion fixed to a front crosspiece rigidly linked to said front body structure.

[0005] During high-speed crossing phases on motorways or expressways with large vehicles such as heavy goods vehicles, the front of motor vehicles is subjected to relatively significant aerodynamic forces which can cause, in particular, a vibratory flexural movement of this lock support, causing micro-displacements of the bonnet and the generation of parasitic noise propagating into the passenger compartment.

[0006] In order to limit these vibratory phenomena and thus ensure better hold of the hood, it is known to extend the lock support in the direction of a transverse beam of the front bumper of the front body structure so as to connect it rigidly to this beam.

[0007] Such a lock support then comprises a front portion extending substantially vertically opposite the front bumper skin of the vehicle, between said lock and said beam to which it is rigidly connected.

[0008] Regulatory impact tests simulating a collision at 40 km / h between a pedestrian and the front of a motor vehicle unfortunately show that such a frontal portion of the lock support then constitutes a hard point which can lead to risks of injury to the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs (femur areas) of this pedestrian. Statement of the invention

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0010] For this purpose, it proposes a motor vehicle comprising: - a front body structure comprising a transverse bumper beam; - a front bumper skin covering said front body structure; - a hood, the rear portion of which is mounted so as to pivot relative to said front body structure; - a lock designed to cooperate with a latch wire fixed to the front portion of said hood so as to allow the latter to be locked in the closed position; - a sheet metal support carrying said lock and comprising an upper attachment portion fixed to a front crosspiece rigidly connected to said front body structure, said support also comprising a front portion extending substantially vertically opposite said skin, between said lock and said beam to which it is rigidly connected; characterized in that it also comprises an energy absorption device interposed longitudinally between said front bumper skin and said lower front portion of the support.

[0011] The addition of such an energy absorption device between the front bumper skin and the lower front portion of the lock support makes it possible to limit the risks of injuries to the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs (femur areas) of a pedestrian which could be caused by such a support 120 in the event of a frontal impact.

[0012] According to preferred characteristics of said vehicle according to the invention: - said energy absorption device consists of an absorber block made of an expanded polymer material; - said absorber block is fixed against the front face of said lower front portion of the support; - said absorber block is fixed against the rear face of said front bumper skin; - the upper portion of said absorber block extends over a greater longitudinal depth than its lower portion; - said absorber block has a substantially P-shaped cross-section whose belly is oriented towards the front; - said absorber block is made from expanded polypropylene with a density of between 30 and 60 g / L; - said front portion of the support is rigidly connected to said transverse bumper beam by means of a sheet metal connecting plate fixed by its upper portion to this front portion and by its lower portion to the rear face of this beam ; - said support also comprises a receiving portion extending substantially vertically downwards from and along the front edge of said upper attachment portion, and on which said lock is fixedly mounted; and / or - said support also comprises an intermediate portion connecting said receiving portion to said front portion, said intermediate portion having a first section extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the lower edge of said receiving portion, and a second section extending said first section downwards forward and downward. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a partial three-quarter front perspective view of the front part of a motor vehicle according to the invention on which the bumper skin and the cooling system have been omitted in order to facilitate reading; and - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a subassembly of this front part of the vehicle consisting of the lock support, the lock and an absorber block. Description of the embodiments

[0014] [Fig.l] represents a partial view of the front part of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention.

[0015] 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 direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, - a Y axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane.

[0016] 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, the terms “transverse” or “transversely” will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms “vertical” or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0017] On the other hand, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X axis. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used to specify the relative position of certain elements relative to the orientation of the Z axis.

[0018] Furthermore, the use of the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal orientation, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially horizontal" indicates that a deviation of the order of 10° to 20° from a strictly horizontal orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0019] With reference to [Fig.l], the front part of the motor vehicle 1 comprises a hood 200, the rear portion of which, not shown, is mounted pivotally articulated relative to the front body structure 100 of this vehicle by means of articulation means.

[0020] In order to ensure the locking in the closed position of this hood 200, the vehicle 1 comprises a lock 110 secured to the front body structure 100 and designed to cooperate with a strike wire 210 generally fixed by welding to the front portion of this hood 200.

[0021] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the lock 110 comprises a plate 111 on which a locking bolt 112 is pivotally mounted, this plate 111 having a cutout 11 1A intended to receive the strike wire 210 so that the latter can interact with the bolt 112 to lock the cover 200 in the closed position.

[0022] The bolt 112 can be operated in the release position by means of an unlocking mechanism (not shown) which can be activated by a control member accessible from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0023] The lock 110 is also provided with a hook, not shown, also pivotally mounted on the plate 111 between an open position and a closed position towards which it is elastically returned by a spring, not shown.

[0024] In its closed position, this hook is intended to act as a stop for the latch wire 210 following the release of the bolt 112 so as to retain the cover 200 in the half-open position.

[0025] When the hook is maneuvered into the open position, it is no longer engaged with the latch wire 210 so as to allow the complete opening of the hood 200.

[0026] To maneuver this hook into the open position, the lock 110 comprises a mechanism (not shown) that can be actuated by means of a pull tab 113 accessible by a user through the half-opening of the cover 200.

[0027] Still with reference to this [Fig.2], the lock 110 is fixedly mounted on a support 120 advantageously produced by cold stamping from a sheet of metal and having a substantially stepped profile.

[0028] This support 120 comprises a substantially horizontal upper attachment portion 121, fixed by screwing against the upper face of a facade crosspiece 130, here made of plastic material, extending transversely on the front facade (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and the lateral ends of which are matched to lateral elements of the front body structure 100 of this vehicle 1.

[0029] The support 120 also comprises a receiving portion 122 extending substantially vertically downward from and along the front edge of the upper attachment portion 121, and on which the lock 110 is fixedly mounted.

[0030] It will be noted that this reception portion 122 carrying the lock 110 has a first window 122A arranged opposite the cutout 111A of the plate 111 and extending over the upper attachment portion 121 so as to allow the insertion of the strike wire 210 into this cutout 111A. This reception portion 122 also has a second window 122B crossed by the pull tab 113.

[0031] As illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, the support 120 also comprises an intermediate portion 123 having a first section 123A extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the lower edge of the receiving portion 122, and a second section 123B extending this first section 123A downwards forwards and downwards.

[0032] This support 120 finally comprises a front portion 124 extending substantially vertically downwards from and along the central part of the lower edge of the intermediate connecting portion 123, opposite the front bumper skin 140 of the vehicle 1 covering the front body structure 100.

[0033] This smaller width of the front portion 124 is explained in this case by the presence, on either side of this portion 124, of stylish lighting devices not shown.

[0034] It will therefore be understood that when the available space is sufficient, this front portion 124 can advantageously extend over the same width as the other portions of this support 120.

[0035] Forming the front end of the support 120, this front portion 124 extends between the lock 110 and the transverse bumper beam 101 of the front body structure 100 to which it is rigidly connected in order to limit the vibration phenomena of this support 120 and thus ensure better holding of the hood 200.

[0036] This front portion 124 is preferably fixed to this transverse bumper beam 101 by means of a connecting plate 150 made of sheet metal fixed by its upper portion to this second front portion 124 and by its lower portion to the rear face of this beam 101 (these fixings being advantageously carried out via several electric welding points).

[0037] Such indirect attachment of the support 120 to the bumper transverse beam 101 via the use of a connecting plate 150 makes it possible to use the same support reference 120 for several different motor vehicle models whose arrangement of the front crossmember 130 and / or the bumper transverse beam 101 may differ (only the connecting plate 150 then being adapted to ensure the connection between the support 120 and the beam 101).

[0038] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the support 120 could be fixed directly to the transverse bumper beam 101: the support 120 comprising in such a case a lower attachment portion extending the front portion 124.

[0039] According to the invention and in order to limit the risks of injuries to the pelvis and / or the upper parts of the legs (femur areas) of a pedestrian which may be caused by such a support 120 in the event of a frontal impact, the front part of the motor vehicle 1 comprises an energy absorption device 160 interposed longitudinally between the front bumper skin 140 and the front portion 124 of the support 120.

[0040] Preferably and as illustrated by figures 1 and 2, this energy absorption device is constituted by an absorber block 160 made of an expanded polymer material such as expanded polypropylene (EPP) or expanded polystyrene (EPS).

[0041] By "expanded polymer material" is meant a cellular material formed from a solid polymer phase and a dispersed gas phase. This type of cellular material, sometimes called "foam" (or "foam" under its Anglo-Saxon name), has the main advantages of being particularly light and having the capacity to return to its initial shape after being deformed during a minor impact such as a "parking impact".

[0042] Advantageously, an expanded polypropylene will be used whose density is between 30 and 60 g / L, preferably between 30 and 45 g / L, so as to ensure good dissipation of energy during a pedestrian impact while limiting the longitudinal depression of the front bumper skin 140.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated by figures 1 and 2, the absorber block 160 is fixed against the front face of the front portion 124 of the support 120, for example by gluing.

[0044] Alternatively, this absorber block 160 could be fixed against the rear face of the front bumper skin 140, for example by clipping or piling.

[0045] In order to optimize the dissipation of the impact energy, this absorber block 160 is advantageously sized so as to completely cover the surface, here rectangular, of this front portion 124.

[0046] As illustrated by [Fig.l], during a frontal impact with a pedestrian, this absorber block 160 will be impacted from above in a direction F oriented obliquely forward and downward, so that its upper portion 160A will be more stressed than its lower portion 160B.

[0047] Thus, and always with the objective of optimizing the dissipation of energy from such a shock, this upper portion 160A will advantageously extend over a longitudinal depth tudinal larger than its lower portion 160B.

[0048] In the example illustrated by figures 1 and 2, this absorber block 160 will thus have a substantially P-shaped cross-section whose belly is oriented towards the front.

[0049] According to embodiment variants not shown, the conformation and / or the dimensions of the energy absorption device may vary depending in particular on the longitudinal spacing between the front bumper skin and the front portion of the support and / or the presence or absence of lighting or other devices in this space.

[0050] Many other variant embodiments are of course 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 variant embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a front body structure (100) comprising a transverse bumper beam (101); - a front bumper skin (140) covering said front body structure (100); - a hood (200) the rear portion of which is mounted pivotally with respect to said front body structure (100); - a lock (110) provided to cooperate with a strike wire (210) fixed to the front portion of said hood (200) so as to allow the latter to be locked in the closed position; - a sheet metal support (120) carrying said lock (100) and comprising an upper attachment portion (121) fixed to a front crosspiece (130) rigidly connected to said front body structure (100), said support (120) also comprising a front portion (124) extending substantially vertically opposite said skin (140), between said lock (110) and said beam (101) to which it is rigidly connected;characterized in that it also comprises an energy absorption device (160) interposed longitudinally between said front bumper skin (140) and said front portion (124) of the support (120).;

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said energy absorption device consists of an absorber block (160) made of an expanded polymer material.

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said absorber block (160) is made from an expanded polypropylene with a density of between 30 and 60 g / L.

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that said absorber block (160) is fixed against the front face of said front portion (124) of the support (120).

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that said absorber block (160) is fixed against the rear face of said front bumper skin (140).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the upper portion (160A) of said absorber block (160) extends over a greater longitudinal depth than its lower portion (160B).

7. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said absorber block (160) has a substantially P-shaped cross-section whose belly is oriented forward.

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said front portion (124) of the support (120) is rigidly connected to said transverse bumper beam (101) by means of a sheet metal connecting plate (150) fixed by its upper portion to this front portion (124) and by its lower portion to the rear face of this beam (101).

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said support (120) also comprises a receiving portion (122) extending substantially vertically downwards from and along the front edge of said upper attachment portion (121), and on which said lock (110) is fixedly mounted.

10. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said support (120) also comprises an intermediate portion (123) connecting said receiving portion (122) to said front portion (124), said intermediate portion (123) having a first section (123A) extending substantially horizontally forward from and along the lower edge of said receiving portion (122), and a second section (123B) extending said first section (123A) downwardly forward and downward.

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