Foam trim for a motor vehicle rearview mirror

Abstract

The invention relates to a lining foam (1) for a motor vehicle gusset mirror, the lining foam (1) being intended to be placed between a base of the gusset mirror and a bodywork element of the motor vehicle, the lining foam (1) comprising a central region (12) and a peripheral region (11), as well as sound insulation means located at the peripheral region (11) and making it possible to provide sound insulation between the base and the bodywork element. According to the invention, the sound insulation means comprise at least one acoustic baffle (14) which projects from the peripheral region (11) and in the direction of the bodywork element, so as to improve the sealing of the gusset mirror at a rear upper tip (13). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Foam trim for a rearview mirror with a gusset for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of the design of exterior safety elements of motor vehicles, allowing a driver to understand the road scene around his motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a foam trim for a motor vehicle gusset rearview mirror.

[0002] In the state of the art, exterior rearview mirrors are known which are surface-mounted, such that a base of the rearview mirror is fixed securely to a bodywork element and supports a rearview mirror body. In a known manner, such exterior rearview mirrors are located on either side of the passenger compartment and close to a front windshield, in order to allow the driver to see them easily.

[0003] A known disadvantage of such gusset mirrors lies in sealing defects between the base and the bodywork element located opposite it. Indeed, the junction between the base and the bodywork element - through its various constituents, such as for example a frame, a sliding frame or a door lining - is not perfect, because the shapes and dimensions of the base and the bodywork element never correspond perfectly. This situation is particularly verified at the level of the upper rear points of such gusset mirrors, because they have a geometry that is particularly closed and difficult to superimpose in the assembly processes.

[0004] Consequently, such sealing defects lead to the presence of openings between the base and the bodywork element, through which outside air can then infiltrate, generating unwanted noise and being a source of dissatisfaction and fatigue for the occupants of the motor vehicle.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a new trim foam for a gusset mirror, in order to at least largely address the above problems and to lead, in addition, to other advantages.

[0006] Another aim of the invention is to improve the sealing of a motor vehicle at the level of an exterior rearview mirror.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to improve the thermal and acoustic comfort of such a motor vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a trim foam for a motor vehicle gusset rearview mirror, the trim foam being intended to be placed between a base of the gusset rearview mirror gusset and a bodywork element of the motor vehicle, the trim foam comprising a central region and a peripheral region, the trim foam comprising sound insulation means located at the peripheral region and making it possible to provide sound insulation between the base and the bodywork element.

[0009] According to the invention, the sound insulation means comprise at least one acoustic baffle.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the trim foam according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inboard and outboard refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis extends as being taken along a direction which extends from front to rear or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood to be taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the trim foam is a filler element used in pocket mirrors to fill a space inside the pocket mirror. The trim foam extends from the base of the pocket mirror.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the gusset mirror is a mirror which projects from a side edge of the motor vehicle. The gusset mirror is applied against the bodywork element of the motor vehicle, and fixed integrally therewith. In the context of the present invention, the gusset thus forms a base for supporting and fixing the mirror against the bodywork element.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the base of the gusset mirror determines a bearing surface for the mirror - and in particular its gusset - against the bodywork element. The base forms a generally flat or substantially flat surface, the general shape of which is complementary to that of the bodywork element located opposite and against which the base is placed in abutment. Preferably, the base is formed from a plastic material, preferably obtained- initially by molding.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the bodywork element is the part against which the gusset mirror is attached, and at which the sealing defects are present on known gusset mirrors. The bodywork element preferably forms the lateral front corner of the motor vehicle, at a front pillar located near a windshield of said motor vehicle. Indeed, at the intersection between the front pillar and the edge of the front door of the motor vehicle, the bodywork element receiving the gusset mirror has a substantially triangular shape of which at least one vertex - and in particular the upper rear corner - makes the adjustment of the parts and the sound and heat insulation elements delicate and imperfect.Also, in the context of the present invention, the bodywork element is now associated with one or more acoustic baffles which collaborate with the bodywork element and with the base in order to reinforce said insulation. By way of non-limiting example, the bodywork element comprises a door frame of the motor vehicle, a sliding frame of a side glass wall of the motor vehicle, and / or a side door lining of said motor vehicle.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the sound insulation means are located at the periphery of the central region of the trim foam. The sound insulation means comprise, for example, a lip seal intended to be compressed between the base and the bodywork element when the gusset mirror is mounted on the motor vehicle. Generally, the sound insulation means extend circumferentially over all or part of the base. It is noted, however, that in known gusset mirrors, the sound insulation means do not extend over a complete peripheral contour of such gusset mirrors, or even that they are not present in an upper rear corner of said gusset mirrors; or that at the very least, they are less effective in this region.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the acoustic baffle aims to resolve the defects observed, by improving the sealing - acoustic and sound - of known gusset mirrors. Thus, the trim foam according to the first aspect of the invention comprises geometric structures which delimit between them narrow passages forcing the air which rushes therein to circulate in a zig-zag, thus reducing its speed and the flow rate passing through the at least one acoustic baffle. In the context of the present invention, the acoustic baffle can take many forms. In all cases, it is configured to reduce a cross-section of air passage between the base of the gusset mirror and the bodywork element located opposite, and to increase a passage path between said base and said bodywork element.

[0017] Thus, the filling foam according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem in that the presence of the at least one acoustic baffle makes it possible to reinforce the sound and thermal insulation at a peripheral contour of said trim foam, which was imperfect on known gusset mirrors. Thus, the integration of the at least one acoustic baffle into the trim foam makes it possible to simplify the manufacturing processes and the integration into the gusset mirror, without adding additional parts or additional assembly steps. As mentioned above, the particular geometry of the at least one acoustic baffle makes it possible to effectively resolve the residual sealing problems observed. In addition, the trim foam according to the invention is sufficiently versatile to be able to be used or easily adapted to several models of gusset mirrors, thus reducing both manufacturing and installation costs, or even replacement costs.

[0018] The filling foam according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0019] - the at least one acoustic baffle is located at an upper tip rear of the peripheral region of the trim foam. In the context of the present invention, the rear upper tip corresponds to a rear corner of the peripheral foam, taken relative to the longitudinal axis, and located at the top, relative to the vertical axis. Indeed, it is generally found that, in known gusset mirrors, this region has less sound and thermal insulation. Also, the location of the at least one acoustic baffle near this rear upper tip makes it possible to effectively resolve this problem. Of course, the at least one baffle can be associated with any other region presenting a sealing defect;

[0020] - the at least one baffle comprises a plurality of protrusions adjacent to each other of the others and which all extend projecting from the peripheral region of the trim foam. The protrusions thus make it possible to fill a free space formed between the base and the bodywork element located opposite, or to extend opposite said free space. This advantageous configuration thus leads to improved sealing at the peripheral region and between the base and the bodywork element located opposite;

[0021] - the protrusions are of the type of cylindrical protrusions. In other words, each protrusion is delimited by a closed contour which can take any shape and developed along a rectilinear generatrix. Preferably, the generatrix extends perpendicular to the plane formed by the peripheral region of the filling foam. More generally, the generatrix extends perpendicularly or s possibly perpendicular to the part of the peripheral region located at the level of the protrusion considered. The closed contour of the protrusions is for example circular or polygonal;

[0022] - the protrusions are arranged in a staggered arrangement. This configuration advantageous makes it possible to delimit a narrow air passage between said protrusions and to obtain better insulation efficiency;

[0023] - the protrusions extend in a direction secant to a plane of contact of the base against the bodywork element. This advantageous configuration thus leads to improved sealing at the peripheral region and between the base and the bodywork element located opposite;

[0024] - the protrusions are distributed along a peripheral edge of the foam trim. In other words, the protrusions are located along the peripheral edge of the trim foam, i.e. close to the bodywork element with which the bodywork foam is intended to collaborate. This advantageous configuration thus leads to improved sealing at the peripheral region and between the base and the bodywork element located opposite;

[0025] - the at least one acoustic baffle is made of material with the peripheral region of the lining foam. In the context of the present invention, by “made from material”, it is understood that each at least one acoustic baffle and the peripheral region of the lining foam are made from the same manufacturing process and that they cannot be detached from each other without one and / or the other being entirely or partially damaged or destroyed;

[0026] - the filling foam is of the thermoformed foam type.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gusset mirror for a motor vehicle, the gusset mirror comprising a base for fixing to a motor vehicle bodywork element and a lining foam in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the lining foam being integral with the base.

[0028] Advantageously, the bodywork element comprises at least one light located opposite the trim foam, each light being configured to allow the insertion and passage of one of the at least one acoustic baffle. In other words, each light of the bodywork element comprises an opening opening, relative to the transverse axis, through which opening an acoustic baffle is inserted. This configuration thus makes it possible to establish a finer collaboration between the trim foam - taken at the level of each acoustic baffle - and the bodywork element located opposite, and in particular at the level of each corresponding light. As a result, the acoustic and thermal sealing is improved.

[0029] The at least one light is provided on an edge of the bodywork element. The at least one light is located near an upper rear edge of the bodywork element.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising an exterior gusset rearview mirror in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the exterior rearview mirror being fixed integrally to a bodywork element of said motor vehicle.

[0031] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an example of the foam embodiment of trim according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] illustrates an association view of the filling foam illustrated in [Fig.l] with a bodywork element of a motor vehicle;

[0035] [Fig.3] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a pocket mirror according to the invention

[0036] [Fig.4] illustrates a three-dimensional view of the context of integration of the rearview mirror at gusset according to the invention on a motor vehicle.

[0037] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0038] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0039] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0040] With reference to the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the trim foam 1 is intended to be mounted.

[0041] More particularly, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood to be a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0042] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0043] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis Z.

[0044] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention firstly relates to a trim foam 1 for a rearview mirror 3 with a gusset of a motor vehicle, the trim foam 1 being intended to be placed between a base 31 of the rearview mirror 3 with a gusset and a bodywork element 2 of the motor vehicle. The trim foam 1 comprises:

[0045] - a central region 12;

[0046] - a peripheral region 11;

[0047] - sound insulation means located at the peripheral region 11 and allowing sound insulation to be achieved between the base 31 and the bodywork element 2.

[0048] According to the invention, the sound insulation means comprise at least one acoustic baffle 14.

[0049] In the embodiment, the trim foam 1 has a generally triangular shape. The trim foam 1 is delimited by peripheral edges which form a polygonal figure. The peripheral edges are rectilinear or substantially rectilinear. In particular, the peripheral edges form the peripheral region 11 of the trim foam 1. The peripheral edges form a flat or a curb in order to facilitate the support of the trim foam 1 against the base 31 of the gusset rearview mirror 3 and / or against the bodywork element 2.

[0050] The central region 12 extends inside the peripheral region 11 and its peripheral edges, relative to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. The central region 12 has a thickness greater than that of the peripheral region 11, relative to the transverse axis Y. The central region 12 of the trim foam 1 is intended to fill an interior volume of the gusset rearview mirror 3.

[0051] The sound insulation means extend at the peripheral region 11, and allow a watertight closure of the gusset mirror 3 at its base 31 and the bodywork element 2 intended to be located opposite. In a particularly advantageous manner, the at least one acoustic baffle 14 is part of these sound insulation means.

[0052] In particular, the at least one acoustic baffle 14 is located at a rear upper tip 13 of the trim foam 1. The rear upper tip 13 forms a rear upper corner of the trim foam 1. In particular, when the trim foam 1 is fitted to a rearview mirror 3 with a gusset mounted on a motor vehicle, the at least one baffle is associated with a rear upper corner of the rearview mirror 3 with a gusset, as visible in FIGURES 3 and 4.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the lining foam 1 comprises several acoustic baffles 14 which are adjacent to each other. Each acoustic baffle 14 comprises a protrusion 141 which projects from the peripheral region 11. Each acoustic baffle 14 projects along the transverse axis Y. In the embodiment illustrated, each acoustic baffle 14 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical profile is delimited by a circular closed contour and a generatrix parallel to the transverse axis Y, and perpendicular to the part of the peripheral region 11 located near said acoustic baffle 14.

[0054] All the baffles are of equal length taken along their own axis of elongation, that is to say along the transverse axis Y in [Fig.l]. Alternatively, the acoustic baffles 14 may have different lengths. In addition, all the acoustic baffles 14 have the same closed contour. Alternatively, the acoustic baffles 14 have a different closed contour. More generally, the acoustic baffles 14 may all be identical or different from each other, depending on the desired effects.

[0055] Generally, the acoustic baffles 14 are located close to each other, so that the protrusions 141 are adjacent to each other or a simple gap separates them. The acoustic baffles 14 may be staggered relative to each other or, as seen in [Fig.l], aligned along a guideline that is parallel or substantially parallel to one of the peripheral edges of the lining foam 1.

[0056] With reference to [Fig. 2], it is understood that the acoustic baffles 14 are configured to be inserted into corresponding openings 21 located opposite each other on the bodywork element 2. In particular, each opening 21 forms a through opening, relative to the transverse axis Y, so that one of the acoustic baffles 14 can be introduced therein, preferably without play. As visible in [Fig. 2], the openings 21 have a “U” shaped profile whose transverse dimensions versales correspond to a diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 141 of the corresponding acoustic baffle 14.

[0057] The lights 21 of the bodywork element 2 are associated with an upper rear corner of said bodywork element 2. Thus, when the trim foam 1 is assembled on the rearview mirror 3 with gusset, the acoustic baffles 14 extend through the lights 21 of the bodywork element 2 and close the space therein, so as to thus ensure better sealing between these two parts.

[0058] With reference to [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the invention also relates to a rearview mirror 3 with a gusset for a motor vehicle. The rearview mirror 3 with a gusset is a front exterior rearview mirror 3, located on one of the lateral edges of the motor vehicle, close to the front pillar and the windshield of said motor vehicle. The rearview mirror 3 with a gusset comprises a base 31 for fixing to a bodywork element 2 of the motor vehicle and a trim foam 1 as described previously and secured to the base 31.

[0059] In summary, the invention relates to a lining foam 1 for a rearview mirror 3 with a gusset of a motor vehicle, the lining foam 1 being intended to be placed between a base 31 of the rearview mirror 3 with a gusset and a bodywork element 2 of the motor vehicle, the lining foam 1 comprising a central region 12 and a peripheral region 11, as well as sound insulation means located at the peripheral region 11 and making it possible to provide sound insulation between the base 31 and the bodywork element 2. According to the invention, the sound insulation means comprise at least one acoustic baffle 14 which projects from the peripheral region 11 and in the direction of the bodywork element 2, so as to improve the sealing of the rearview mirror 3 with a gusset at a rear upper tip 13.

[0060] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Trim foam (1) of a rearview mirror (3) with a gusset of a motor vehicle, the trim foam (1) being intended to be placed between a base (31) of the rearview mirror (3) with a gusset and a bodywork element (2) of the motor vehicle, the trim foam (1) comprising a central region (12) and a peripheral region (11), the trim foam (1) comprising sound insulation means located at the peripheral region (11) and making it possible to provide sound insulation between the base (31) and the bodywork element (2); characterized in that the sound insulation means comprise at least one acoustic baffle (14).

2. A trim foam (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one acoustic baffle (14) is located at a rear upper tip (13) of the peripheral region (11) of the trim foam (1).

3. A packing foam (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one baffle comprises a plurality of protrusions (141) adjacent to each other and all extending projecting from the peripheral region (11) of the packing foam (1).

4. A filling foam (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the protrusions (141) are of the type of cylindrical protrusions (141).

5. A filling foam (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the protrusions (141) are arranged in a staggered manner relative to each other.

6. A trim foam (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the protrusions (141) extend in a direction secant to a contact plane of the base (31) against the bodywork element (2).

7. A packing foam (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the protrusions (141) are distributed along a peripheral edge of the packing foam (1).

8. A filling foam (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the filling foam (1) is of the thermoformed foam type.

9. A rearview mirror (3) with a gusset for a motor vehicle, the rearview mirror (3) with a gusset comprising: - a base (31) for fixing to a bodywork element (2) of a motor vehicle; - a lining foam (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the lining foam (1) being integral with the base (31).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a rearview mirror (3) with an external gusset according to the preceding claim, the external rearview mirror (3) being fixed integrally to a bodywork element (2) of said motor vehicle.

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