Front bumper skin for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a front bumper skin (1) for a motor vehicle, the bumper skin (1) being configured to be able to couple with a bumper support via connecting members associated with the bumper skin (1). The bumper skin (1) comprises a front facade (11) intended to extend in front of a bumper crossmember of the bumper support and at least one deflector (14) extending from a rear face (13) of the front facade (11), each at least one deflector (14) being associated with an electrical equipment of the motor vehicle, placed behind the bumper skin (1), so as to partially cover it or to be partially leaning against it. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Front bumper skin for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of bodywork elements for motor vehicles, and in particular elements intended to cover a front face of such motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a front bumper skin.

[0002] In the state of the art, the use of bumper skins located on a front face of the motor vehicle is known. Such bumper skins take the form of bodywork or grille parts, of smaller dimensions than those of the bumper itself, said bumper skins being fixed integrally to a bumper support during their assembly.

[0003] In particular, the invention addresses the problem of assembling and mounting a bumper skin on a tubular structure of a motor vehicle. Such a tubular structure thus deploys several rigid spans which define attachment interfaces for various bodywork elements, including the bumper skin. Furthermore, such a tubular structure is supported by the chassis of the motor vehicle. Such architectures are particularly intended for urban motor vehicles, that is to say of small size, or even very small size, for one or two people only.

[0004] As is known, the attachment of bodywork elements to such a tubular structure is not always optimal, and in particular, defects in water infiltration are known - in the event of rain - between the front bumper skin and various electrical components of the motor vehicle located directly behind the bumper skin. In particular, in the case of an electrified motor vehicle, the presence of an electric traction machine behind the front bumper as well as that of a reducer associated with the running gear of the motor vehicle require limiting water infiltration at the level of its sensitive components. Indeed, water infiltration on the electric traction machine or on the reducer could lead to damage, premature wear or breakdowns affecting the performance and durability of the motor vehicle. Of course, these situations are not desired.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a new front bumper skin in order to address at least a large part of the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to facilitate and simplify the mounting of such a front bumper skin on the tubular structure of the motor vehicle.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to reduce the risk of water infiltration behind the front bumper skin, and in particular at the level of an electric traction machine and / or a reducer.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to reduce the manufacturing costs of a motor vehicle equipped with such a bumper skin.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to propose an economical and reliable solution, particularly in terms of holding the bumper trim on said bumper.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a front bumper skin for a motor vehicle, the bumper skin being configured to couple with a bumper support, the bumper skin comprising a front facade intended to extend in front of a bumper crossmember of the motor vehicle and at least one deflector extending behind the front facade, each at least one deflector being associated with an electric machine or a reducer of the motor vehicle, placed behind the bumper skin.

[0011] 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 front bumper skin 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.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the bumper skin is a plastic or metal part, taking the form of a sheet shaped by molding or stamping for example. The front bumper skin extends in front of the motor vehicle, so as to form the front face of said motor vehicle.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the bumper support - which is not part of the bumper skin according to the first aspect of the invention, is a mechanical structure, preferably of the type of a tubular structure in the context of the present invention, although not limited to this type of structure. The support bumper extends behind the bumper skin to form a bumper skin attachment interface. The bumper support is securely attached to a chassis of the motor vehicle, in the context of the present invention, the bumper support extends at an engine compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the front face of the bumper skin forms the outer face of the bumper skin. The front face is the surface of the bumper skin which is visible from the outside when said front bumper skin is mounted on the bumper support of the motor vehicle.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the bumper crossmember is a prismatic bearing surface which extends relative to the transverse axis of the motor vehicle, the bumper crossmember is integral with the bumper support. Optionally, the bumper crossmember is a part of the bumper support. The bumper crossmember thus makes it possible to prevent the front face of the front bumper skin from being pushed backwards in the event of a frontal impact of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, each at least one deflector takes the form of a wall which extends from the rear face of the front facade forming the bumper skin. The deflector(s) thus each form a protective wall for electrical equipment of the motor vehicle located behind the bumper skin, such as for example an electrical machine or a reducer of the motor vehicle. In other words, the at least one deflector is configured to extend behind the front facade and above electrical equipment of the motor vehicle, in order to prevent water from flowing onto said electrical equipment.

[0017] Thus, the front bumper skin according to the first aspect of the invention cleverly integrates the at least one deflector in order to address the technical problem mentioned above. Indeed, the presence of the at least one deflector directly linked to the front facade makes it possible to simplify the mounting of the bumper skin on the bumper support, by reducing the number of assembly operations on the bumper structure.

[0018] The front bumper skin 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 deflector is made of the same material as the front facade. In the context of the present invention, by “made from material”, it is understood that the deflector and the front face of the bumper skin 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;

[0020] - relative to a vertical axis, the at least one deflector extends near a lower edge of the bumper skin. In particular, the at least one deflector extends in the lower half of the bumper skin, relative to the vertical axis, and preferably still, in the first lower third of the bumper skin;

[0021] - each at least one deflector projects from a rear face of the facade front of the bumper skin, each deflector comprising a free rear edge located at a distance from the rear face, relative to a longitudinal axis. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to protect electrical equipment located behind the front bumper skin, also preventing water from falling onto said electrical equipment;

[0022] - each at least one deflector comprises a veil which projects from the rear face of the bumper skin, the web extending substantially in a sagittal plane formed by a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis. In the context of the present invention, the web forms a wall of low thickness.

[0023] - the veil is of each at least one deflector is located on the side of the sagittal plane median of the bumper skin. In other words, the path of each deflector is proximal to the median longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle;

[0024] - the veil of each at least one deflector comprises at least one reinforcement rib force, each reinforcing rib preferably extending in a substantially vertical direction. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the deflector;

[0025] - each at least one deflector comprises a cap which extends nearby of a middle region of the bumper skin. The cap extends predominantly in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane. This advantageous configuration thus forms a protective surface for the electrical equipment associated with the deflector, thereby preventing water from running off said electrical equipment;

[0026] - the cap extends from a free vertical edge of the veil. In other words, the cap extends at an upper edge of the veil, so that the veil ultimately extends below the cap;

[0027] - particularly advantageously, the bumper skin comprises a first deflector and a second deflector located respectively on either side of a median longitudinal axis of the bumper skin. The web of the first deflector is connected to the web of the second deflector, at a lower edge of said webs, by a reinforcing crosspiece. The reinforcing crosspiece thus forms a span which extends along the transverse axis and which connects the web of each deflector. This advantageous configuration also makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the deflectors;

[0028] - the first deflector is intended to be associated with an electrical machine of the vehicle automobile. By "associated", it is understood that the first deflector at least partially covers a surface of the electrical machine of the motor vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the electric machine is electrically powered by an electric traction battery, in order to generate an engine torque used to set the motor vehicle in motion;

[0029] - the second deflector is intended to be associated with a reducer of the vehicle at car. By "associated", it is understood that the second deflector at least partially covers a surface of the reducer of the motor vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the reducer is configured to allow, at the output, a reduction in the rotational speed of an input shaft of the reducer. For this purpose, the reducer comprises several gears linked together and whose gear ratio makes it possible to obtain the desired rotational speed at the output;

[0030] - the reinforcing crosspiece comprises at least one reinforcing rib. This confi advantageous configuration makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength and rigidity of the reinforcement crosspiece;

[0031] - each at least one deflector comprises at least one connecting member with the bumper support with which the bumper skin is intended to collaborate. In particular, the at least one connecting member of each deflector is formed on the corresponding web. By way of non-limiting example, the connecting member comprises a slot allowing the passage of a fixing screw or a stud, and / or a notch configured to receive a fixing lug of the bumper support;

[0032] - the at least one deflector comprises at least one first connecting member associated with the cap of said deflector, and / or at least one second connecting member associated with the veil of said deflector. More particularly, the at least one first connecting member is located on the cap of said deflector, for example at a front zone - proximal to the front facade of the front bumper skin - and / or a rear zone of the cap - proximal to a free rear edge of the cap. In addition, the at least one second connecting member is associated with the veil of the deflector, below the corresponding cap. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to simplify the mounting of the bumper skin on the bumper support, while reinforcing the mechanical connection between them.

[0033] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the bumper skin being fixed integrally to a bumper support of the motor vehicle.

[0034] In the context of the present invention, the motor vehicle is preferably of the type of an electrified motor vehicle, that is to say of the type of an electric vehicle towed exclusively by an electric machine powered by an electric traction battery, or of the type of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising both the electric machine powered by the electric traction battery traction and associated with another propulsion system, such as a heat engine, to propel the motor vehicle. Among hybrid motor vehicles, a distinction is made between plug-in hybrid vehicles for which the electric traction battery can be recharged by connection to an external energy source, and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles, i.e. those which are not equipped for such recharging of the electric traction battery on an external electrical network.

[0035] Generally speaking, a powertrain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by an electric machine, electrically powered by an electric traction battery, in order to generate a motor torque used to set the motor vehicle in motion. Additionally or alternatively, the electric machine is configured to recover mechanical energy from the powertrain and convert it into electrical energy, thus producing a braking torque on said powertrain and making it possible to recharge the electric traction battery.

[0036] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0037] 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 appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view from the rear of an exemplary embodiment of a bumper skin in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0039] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view and from the side of the bumper skin illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0040] [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view from below of the bumper skin illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0044] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the bumper skin 1 is intended to be mounted. 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 in 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, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The invention relates to a front bumper skin 1 for a motor vehicle, the bumper skin 1 being configured to couple with a bumper support 2 by means of connecting members 16 which collaborate with bearing surfaces 21 of the bumper support 2. According to the invention, the bumper skin 1 comprises:

[0048] - a front facade 11 forming a front face 12 intended to extend in front of a bumper crossmember 22 of bumper support 2; And

[0049] - at least one deflector 14 extending from a rear face 13 of the skin of bumper 1, located behind the front facade 11, each at least one deflector 14 being associated with electrical equipment of the motor vehicle and housed behind the bumper skin 1.

[0050] In particular, the electrical equipment associated with the deflectors 14 of the bumper skin 1 is more particularly an electrical machine or a reducer of the motor vehicle, placed behind the bumper skin 1.

[0051] As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the bumper skin 1 forms a shaped wall which extends in front of the bumper support 2. The bumper skin 1 is for example obtained by injecting plastic into a mold. According to the invention, at its rear face 13, the bumper skin 1 comprises the deflectors 14, directly obtained from the molding. This advantageous configuration thus makes it easy to obtain the bumper skin 1 and to facilitate its attachment to the bumper support 2.

[0052] In particular, the bumper skin 1 comprises two deflectors 14, a first deflector 15 and a second deflector 16. deflector 14 being located on a first lateral side of the bumper skin 1, and a second deflector 14 located on a second lateral side of said bumper skin 1. each deflector 14 comprises a web 141 which extends vertically or substantially vertically, and from front to back from the rear face 13 of the bumper skin 1. the two deflectors 14 are preferably located opposite each other, so that the webs 141 of the deflectors 14 extend parallel to each other.

[0053] At an upper free edge of their web 141, each deflector 14 comprises a cap 142 which forms a connecting platform with the bumper support 2, and which also makes it possible to at least partially cover the electrical equipment intended to be associated with said deflectors 14, behind the bumper skin 1, that is to say the electrical machine and the reducer, not visible in the FIGURES. The cap 142 of each deflector 14 extends mainly in a horizontal plane.

[0054] As visible in [Fig.2], the bumper support 2 forms a mechanically welded assembly which comprises several bearing surfaces 21 making it possible to define a rigid mechanical structure. In particular, at least one bearing surface 21 is associated with each deflector 14 in order to allow the mounting of the bumper skin 1. Thus, the bearing surfaces 21 define mounting and fixing interfaces for the bumper skin 1.

[0055] The bumper skin 1 comprises connecting members 16 to ensure assembly and fixing with the bumper support 2. In particular, several connecting members 16 are provided in order to guarantee robust and reliable assembly:

[0056] - first connecting members 16 associated with the cap 142 of each deflector 14. More particularly, the first connecting members 16 are located at a front zone of the cap 142, proximal to the front facade 11 of the front bumper skin 1 - and at a rear zone of the cap 142, proximal to a free rear edge of the cap 142;

[0057] - second connecting members 16 associated with the web 141 of each deflector 14. The second connecting members 16 are located below the corresponding cap 142 and allow better retention of the bumper skin 1 on fixing legs 23 of the bumper support 2.

[0058] Additionally, at a lower portion of the bumper skin 1, the deflectors 14 are connected to each other by a reinforcing crosspiece 15 which extends across said deflectors 14. The reinforcing crosspiece 15 forms a flat or substantially flat surface which connects the webs 141 of the deflectors 14 at their lower portion. The reinforcing crosspiece 15 extends below a lower edge 111 of the front face 11 of the bumper skin 1. To ensure optimal attachment of the bumper skin 1 to the bumper support 2, the bumper crosspiece 22 comprises connecting members 16 collaborating with the bearing surfaces 21 of the bumper support 2.

[0059] In order to reinforce the rigidity of the bumper skin 1, and in particular at the level of the deflectors 14, the deflectors 14 comprise reinforcing ribs 143, resulting from molding. In particular, such reinforcing ribs 143 may be provided on the web 141 and / or on the cap 142 of each deflector 14, as well as on the reinforcing crosspiece 15 if applicable.

[0060] In summary, the invention relates to a front bumper skin 1 for a motor vehicle, the bumper skin 1 being configured to be able to couple with a bumper support 2 by means of connecting members 16 associated with the bumper skin 1. The bumper skin 1 comprises a front facade 11 intended to extend in front of a bumper crossmember 22 of the bumper support 2 and at least one deflector 14 extending from a rear face 13 of the front facade 11, each at least one deflector 14 being associated with electrical equipment of the motor vehicle, placed behind the bumper skin 1, so as to partially cover it or to be partially leaning against it.

[0061] 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. Front bumper skin (1) for a motor vehicle, the bumper skin (1) being configured to couple with a bumper support (2), the bumper skin (1) comprising a front facade (11) intended to extend in front of a bumper crossmember (22) of the motor vehicle and at least one deflector (14) extending behind the front facade (11), each at least one deflector (14) being associated with an electric machine or a reducer of the motor vehicle, placed behind the bumper skin (1).

2. Front bumper skin (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one deflector (14) is made in one piece with the front facade (11).

3. Front bumper skin (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each at least one deflector (14) projects from a rear face (13) of the front facade (11) of the bumper skin (1), each deflector (14) having a free rear edge located at a distance from the rear face (13), relative to a longitudinal axis (X).

4. Front bumper skin (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each at least one deflector (14) comprises a web (141) which projects from the rear face (13) of the bumper skin (1), the web (141) extending substantially in a sagittal plane formed by a longitudinal axis (X) and a vertical axis (Z).

5. Front bumper skin (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the web (141) of each at least one deflector (14) comprises at least one reinforcing rib (143), each reinforcing rib (143) preferably extending in a substantially vertical direction.

6. A front bumper skin (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each at least one deflector (14) comprises a cap (142) which extends proximate a middle region of the bumper skin (1).

7. Front bumper skin (1) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 4 or 5, in which the cap (142) extends from a free vertical edge of the veil (141).

8. A front bumper skin (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the bumper skin (1) comprises a first de-

9.

10. deflector (14) and a second deflector (14) located respectively on either side of a median longitudinal axis (X) of the bumper skin (1), the web (141) of the first deflector (14) being connected to the web (141) of the second deflector (14), at a lower edge (111) of said webs (141), by a reinforcing crosspiece (15). Front bumper skin (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each at least one deflector (14) comprises at least one connecting member (16) with the bumper support (2) with which the bumper skin (1) is intended to collaborate. Motor vehicle comprising a bumper skin (1) according to any one of the preceding claims fixed integrally to a bumper support (2) of the motor vehicle.

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