A bodywork component of a motor vehicle incorporating a rear-view camera system, and a motor vehicle equipped with such a bodywork component

Abstract

A bodywork element (1) of a motor vehicle, formed both in the widest area of ​​the vehicle and in an area extending from the front door to the front wing, the bodywork element comprising at least one protrusion (2) housing a rear-view camera system, the rear-view camera system being the only rear-view system of the motor vehicle. Figure for abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bodywork component of a motor vehicle integrating a rear-view camera system and motor vehicle equipped with such a bodywork component technical field

[0001] The invention has as its technical field the bodywork elements of motor vehicles, and more particularly, such bodywork elements enabling the attachment of a rear-vision system. Previous techniques

[0002] The rear-vision system of a motor vehicle generally includes central rear-vision and at least lateral rear-vision. The number and position of the rear-vision means are defined by each national legislation.

[0003] Currently, the lateral rear vision of a motor vehicle is achieved either by a mirror or by a camera, positioned on the door or the foot A of the bodywork.

[0004] Although many manufacturers integrate cameras in place of side mirrors, their positions remain unchanged in the same installation area.

[0005] However, the current arrangement of the cameras, like that of the side mirrors, is a source of turbulence which causes aerodynamic noise or blind spots. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a bodywork element for a motor vehicle, intended to form the widest area of ​​the vehicle, the bodywork element being intended to be fixed to a fender, in particular a front fender. The bodywork element includes at least one protrusion housing a rear-view camera system.

[0007] The rear-view camera system can be installed through the inner face of the bodywork element, said inner face being intended to be positioned opposite the wing of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The bodywork element may be in particular a fender flare delimiting a wheel arch the protuberance including an opening through which rear vision is made possible.

[0009] The bodywork element may include a means for attaching the rear-view camera system, in particular a bracket shaped according to the rear-view camera system.

[0010] The bodywork element can be made by molding a plastic material

[0011] Such a bodywork element can essentially comprise a vertical part in the shape of a portion of a ring delimiting the wheel arch, and an oblique part forming an angle with the vertical part and intended to connect the vertical part to the front wing, the protrusion being located in the oblique part.

[0012] The protrusion forms a cavity delimited by an upper face and a lower face in contact with an external face, the external face extending in the direction of the oblique external part considered in a direction extending from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, so as to minimize disturbances in the airflow over the bodywork.

[0013] Another object of the invention is an arrangement of one side of a motor vehicle comprising a wing and a bodywork element as described above, the bodywork element being able to delimit a wheel arch, the protuberance being disposed substantially vertically above the top of the wheel arch.

[0014] The protuberance may include an opening through which retrovision is made possible.

[0015] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a body element or arrangement as described above, and in which the body element can be formed in the widest area of ​​the vehicle

[0016] The motor vehicle can be chosen from a passenger vehicle with a thermal engine, an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle, a light commercial vehicle, a heavy goods vehicle or a racing vehicle.

[0017] The bodywork element according to the invention has the following advantages.

[0018] Due to its compact design, the bodywork element reduces the overall size of the vehicle. To comply with the regulatory rear-view angle, it is no longer necessary to increase the vehicle's size by adding side mirrors or cameras.

[0019] The bodywork element allows the camera system to be fully integrated, so as not to require additional support and so as to give it the best possible field of vision.

[0020] Due to the removal of the support, the bodywork element allows for a reduction in the cost and mass of the vehicle.

[0021] By reducing the size of the protrusion required to accommodate the rear-view system and by relocating it from the door or the A-pillar of the body to the body panel, wind noise and aerodynamic disturbances generated during high-speed driving are much less noticeable. This size reduction also lowers the vehicle's energy consumption and consequently contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive industry.

[0022] All these advantages make the invention a significant contribution in the field of rear-view function, offering a solution that meets the current expectations of manufacturers and consumers in terms of performance and functionality. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] - Figure [Fig.1] illustrates the outer face of the wing flare according to the invention,

[0025] - Figure [Fig.2] illustrates the inner face of the wing flare according to the invention,

[0026] - Figure [Fig.3] illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the front wing flare according to the invention,

[0027] - Figure [Fig.4] illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the front wing flare according to the state of the art,

[0028] - Figure [Fig. 5] illustrates a rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with a front fender flare according to the invention, and

[0029] - Figure [Fig. 6] illustrates a top view of a motor vehicle equipped with a front wing widener according to the invention. Detailed description

[0030] The front fender flare according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 illustrates the outer face of the fender flare according to the invention, while Figure 2 illustrates the inner face of such a fender flare. The outer face is understood to be the face visible from outside the vehicle, and the inner face is understood to be the face in contact with the vehicle once installed.

[0031] The outer face of the front fender flare 1 comprises a vertical outer portion la in the shape of a ring segment delimiting the wheel arch, and an oblique outer portion 1b forming an angle with the vertical outer portion la and connecting the vertical outer portion la to the front fender. The front fender flare 1 comprises a protrusion 2 (or boss) disposed substantially in the oblique outer portion 1b at the level of the apex of the wheel arch and housing a rear-view camera system.

[0032] The inner face of the front fender flare 1 comprises the vertical internal counterpart le of the vertical external part la and the oblique internal counterpart Id of the oblique external part 1b, as well as two mounting points 3 to the chassis. The rear-view camera system 4 is held in position in the protrusion 2 by a fastener 5. The fastener 5 is secured to the front fender flare by any removable fastening system 6, in particular screws.

[0033] Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the front wing flare 1 along plane A identified in Fig. 1. Plane A is a horizontal plane (relative to the vehicle) and intersecting the protrusion 2 housing the camera.

[0034] Still on [Fig.3], it is noted that the bulk of the protuberance 2 is minimal compared to the profile of the front wing flare 1.

[0035] For comparison, reference is made to [Fig. 4], which also illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the front wing flare along plane A. However, unlike the front wing flare illustrated in [Fig. 3], the flare illustrated in [Fig. 4] is a front wing flare according to the prior art, lacking a protrusion 2 housing the rear-view camera system. It should be noted that, in comparison, the protrusion 2 of the wing flare according to the invention only minimally modifies the profile of the wing flare, so that the airflow is only marginally disturbed. This results in aerodynamic gains (reduced drag coefficient and increased fuel efficiency) and a reduction in aerodynamic noise.

[0036] The front wing widening was chosen for the integration of a rear-view camera system because of its position at the widest point of the vehicle, making it possible to limit blind spots and access regulatory viewing angles.

[0037] Fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with a front fender flare 1 according to the invention, comprising a protrusion 2 housing a rear-view camera system.

[0038] Axis B illustrates the vertical plane directly above the front wing flare 1 in the rear view shown in [Fig. 5]. Note that the protrusion 2 constitutes a particularly small widening in relation to the size of the vehicle.

[0039] Still in [Fig. 5], the vision cone C accessible to the rear-view camera system housed in the protrusion 2 is illustrated. This vision cone C conforms to the vision cone requirements prescribed by law, in particular the European standard ECE 46.

[0040] By analogy with [Fig. 5], [Fig. 6] is a top view of a motor vehicle equipped with a front fender flare 1 according to the invention, comprising a protrusion 2 housing a rear-view camera system

[0041] The vision cone C accessible to the rear-vision camera system is also illustrated and corresponds to the vision cone requirements prescribed by French legislation.

[0042] The invention has been described in connection with a front wing flare. However, the scope of the invention remains within the scope of the invention if the integration of the protrusion housing the rear-view camera system with other elements of vehicle bodywork located in an area extending from the front door to the front wing and formed in the widest area of ​​the vehicle.

[0043] The position of the rear-view camera system in the widest area of ​​the vehicle allows the camera system to be placed in an area that allows the regulatory vision cones to be reached.

[0044] The invention described above applies to all motor vehicles in order to provide improvements in terms of aerodynamics for a wide range of vehicles.

[0045] Passenger cars with internal combustion engines benefit from this invention through a reduction in mass and a reduction in aerodynamic drag, resulting in improved performance and a decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, contributing to increasingly strict environmental objectives and regulations.

[0046] Electric and hybrid passenger cars also benefit from a reduction in mass and a reduction in aerodynamic drag, resulting in improved performance and reduced energy consumption, thus maximizing their range.

[0047] Light commercial vehicles and heavy goods vehicles are required by regulations to be equipped with large rearview mirrors. Replacing them with integrated rear-vision systems according to the invention reduces drag and improves energy efficiency for greater driving range, whether the vehicle is internal combustion, hybrid, or electric.

[0048] The application to sports and high-performance vehicles is also evident for the reasons developed above.

Claims

Demands

1. Bodywork element of a motor vehicle intended to form the widest area of ​​the vehicle, the bodywork element being intended to be fixed to a wing, in particular a front wing, characterized in that it comprises at least one protrusion (2) housing a rear-view camera system (4).

2. Bodywork element according to claim 1, wherein the rear-view camera system (4) is installed through the inner face of the bodywork element, said inner face being intended to be positioned opposite the wing of the motor vehicle.

3. Bodywork element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bodywork element is a fender flare delimiting a wheel arch, the protrusion includes an opening through which rear vision is made possible.

4. Bodywork element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means for fixing (5) the rear-view camera system (4), in particular a support shaped according to the rear-view camera system (4).

5. Bodywork element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made by molding a plastic material.

6. Bodywork element according to any one of claims 3 to 5, essentially comprising a vertical part (la,le) in the form of a portion of a ring delimiting the wheel arch, and an oblique part (lb,ld) forming an angle with the vertical part (la,le) and connecting the vertical part (la,le) to the front wing, the protrusion (2) being located in the oblique part (lb,ld).

7. Bodywork element according to the preceding claim, wherein the protrusion (2) forms a cavity delimited by an upper face and a lower face in contact with an external face, the external face extending in the direction of the considered oblique external part (1b) in a direction extending from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, so as to minimize disturbances in the airflow over the bodywork.

8. Arrangement of one side of a motor vehicle comprising a wing and a body element according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the bodywork element delimits a wheel arch, the protrusion (2) being disposed substantially vertically above the top of the wheel arch.

9. Vehicle comprising the bodywork element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7 or the arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the bodywork element is formed in the widest area of ​​the vehicle.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, selected from a passenger vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle, a light commercial vehicle, a heavy-duty type motor vehicle or a racing vehicle.

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