Arrangement including a storage bucket located under the front hood of a motor vehicle.

Abstract

Layout for a motor vehicle. Layout comprising: - a storage bucket having a base (11) and a side face (12) extending between the base and a rim (13) referred to as the free rim of the bucket, the base and the side face defining an internal volume of the bucket; and - a lid bearing against the free rim (13) to hermetically seal the bucket, the side face comprising a lower part (121) and an upper part (122) connected by a junction zone (123); the layout comprising a device for securing the lower part in a front compartment of the motor vehicle, the resistance of the junction zone to a force exerted on the free rim being strictly less than the resistance of the upper and lower parts to said force exerted, the junction zone breaking when said force exerted exceeds a limit threshold. Figure for the abbreviation: 3

Description

Title of the invention: Arrangement comprising a storage bucket located under the front hood of a motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a storage bucket located under the front hood of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an arrangement. The invention further relates to a method for repairing an arrangement according to the invention.

[0002] The presence of a storage bucket in a front or rear compartment of an electric motor vehicle is known, the storage bucket occupying a space formerly occupied by a combustion engine.

[0003] The term "frunk" is used to designate a storage space located at the front of a vehicle, primarily on all-electric motor vehicles where the absence of a combustion engine frees up space under the front hood. The frunk serves as an additional compartment for storing items, in addition to the traditional trunk located at the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] Storage compartments located under the front hood of a motor vehicle are known. However, existing compartments have drawbacks.

[0005] The object of the invention is to define an arrangement comprising a storage bucket located under a front hood of a motor vehicle remedying the disadvantages of arrangements comprising a storage bucket located under a front hood described in the prior art.

[0006] In particular, the invention makes it possible to create an arrangement containing a storage bucket that complies with pedestrian safety standards and whose lid is made by an inner wall of the hood.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising: - a storage bucket comprising a base and at least one side face extending between the base of the bucket and a so-called free rim of the bucket, the base and at least one side face together defining an internal volume of the storage bucket, and - a hood configured to close a front chamber of the motor vehicle while exerting pressure on the free edge of the storage bucket so as to achieve an airtight closure of the storage bucket, the arrangement being characterized in that at least one lateral face of the storage bucket comprises a lower part and an upper part connected to each other by a junction area, in that it includes a device for fixing the lower part of the storage bucket in a front chamber of the motor vehicle, and in that a resistance of the junction area to a force exerted on the free rim of the bucket and mainly directed towards the bottom of the bucket, is strictly less than a resistance of the upper and lower parts to said force exerted, so that the junction area breaks over the entire circumference of at least one face when said force exerted is greater than a limit threshold.

[0008] The dimensions of the upper and lower parts of at least one side face can be defined so that, after breaking the junction area and under the effect of the force exerted, the upper part slides inside or outside the lower part, the upper part moving towards the bottom of the storage bucket, and a height of the storage bucket, measured between the bottom of the bucket and the free edge of the upper part being reduced.

[0009] Each at least one lateral face can be made in one piece.

[0010] The thickness of the joining zone may be strictly less than the thickness of the lower part of at least one lateral face and the thickness of the upper part of at least one lateral face. The joining zone may be perforated.

[0011] The fastening device may include a fixed structure of the front chamber and a means of fastening the storage bucket to the fixed structure, the fastening means being disposed on the lower part of at least one side face, so that the lower part of at least one side face can be fastened to the fixed structure by means of the fastening means.

[0012] The means for attaching the storage bucket to the fixed structure may be located near the junction area of ​​the storage bucket.

[0013] The fixed structure may include: - a first crossmember positioned in the front chamber of the motor vehicle and substantially oriented along a lateral axis of the motor vehicle, and - a second cross member, for example forming part of a technical front face of the motor vehicle, substantially parallel to the first cross member.

[0014] The arrangement may further include a connecting piece intended to replace the junction zone after a rupture of the junction zone, the connecting piece comprising - a first surface intended to be fixed to the lower part of at least one lateral face, - a second surface intended to be fixed to the upper part of at least one side face, and - a third surface connecting the first and second surfaces, and / or a thickness of the third surface may be strictly less than a thickness of the lower part of at least one lateral face and a thickness of the upper part of at least one lateral face and / or the third surface may be perforated.

[0015] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an arrangement as described above.

[0016] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a direct orthonormal frame attached to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a first perspective view of an arrangement according to the invention before a pedestrian collision occurs.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a second perspective view of an arrangement according to the invention before a pedestrian collision occurs.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a first longitudinal cross-sectional view of an arrangement according to the invention before a pedestrian collision occurs.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a second longitudinal sectional view of an arrangement according to the invention before a pedestrian collision occurs.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a third longitudinal sectional view of an arrangement according to the invention after a pedestrian collision.

[0023] Fig. 7 is a first perspective view of a hood of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. 8 is a second perspective view of a hood of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a hood of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0026] Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an arrangement according to the invention comprising a connecting piece intended to replace a broken junction area.

[0027] An embodiment of a motor vehicle 100 according to the invention is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The motor vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle of any type, in particular a passenger vehicle or a utility vehicle.

[0028] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle, in particular an all-electric vehicle. Alternatively, the motor vehicle 100 could be a hybrid vehicle.

[0029] For the purposes of this description, and with reference to [Fig. 1], a direct orthonormal coordinate system RO, with axes X, Y, Z, commonly used in automotive design, is used, in which - the X-axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, - the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, and - the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0030] In the remainder of the document, the terms "longitudinal section" and "cross section" respectively refer to a section along a plane (X, Z) and a section along a plane (Y, Z).

[0031] The motor vehicle 100 is equipped with an arrangement 50 according to the invention, comprising: - a storage bucket 1 comprising a base 11 and at least one lateral face 12 extending between the base 11 of the bucket and a free rim 13 of the bucket 1, the base 11 and at least one lateral face 12 together defining an internal volume of the storage bucket 1, - a hood 2 configured to close a front chamber 3 of the motor vehicle while exerting pressure on the free rim 13 of the storage bucket 1 so as to achieve an airtight closure of the storage bucket 1.

[0032] The free rim 13 of the bucket is advantageously equipped with a seal 131 in order to promote a hermetic closure of the bucket, in particular by compression of the seal 131 on an internal surface 21 of the hood 2.

[0033] The remainder of this document describes an embodiment of the arrangement 50 in which the storage bucket 1 is located in a front compartment 3 of the motor vehicle 100, and the hood 2 is a front hood 2 of the motor vehicle. The term "front compartment" thus refers to a space located under a front hood 2 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0034] As more specifically illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the front hood 2 advantageously comprises an internal surface 21 and an external surface 22. The external surface 22 can be made, for example, of metal (steel or aluminum) or plastic. The internal surface 21 can be made, for example, of fiberglass or composite material. The internal surface 21 is advantageously grooved in a specific shape to increase its rigidity.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the storage bucket 1 could be fixed in a rear compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0036] In the remainder of this document, the terms “storage bucket”, “bucket” or “frunk” refer to a container used as an accessory storage box for the motor vehicle 100.

[0037] The frunk 1 of the arrangement 50 according to the invention is delimited by a base 11 and at least one lateral face 12. In the embodiment described below and illustrated by Figures 2 to 5, the frunk 1 is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section. Thus, the at least one lateral face 12 comprises four lateral faces which together define a frunk 1 with a trapezoidal cross-section.

[0038] Furthermore, as is more specifically illustrated by Figures 3 to 6, each at least one lateral face 12 of the frunk 1 comprises a lower part 121 and an upper part 122 connected to each other by a junction zone 123. The presence of a junction zone 123 between the lower part 121 and the upper part 122 of the at least one lateral face 12 allows the upper part 122 to detach from the lower part 121 under the effect of a given force, exerted on the free edge 13 of the frunk 1, the free edge 13 of the frunk 1 being the upper end of the frunk 1.

[0039] Indeed, the resistance of the junction zone 123 to a given force, exerted on the free edge 13 of the frunk 1 and mainly directed towards the bottom 11 of the frunk 1, is strictly less than a resistance of the upper part 122 and a resistance of the lower part 121 to the given force, so that the junction zone 123 breaks when the given force is greater than a limit threshold.

[0040] The resistance of the junction zone 123 to the given force is advantageously calibrated so that the junction zone 123 gives way during a pedestrian impact.

[0041] An embodiment of a junction zone 123 is more specifically described in [Fig. 4], in which the junction 123 is implemented by a thin zone oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to the lower part 121 and the upper part 122. Advantageously, the junction zone 123 is not located in the same plane as the lower part 121 and the upper part 122. Such an arrangement of the junction zone 123 promotes the breaking of the junction zone 123, and therefore the obliteration of the upper part 122.

[0042] In one embodiment, at least one lateral face 12 is formed in one piece, in particular by molding, for example from plastic material. In one embodiment, a thickness of the joining zone 123 is strictly less than a thickness of the lower part 121 of the lateral faces and a thickness of the upper part 122 of the lateral faces 12.

[0043] The lower part 121 is connected to the bottom 11 of the storage frunk 1. In addition, the lower part 121 is fixed to at least one fixing structure by means of a fixing means 42.

[0044] In one embodiment, the fastening means 42 is advantageously located near the junction 123 connecting the lower part 121 and the upper part 122 of the storage frunk 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the upper part 122 is connected only to the junction zone. In other words, the upper part 122 is not directly connected to the fixed structure 41.

[0046] Figures 2 to 6 describe an arrangement 50 according to the invention disposed in the motor vehicle 100, in which - the base 11 of the frunk 1 has a roughly trapezoidal perimeter, the longer base of the trapezoid being oriented along the lateral axis Y, and - the bottom 11 of the frunk 1 tapers in the direction opposite to the longitudinal axis X, the trapezoidal shape of the bottom 11 adapting particularly to the shape of the front chamber of the motor vehicle 100, which tapers in the direction opposite to the longitudinal axis X.

[0047] Figure 2 further describes a fixed structure 41 of the arrangement 50 for fixing the frunk 1 in the front chamber 3, the fixing structure comprising a frame 410 formed by - a first cross member 411, substantially oriented along the lateral axis Y of the motor vehicle, - a second cross member 412, for example forming part of a technical front face of the motor vehicle, substantially oriented along the lateral axis Y of the motor vehicle, - two straight pieces 413, 414 of elongated shape connecting the first and second cross members 411, 412, the two straight pieces 413, 414 being arranged on either side of a space intended to receive the frunk 1, the two straight pieces 413, 414 being further arranged so as to run along the non-parallel sides of the trapezoid formed by the frunk 1.

[0048] In an embodiment illustrated in particular by [Fig. 2], the fastening means comprises several mounting tabs 421, for example four mounting tabs 421, arranged substantially in a given plane. The tabs 421 are intended to rest on the frame 410. When mounting the frunk 1 in the front chamber 3 of the vehicle, the lower part 121 of the frunk 1 is inserted into the frame 410 until the tabs 421 are bearing against the frame 401. Each tab advantageously comprises a through hole adapted to cooperate with the frame 410 for fastening the frunk 1 to the frame 410, in particular by means of bolts.

[0049] Alternatively, the fixed structure 41 of the arrangement 50 could be implemented by means of a beam positioned, for example, between two stringers, with the storage bucket 1 resting on the beam. Other embodiments of the fixed structure 41 are conceivable.

[0050] In one embodiment, the arrangement 50 further comprises a connecting piece 14 intended to replace the junction zone 13 after a rupture of the junction zone 13, the connecting piece 14 comprising - a first surface 141 intended to be fixed to the lower part 121 of at least one lateral face 12, - a second surface 142 intended to be fixed to the upper part 122 of at least one lateral face 12, and - a third surface 143 connecting the first and second surfaces 141, 142.

[0051] Advantageously, a thickness of the third surface 143 is strictly less than a thickness of the lower part 121 of at least one lateral face 12 and a thickness of the upper part 122 of at least one lateral face 12. In addition or alternatively, the third surface 143 may be perforated.

[0052] Finally, the arrangement 50 according to the invention makes it possible to simultaneously meet two objectives - a first objective being to install in the front chamber a frunk whose cover is made by a peripheral seal resting on an internal layer of the hood, - a second objective being to allow an upper part of the frunk to retract during a pedestrian impact, so that the retracted frunk is entirely below a line 60 marking a limit of hood collapse in the event of a pedestrian impact.

[0053] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the two objectives of the invention. In [Fig.5], the upper part of the frunk is located above line 60, which marks a limit of hood collapse in the event of a pedestrian impact, so that the peripheral seal of the frunk rests on an internal layer of the hood (not shown in [Fig.5]).

[0054] In [Fig. 6], under the effect of a force F representing a pedestrian impact, the junction zone 123 broke and the upper part 122 of the frunk 1 slid inside the lower part 121 of the frunk. The frunk 1 thus deformed is then entirely above the line 60, which means that the frunk 1 thus deformed does not compromise pedestrian safety during a pedestrian impact.

[0055] Thus, arrangement 50 provides a simple solution for complying with French or other countries' safety standards. Furthermore, arrangement 50 enables the company to obtain good ratings in safety assessments, for example, in assessments carried out by Euro NCAP.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle (100) arrangement (50) comprising: - a storage bucket (1) including a base (11) and at least one side face (12) extending between the base (11) of the bucket and a free edge (13) of the bucket (1), the base (11) and at least one side face (12) together defining an interior volume of the storage bucket (1), and - a cover (2) configured to close a front chamber (3) of the motor vehicle while bearing against the free edge (13) of the storage bucket (1) so as to achieve an airtight seal of the storage bucket (1), the arrangement (50) being characterized in that at least one side face (12) of the storage bucket (1) includes a lower part (121) and an upper part (122) connected to each other by a joining zone (123), in that that it includes a device for fixing (4) the lower part (121) of the storage bucket (1) in a front chamber (3) of the motor vehicle (100),and in that the resistance of the junction zone (123) to a force (F) exerted on the free edge (13) of the bucket (1) and mainly directed towards the bottom (11) of the bucket, is strictly less than the resistance of the upper part (122) and the lower part (121) to said exerted force (F), such that the junction zone (123) breaks over the entire circumference of at least one face (12) when said exerted force (F) exceeds a limit threshold.

2. Arrangement (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dimensions of the upper part (122) and the lower part (121) of at least one lateral face (12) are defined such that, after breaking the junction zone (123) and under the effect of the force exerted, the upper part (122) slides inside or outside the lower part (121), the upper part (122) moving towards the bottom of the storage bucket (1), and a height of the storage bucket (1), measured between the bottom of the bucket (11) and the free edge (13) of the upper part (122) being reduced.

3. Arrangement (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each at least one lateral face (12) is made in one piece.

4. Arrangement (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thickness of the joining zone (123) is strictly less than a thickness of the lower part (121) of at least one lateral face (12) and a thickness of the upper part (122) of at least one lateral face (12) and / or in that the joining zone (123) is openwork.

5. Arrangement (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (4) comprises a fixed structure (41) of the front chamber (3) and a fastening means (42) of the storage bucket (1) to the fixed structure (41), the fastening means (42) being disposed on the lower part (121) of at least one side face (12), so that the lower part (121) of at least one side face (12) is fixed to the fixed structure (41) by means of the fastening means (42).

6. Arrangement (50) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the means for fixing (42) the storage bucket (1) to the fixed structure is located near the junction area (123) of the storage bucket (1).

7. Arrangement (50) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the fixed structure (41) comprises - a first cross member (411) disposed in the front chamber (3) of the motor vehicle (100) and substantially oriented along a lateral axis (Y) of the motor vehicle (100), and - a second cross member (412), for example forming part of a technical front face of the motor vehicle, substantially parallel to the first cross member (411).

8. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a connecting piece (14) for replacing the joining zone (13) after a rupture of the joining zone (13), the connecting piece (14) comprising: - a first surface (141) for being fixed to the lower part (121) of at least one lateral face (12), - a second surface (142) for being fixed to the upper part (122) of at least one lateral face (12), and

9. - a third surface (143) connecting the first and second surfaces (141, 142), and / or in that a thickness of the third surface (143) is strictly less than a thickness of the lower part (121) of at least one lateral face (12) and a thickness of the upper part (122) of at least one lateral face (12) and / or in that the third surface (143) is perforated. Motor vehicle comprising an arrangement (50) according to one of the preceding claims.