Windshield repair for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a windshield arrangement (1) (11) of a motor vehicle, the arrangement (1) comprising a front windshield (11) of the motor vehicle, a cowl grille (13) extending in line with a lower edge of the windshield (11), a lower bay cross member (12) extending below the windshield (11), the lower bay cross member (12) having a front lip (121) extending in front of the lower edge of the windshield (11) and below the cowl grille (13), and a first sealing gasket (14) associated with the lower bay cross member (12), the sealing gasket extending transversely along the lower bay cross member (12) and being compressed between said lower bay cross member (12) and the cowl grille (13) in order to prevent water from flowing from the windshield (11) and along the lower cross member of the windshield (13). bay (12), along the longitudinal axis (X). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield arrangement for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of structural equipment for motor vehicles, and in particular that which participates in the management of water flow in front of a windshield of such motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a windshield arrangement for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the prior art, it is known that cowl grilles extend relative to a transverse axis of the motor vehicle across and at the base of the windshield. Such known cowl grilles extend below and / or behind a rear side panel of a hood liner covering the engine compartment of the motor vehicle. At the windshield, such known cowl grilles are attached to a lower front edge of the windshield.

[0003] More specifically, the known cowl grilles are fixed securely to the lower edge of the windshield by means of a sealing gasket associated with said lower edge, the sealing gasket having a clip for fixing the cowl grille. This configuration thus makes it possible to achieve a normally watertight mounting of the cowl grille against the lower edge of the windshield.

[0004] However, in the case of an incorrectly installed canopy grille on the lower edge of the windshield, or in the case of poor support of the windshield seal on a lower bay crossmember, then an unwanted flow of water is possible, the water then flowing over the lower bay crossmember and towards an air inlet of a canopy manifold located directly below and which supplies fresh outside air to an air conditioning and ventilation unit of the passenger compartment.

[0005] This situation is obviously not desirable.

[0006] To overcome this drawback, a deflector is known to be fitted directly onto the air intake of the cowl manifold to prevent water from entering. The disadvantage of these solutions lies in the partial obstruction of the air intake by such a deflector, thus reducing the performance of the passenger compartment's air conditioning and ventilation system. Furthermore, such a deflector increases the mass and complicates both the design of these parts and their installation on the vehicle.

[0007] The present invention aims to propose a new windshield arrangement in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to reduce or even prevent water flows towards the canopy collector without blocking it.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to propose such a windshield arrangement which is simpler and easier to mount, while being more economical than the solutions known until now.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a windshield arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

[0011] - a front windscreen of the motor vehicle;

[0012] - a canopy grille that extends along the continuation of a lower edge of the windshield;

[0013] - a lower bay cross member that extends below the windshield, the cross member lower bay having a front lip which extends in front of the lower edge of the windshield and below the cowl grille;

[0014] - a sealing gasket associated with the lower bay cross member, the sealing gasket extending transversely along the lower bay crossbar and being compressed between said lower bay crossbar and the awning grille.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the windshield arrangement 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 one 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 extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the windshield forms a glazed surface extending across a front face of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The windshield is located directly in front of a driver's seat and a front passenger seat. The windshield extends between the two lateral edges of the motor vehicle, and the The windshield extends to the roof panel of the motor vehicle. As mentioned previously, a lower edge of the windshield is attached to a rear edge of the cowl grille by means of a sealing gasket.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the cowl grille is a bodywork element that extends, relative to the transverse axis of the motor vehicle, across and at the base of the windshield. The cowl grille thus acts as a connecting piece between the area at the base of the windshield and a front hood liner. In particular, the cowl grille extends below and / or behind a rear side panel of a hood liner covering the engine compartment of the motor vehicle, and above a lower crossmember of the windshield frame. At the windshield, the cowl grille is attached to a lower front edge of the windshield. The cowl grille is a plastic part generally obtained by molding. Due to its position relative to the windshield, the cowl grille is subject to water runoff flowing from the windshield.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the lower crossmember of the windshield is a structural component that extends across the windshield at its lower edge. The lower crossmember of the windshield is fixed rigidly to the two front pillars of the passenger compartment. The lower crossmember of the windshield supports the windshield along its transverse axis, along its lower edge.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the sealing gasket is a rubber and / or polymer and / or plastic element that interacts with the lower window rail and the awning grille to prevent water from flowing beyond the lower window rail, relative to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the sealing gasket is compressed, along the vertical axis, between the lower window rail and the awning grille.

[0020] Thus, the windshield arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem in that it is simpler to manufacture because it is more ingenious. It results from a precise analysis of water flow near the lower edge of the windshield and provides for a barrier at the front end of the lower crossmember of the window, in order to prevent water from flowing beyond and falling onto the air intake of the cowl collector.

[0021] The windshield arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the following improvements, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0022] - the sealing gasket is mounted on a free edge of the front edge of the cross member lower bay. This advantageous configuration facilitates the mounting of the sealing gasket on the lower bay rail. In the context of the present invention, the front edge of the bay rail forms a cap that extends in front of the windshield; and the free edge of the front edge forms a longitudinal front extremity of said front edge. The free edge extends predominantly along the transverse axis;

[0023] - the sealing gasket comprises (i) a coupling surface with the free edge of the (ii) a front edge of the lower bay rail, and (ii) a sealing flange extending from the coupling flange, the sealing flange being configured to cooperate with the canopy grille. In the context of the present invention, the coupling flange is configured to allow for the permanent attachment of the sealing gasket to the free edge of the front edge of the lower bay rail. In other words, the coupling flange forms a cavity configured to cooperate with the free edge of the front edge of the lower bay rail, in order to allow the attachment of said coupling flange to said free edge.In the context of the present invention, the sealing flange collaborates with the awning grille to prevent water from flowing beyond the sealing joint along the longitudinal axis; in other words, the sealing flange forms a barrier extending along the free edge of the front edge of the lower bay rail, said sealing flange being compressed between the front edge and the awning grille. The coupling flange and the sealing flange extend along the transverse axis. The coupling flange and the sealing flange are integral with each other. In particular, the coupling flange and the sealing flange are made of material, such that they cannot be separated from each other without one or both being damaged.

[0024] - the coupling range comprises inner lips which extend opposite the one of the others, so as to accommodate between them the free edge of the front rim of the lower bay rail. The inner lips extend into the cavity delimited by the coupling surface and along the transverse axis. The inner lips thus form means of retaining the coupling surface against the free edge of the front rim of the lower bay rail;

[0025] - the inner lips comprise two lower inner lips which extend in looking at each other, the two lower inner lips form a lower edge of the coupling surface folded inwards towards said coupling surface. In other words, the lower inner lips extend from a lower part of the coupling surface of the seal, the lower inner lips being folded inwards towards the cavity delimited by the coupling surface. The lower inner lips extend into the cavity delimited by the coupling surface and along the transverse axis.

[0026] - the inner lips comprise two high inner lips which extend facing each other, the two upper inner lips extending from a upper edge of the coupling surface. The upper inner lips are located directly above the lower inner lips. The upper inner lips extend into the cavity delimited by the coupling surface and along the transverse axis. The upper inner lips extend from an inner wall separating the coupling surface from the sealing surface;

[0027] - the sealing gasket includes a metallic insert that extends around the bearing surface coupling. This advantageous configuration improves the attachment of the coupling bracket to the free edge of the front lip of the lower bay crossmember. The metal insert extends along the transverse axis, thus forming a bracket encircling the coupling bracket, and more specifically the inner lips. In other words, the metal insert has a transverse "U"-shaped profile;

[0028] - the metal insert is overmolded by the coupling surface of the sealing joint. In other words, the metal insert is embedded in the coupling surface. The metal insert takes the form of a curved metal sheet around which the coupling surface is overmolded;

[0029] - the sealing area includes a crushing cavity which extends to- Beyond the coupling span, the compression cavity extends along an elongation axis of the sealing gasket. This compression cavity forms a flexible part of the sealing gasket relative to the coupling span. Thus, the compression cavity defines a transverse elongation cavity that compresses the sealing surface against the cowl grille, ensuring a watertight seal between the cowl grille and the lower window rail. This advantageous configuration prevents water from flowing from the windshield and beyond the lower window rail. In other words, water is prevented from flowing over the free edge of the front rim of the lower window rail.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising an arrangement conforming to the first aspect or to any one of its improvements.

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

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] illustrates a first three-dimensional and side view of a windshield arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] illustrates a detailed view of [Fig.1];

[0035] [Fig.3] illustrates an isolated, three-dimensional view of the sealing gasket installed on the windshield arrangement illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0036] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0037] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0038] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0039] In 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 windshield arrangement 11 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0040] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the same motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the same motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior, and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0041] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X is understood to be taken along a direction extending from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0042] 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.

[0043] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention addresses a windshield arrangement 11 of a motor vehicle, the arrangement 1 comprising:

[0044] - a front windscreen 11 of the motor vehicle;

[0045] - a canopy grille 13 which extends in line with a lower edge of the windshield 11;

[0046] - a lower bay cross member 12 which extends below the windshield 11, the cross member lower bay 12 having a front lip 121 which extends in front of the lower edge of the windscreen 11 and below the canopy grille 13;

[0047] - a first sealing gasket 14 associated with the lower bay cross member 12, the first sealing joint 14 extending along the transverse axis Y along the lower bay cross member 12 and being compressed between said lower bay cross member 12 and the canopy grid 13.

[0048] In particular, as can be seen more particularly in [Fig.2], the lower bay cross member 12 has a rear portion located under the windshield 11 and a front portion which extends in front of the lower edge of the windshield 11 and under the cowl grille 13. Between the rear portion and the front portion of the lower bay cross member 12, the windshield arrangement 11 also has a second sealing gasket 15 which extends along the transverse axis Y near the lower edge of the windshield 11.

[0049] The second sealing gasket 15 is not essential to the windshield arrangement 11 according to the invention.

[0050] The first sealing gasket 14 and the second sealing gasket 15 together help to prevent water running from the windshield 11 from seeping through the cowl grille 13 and into the lower bay cross member 12 and, further down, into the air intake manifold not visible in the FIGURES.

[0051] The sealing gaskets 14, 15 are formed of a material comprising a rubber or an elastomer, for example.

[0052] The first sealing gasket 14 is more specific to the invention. The first sealing gasket 14 is located more particularly at a front edge 121 of the lower crossmember of the bay 12. The front edge 121 extends forward of the windshield 11 and forms a visor that extends over the air intake manifold. The front edge 121 has a free edge 122 at one end, relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0053] The free edge 122 forms a raised edge relative to the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12, that is to say, it is oriented towards the awning grille 13 located opposite and directly above the lower bay cross member 12. The first sealing gasket 14 is more particularly associated with this free edge 122 of the front edge 121.

[0054] In particular, the first seal is engaged on the free edge 122 of the front edge 121. More particularly, the first sealing seal 14 is mounted on the free edge 122 of the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12. For this purpose, the first sealing seal 14 is fitted onto the free edge 122.

[0055] To achieve this, and as can be seen more particularly in [Fig.3], the first sealing gasket 14 comprises:

[0056] - a coupling range 141 with the free edge 122 of the front edge 121 of the lower bay crossmember 12. As seen in [Fig. 3], the coupling span 141 has a cavity extending along the transverse axis Y and configured to cooperate with the free edge 122 of the front rim 121 of the lower bay crossmember 12, in order to permit the attachment of said coupling span 141 to said free edge 122. In other words, the cavity of the coupling span 141 accommodates the free edge 122 of the front rim 121 of the lower bay crossmember 12; and

[0057] - a sealing span 142 which extends projecting from the span of coupling 141, the sealing span 142 being configured to work with the canopy grille 13. As seen in [Fig. 3], the sealing span 142 works with the canopy grille 13 and the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12 to prevent water flowing from the windshield 11 from flowing beyond the seal along the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the sealing span 142 of the first seal 14 forms a barrier that extends along the transverse axis Y along the free edge 122 of the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12. Relative to the vertical axis Z, the sealing span 142 is compressed between the front edge 121 and the canopy grille 13.

[0058] As shown in [Fig. 3], the coupling surface 141 and the sealing surface 142 of the first sealing joint extend along the transverse axis Y, for example by material extrusion. The coupling surface 141 and the sealing surface 142 are integral with each other. In particular, the coupling surface 141 and the sealing surface 142 are formed from a single piece of material, such that they cannot be separated from each other without one or both being damaged.

[0059] In order to facilitate the mounting of the coupling surface 141 of the first sealing gasket 14 on the free edge 122 of the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12, the coupling surface 141 has inner lips which extend opposite each other, so as to receive between them the free edge 122 of the front edge 121 of the lower bay cross member 12. In particular, the inner lips are located opposite each other along the longitudinal axis X, so as to provide between them a space in which the free edge 122 is engaged, said inner lips thus forming means for retaining said free edge 122.

[0060] In particular, the inner lips comprise:

[0061] - two lower inner lips 1411 which extend opposite each other along the longitudinal axis X, the two lower inner lips 1411 forming a lower edge of the coupling span 141 folded inwards towards said coupling span 141, in the direction of the cavity in which the free edge 122 of the lower bay cross member 12 is engaged. The lower inner lips 1411 extend into the cavity delimited by the coupling span 141 and along the transverse axis Y;

[0062] - two high inner lips 1412 which extend opposite each other along The longitudinal axis X, the two upper inner lips 1412 extending from an upper edge of the coupling surface 141. The upper inner lips 1412 are located vertically above the lower inner lips 1411. The upper inner lips 1412 extend into the cavity delimited by the coupling surface 141 and along the transverse axis Y. The upper inner lips 1412 extend from an inner wall separating the coupling surface 141 from the sealing surface 142.

[0063] In order to facilitate the insertion and retention of the coupling surface 141 on the free edge 122 of the front rim 121 of the lower cross member, the first sealing gasket 14 further includes a metal insert 143 which extends around the coupling surface 141. The metal insert 143 facilitates the retention of the free edge 122 of the front rim 121 in the coupling surface 141 and prevents the coupling surface 141 from deforming too much and allowing an uncontrolled disengagement.

[0064] The metal insert 143 extends along the transverse axis Y and forms a rider encircling the coupling surface 141, and more particularly the inner lips. The metal insert 143 thus takes the form of a metal sheet extending along the transverse axis Y and in a transverse U-shaped profile.

[0065] As seen in [Fig.3], the metal insert 143 is overmolded by the coupling surface 141 of the sealing joint.

[0066] In summary, the invention relates to a windshield arrangement 11 of a motor vehicle, the arrangement 1 comprising (i) a front windshield 11 of the motor vehicle, (ii) a cowl grille 13 extending in line with a lower edge of the windshield 11, (iii) a lower bay crossmember 12 extending below the windshield 11, the lower bay crossmember 12 having a front lip 121 extending in front of the lower edge of the windshield 11 and below the cowl grille 13, and a first sealing gasket 14 associated with the lower bay crossmember 12, the sealing gasket extending transversely along the lower bay crossmember 12 and being compressed between said lower bay crossmember 12 and the cowl grille 13 in order to prevent water from flowing from the windshield 11 and along the lower cross member of bay 12, along the longitudinal axis X.

[0067] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. from each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Windshield (11) arrangement of a motor vehicle, the arrangement (1) comprising: - a front windshield (11) of the motor vehicle; - a cowl grille (13) extending in line with a lower edge of the windshield (11); - a lower bay cross member (12) extending below the windshield (11), the lower bay cross member (12) comprising a front flange (121) extending in front of the lower edge of the windshield (11) and below the cowl grille (13); characterized in that the arrangement (1) comprises a sealing gasket associated with the lower bay cross member (12), the sealing gasket extending transversely along the lower bay cross member (12) and being compressed between said lower bay cross member (12) and the cowl grille (13).

2. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing gasket is mounted on a free edge (122) of the front edge (121) of the lower bay cross member (12).

3. An arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing joint comprises: - a coupling span (141) with the free edge (122) of the front edge (121) of the lower bay cross member (12); - a sealing span (142) which extends projecting from the coupling span (141), the sealing span (142) being configured to collaborate with the canopy grille (13).

4. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the coupling span (141) has inner lips which extend opposite each other, so as to accommodate between them the free edge (122) of the front edge (121) of the lower bay cross member (12).

5. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inner lips comprise two lower inner lips (1411) which extend opposite each other, the two lower inner lips (1411) forming a lower edge of the coupling span (141) folded inwards from said coupling span (141).

6. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inner lips comprise two high inner lips (1412) which extend opposite each other, the two upper inner lips (1412) extending from an upper edge of the coupling span (141).

7. Arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing joint comprises a metallic insert (143) which extends around the coupling surface (141).

8. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the metal insert (143) is overmolded by the coupling surface (141) of the sealing joint.

9. An arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing span (142) has a crush cavity extending beyond the coupling span (141), the crush cavity extending along an elongation axis of the sealing joint.

10. Motor vehicle comprising an arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images