Automotive body part

Abstract

This bodywork part (2) for a motor vehicle comprises: - a first panel (4), - a second panel (6) bonded to the first panel (4) by means of an adhesive (8), - at least one gap (10) between the first panel (4) and the second panel (6), the first panel (4) and the second panel (6) being located at a distance D from each other in the at least one gap (10), and - at least one expandable envelope (18) extending into the at least one gap (10), the at least one expandable envelope (18) being dimensioned so as to be able to occupy a deflated state, in which it has a span E1, and an inflated state, in which it has a span E2 strictly greater than the distance D and strictly greater than E1. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Body part for motor vehicle technical field

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicle parts. More particularly, the invention relates to a motor vehicle body part and a method for dismantling such a body part. State of the art

[0002] A motor vehicle comprises several body parts that make up its body. Each of these parts can be made up of several interconnected sub-parts. For example, a body part may comprise a first panel and a second panel, the second panel being attached to the first panel by means of adhesive. In this configuration, the first panel is located on the exterior side of the vehicle, and the second panel is located on the interior side of the vehicle. Thus, the first panel is visible from outside the vehicle, while the second panel is at least partially hidden by the first panel.

[0003] Such a body panel may need to be disassembled for various reasons. For example, if the first panel is damaged, it must be detached from the second panel in order to be replaced with a new one. Another example is separating the two panels to facilitate their recycling at the end of their service life. To perform this disassembly, a known technique involves using a wire to cut the adhesive that attaches the first panel to the second. Various maintenance operations on the body panel may also be mentioned.

[0004] This technique, which uses a wire, does indeed allow the first panel to be separated from the second panel and thus the bodywork to be disassembled; however, it has certain drawbacks. In fact, to allow the wire access to the adhesive and to allow an operator or machine to manipulate the wire to cut the adhesive, it is necessary to significantly damage the first panel. It is preferable to avoid, or at least minimize, such damage, as it is detrimental to maintenance operations on the bodywork, since these operations are not intended to replace the first or second panel. Furthermore, cutting the adhesive with the wire is generally a tedious and time-consuming operation, so this technique is not entirely satisfactory.Furthermore, cutting the glue with the wire requires applying a certain amount of force to cut the glue, which poses a risk of injury to the operator if the wire is mishandled.

[0005] The invention aims in particular to remedy these problems by providing a bodywork part that allows for disassembly that is both less prone to damage and simpler and safer to implement. Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a body part for a motor vehicle, comprising:

[0007] - a first panel,

[0008] - a second panel glued to the first panel by means of an adhesive,

[0009] - at least one gap between the first panel and the second panel, the first panel and the second panel being located at a distance D from each other in at least one gap, and

[0010] - at least one expandable envelope extending into at least one gap, the less an expandable envelope being dimensioned so as to be able to occupy a deflated state, in which it has a wingspan Eb and an inflated state, in which it has a wingspan E2 strictly greater than the distance D and strictly greater than Eh. Preferably, the wingspan Ei is less than or equal to the distance D.

[0011] The body panel thus comprises an expandable sleeve provided between the first and second panels. By inflating the expandable sleeve with a fluid, such as air or a liquid, its volume is increased until it presses against the first panel and separates the panels from each other. This separation deforms the adhesive until the first and second panels separate. This separation can occur on the upper surface of the adhesive, on the lower surface of the adhesive, or within the adhesive itself. Therefore, dismantling the body panel according to the invention is accomplished by a simple expansion of the expandable sleeve. It is thus understood that this body panel, thanks to the expandable sleeve, allows for particularly simple and quick dismantling compared to the technique involving a wire, described above, while avoiding the risk of injury associated with handling the wire.Furthermore, the expansion of the expandable envelope can be achieved without damaging the first panel to allow a wire to pass through, so that the body part according to the invention allows for less destructive disassembly than a more conventional body part.

[0012] According to alternative embodiments of the invention:

[0013] - at least one expandable envelope is generally in the shape of a tube with a straight cross-section constant. It thus presents two longitudinal ends closing the expandable envelope. The expandable envelope is therefore made in a particularly simple way, and has a shape that is easily integrated into the bodywork part.

[0014] - at least one expandable envelope is generally in the shape of a tube with a cross-section A constant straight line closed upon itself. The expandable envelope, for example, has a shape similar to that of a torus, whose cross-section is not necessarily circular, or to an inner tube for a bicycle wheel, so that the expandable envelope forms, within its internal volume, a continuous loop cavity. The expandable envelope is thus manufactured in a particularly simple manner and has a shape that is easily integrated into the bodywork component.

[0015] Advantageously, at least one expandable envelope is provided with an expansion nozzle.

[0016] Such an expansion nozzle allows easy connection to injection means, such as a nozzle, to expand the expandable envelope by injecting a fluid or foam. In the absence of such an expansion nozzle, the expansion of the expandable envelope is, for example, carried out using injection means comprising a needle configured to pierce the expandable envelope and inject a fluid or foam.

[0017] Advantageously, the body part comprises a primary envelope and a secondary envelope.

[0018] The two expandable envelopes can be inflated simultaneously to separate the second panel from the first panel according to a predetermined kinematic sequence. The two expandable envelopes thus allow for better control of the separation of the first and second panels.

[0019] Preferably, the primary expandable envelope and the secondary expandable envelope are both in the general shape of a tube closed on itself with a constant cross-section, and extend, locally, parallel to each other.

[0020] The expandable envelopes are thus produced in a particularly simple and inexpensive way, and have a shape that is easily integrated into the bodywork part.

[0021] According to alternative embodiments of the invention:

[0022] - the glue is contained in at least one gap, and at least one envelope The expanding membrane is embedded, at least partially, in the adhesive. This allows the expanding membrane to be easily secured in the gap between the first and second panels. It also makes it easier to locate the expanding membrane when it needs to be inflated to remove the body panel.

[0023] - the bodywork part includes a first gap and a second gap separated by a rib, with the adhesive contained in the first space and at least one expandable layer in the second. The body panel thus includes spaces specifically designed for the expandable layer and the adhesive, respectively, which facilitates assembly of the panel. bodywork. This also makes it easier to locate the expandable envelope when you want to inflate it to remove the bodywork part.

[0024] - the bodywork part includes a first gap and a second gap separated by a rib, with the adhesive placed in the first gap, and at least one expandable layer provided on the rib. This reduces the overall size of the body panel, thus contributing to a smaller overall footprint.

[0025] Advantageously, the body part forms a spoiler, a side door, a tailgate, a roof module, a hood, or a light module for a motor vehicle. The invention is thus suitable for manufacturing several types of body parts.

[0026] Advantageously, at least one expandable envelope has one or more reinforcements which, during an expansion of the expandable envelope, promote expansion in one or more predefined directions.

[0027] This ensures that the expansion of the expandable envelope allows the first panel to be separated efficiently from the second panel, without it being necessary to inject a considerable amount of fluid into the expandable envelope.

[0028] Advantageously, at least one expandable envelope is attached to the first or second panel. The expandable envelope is thus attached to one of the panels, which facilitates the assembly of the body part.

[0029] The invention also provides a method for dismantling a body part as defined above, in which a fluid or foam is injected into at least one expandable envelope so that it occupies the inflated state. Brief description of the figures

[0030] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to an embodiment of the invention comprising an expandable envelope in a deflated state,

[0032] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the body part of Fig. 1 in which the expandable envelope is in an inflated state,

[0033] Figure [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view of body parts according to variant embodiments of the invention,

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of body parts according to other embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of expandable envelopes according to two embodiments of the invention, and

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic view of the expandable envelope of parts bodywork according to variant embodiments of the invention. Detailed description

[0037] Figure 1 shows a body part 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The body part 2 is intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle to form part of its exterior bodywork. It may be a spoiler, a side door, a trunk lid, a roof module, a hood, a motor vehicle lighting module, or any other bodywork part.

[0038] The body panel 2 comprises a first panel 4 and a second panel 6 attached to the first panel 4. When the body panel 2 is mounted on a vehicle, the first panel 4 faces outwards and is visible from the outside of the vehicle, while the second panel 6 faces inwards, so that it is largely obscured by the first panel 4. In other words, the first panel 4 forms an exterior panel, while the second panel 6 forms an interior panel, for example, attached to a vehicle chassis. The second panel 6 is attached to the first panel 4 by bonding with an adhesive 8. By way of non-limiting example, this may preferably be a hot-melt adhesive, as this type of adhesive is particularly simple and convenient to use.In the case where the bodywork part 2 forms a light module of a motor vehicle, the first panel 4 is made of a transparent or translucent material, while the second panel 6 is formed by part of a housing of a light source.

[0039] The bodywork part 2 has a gap 10 between the first panel 4 and the second panel 6. Here, the glue 8 extends into the gap 10 and is in contact with a lower surface of the first panel 4 and with an upper surface of the second panel 6. In the glued state, the first panel 4 and the second panel 6 are spaced a distance D apart from each other in the gap 10.

[0040] The second panel 6 includes a lip, referred to as the second lip 12, which serves both to partially delimit the gap 10 and to partially conceal the adhesive 8. The first panel 4 includes a lip, referred to as the first lip 14, which serves to partially conceal the second lip 12. The first lip 14 and the second lip 12 extend over a summed height in a direction defined by the distance D, corresponding to the vertical direction in [Fig. 1], which is greater than the distance D. In this way, the adhesive 8 is not, or only slightly, visible from outside the bodywork part 2. The second panel 6 also includes a rib 16 which serves to partially delimit the gap 10 on the side of the gap opposite the second lip 12. Thus, in this embodiment, the gap 10 is delimited by four surfaces composed of the lower surface of the first panel 4, the rib 16, the upper surface of the second panel 6 and the second rim 12. As an alternative embodiment, it may be provided that the second panel 6 is devoid of the rib 16.

[0041] The bodywork part 2 includes an expandable envelope 18 formed in the gap 10, between the first panel 4 and the second panel 6. The expandable envelope 18 is attached to the lower surface of the first panel 4, here by means of a retaining piece 20. In addition, the expandable envelope 18 is here at least partially embedded in the glue 8.

[0042] In the configuration illustrated in [Fig. 1], the expandable envelope 18 occupies a deflated state in which it has a wingspan Ei less than or equal to the distance D. The wingspan is measured in the direction defined by the distance D, which corresponds to the vertical direction in [Fig. 1]. In the case where the first panel 4 is, locally, parallel to the second panel 6, this direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the first panel 4 and to the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the second panel 6.

[0043] The bodywork part 2 is shown in [Fig. 2] in a configuration different from that of the previous figure. The expandable envelope 18 is in an inflated state in which it has a span E2 strictly greater than Ei and the distance D. The span is measured in the direction defined by the distance D, which corresponds to the vertical direction in [Fig. 1]. In the case where the first panel 4 is, locally, parallel to the second panel 6, this direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the first panel 4 and to the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the second panel 6.

[0044] The transition from the configuration of [Fig. 1] to that of [Fig. 2] is achieved by injecting a fluid, for example air, water, or oil, to name just a few examples, or foam into the expandable envelope 18. The increase in the size of the expandable envelope 18 generates a force exerted by the second panel 6 on the first panel 4, tending to separate them. With the expansion and the increase of this force, the adhesive 8 is subjected to elongation in the direction of the distance D until it breaks. At this point, the first panel 4 is no longer attached to the second panel 6, so that it can be removed from the body part 2.

[0045] Two embodiment variants of the body part 2 are shown in [Fig.3]. In what follows, only the aspects of these variants which differentiate them from the body part of figures 1 and 2 will be described.

[0046] In the variant illustrated on the left in [Fig. 3], the expandable envelope 18 is attached to the lower surface of the first panel 4, here by means of a piece of retention 20, but the expandable envelope 18 extends entirely outside the glue 8. The retention piece 18 is fixed to the first panel 4, for example by gluing or screwing.

[0047] In the variant illustrated on the right in [Fig. 3], the second panel 6 comprises two ribs 16, both extending on the opposite side of the second rim 12 relative to the adhesive 8. In this way, the adhesive 8 extends into a first gap 10a, and the two ribs 16 define a second gap 10b between them. The expandable envelope 18 is attached to the upper surface of the second panel 6, here by means of a retaining piece 20, in the second gap 10b between the two ribs. The retaining piece 18 is fixed to the second panel 6, for example by gluing or screwing. These two ribs 16 thus guide the expansion of the expandable envelope 18 to ensure that it inflates primarily in the direction defined by the distance D, thereby guaranteeing an efficient increase in its span during expansion.

[0048] Three embodiment variants of the body part 2 are shown in [Fig.4]. In what follows, only the aspects of these variants which differentiate them from the body part of figures 1 and 2 will be described.

[0049] In the variant illustrated at the top of [Fig.4], the expandable envelope 18 is provided on the rib 16 and is installed straddling it.

[0050] In the variant illustrated at the bottom left of [Fig. 4], the second panel 6 comprises two ribs 16, both extending on one side opposite the second rim 12 relative to the adhesive 8. In this way, the adhesive 8 extends into a first gap 10a, and the two ribs 16 define a second gap 10b between them. The body part 2 comprises two expandable sleeves 18, each of the expandable sleeves 18 being formed on one of the ribs 16 and installed astride it. In this case, the body part 2 may be provided with two retaining pieces 20, each coupled to one of the two expandable sleeves 18 and each having a shape and dimensions enabling it to be inserted onto one of the ribs 16, for example by force, snap-fit, or adhesive.

[0051] In the variant illustrated at the bottom right of [Fig.4], the second panel 6 comprises two ribs 16 extending on either side of the glue 8. In this way, the glue 8 extends between the two ribs 16. The body part 2 comprises two expandable envelopes 18, each of the expandable envelopes 18 being provided on one of the ribs 16 and is installed straddling it.

[0052] Two examples of the realization of the cross-section, or profile, of the expandable envelope 18 are shown in [Fig.5].

[0053] The profile on the left of [Fig. 5] has a cross-section generally oval in shape, with a major axis horizontal and a minor axis vertical. Furthermore, the wall of the expandable envelope 18 comprises several reinforcements 21 forming zones of The wall thickness is increased. Here, the expandable envelope 18 comprises six reinforcements 21 distributed symmetrically about a vertical axis. During expansion of the expandable envelope 18, it tends to deform between the reinforcements 21, since these reinforcements provide greater resistance to deformation to the areas of the wall of the expandable envelope 18 opposite them. It is thus understood that the reinforcements 21 guide the expansion of the expandable envelope 18 between them. Here, the reinforcements 21 are integral with the rest of the wall of the expandable envelope 18 and are made of the same material as the rest of the wall. According to an alternative embodiment, the reinforcements can be made in the form of structural elements attached to the wall and fixed thereto. According to this variant, the reinforcements can be separate structural elements, or a single reinforcement added to the wall of the expandable envelope.

[0054] The profile on the right of [Fig. 5] has a cross-section generally oval in shape with a horizontal major axis and a vertical minor axis. Furthermore, the wall of the expandable envelope 18 has a non-uniform thickness. On the upper side of the section, the wall has a small thickness 22, while on the rest of the section, it has a larger thickness 23 greater than the smaller thickness 22. The larger thickness is, for example, more than twice the smaller thickness 22. During expansion of the expandable envelope 18, it tends to deform in the vicinity of the area of ​​small thickness 22, since this area has lower resistance to deformation than the area of ​​deformation in the rest of the section, due to the change in wall thickness. It is thus understood that the expandable envelope will tend to deform more upwards (with reference to the figure) than in other directions.

[0055] Various embodiments of the expandable casing 18 are shown in [Fig. 6]. In the embodiment shown in the upper left of [Fig. 6], the expandable casing 18 is generally a tube with a constant cross-section, having one closed end and one end fitted with an expansion nozzle 24. The expansion of this expandable casing 18 is achieved by connecting fluid injection means, including, for example, a nozzle, to the expansion nozzle 24 and filling the expandable casing 18 with fluid. In the embodiment shown in the upper right of [Fig. 6], the expandable casing 18 is generally a tube with a constant cross-section, closed upon itself, and fitted with an expansion nozzle 24. The expandable casing 18 thus has a shape similar to that of a bicycle inner tube.The expansion of this expandable envelope 18 is achieved by connecting fluid injection means, including for example a nozzle, to the expansion nozzle 24 and filling the expandable envelope 18 with fluid.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the lower left of [Fig. 6], the expandable sleeve 18 is generally in the form of a tube with a constant cross-section, closed upon itself, without an expansion nozzle. The expansion of this expandable sleeve 18 is achieved by piercing the expandable sleeve 18 using injection means, including, for example, a needle, and filling the expandable sleeve 18 with fluid. In the embodiment illustrated in the lower right of [Fig. 6], the body part 2 comprises a primary expandable sleeve 18a and a secondary expandable sleeve 18b, each generally in the form of a tube with a constant cross-section, closed upon itself. These two expandable sleeves 18a, 18b extend, locally, parallel to each other. In other words, they take on a similar shape in the body part 2 and are adjacent to each other.The expansion of these primary and secondary expandable envelopes 18a, 18b is achieved by piercing them with injection means, including for example a needle, and by filling the primary and secondary expandable envelopes 18a, 18b with fluid.

[0057] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, and other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to combine variant embodiments such as those shown in the various figures and described above. List of references

[0058] 2: body part 4: First panel 6: second panel 8: glue 10, 10a, 10b: interstice 12: second rim 14: first edge 16: rib 18, 18a, 18b: expandable envelope 20: Retention piece 21: Reinforcement 22: thin thickness 23: large thickness 24: Expansion fitting D: Distance Ei, E2: wingspan

Claims

Demands

1. A body panel (2) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a first panel (4), - a second panel (6) bonded to the first panel (4) by means of an adhesive (8), - at least one gap (10) between the first panel (4) and the second panel (6), the first panel (4) and the second panel (6) being located at a distance D from each other in the at least one gap (10), and - at least one expandable envelope (18) extending into the at least one gap (10), the at least one expandable envelope (18) being dimensioned so as to be able to occupy a deflated state, in which it has a span Eb, and an inflated state, in which it has a span E2 strictly greater than the distance D and strictly greater than Eh

2. Bodywork part (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one expandable envelope (18) is generally of the shape of a tube with a constant cross-section.

3. Bodywork part (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one expandable envelope (18) is in the general form of a tube of constant straight section closed on itself.

4. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one expandable envelope (18) is provided with an expansion nozzle (24).

5. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a primary expandable envelope (18a) and a secondary expandable envelope (18b).

6. Bodywork part (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the primary expandable envelope (18a) and the secondary expandable envelope (18b) are both in the general form of a tube closed upon itself of constant cross-section, and extend, locally, parallel to each other.

7. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the glue (8) is provided in at least one gap (10), and at least one expandable envelope (18) is embedded, at least partially, in the glue (8).

8. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a first gap (10a) and a second gap (10b) separated by a rib (16), the adhesive (8) being provided in the first gap (10a), and at least one expandable envelope (18) being provided in the second gap (10b).

9. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a first gap (10a) and a second gap (10b) separated by a rib (16), the adhesive (8) being provided in the first gap (10a), and at least one expandable envelope (18) being provided on the rib (16).

10. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, forming a spoiler, a side door, a tailgate door, a roof module, a hood or a light module of a motor vehicle.

11. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one expandable envelope (18) has one or more reinforcements (21) promoting, during an expansion of the expandable envelope (18), expansion in one or more predefined directions.

12. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one expandable envelope (18) is attached to the first panel (4) or to the second panel (6).

13. A method for dismantling a body part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fluid or foam is injected into at least one expandable envelope (18) so that it occupies the inflated state.

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