Front bumper device for a motor vehicle including a shock-absorbing element

Abstract

Front bumper device for a motor vehicle comprising a shock-absorbing element. Front bumper device (1) for a motor vehicle comprising: - a front end (104) having at least one opening (103) for receiving an airflow, - a structural crossmember (106) supporting the front end, and - a monolithic shock-absorbing element (102), the shock-absorbing element comprising plastic, the shock-absorbing element comprising a body (107) positioned between said front end (104) and said structural crossmember (106), the shock-absorbing element comprising an air deflector (200) extending from said body, and configured to guide or block the airflow received by the opening in the front end. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Front bumper device for a motor vehicle comprising a shock-absorbing element. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a front bumper device for a motor vehicle comprising a front face, a structural crossmember supporting the front face, and a shock-absorbing element positioned between said front face and said structural crossmember. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a front bumper device. Prior art

[0002] Motor vehicles generally include a front bumper device comprising a front face, a structural crossmember supporting the front face, and a shock-absorbing element interposed between said front face and said structural crossmember. Such a front bumper device is intended to absorb at least a portion of the energy of an impact against the front face, thereby reducing the adverse consequences of such an impact, in particular reducing the consequences of a frontal collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian.

[0003] Shock-absorbing elements, also known as "energy absorbers," are generally made of foam. Foam has the advantage of deforming easily and is simple to manufacture and assemble onto a motor vehicle.

[0004] However, foam shock-absorbing elements cannot absorb a large amount of energy and are therefore ineffective. To overcome these limitations, plastic shock-absorbing elements have been introduced into the front bumper devices of vehicles.

[0005] Furthermore, the front ends of motor vehicles generally include at least one opening designed to receive a forced airflow as the vehicle moves forward. Such an airflow typically passes under the shock absorber and is useful for cooling the vehicle. This airflow can, in particular, be directed towards a heat exchanger of a cooling system. The use of a plastic shock absorber disrupts the airflow entering the vehicle and impairs the proper functioning of the vehicle's onboard cooling systems. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a front bumper device for a motor vehicle remedying the above disadvantages and improving upon the front bumper devices known in the prior art.

[0007] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a front bumper device allowing for good control of the path of an airflow passing through an opening provided in a front facade of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a front bumper device for a motor vehicle comprising: - a front facade with at least one opening designed to receive an airflow, - a structural crossmember supporting the front facade, and - a monolithic shock-absorbing element, the shock-absorbing element comprising plastic, the shock-absorbing element comprising a body positioned between said front facade and said structural cross member, the shock-absorbing element comprising an air deflector extending from said body and configured to guide or block the airflow received through the opening in the front facade.

[0009] The shock-absorbing element may be made of plastic and may be obtained by molding.

[0010] The front bumper device may further include a heat exchanger, the air deflector being configured to guide at least part of the airflow towards the heat exchanger.

[0011] The front bumper device may include a first space, in particular a first longitudinal space, between said body of the shock-absorbing element and the structural crossmember, and the air deflector may at least partially cover said first space.

[0012] The air deflector may include at least one first fin extending substantially horizontally opposite said first space.

[0013] At least one first fin may include a set of stiffening ribs.

[0014] The front bumper device may include an air guide positioned under the structural cross member and a second space, in particular a second vertical space, between the air guide and the structural cross member, and the air deflector may at least partially cover said second space.

[0015] The air deflector may include at least one second fin extending rearward and downward in front of said second space, to guide the airflow toward the air guide.

[0016] The shock-absorbing element can be attached to the front panel by at least one fixing clip.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front bumper device as defined above. Presentation of the figures

[0018] 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:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded and perspective view of a front bumper device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the front bumper device.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the front bumper device.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal and vertical plane and in perspective of the front bumper system.

[0023] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of a front facade and an element shock absorption of the front bumper device.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a front view of the shock-absorbing element.

[0025] Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of the absorption element of shocks.

[0026] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal and vertical plane of the device front bumper. Detailed description

[0027] Figure 1 schematically illustrates, by way of an exploded view, a front bumper device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The motor vehicle may be a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, a truck, or even a bus. The front bumper device 1 comprises a particular arrangement of various components and is intended to be integrated into the front of an engine compartment of the vehicle.

[0028] In this document and in the figures, the X-axis designates the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. When moving forward in a straight line, the vehicle progresses from rear to front in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The X-axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, that is, in the direction of reverse. The Y-axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle. The Y-axis is oriented from left to right, left and right being defined from the perspective of a driver of the vehicle. The Z-axis designates the axis perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis. The vehicle is assumed to be resting on a horizontal surface. The Z-axis is a vertical axis, oriented from bottom to top. The X, Y, and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.

[0029] The front bumper assembly 1 includes a front fascia 104 having at least one opening 103, also called a grille, for receiving an airflow. The front fascia extends at least roughly parallel to the Y-axis and the Z-axis at the front of the vehicle. The front fascia 104 may include an element of The bodywork, possibly coated with a layer of paint. The front fascia can extend across the entire width of the vehicle. Advantageously, the opening 103 can be fitted with a grille 105 for filtering particles. The opening 103 can have a closed contour, as shown in [Fig. 1], or alternatively, an open contour.

[0030] The front bumper assembly 1 also includes a structural crossmember 106 supporting the front fascia 104. The structural crossmember 106 is a transverse beam belonging to the vehicle body. The structural crossmember 106 extends parallel to the Y-axis. The structural crossmember 106 is preferably made of steel. According to the embodiment shown, the structural crossmember 106 has a tubular shape, in particular with a rectangular or roughly rectangular cross-section.

[0031] The front bumper device 1 also includes a shock-absorbing element 102, also referred to as an absorber. The shock-absorbing element comprises a body 107 positioned between the front fascia 104 and the structural crossmember 106. In other words, the body 107 is sandwiched between the front fascia 104 and the structural crossmember 106. The body 107 is designed to withstand compressive forces in the event of a longitudinal impact against the front fascia 104. If a sufficiently large force is applied to the front fascia 104, the body 107 may deform or even break. The deformation or breakage of the body 107 allows it to absorb at least part of the impact energy.

[0032] Figures 2 and 3 now illustrate the front bumper assembly 1. It can be seen that the front bumper assembly 1 also includes an air guide 108. The air guide 108 extends parallel to the Y and Z axes and is positioned substantially at the center of the front bumper assembly 1 along the transverse axis. The air guide 108 includes a frame 111 having a central opening for the passage of airflow entering through the opening 103. Advantageously, the central opening is equipped with a set of flaps 112 hinged relative to the frame 111 between a position that is at least partially open and a position that is at least partially closed. The flaps 112 allow control of the amount of air entering the engine compartment. The air guide 108 further includes an upper wall 113 extending substantially vertically behind the structural cross member 102.The shutters 112 are positioned behind the opening 103.

[0033] With reference to [Fig.4], it can be seen that there is a free volume 114 in the front bumper device 1 delimited at the front by the front fascia 104, at the rear by the air guide 108, at the top by the shock-absorbing element 102 and by the structural cross member 106. In addition, a lower plate 115 extends substantially horizontally from a lower edge of the opening 103 to a lower edge of the air guide 108. The lower plate 115 delimits the free volume 114 downwards. The free volume 114 is intended to be traversed by a longitudinal airflow, illustrated by the arrow Fl, caused by the forward progression of the vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, the front bumper assembly 1 includes a heat exchanger 116. The heat exchanger 116 extends parallel to the Y and Z axes at the rear of the air guide 108. The heat exchanger 116 is designed to receive the airflow entering the front bumper assembly 1 through the opening 103 and passing through the air guide 108. The heat exchanger 116 may include a radiator, optionally equipped with cooling fins. The heat exchanger 116 may belong to a cooling system installed in the vehicle. It may be designed to cool a heat transfer fluid circulating in the cooling system. Advantageously, the lower plate 115 extends between a lower edge of the air guide 108 and a lower edge of the heat exchanger 116. In addition, an upper plate 117 extends from an upper edge of the heat exchanger to the structural cross member.The combination of the lower plate 115 and the upper plate 117 allows the airflow to be guided from the air guide 108 to the heat exchanger 116.

[0035] The shock-absorbing element 102 is a monolithic element, that is, an element formed from a single piece of material. The shock-absorbing element is a plastic element, in particular made of plastic. Preferably, the shock-absorbing element is obtained by molding, in particular by injecting plastic material under pressure into a mold. Such a manufacturing process is particularly simple to implement.

[0036] Due to manufacturing tolerances, and because of its rigidity compared to a foam shock absorber, the shock absorber 102 is assembled to the vehicle with relatively large gaps around it, including gaps of several millimeters. These gaps are likely to cause air leaks that are detrimental to the proper functioning of the vehicle. In particular, these gaps are likely to disrupt the airflow intended to contact the heat exchanger on board the vehicle and reduce its efficiency. As we will see later, the invention provides a device to prevent these detrimental air leaks.

[0037] The shock-absorbing element 102 is also illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7. It extends primarily parallel to the transverse axis Y. Preferably, the width of the shock-absorbing element 102 is at least equal to 50% of the width of the front face 104 along the transverse axis Y. The body 107 of the shock-absorbing element 102 comprises a set of studs 118 distributed regularly across the width of the shock-absorbing element. Each stud 118 may have a generally prismatic shape and / or be provided with stiffening ribs. These studs 118 are designed to deform or break in the event of a longitudinal impact against the front facade 104.

[0038] According to the invention, the shock-absorbing element 102 also includes an air deflector 200 extending from the body 107. The air deflector 200 is configured to guide or block the airflow received through the opening 103 in the front panel. The shock-absorbing element 102 thus has a dual function: absorbing longitudinal shocks against the front panel 104 and contributing to the guidance of the air entering through the opening 103. In particular, the air deflector 200 can advantageously be configured to guide the airflow towards the air guide 108. This optimizes the amount of air reaching the heat exchanger 116 and thus optimizes the performance of the cooling system. The Air Deflector 200 also helps prevent unwanted air leaks that could impair the proper functioning of other components in the vehicle. The Air Deflector 200 itself is not designed to absorb the energy of an impact.

[0039] With reference to Figures 4 and 8, there is a first space el, in particular a longitudinal space, between the body 107 of the shock-absorbing element 102 and the structural cross member 106. The first space el can, for example, measure at least three millimeters, or even at least five millimeters along the longitudinal axis X. The first space el can extend along the entire length of the shock-absorbing element 102 along the Y axis, or, conversely, only along a portion of the shock-absorbing element 102 along the Y axis. The first space el forms an upward-oriented air passage between the shock-absorbing element 102 and the structural cross member 106. Advantageously, the air deflector 200 at least partially covers this first space el. This prevents part of the airflow entering the engine compartment through opening 103 from passing through the first space el. A potential first air leak is indicated by arrow F2 on the [Fig.4] is thus avoided. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a sealing joint between the shock-absorbing element 102 and the structural cross member 106 to fill the first space el. .

[0040] According to the embodiment shown, the air deflector 200 comprises at least one first fin 204 extending substantially horizontally from the body 107 opposite said first space 111. Thus, at least one first fin 204 covers the first space 111. At least one first fin extends rearward from the body 107 of the shock-absorbing element 102. The air deflector 200 can thus comprise a cross-section in a longitudinal and vertical plane having an "L" shape. More particularly, according to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 5], the shock-absorbing element 102 comprises two first fins 204 extending transversely between two studs 118 of the body. Each first fin 204 may advantageously include longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 205. Longitudinal stiffening ribs do not disrupt the airflow. Since the first fins are stiffened by the ribs, their position is well controlled within the constrained environment of the engine compartment, and they do not move under the effect of vehicle acceleration.

[0041] Furthermore, the shock-absorbing element 102 can be attached to the front panel 104 by at least one fastening clip 202, preferably by a plurality of fastening clips 202. In particular, fastening clips may be provided at the lateral ends of the shock-absorbing element and on an upper edge of the shock-absorbing element. The shock-absorbing element 102 is thus indirectly attached to the structural cross member 106. This type of assembly may result in increased clearance between the shock-absorbing element 102 and the structural cross member 106. This is not problematic since the presence of the air deflector 200 prevents air from entering the gap formed between the shock-absorbing element and the structural cross member.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig. 8], there is also a second space e2, in particular a second vertical space, between the air guide 108 and the structural cross member 106. Advantageously, the air deflector 200 at least partially covers this second space e2. This prevents at least some of the airflow from entering through the second space e2 and escaping the central opening formed in the air guide 108. A potential second air leak indicated by arrow F3 in [Fig. 8] is thus avoided. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a seal between the air guide 108 and the structural cross member 106 to close the second space e2. More specifically, the air deflector 200 may include at least one second fin 206 extending from the body 107 or from the first fin 204 rearward and downward, in front of said second space e2.For example, the second fin 206 can extend in a plane forming an angle between 30° and 60° with the vertical axis Z. A free edge of the second fin 206 can be positioned in front of an upper edge of the central opening of the air guide 108.

[0043] Finally, thanks to the invention, a front bumper device that is simple to manufacture and simple to assemble is available. As the vehicle moves forward, air rushes into the opening in the front panel. The airflow is efficiently guided towards the air guide by the air deflector. Because the air guidance is efficient, a reduction in the size of the opening 103 can be considered, which improves the vehicle's aerodynamic drag. After passing through the air guide, the airflow reaches the heat exchanger and effectively contributes to its cooling. In the event of a longitudinal impact against the front panel, the plastic shock-absorbing element can absorb a relatively large amount of energy compared to a [material / material] element. shock-absorbing foam provides more effective protection for pedestrians and / or vehicles.

Claims

Demands

1. Front bumper device (1) for a motor vehicle comprising: - a front fascia (104) having at least one opening (103) for receiving an airflow, - a structural cross member (106) supporting the front fascia, and - a monolithic shock-absorbing element (102), the shock-absorbing element comprising plastic, the shock-absorbing element comprising a body (107) positioned between said front fascia (104) and said structural cross member (106), the shock-absorbing element comprising an air deflector (200) extending from said body, and configured to guide or block the airflow received by the opening in the front fascia.

2. Front bumper device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shock-absorbing element (102) is made of plastic and is obtained by molding.

3. Front bumper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a heat exchanger (116), the air deflector (200) being configured to guide at least a portion of the airflow towards the heat exchanger.

4. Front bumper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first space (11), in particular a first longitudinal space, between said body (107) of the shock-absorbing element and the structural cross member (106), and in that the air deflector (200) covers at least partially said first space.

5. Front bumper device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air deflector (200) comprises at least one first fin (204) extending substantially horizontally opposite said first space.

6. Front bumper device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one first fin (204) comprises a set of stiffening ribs (205).

7. Front bumper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an air guide (108) positioned under the structural crossmember (106) and a second space (e2), in particular a second vertical space, between the air guide and the structural cross member, and in that the air deflector (200) covers at least partially said second space.

8. Front bumper device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air deflector (200) comprises at least one second fin (206) extending rearward and downward in front of said second space, to guide the airflow toward the air guide.

9. Front bumper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing element (102) is fixed to the front fascia (104) by at least one fixing clip (202).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front bumper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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