Mudflap assembly

Abstract

A mudflap assembly 20 for a vehicle 1 includes a mudflap 200 and a bracket 300 for securing mudflap 200 to vehicle 1. Bracket 300 has a laterally extending section (302, Figure 2) and an upwardly extending section 304, with an elongate outboard edge 312 of upwardly extending section 304 shaped to be aligned with an edge 102 of an exterior trim panel 104 defining at least part of a boundary of a wheel arch 106 of vehicle 1. A cross-section shape of an inboard portion of a mudflap-facing surface of upwardly extending section 304, inboard of outboard edge 312, creates in use a gap 306 between the inboard portion and the mudflap 200, so that when bracket 300 secures mudflap 200 to vehicle 1 outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 contacts and applies a biasing force on mudflap 200 against edge 102 of trim panel 104. A system and a vehicle are also provided.

Description

02 07 24 TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present disclosure relates to a mudflap assembly, a system, and a vehicle. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a mudflap assembly for attaching a mudflap to a vehicle. BACKGROUND 10 Automotive mudflaps are known. Such mudflaps typically sit at the back of a wheel arch of a vehicle, are secured by a fixing to the inner wheel arch or wheel arch liner, and hang down from the inner wheel arch or wheel arch liner. Mudflaps prevent soiling of the rear of a vehicle. It is known to provide a mudflap with a returned flange section which hides the joint between 15 the mudflap and the bumper moulding. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated 20 with the prior art. Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a mudflap assembly, a system, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. 25 According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a mudflap assembly for a vehicle, the mudflap assembly comprising: a mudflap; and a bracket configured to secure the mudflap to the vehicle, the bracket comprising a laterally extending section and an upwardly extending section, wherein an elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section of the bracket is shaped to be aligned with an edge portion of an exterior trim panel of the vehicle, wherein 30 a cross-section shape of an inboard portion of a mudflap-facing surface of the upwardly extending section, inboard of the elongate outboard edge, creates in use a gap between the inboard portion and the mudflap, such that when the bracket secures the mudflap to the vehicle the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section contacts and applies a biasing force on the mudflap against the edge portion of the exterior trim panel, the edge portion of 35 the exterior trim panel defining at least a portion of a boundary of a wheel arch of the vehicle. 02 07 24 The bracket is arranged such that the mudflap is between the bracket and the edge portion of the exterior trim panel. An advantage of the configured location of the biasing force is that the mudflap is flush against 5 the edge portion of the exterior trim panel of the vehicle. This flushness improves the fit and finish of the vehicle and reduces dirt ingress. In some examples, an outboard edge of the laterally extending section is shaped to be aligned with a part of the edge portion of the exterior trim panel of the vehicle, wherein a cross-section 10 shape of an inboard portion of a mudflap-facing surface of the laterally extending section, inboard of the outboard edge of the laterally extending section, creates in use a gap between the inboard portion and the mudflap, such that when the bracket secures the mudflap to the vehicle the outboard edge of the laterally extending section contacts and applies a biasing force on a second portion of the mudflap against the part of the edge portion of the exterior 15 trim panel. An advantage of the biasing force on the second portion of the mudflap is further improving the flushness of the mudflap against the vehicle. 20 In some examples, the bracket further comprises at least one fixing point inboard of the laterally and / or upwardly extending section of the bracket, each at least one fixing point configured to enable a fixing to secure the bracket and the mudflap to the vehicle. An advantage of the fixing point being inboard is that the bias force can be provided at the 25 outboard edge of the bracket to further improve the flushness. In some examples, the bracket comprises a first fixing point towards a distal end of the upwardly extending section and positioned laterally inboard of the upwardly extending section. The bracket may comprise a second fixing point towards a distal end of the laterally extending 30 section and positioned vertically inboard of the laterally extending section. The bracket may comprise a plurality of fixing points. In some examples, the bracket further comprises an intermediate fixing point between the first and second fixing points. 02 07 24 In some examples, the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section is continuously convexly curved along at least a portion of its length between a height of the intermediate fixing point and a height of the first fixing point. 5 The curved shape of the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section advantageously provides for increased strength of the bracket. In some examples, the mudflap assembly further comprises an underside fixing point aft of the at least one fixing point, the underside fixing point configured to enable a fixing to secure 10 the mudflap to an underside of the exterior trim panel. The underside fixing point advantageously strengthens the mudflap assembly along an axis perpendicular to the mudflap. 15 In some examples, the bracket further comprises a plurality of strengthening ribs, wherein the plurality of strengthening ribs extend between an inboard edge of the bracket and at least the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section of the bracket. The plurality of strengthening ribs advantageously increase the stiffness of the bracket. 20 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising the mudflap assembly as described above, and the exterior trim panel of the vehicle. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the 25 mudflap assembly described above, or comprising the system described above. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features 30 thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any 02 07 24 originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle; FIG. 2 illustrates an example view of a mudflap assembly secured to a vehicle; 10 FIG. 3 illustrates another example view of a mudflap assembly secured to a vehicle, including a cross-section of an upwardly extending portion of the mudflap assembly; FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the cross-section of FIG 3; FIG. 5 illustrates another example view of a mudflap assembly secured to a vehicle; and FIG. 6 illustrates an example view of a bracket. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 1 in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 1 is a passenger vehicle, 20 also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view and illustrates a longitudinal x-axis between the front and rear of the vehicle 1 representing a centreline, an orthogonal lateral y-axis between left and 25 right lateral sides of the vehicle 1, and a vertical z-axis. A forward / fore direction typically faced by a driver’s seat is in the negative x-direction; rearward / aft is +x. A rightward direction as seen from the driver’s seat is in the positive y-direction; leftward is -y. These are a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction. 30 Embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2-6, provide a mudflap assembly 20 comprising a mudflap 200 and a bracket 300. The mudflap assembly 20 is configured so as to maintain a flush, minimal gap condition, when viewed from the y-direction, between the mudflap 200 and an edge portion 102 of an exterior trim panel 104 of the vehicle 1 that the mudflap 300 is secured to by the bracket 200. This flushness improves the fit and finish of the 02 07 24 vehicle 1 and reduces dirt ingress. The bracket 300 provides a biasing force on the mudflap 200 towards the exterior trim panel of the vehicle 1. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example views of a mudflap assembly 20 secured to a vehicle 1. FIG.3 5 includes a cross-section view of the mudflap assembly 20. FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the cross-section of the mudflap assembly 20 of FIG. 3. Features of the mudflap assembly 20 are aligned to an edge portion 102 of an exterior trim panel 104 of the vehicle 1. The edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 may be a lip or 10 a return flange of the exterior trim panel 104, as shown in the cross-section view of FIG. 3. The edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 defines at least a portion of a boundary of the wheel arch 106 of the vehicle 1. For example, the edge portion 102 may be a curved semicircular edge of the wheel arch 106 of the vehicle 1. 15 The mudflap assembly 20 comprises a mudflap 200, located to the aft of the wheel arch 106. As shown in the side view of FIG. 5, the mudflap 200 may be shaped to be aligned with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 when viewed from the y-direction. The mudflap 200 may be made of a flexible material to enable the curvature, and / or may be moulded into 20 the curved shape. As shown in the side view of FIG. 5, the curvature of the mudflap 200 may be shaped such that when the mudflap 200 is secured to the vehicle 1 there is no gap or substantially no gap between the mudflap 200 and the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. The mudflap 25   200 may be shaped such that the curvature of the mudflap 200 matches or approximately matches the curvature of the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. In other words, the mudflap 200 may be curved to follow the curvature of the wheel arch 106. Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the mudflap 200 may comprise a laterally extending mudflap bottom 30 edge 204 and an upwardly extending mudflap lateral outboard edge 206. The upwardly extending mudflap lateral outboard edge 206 may be longer in the z-direction than the laterally extending mudflap bottom edge 204 is in the y-direction. The upwardly extending mudflap lateral outboard edge 206 of the mudflap 200 may be laterally 35 outboard of the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. The laterally extending mudflap 02 07 24 bottom edge 204 of the mudflap 200 may be below the bottom of the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. These dimensions give the mudflap 200 an enlarged shape protruding down and laterally out from the vehicle 1 to reduce vehicle soiling. 5 The mudflap assembly 20 comprises a bracket 300. The bracket 300 is configured to secure the mudflap 200 to the vehicle 1. The bracket 300 is provided such that the mudflap 200 is between the bracket 300 and the inner wheel arch 106, aft of the vehicle wheel (not shown). The bracket 300 may comprise a stiffer material than the mudflap 200. The bracket 300 may 10 comprise a polymeric material with a greater Shore A hardness. As shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 300 comprises a laterally extending section 302 and an upwardly extending section 304 extending up from the laterally extending section 302. The laterally extending section 302 and the upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 15 may be connected by a curved intermediate portion to form a single integral part. The upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 may be longer than the laterally extending section 302, for example, to extend substantially to the height of the top of the upwardly extending mudflap lateral outboard edge 206. This helps to ensure the flush finish seen in FIG. 5 by spreading mudflap-clamping pressure along a substantial vertical length of the mudflap. 20 The illustrated upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 is slightly laterally inboard of the upwardly extending mudflap 200 lateral outboard edge, and as shown in the crosssection of FIG. 3 is substantially flush with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. 25 The bracket 300 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises at least one fixing point 308. The at least one fixing point 308 is shown inboard of the laterally 302 and / or upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300, i.e., somewhat hidden from view within the inner wheel arch 106. Each at least one fixing point 308 may be configured to enable a fixing 400 to secure the mudflap 200 to the vehicle 1. For example, the at least one fixing point 308 may be a fixing hole to receive 30 a fixing 400 such as a screw. As illustrated, the bracket 300 may comprise a first fixing point 308A. The first fixing point 308A may be towards a distal top end of the upwardly extending section 304 and located to the lateral inboard side of the upwardly extending section 304. The term ‘distal’ in this context 35 means distal from where the sections 302, 304 meet (the intermediate section). The term 02 07 24 ‘towards’ in this context means within L / 4 of the distal top end, where L is the total length of bracket (sum of lengths of 302 + 304). As illustrated, the bracket 300 may comprise a second fixing point 308B. The second fixing 5 point 308B may be towards a distal inboard end of the laterally extending section 302 and positioned vertically inboard of the laterally extending section 302. The term ‘towards’ in this context means at or within L / 4 of the distal inboard end. As illustrated, the bracket 300 may comprise an intermediate fixing point 308C. The 10 intermediate fixing point 308C is positioned between the first fixing point 308A and the second fixing point 308B. The intermediate fixing point 308C may be positioned inboard of the curved portion. By positioning fixing points 308A, 308B close to the distal ends of the bracket 300, and having 15 an intermediate fixing point 308C, the mudflap-clamping pressure is applied widely across the bracket 300 to assist in providing the flush finish shown in FIG. 5. The mudflap 200 has holes (hidden from view) aligned with the fixing points 308 of the bracket 300. 20 The upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 may be curved in the y-z plane. The elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 may be continuously convexly curved along at least a portion of its length between a height of the intermediate fixing point 308C and a height of the first fixing point 308A. 25 The y-z-plane curvature of the upwardly extending section 304 is shaped such that, in use, the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 is positionally aligned with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 in the x-direction. The curvature of the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 may match the curvature 30 of the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 that the elongate outboard edge 312 is aligned with. The curved shape of the bracket 300 provides increased rigidity to the bracket 300 along the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. 02 07 24 The upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 may also be curved in the x-z plane to substantially match the curvature of the mudflap 200 shown in FIG. 5. The upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 has a curved cross-section shape as 5 shown in the detail view of FIG. 4, when viewed in the x-y plane. The upwardly extending section 304 has a cross-section shape such that, in use, its elongate outboard edge 312 is a contactor configured to contact the mudflap 200 and apply pressure to the mudflap 200 against the aftly-located edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104, but a gap 306 is left between an inboard portion of the cross-section of the upwardly extending section 304 and the mudflap 10   200 (‘inboard’ meaning laterally inboard of the edge 312). The cross-section gap 306, laterally inboard of the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304, reduces the area over which clamping force is applied and therefore ensures that the highest mudflapclamping pressure is applied at the edge portion 102. This contributes to the flush finish shown in FIG. 5. 15 The bracket 300 is therefore shaped such that when the bracket 300 secures the mudflap 200 to the vehicle 1, the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 contacts the mudflap 200. The contact between the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 and the mudflap 200 is aligned with the edge portion 102 of 20 the exterior trim panel 104. In this way, the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 applies a biasing force on the mudflap 200 against the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. The biasing force is continuous along the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304. 25 The outboard positioning of the biasing force applied by the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 on the mudflap 200 against the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 ensures the mudflap 200 remains constantly aligned with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 when the vehicle 1 is viewed from the y-direction (FIG. 5). This further helps to maintain the x-z curvature of the mudflap 200 as shown in FIG. 30   5, especially if the curvature of the mudflap 200 in FIG. 5 is the result of flexing out of a planar mudflap shape. In some examples, the laterally extending section 302 may also be shaped such that, in use, a part of a lower outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 is aligned with a lower 35 part of the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. 02 07 24 The laterally extending section 302 of the bracket 300 may have a curved cross-section shape similar to that shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the laterally extending section 302 may have a cross-section shape such that, in use, its lower outboard edge is a contactor configured to 5 contact the mudflap 200 and apply pressure to the mudflap 200 against the aftly-located edge lower part of the portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104, but a gap is created between an inboard portion of the laterally extending section 302 and the mudflap 200. This gap may be a continuation of the cross-section gap 306 shown in FIG. 4. 10 The bracket 300 may therefore be shaped such that when the bracket 300 secures the mudflap 200 to the vehicle 1, the lower outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 contacts the mudflap 200. The contact between the outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 and the mudflap 200 is at least partially aligned with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. In this way, the outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 applies a 15 biasing force on the mudflap 200 against the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104. The biasing force applied by the lower outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 on the mudflap 200 in combination with the biasing force applied by the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 on the mudflap 200, against the edge portion 102 20 of the exterior trim panel 104, biases the mudflap 200 to remain aligned with the edge portion 102 of the exterior trim panel 104 when viewed from the side and from below. In some, but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention, the mudflap 200 may be overmoulded onto the bracket 300 such that the bracket 300 is at least partially encased within 25 the mudflap 200. The overmoulding may be such that the cross-section gap 306 between the inboard portion of the upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 300 and the mudflap 200 is retained. Likewise, the overmoulding may be such that the cross-section gap between the inboard portion of the laterally extending section 302 of the bracket 300 and the mudflap 200 is retained. 30 FIG. 5 illustrates another example feature that the mudflap 200 may optionally have. Specifically, in FIG. 5, the mudflap 200 comprises an additional fixing point to the vehicle 1 in the form of an underside fixing point 202 aft of the at least one fixing point 308. The underside 02 07 24 fixing point 202 is configured to enable a fixing 400 to secure the mudflap 200 to an underside of the exterior trim panel 104. The underside fixing point 202 provides additional strength to the mudflap assembly 20 in an 5 additional plane (the x-z plane) whereas the bracket 300 mainly provides strength in the y-z plane. The underside fixing point 202 may prevent the mudflap assembly 20 from becoming dislodged in the case of an object striking the mudflap assembly 20. FIG 6 illustrates an example aft face of the bracket 300. As shown, the bracket 300 may 10 comprise a plurality of strengthening ribs 310. The plurality of strengthening ribs 310 provide for increased stiffness of the bracket 300. The plurality of strengthening ribs 310 may extend between an inboard edge of the bracket 300 and the elongate outboard edge 312 of the upwardly extending section 304 of the bracket 15   300. The plurality of strengthening ribs 310 may additionally extend between an inboard edge of the bracket 300 and the outboard edge of the laterally extending section 302 of the bracket 300. 20 One or more of the strengthening ribs 310 may be angled towards one or more fixing points 308, relative to one or more other strengthening ribs 310. Some strengthening ribs 310 may splay out from each other with increasing outboard distance from the fixing points 308. This further improves distribution of pressure along the elongate outboard edge 312, from a small 25 number of discrete fixing points 308. The mudflap assembly (20) could be provided on its own or as a system (108) in combination with the exterior trim panel (104). 30 It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to 35 the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. 5 Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. 10 Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed 15 thereon. 02 07 24

Claims

02 07 241. A mudflap assembly for a vehicle, the mudflap assembly comprising:a mudflap; and5                 a bracket configured to secure the mudflap to the vehicle, the bracketcomprising a laterally extending section and an upwardly extending section, wherein an elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section of the bracketis shaped to be aligned with an edge portion of an exterior trim panel of the vehicle, wherein a cross-section shape of an inboard portion of a mudflap-facing surface of the 10 upwardly extending section, inboard of the elongate outboard edge, creates in use a gap between the inboard portion and the mudflap, such that when the bracket secures the mudflap to the vehicle the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section contacts and applies a biasing force on the mudflap against the edge portion of the exterior trim panel, wherein the edge portion of the exterior trim panel defines at least a portion of a 15 boundary of a wheel arch of the vehiclewherein the bracket is arranged such that the mudflap is between the bracket and the edge portion of the exterior trim panel.

2. The mudflap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outboard edge of the laterally 20 extending section is shaped to be aligned with a part of the edge portion of the exterior trim panel of the vehicle, wherein a cross-section shape of an inboard portion of a mudflap-facing surface of the laterally extending section, inboard of the outboard edge of the laterally extending section, creates in use a gap between the inboard portion and the mudflap, such that when the bracket secures the mudflap to the vehicle the outboard edge of the laterally 25 extending section contacts and applies a biasing force on a second portion of the mudflap against the part of the edge portion of the exterior trim panel.

3. A mudflap assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bracket further comprises at least one fixing point inboard of the laterally and / or upwardly extending section 30 of the bracket, each at least one fixing point configured to enable a fixing to secure the bracket and the mudflap to the vehicle.

4. The mudflap assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of fixing points including a first fixing point towards a distal end of the upwardly extending 35 section and positioned laterally inboard of the upwardly extending section, and comprising a02 07 24second fixing point towards a distal end of the laterally extending section and positioned vertically inboard of the laterally extending section.

5. The mudflap assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket further comprises 5 an intermediate fixing point between the first and second fixing points.

6. The mudflap assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section is continuously convexly curved along at least a portion of its length between a height of the intermediate fixing point and a height of the first fixing point.

07. The mudflap assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the mudflapassembly further comprises an underside fixing point aft of the at least one fixing point, the underside fixing point configured to enable a fixing to secure the mudflap to an underside of the exterior trim panel.

58. A mudflap assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bracket further comprises a plurality of strengthening ribs, wherein the plurality of strengthening ribs extend between an inboard edge of the bracket and at least the elongate outboard edge of the upwardly extending section of the bracket.

09. A system comprising the mudflap assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, and the exterior trim panel of the vehicle.

10. A vehicle comprising the mudflap assembly of any of claims 1 to 8.

511. A vehicle comprising the system of claim 9.30

Images