Emblem device for a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an emblem device (1a) for a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle, the front bodywork element comprising a support (3) and an emblem (4) attached to the support (3), a protruding zone (5) being formed at an upper part (11) of the emblem (4) and projecting with respect to the front bodywork element along a direction of forward travel of the vehicle (X) when the emblem device (1a) is attached to the front bodywork element. The support (3) comprises an intentionally weaker zone (7a) positioned facing the protruding zone (5) of the emblem (4), the intentionally weaker zone (7a) being configured to detach from the support (3) when the protruding zone (5) of the emblem (4) is driven in towards the support (3) in an opposite direction to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle (X) during an impact of an obstacle against the front bodywork element.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: Emblem device for a front body element of a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2309465 filed on September 8, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle body structures, and more particularly to an emblem device for a front body element of a motor vehicle.

[0003] Some body structures include a front structural member positioned at the front of the vehicle, substantially between two front light units and between a front bumper and a hood of the vehicle.

[0004] This front structural element includes an emblem device with a decorative function and on which the vehicle brand is mentioned, for example.

[0005] The emblem device includes a bracket and an emblem attached to the bracket. On some vehicles, the upper portion of the emblem device is positioned at a curved area of ​​the front structural member. This position of the emblem device causes the emblem to form a protruding area that projects away from the front structural member and toward the front of the vehicle.

[0006] This protruding area poses a safety problem because it is positioned at the level of a pedestrian's femur during a front impact.

[0007] When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian from the front, the femur will roll over the curved front of the vehicle. The protruding area then creates a hard point against the femur, increasing the risk of injury to the pedestrian's femur.

[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing an emblem device for a front bodywork element of a vehicle reducing the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of an impact to the front of the vehicle.

[0009] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to an emblem device for a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle. The front body member includes a bracket and an emblem attached to the bracket. A protruding area is formed at an upper portion of the emblem and projects relative to the front body member in a direction of travel of the vehicle when the emblem device is attached to the front body member.

[0010] According to the invention, the support comprises a fusible zone positioned opposite the protruding zone of the emblem. The fusible zone is configured to detach from the support when the protruding zone of the emblem is pressed towards the support in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle during an impact of an obstacle against the front bodywork element.

[0011] The invention thus provides an emblem device for a front bodywork element reducing the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of an impact on the front of the vehicle.

[0012] The energy absorption means prevents the protruding area from causing a hard point against a pedestrian's femur during impact.

[0013] It is thus possible to provide emblem devices with extra thickness projecting from the front bodywork element without danger to pedestrians hitting the vehicle.

[0014] According to one variant, the fusible zone is delimited by a border formed in a bottom wall of the support. The border separates the fusible zone from a main part of the bottom wall and has a thickness less than the thickness of the main part.

[0015] This lower thickness allows the fusible zone to easily detach from the support during an impact.

[0016] According to one variant, the thickness of the border is less than 0.5 mm and is preferably 0.3 mm.

[0017] Alternatively, a cavity is formed in the fusible zone.

[0018] The protruding zone pushes at least partially into the cavity upon impact before the fusible zone breaks, absorbing more of the energy generated by the impact.

[0019] Alternatively, the cavity extends over the entire fusible zone. The cavity is partially delimited by the border.

[0020] This configuration allows for better shock absorption.

[0021] According to one variant, the main part of the back wall includes fixing receptacles. The emblem includes clips intended to fit into the fixing receptacles. The fixing receptacles are positioned outside the fusible zone.

[0022] The fusible zone bypasses the fastener receptacles providing better detachment of the fusible zone.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the back wall comprises a first fixing receptacle and a second fixing receptacle positioned along the edge. The fusible zone is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles.

[0024] The fusible area bypasses the attachment receptacles providing better detachment of the fusible area, while ensuring good attachment of the emblem to the backing.

[0025] According to one variant, the back wall is delimited by a peripheral border. The fusible zone extends to an upper portion of the peripheral border.

[0026] This allows for better detachment of the fusible area at the top of the emblem device.

[0027] According to one variant, the edge comprises a concave end portion connected to two opposite convex-shaped side edges forming a narrowing zone. The first and second fixing receptacles are positioned substantially opposite the two respective side edges.

[0028] This shape allows you to best bypass the fixing receptacles.

[0029] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front bodywork element on which an emblem device as defined above is mounted.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0031] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a front view of an emblem device of a front bodywork element of a motor vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a rear view of a support of the emblem device of Figure 1;

[0033] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the emblem device of Figure 1;

[0034] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the emblem device of Figure 1;

[0035] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a rear view of an emblem device, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the emblem device of Figure 5;

[0037] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the emblem device of Figure 5.

[0038] Similarly, the terms "lower" and "upper" will be understood according to their usual definition, in which the term "lower" indicates a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the term "upper".

[0039] The terms "front" and "rear" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0040] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0041] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a front structural element 2 of a body structure positioned at the front of a motor vehicle, substantially between two front light units and between a front bumper and a hood of the vehicle.

[0042] This front structural element 2 comprises an emblem device 1a having a decorative function and on which the vehicle brand is mentioned, for example.

[0043] The emblem device 1a comprises a holder 3 and an emblem 4 attached to the holder 3.

[0044] An upper portion 11 of the emblem 4 is positioned at a curved area 19 of the front structural element 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This position of the emblem 4 causes the emblem 4 to form a protruding area 5 projecting relative to the front structural element 2 in a direction of advance of the vehicle X, corresponding to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle when moving forward.

[0045] The emblem device 1a is positioned in the center of the front structural element 2 and has an oval shape in the example of Figures 1 to 4.

[0046] According to the invention, the support 3 comprises a fusible zone 7a positioned opposite the protruding zone 5 of the emblem 4. The fusible zone 7a is configured to break when the protruding zone 5 of the emblem 4 is pushed towards the support 3 in a direction opposite to the direction of advance of the vehicle X during an impact of an obstacle, such as a pedestrian, against the front bodywork element 2.

[0047] The fusible zone 7a is positioned at the location of the upper part 11 of the emblem 4, opposite the protruding zone 5.

[0048] The fusible zone 7a is delimited by an edge 10 formed in a bottom wall 6 of the support 3. The edge 10 separates the fusible zone 7a from a main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 and has a thickness less than the thickness of the main part 29.

[0049] The thickness of the border 10 is less than 0.5 mm and preferably 0.3 mm.

[0050] The thickness of the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 is greater than 0.5 mm.

[0051] The border 10 has a width greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0052] The edge 10 forms a line of weakness, more easily broken than the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6.

[0053] According to one embodiment, a cavity 30 is formed in the fusible zone 7a.

[0054] In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the cavity 30 is delimited by the border 10 and extends over the entire fusible zone 7a. The cavity 30 comprises an internal wall 20 connected to the main part 29 of the bottom wall 6 by a peripheral edge 35.

[0055] The cavity 30 is positioned opposite the protruding zone 5 and is configured to receive at least a portion of the protruding zone 5 during its deformation during the impact.

[0056] When the front structural element 2 strikes a pedestrian's femur at the location of the emblem device 1a, the upper part 11 of the emblem 4 deforms and moves back towards the support 3 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle X. At least a part of the protruding zone 5 of the emblem 4 sinks into the cavity 30. The pressure exerted by the protruding zone 5 on the internal wall 20 of the cavity 30 causes the edge 10 of the fusible zone 7a to break, thus absorbing the mechanical energy by the deformation of the emblem 4.

[0057] The upper part 11 of the emblem 4 is able to pivot around a transverse axis running along a concave end part 15 of the edge 10 during impact.

[0058] The cavity 30 has a depth adapted to allow the movement or free rotation of the protruding zone 5 between its initial position and its final position in which it has moved back towards the cavity 30 without striking the internal wall 20 of the cavity 30.

[0059] The cavity 30 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of advance of the vehicle X, towards the front structural element 2, that is to say towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0060] In the example of Figures 1 to 4, only the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 comprises fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21. The emblem 4 comprises clips 25 intended to be inserted into the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0061] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 each comprise an orifice 24 receiving the clip 25.

[0062] Other means of attachment may be used.

[0063] Advantageously, the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned outside the fusible zone 7a and the cavity 30. The fusible zone 7a does not include any fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0064] The border 10 partially delimits the fusible zone 7a and goes around the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0065] The main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 comprises a first fixing receptacle 8 and a second fixing receptacle 9 positioned along the edge 10. The fusible zone 7a is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles 8, 9.

[0066] The main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 comprises two additional fixing receptacles 21 positioned at a lower part 23 of the support 3.

[0067] The bottom wall 6 is delimited by a peripheral border 12 forming a housing 13 receiving the emblem 4.

[0068] The fusible zone 7a extends from the vicinity of a central zone 27 of the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 to an upper portion 14 of the peripheral edge 12.

[0069] The fusible zone 7a is delimited by the edge 10 and by the upper portion 14 of the peripheral edge 12 which is arched.

[0070] The edge 10 of the fusible zone 7a comprises a concave end portion 15 connected to two opposite lateral edges 16a, 16b of convex shape forming a narrowing zone 17.

[0071] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges 16a, 16b. The first fixing receptacle 8 runs along a first lateral edge 16a and the second fixing receptacle 9 runs along a second lateral edge 16b.

[0072] The cavity 30 has a depth e of at least 0.5 mm.

[0073] As illustrated in Figure 3, the depth e of the cavity 30 is variable. The depth e of the cavity 30 is greater at the location of the concave end portion 15 and gradually decreases to the upper portion 14 of the peripheral edge 12 of the support 3.

[0074] Alternatively, the depth e of the cavity 30 may be constant.

[0075] According to another embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the emblem device 1b comprises a support 3 comprising a fusible zone 7b.

[0076] Emblem device 1b has a general shield shape.

[0077] The emblem device 1b is almost similar to that of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 but the cavity 31 formed in the fusible zone 7b does not extend to an upper portion 18 of a peripheral edge 12 of the support 3.

[0078] The fusible zone 7b is delimited by the border 10 and by the upper portion 18 of the peripheral border 12 which is rectilinear.

[0079] The fusible zone 7b extends from the vicinity of a central zone 27 of the main wall 29 of the bottom wall 6 to the upper portion 18 of the peripheral edge 12.

[0080] The support 3 comprises a bottom wall 6 comprising fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21. The emblem 4 comprises clips 25 intended to be inserted into the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0081] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 each comprise an orifice 24 receiving the clip 25.

[0082] Advantageously, the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned outside the fusible zone 7b. The fusible zone 7b does not include any fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0083] The border 10 goes around the fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21.

[0084] The bottom wall 6 comprises a first fixing receptacle 8 and a second fixing receptacle 9 positioned along the edge 10. The fusible zone 7b is positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles 8, 9.

[0085] The bottom wall 6 is delimited by the peripheral edge 12 forming a housing 13 receiving the emblem 4.

[0086] The bottom wall 6 comprises four additional fixing receptacles 21 running along the peripheral edge 12.

[0087] The edge 10 has a V shape and comprises a rounded end 22 connected to two opposite and substantially rectilinear lateral edges 16a, 16b.

[0088] The fixing receptacles 8, 9, 21 are positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges 16a, 16b. The first fixing receptacle 8 runs along a first lateral edge 16a and the second fixing receptacle 9 runs along a second lateral edge 16b.

[0089] The cavity 31 has a U shape and comprises a bottom 33 connected to an internal wall 20 of the fusible zone 7b by a side wall 34. The cavity 31 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of advance of the vehicle X, towards the front structural element 2, that is to say towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0090] The cavity 31 has a depth e of at least 0.5 mm.

[0091] As illustrated in Figure 6, the depth e of the cavity 31 is variable. The depth e of the cavity 31 is greater at the location of the rounded end 22 of the edge 10 and gradually decreases to the upper portion 18 of the peripheral edge 12 of the support 3.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Emblem device (1a, 1b) for a front body element (2) of a motor vehicle, the front body element (2) comprising a support (3) and an emblem (4) fixed to the support (3), a protruding area (5) being formed at an upper portion (11) of the emblem (4) and projecting relative to the front bodywork element (2) in a direction of advancement of the vehicle (X) when the emblem device (1a, 1b) is fixed to the front bodywork element (2), characterized in that the support (3) comprises a fusible area (7a, 7b) positioned opposite the protruding area (5) of the emblem (4), the fusible area (7a, 7b) being configured to detach from the support (3) when the protruding area (5) of the emblem (4) is pressed towards the support (3) in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X) when an obstacle hits the front body element (2).

2. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fusible zone (7a, 7b) is delimited by a border (10) formed in a bottom wall (6) of the support (3), the border (10) separating the fusible zone (7a, 7b) from a main part (29) of the bottom wall (6) and having a thickness less than the thickness of the main part (29).

3. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the border (10) is less than 0.5 mm and is preferably 0.3 mm.

4. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that a cavity (30, 31) is formed in the fusible zone (7a, 7b).

5. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 4, characterized in that the cavity (30) extends over the entire fusible zone (7a, 7b), the cavity (30) being partly delimited by the border (10).

6. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the main part (29) of the bottom wall (6) comprises fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21), the emblem (4) comprising clips (25) intended to be inserted into the fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21), the fixing receptacles (8, 9, 21) being positioned outside the fusible zone (7a, 7b).

7. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom wall (6) comprises a first fixing receptacle (8) and a second fixing receptacle (9) positioned along the edge (10), the fusible zone (7a, 7b) being positioned between the first and second fixing receptacles (8, 9).

8. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the bottom wall (6) is delimited by a peripheral border (12), the fusible zone (7a, 7b) extending to an upper portion (14) of the peripheral border (12).

9. Emblem device (1a, 1b) according to claim 7, characterized in that the border (10) comprises a concave end portion (15) connected to two opposite lateral edges (16a, 16b) of convex shape forming a narrowing zone (17), the first and second fixing receptacles (8, 9) being positioned substantially opposite the two respective lateral edges (16a, 16b).

10. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a front bodywork element (2) on which is mounted an emblem device (1a, 1b) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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