EP3969710B1 - Overload bumper for motor vehicle hood - Google Patents

Description

[Technical area]

The invention generally relates to the field of motor vehicle openings. It relates in particular to an overbreaking abutment for the hood of such a motor vehicle.

[prior technique]

The bonnet of a motor vehicle generally consists of an outer panel of sheet metal or plastic material, lined by a metallic inner lining shaped so as to define with the outer panel a hollow body generally following the outline of the bonnet so as to stiffen so that it can be maneuvered without too much warping.

Such a hood is generally pivotally mounted about a transverse axis at its rear edge located close to the windshield of the vehicle and via hinge means.

When it is closed, its front portion moves with greater speed than the rest of the bonnet, since its amplitude of movement is clearly greater.

Therefore, it commonly happens that the front ends of its two peripheral side edges come into contact with the top of the side wings, also metallic, of the structure of the vehicle, which generates parasitic metallic noises that are unpleasant for users.

In addition, such repeated contact between the hood and the top of the side fenders of the vehicle structure also tends to cause peeling of the coating (usually paint) covering the surface of the hood and the side fenders, which has a negative impact on the level of quality perceived by users and can lead to the appearance of corrosion points in the impacted area.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, it is well known to provide overlapping abutments on the hoods of vehicles to prevent any direct contact between their side edges and the top of the side wings of the structure of the vehicle, when they are closed.

These stops also make it possible to ensure that the bonnet is under tension when it occupies its closed position, in order to avoid any micro-displacement of the latter while the vehicle is in motion due to the vibrations generated in the engine compartment.

French patent application FR 3 052 477 A1 discloses such a stop intended to be fixed to the lining of the hood. In the document JP S58 35474 U a slam-shut abutment for a motor vehicle hood is disclosed, comprising a damping body and a quarter-turn type fastening member with a head comprising two lateral branches and shoulders capable of resting in abutment against the upper face of the periphery of an orifice.

The document US2008296931 discloses an overbreak thrust bearing with the same characteristics as the document JP S58 35474U wherein the abutment is rotatable relative to the inner liner.

This stop comprises a damping body made of elastomeric material associated with an attachment member made of a more rigid plastic material such as polyamide or polypropylene and capable of cooperating by snap-fastening with a circular orifice made in the inner lining of the cover.

It is conventionally obtained by molding from a bi-injection mold allowing two different materials to be injected sequentially.

A first injection of plastic material is firstly carried out so as to form the fixing member, the damping body made of elastomeric material being subsequently molded onto this fixing member.

This type of bi-injection mold represents a particularly high investment, of the order of several hundreds of thousands of euros, which has a significant impact on the unit cost price of each overbreaking abutment.

[Disclosure of Invention]

The present invention aims to reduce the cost price of such an overbreaking thrust bearing.

It proposes for this purpose an overlapping abutment for a motor vehicle bonnet of the type comprising an outer panel lined by an inner lining, said abutment comprising a damping body made of elastomer having an upper face intended to rest against the lower face of said inner lining, said abutment also comprising a member attachment secured to said damping body and capable of cooperating with an orifice provided in said inner lining to secure said abutment to said cover; an overclamping abutment in which said attachment member, of the quarter-turn type, is molded in one piece with said damping body, in the same elastomeric material as the latter, said attachment member comprising a projecting base of the upper face of said damping body as well as a head comprising two lateral branches extending transversely on either side of said base and each comprising a respective shoulder spaced from said upper face of the damping body, said shoulders being capable of resting resting against the upper face of the circumference of said orifice so as to enclose said circumference between the latter and the upper face of said damping body; said base having an elongated shape capable of cooperating in its mounted position by form fitting with said orifice so as to ensure the locking in rotation of said abutment vis-à-vis said inner lining.

The overclamping abutment according to the invention has in particular the advantage of being able to be manufactured from a single injection mold whose design is much simpler than that of the bi-injection molds used for the manufacture of abutments equipped with a snap-fastening device.

The investment necessary for the production of such a single injection mold is thus considerably reduced, which makes it possible to substantially reduce the unit cost price of each overbreaking abutment.

• ladite tête présente un profil en chapeau de gendarme ;
• ladite butée présente un perçage borgne s'étendant au travers dudit corps amortissant depuis sa face inférieure et se prolongeant jusqu'au niveau de la tête dudit organe d'attache, ledit perçage borgne étant agencé pour y permettre l'insertion de l'extrémité d'une tige d'un outil de type tournevis ;

• ledit perçage borgne présente un profil tronconique s'amincissant en direction de la tête dudit organe d'attache ;
• ledit corps amortissant présente au moins un évidement s'étendant sur une partie de sa profondeur depuis sa face supérieure ; et/ou
• ladite butée est réalisée en EPDM.

According to preferred characteristics of said overbreaking bearing according to the invention:

• said head has a policeman's hat profile;
• said stop has a blind hole extending through said damping body from its underside and extending to the level of the head of said attachment member, said blind hole being arranged to allow inserting the end of a rod of a screwdriver-type tool;

• said blind hole has a tapered profile tapering towards the head of said attachment member;
• said damping body has at least one recess extending over a part of its depth from its upper face; and or
• said stopper is made of EPDM.

The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising a hood provided with a metallic inner lining as well as such an overbreaking abutment fixed to said lining.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said vehicle comprises two said overlapping stops arranged symmetrically with respect to its median vertical longitudinal plane

[Brief description of drawings]

• [Fig 1] représente une vue schématique de la partie avant d'un véhicule comportant deux butées de surclaquage selon l'invention fixées chacune sur la doublure intérieure de son capot et agencées symétriquement par rapport à son plan longitudinal vertical médian ;
• [Fig 2] est une vue en coupe selon un plan vertical de la zone de fixation de l'une des butées de surclaquage de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig 3] représente une vue de trois quart en perspective de la butée de surclaquage de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig 4] est une vue illustrant une étape intermédiaire du montage de la butée de surclaquage de la figure 1 sur la doublure intérieure du capot ;
• [Fig 5] représente une vue prise de dessous de la butée de surclaquage de la figure 1 en position montée; et
• [Fig 6] est une vue prise de dessus de la butée de surclaquage de la figure 1 en position montée.

The presentation of the invention will now be continued with the detailed description of an embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• [ Fig 1 ] shows a schematic view of the front part of a vehicle comprising two overrun stops according to the invention, each fixed to the inner lining of its hood and arranged symmetrically with respect to its median vertical longitudinal plane;
• [ Fig 2 ] is a cross-sectional view along a vertical plane of the fixing zone of one of the overseating abutments of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.3 ] shows a three-quarter view in perspective of the overbreak abutment of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig 4 ] is a view illustrating an intermediate step in the assembly of the over-clamping abutment of the figure 1 on the inner lining of the hood;
• [ Fig.5 ] shows a view taken from below of the overseating abutment of the figure 1 in mounted position; And
• [ Fig 6 ] is a view taken from above of the overdrive stop of the figure 1 in mounted position.

[Detailed description]

There figure 1 represents the front of a vehicle 1 comprising a bonnet 2 in the closed position.

As shown on the picture 2 , the cover 2 consists of an outer panel of sheet metal 3, lined by an inner metal lining 4 shaped so as to define with the outer panel a hollow body generally following the contour of the cover 2 so as to stiffen it so that it can be maneuvered without becoming too veiled.

The bonnet 2 is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis by its rear edge located close to the windshield 6 of the vehicle by means of articulation not shown.

In order to prevent the front ends of the two peripheral side edges of this bonnet 2 from coming into contact with the top of the side wings 7 of the structure of the vehicle 1 when it is closed, this vehicle 1 comprises two stops 10, 20 along the invention (represented schematically in broken lines on the figure 1 ) arranged symmetrically with respect to the median vertical longitudinal plane and each being fixed against the underside of the inner metal lining 4 of the cover 2.

We will now describe the abutment 10 intended to be fixed against the right front part of the inner lining 4 in support of the figure 2 And 3 , knowing that the abutment 20 intended to be fixed against the left front part of this same inner lining 4 is symmetrically identical to it.

In the following description and by convention, the terms “lower” and “upper” will be defined with respect to the mounting position of such a stop on the inner lining of the cover.

The stopper 10 consists of an elastomer block molded in one piece from a mono-injection mold of material.

It is advantageously made of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer), this material having excellent resistance to atmospheric agents as well as a wide service temperature range.

As a variant, it can be made of another elastomeric material such as natural rubber for example.

With reference to the picture 3 , the abutment 10 comprises a damping body 11 having a P-shaped horizontal section, delimited by a face upper 12 provided to rest against the underside of the inner lining 4 of the cover 2, a lower face 13 and a side face 14.

This particular shape of the stop 10 is chosen in this case to take account of the installation constraints on the cover 2. Alternatively, this shape can of course be different in order to adapt to the specific installation constraints of each reference. of hood.

The damping body 11 has at least one blind recess 15 extending over part of its depth from its upper face 12.

These recesses 15, the number and dimensions of which can be modulated by removing or adding material in the injection mold used to manufacture the stopper 10, make it possible to precisely adjust the overall density of this stopper 10 without changing its material.

The stopper 10 also comprises a fastening member 16, of the quarter-turn type, capable of cooperating with the periphery of an elongated orifice 8 (visible on the figures 3 and 4 ) made in the inner lining 4 of the cover 2 near one of its side edges, so as to ensure the fixing of this stop 10 on this lining 4.

In order to avoid any structural modification of the inner lining 4, the orifice 8 advantageously consists of an existing orifice intended to provide another function, such as for example that enabling the discharge of the cataphoresis.

The elongated orifice 5 in this case has an oblong shape but it can have any other elongated shape as a variant, for example rectangular or elliptical.

The locking member 16 comprises an elongated base 17 projecting from the upper face of the damping body 11 and defining in the direction of its length a longitudinal direction, as well as an elongated head 18 defining in the direction of its length a perpendicular transverse direction said longitudinal direction.

Having a shape complementary to that of the orifice 8, the elongated base 17 is capable of cooperating by shape fitting with this orifice 8 so as to ensure the locking in rotation of the stopper 10 vis-à-vis said inner lining 4, as will be explained in more detail later in this description.

Having a shape capable of allowing it to pass through the orifice 8 when it is aligned with the latter, the elongated head 18 comprises two lateral branches 18A, 18B extending transversely on either side of the base 17 and each comprising a flat lower shoulder 19 separated from the upper face of the damping body 11 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the periphery of the orifice 5.

As will be seen in detail later, these two shoulders 19 constitute surfaces intended to bear against the lower face of the periphery of the orifice 8 so as to enclose this periphery between these two shoulders 19 and the upper face 12 of the damping body 11.

This head 18 also advantageously has a profile in the shape of a policeman's hat intended to facilitate the operations of stripping the abutment 10 from the mold.

As shown on the figure 2 And 6 , the stopper 10 has a blind hole 20 extending vertically through the damping body 11 from its underside 14 and extending to the level of the head 18 of the attachment member 16.

This hole 20 is arranged to allow the insertion therein of the end of the rod of a screwdriver-type tool so as to slightly deform the head 18 of the attachment member 16, so as to slightly lift its two branches. side 18A, 18B to facilitate the rotation of the stopper 10 to its mounted position as will be described in more detail later in this description.

The bore 20 also advantageously has a frustoconical profile tapering towards the head 18 so as to facilitate the operations of demolding the abutment 10.

We will now describe the assembly operations of the overbreak abutment 10 according to the invention in support of the figures 4 to 6 .

Initially, the operator in charge of assembly must position this stopper 10 below the liner 4 so that its head 16 is aligned with the orifice 8, then introduce the head 16 through this orifice 8 with an axial translational movement from bottom to top until the upper face of the base 17 comes to rest against the lower face of the periphery of orifice 8, as illustrated by the figure 4 .

The operator must then force stop 10 to pivot a quarter turn clockwise.

During this movement, the two branches 18A, 18B of the head 18 begin by elastically deforming in contact with the edge of the orifice 8 then rise slightly so as to slide on the upper face of the periphery of this orifice 8.

In order to facilitate this rotation of the stop 10, the operator can introduce the end of the rod of a tool of the screwdriver type through the hole 20 and exert an effort oriented upwards so as to cause the elastic lifting of two branches 18A, 18B of the head 18.

As soon as the stop 10 has pivoted a quarter turn and as illustrated by the figure 5 , the base 17 is fitted by form correspondence in the orifice 8 and the two branches 18A, 18B of the head 18 return to their initial shape.

The operator can then release the stopper 10 which now occupies its mounted position illustrated by the figures 5 and 6 , in which it is axially locked with respect to the lining 4 (the periphery of the orifice 8 being sandwiched between the upper face 12 of the damping body 11 and the lower shoulders 19 of the branches 18A, 18B of the head 18) but also in rotation (the fitting of the base 17 in the orifice 8 preventing any pivoting of this stop 10).

Claims (8)

1. Overlapping stop for hood (2) of a motor vehicle of the type having an outer panel (3) doubled by an inner lining (4), the said stop comprising an elastomer body (11) with a top face (12) intended to rest against the lower face of the inner lining (4), the said stop also including a joint fastener (16) of the said cushioning body (4) 11) and capable of co-operating with an opening (8) in the inner lining (4) to ensure that the said stop is attached to the said cover (2); the said fastener (16), of a quarter-turn type, came from molding of a single piece with the said cushioning body (11), in the same elastic material as the latter, the said fastening organ (16) having a base (17) protruding from the top (12) of the said cushioning body (11) and a head (18) having two lateral branches (18A, 18B) extending across both sides of the base (17) and each having a respective shoulder (19) removed from the upper face (12) of the cushioning body (11), the said shoulders (19) being capable of resting against the upper face of the ring of the said hole (8) in such a way as to tighten make the said rim between the latter and the upper face (12) of the damping body (11), the said base (17) having an elongated shape that is capable of cooperating in its position mounted by shape socket with the said hole (8) so as to ensure the rotating locking of the said stop vis-à-vis the said inner lining (4).
2. Overclutching in accordance with Claim 1, characterized as the head (18) has a profile as a gendarme hat.
3. Overclapping pitch according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized as it presents a bare drilling (20) extending through the said body cushioning (11) from its lower face (14) and extending (16) to the head level (18) of the said body fastening, the said boring borage (20) being the same to allow the insertion of the end of a rod of a screwdriver tool.
4. Overclutching pitch according to Claim 3, characterized as the said borine borage (20) has a truncated profile that is slimming towards the head (18) of the said attachment organ (16).
5. Overclutching in one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the damping body (11) has at least one blast (15) extending over a part of its depth from its upper face (12).
6. Overclustering in one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized as it is performed in EPDM.
7. Motor vehicle consisting of a hood with an inner metal lining (4) and a overclacking stop (10) attached to the said lining (4), characterized by that stop conforming to one of the claims 1 to 6.
8. Motor vehicle according to Claim 7, characterized in that it has two so-called overclutches (10, 20) arranged symmetrically with respect to its median vertical longitudinal plane.

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