ES2363238B2 - SUPPORT FOR REJILLA BAJOPARABRISAS ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

Support (2) for windshield grille assembly (1), which comprises a structural part (9) and a closing part (10), where the structural part (9) is metallic, presenting a static stiffness sufficient to withstand static stresses of the support (2) and a dynamic elasticity high enough to present a progressive reaction in case of impact against the support (2), and where the closing part (10) is substantially a plastic cover connected to the structural part (9 ), provided with air and water channeling means, which serves as a closure for odors and noise coming from the engine compartment. The support (2) has an improved pedestrian impact behavior since by separating the closing part (10) and the structural part (9), it is achieved that the structural part (9) only has to withstand the dynamic and static stresses, Optimizing its function.

Description

Thymus instance to the pedestrian. Thus, the flexible sets

Support for windshield grille assembly.

Technical sector

The invention relates to the support or fundamental structural part of the windshield grille assembly of a vehicle. State of the art

The windshield grille assembly is a vehicle component that is arranged transversely between the lower part of the front moon

or windshield and the rear part of the hood that covers the engine compartment. The functions that the set fulfills are the following: on the one hand, it seals the lower part of the windshield and supports the rear part of the hood (the latter is usually supported on the assembly); In addition, it collects the water that falls through the windshield and channels it to the outside of the vehicle; it also collects air from outside the vehicle and directs it to the passenger compartment; In addition, it insulates the passenger compartment from odors and noise coming from the engine cabin.

The windshield grille assemblies have undergone an evolution over time in order to reduce their weight while retaining their characteristics and qualities. At present, the most common configuration of a windshield grille assembly is that it is formed by a plastic support piece and a plastic windshield grille. The windshield grille is an elongated part that is arranged transversely between the lower part of the windshield and the rear part of the hood, below it. The support, also an elongated piece arranged transversely, is located below the windshield grille. The function of the windshield grille is, among others, to collect (filtering by means of a grille) the water that descends through the windshield and the air outside the vehicle. Between the windshield grille assembly and the rear part of the bonnet, an elastic seal is also provided that provides a seal in the bonnet closure against the assembly.

At present, vehicles must meet strict response requirements in the event of a pedestrian's impact, in order to reduce the injuries suffered by the same in the event that an outrage occurs. Among them, the response of the windshield assembly to an impact is very relevant since the rear part of the hood, area in which the assembly is arranged, is the area of the vehicle on which the pedestrian's head impacts in the event of a frontal hit . Consequently, the design of the windshield grille assembly has been perfected in recent times in order to improve its response to the impact of a pedestrian. These improvements have been based on trying to reduce the reaction force that the assembly exerts on the pedestrian's head during the impact, that is, the deceleration suffered by the pedestrian's head. For this purpose, fuse windshield grille assemblies have been proposed, for example, capable of breaking if a force is exerted on them above a threshold (see eg EP1457395). Flexible windshield grille assemblies are also known, capable of deforming against an impact on them. Currently all of them are manufactured main

or entirely of plastic material.

In practice it has been proven that known solutions based on flexible windshield or fuse plastic windshield grille assemblies are much improved and it has been proven that in practice they are not so much and exert a very high reaction (or deceleration) force on the pedestrian's head, a blow, which is precisely what is intended to be avoided. On the other hand, since the behavior of the plastic depends too much on some environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, there is the fact that the fusible assemblies do not always behave in the same way in the face of an impact, so that they cannot Predict with absolute accuracy at what point or moment its breakage is going to occur or with what magnitude of force the support is broken.

The invention aims to provide a windshield grille assembly design, in particular of the support included in said assembly, whose behavior is predictable, accurate and reliable against a pedestrian impact and which has at least the same qualities as conventional assemblies and supports. Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is a support for a windshield grille assembly, of which they comprise a windshield grille and a support located therein, where said support is not a single piece but comprises a structural part and a closing part. The structural part is metallic, preferably of steel, being rigid at small deformation rates (in static) to withstand the static stresses of the support and being elastic at high deformation rates (in dynamic) to present a progressive reaction in case of impact against the support. The closing part is substantially a plastic cover connected to the structural part, preferably provided with air and water channeling means, which preferably also serves as an odor and noise closure from the engine compartment. That is, the support consists of a plastic transverse cover (closure part) that does not have to meet strict structural requirements.

The metal from which the structural part is manufactured presents a better performance in the face of an impact than the plastic of the conventional supports because it has a very homogeneous impact strength / deformation behavior compared to the plastic, the environmental and / or environmental conditions do not influence it so much. of manufacturing and, in the particular case of steel, its behavior is better known at the high deformation rates that occur in an impact.

A further advantage of the invention is that, since the structural part is covered by the closing part, it is not essential that the metal structural part present or cover the same surface as the closing part (i.e., that the entire support ) but preferably has a skeleton shape, the one necessary to provide the support with its mechanical qualities (stiffness in normal conditions, elasticity before an impact).

The support according to the invention has an improved pedestrian impact behavior since by separating the closing part and the structural part, it is achieved that the structural one only has to withstand the dynamic and static stresses, optimizing its function. In addition to dynamic behavior in the event of a pedestrian head impact, the deformation and reaction of the windshield grille support are very controlled and progressive, achieving minor decelerations of the pedestrian head. These minor decelerations in case of pedestrian impact do not affect the static behavior of the piece. The lower decelerations mean that it can help to obtain the homologation of the vehicle for pedestrian impact according to the mandatory regulations and it is also possible to collaborate in obtaining a better qualification in euroNCAP, which is not mandatory but if it is a tool of Important sale for vehicle manufacturers.

Brief description of the fi gures

The details of the invention can be seen in the accompanying figures, not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention:

-

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the front of a vehicle, very schematically showing a windshield grille assembly.

-

Figure 2 shows a perspective of an embodiment of the support according to the invention.

-

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the support of Figure 2.

-

Figures 4 to 7 show the assembly sequence of the support of Figure 2.

-

Figures 8a11 show various embodiments of the structural part.

-

Figure 12 shows a comparative graph of the force exerted on the head of a pedestrian in case of impact by a conventional support and by the embodiment of Figure 2. Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a very schematic sectional view of the front part of a vehicle, the windshield grille assembly (1) being visible, which comprises a support (2) and a windshield grille (3). The windshield grille assembly (1) is arranged between the lower part of the windshield (4) and the rear part of the bonnet (5). As seen in the figure, the rear part of the hood (5) is supported by an elastic seal (6) which is in turn supported by the support

(2) of the windshield grille assembly (1). On the other hand, the lower part of the windshield (4) is supported by an elastic seal (7) which in turn sits on the “fi rewall” (8) or wall that separates the motor cabin from the passenger compartment.

When a pedestrian is hit, the head of the pedestrian hits the rear part of the bonnet (5), that is, in the bonnet area (5) where the elastic seal (6) is located. It has been found that conventional windshield grille assemblies exert a reaction force on the pedestrian's head, during impact, which is characterized by being reduced at the beginning of the impact (when the hood (5) is crushing the elastic seal (6)) and for growing suddenly resulting in a blow effect on the pedestrian's head (when the elastic seal (6) is crushed to the maximum and the support (2) starts to exert a reaction force).

Figure 2 shows a perspective of an embodiment of the support (2) according to the invention, which comprises a structural part (9) and a closing part (10). The structural part (9) is metallic, presenting a relatively high stiffness to withstand the static stresses of the support (2) and a relatively reduced elasticity but sufficient to present a progressive reaction in case of impact against the support (2). On the other hand, the closing part (10) is substantially a plastic cover connected to the structural part (9). It is provided with means of channeling air and water, which also serves as a closure for odors and noise from the engine compartment. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the support (2) comprises at least one insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) located between the structural part (9) and the closing part (10). Said insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) can be constituted by one or more layers of acoustic insulating materials (which prevent the sound from passing) and / or acoustic absorbents (which attenuate the sound), and its function is to prevent the Noises from the engine are perceived in the passenger compartment.

The structural part (9) is preferably made of steel. For its part, the closure part (10) is made of injected plastic or thermoformed plastic, and preferably polypropylene with mineral load between 10 and 40% if it is made of injected plastic.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the support of Figure 2, once the different components are assembled together. Preferably, as shown, the structural part (9) has a cross section comprising a fixed lower part (9a) and a cantilever folding part (9b). Between them there is an intermediate zone (12) that serves as a pivot axis, so that the cantilever folding part (9b) is able to rotate elastically with respect to said axis of rotation (in the direction of arrow D) when it produces an impact on the upper part of the cantilever folding part (9b). The resistance to rotation of the cantilever folding part (9b) is calculated so that the structural part (9) is sufficiently rigid under normal conditions and sufficiently elastic in case of impact.

As seen in the figure, preferably the structural part (9) keeps the insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) held against the closing part (10). Thus, no specific connection means are necessary to fix the insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) to the support (2).

Figures 4 to 7 show the assembly sequence of the support of Figure 2. Initially, as shown in Figure 4, the structural part (9) approaches the closing part (10) and, in this case, a the insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11). In the present embodiment, the union of the structural part

(9) and the closing part (10) is carried out by means of a mechanical connection, specifically by means of clipping. For this purpose, in the present embodiment, the closing part (10) comprises a housing (13) for housing the fixed bottom part (9a) of the structural part (9) and clipping means (14) to allow the connection by clipping the upper part of the cantilever folding part (9b). Then, the structural part (9) is approaching the rest of the elements, as shown in Figure 5. The fixed bottom part (9a) is introduced into the housing (13) as shown in Figures 6 and 7, until it is enter completely. Finally, the upper part of the cantilever folding part (9b) is clipped to the clipping means (14) of the closing part (10), the support (2) being mounted as shown in Figure 3.

In addition to the mechanical connection (for example in the form of clipping, screwing, etc.) the invention contemplates other embodiments for the connection between the structural part (9) and the closing part (10). For example, the structural part (9) can be fixed to the closing part (10) by gluing. In another example, the closure part (10) may be overinjected to the structural part (9).

Figures 8 to 11 show examples of various embodiments of the structural part (9).

Figure 8 shows a structural part (9) made in the form of a series of bent rods in the form of a portico or an approximate inverted U shape. Each portico has two fixed lower parts (9a), two cantilever folding parts (9b) and an upper cross member (9c). This embodiment has the advantage that the upper cross member (9c) distributes forces between the cantilever folding parts (9b) during impact. In addition, the gap between the lower part of the cantilever folding parts (9b) facilitates the assembly of the structural part (9).

Figure 9 shows a structural part (9) made in the form of a continuous bent rod reproducing the shape of several frames, with at least three fixed lower parts (9a), at least three cantilever folding parts (9b) and at minus two upper crossbars (9c). In this embodiment, an even better distribution of efforts is achieved in all directions, achieving that, although the impact occurs in an area of the structural part (9), the efforts are distributed throughout the structural part (9) and therefore for all the support (2).

A structural part is shown in Figure 10

(9) made in the form of a series of simple rods, each with a fixed lower part (9a) and a cantilever folding part (9b). This embodiment has an easy placement or assembly, and a reduced weight.

In the above embodiments, the rod may have a circular, rectangular, T, H or any other applicable section.

A structural part is shown in Figure 11

(9) made in the form of a die cut fl axis. In this embodiment, as in that shown in Figure 9, a distribution of efforts is achieved throughout the structural part (9).

Figure 12 shows a comparative graph of the force exerted on the head of a pedestrian in case of impact by a conventional support and by the embodiment of Figure 2. The force "F" is represented with respect to the distance "d "Pedestrian head displacement. The behavior of the conventional support is reflected in the curves indicated as A and B. At first, which corresponds to section A1, the head moves a few millimeters receiving a relatively low force. This section corresponds to the folding section of the elastic gasket (6) of Figure 1. When said elastic gasket (6) is fully pressed, the support (2) exerts a very high reaction force and hardly floats, which corresponds to the section A2 of the curve and is equivalent to a strong blow to the pedestrian's head. Subsequently, there is an abrupt decrease in force while the pedestrian's head recedes (section B1 of the curve, with negative displacement and force increases). Finally, it ends with a smooth section B2 during which the support (2) no longer exerts a reaction force on the pedestrian's head and the elastic joint (6) progressively recovers its original shape. The behavior of the support according to the invention is reflected in curve C. As can be seen, the support according to the invention, dissipating the same energy as the conventional support, does not deliver force peaks on the pedestrian's head but dissipates the energy at along greater displacement thanks to the elasticity of the structural element (9). This means that the support according to the invention does not exert a blow on the head of the pedestrian but allows its progressive displacement a greater distance (always limited by the space available for the support), but more smoothly than the conventional support.

Claims (14)

1. Support (2) for windshield grille assembly (1), characterized in that it comprises:

-

a structural part (9) and a closing part (10), where

-

the structural part (9) is metallic, presenting a relatively high static stiffness to withstand the static stresses of the support (2) and a relatively low dynamic elasticity but sufficient to present a progressive reaction in case of impact against the support (2) , Y

-

The closing part (10) is substantially a plastic cover connected to the structural part (9).

2.

Support (2), according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing part (10) comprises means for channeling air and water and serves to close odors and noise from the engine compartment.

3.

Support (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure part (10) is injected into the structural part (9).

Four.

Support (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural part (9) is fixed to the closing part (10) by gluing.

5.

Support (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural part (9) is fixed to the closing part (10) by mechanical attachment.

6.

Support (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural part (9) has a cross section comprising a fixed lower part (9a) and a cantilever folding part (9b) and an intermediate area (12) between both that serves as a pivot axis, so that the folding part in voladi

zo (9b) is able to rotate elastically with respect to said axis of rotation when an impact occurs in the upper part of the cantilever folding part (9b).

7.

Support (2), according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the closing part (10) comprises a housing (13) for housing the fixed bottom part (9a) of the structural part (9) and means of clipping (14) to allow connection by clipping of the upper part of the cantilever folding part (9b).

8.

Support (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the structural part (9) comprises at least one bent rod in the form of a portico, with two fixed lower parts (9a), two cantilever folding parts (9b) and an upper crossbar (9c).

9.

Support (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the structural part (9) comprises at least one continuous bent rod reproducing the shape of several frames, with at least three fixed lower parts (9a), at least three parts cantilever folding (9b) and at least two upper crossbars (9c).

10.

Support (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the structural part (9) comprises at least one single rod with a fixed lower part (9a) and a cantilever folding part (9b).

eleven.

Support (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the structural part (9) comprises at least one die-cut shaft.

12.

Support (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that an insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) is located between the structural part (9) and the closing part (10).

13.

Support (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the structural part (9) keeps the insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer (11) held against the closing part (10).

SPANISH OFFICE OF PATENTS AND BRANDS Application number: 200902066 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 29.10.2009

REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Priority Date:    

51 Int. Cl.:

B62D 10/25 (2006.01)

B60R 21/34 (2006.01)

 RELEVANT DOCUMENTS  

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

US 2004113460 A1 (JUNKER et al.) 06.17.2004, page 2, 1-6.11-13

paragraphs [22-25]; figure 2.

Y

JP 2004217144 A (TOYOTA AUTO BODY CO LTD; TOYOTA IND CORP; 1-6.11-13

TOYOTA MOTOR CORP) 05.08.2004, Summary of the database of

EPODOC, figures 1.3-8.

TO

EN 2293181 T3 (PLASTIC OMNIUM CIE) 16.03.2008, the whole document. 1-6

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 16.09.2010

Examiner A. Fernández Pérez Page 1/5

Application number: 200902066 REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) B62D, B60R Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, search terms used) INVENES, EPODOC Report on the State of the Art (additional sheet) Page 2/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200902066 Date of the Written Opinion: 16.09.2010

Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims 1-13 Claims _____________________________________ IF NOT

Inventive activity

Claims 7-10 YES

(Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims 1-6, 11-13 NO

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. Report on the State of the Art (Written Opinion) Page 3/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200902066 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2004113460 A1 06.17.2004

D02

JP 2004217144 A 05.08.2004

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement Reference is made to the following documents: D01: US2004 / 0113460 D02: JP2004217144 Claim 1: The main object of the invention is a grid support under windshield, characterized by comprising:

(to)

 a structural part and a closing part,

(b)

 the structural part is metallic and has a static stiffness sufficiently high to withstand the static stresses of the support, and a relatively low dynamic elasticity but sufficient to present a progressive reduction in case of impact against the support,

(C)

 The closing part is substantially a plastic cover connected to the structural part. D01 describes an insulation panel between the passenger compartment and the engine shaft, located under the windshield, and constituted by a laminate comprising a first structural layer, made of a metal sheet, such as aluminum or stamped steel, which gives resistance structural to the device. On this first element a layer of insulating material, such as a foam, is disposed on which it is fixed to a final or closing layer, such as a thermoplastic olefin, of greater rigidity. On the other hand, document D02 describes a support structure of a windshield grille, deformable in case of receiving a frontal-superior impact. It is considered that one skilled in the art would attempt to combine the main parts of document D01 with document D02 to obtain the characteristics of the claims. Therefore, the object of this claim does not meet the requirement of inventive activity, in accordance with Art. 8 of Patent Law 11/1986. Claims 2-6 Claims 2 to 6 depend on claim 1 and are characterized in that:

-

 The closing part comprises air and water channeling means and serves as a closure for odors and noise from the engine

(R.2)

-

 The closing part is overinjected into the structural part (R.3)

-

 The structural and closing part are fixed by gluing (R.4)

-

 The structural and closing part are fixed by mechanical connection (R.5)

-

 The structural part comprises a fixed lower part and a cantilever folding part and an intermediate zone that serves as a pivot axis, so that the cantilever part is able to rotate with respect to said axis of rotation before an impact on the upper zone of the cantilever part. (R.6) D01 describes the existence of molded tubes for the passage of fluids between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, so R.2 would not have inventive activity. On the other hand, it is considered within the scope of the usual practice followed by the person skilled in the art to heat inject the closing layer as a way of joining, since it is a well established process in the manufacture of automotive parts. The same can be argued in relation to R. 4 and 5, which are constructive alternatives commonly known in the technical field, so they are not considered to involve inventive activity. In relation to R6, Figures 1 (a), (b) and (c) of document D02 show that the support structure described in that document has the same elements described in the claim, and fulfills the same function, by what is considered that R.6 also has no inventive activity.

Report on the State of the Art (Written Opinion) Page 4/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200902066  Additional sheet Claims 11-13 Claim 11 depends on 6, and is characterized in that the structural part comprises a die-cut strap. Document D02 shows a similar structure in Figures 3 to 8, so this claim also has no activity. inventiveness. Claims 12 and 13 depend on 1 and are characterized in that:

-

 An insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer is located between the structural and the closing part. (R.12)

-

 The structural part keeps the insulating and / or acoustic absorbent layer held against the closing wall. D01 describes the use of an intermediate layer of foam that acts as an insulator of noise and vibrations, this layer being encapsulated between the structural and closing layers described in relation to the first claim. Therefore, the object of these claims is also not inventive. Claims 7-10: Claim 7 describes the construction details of the joint between the fixed part and the structural part, and claims 8 to 10 describe constructive variants of the structural part. None of the above documents show a provision as claimed. Furthermore, it is not considered obvious that a person skilled in the art conceives said arrangement with the characteristics claimed in these claims. Therefore, the invention claimed in claims 7 to 10 is new, involves inventive activity and has industrial application.

Report on the State of the Art (Written Opinion additional sheet) Page 5/5