FR2634703A1 - Device for fixing a bumper for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device which gives rise to the transverse separation of the lateral extensions 2 of the bumper 1 under the effect of an impact. It consists of an internal backing strip 11 fixed to the structure 9 of the car and which is provided with a ramp 23 pointing outwards, on which there bears a ramp 17 belonging to an outer backing strip 10 fixed to the lateral extension 2 of the bumper 1.

Description

DEVICE FOR FIXING A BUMPER FOR VEHICLES
AUTOMOBILES
The present invention relates to the lateral attachment of protective elements made of bumper-type composite materials for the front or
I rear of motor vehicles.

These elements, the purpose of which is to locally protect the bodywork from external shocks, can result from the following combination:
- a hull consisting of a longitudinal segment extended by
side extensions,
- one or more energy absorbing elements by deformation, ensuring
the connection of the bumper with the structure of the vehicle.

A push or a shock applied in the longitudinal direction of the car on the longitudinal segment therefore causes the displacement of the bumper towards the interior oe the vehicle body because the absorbing elements are deformed.

Respect for the "flush style" requires embedding the bumper in the bodywork. A minimum leu, determined according to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, separates the elements from each other.

In order that the displacement of the bumper corresponding to a shock considered normal (for example that caused during a parking maneuver) does not damage the elements of the body, there are devices making it possible to guide the upper part of the bumper. -shocks relative to the bodywork: patent No. 88-07237 describes such a device.

But it is also necessary to prevent this displacement which applies to the lateral extensions from damaging the bodywork.

The device according to the invention provides a means which allows - that the lateral extensions of the bumper can move in the
sense of shock, so as not to deform, be damaged, or
damage items such as traffic lights that are
located in these areas of the protection element (for some
versions), - that the said lateral extensions open during movement in order to
to free themselves from the area of the bodywork where they are embedded, - that the displacement at the level of the fixing described according to the invention
provides a certain level of braking.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: - Figure I shows, in a side view, a rear bumper,
mounted in its position on a motor vehicle, - Figure 2 shows a section 1.1 of Figure 1. This section
shows an elevation view of the attachment device for the extensions
side of the bumper, - Figure 3're also shown in section 1.1 of Figure 1.When
the IJ bumper moves in direction A, we see that the wing 2
lateral extension 2 moves in direction B and deviates
thus of the bodywork 3, - Figure 4 shows, on section 2.2 of Figure 2, a form of
embodiment of the device, - Figure 3 shows, in a section 4.4 of Figure 4, a form of
realization of a means of braking the counter blades 1 ′ one with respect to
The other.

These figures illustrate the lateral attachment of a rear bumper of a motor vehicle, partially recessed in order to meet the criteria of "flush style", sought after on certain cars.

It is obvious that this device applies in the same way to the lateral attachments of a front bumper
In FIG. 1, it can be seen that a visible and substantially constant space 4 separates the bumper 1 from the bodywork. This space is determined so as to allow correct mounting of this bumper 1 while taking account of the criteria aesthetics and dimensional dispersions (tolerances) of the elements between them. It is also expected that the bumper 1 can move by a value 5 which corresponds to the travel of the said bumper under a force defined in the specifications of the manufacturer (shock oriented longitudinally at a speed of 4 km / h for example).

It can also be seen that the space 6 comprised between the ends of the lateral extensions of the bumper 2 and the corresponding part of
I embedding in the body is less than the distance 5 described above.

In 7 are installed, in some versions, side signal lights, and in 8 is located the fixing device which is 1 object of the invention.

The connection device allowing the lateral extensions 2 to move away from the bodywork when the bumper I moves under the action of an impact, is illustrated in FIG. 2.

The bumper 1 is linked to the structure of the vehicle 9 by an assembly composed of an outer lateral counter blade 10 and an inner lateral counter blade 11.

The outer lateral counter blade 10 made of plastic like "POLYSTYRENIC POLYESTER" is composed of a sole 12 linked to the protective element 1 by means known as screws 13 passing through holes 14 arranged in said sole . Heels 15 which fit into corresponding grooves in the protective element, support the longitudinal forces exerted on this sole in the event of an impact on the protective element. Two lateral and vertical partitions 16 positioned substantially in the central part of said sole each support a support face 17 sloping with a heel 18, the lowest part of which ends in a stop 19.

The orientation of this slope is such that the stop is oriented towards the end of the wings of the protective element.

The inner counter blade It made of plastic like "POLYSTYRENIC POLYESTER" is composed of a sole 20 fixed by means known as screws 21 to the structure of the car 9. Openings 22 arranged in one of the faces of the inner counter blade allow access to these fixings.

The part opposite the sole 20 coexists with the outer counter blade 10 by a slide of a known type.

This slide has two functions - to maintain lateral parts 2 of the protective element l on
the structure of the car, - authorize a movement in a preferred direction which ensures
the spacing of the lateral parts 2 of the protective element l
while ensuring controlled braking of this movement,
In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the displacement of the protective element 1 in the direction A causes the lateral parts 2 to move in the direction B, which avoids their contact with the bodywork 3.

According to one embodiment, the inner counter blade 11 has two sloping faces 23 opposite the sole 20 and which bear on the sloping faces 17 of the outer counter blade. The central partitions 24 and the cap 25 trap the inner counter blade on the heels 18 of the outer counter blade.

The function of the heel 19 is to prohibit the recoil of the lateral part 2 of the protective element 1, which would cause an effect opposite to that desired, that is to say a penetration of said lateral part into the car body.

Still according to this embodiment, the internal braking of the slide is obtained by tightening at the level of the gorse 26 implanted on the central walls 24 and the cap 25. FIG. 5 describes this device.

Finally, the hollow body design described above of the outer side 10 and inner side blades 11, offers a certain elasticity in compression of these elements, which makes it possible to absorb slight lateral forces applied to the lateral parts of the element. protection 1 without damaging the body 3.

Claims (7)

1. Device for fixing a bumper (1) arranged at the end  of a motor vehicle and which has a longitudinal segment  extended by lateral extensions (2), characterized by the fact  that the device is constituted by a sliding support (17) and (23)  along a ramp facing outward from a structure  carrier (9) so as to cause the transverse spacing of the  said lateral extensions (2) of the structure, under the effect of n  impact on the longitudinal segment of the bumper. 2. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that  that the said fixing system is composed of a counter blade  exterior (10) fixed by known means on each extension  lateral (2) and having a sloping bearing face (17). 3. Fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that  that the said sys: teme of fixation is composed of a counter blade  interior (11) fixed by known means to the structure  carrier (9) of the car, and has a sloping bearing face  (23) which coexists with the sloping face (17) of the counter blade  outside. 4. Fastening device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized  in that the sloping bearing faces of the outer counter blades  (10) and interior (11) are joined together by a  slide of a type known per se. 5. Fastening device according to claim 4, characterized in that  that the slide is provided with a braking means (26) which  causes resistance to the relative movement of the counter blade  outer (10) relative to the inner counter blade (11) and  thus participates in the absorption of the shock energy suportorted by the  bumper. 6. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that  that the outer (10) and inner (11) counterblades have a  hollow structure capable of absorbing light shocks applied to the  side extensions (2). 7. Fastening device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized  in that the outer counter blade (10) is provided with a heel  (19) prohibiting the movement of the lateral extensions (2) in the  opposite direction to that caused by a shock on the segment  longitudinal of the bumper (1).