FR3075721A1 - MOTOR VEHICLE BODY COMPONENT COMPRISING A SHOCK PROTECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle body part (2; 102) comprising: - a main body (4), and - at least one protective device (6; 106) of a face (7) of the main body ( 4) against shocks, the protective device (6; 106) of the main body (4) comprising at least one membrane (8; 108) capable of elastically deforming and means capable of deforming the membrane (12; ).

Description

The invention relates to motor vehicle body parts and more particularly to the protection of such body parts.

Certain motor vehicle body parts, the door panels but also the tailgates or even the bumpers, are exposed to possible shocks at low speed or when the vehicle is stationary, for example shocks caused by the opening of '' a door of another vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a parking lot or during a parking maneuver.

In order to protect the body panels, it is known to use protective rods made of plastic material positioned along the body panel.

However, such devices are gradually removed from vehicles for aesthetic reasons and their positioning can be complex in the case of body panels having a significant curvature (such as making an angle) at the exposed area. to possible shocks. Finally, these rods are often too rigid to absorb a shock of the type described above.

It is also known to use “AirBump” type devices comprising air cushions present on the external face of a door panel.

However, these devices have a strong impact on the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle and are always visible from outside the vehicle, whether the vehicle is traveling or parked. Their presence therefore has a very significant impact on the exterior appearance of the vehicle and can even create integration constraints at the level of the bodywork part.

Finally, it is known to use external protections such as protective foam door flanges in order to protect the door panels.

However, it is necessary to manually place the protective tubes when the vehicle is parked and to store them inside the vehicle the rest of the time. The object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a bodywork part comprising an effective protection device for the latter and taking up little space while minimizing the aesthetics of the vehicle when the bodywork part does not require protection. special. To this end, the subject of the invention is a motor vehicle body part comprising: - a main body, and - at least one device for protecting a face of the main body against impact, the device for protecting the main body comprising at least one membrane capable of deforming elastically and means capable of deforming the membrane.

Thus, one obtains a bodywork part protected against shocks by a device comprising a membrane capable of absorbing these shocks, the membrane being able to be deployed in a selective manner by deformation in order to protect a face of the main body only in conditions requiring such a protection, such as when the vehicle is parked or moving at a speed less than or equal to 15 km / h (for example during a parking maneuver). It is then possible to provide that the non-deformed membrane is only very little or not visible, in order not to impact the aesthetics of the bodywork part. This provides a protective device with little or no control over the exterior appearance of the vehicle.

The bodywork part according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics: the means capable of deforming the membrane are capable of deforming it selectively; - The main body protection device against shocks is located on an external face of the main body visible from outside the vehicle when the bodywork part is mounted on a motor vehicle; - the main body protection device has the form of a strip extending over the face of the main body; - The protection device comprises a support for the membrane able to deform concomitantly with the deformation of the membrane; - The means capable of deforming the membrane comprise at least one pusher; - The pusher is capable of being set in motion by a spring capable of changing length under the effect of electrical stimulation; - The means capable of deforming the membrane comprise several pushers capable of pushing an intermediate piece in contact with the membrane; - The means capable of deforming the membrane comprise at least one element made of a shape memory material; - the membrane is made of a shape memory material; - The membrane comprises at least one electrical circuit; - The membrane is suitable for being painted, preferably of a color identical to that of the main body; and - the bodywork part is chosen from a door panel, a tailgate or a bumper. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a bodywork part according to any one of the preceding claims.

Advantageously, the device for protecting one face of the main body is capable of being activated when the vehicle is parked or moving at a speed less than or equal to 15 km / h.

We will now present two embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and in support of the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 is a sectional view of a bodywork part of a motor vehicle comprising a protection device according to the invention, - Figures 2A to 2C are front views of different forms of the protection device according to the invention; - Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views of a motor vehicle body part comprising a protection device according to a first embodiment of the invention, - Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views of a motor vehicle body part comprising a protection device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and - FIG. 7 is a representation of the means capable of deforming the membrane present in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring now to Figure 1 showing a bodywork part 2, which can for example be a door panel, a tailgate or a bumper. The bodywork part 2 comprises a main body 4 which can be made of plastic (for example polypropylene), for example of a thermoplastic material, and a protection device 6 for one face of the main body 4 (FIG. 1 only shows only part of the protective device 6). The face capable of being protected by the protective device 6 is here the external face 7 of the bodywork part 2. External face 7 is understood to mean the face of the main body 4 visible from outside the vehicle when the latter is mounted on a motor vehicle, face exposed to various shocks coming from the environment external to the vehicle.

The protection device 6 comprises a membrane 8 able to deform elastically and means capable of deforming the membrane 8 (able to allow it to form a boss on the external face 7), means described below. The membrane 8 is able to withstand shocks of the type described above (for example a door shock). The membrane may for example be able to withstand such shocks due to its capacity to deform elastically. This capacity for deformation of the membrane 8 allows the latter to pass from a so-called “passive” form, that is to say say a shape visible in Figure 1 in which the vehicle is in conditions in which the shocks mentioned above are unlikely, to a form called "active", that is to say a form visible for example on Figure 3 in which the vehicle is in conditions in which the shocks mentioned above are likely, and vice versa by elastic deformation. The “active” form corresponds to a form in which the membrane 8 forms a boss on the external surface 7 as can be seen in FIG. 3. The “passive” form corresponds to a form in which does not form a boss on the surface external 7 as can be seen in FIG. 1. The membrane 8 can for example be made of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (or EPDM).

The protective device 6 can have the form of a strip comprising one or more membranes 8 as can be seen in FIGS. 2A to 2C on which the protective device can comprise a single membrane 8 (FIG. 2A) or several membranes 8 of identical or different shape, membranes aligned (Figure 2B) or offset from each other (Figure 2C).

The membrane 8 can also be painted, for example in a color identical to that of the external face 7, for reasons of visual integration of the membrane 8 on the bodywork part 2. This painting step can be carried out after assembly. of the device 6 on the main body 4 (at least partially painting the main body 4 / membrane 8 assembly) or before mounting the protection device 6 on the main body 4 (the two are painted separately). The paint used can be a sufficiently elastic paint to absorb shocks such as those mentioned above.

The protection device 6 on the external face 7 can also include a support 10 for the membrane 8. This support corresponds to the part around the membrane 8 and can be used for integrating the membrane 8 on the bodywork part 2. The support 10 can also be painted in the same color as the membrane 8 and that the external face 7 of the bodywork part 2. Alternatively, it is possible to directly integrate the membrane 8 on the bodywork part 2. The support 10 , and more particularly the zones of the latter located in the immediate vicinity of the membrane 8, can deform more or less slightly concomitantly with the deformation of the membrane 8, that is to say that it accompanies the movement of the membrane 8.

The membrane 8 can be selectively deformed. This allows the membrane 8 to pass from the “passive” form to the “active” form and vice versa.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of these means capable of deforming the membrane 8.

In this embodiment of the invention, the means capable of deforming the membrane 8 comprise a control unit 12, for example a housing actuated by electromagnet. This control unit 12 is connected to a power source of the vehicle. In the example illustrated, the control unit 12 comprises a spring 14. The latter may be able to lengthen following an electrical stimulation which can for example lead to its heating. The spring can therefore be made of a shape memory material.

The spring 14 is capable of transmitting its translational movement to a pusher 16 by means of two triangular prisms visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 (the shape of the elements transmitting the movement of the spring 14 to the pusher 16 may be any other, l 'use of two triangular prisms allowing the pusher 16 to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the spring 14). The pusher 16 has one end in contact with a face of the membrane 8. The displacement of the pusher 16 allows the deformation of the membrane 8 as explained above. Stopping the stimulation of the spring 14 leads to its return to its initial retracted shape visible in FIG. 2 and to a displacement of the pusher 16 in a direction opposite to that which led to the deformation of the membrane 8 which consequently returns to its undistorted “passive” form. For energetic reasons, it is possible that the electrical stimulation of the spring 14 may be stopped earlier, the control unit 12 therefore comprising a member making it possible to block the pusher 16 in a position in which it deforms the membrane 8, which member may cease blocking of the pusher 16 thanks for example to electronic control means of this member.

The part of the pusher 16 in contact with the membrane 8 can have various shapes, such as for example a shape of a spherical cap (visible in FIGS. 3 and 4). It can also be a pointed shape that an edge. The choice of this shape can be dictated by the shape of the deformed membrane 8 that it is desired to obtain. It is also possible to provide that the control unit 12 comprise several pushers 16 which may or may not be in contact with the membrane 8. If they are not in contact with the membrane 8, these pushers 16 can push an intermediate part, by example a rigid rod, positioned between the pushers 16 and the membrane 8, part deforming the membrane 8 as it is pushed by the pushers 16. Again, this alternative makes it possible to obtain a shape different from the deformed membrane 8. The use of an intermediate piece can also be achieved with a single pusher 16. The aim here is to obtain a homogeneous deformation of the membrane 8 by means, for example the pusher 16, having a localized action.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 12 is positioned on one face of the main body 4 opposite the external face 6. Consequently, the pusher 16 passes through the main body 4 to interact with the membrane 8.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the means capable of deforming the membrane. In these figures, elements similar to those of the preceding figures are designated by identical reference numbers.

In this embodiment of the bodywork part 102, the means capable of deforming the membrane 108 comprise a control unit 112, for example an electronic control unit. Two potentially cumulative alternatives are therefore possible: - It is first of all possible that the control unit 112 directly controls the deformation of the membrane 108 of the protection device 106. In this case, it is possible, as shown in FIG. 7, that the membrane 108 comprises an electrical circuit 124 capable of stimulating it to obtain a desired deformation. In this case, the membrane 108 is made of a shape memory material, such as a shape memory alloy, with, for example, nickel, titanium, brass, copper or even aluminum. Stopping stimulation by the electrical circuit 124 allows the membrane 108 to regain its undistorted "passive" form. - It is also possible that the control unit 112 controls a deformation member 122 extending between the control unit 112 and the membrane 108. This control can be carried out by electrical stimulation having the consequence of varying the dimensions of the 'deformation member 122 leading to a deformation of the membrane 108 as observed in Figure 6. The deformation member 122 is therefore made of a shape memory material. The membrane 108 may in turn be identical to that of the first embodiment. The surface of the deformation member 122 in contact with the membrane 108 may have shapes identical to those of the pusher 16. It is also possible to place an intermediate piece between the deformation member 122 and the membrane 108 as explained in the first embodiment of the invention.

When the vehicle is stopped or running at low speed (for example at a speed less than or equal to 15 km / h), the membrane 8 or 108 can be in its "active" form in order to protect the external face 7 against possible shocks. This activation of the membrane 8 or 108 can be automatic or controlled by the user of the vehicle. When the vehicle is running at a speed higher than the threshold speed here fixed at 15 km / h, the membrane 8 or 108 is in its "passive" form. The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is in particular possible to provide several protection devices on the same body part.

It is also conceivable that the means capable of allowing deformation of the membrane comprise a gel or a gas whose volume is capable of being modified, for example under the action of an electric current.

Finally, it is possible that the membrane is deformed under conditions different from those set out above, for example at a speed greater than 15 km / h.

List of numerical references 2, 102: bodywork part 4: main body 6, 106: protection device 7: external face 8, 108: membrane 10: membrane support 12, 112: control boxes 14: spring 16: push-button 122 : deformation member 124: electrical circuit

Claims (15)

claims 1. Bodywork part (2; 102) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a main body (4), and - at least one protection device (6; 106) of one face (7) of the main body (4) against impact, the protective device (6; 106) of the main body (4) comprising at least one membrane (8; 108) capable of deforming elastically and means capable of deforming the membrane ( 12; 112). 2. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to claim 1, wherein the means capable of deforming the membrane (12; 112) are capable of deforming it selectively. 3. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protection device (6; 106) of the main body (4) against shocks is located on an external face (7) of the body. main (4) visible from outside the vehicle when the bodywork part (2; 102) is mounted on a motor vehicle. 4. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protection device (6; 106) of the main body (4) has the form of a strip extending on the face ( 7) of the main body (4). 5. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protection device (6; 106) comprises a support (10) for the membrane (8; 108) capable of deforming so concomitant with the deformation of the membrane (8; 108). 6. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means capable of deforming the membrane (12) comprise at least one pusher (16). 7. Bodywork part (2) according to claim 6, in which the pusher (16) is capable of being set in motion by a spring (14) capable of changing length under the effect of electrical stimulation. 8. Bodywork part (2) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, in which the means capable of deforming the membrane (12) comprise several pushers (16) capable of pushing an intermediate part in contact with the membrane (8 ). 9. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means capable of deforming the membrane (12; 112) comprise at least one element (14; 122) made of a memory material of form. 10. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (8; 108) is made of a shape memory material. 11. Bodywork part (102) according to claim 10, in which the membrane (108) comprises at least one electrical circuit (124). 12. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (8; 108) is capable of being painted, preferably of a color identical to that of the main body (4). 13. Bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, the bodywork part (2; 102) being chosen from a door panel, a tailgate or a bumper. 14. Motor vehicle comprising a bodywork part (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. Motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the protection device (6; 106) of a face (7) of the main body (4) is adapted to be activated when the vehicle is parked or moving at a lower speed. or equal to 15 km / h.