FR3140592A1 - Vehicle door comprising a housing for a defrost scraper and associated defroster scraper - Google Patents

Abstract

This front side door (2) of a vehicle (1) comprises a front end (4) intended to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle (1) between a closing position of the vehicle (1) and an opening position of the vehicle (1), the door (2) comprising an interior panel (5), an exterior panel (6) and a housing (10) for a defrost scraper, characterized in that the housing (10) comprises an upper portion (12) and a lower portion (13) arranged in the vertical extension of the upper portion (12), the upper portion (12) being hollowed out in the inner panel (5) and extending between a high end (12a) and a low end (12b) opening onto the lower portion (13), the lower portion (13) being arranged between the interior (5) and exterior (6) panels. Figure for abstract: Fig 1

Description

Vehicle door comprising a housing for a defrost scraper and associated defroster scraper

The invention relates, in general, to defrosting scrapers used to defrost the windows of a motor vehicle, and relates more particularly to a door of a vehicle equipped with a specific housing for storing such a defrosting scraper, as well as a suitable scraper.

Previous techniques

Defrost scrapers or squeegees have long been used to remove frost from vehicle windows.

Typically, such a defrost scraper is kept in the vehicle in one of the vehicle's non-dedicated storage spaces, so it is common for the user to waste time looking for it when they need it.

To remedy this, it is known to use means of fixing the scraper in the vehicle, for example in the cover of the fuel flap.

However, this solution is not ergonomic, the fuel flap is generally very far from the user and the windshield, and requires the user to open the flap to access the scraper, which can cause forgetfulness, for example. example of closing the trap door, and causing material consequences. In addition, the fuel flap is not a natural place for such an accessory, the user may not think to go and get the scraper there.

In addition, after using the defrost scraper, it is common for the user not to take the trouble to clean the frost residue clinging to the scraper and to place the scraper directly in its storage. However, frost residue melts on contact with the heat of the vehicle, and causes water to flow into the storage and/or inside the vehicle, which can cause material damage.

The present invention therefore aims to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a defrosting scraper and a door equipped with a housing adapted to receive the scraper and allowing, for reduced manufacturing costs, to evacuate the frost residues remaining on the scraper.

Another aim of the invention is to propose a defrosting scraper and a motor vehicle door which are ergonomic.

The invention therefore relates to a front side door of a vehicle comprising a front end intended to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle between a closing position of the vehicle and an opening position of the vehicle, the door comprising an interior panel, an exterior panel and a housing for a defrost scraper.

The housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion arranged in the vertical extension of the upper portion, the upper portion being hollowed out in the interior panel and extending between a high end and a low end opening onto the lower portion, the lower portion being arranged between the interior and exterior panels.

Advantageously, the upper portion comprises a trapezoidal recess hollowed out in the interior panel and configured to accommodate a scraping portion of the scraper, the lower portion comprising a case configured to partially enclose the handle of the scraper for immobilizing the scraper.

Preferably, the case comprises an open upper end in contact with the lower end of the upper portion, and a closed oblique lower end.

Advantageously, the lower end of the case comprises a hole, the housing comprising a water flow conduit fixed to the hole in the lower end of the case for the flow of water collected at the bottom of the case. 'case.

Advantageously, the water flow conduit opens into a space delimited between the exterior panel and a door box equipped with a water drain hole.

In one embodiment, the housing is arranged at a distance from the front end less than 25% of the total length of the door.

Thus, the accommodation is located close to the user of the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a defrost scraper configured to be housed in a suitable housing of a front side door of a vehicle as described above.

Advantageously, the scraper comprises a handle and a scraping portion, the handle being trapezoidal and comprising a first end and a second end opposite and parallel to each other, the scraping portion extending from the second end of the handle, the second end being longer than the first end, the handle comprising a curved intermediate portion connecting the first end to the second end, the scraper comprising a first extra thickness on the first end of the handle and a second extra thickness on the second end of the handle, the first and second extra thicknesses extending from a lower surface of the handle.

Advantageously, the scraping portion forms an acute angle with a tangent to the point of an upper surface of the second end of the handle so that the scraper has a curved profile.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a front side door as described above and pivotally mounted on the vehicle between an opening position of the vehicle and a closing position of the vehicle, this door comprising a housing for a defrost scraper such as described above, the vehicle comprising a dashboard, the front side door comprising a support zone intended to be in contact in the closed position of the dashboard, the housing for the defrost scraper being located in the zone of support.

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

illustrates a vehicle and a vehicle door in the open position according to the invention;

illustrates a front side door equipped with a housing for a defrost scraper according to the invention;

illustrates the housing of the front side door of the without the interior panel;

illustrates a rear view of the interior panel of the door according to the invention;

illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the door according to the invention in the closed position;

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the door housing according to the invention and the defrost scraper according to the invention;

illustrates a top view of a defrost scraper according to the invention; And

illustrates a profile view of the defrosting scraper according to the invention, applied to a frosted window of a vehicle.

Detailed presentation of at least one embodiment

We have partially represented on the a vehicle 1 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a front side door 2 and a dashboard 3 arranged at the front of the vehicle 1.

For the purposes of the description, we refer to a direct orthonormal reference mark conventionally used in automobile design, in which the axis The Y axis designates the transverse direction from left to right, facing right, and the Z axis designates the vertical direction, facing upward.

The front side door 2 comprises a front end 4 pivotally mounted on the vehicle 1 between a closing position of the vehicle and an opening position of the vehicle 1. On the , door 2 is in the open position of vehicle 1.

There schematically illustrates the front side door 2 in cross section along a plane perpendicular to the axis , the rest of the vehicle 1 is not shown, but the door 2 is illustrated in the closed position in order to facilitate the description of the elements in relation to the reference previously described.

The front side door 2 comprises an interior panel 5 and an exterior panel 6. The interior 5 and exterior panels 6 form the external surface of the door 2.

The interior panel 5 is arranged on the side of the door 2 intended to be inside the vehicle 1 when the door 2 is in the closed position of the vehicle.

The front side door 2 further comprises a door box 7 disposed between the interior panel 5 and the exterior panel 6. More precisely, the door box 7 is the metal frame of the door 2, and comprises a high portion 7a framing a window 8 of the door 2, as well as a lower portion formed by a metal plate 7b placed between the interior 5 and exterior 6 panels.

In known manner, the window 8 is able to slide between an deployed position and a retracted position in which it is housed in a space between the door box 7 and the exterior panel 6. Thus, the door box 7 separates a zone wet area of a dry area within the door 2, the wet area being arranged between the metal plate 7b and the exterior panel 6 and the dry area being arranged between the metal plate 7b and the interior panel 5.

The upper portion 7a of the box 7 is not shown on the .

The outer panel 6 has a substantially concave profile with respect to the metal plate 7b, and is fixed by its high and low ends to the high and low ends of the metal plate 7b, thus defining the wet zone.

When window 8 of door 2 is lowered, it is housed in this wet zone. Holes are made at the lower end intended to face the ground of the box 7 and the exterior panel 6 to evacuate the water entering the wet zone, for example through the window 8.

The interior panel 5 comprises an armrest 9 extending longitudinally along the axis X on the door 2 in the closed position.

There illustrates a front view of the front side door 2 of the vehicle 1. The front side door 2 comprises a housing 10 for a defrost scraper, in which a defrost scraper 11 according to the invention is intended to be inserted and which will be described more late.

The dashboard 3 extends transversely in the vehicle 1 and comprises a side face 3a at each of its transverse ends.

The door 2, and more particularly the interior panel 5, comprises a support zone 2a intended to be in contact with the dashboard 3 when the door 2 is in the closed position of the vehicle 1. The support zone 2a is thus configured to rest against the side face 3a of the dashboard 3. In other words, the support zone 2a constitutes a part of the interior panel 5 having a shape complementary to the side face 3a of the dashboard 3 , so that the door 2 and the dashboard 3 cooperate without causing material damage to the vehicle 1 when opening and/or closing the vehicle 1.

The support zone 2a is thus located on the interior panel 5, and extends from the front end 4, for example over a distance of approximately 25% of the total longitudinal length of the door 2.

The housing 10 for the defrost scraper is located on the support zone 2a, and is therefore arranged at a distance from the front end 4 less than 25% of the total longitudinal length of the door 2.

The housing 10 comprises an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 13, and is illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6.

There illustrates a front view of the door 2 such that the , on which the inner panel 5 is shown in transparency.

There illustrates a view of the rear face of the door 2, on which the exterior panel 6 and the box 7 are not shown in order to reveal the back of the interior panel 5.

The upper portion 12 of the housing 10 is hollowed out in the interior panel 5, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The upper portion 12 thus comprises a trapezoidal cavity hollowed out in the support zone 2a of the interior panel 5.

In other words, the upper portion 12 comprises a upper end 12a and an opposite lower end 12b which are parallel to each other, giving the upper portion 12 a trapezoid shape of which the upper end 12a and the lower end 12b are respectively the large base and the small base. In fact, the upper end 12a is longer longitudinally than the lower end 12b.

The lower portion 13 is arranged in the direct vertical extension of the upper portion 12, so that the lower end 12b of the upper portion 12 is in contact with a upper end 13a of the lower portion 13.

The lower portion 13 is a case comprising the upper end 11a and a lower end 13b.

The case is secured to the interior panel 5 by fixing means illustrated on the . These fixing means include for example screws introduced into tabs formed on the side walls of the case 13.

The lower portion 13 is arranged between the interior panel 5 and the exterior panel 6, and more precisely between the interior panel 5 and the metal plate 7b of the box 7. Thus, the lower end 12b of the upper portion 12 and the lower end upper portion 13a of the lower portion 13 are open so that the upper portion 12 opens onto the opening of the case of the lower portion 13.

The lower end 13b of the case of the lower portion 13 is configured to converge frost residues remaining on the defrost scraper 11 and having melted in contact with the heat of the vehicle 1. More precisely, the bottom of the lower end 13b of the case of the lower portion 13 is oblique so that the recovered water converges towards a hole 14 dug in a corner of the lower end 13b located lowest which is visible in Figures 2 and 3.

The housing 10 further includes a water flow conduit 13c mounted in the hole 14 such that water converging toward the hole 14 enters the water flow conduit 13c. The water flow conduit 13c comprises a first end fixed to the hole 14 and opens through a second end into the wet zone between the box 7 and the exterior panel 6. In this way, the water under the effect of the Gravity flows through the wet area to the drainage holes previously described. Thus, the housing 10 according to the invention uses a pre-existing means of evacuation of water and therefore generates reduced manufacturing costs and constraints.

The armrest 9 is fixed to the interior panel 5 by an armrest reinforcement means 9a fixed to the interior panel 5 inside the door 2a and configured to maintain and stiffen the armrest 9. The armrest reinforcement means The armrest 9a extends over the entire length of the armrest 9 longitudinally on the interior panel 5, and is fixed to the interior panel 5 by a plurality of fixing means such as screws as illustrated in the .

Preferably, the case 13 forming the lower portion of the housing 10 is directly machined on the means of reinforcing the armrest 9a, in order to reduce costs, so that the case 13 and the reinforcement part of the armrest 9a form a single piece.

The scraper 11 is shown inserted in the housing 10 in Figures 3 and 6.

There illustrates a view of the housing 10 and the scraper 11 in a cross section of the vehicle 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

There represents a top view of the scraper 11, that is to say a view of an upper surface 11a of the scraper 11. The scraper 11 also comprises an opposite lower surface 11b, visible in the profile view of the scraper 11 illustrated on there .

The scraper 11 comprises a handle 15 and a scraping portion 16.

The handle 15 is trapezoidal and thus comprises a first end 15a and a second opposite end 15b, the two ends 15a and 15b being parallel to each other, and respectively constituting the small base and the large base of the trapezoid. In other words, the second end 15b is longer than the first end 15a.

As visible on the which represents a profile view of the scraper 11, the handle 15 comprises an intermediate body 15c connecting the two ends 15a and 15b.

The intermediate body 15c of the handle 15 is curved, as demonstrated by arrows 17 on the .

The handle further comprises two lateral edges 15d and 15e each connecting the ends 15a and 15b to one side of the handle 15.

The corners defined by the edges 15d and 15e with the first end 15a are rounded so as to avoid injuring the user.

The scraping portion 16 extends from the second end 15b and extends the handle 15 over substantially the entire length of the second end 15b in order to maximize the scraping range.

The scraping portion 16 comprises a scraping blade 16a at its end opposite the handle 15.

The scraping portion 16 forms an angle with the handle 15, accentuating the curvature of the intermediate body 15c. More precisely, the scraping portion forms an acute angle α with the tangent 18 at the point of the upper surface 11a of the second end 15b. Preferably, the angle is between 5 and 50 degrees.

In this way, the scraper 11 has a curved profile. In other words and as shown on the , the scraper 11 has a convex profile relative to a window 19 on which it is intended to be used. Thus, the hold of the scraper 11 is improved and reinforced during its use. In fact, the user of the scraper 11 applies a force on the scraper 11 illustrated by a plurality of arrows 20. The curved shape of the profile of the scraper 11 makes it possible to convert these forces 20 into a force applied to the frosted window 19 at a point of contact with the scraping portion 16, as well as to compensate for the resulting counter-forces 17 in order to avoid wear or even breakage of the scraper 11.

Also, the curved profile of the scraper 11 avoids vibrations and parasitic micro-movements during its use.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the , the curved shape of the scraper profile 11 is complementary to the shape of the dashboard 3, and more particularly of the side face 3a of the dashboard 3. Thus, this allows the scraper 11 to better integrate into the environment and the covering of the vehicle 1 and the housing 10.

The scraper 11 comprises a first extra thickness 21a and a second extra thickness 21b both extending from the lower surface 11b of the scraper 11.

The first extra thickness 21a is placed on the first end 15a of the handle 15, and the second extra thickness 21b is placed on the second end 15b of the handle, at the level of the junction with the scraping portion 16.

The first extra thickness 21a and the second extra thickness 21b constitute local reinforcements improving the rigidity of the scraper 11.

Apart from the extra thicknesses 21a and 21b, the thickness of the scraper 11 is 2 to 3 millimeters in order to ensure sufficient rigidity.

Thus, the scraper 11 and the housing 10 have complementary shapes.

In reference to the , the upper portion 12, and more precisely the trapezoidal imprint, is configured to accommodate the scraping portion 16 and more generally to receive the widest part of the trapezoidal handle 15 constituted by a first section S1 of the scraper 11 extending from the scraping blade 16a to a point on the handle 15 for which the width of the scraper 11 is substantially equal to the dimension of the opening of the upper end 13a of the lower portion 13. The trapezoidal imprint has a shape identical to that of the first section S1 of the scraper 11, the imprint however having a width greater than 2 to 4 millimeters that of the first section S1 at any point of the first section S1 in order to guide the insertion and removal of the scraper 11 in housing 10.

The lower portion 13 of the housing 10 is configured to partially grip the handle 15 of the scraper 11.

In particular, the lower portion 13, and more particularly the upper end 13a of the case, is of a dimension greater than the width of the first end 15a of the handle and less than the maximum width of the handle 15, of so that the lower portion 13 is configured to partially enclose the handle 15 of the scraper 11.

Indeed, the scraper 11 is capable of being partially introduced into the case of the lower portion 13. More particularly, the handle 15 comprises a second section S2 intended to be inserted into the lower portion 13, and extending between the first end 15a and the point of the handle 15 for which the width of the handle 15 is substantially equal to the maximum dimension of the opening of the lower portion 13, this point already constituting one end of the first section S1. The length of this second section S2 is thus sufficiently large to ensure the maintenance and immobilization of the scraper 11 in the housing 10.

The case of the lower portion 13 is thus capable of blocking the vertical translation of the scraper 11 in the housing 10, while receiving a sufficiently large part of the scraper 11 to ensure the maintenance and immobilization of the scraper 11 in the housing 10.

The insertion of the scraper 11 into the housing 10 is therefore done by means of a vertical translation along the Z axis of the scraper 11 first in the upper portion 12 then in the lower portion 13.

More particularly, the first end 15a of the handle 15 is first introduced into the upper end 12a of the upper portion 12 of the housing 10, before the rest of the scraper 11 is slid into the housing 10 according to a translation movement vertical.

The removal of the scraper 11 from the housing 10 consists of an identical translation movement in the opposite direction.

The housing 10 being arranged on the support zone 2a is in fact mainly not visible to the user when the door is in the closed position.

However, if the housing 10 is arranged in an upper rear corner of the support zone 2a, part of the housing 10 can remain visible to the user when the door 2 is in the closed position, so as to allow verification that the scraper 11 is present in housing 10.

In addition, the movement of insertion and extraction of the scraper 11 from the housing 10 consisting of a vertical translation movement, it is possible to insert or extract the scraper 11 even when the door is in the closed position when the housing 10 is positioned on the support zone adequately.

In a second mode of implementation, the housing 10 is arranged in a centered zone of the door 2 so that the scraper is more easily extractable when the door 2 is in the closed position.

In other implementation modes, the housing 10 can be equipped with electrical connections allowing for example to recharge a battery of the scraper 11.

Optionally, the scraper 11 can be manufactured by injection and 3D printing.

Claims (10)

Front side door (2) of a vehicle (1), comprising a front end (4) intended to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle (1) between a closing position of the vehicle (1) and an opening position of the vehicle (1), the door (2) comprising an interior panel (5), an exterior panel (6) and a housing (10) for a defrost scraper, characterized in that the housing (10) comprises an upper portion (12) and a lower portion (13) arranged in the vertical extension of the upper portion (12), the upper portion (12) being hollowed out in the inner panel (5) and extending between a high end (12a) and a low end (12b) opening onto the lower portion (13), the lower portion (13) being arranged between the interior (5) and exterior (6) panels. Door according to claim 1, in which the upper portion (12) comprises a trapezoidal recess hollowed out in the interior panel (5) and configured to accommodate a scraping portion (16) of the scraper (11), the lower portion comprising a case ( 13) configured to partially grip a handle (15) of the scraper (11) for immobilizing the scraper (11). Door according to claim 2, in which the case (13) comprises a high end (13a) open in contact with the low end (12b) of the upper portion (12), and a low end (13b) oblique closed. Door according to claim 3, in which the lower end (13b) of the case (13) comprises a hole (14), the housing (10) comprising a water flow conduit (13c) fixed to the hole ( 14) of the lower end (13b) of the case (13) for the flow of water collected at the bottom of the case (13). Door according to claim 4, in which the water flow conduit (13c) opens into a space delimited between the exterior panel and a box (7) of the door equipped with a water drain hole. Door according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the housing (10) is arranged at a distance from the front end (4) less than 25% of the total length of the door (2). Defrost scraper (11) configured to be housed in a housing (10) adapted to a front side door (2) of a vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6. Scraper (11) according to claim 7, comprising a handle (15) and a scraping portion (16), the handle (15) being trapezoidal and comprising a first end (15a) and a second end (15b) opposite and parallel between them, the scraping portion (16) extending from the second end (15b) of the handle, the second end (15b) being longer than the first end (15a), the handle (15) comprising an intermediate portion ( 15c) curved connecting the first end (15a) to the second end (15b), the scraper (11) comprising a first extra thickness (21a) on the first end (15a) of the handle (15) and a second extra thickness (21b) on the second end (15b) of the handle (15), the first and second extra thicknesses (21a and 21b) extending from a lower surface (11b) of the scraper (11). Scraper (11) according to any one of claims 10, in which the scraping portion (16) forms an acute angle (α) with a tangent (18) at the point of an upper surface (11a) of the second end ( 15b) of the handle so that the scraper (11) has a curved profile. Vehicle (1) comprising a front side door (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 pivotally mounted on the vehicle (1) between an opening position of the vehicle and a closing position of the vehicle and comprising a housing ( 10) for defrost scraper (11) according to one of claims 7 to 10, the vehicle (1) comprising a dashboard (3), the front side door (2) comprising a support zone (2a) intended to be in contact in the closed position of the dashboard (3), the housing (10) for defrost scraper being located in the support zone (2a).