WO2013000134A1

WO2013000134A1 - Finishing elongated accessory of the bodywork of a vehicle mounted by means of hooks

Info

Publication number: WO2013000134A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/076566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franck Leon; Zhu Zhou CHENG
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa; Peugeot Citroen (China) Automotive Trade Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-06-29
Filing date: 2011-06-29
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: CN103635359A; CN103635359B

Abstract

A finishing accessory (12) of the bodywork of a vehicle is disclosed, which is mounted between the fender (8) and the bonnet (4) of the vehicle. The accessory (12) extends along a longitudinal direction and comprises a first hook (24) and a second hook (26) cooperating, respectively, with a first notch (16) and a second notch (18) formed as cutouts in a corresponding mounting surface (14) of the fender (8). The accessory (12) comprises a lip portion (20) filling the gap between the fender (8) and the bonnet (4), thereby protecting and hiding some otherwise unprotected and visible mechanical parts of the bonnet hinges. Furthermore, piece of bodywork of a vehicle being configured for cooperating with said accessory (12) and a vehicle with the piece of bodywork are also disclosed.

Description

FINISHING ELONGATED ACCESSORY OF THE BODYWORK OF A VEHICLE MOUNTED BY MEANS OF HOOKS

The invention is directed to an accessory for the bodywork of a vehicle. More particularly, the invention is directed to the mounting of the accessory on the bodywork. The invention is also directed to a piece of bodywork of a vehicle on which the accessory is mounted or is to be mounted. The invention is also directed to a vehicle comprising the piece of bodywork and/or the accessory.

Vehicles and more particularly motor vehicles comprise usually on their bodywork one or several finishing elongated accessories such as flexible seal arrangements for bridging a gap between two spaced structural components.

Patent document FR 2 559 868 A1 discloses a flexible seal for covering a gap between a light unit recessed in the body panel of motor vehicles which forms an edge around these light units and which has a fastening leg supported by a supporting flange and an approximately V-shaped curved sealing leg which, while being adapted to the gap width, can be deflected inwards or outwards and forms a line contact with the two components. The fastening leg of the seal is provided with location holes and in which insert elements, which project from the supporting flange and are arranged at intervals on its circumference, engaged to be securely positioned. The mounting of the flexible seal requires the presence of a geometrically complicated supporting flange with insert elements. Such a construction is particularly adapted for molded pieces like the housing of a light unit whereas this is not adapted for fastening the flexible seal to the bodywork of the vehicle.

Patent document FR 2 902 384 A1 discloses a flexible seal for covering a gap between a body panel and a side window of a motor vehicle. The cross-section of the flexible seal is generally U-shaped so as to be able to engage with insert elements projecting from the fender of the bodywork. The insert elements comprise in their cross-section a beveled surface and a retaining surface so as to positively engage with corresponding retaining surfaces provided in the hollow part of the U-shape of the flexible seal. Like for the above discussed teaching, the mounting solution disclosed in this document requires the presence of a flange on the bodywork or at least the presence of insert elements. The present invention seeks to overcome at least one of the shortcomings mentioned here above. More particularly, the invention has for objective to provide a simpler and/or cheaper solution for fastening an accessory on the bodywork of a vehicle.

The invention has for object an accessory for the bodywork of a vehicle, the accessory having a longitudinal direction and comprising fastening means to the bodywork; noticeable in that the fastening means comprise a first hook at a first portion of the accessory and a second hook at a second portion of the accessory distant from the first portion, the first and second hooks being oriented such as to be opposed. The accessory is preferably elongated and has preferably a constant cross-sectional profile.

These measures permit an easy and fast mounting of the accessory. Indeed, such hooks are relatively easy and cheap to manufacture. Additionally, the mounting surface of the bodywork requires only notches or openings which can be easily formed by a stamping or cutting process.

The hooks can be opposed so as to have their openings oriented outwardly or inwardly of the accessory.

The accessory can comprise additional hooks. In that case, the additional hooks can be flexible. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second hooks is resilient so as to be able to bend during mounting of the accessory.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second hooks are fastened to a rigidifying beam placed along the accessory, the first and second hooks being preferably unitary with the beam. The hooks and the beam are preferably molded. The accessory can be molded over the rigidifying beam. It can also be glued or screwed to the rigidifying beam.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the accessory is a lip joint. According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first portion is at a first end of the accessory and/or the second portion is at a second end of the accessory.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second hooks has a main portion extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the accessory, the main portion having a distal end with a beveled surface such as to guide and bend the main portion during insertion.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, one of first and second hook is generally L shaped in a longitudinal section of the assembly. The invention has for objet also a piece of bodywork of a vehicle, preferably a fender, noticeable in that the piece of body work comprises a mounting surface with a first notch and a second notch distant from the first notch, the first and second notches being configured for cooperating respectively with the first and second hooks of an accessory according to the invention. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piece of bodywork is a fender shaped such that the mounting surface is designed for extending along the side of a bonnet of the vehicle. The piece of bodywork is preferably a front fender.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second notches are formed by cutouts in the first surface. According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second notches are generally U-shaped.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the piece of bodywork comprises a visible surface of the bodywork forming an angle with the mounting surface, the mounting surface being a non-visible surface of the bodywork. According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises the accessory and in that the accessory comprises a visible surface which is generally continuous with the second surface of the bodywork when the accessory is mounted thereon. The visible surface of the accessory can extend until the bonnet. The accessory is preferably oriented generally parallel or at least in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The invention has also for object a vehicle with a fender and a bonnet, noticeable in that the fender is according to the invention.

The accessory is preferably disposed laterally of the vehicle so as to hide and protect the hinge of the bonnet. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the visible surface of the accessory extends until the bonnet.

The invention and the embodiments thereof will be now described more in details in relation with the appended figures where:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a lip joint according to the invention, mounted between the front fender and the bonnet;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the right front fender of the vehicle of figure 1 , the perspective view being from an opposite side corresponding to the left fender;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lip joint alone;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the fender of figure 2, together with the lip joint in an intermediate position during mounting;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the portion of fender of figure 4 where the lip joint is mounted on the fender.

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle, more particularly a personal car vehicle 2, with a bonnet 4, a front fender 8 and a headlight unit 6 which extends longitudinally between the bonnet 4 and the fender 8. The bonnet is shaped such as to have lateral surfaces which are generally oriented downwards, i.e. thereby showing a certain thickness when viewed laterally. This side surface of the bonnet 4 extends along an upper rear portion of the fender 8 resulting in a visible longitudinal gap between the bonnet 4 and the fender 8 at the back of the headlight unit 6. Mechanical parts like for example the hinge of the bonnet 4 can be present under the bonnet 4. Such parts can be visible through the gap so that it is important to protect them by covering the gap with a joint 12. The joint 12 extends along the whole length of the gap between the bonnet 4 and the fender 8. The joint 12 illustrated in figure 1 has a length comprised between 100 and 300 mm. This length is a fraction of the total length of the bonnet and/or the fender. This is due to the presence and shape of the headlight unit which occupies an important part of the front of the vehicle, between the bonnet 4 and the fender 8. Depending on the layout of the vehicle, the joint could be shorter or longer.

Figure 2 illustrates the internal view of a portion of the fender 8 of the vehicle of figure 1 , whereas the illustrated fender is a right one. This means that what can be seen in figure 1 does not correspond to the blown-up area of figure 1 at the left side of the vehicle but rather of the corresponding right area. The fender 8 comprises an internal generally vertical surface 14 with a first notch 1 6 and a second notch 18 opposed to the first one 1 6. These notches are made by cutting out the steel plate of the fender in order to form two outwardly oriented opposed U-shaped cutouts.

Figure 3 illustrates the lip joint 12 where it can be seen that it comprises essentially a flexible lip 20 preferably made of elastomeric material and a fastening beam 22 supporting a first hook 24 and a second hook 26 opposed to the first hook 24. The flexible lip 20 extends along a longitudinal direction which can be straight or curved. The fastening beam 22 extends in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flexible lip 20. In the particular example of the present figures, both the flexible lip and the beam 22 are generally straight.

The first hook 24 is at least partly flexible so as to be able to bend when mounting the joint 12. It comprises a main portion extending from the beam 22 in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam. This main portion is generally bendable. It comprises at its distal end a beveled surface so as to facilitate the insertion of the hook during mounting. It comprises also a retaining surface generally perpendicular to the general direction of the main portion of the hook. This retaining surface is able to cooperate with a corresponding surface of the fender in order to achieve a positive contact. The second hook 26 is preferably generally rigid and comprises a main portion extending generally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam 22, and a retaining portion extending from a distal end of the main portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the main portion and parallel to the beam 22. The retaining portion of the second hook is preferably longer than the corresponding retaining surface of the first hook 24.

The first and second hooks 24 and 26 are preferably made of plastic material and molded together with the beam 22 so as to form a unitary piece. The material chosen must be compatible among others with the mechanical requirements for the hooks. The skilled person will be able to select the appropriate material on the basis of the different working parameters of the lip joint.

Figure 4 illustrates the mounting of the joint 12 on the fender 8. To that end, the joint 12 is positioned at proximity of the corresponding mounting surface 14 of the fender 8. The joint is positioned so as to allow insertion of the second hook 26 in front of the notch 18. The joint 12 is then moved in the direction illustrated by the arrow A so as to engage the second hook 26 with the corresponding second notch 18 of the fender 8. At this point, the first hook does not cooperate yet with the corresponding first notch and is preferably distant from the mounting surface 14 of the fender 8. The joint 12 can then be pivoted about the second hook 26 so as to engage the first hook 24 in the first notch 1 6. This movement is illustrated by the arrow B. The beveled surface of the distal end of the first hook comes then into contact with the corresponding edge of the notch 24 and slides thereon so as to bend until the beveled surface leaves the corresponding edge and snaps back to its initial position. The retaining surface of the distal end of the second hook 24 is now in positive contact with the corresponding internal surface portion of the mounting surface 14.

Figure 5 illustrates the joint 12 mounted in its final position on the fender 8. The lip portion 20 is now in contact as its lower edge with the rounded portion of the fender 8 in order to form an at least approximately continuous surface with the upper visible surface of the fender. The lip portion 20 comprises an upper edge for contacting a corresponding surface of the bonnet. The joint 12 can also comprise a series of rigidifying ribs extending generally perpendicularly to its longitudinal direction, from the mounting portion of the joint to the back surface of the lip portion 20. The embodiment which has been described here above is only exemplary and various alternative embodiments are possible.

Claims

1 . Accessory for the bodywork of a vehicle, the accessory (12) having a longitudinal direction and comprising fastening means to the bodywork; characterized in that the fastening means comprise a first hook (24) at a first portion of the accessory and a second hook (26) at a second portion of the accessory distant from the first portion, the first and second hooks (24, 26) being oriented such as to be opposed.

2. Accessory according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the first and second hooks (24, 26) is resilient so as to be able to bend during mounting of the accessory (12).

3. Accessory according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first and second hooks (24, 25) are fastened to a rigidifying beam (22) placed along the accessory (12), the first and second hooks being preferably unitary with the beam.

4. Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the accessory is a lip joint (12).

5. Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first portion is at a first end of the accessory (12) and/or the second portion is at a second end of the accessory.

6. Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the first and second hooks (24, 26) has a main portion extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the accessory (12), the main portion having a distal end with a beveled surface such as to guide and bend the main portion during insertion.

7. Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one of first and second hook (24, 26) is generally L shaped in a longitudinal section of the assembly.

8. Piece of bodywork of a vehicle, preferably a fender, characterized in that the piece of bodywork (8) comprises a mounting surface (14) with a first notch (1 6) and a second notch (18) distant from the first notch, the first and second notches (16, 18) being configured for cooperating respectively with the first and second hooks (24, 26) of an accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Piece of bodywork according to claim 8, characterized in that the piece of bodywork is a fender (8) shaped such that the mounting surface (14) is for extending along the side of a bonnet (4) of the vehicle.

10. Piece of bodywork according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the first and/or the second notches (1 6, 18) are formed by cutouts in the mounting surface (14).

1 1 . Piece of bodywork according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the first and/or the second notches (1 6, 18) are generally U-shaped.

12. Piece of bodywork according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1 , characterized in that the piece of bodywork comprises a visible surface of the bodywork forming an angle with the mounting surface (14), the mounting surface being a non-visible surface of the bodywork.

13. Piece of bodywork according to claims 9 and 12, characterized in that it comprises the accessory (12) and in that the accessory comprises a visible surface (20) which is generally continuous with the second surface of the bodywork when the accessory is mounted thereon.

14. Vehicle with a front fender (8) and a bonnet (4), characterized in that the front fender is according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

15. Vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that the fender is according to claim 13 and the visible surface of the accessory extends until the bonnet (4).