FR3049243A1 - TAIL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tailgate (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a support frame (3) and a body element (2a, 2b) provided with at least one housing (10) capable of comprising a lighting device (13) said vehicle, said member (2a, 2b) comprising a curved bottom portion (16a, 16b) defined to be fixed to said frame (3).

Description

TAIL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a tailgate of a motor vehicle and a method of assembling such a tailgate. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a tailgate.

In the state of the art, there are known vehicles of the single-body type or the hatchback that are equipped with an opening such as a tailgate to access the trunk and the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The tailgate is generally mounted movably relative to the vehicle body. Such a tailgate comprises a support frame made of sheet metal, a transparent glass panel integral with said framework, hinge elements and actuating elements for its opening and closing.

However, a major disadvantage of such a hatchback is that it is generally devoid of a type of lighting device for example signaling rear light, built into its frame. Indeed, conventionally the lighting device of a tailgate is mounted on the latter because the embossing processes of the state of the art do not allow to achieve a suitable housing in the frame of this tailgate that is adapted to house the entire technical volume of such a lighting device.

The present invention aims to provide a tailgate to overcome these disadvantages.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a tailgate of a motor vehicle comprising a support frame and a body-forming element provided with at least one housing capable of comprising a lighting device of said vehicle, said element comprising a lower part recurve defined to be attached to said frame.

In other embodiments: the curved lower part is mechanically connected to a lower part of the framework; - the lower part curved to a longitudinal section having a substantially "U" shape; - The frame comprises a lower portion provided with a connecting module adapted to be connected to the curved lower part of said body member; - The curved lower part provided with an end of which one end forms a bevel; - at least one holding member attached to said frame providing a mechanical connection of a side portion of the body member with the frame; - A connection module arranged in the lower part of the frame comprising a gripping area for handling the tailgate particularly when it is opened; - The curved lower part comprises a gripping zone for handling the tailgate especially when it opens; - The lower part is bent to cover all or part of a lower edge of the frame; the body-forming element is made of plastic material; the body-forming element is a single piece; said housing of the body-forming element is defined in a rear face of said element and has a depth substantially greater than 50 mm. The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a tailgate of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: arrangement of a body element close to a frame supporting the tailgate by positioning a bent lower portion of said body member facing a lower portion of said frame; moving said body member relative to the frame to provide a mechanical link between the curved lower portion and the lower portion, and attaching an upper portion of the body member to the frame.

Advantageously, the method comprises a step of producing a mechanical connection of at least one lateral portion of the bodywork element with the frame from at least one holding element which is attached to said framework. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a one-piece or double-body type, comprising such a tailgate. Other advantages and features of the invention will appear better on reading the description of two preferred embodiments which will follow, with reference to the figures, made by way of indicative and nonlimiting example: FIG. perspective rear view of a tailgate of a motor vehicle comprising a body member according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of the tailgate according to the first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a rear face of the body member according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a front face of the bodywork element according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a large-scale view of a portion G of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of the front face of the bodywork element according to the first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a connecting module of a backbone support frame according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a large scale view of part B of FIG. 2; FIG. 9 is a large scale view of part A of FIG. 2; - Figures 10, 11 and 12 are longitudinal sectional views of a lower portion of the frame and a lower portion of the body member relating to steps of a tailgate assembly method according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lower part of a tailgate comprising a bodywork element according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the tailgate assembly method. according to the first and second embodiments of the invention.

The description is made with reference to a X, Y, Z trihedron conventionally associated with a motor vehicle, in which X is the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle directed towards the rear, Y is the right-left transverse direction to the vehicle. which is horizontal and perpendicular to X, directed to the right, and Z is the vertical direction directed to the top. Furthermore, the terms "front, rear, right, left, horizontal, vertical, upper, lower" are defined with respect to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

In the first and second embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 13, the tailgate 1 is provided to be arranged at a rear portion of a vehicle. In this context, it is considered that the vehicle is a motor vehicle including single-body or double-body, comprising a body having an opening giving access to the trunk and / or the passenger compartment and which is preferably located at the rear of the latter . This opening is delimited by a roof at the top of the vehicle, rear wings may include at least one lighting device 33a, and a shield in the lower part of the vehicle.

The vehicle may comprise hinge elements connecting an upper area of the hatch 1 to the roof allowing the latter to be able to perform an angular displacement around these hinge elements between an open and closed position of the opening. This tailgate 1 is articulated along an axis of rotation parallel to the Y direction at a rear edge of the flag. Note that this tailgate 1 comprises a lower zone in which is defined a gripping area 29 for handling the tailgate 1 in particular when it is opened.

This tailgate 1 comprises in particular a support frame 3 and a bodywork element 2a, 2b integral with said framework 3 and a transparent panel 4.

The transparent panel 4 visible in Figure 1, is a glass panel or plastic material having a substantially flat surface and can be more or less curved according to the shape of the body and / or the hatch 1. It is in both modes embodiment mounted in the support frame 3 of the tailgate 1.

This frame 3 of which only a lower portion 5 is shown in Figures 10 to 13, comprises a hollow body 6 preferably formed of sheets of metal sheet connected to each other at crimping zones 7. This body 6 of the frame 3 may include side uprights and a panel 8 extending these amounts in the lower part 5 of the frame 3. This panel 8 extends in particular transversely between the two rear wings of the vehicle body. The panel 8, a portion of which is visible in FIGS. 10 to 13, has a substantially rectangular longitudinal section. In this configuration, an opening is then formed between these two lateral uprights in which the transparent panel 4 is mounted. Thus, these lateral uprights are arranged substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the transparent panel 4. This framework 3 comprises an outer face 25 on which is mounted the body member 2a, 2b. It will be noted that this bodywork element 2a, 2b preferably covers the entire outer face 25 at the level of this panel 8 of the body 6 of the framework 3. In a variant, it can cover only part of this panel 8.

This body member 2a, 2b is preferably a one-piece piece which can be made of plastic material. This panel 8 comprises front and rear faces 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. The rear face 9b, 9d is provided with at least one housing 10 formed of a wall 11 and a bottom 12, which is provided to receive a lighting device 13 of the vehicle. This lighting device 13 may be a rear optical unit (or rear signaling light) comprising a housing secured to the front side to a mirror 14. In this housing may be housed an optical, a mask, several reflectors and / or sources lights such as at least one bulb and / or at least one light emitting diode (LED) so that the device 13 forms a rear light, a brake light, a rear fog lamp, a turn signal and / or a reversing light. This lighting device 13, in particular the housing and the ice 14, has dimensions and a shape that allow its arrangement removably in housing 10 formed in this element 2a, 2b forming bodywork. Note that when the lighting device 13 is arranged in the housing 10, an outer face of the glass 14 is in continuity with the rear face 9b, 9d of the element 2a, 2b forming bodywork by integrating with the general shape of this rear face 9b, 9d. In other words, the crystal 14 is also arranged in the housing 10 having its contour which is in contact wholly or partly with an edge of the wall 11 of this housing 10 defined at an opening of this housing 10.

The bottom 12 and the wall 11 of this housing 10 may have shapes adapted to the contours of the housing and the ice 14 of the device 13 which may be devoid of circular or rounded areas, including angles. For example, the glass 14 or the housing may have rectangular or hexagonal contours, etc. It will be noted that such a housing is particularly suitable for receiving lighting devices 13 which have a compact shape in the Z direction with reference in part 33b of this device 13 in Figure 1. Such compactness can be defined by a width L1 of the device 13 which is less than 60 mm, and preferably less than 45 mm.

The bottom 12 of this housing 10 may comprise three parts 15a, 15b, 15c as illustrated in particular in Figures 1 and 3, respectively arranged at different depths in the housing 10. This bottom 12 may preferably be defined according to the dimensions of the case. It should be noted that these different parts 15a, 15b, 15c of this bottom 12 can be arranged at depths that are greater than 20 mm, and preferably greater than 50 mm. These portions 15a, 15b, 15c of the bottom 12 may comprise holes for the passage of electrical cables and also to contribute to the fixing of the device 13 in the housing 10 from fasteners, for example nuts and screws.

In Figures 1 to 6 and 10 to 13, the body member 2a, 2b comprises a lower portion 16a, 16b which is bent. More specifically, the lower part 16a, 16b is curved in a rectangular or circular shape. By way of example, in FIGS. 10 to 13, the curved lower part 16a, 16b has a longitudinal section of direction X having a substantially "U" shape. It will be noted that this lower part 16a, 16b is bent preferably over close to 180 °. Ch note that this lower part 16a, 16b is thus bent so as to cooperate with the lower part 5 of the frame 3 being mechanically connected to the lower part 5.

More precisely, in the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 10 to 12, the framework 3 comprises a connection module 17. This connection module 17, which is notably visible in FIG. 7, is arranged in the lower part 5 of the frame 3. More particularly, it is fixed on a lower edge 18 of this lower part 5 of the frame 3 from fastening elements 19. When this module 17 is assembled to the lower edge 18, the fastening elements 19 such as screws are located in recessed portions 20 defined in an outer face 21 of the module 17. These recessed portions 20 comprise orifices in which these fixing elements 19 are introduced. These recessed portions 20 are capable of to be covered by covers 22 having an outer surface more or less curved according to the shape of the outer face 21 of this module 17. This module 17 also comprises a housing 23 in which is agen the crimping zone 7 of the body 6 included on the lower edge 18 of the body 6 of the framework 3. This module 17 comprises in its outer face 21, a slot 24 constituting an inlet of the housing 23 and in which can be inserted one end 26 of the lower part 16a, 16b curved body member 2a, 2b. To facilitate the insertion of the lower part 16a bent in the slot 24, a tip 27 of this end 26 forms a bevel. This slot 24 preferably has a width L2 which is substantially equal to a thickness E of said end 26, the mounting clearance.

The module 17 comprises a movable retaining element 28 defined in the outer face 21 and forming part of a wall of said slot 24. This retaining element 28 is defined to move between the inside and the outside of the housing 23 The retaining element 28 is able to allow insertion of the end 26 of the lower part 16a into the slot 24 while moving substantially in the same direction as this end 26 under the action of the latter, when a process of insertion of the end 26 into the slot 24. This retention element 28 is also able to prohibit the withdrawal of this end 26 of the slot 24 following the insertion process, during an extraction of this end 26 of the slot 24 in the opposite direction made under the effect of a force whose intensity is less than a given threshold intensity. Thus, this curved bottom portion 16a is mechanically connected to a framework 3 via this connection module 17.

In this configuration, the outer face 21 of the module 17 comprises a gripping zone 29 for handling the tailgate 1 in particular when it is opened. This gripping area 29 is defined in the lower area of the tailgate 1 in which are included the lower and lower portions 5a respectively of the frame 3 and the body member 2a, 2b.

The tailgate 1 also comprises at least one removable holding element 30 which is a one-piece piece, preferably made of plastic or composite materials, attached to said framework 3 and which is capable of ensuring a mechanical connection of a lateral part 31 of the body member 2a, 2b with the body 6 of the frame 3. This holding member 30 comprises three parts 32a, 32b, 32c. The first and second portions 32a, 32b of this holding member 30 are interconnected by the third portion 32c so as to create a difference in level between these first and second portions 32a, 32b. By way of example, the third portion 32c may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second portions 32a, 32b. This first portion 32a is adapted to be fixed at a side area of the panel of the frame 3 from fasteners 34 such as screws and nuts. The second portion 32b includes an end portion 35 defined in a portion of its contour, which is adapted to be arranged in a slot at the corresponding side portion 31 of the body member 2a, 2b. This slot is defined between an end edge of a curved area 36 of said side portion 31 of the body member 2a and the front face 9a of this member 2a.

In the second embodiment of the hatch 1 illustrated in FIG. 13, the frame 3 is devoid of the connecting module 17 and the holding member 30. Thus, when the body member 2b is mounted on the frame 3, the curved lower part 16b then covers all or part of the lower edge 18 of the body 6 of this framework 3 and in particular the crimping zone 7 included in this edge. The curved lower part 16b is then mechanically connected to this lower edge 18 from fastening elements such as screws and nuts.

In this configuration, this curved bottom portion 16b may have a shape that matches that of this lower edge 18. Thus, the front face 9c of this body member 2b and in particular that of the lower part 16b curved, is arranged in view even in contact with a surface of this lower edge 18.

It will be noted that the rear face 9d of the body-forming element 2b located on the curved lower part 16b comprises a gripping zone 29 making it possible to manipulate the tailgate 1, in particular when it is opened. This gripping zone 29 is defined in the lower zone of the tailgate 1 in which are included the lower and lower portions 5 and 16b respectively of the frame 3 and the element 2b forming bodywork.

In these two embodiments, the element 2a, 2b forming bodywork comprises at least one guiding element 37 such as an index to ensure a correct mounting of the latter at the frame 3 and at least a fastening element 38 such as a clip contributing to maintain the body member 2a, 2b positron on the frame 3. Being thus maintained in position on the frame 3, the body forming element 2a, 2b can thus be more easily attached to this frame 3 from fasteners 39 such as screws and nuts. These fixing elements 39, guide 37 and attachment 38 may be included at the upper part 16c of this body member 2a, 2b.

Note that the body-forming element 2a, 2b may also comprise: - wedging elements 40 such as foams, arranged on its front face 9a, 9c so as to be interposed between this front face 9a, 9c and the outer face 25 of the frame 3, and / or - sealing elements 41 also arranged on its front face 9a, 9c especially at its upper part 16c.

With reference to FIG. 14, the invention also relates to a method of assembling the tailgate 1 and in particular the first and second embodiments of this tailgate 1.

This method comprises an arrangement step 42 of the body member 2a, 2b in the vicinity of the support frame 3 of the tailgate 1 by positioning the lower portion 16a, 16b curved of said body member 2a, 2b opposite the lower part 5 of said framework 3. During this step, the front face 9a, 9c of the body member 2a, 2b is then brought closer to the outer face 25 of the body 6 of the frame 3 and this, so as to position this front face 9a, 9c defined on the lower part 16a, 16b curved with this element 2a, 2b opposite the lower part 5 of the frame 3. More specifically, in the context of the first embodiment, the front face 9a of the lower part 16a curved of the body member 2a is then located opposite the outer face 21 of the connecting module 17. In the second embodiment, the front face 9c of the lower part 16b curved of the forma element 2b body is then located opposite the lower edge 18 included in the lower portion 5 of the body 6 of the frame 3.

Subsequently, the method comprises a step 43 of displacement of the body member 2a, 2b relative to the frame 3 so as to achieve a mechanical link between the lower part 16a, 16b curved of this element and the lower part 5 3. With reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, this displacement is preferably carried out vertically in the direction Z from bottom to top.

More precisely, this step 43 comprises, when it is a question of the first embodiment of the tailgate 1, a substep 44 of the front face 9a defined at the lower part 16a that is curved with the bodywork element 2a. of the external face 21 of the connection module 17. This step 43 then comprises an insertion sub-step 45 of the end 26 of the lower part 16a curved in the slot 24 defined in the outer face 21 of the connection module 17 and this, so as to create a mechanical link between the lower part 16a curved and the connecting module 17 from a clipping fastening provided by the retaining element 28 of the connection module 17.

In the context of the second embodiment of this tailgate 1, this moving step 43 comprises a sub-step of approaching the front face 9c of the lower portion 16b curved of the body member 2b close or in contact with all or part of the surface of the lower edge 18 of the body 6 of the framework 3. This step 43 also comprises a sub-step of fixing 47 of this lower part 16b curved to the lower edge 18 from fastening elements such as screws and nuts.

The method then comprises a step 48 of maintaining the body member 2a, 2b in position on the frame 3 from at least one attachment element 38 in order to facilitate the assembly of this bodywork element 2a, 2b at the frame 3.

Subsequently the method provides a fixing step 49 of the upper part 16c of the body member 2a, 2b to the frame 3 from the fastening elements 39. This fixing step 49 is performed at the face before 9a, 9c of the body member 2a, 2b.

The method also comprises a step 50 for fixing at least one lateral portion 31 of the body member 2a, 2b to the frame 3. More specifically, in the context of the first embodiment of the tailgate 1, this step 50 comprises a substep of arrangement 51 of the end portion 35 of the second portion 32b of the holding member 30 in the slot included at the corresponding side portion 31 of the body member 2a. During this sub-step 51, the end portion 35 is inserted by rotation in the slot, rotation made in the direction Y with reference to Figure 9. This step 50 then comprises a substep of fixing 52 of the first portion 32a of the holding member 30 at the side area of the frame panel 3 from fasteners 34 such as screws and nuts. Thus this retaining element 30 while ensuring an aesthetic finish of the hatch 1, improves the assembly / disassembly of the body member 2a on the frame 3 by making it simple and fast.

In the context of the second embodiment of this tailgate 1, this fixing step 50 comprises a substep of embodiment 53 of a mechanical connection between the lateral portion 31 of the body member 22b and the corresponding lateral zone of the panel 8 of the frame 3.

The method may comprise in the case of the assembly of the first embodiment of the tailgate 1, a preliminary step of mounting the connection module 17 on the lower edge 18 of the body 6 of the frame 3 from the fastening elements 19 which is preferably implemented prior to the arranging step 42 of this method.

Thus, such a configuration of the tailgate 1 allows the latter to provide include lighting devices 13 of all sizes and shapes and improve the assembly / disassembly of the hatch 1 without altering its robustness and aesthetics. In addition, the tailgate 1 does not require a liner is arranged at an inner face of the frame 3 which helps reduce the weight of the tailgate and therefore the vehicle.

In addition, a hatch 1 provided with such a body element 2a, 2b makes it possible to define all types of light identity at the rear part of the vehicle. Indeed, this element 2a, 2b forming body allows to easily adjust a precise alignment along the Z direction of the lighting device 33 located on the rear wing of the vehicle relative to the lighting device 13 arranged in the element 2a , 2b forming bodywork.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to confer on this tailgate 1 an aesthetic finish giving the latter an optimum perceived quality, particularly when it is open, in particular at an interface between the element 2a, 2b forming a bodywork and the frame 3.

Claims (10)

1. Tailgate (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a support frame (3) and a bodywork element (2a, 2b) provided with at least one housing (10) capable of comprising a lighting device (13) said vehicle, said member (2a, 2b) comprising a curved bottom portion (16a, 16b) defined to be fixed to said frame (3). 2. Tailgate (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the curved lower part (16a, 16b) is mechanically connected to a lower portion (5) of the frame (3). 3. Tailgate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (16a, 16b) curved to a longitudinal section having a substantially "U" shape. 4. Tailgate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (3) comprises a lower portion (5) provided with a connecting module (17) adapted to be connected to the lower part (16a) curved of said body member (2a). 5. Tailgate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - the curved lower part (16a) provided with an end (26), one end (27) forms a bevel; at least one holding element (30) attached to said framework (3) providing a mechanical connection of a lateral part (31) of the bodywork element (2a, 2b) with the framework (3), and or - a connection module (17) arranged in the lower part (5) of the frame (3) comprising a gripping area (29) for handling the tailgate (1) in particular when it is opened. 6. tailgate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 above, characterized in that: - the lower part (16b) curved comprises a gripping area (29) for handling the tailgate (1) in particular when its opening, and / or - the lower part (16b) is curved so as to cover all or part of a lower edge (18) of the frame (3). Tailgate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the body-forming element (2a, 2b) is made of plastic material; the body-forming element (2a, 2b) is a single piece, and / or - said housing (10) of the body-forming element (2a, 2b) is defined in a rear face (9b, 9d) of said element ( 2a, 2b) and has a depth substantially greater than 50 mm. 8. A method of assembling a tailgate (1) of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - arrangement (42) of a body-forming element (2a, 2b) near a frame (3) for supporting the tailgate (1) by positioning a lower part (16a, 16b) curved of said body member (2a, 2b) facing a lower part (5) of said frame ( 3); displacement (43) of said body-forming element (2a, 2b) relative to the framework (3) for effecting a mechanical link between the lower part (16a, 16b) curved and the lower part (5), and - fixing ( 49) from an upper portion (16c) of the body member (2a, 2b) to the frame (3). 9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a step of producing (53) a mechanical connection of at least one side portion (31) of the body member (2a, 2b) with the frame (3) from at least one holding member (30) which is attached to said frame (3). 10. A motor vehicle including single-body or double-body, comprising a tailgate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 above.