Molding for a motor vehicle for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor

• US 9,487,173 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2014
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Nickel, Marco, Goebel, Eduard
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, DREW J
• Application Number:
  US14/530,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20150114746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/525 Radiator grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558

Abstract

A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.

Claims

1. A molding for a motor vehicle configured to transmit an impact force to a hood sensor, the molding having a hollow c-shape comprising:

an absorption area on a distal end of the molding configured to absorb an impact force;

a transmission section on a limb of the molding configured to transmit at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor;

at least one elastically movable material section configured to generate a restoring force when the molding is arranged in its installation position; and

a receptacle in a base of the molding configured to accommodate the hood sensor,

wherein a material section is oriented in an effective direction of the transmission section such that the material section protrudes outward from the molding.

2. The molding according to claim 1, wherein the material section forms an integral part of the molding.

3. The molding according to claim 1, wherein the transmission section forms at least part of the receptacle, the receptacle being at least partially open and configured to accommodate the hood sensor for supporting the hood sensor against a vehicle body component in the installation position.

4. The molding according to claim 1 further comprising at least one dimensionally stabilized material section protruding laterally outward from the molding.

5. The molding according to claim 4, wherein the dimensionally stable material section and the elastically movable material section are integrally formed on a common base section which defines a wall of the molding.

6. The molding according to claim 1, wherein the hollow c-shape of the molding comprises an elongate profile having an open-ended hollow cross section, wherein the absorption area is provided on an open end of the hollow cross section and the elastically movable material section faces away from the open end.

7. The molding according to claim 6, wherein the open-ended cross section comprises at least two limbs which converge with a respectively predefined slope.

8. The molding according to claim 6, wherein the elongate profile comprises at least one of the absorption area and the transmission section extending continuously in a longitudinal direction.

9. The molding according to claim 1, wherein the molding is a plastic injection-molded part.

10. An assembly with a molding according to claim 1 and further comprising a hood sensor.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hood sensor comprises an elastic material.

12. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the assembly is configured to be arranged between a first vehicle body component and a second vehicle component and connectable to the second vehicle component in a manner for supporting the absorption area on the first vehicle body component under pre-stress with the elastically movable material section.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the hood sensor is configured to rest against the first vehicle body component.

14. A motor vehicle having an assembly according to claim 10 and further comprising a first vehicle body component and a second vehicle component wherein the molding is connected to the second vehicle component in a manner for supporting the absorption area on the first vehicle body component under pre-stress with the elastically movable material section.