VEHICLE WITH A REAR STRUCTURE COMPRISING REAR PILLAR REINFORCING PARTS

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a structure (SV) comprising a rear part (PRS) comprising two right and left rear uprights (MR) each comprising an upper part (PS) delimiting a front sub-part (SPV) of an empty zone (ZV1) to accommodate a side panel and fixedly secured to a first upper side member (LS1) extending forward. The structure (SV) also comprises two right and left reinforcement pieces (PRF), each fixedly secured to one of the upper parts (PS) and one of the associated first upper side members (LS1) and having a section increasing from the bottom to the top so as to reinforce the rear part (PRS). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE WITH A REAR STRUCTURE COMPRISING REAR UPRIGHT REINFORCING PARTS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, and more precisely to the structures which these vehicles comprise. State of the art

[0002] Many vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure comprising a rear part comprising two right and left rear uprights which each comprise an upper part, on the one hand, delimiting a front sub-part of an empty zone to accommodate a side panel and, on the other hand, fixedly secured to a first upper side member extending towards the front.

[0003] It will be understood that the upper part of each rear pillar is located at the interface between an empty area to accommodate a side door, the empty area to accommodate a side panel (such as a quarter panel), and a lateral edge of the roof (or roof). Furthermore, it is on the inner face of the upper part of each rear pillar that the upper anchoring point of the seat belt strap, which is dedicated to the neighboring passenger, is fixedly secured.

[0004] In some of the vehicles described above, the presence of empty zones on either side of the upper part of each rear pillar can induce a reduction in the overall strength of the rear part of the structure. Consequently, when a passenger exerts (very) significant pressure on the strap of his locked seat belt during an impact or violent braking, it may happen that this induces a local deformation of the upper part of the rear pillar associated with this strap. However, this local deformation also causes a deformation of the associated first upper side member and of the second upper side member which extends towards the rear in the extension of this first upper side member and partially delimits the upper sub-part of the corresponding empty zone (of the rear quarter panel).Such deformations prevent the seat belt concerned from correctly performing its function, which can be potentially dangerous for the passenger concerned, and the structure from correctly performing its protective function.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a vehicle comprising a structure comprising a rear part comprising two right and left rear uprights, each comprising an upper part delimiting a front sub-part of an empty area to accommodate a side panel and fixedly secured to a first upper side member extending forward.

[0007] This vehicle is characterized by the fact that its structure also comprises two right and left reinforcement pieces, each fixedly secured to one of the upper parts and one of the first associated upper side members and having a section increasing from the bottom to the top so as to reinforce the rear part.

[0008] Thanks to this reinforcement, local deformation of the upper part of a rear pillar is avoided when a passenger exerts (very) significant pressure on the strap of his locked seat belt during an impact or violent braking, which allows this seat belt to correctly perform its function.

[0009] The vehicle according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - the rear part of the structure may comprise two second upper side members extending rearwardly, each fixedly secured to an associated upper portion and reinforcing piece, and partially delimiting an upper sub-portion of the corresponding empty zone;

[0011] - each reinforcement piece may comprise a first oriented transverse edge towards the rear, extending from the bottom upwards and folded over at least part of a vertical extension towards the front sub-part of the empty zone in order to allow support of the corresponding side panel and distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a side impact;

[0012] - in the presence of the last option, each first transverse edge can extend from the bottom to top over its entire vertical extension;

[0013] - each reinforcing piece may comprise a second transverse edge oriented towards the front, extending from the bottom upwards and folded at least outwards over a part of a vertical extension in order to allow support against a corresponding face of the associated upper part and a distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, each second transverse edge can be folded outwards then forwards;

[0015] - each reinforcement piece may have a generally L-shaped section, with a first side of the L placed substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second side of the L extending this first side and placed substantially in a transverse direction of the vehicle;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, the second side may comprise the first edge transverse;

[0017] - also in the presence of the last option, the first side may comprise the second transverse edge;

[0018] - each reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to an inner face of a upper part of a rear pillar;

[0019] - it can be of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the interior side, a upper right part of the rear part of an example of a structure of a vehicle according to the invention, with a reinforcing piece secured to the upper part of the right rear pillar, and

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the outside, a part of the upper left rear part of the structure of [Fig.l], with the visible reinforcement piece but without the upper part of the left rear upright and without the first upper side member. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] The invention aims in particular to propose a vehicle comprising a structure SV comprising a rear part PRS comprising two rear uprights MR right and left which do not deform when a passenger exerts (very) significant pressure on the strap of the seat belt, locked and whose upper anchoring point is fixedly secured to one of them (MR), during an impact or violent braking.

[0024] In the following, it is considered, by way of illustrative example, that the vehicle is of the automobile type. It is for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any type of vehicle comprising a structure comprising a rear part PRS comprising two right and left rear uprights MR on the inner faces of which are respectively fixedly secured upper anchoring points for seat belt straps.

[0025] In Figures 1 and 2, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0026] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an upper right part of the rear part PRS of an example of a structure SV of a vehicle according to the invention. As partially illustrated, the rear part PRS of the structure SV of a vehicle according to the invention comprises two right and left rear uprights MR each comprising an upper part PS on the inner face of which is intended to be fixedly secured the upper anchor point of a seat belt strap. It will be noted that the left rear pillar is similar to the right rear pillar MR which is illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0027] Each upper part PS of a rear pillar MR delimits on the rearward-facing side a front sub-part SPV of a first empty zone ZV1 intended to accommodate a side panel (possibly a quarter panel), and is fixedly secured to a first upper side member LSI which extends forward and which defines a lateral side of the roof (or roof). It will be noted that each upper part PS of a rear pillar MR also delimits on the frontward-facing side a rear sub-part SPR of a second empty zone ZV2 intended to accommodate a side door (or door) of the vehicle. It will also be noted that each first upper side member LSI delimits an upper sub-part SPS' of the second empty zone ZV2 which is partially delimited by the upper part PS of the rear pillar MR to which it is fixedly secured (by welding and / or screwing).It will also be noted that the rear part PRS of the SV structure also comprises two second upper side members LS2 which extend towards the rear, are each fixedly secured to a corresponding upper part PS of the rear upright MR, and which partially delimits the upper sub-part SPS of the first empty zone ZV1 which is partially delimited by this upper part PS. It will also be noted, as illustrated in [Fig.2], that the rear part PRS of the SV structure may also comprise in its upper part a cross member TR whose two opposite ends are fixedly secured (for example by welding and / or screwing) to the upper parts PS of the right and left rear uprights MR and to the first LSI and second LS2 associated upper side members, in order to reinforce the rigidity and solidity of the SV structure.

[0028] According to the invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the structure SV also comprises two right and left PRF reinforcement pieces. Each PRF reinforcement piece (right or left) is fixedly secured to the upper part PS of a rear upright MR (right or left) and to the first upper side member LSI (right or left) associated with the latter (PS). In addition, each PRF reinforcement piece (right or left) has a section increasing from the bottom to the top (along the vertical direction Z), so as to reinforce the rear part PRS, in particular in its upper part in the vicinity of the interfaces between the first LSI and second LS2 upper side members and upper part PS of the right and left rear upright MR.

[0029] This reinforcement, induced by the increasing sections from bottom to top at the aforementioned interfaces, makes it possible to avoid local deformation of the upper part PS of a rear pillar MR when a passenger exerts (very) significant pressure on the strap of his locked seat belt during an impact or braking. violent. As a result, the seat belt concerned can correctly perform its function. In addition, this absence of local deformation of the upper part PS of an MR rear pillar also makes it possible to avoid the deformation of the first LSI and second LS2 upper side members associated with the upper part PS of the MR rear pillar concerned, which allows the rear part PRS of the SV structure to correctly perform its protective function.

[0030] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], each PRF reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to the inner face of an upper part PS of a rear pillar MR. But in a variant not illustrated, each PRF reinforcement piece could be fixedly secured to the outer face of an upper part PS of a rear pillar MR (opposite the inner face and therefore oriented towards the outside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle).

[0031] Also for example, each PRF reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to an upper part PS of the rear pillar MR by welding and / or screwing.

[0032] Also for example, the FRP reinforcement parts can be made of steel. In this case, they can be defined in sheets having a thickness between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, for example.

[0033] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], that the upper part PS of each PRF reinforcement piece (right or left) is preferably also fixedly secured to a second upper side member LS2 (right or left) of the rear part PRS of the structure SV.

[0034] As illustrated at least partially and non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, each PRF reinforcement piece may also comprise a first transverse edge BT1 oriented towards the rear and extending from the bottom to the top. In this case, each first transverse edge BT1 is folded over at least part of its vertical extension (along Z) towards the front sub-part SPV of the first neighboring empty zone ZV1 in order to allow support of the corresponding side panel and distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact. For example, this folding is done substantially at 90° in a plane XZ.

[0035] Preferably, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], each first transverse edge BT1 can extend from the bottom to the top over its entire vertical extension. This makes it possible to distribute over the entire height of each PRF reinforcement piece (and therefore of each first empty zone ZV1) the forces which are undergone in the event of a lateral impact.

[0036] Also as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], each PRF reinforcement piece may also comprise a second transverse edge BT2 oriented towards the front and extending from the bottom to the top. In this case, each second transverse edge BT2 is folded at least outwards over a part of its vertical extension (along Z) in order to allow support against a corresponding face of the associated upper PS part of the rear MR pillar and a distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a side impact. For example, this folding is done approximately at 90° in a YZ plane.

[0037] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], each second transverse edge BT2 is only partially folded over its height (along Z). But this folding could be done over the entire height of the second transverse edge BT2 of each PRF reinforcement piece if this proves useful for distributing the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact.

[0038] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], each second transverse edge BT2 is partially folded over its height (along Z) then forwards (plane XZ) presenting a generally L-shaped section, if the shape of the corresponding wall of the upper part PS of the associated rear pillar MR allows it and / or in order to allow the support (and possibly the fixed attachment) of an external lateral sheet participating in the masking of the structure SV. This makes it possible to further improve the distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact.

[0039] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, that each PRF reinforcement piece may have a generally L-shaped section. In this case, a first side C1 of the L is placed substantially along the longitudinal direction X, and a second side C2 of the L extends the first side C1 and is placed substantially along the transverse direction of the vehicle. For example, the angle between the first C1 and second C2 sides may be substantially equal to 90°. Such an arrangement makes it possible to optimize the reinforcement of the rear part PRS of the structure SV in its upper part. But the section of each PRF reinforcement piece may have other general shapes, for example a V.

[0040] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the second side C2 of each PRF reinforcement piece may comprise the first transverse edge BT1.

[0041] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the first side C1 of each PRF reinforcement piece may comprise the second transverse edge BT2.

[0042] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the second side C2 of each PRF reinforcement piece may have a width increasing from bottom to top allowing the section of the latter (PRF) to increase from bottom to top.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle comprising a structure (SV) comprising a rear part (PRS) comprising two right and left rear uprights (MR) each comprising an upper part (PS) delimiting a front sub-part (SPV) of an empty zone (ZV1) to accommodate a side panel and fixedly secured to a first upper side member (LSI) extending forward, said structure (SV) further comprising two right and left reinforcing pieces (PRF), each fixedly secured to one of said upper parts (PS) and one of said associated first upper side members (LSI) and having a section increasing from the bottom to the top so as to reinforce said rear part (PRS), each reinforcing piece (PRF) comprising a first transverse edge (BT1) facing rearward,extending from the bottom upwards and folded over at least part of a vertical extension towards said front sub-part (SPV) of the empty zone (ZV1) in order to allow support of said corresponding side panel and a distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact, each reinforcing piece (PRF) comprising a second transverse edge (BT2) oriented towards the front, extending from the bottom upwards and folded at least outwards over part of a vertical extension in order to allow support against a corresponding face of said associated upper part (PS) and a distribution of the forces undergone in the event of a lateral impact, characterized in that each reinforcing piece (PRF) has a generally L-shaped section, with a first side (Cl) of said L placed substantially in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle, and a second side (C2) of said L extending said first side (Cl) and placed substantially in a transverse direction of said vehicle.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear part (PRS) comprises two second upper side members (LS2) extending towards the rear, each fixedly secured to an associated upper part (PS) and a reinforcing piece (PRF), and partially delimiting an upper sub-part (SPS) of the corresponding empty zone (ZV1).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first transverse edge (BT1) extends from bottom to top over the entire vertical extension.

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second transverse edge (BT2) is folded outwards then forwards.

5. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second side (C2) comprises said first transverse edge (BT1).

6. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first side (Cl) comprises said second transverse edge (BT2).

7. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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