Device for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel and a front subframe of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A device (115) for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel and a front subframe of a motor vehicle comprises a first part (201) adapted to be fixed longitudinally between the rocker panel and the subframe and a second part (203) substantially orthogonal to the first part and integral with the latter, the second part comprising means for fixing a front battery tray protector. A protective crossmember for a battery tray and a motor vehicle comprising such a crossmember are also described. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel and a front cradle of a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel and a front subframe of a motor vehicle, a front protective crossmember of a battery tray and a motor vehicle comprising such a crossmember. State of the art

[0002] Currently, hybrid vehicles, and even more so electric vehicles, need to use a large number of propulsion batteries. In order to optimize the layout of such a motor vehicle, these batteries are often stored in a battery tray located under the floor of the vehicle.

[0003] As the batteries are relatively fragile and risk catching fire in the event of an impact, it is necessary to protect this tray and for this, one of the means used is to place a protection at the front of the battery tray, at the height of the junction between the front cradle which contains the engine and the underbody. This protection then includes at each of its ends two lugs which are bolted to the cradle for one and to the underbody for the other.

[0004] However, this type of protection has the disadvantage of not providing the rigidity necessary for the connection between the cradle and the underbody. Furthermore, while the automotive industry tries to standardize its components as much as possible for a given platform, this requires having a connection model for hybrid and electric vehicles with battery trays and another connection model for thermal propulsion vehicles.

[0005] There is therefore a real need for a device which resolves all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0006] To resolve one or more of the drawbacks cited above, according to a first embodiment, a device for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel and a front subframe of a motor vehicle comprises a first part adapted to be fixed longitudinally between the rocker panel and the subframe and a second part substantially orthogonal to the first part and integral with the latter, the second part comprising means for fixing a front battery tray protector.

[0007] Thus, the device makes it possible to securely fix the underbody and the cradle while fixing a protective cross member for the battery tray.

[0008] Particular characteristics or embodiments, usable alone or in combination are: • the first part and the second part are joined by welding; • the first piece and the second piece have substantially the shape of U-shaped slide; and / or • each part has, at the top of the U, a flat area parallel to the bottom of the U and serving as a joining area between the two parts.

[0009] In a second embodiment, a front protective cross member of a battery tray comprises at each end a device as described above.

[0010] A particular characteristic or embodiment of this second embodiment is that the second parts of the two devices and the body of the crosspiece form a single block of material.

[0011] In a third embodiment, a motor vehicle comprises a cross member according to the second embodiment. Brief description of the figures

[0012] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which: • [Fig.l] represents a view from below of a vehicle comprising a protective crossmember for a battery tray according to one embodiment; and • [Fig.2] represents an isometric view of a crossbar attachment device of [Fig.l]. Methods of implementation

[0013] The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle, a car. However, those skilled in the art understand that these are also usable with other types of vehicle such as vans, vans, etc.

[0014] The terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “longitudinal” and “transverse” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0015] [Fig.l] shows a view from below of the front area of ​​a motor vehicle 101 between the underbody 103 and the front cradle 105.

[0016] A battery tray 107 is shown diagrammatically under the floor 109 of the vehicle.

[0017] A protective cross member 111 of the battery tray 107 is positioned between the underbody 103 and the cradle 105.

[0018] The cross member 111 comprises a lowered central body 113 so that the lower part is at the same height, or even slightly lower, than the bottom of the battery tray. 107.

[0019] The crosspiece 111 comprises at each end a fixing device, 115, 117.

[0020] The fixing device 115 is detailed in [Fig.2]. The two devices 115, 117 being symmetrical, the following description for device 115 applies symmetrically for device 117.

[0021] The fixing device 115 comprises a first part 201 and a second part 203. In the embodiment described, the second part 203 corresponds to the end of the crosspiece 111 and therefore forms a single piece of material with the latter.

[0022] Each part has substantially a U-shaped slide shape with the top of the edge of the U comprising a flat area 205, 207, substantially parallel to the bottom of the U, and allowing the two parts to be secured together either by bolting or by welding as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0023] The first part 201 comprises two bores 209, 211 allowing the first part 201 to be fixed by bolting to the cradle 105 on the one hand and to the underbody 103 on the other hand.

[0024] All of the parts described are preferably made of rigid steel sheet by folding and stamping.

[0025] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Numerous alternative embodiments are possible.

[0026] In a first variant, the second part 203 is formed in a part different from the crosspiece 111, then the crosspiece 111 is fixed to the second part typically by bolting.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (115, 117) for reinforcing the connection between a rocker panel (103) and a front cradle (105) of a motor vehicle comprising a first part (201) adapted to be fixed longitudinally between the rocker panel and the cradle and a second part (203) substantially orthogonal to the first part and integral with the latter, the second part comprising means for fixing a front battery tray protector.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the first part and the second part are secured by welding.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part and the second part have a substantially U-shaped slide shape.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which each part has, at the top of the U, a flat area parallel to the bottom of the U and serving as a joining area between the two parts.

5. Front protective cross member (111) of a battery tray comprising at each end a device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A sleeper according to claim 5, wherein the second parts of the two devices and the body (115) of the sleeper form a single piece of material.

7. A motor vehicle comprising a cross member according to claim 5 or 6.

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