Hybrid or electric vehicle with reinforcement means for reinforcing the underbody structure of the vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a hybrid or electric vehicle equipped with at least one reinforcement device (11) for reinforcing the underbody structure of the vehicle. The reinforcement device comprises at least one main body (13) fixed to the front inner longitudinal member under the floor and at least two reinforcement tabs (15, 17) extending from the main body (13). The first reinforcement tab (15) couples the main body (13) with the rear end of the seat frame and the second reinforcement tab (17) couples the main body (13) with the underbody longitudinal beam. The invention also relates to such a reinforcement device (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 1909419, filed on August 27, 2019, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to a structure for motor vehicles for absorbing impact energy in the event of an impact. Background Technology

[0003] In the vehicle's base structure, the longitudinal braces sous-plancher beneath the floor are designed to transmit forces in the event of a frontal impact. This hollow section is the one closest to the ground. This is not a problem in vehicles with internal combustion engines, but it limits the possibility of installing a battery beneath the floor in hybrid or electric vehicles. The battery must, for example, straddle the inner longitudinal braces beneath the floor, which limits the number or size of battery modules that can be installed.

[0004] A solution for increasing the size of the battery beneath the vehicle's floor lies in truncating the inner longitudinal member beneath the floor instead of allowing it to span across it. A relay for the force to pass through is thus provided by the battery casing or by a protective frame designed and configured for this purpose. However, truncating the longitudinal member beneath the floor carries the risk of damaging the base's performance in the event of a frontal impact (e.g., in the case of a frontal impact with 40% coverage or a "small overlap" type frontal impact (where only 25% of the front of the vehicle is covered by an obstacle)). Therefore, a solution remains to be found that can guarantee the performance of the base in the event of such a frontal impact.

[0005] Several solutions have been provided to improve energy dissipation in the event of a frontal impact, such as... Figure 1 As shown above, this improvement is achieved through a reinforcing bridge 29 installed between the rear end of the engine support bracket 7 and the front inner longitudinal member 9, and through an outer longitudinal member 25 installed on the side of the battery compartment 5. Thus, in the event of a frontal impact, energy can diffuse from the bracket 7 toward the front inner longitudinal member 9, onto the outer longitudinal member 25, and ultimately onto the longitudinal beam 3 used for the clearance body underbody structure. Figure 1The schematic diagram illustrates, with the aid of arrows, the energy diffusion in the event of a frontal impact on a known electric or hybrid motor vehicle 1. However, in the event of a frontal impact, the force is dispersed rearward and laterally to propagate, for example, into the outer longitudinal members 25 or into the reinforcements of these outer longitudinal members, and then only to the longitudinal beams 3 used to demarcate the base or bottom structure of the vehicle body. The dispersion of the impact is thus slowed, which may result in deformation at the location of the outer longitudinal members 25 and / or on the bottom structure of the vehicle body. As a result, a cloquage is typically visible on the bottom structure of the vehicle body after the impact.

[0006] Furthermore, in the event of a violent impact, the front inner longitudinal member is at great risk of retracting into contact with the protective housing used to protect the battery or "battery slot," which is undesirable in terms of the risk of damage to the propulsion battery after drilling into the battery slot.

[0007] Reinforcing components used to strengthen the underbody structure of motor vehicles are known in the prior art.

[0008] Thus, document CA2962348 describes a vehicle body bottom structure in which conventional reinforcing elements (such as front and rear crossbeams) are made of hardened steel with high tensile strength.

[0009] Document FR3033297 describes a vehicle structure including a first reinforcing element and a second reinforcing element capable of counteracting frontal impacts on an asymmetrical structure along a vertical axis. The reinforcing elements cooperate with each other due to elastic connecting members that stabilize the structure in the event of an impact.

[0010] Document FR2928127 describes a reinforcing device for strengthening the connection between the rear portion of an engine mount of a motor vehicle and the vehicle's base, thereby ensuring a proper fit between the mount and the base. The mount includes a male component situated on a portion of itself that is covered by a longitudinal member. When the longitudinal member is in a position mounted on the mount, the male component is received within a female component, which is positioned on the longitudinal member.

[0011] Document FR2859448 describes a motor vehicle with a base, the vehicle including a floor having two lower longitudinal beam reinforcements and two inner longitudinal members. The base also includes a central tie rod on each side of the vehicle's midplane, the central tie rod connecting a point of the inner longitudinal member to a rear point of the lower reinforcement for reinforcing the longitudinal beams. The presence of the central tie rod improves the vehicle's road performance when entering curves and its trajectory accuracy in curves.

[0012] The solutions provided by these documents are advantageous but not entirely satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need for a hybrid or electric vehicle whose chassis structure is both compatible with the installation of large-sized batteries and maintains good service in the event of a frontal impact. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the disadvantages encountered in the prior art by providing a body bottom structure for an electric or hybrid vehicle, wherein the body bottom structure enables the force of a frontal impact to be transmitted directly to the side of the vehicle, while minimizing deformation at the location of the body bottom structure.

[0014] Therefore, according to a first aspect, the object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid or electric vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a floor; a body bottom longitudinal beam extending along two lateral edges of the floor; at least one propulsion battery slot disposed below the floor; an engine support bracket of the vehicle including two rear ends; and a front inner longitudinal member below the floor, the front inner longitudinal member including an end configured to face the propulsion battery slot, the vehicle notably comprising at least one reinforcing device; the reinforcing device comprising at least one body fixed to the front inner longitudinal member below the floor and at least two reinforcing tabs extending from the body; and a first reinforcing tab connecting the body to the rear end of the bracket, and a second reinforcing tab connecting the body to the body bottom longitudinal beam.

[0015] As understood from the definition just given, the present invention aims to create a direct force transmission channel between the vehicle's seat frame and the vehicle's lateral longitudinal beams. This force channel can replace or supplement the connecting members (used to connect the seat frame to the inner longitudinal member below the floor). Preferably, the force channel replaces the connecting members, which also reduces the vehicle's ground clearance. The benefit in terms of ground clearance is approximately 5 mm.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing device further includes a third reinforcing tab extending from the body along the lateral direction of the vehicle, the third reinforcing tab being fixed or positioned to abut against at least one propulsion battery slot.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle includes a single reinforcing device comprising two bodies and a single third reinforcing tab, each of the bodies being fixed to an inner longitudinal member, and the single third reinforcing tab connecting the two bodies to each other. Alternatively, the vehicle includes two reinforcing devices; preferably, the two reinforcing devices are connected to each other via their own third reinforcing tabs.

[0018] Therefore, the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising two reinforcing devices, each of which comprises two reinforcing tabs; or a vehicle comprising two reinforcing devices, one of which has two reinforcing tabs and the other has three reinforcing tabs; or a vehicle comprising two reinforcing devices, each of which comprises three reinforcing tabs.

[0019] Advantageously, the vehicle also includes two outer longitudinal members below the floor, each outer longitudinal member extending at least partially between one or more of the propulsion battery compartments and one of the body bottom longitudinal beams along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Notably, the vehicle includes one or more second reinforcing tabs comprising two lateral edges extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the one or more second reinforcing tabs covering one of the outer longitudinal members; preferably, the one or more second reinforcing tabs are fixed to the longitudinal beam by one of their lateral edges or by a fixed joint extending from one of their lateral edges.

[0020] Preferably, each second reinforcing tab includes a front end and a rear end, the front end being fixed to the body of the reinforcing device; notably, the rear end of the vehicle, or at least one, second reinforcing tab, is fixed to the outer longitudinal member.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing device is formed from a single part.

[0022] Advantageously, at least one tab of the reinforcing device is a profile having an L-shaped or U-shaped cross section; and / or, at least one tab of the reinforcing device is formed of at least one metal plate having a thickness between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm; preferably, one or more metal plates are made of steel.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing device for reinforcing the underbody structure of an electric or hybrid vehicle according to the first aspect; notably, the reinforcing device includes at least one main body for fixing to a front inner longitudinal member below the floor and at least two reinforcing tabs extending from the main body in different directions; a first reinforcing tab is for fixing to the rear end of the vehicle's seat frame, and a second tab is for fixing to the vehicle's underbody longitudinal beam; preferably, the reinforcing device includes at least one third reinforcing tab extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the second reinforcing tab.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing device is used to be fixed to the vehicle by screwing or riveting, and for this purpose includes a plurality of holes for the fixing member to pass through; preferably, the or at least one second reinforcing tab includes two lateral edges for extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and one of the lateral edges has at least one hole for the fixing member to pass through; more preferably, at least one hole is arranged at the location of an extension forming a fixing joint and extending from the lateral edge. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 This illustrates a prior art scenario where force is transmitted via a connector.

[0027] - Figure 2 The installation of the reinforcing device according to the present invention is shown.

[0028] - Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the reinforcing device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the following description, the term "comprising" is synonymous with "including" and is non-limiting, as it allows for the presence of other elements or components in the reinforcing device or in the vehicle to which the reinforcing device is added. It is understood that the term "comprising" includes the term "consisting of". Similarly, the terms "lower," "upper," "front," "rear," "longitudinal," and "lateral" are understood relative to the general orientation of the vehicle (e.g., along the normal direction of travel of the vehicle). In different figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0030] Figure 1 As described in the introduction, please refer to the following section. Figure 2The figure illustrates the installation of the reinforcing device 11 in a hybrid or electric vehicle 1. Typically, the vehicle 1 includes: a floor; a body bottom longitudinal beam 3 extending along two lateral edges of the floor; at least one propulsion battery compartment 5 disposed beneath the floor; an engine support bracket 7 including two rear ends; and a front inner longitudinal member 9 beneath the floor, the front inner longitudinal member including an end configured to face the propulsion battery compartment 5. According to the invention, a notable feature of the vehicle 1 is that it further includes at least one reinforcing device 11.

[0031] according to Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, the reinforcing device 11 includes at least one body 13 and at least two reinforcing tabs (15, 17) extending from the body 13 or each of a plurality of bodies 13; preferably, the reinforcing device 11 includes at least one body 13 and at least three reinforcing tabs (15, 17, 19) extending from the body 13 or at least one of a plurality of bodies 13. Each of the body 13 or plurality of bodies 13 (when more than one body is present) is used to secure to the front inner longitudinal member 9 below the floor. At least two reinforcing tabs (15, 17) extend from the body 13. A first reinforcing tab 15 connects the body 13 to the rear end of the vehicle's seat frame 7 so as to transmit forces between the seat frame 7 and the front inner longitudinal member 9. A second reinforcing tab 17 connects the body 13 to the vehicle body bottom longitudinal beam 3. This creates a direct force transmission channel between the seat frame 7 and one or more vehicle body bottom longitudinal beams 3.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second reinforcing tab 17 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is positioned parallel to the bottom longitudinal beam 3 of the vehicle body. The second reinforcing tab 17 may have at least one extension (21; 23) extending from a lateral edge of the reinforcing tab 17 toward the bottom longitudinal beam 3 of the vehicle body. Each extension (21; 23) thereby forms a fixing engagement that enables the second reinforcing tab 17 to be fixed to the bottom longitudinal beam 3 of the vehicle body. The second reinforcing tab 17 therefore has at least one hole on its own lateral edge or on one or more extensions extending from one of its own lateral edges for a screw or rivet to pass through.

[0033] To improve the force transmission between the seat frame 7 and the longitudinal beam 3 at the bottom of the vehicle body, at least two extensions (21; 23) extend from the lateral edge of the second reinforcing tab 17.

[0034] Advantageously, the vehicle may include two outer longitudinal members 25 below the floor, which extend at least partially between one or both of the propulsion battery slots 5. In this case, a second reinforcing tab 17 is advantageously configured to cover one of the outer longitudinal members 25 and is secured to the longitudinal beam 3 by its own lateral edge or by at least one extension extending from the lateral edge, the at least one extension forming a fixed engagement.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, when the outer longitudinal member 25 is present, the second reinforcing tab 17 is also fixed to the outer longitudinal member 25 it covers, thereby optimizing the transmission of forces received from the bracket 7. Ideally, the second reinforcing tab 17 is fixed to the outer longitudinal member 25 by its rear end, which has a fixing engagement for this purpose. For example, the fixing engagement includes at least one hole for a fixing screw or rivet to pass through.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing device 11 further includes a third reinforcing tab 19. This reinforcing tab 19 is coupled to the body 13 of the device and extends laterally along the vehicle. The reinforcing tab is configured to be positioned against or fixed to one of the battery compartments 5. Thus, the force transmitted to the battery compartment 5 from the seat frame 7 is no longer concentrated at the end of the front inner longitudinal member 9 facing the front surface of the battery compartment 5, but is distributed over a larger area of ​​the front surface of the battery compartment 5. An advantage of this configuration is that it limits the risk of perforation of the battery compartment 5 in the event of a violent frontal impact.

[0037] Advantageously, the vehicle includes two reinforcing devices 11, each of which is respectively disposed at one of the side positions of the vehicle. A third reinforcing tab 19 is thus configured to extend laterally, for example, to the centerline of the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle includes two reinforcing devices connected to each other by their own third reinforcing tabs.

[0038] According to an embodiment not shown, the vehicle includes a single reinforcing device having: two bodies, each of which is fixed to one of the front inner longitudinal members; two first tabs, each of which connects the rear end of the seat frame to one of the bodies; two second tabs, each of which connects one of the bodies to one of the longitudinal beams; and a single third tab connecting the two bodies. Preferably, the third tab is positioned to abut against or be fixed to the front surface of the battery compartment.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing device 11 is composed of a single part. This reinforcing device is manufactured, for example, by molding. Alternatively, the reinforcing device 11 is composed of a combination of multiple parts, each of which is a stamped and / or folded sheet metal. This construction allows the reinforcing device to be directly assembled onto a vehicle and thus adaptable to the vehicle's profile and / or size. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one tab is screwed to the body; preferably, the fixing screw simultaneously connects the tab to the body and the body to the front inner longitudinal member.

[0040] Advantageously, at least one tab of the reinforcing device is a profile having an L-shaped or U-shaped cross section; and / or, at least one tab of the reinforcing device is formed of at least one metal plate having a thickness between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm; preferably, one or more metal plates are made of steel.

[0041] When the third protrusion is fixed to the battery slot, the battery slot can have a thinner thickness (preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm).

Claims

1. A hybrid or electric vehicle (1), said vehicle comprising: Base plate; The vehicle body bottom longitudinal beam (3) extends along the two lateral edges of the bottom plate; At least one propulsion battery slot (5) is disposed below the floor; an engine support frame (7) of the vehicle, the engine support frame including two rear ends; and a front inner longitudinal member (9) below the floor, the front inner longitudinal member below the floor including an end configured to face the propulsion battery slot (5), characterized in that the vehicle (1) further includes at least one reinforcing device (11); the reinforcing device includes at least one body (13) fixed to the front inner longitudinal member (9) below the floor and at least two reinforcing tabs (15, 17) extending from the body (13); and, the first reinforcing tab (15) connects the body (13) to the rear end of the engine support frame (7), and the second reinforcing tab (17) connects the body (13) to the longitudinal beam (3) at the bottom of the vehicle body.

2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (11) further includes a third reinforcing tab (19) extending from the body (13) along the lateral direction of the vehicle, the third reinforcing tab being fixed or positioned to abut against at least one propulsion battery slot (5).

3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle includes a single reinforcing device (11) comprising two bodies (13) and a single third reinforcing tab (19), each of the bodies (13) being fixed to a front inner longitudinal member below the floor, the single third reinforcing tab connecting the two bodies (13) to each other.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle includes two reinforcing devices (11).

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The two reinforcing devices (11) are connected to each other by their own third reinforcing tabs (19).

6. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the vehicle further comprising two underfloor outer longitudinal members (25), each underfloor outer longitudinal member (25) extending at least partially between one of the propulsion battery slots (5) and one of the body bottom longitudinal beams (3) along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, characterized in that, At least one second reinforcing tab (17) includes two lateral edges extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and at least one second reinforcing tab covers the outer longitudinal member (25) below one of the base plates.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one second reinforcing tab (17) is fixed to the bottom longitudinal beam of the vehicle body by one of its lateral edges or by a fixed joint extending from one of its lateral edges.

8. The vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein each second reinforcing tab includes a front end and a rear end, the front end being fixed to the body (13) of the reinforcing device (11); characterized in that, At least one of the rear ends of the second reinforcing tab is fixed to the outer longitudinal member (25) below the base plate.

9. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 and 8, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (11) is formed from a single part.

10. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 and 8, characterized in that, At least one tab of the reinforcing device is a profile with an L-shaped or U-shaped cross section; and / or, at least one tab of the reinforcing device is formed of at least one metal plate having a thickness between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, One or more metal plates are made of steel.

12. A reinforcing device (11) for reinforcing the underbody structure of an electric or hybrid vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; characterized in that, The reinforcing device (11) includes at least one main body (13) for fixing to the front inner longitudinal member (9) below the floor and at least two reinforcing tabs (15, 17) extending from the main body (13) in different directions; the first reinforcing tab is for fixing to the rear end of the vehicle's seat frame and the second reinforcing tab is for fixing to the vehicle's bottom longitudinal beam.

13. The reinforcing device (11) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The reinforcing device includes at least one third reinforcing tab, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the second reinforcing tab.

14. The reinforcing device (11) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The reinforcing device is used to fix the vehicle by screwing or riveting, and for this purpose includes a plurality of holes for the fixing component to pass through.

15. The reinforcing device (11) according to claim 14, characterized in that, At least one second reinforcing tab (17) includes two lateral edges for extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and one of the lateral edges has at least one hole for the passage of the fixing member.

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