Electrically towed motor vehicle with reinforced vehicle floor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a motor vehicle having a body structure member, the body structure member including a floor panel and two beams (107), the floor panel having a rear portion forming a protrusion, the two beams extending longitudinally on both sides of the floor panel, at least one of the beams including: an inner longitudinal beam and an outer longitudinal beam, the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam being assembled with each other and defining an internal volume; and a longitudinal reinforcement member disposed in the internal volume; the longitudinal reinforcement member extending rearwardly beyond the protrusion; and, the at least one beam (107) further including: a compression reinforcement member called an inner reinforcement member (123), the inner reinforcement member being longitudinally positioned at the position of the protrusion and disposed in the hollow cross-sectional body of the inner longitudinal beam (115) so as to serve as a support for the longitudinal reinforcement member (121) in the case of a lateral impact towards the rear end portion (107A) of the beam (107).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention claims the priority of French application No. 1914347 filed on December 13, 2019, the content (text, drawings and claims) of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the structural members of (hybrid or fully electric) electric traction motor vehicles. Background Art

[0003] Electric traction motor vehicles generally include an electric motor for their own operation and optionally a combustion engine coupled to the electric motor. A traction battery is also provided in these vehicles to supply power to the electric motor. Figure 1 A bottom view of an electric traction motor vehicle 1 as described above is shown. The vehicle 1 includes a body structure 3 having a floor panel 5 and two body bottom beams 7 that extend longitudinally and laterally relative to the floor panel 5 on both sides of the floor panel 5. The vehicle 1 also includes rear wheels 9 connected to a rear axle 11 and a battery 13 positioned below the floor panel 5 and in front of the wheels 9 of the rear axle 11. On Figure 1 and Figure 2 the x-axis represents the moving direction of the vehicle 1.

[0004] In the event of a lateral impact on the pillar, more specifically in the case where the impact occurs at the position of the battery 13 of the vehicle 1, the collapse of the body structure 3 may cause serious damage to the battery 13, which may be dangerous for the passengers of the vehicle 1. The damage caused in the event of such an impact is as Figure 2 shown. In this drawing, the vehicle 1 is subjected to an impact C (shown by an arrow) from the left side of the vehicle 1 at the position of the battery 13 caused by a pillar. This impact C causes the collapse of the corresponding beam 7 and causes more or less substantial damage according to the degree of collapse of the beam 7 in the battery 13. Damage may also occur at the position of the rear axle 11 and the rear wheels 9.

[0005] The published patent document FR3011801B1 describes a structural member of a motor vehicle, in which the body bottom beam has a special cross-section, and each of the body bottom beams is internally provided with a longitudinal reinforcing member. This structure of the body bottom beam is made lighter by using, in particular, metal plates made of ultra-high-strength steel (UHLE). Due to the presence of the traction battery, this structure is therefore not suitable for strengthening heavy structural members. Moreover, this structure is not suitable for protecting the rear area (more specifically, the rear area where the fuel tank is accommodated). Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to reduce the damage caused at the structural members of the vehicle (especially for an electric traction vehicle in which a traction battery is housed at the rear part of the floor, at the position of the rear part of the bottom body beam) during a lateral impact of the pillar.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a motor vehicle having a body structural member, the body structural member including a floor and two beams, the floor having a rear part forming a protrusion, the two beams longitudinally extending on both sides of the floor, at least one of the beams including: an inner longitudinal beam and an outer longitudinal beam, the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam being assembled with each other and defining an internal volume; and a longitudinal reinforcement member, the longitudinal reinforcement member being arranged in the internal volume; characterized in that the longitudinal reinforcement member extends rearward beyond the protrusion; and the at least one beam further includes: a compression reinforcement member called an inner reinforcement member, the inner reinforcement member being longitudinally positioned at the position of the protrusion and arranged in the hollow cross-sectional body of the inner longitudinal beam so as to serve as a support (appui) for the longitudinal reinforcement member in the case of a lateral impact towards the rear end of the beam.

[0008] Advantageously, the number of the inner reinforcement members is three, and they are equally spaced from each other and distributed in the internal volume of the beam.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle further includes a rear profile, the rear profile extending rearward from each of the rear ends of the two beams and obliquely extending towards the interior of the vehicle, and for each of the at least one beam, the vehicle includes a compression reinforcement member called a rear profile reinforcement member, the rear profile reinforcement member being longitudinally positioned at the position of the inner reinforcement member and arranged in the corresponding rear profile.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal reinforcement member presents a lying U-shaped cross-sectional body and is positioned in the hollow part of the outer longitudinal beam, the at least one beam includes a rear reinforcement member, the rear reinforcement member being arranged in the outer longitudinal beam and having a support surface for receiving the rear end of the longitudinal reinforcement member.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional body of the longitudinal reinforcement member has flanges at each end, the flanges being arranged in the respective upper and lower connecting notches of the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the at least one beam includes a compression reinforcement member called an outer reinforcement member, the outer reinforcement member being arranged in the lying U-shaped cross-sectional body of the longitudinal reinforcement member and longitudinally positioned at the position of the inner reinforcement member.

[0013] Advantageously, the number of the outer reinforcing members is three, which are distributed in the internal volume of the beam and are equidistantly spaced from each other so as to be at the position of each inner reinforcing member.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer longitudinal beam presents a prone U-shaped cross-sectional body, the prone U-shaped cross-sectional body having a vertical web and two horizontal base plates, and the cross-sectional body of the longitudinal reinforcing member having flanges at each end of the prone U, the flanges being fixed against the inner surface of the web.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal reinforcing member presents a closed-profile cross-sectional body, and the at least one beam includes a rear reinforcing member, the rear reinforcing member being arranged in the outer longitudinal beam and having a recess for receiving the rear end portion of the longitudinal reinforcing member.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the one or more inner reinforcing members and, when necessary, the outer reinforcing members and, when necessary, the rear profiles is a stamping, the stamping having a first wall portion extending longitudinally and a second wall portion extending transversely so as to ensure the function of the compression reinforcing member in the event of a lateral impact.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stamping of each of the one or more inner reinforcing members and, when necessary, the rear profiles presents a wavy horizontal cross-sectional member, the wavy horizontal cross-sectional member alternately forming the longitudinal wall portion and the transverse wall portion along the waves.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the one or more outer reinforcing members presents a U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional member, the U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional member having a web forming the longitudinal portion and two flanges forming the transverse portions, each of the flanges having a tab, the tab being fixed to the corresponding longitudinal reinforcing member by welding.

[0019] The measures of the present invention are advantageous because these measures can limit the deformation caused during a lateral impact of the column (especially when the lateral impact of the column causes at the battery position of an electric traction vehicle). Thus, the reduction of the collapse can improve the safety of the passengers in the vehicle by avoiding the introduction of foreign elements into the battery pack. The present invention is also easily adaptable according to the vehicle series to be equipped as desired. Finally, due to the materials and techniques known to those skilled in the art, the present invention is easy to implement and manufacture. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the present invention and the drawings, in which:

[0021] - Figure 1is, for example, a bottom view of a motor vehicle existing in the prior art;

[0022] - Figure 2 shows Figure 1 the bottom view of the vehicle after a side impact of the pillar has occurred;

[0023] - Figure 3 shows the bottom view of a motor vehicle according to the present invention after a side impact of the pillar has occurred;

[0024] - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a structural member of a motor vehicle according to the present invention;

[0025] - Figure 5 is an exploded view of a body bottom beam according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is arranged for positioning on the Figure 3 and Figure 4 right side of the vehicle;

[0026] - Figure 6 is Figure 5 the view of the beam as observed from the interior of the vehicle;

[0027] - Figure 7 is Figure 6 the longitudinal section of the beam shown, which is located at the rear profile position of the vehicle;

[0028] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of reinforcement members according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which are assembled on the left side of a structural member of a motor vehicle;

[0029] - Figure 9 shows a perspective view of beam reinforcement members according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which are adapted on the left side of the vehicle;

[0030] - Figure 10 shows Figure 9 the view of the reinforcement members assembled on the structural member of the vehicle. Detailed Description

[0031] The examples described below are given only in an illustrative manner, but other applications or embodiments of the present invention not described may be considered. On all these drawings, the x-axis represents the moving direction of the vehicle.

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 have been described above in the prior art section.

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4The following respectively show a top view of a motor vehicle according to the present invention after a side impact of a pillar, and a perspective view of a body structural member of a vehicle according to the present invention. The same or similar elements in these figures are labeled with the reference numerals of the above figures, however, the numeration is incremented by 100. Additionally, reference is made to the description of these elements in relation to the prior art.

[0034] Figure 3 Particularly shown is a top view of the vehicle in the case where the vehicle includes a reinforcement according to the present invention when a side impact of a pillar similar to the side impact of a pillar shown in Figure 2 occurs.

[0035] Vehicle 101 includes a body structural member 103 having a floor panel 105 and two beams 107 that extend longitudinally and laterally relative to the floor panel 105 on both sides of the floor panel 105. Vehicle 101 also includes a rear wheel 109 connected to a rear axle 111 and a traction battery 113 of the vehicle 101, the traction battery being positioned below the floor panel 105 and in front of the wheel 109 and the rear axle 111. During a side impact of a pillar (shown by arrow C), the beam 107 positioned on the left side of the vehicle 101 collapses at the location of the battery 113. The presence of a reinforcement according to the present invention (which will be described more precisely in Figures 5 to 10 ) conversely limits the collapse of the body structural member 103 and can prevent foreign elements from entering the traction battery 113. These reinforcements will be described more specifically in Figures 5 to 10 .

[0036] Figure 4 A side view of a structural member of a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown. The body structural member 103 (in this figure) includes a floor panel 105 and more specifically a rear portion 105A of the floor panel 105, the rear portion 105A forming a protrusion 105B commonly referred to as a heel plate (planche à talon). This protrusion 105B allows the traction battery 113 to be positioned below the floor panel 105. In this figure, it can also be seen that each beam 107 includes an inner longitudinal beam 115 and an outer longitudinal beam 117, the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam being assembled with each other and defining an internal volume. More precisely, the outer longitudinal beam 117 presents a lying U-shaped cross-sectional body, the lying U-shaped cross-sectional body including a vertical web 117A and two horizontal substrates, an upper horizontal substrate 117B and a lower horizontal substrate 117C. These substrates (117B, 117C) include flanges at their own ends, and the flanges and the corresponding substrates of the inner longitudinal beam 115 (the substrates of the inner longitudinal beam are not visible in Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) together form an upper connection notch 119A and a lower connection notch 119B. In order to be able to study the configuration of the reinforcement, the outer longitudinal beam 117 will no longer be shown in the following figures.

[0037] Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 show different views of a beam including a reinforcement according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The beam shown in these figures is a beam suitable for being assembled on the right side of a vehicle.

[0038] In these figures, common to all embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter, like the outer longitudinal beam described in Figure 4 , the inner longitudinal beam 115 of the beam 107 presents a prone U-shaped cross-sectional body, which includes a vertical web 115A and two horizontal substrates, an upper horizontal substrate 115B and a lower horizontal substrate 115C. There is a longitudinal reinforcement 121 in the internal volume formed by these two longitudinal beams 115, and the longitudinal reinforcement extends rearwardly beyond the protrusion (visible in Figure 4 ).

[0039] The beam 107 further includes an inner reinforcement 123, which is a compression reinforcement. This reinforcement 123 is longitudinally positioned at the position of the protrusion and is positioned in the hollow cross-sectional body of the inner longitudinal beam 115. This reinforcement 123 serves as a support for the longitudinal reinforcement 121 when a lateral impact occurs towards the rear end portion 107A of the beam 107. Advantageously, the inner reinforcement 123 is a stamping, which has a first wall portion 123A extending longitudinally and a second wall portion 123B extending transversely, thereby forming a corrugated horizontal profile, and the corrugated horizontal profile is used to ensure the function of the compression reinforcement when a lateral impact occurs. Thus, along the corrugation, the inner reinforcement 123 alternately includes a longitudinal wall portion 123A and a transverse wall portion 123B.

[0040] The vehicle further includes a rear profile 125 commonly referred to as a small longitudinal beam, which extends rearwardly from the rear end portion 107A of the beam 107 and extends obliquely towards the interior of the vehicle. Thus, this rear profile 125 is between the beam 107 and the battery (in Figures 1 to 3extends between the visible parts. The rear profile 125 presents a triangular shaped part having an inner wall 125A that extends from the upper face 125B of the profile 125 towards the top of the vehicle. The rear profile 125 supports a rear profile reinforcement 127 which is a compression reinforcement and is longitudinally positioned at the location of the inner reinforcement 123. Thus, in the event of a side impact, the rear profile reinforcement 127 positioned between the inner wall 125A of the rear profile 125 and the inner face 115D of the inner longitudinal beam 115 mitigates the impact due to the wavy horizontal cross-sectional part of its own stamping part. Thus, along the wave formed by the rear profile reinforcement 127, the cross-sectional part alternately has a first longitudinal wall part 127A and a second transverse wall part 127B, and the first longitudinal wall part and the second longitudinal wall part are used to ensure the function of the compression reinforcement in the event of a side impact. The present invention also includes a rear reinforcement 129 which is positioned in the outer longitudinal beam and at the location of the rear profile 125.

[0041] Specifically Figures 5 to 7 in the first embodiment shown in, the longitudinal reinforcement 121 presents a prone U-shaped cross-sectional body and is positioned in the hollow part of the outer longitudinal beam (not visible in Figures 5 to 7 ). In addition, the cross-sectional body of the longitudinal reinforcement 121 presents a prone U-shaped part having two wing plates 121A which are stacked at two corners 121B, and the two corners are respectively arranged in the respective upper connection notches and lower connection notches of the inner longitudinal beam 115 and the outer longitudinal beam. Advantageously, the rear end 121C of the longitudinal reinforcement 121 is inserted into the support surface 129A of the rear reinforcement 129. Preferably, the number of inner reinforcements 123 is three for each beam 107, and these reinforcements 123 are successively and equidistantly positioned in the inner longitudinal beam 115.

[0042] The beam 107 according to the first embodiment further includes a front reinforcement 131 which is positioned against the outer face 115E of the inner longitudinal beam 115 and in front of the outer face. The front reinforcement 131 is positioned between the outer face 115E of the inner longitudinal beam 115 and the inner reinforcement 123 located at the front of the beam 107. The front reinforcement 131 connected to the inner reinforcement 123 is intended to improve the resistance of the beam 107 in the case where a side impact is caused at the front of the vehicle.

[0043] The beam 107 further includes an outer reinforcement 133, and the reinforcement 133 is a compression reinforcement. The outer reinforcement 133 is longitudinally positioned in the cross-sectional body of the longitudinal reinforcement 121 and longitudinally positioned at the position of the inner reinforcement 123. Advantageously, the outer reinforcement 133 is a stamping, and the stamping has a first wall portion 133A extending longitudinally and a second wall portion 133B extending transversely. This configuration of the outer reinforcement 133 can ensure the function of the compression reinforcement during a side impact. Advantageously, the number of outer reinforcements 133 is three for each beam 107, and each of the reinforcements 133 is positioned at one of the positions in the inner reinforcement 123. The stamping of each outer reinforcement 133 presents a U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional member, and the U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional member has a web 133A forming the longitudinal portion 133A and two flanges 133B forming the transverse portion 133B. Each flange 133B further includes a tab 133C, and the tab is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal reinforcement 121 by welding. Preferably, the beam 107 includes a second row of outer reinforcements 133' (preferably, the number is three), and the second row is positioned between the inner reinforcement 123 and the first row of outer reinforcements 133 described above. The second outer reinforcement 133' has characteristics similar to those of the outer reinforcements 133 in the first row. The second row of outer reinforcements 133' is not shown in Figure 7 the

[0044] Figure 8 A second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The same or similar elements in this figure are labeled with the above Figures 3 to 7 reference numerals, but the numerals are incremented by 100. Additionally, refer to the description of these elements related to the first embodiment of the present invention. More precisely, Figure 8 is a left side view of the vehicle.

[0045] The longitudinal reinforcement 221 of the beam 207 presents a closed-profile cross-sectional body, and the closed-profile cross-sectional body more advantageously forms a hollow tubular body. The reinforcement 221 extends from the rear reinforcement 229 of the beam 207 towards the front of the vehicle 201 (more specifically, towards the intermediate pillar 203A of the body structure member 203 of the vehicle 201). The rear reinforcement 229 also has a recess 229A for receiving the rear end portion 221A of the longitudinal reinforcement 221. There is an inner reinforcement 223 between the rear end portion 221A of the longitudinal reinforcement 221 and the inner longitudinal beam 215, and the inner reinforcement has the above Figures 5 to 7The features described therein. The rear profile 225 is also visible in this figure and receives the rear profile reinforcement described above (not visible in this figure). The beam 207 also includes two reinforcing profiles 235 which are positioned above and below the longitudinal reinforcement 221 and extend parallel to this longitudinal reinforcement from the rear reinforcement 229 until the intermediate pillar 203A. Advantageously, each of these profiles 235 forms a corner which is positioned between the upper and lower connection notches of the inner and outer longitudinal beams of the beam 207 (already described in Figure 4 ).

[0046] Figure 9 and Figure 10 show a third embodiment of the invention. These figures use the above-mentioned Figures 3 to 7 reference numerals for the same or similar elements, however the numeration is incremented by 200. Additionally, reference is made to the description of these elements in relation to the first and second embodiments of the invention. More precisely, these figures show two views of the beam reinforcement positioned on the left side of the vehicle.

[0047] In these figures, it is visible that the longitudinal reinforcement 321 of the beam 307 of the vehicle 301 (only its inner longitudinal beam 315 is visible in Figure 10 ) extends from the rear reinforcement 329 towards the intermediate pillar 303A of the body structure 303 of the vehicle 301. This longitudinal reinforcement 321 presents a prone U-shaped cross-sectional body and is positioned in the hollow part of the outer longitudinal beam of the beam 307 (not visible in Figure 9 and 10 ). Each upper and lower end of the reinforcement 321 has a flange 321A which is fixed against the inner face of the web of the outer longitudinal beam. Additionally, the rear reinforcement 329 has a support surface 329A which is able to receive the rear end 321B of the longitudinal reinforcement 321. This embodiment also includes a rear profile reinforcement (not visible in this figure) and inner reinforcements 323 (these inner reinforcements are compression reinforcements) which are able to better absorb lateral impacts. These two reinforcements 323 have the same features as those described above in the first embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) having a body structural member (103; 203; 303), the body structural member including a floor panel (105) and two beams (107; 207; 307), the floor panel having a rear portion (105A) forming a protrusion (105B), the two beams extending longitudinally on both sides of the floor panel (105), at least one of the beams (107; 207; 307) comprising: - an inner longitudinal beam (115; 215; 315) and an outer longitudinal beam (117), the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam being assembled with each other and defining an internal volume; and - a longitudinal reinforcement (121; 221; 321), the longitudinal reinforcement being disposed in the internal volume; characterized in that the longitudinal reinforcement (121; 221; 321) extends rearwardly beyond the protrusion (105B); and, the at least one beam (107; 207; 307) further comprises: - a compression reinforcement called an inner reinforcement (123; 223; 323), the inner reinforcement being longitudinally positioned at the position of the protrusion (105B) and disposed in the hollow cross-section of the inner longitudinal beam (115; 215; 315) so as to serve as a support for the longitudinal reinforcement (121; 221; 321) when a lateral impact occurs towards the rear end (107A) of the beam (107; 207; 307), and, the motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) further comprises a rear profile (125; 225; 325), the rear profile extending rearwardly and obliquely towards the interior of the motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) from each of the rear ends (107A) of the two beams (107; 207; 307), and, for each of the at least one beam (107; 207; 307), the motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) includes a compression reinforcement called a rear profile reinforcement (127), the rear profile reinforcement being longitudinally positioned at the position of the inner reinforcement (123; 223; 323) and disposed in the corresponding rear profile (125; 225; 325).

2. The motor vehicle (101; 301) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal reinforcement (121; 321) presents a prone U-shaped cross-section and is positioned in the hollow portion of the outer longitudinal beam (117), the at least one beam (107; 307) includes a rear reinforcement (129; 329), the rear reinforcement being disposed in the outer longitudinal beam (117) and having a support surface (129A; 329A) for receiving the rear end (121C; 321B) of the longitudinal reinforcement (121; 321).

3. The motor vehicle (101) according to claim 2, characterized in that The prone U-shaped cross-sectional body of the longitudinal stiffener (121) has flanges (121A) at each end, and the flanges are arranged in the respective upper and lower connecting notches (119A, 119B) of the inner longitudinal beam and the outer longitudinal beam (115, 117).

4. The motor vehicle (101) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one beam (107) includes a compressive stiffener called an outer stiffener (133), and the outer stiffener is arranged in the prone U-shaped cross-sectional body of the longitudinal stiffener (121) and is longitudinally positioned at the position of the inner stiffener (123).

5. The motor vehicle (301) according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer longitudinal beam presents a prone U-shaped cross-sectional body, the prone U-shaped cross-sectional body has a vertical web and two horizontal base plates, and the prone U-shaped cross-sectional body of the longitudinal stiffener (321) has flanges (321A) at each end of the prone U, and the flanges are fixed against the inner surface of the web.

6. The motor vehicle (201) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal stiffener (221) presents a closed-profile cross-sectional body, and the at least one beam (207) includes a rear stiffener (229), the rear stiffener is arranged in the outer longitudinal beam, and has a recess (229A) for receiving the rear end (221A) of the longitudinal stiffener (221).

7. The motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the one or more inner stiffeners (123; 223; 323) and, when necessary, the outer stiffener (133) and, when necessary, the rear profile (127) is a stamped part, and the stamped part has a first wall portion (123A, 127A, 133A; 223A; 323A) extending longitudinally and a second wall portion (123B, 127B, 133B; 223B; 323B) extending transversely, so as to ensure the function of the compressive stiffener when a side impact occurs.

8. The motor vehicle (101; 201; 301) according to claim 7, characterized in that the stamped part of each of the one or more inner stiffeners (123; 223; 323) and, when necessary, the rear profile (127) presents a wavy horizontal cross-sectional part, and the wavy horizontal cross-sectional part alternately forms the longitudinal wall portion (123A, 127A; 223A； 323A) and the transverse wall portion (123B, 127B; 223B; 323B) along the wave.

9. The motor vehicle (101) according to claim 4, characterized in that Each of the one or more external stiffeners (133) presents a U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional member having a web (133A) forming the longitudinal portion (133A) and two flanges (133B) forming the transverse portions (133B), each of the flanges (133B) having a tab (133C) which is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal stiffener (121) by welding.

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