Fixing device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing the rear end of a longitudinal beam of an engine mount to the chassis of a motor vehicle, the engine mount receiving the electric propulsion power system of the vehicle. According to the device of the present invention, for each of the longitudinal beams (3a, 3b), the fixing device includes connecting joints (5a, 5b), the connecting joints including at least one first connecting member (7a, 7b). The at least one first connecting member (7a, 7b) is longitudinally (L1) fixed to the rear end (4) of the longitudinal beam (3a, 3b) via the front end (8a) of the first connecting member (7a, 7b) on the one hand, and is laterally (T1) fixed to the lateral longitudinal beams (1a, 1b) for forming the chassis (1) via the rear end (8b) of the first connecting member (7a) on the other hand.

Description

Technical field

[0001] This invention claims the priority of French application No. 1913962 filed on December 9, 2019, the content (text, drawings and claims) of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of the chassis included in a motor vehicle in the context of a motor vehicle (the propulsion energy of which is fully or partially electric and provided based on an electrical energy reservoir equipped on the vehicle).

[0003] Within the scope of constraints related to such a context, this invention more particularly relates to a way of protecting the chassis from deformation in the case of a frontal impact borne by the vehicle. Background art

[0004] Relative concepts are currently specified that are commonly used to define a motor vehicle and the components of the vehicle and / or the relative positions of the components of the vehicle relative to each other. Hereinafter, these relative concepts are used to present the background of the invention and discuss the resulting problems, as well as to describe the invention.

[0005] To this end, unless otherwise specified, reference is made to an orthogonal coordinate system that conventionally identifies the extending direction of the vehicle, the longitudinal direction of which extends between the front and rear of the vehicle, the transverse direction of which extends between the right and left sides of the vehicle as identified by the driver at the vehicle cab, and the vertical direction identifies the upward extending of the vehicle from its traveling plane on the ground from bottom to top. Thus, the longitudinal beams mainly extend longitudinally. For example, concepts such as the bottom and the top or other related relative concepts (such as the upper and the lower, or for example, the lower and the upper, or for example, the overhang and the sag) are all defined along the upward vertical extension of the vehicle relative to its traveling plane on the ground.

[0006] A motor vehicle includes a chassis that is used to form the rigidified skeleton of the vehicle. The chassis is in particular provided with the base of the vehicle configured as a frame, which is usually composed of longitudinal beams spaced by cross beams. A platform is usually mounted on the frame and is vertically built-in between the base of the vehicle and the passenger compartment.

[0007] Traditionally, the longitudinal beams at least include a right lateral longitudinal beam and a left lateral longitudinal beam and at least one central longitudinal beam, and the at least one central longitudinal beam is laterally sandwiched between the lateral longitudinal beams below the platform. Usually, the chassis includes a plurality of so-called central longitudinal beams, and at least one of these central longitudinal beams may be configured as a tunnel.

[0008] The crossbeam includes at least one front crossbeam arranged at the front of the vehicle and a front crossbeam joined between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Generally, a plurality of central crossbeams are longitudinally distributed between the front crossbeam and the rear crossbeam of the chassis. The front crossbeam and the front crossbeam delimit an engine compartment therebetween for receiving the power system of the vehicle, and a vertically and laterally extending baffle is used to separate the engine compartment of the vehicle from the passenger compartment.

[0009] In addition, among motor vehicles, the evolution of the power system has prompted designers to develop vehicles in which the propulsion energy is at least partially electrical energy. The power system of the vehicle is accommodated inside the engine compartment and is usually mounted on engine mounts. The engine mounts are fixed to the front crossbeam at the front end thereof on the one hand and to the front crossbeam via the rear end of a longitudinally extending longitudinal beam on the other hand.

[0010] To provide the propulsion electrical energy for propelling the vehicle, the vehicle is equipped with an electrical energy storage device, which is usually composed of battery modules, and these battery modules can be advantageously installed under a platform extending under the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0011] The energy storage capacity of the electrical energy storage device can thus be optimized, which can ultimately increase the endurance of the vehicle in terms of propulsion electrical energy.

[0012] However, the pursuit of optimizing the energy storage capacity of the electrical energy storage device has led to an increase in the overall volume of the electrical energy storage device. Since then, the electrical energy storage device should be made to extend as much as possible in a plane longitudinally and laterally extending under the platform.

[0013] This thus makes it difficult to install an electrical energy storage device with a relatively large volume under the platform. For this reason, it is known to release the available space under the platform from any clutter as much as possible to allow and / or facilitate the installation of an electrical energy storage device with a relatively large volume under the platform. For this purpose, it is desirable to have longitudinal beams and / or crossbeams extending under the platform, for example, as obtained from document EP2468609 - B1 (TESLAMOTORS Inc).

[0014] According to document EP2468609 - B1, the chassis does not have a central longitudinal beam and a central cross - beam below the platform. The available space below the platform is thus optimized for the installation of a modular electrical energy storage device, which may have a relatively large volume. The electrical energy storage device is assembled inside a frame, and the energy storage device is mounted below the platform via this frame. The frame incorporates lateral stiffening elements that are longitudinally distributed inside the frame, and between these lateral stiffening elements, modules for forming the electrical energy storage device are mounted. The laterally stiffened frame thus abuts against the lateral longitudinal beams of the chassis to compensate for the removal of the central longitudinal beam and the central cross - beam that generally extend below the platform.

[0015] However, the chassis has been found to be weakened along its longitudinal extension. It has since been observed that this longitudinal weakening of the chassis affects the resistance of the chassis in the case of a frontal impact borne by the vehicle, which impairs the satisfactory protection of the vehicle's passengers. It thus follows that, due to the absence of the so - called central longitudinal beam extending below the platform in order to optimize the volume of the electrical energy storage device, it is useful to seek a solution to strengthen the chassis with respect to frontal impacts borne by the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0016] In this context, the present invention aims to provide a fixing device for fixing the rear ends of the right longitudinal beam and the left longitudinal beam included in an engine mount assembled on the chassis to the chassis of a motor vehicle. The present invention also aims to provide a chassis of a motor vehicle, the chassis being equipped with a so - called engine mount, the rear ends of the longitudinal beams included in the engine mount being fixed to the chassis via a fixing device in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also aims to provide a motor vehicle including a chassis in accordance with the present invention, at least part of the power system of the chassis being electrical. It is understood here that the vehicle of the present invention is likely to be a vehicle generally characterized as electric (whose propulsion energy is entirely electrical) or a vehicle generally characterized as hybrid (whose propulsion energy is provided by an electric power system and / or by an internal combustion power system).

[0017] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution that relates to a fixing method for fixing the rear end of a longitudinal beam to the chassis and that can sufficiently effectively contain the deformation of the chassis in the case of a frontal impact borne by the vehicle to protect one or more passengers of the vehicle.

[0018] The present invention also aims to provide such a solution that compensates for the partial or complete absence of the base of the chassis (in particular the longitudinal stiffening element of the chassis) below the platform. As previously mentioned, this absence of the stiffening element is desirable for optimizing the available space for receiving an electric energy reservoir (which is used to at least provide the propulsion electric energy of the vehicle) below the platform.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a solution to limit the increase in the vehicle mass caused by the fixing method for fixing the rear end portion of the longitudinal beam to the chassis, so as to conserve resources as much as possible and thus conserve the endurance of the vehicle in terms of propulsion energy.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a solution that can be implemented under the layout constraints of an existing chassis structure. This solution particularly aims to limit the impact of such a layout on the manufacturing process of the existing chassis structure as much as possible, so as to be able to use the same assembly line for manufacturing the existing chassis structure, and the existing chassis structure selectively has or does not have the layout required for implementing the present invention. This object particularly belongs to the constraint of pursuing cost reduction related to the solution sought under the background of fierce economic competition in the field of motor vehicles. The pursuit may make the solution prohibitive due to the resulting costs.

[0021] According to the present invention, for each of the longitudinal beams, the fixing device includes a connecting joint, and the connecting joint includes at least one first connecting member. The at least one first connecting member is longitudinally fixed to the rear end portion of the longitudinal beam via the front end portion included in the first connecting member on the one hand, and is laterally fixed to the lateral longitudinal beam for forming the chassis via the rear end portion included in the first connecting member on the other hand. It is understood that the fixing device includes two left and right connecting joints, and the two connecting joints are respectively assigned to the rear end portions of the longitudinal beams. The longitudinal beams generally include a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam.

[0022] Each of the first connecting members is more specifically formed by a one-piece body, and the one-piece body may be composed of a plurality of elements integrally connected to each other.

[0023] The transverse and longitudinal extensions of the single-piece body are more precisely delimited between the rear end of the longitudinal beam and the docking area for docking (accostage) the so-called single-piece body against the lateral longitudinal beam. The first connecting member is formed, for example, of a metal sheet formed by stamping and / or other shaping means, the metal sheet extending between the front end and the rear end of the connecting member. Preferably, as described further below, the metal sheet is reinforced by one or more reinforcing portions assembled with each other, thereby forming a first reinforcing member that is integral with the metal sheet and that participates in the single-piece body for constituting the first connecting member.

[0024] The longitudinal beam is arranged transversely between the right and left sides of the chassis and is laterally offset with respect to the lateral longitudinal beams of the chassis.

[0025] Each of the two connecting joints complies with the layout provided by the present invention, without excluding the possibility of being different from each other according to the application cases of the present invention.

[0026] In the case of a frontal impact borne by the chassis, the longitudinal thrust generated by the impact is transmitted via the first connecting member from the longitudinal beam towards the lateral longitudinal beams respectively allocated to itself. By transmitting the longitudinal thrust borne by the engine mounts to the lateral longitudinal beams via the longitudinal beam (which is coupled to the lateral longitudinal beams by the first connecting member respectively allocated to itself), this enhances the resistance of the chassis to its own deformation in the event of a frontal impact.

[0027] This makes it possible to avoid installing longitudinal reinforcing members under the platform of the base of the chassis (which platform extends in particular under the passenger compartment of the vehicle and behind the engine compartment), the engine compartment accommodating the engine mounts and being provided in front of the chassis. This ultimately makes it possible to optimize the available space under the platform (for receiving at least the reservoir for the propulsion electrical energy of the vehicle).

[0028] The first connecting member extends in particular lower (en contrebas du) than the longitudinal beam and has a central portion sandwiched between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member. The central portion provides a lateral offset between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member.

[0029] The concept of "lower than" is understood to mean that the first connecting member extends at a lower height than the longitudinal beam allocated to itself, rather than meaning that it extends below the longitudinal beam. In fact, the first connecting member extends lower than the longitudinal beam and extends from its front end fixed to the rear end of the longitudinal beam towards its rear end fixed to the lateral longitudinal beam.

[0030] The first connecting member may be more or less vertically inclined from its front end towards its rear end. The expression "more or less" is understood such that the inclination depends in particular on the vertical deviation between the rear end of the longitudinal beam and the lateral longitudinal beam to which the first connecting member is fixed, depending on the specific application situation of the present invention.

[0031] More specifically, each of the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member has a longitudinal extension and is joined to each other by the central portion. The central portion extends longitudinally and transversely and includes a double bending portion that provides a lateral offset between its rear end and its front end.

[0032] The configuration of the central portion of the first connecting member joins the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member to each other such that a lateral offset is provided between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member. The lateral offset between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member is implemented via the central portion of the first connecting member, and this lateral offset can compensate for the lateral deviation between the longitudinal beam fixed to the first connecting member and the lateral longitudinal beam, and at the same time can transmit the longitudinal thrust from the longitudinal beam towards the lateral longitudinal beam.

[0033] Preferably, the first connecting member houses at least one first strengthening member that joins the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member to each other. The first strengthening member extends transversely along a transverse-longitudinal plane between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member and is bow-shaped.

[0034] The first strengthening member enhances the inherent robustness of the first connecting member against its own deformation in the case of a frontal impact borne by the chassis. The first strengthening member also facilitates the transfer of the longitudinal thrust generated in the case of a frontal impact borne by the chassis from the front end towards the rear end of the first connecting member.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the first connecting member that is advantageous for its own efficiency, the first strengthening member includes:

[0036] -) a first profile extending vertically, which is fixed to the first connecting member and extends between the front end and the rear end of the first connecting member,

[0037] -) A reinforcing wing plate that extends vertically and has a folded upper edge, and the reinforcing wing plate is integrally formed with the first connecting member. The reinforcing wing plate extends along the edge of the first connecting member at a lateral distance from the first profile with its own edge (this edge is laterally oriented inside the chassis). As is usually defined in the field of motor vehicles, the relative concepts of internal orientation and external orientation with respect to the chassis are especially applied to the relative positions between two objects, for example especially in the case between the first profile and the reinforcing wing plate.

[0038] -) A second profile that extends longitudinally at least partially inside the volume bounded between the first profile and the reinforcing wing plate, and the second profile is fixed to laterally and oppositely support the first profile and the reinforcing wing plate.

[0039] Preferably, the first connecting member includes a first housing, and the first housing includes an elevated bottom of a vertically extending edge wall. The bottom of the first housing is bounded between a first edge wall and a second edge wall. More precisely, the bottom of the first housing is bounded between the edge walls so that the internal volume of the housing is provided with a receiving space for at least receiving the first reinforcing member. The first housing is preferably formed as a single-piece body by the assembly of the components of the first reinforcing member with each other and its assembly with the first housing.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the edge of the bottom of the first housing is bounded between the first edge wall and the so-called second edge wall. The edge of the bottom of the first housing (especially longitudinally extending) laterally abuts against the side longitudinal beam, and longitudinally along the edge of the fixed wing plate of the first connecting member, and the fixed wing plate is used to vertically fix the first connecting member below the side longitudinal beam.

[0041] According to an embodiment, a first fixing tab for fixing the first connecting member to the rear end portion of the longitudinal beam is provided at the front end portion of the first connecting member and between the first edge wall and the second edge wall. The second edge wall is provided with a second fixing tab, and the second fixing tab is used to fix the first connecting member to laterally abut against the lateral surface of the side longitudinal beam at its own rear end portion.

[0042] More precisely, the reinforcing wing plate is constituted by the second edge wall included in the first housing. The first profile for constituting the first reinforcing member abuts against the reinforcing wing plate at its own rear end portion and butts in front of the second fixing tab.

[0043] According to one embodiment, each of the connection joints respectively allocated to the longitudinal beams further includes a second connection member, which is transversely joined between the first connection member and a laterally centered sabot equipped on the chassis. The respective second connection members of the connection joints are respectively transversely butted on both sides of the sabot.

[0044] In this case, among other possible functions, the second connection member forms a cushioning member for cushioning lateral thrust. Such lateral thrust may be caused by an optional lateral thrust component of the thrust applied to the front part of the chassis in the case of a frontal impact suffered by the chassis (especially in the case of a frontal-lateral impact applied to the front of the vehicle).

[0045] Preferably, for each of the connection joints, the first connection member and the second connection member are transversely abutting (aboutés) against each other to jointly form a one-piece body. The one-piece body formed by the first connection member and the second connection member is preferably made by assembling the first connection member and the second connection member with each other. For example, the first connection member and the second connection member are transversely butted and fixed to each other via mating combs (peignes ) respectively included therein.

[0046] More specifically, according to one embodiment, the second connection member is configured as a second housing extending longitudinally and transversely, and the second housing preferably houses at least one second reinforcing member. The reinforcing wing plate advantageously provides a partition between the internal volume of the first housing and the internal volume of the second housing, and the reinforcing wing plate participates in the stiffening of the second housing.

[0047] The present invention also aims to provide a motor vehicle including a chassis, and the rear ends of the right longitudinal beam and the left longitudinal beam included in the engine mounts assembled on the chassis are fixed on the chassis. The vehicle according to the present invention is characterized in that the rear ends of the longitudinal beams are fixed to the chassis via fixing means conforming to the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0048] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention and the drawings, in which:

[0049] - Figure 1 is a partial bottom-up perspective view of the base of the chassis of a motor vehicle. Figure 1More specifically shown is a fixing device for fixing the rear ends of a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam respectively included in an engine mount assembled on the chassis to the chassis via a right connection joint and a left connection joint.

[0050] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the longitudinal beam shown above. In Figure 2 the Figure 1 right connection joint and the left connection joint included in the fixing device shown above are respectively fixed to the rear ends of the right longitudinal beam and the left longitudinal beam.

[0051] - Figure 3 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 a partial top perspective view of the left connection joint shown above. In Figure 3 the Figure 1 left connection joint engages between the rear end of the left longitudinal beam shown above and the left lateral longitudinal beam included in the chassis. Figure 2

[0052] - Figure 4 is Figures 1 to 3 a top perspective view of the left connection joint shown above, the left connection joint being composed of a first connection member and a second connection member, and the first connection member and the second connection member being transversely end - joined and fixed to each other.

[0053] - Figure 5 is Figures 1 to 4 a top view of the left connection joint shown above.

[0054] - Figure 6 is Figures 1 to 5 a top perspective view of the left connection joint shown above. In Figure 6 the connection joint is shown as being transversely truncated at its rear end to more accurately show the reinforcing member equipped with the connection joint.

[0055] - Figure 7 is Figures 1 to 3 Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the right connection joint shown above. The connection joint is the same and symmetrically mounted on the chassis, and the lower view of the right connection joint is DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] ​The accompanying drawings and their non - limiting detailed description set forth the invention in a particular manner that does not limit the scope of the invention. The accompanying drawings and their detailed description of embodiments of the invention can be used to better define the invention and can be combined with the general description just given when needed. Additionally, to avoid overloading the drawings and for ease of reading, the reference signs assigned to the terms and / or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated on any one of the drawings may possibly be reused in the description of any other drawing without implying their presence on all drawings.

[0057] In the drawings, the vehicle, the components of the vehicle, and / or the relative positions of the components of the vehicle with respect to each other are defined with reference to an orthogonal coordinate system commonly used in the field of motor vehicles.

[0058] According to this orthogonal coordinate system, the vehicle extends longitudinally L1 between a front part AV1 and a rear part AR1, transversely T1 between a right side DR1 and a left side G1, and vertically V1 rising from the bottom B1 of the vehicle towards the top H1 with respect to the travel plane of the vehicle.

[0059] In Figure 1 is shown the base of the chassis 1 of a motor vehicle as viewed from below. The base includes right and left lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b respectively, and a platform 2 extends between the right lateral longitudinal beam and the left lateral longitudinal beam. A free space is provided below the platform 2 for installing an electrical energy storage device that is used in particular to provide the propulsion electrical energy of the vehicle. The propulsion power system of the vehicle is installed inside the front engine compartment of the vehicle and is supported by engine mounts that are fixed to the chassis 1 at their front and rear ends.

[0060] Also see Figure 2 , the engine mounts include a right longitudinal beam 3a and a left longitudinal beam 3b, and the right longitudinal beam and the left longitudinal beam are fixed to the chassis 1 via their rear ends 4. The present invention provides a fixing device for fixing the rear ends 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b to the chassis 1 via connecting joints 5a, 5b. More precisely, the left connecting joint 5b causes the rear end 4 of the left longitudinal beam 3b to be fixed to the left lateral longitudinal beam 1b of the chassis 1, as shown in Figure 3 and, similarly, the right connecting joint 5a causes the rear end 4 of the right longitudinal beam 3a to be fixed to the right lateral longitudinal beam 1a of the chassis 1.

[0061] According to the example shown, the left connecting joint 5b and the right connecting joint 5a are the same and are symmetrically mounted on the chassis 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis A1 that is centrally located laterally with respect to the chassis 1. The configuration of the fixed interfaces 5a, 5b does not prevent their own processing for receiving the ferrule members (for example, the reference member 6 for manipulating these fixed interfaces), and the reference member is used when the components of the chassis 1 are assembled in the production chain of an existing vehicle. The chassis 1 arranged in accordance with the present invention can thus be manipulated in the assembly chains of different vehicles, provided that the different vehicles have the same running base.

[0062] As Figures 1 to 7 More visibly as above, each of the connecting joints 5a, 5b includes a first connecting member 7a and a second connecting member 7b, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member are end-to-end and fixed to each other laterally.

[0063] More specifically, as Figure 2 is more visibly seen, the right connecting joint 5a and the left connecting joint 5b and thus the first connecting members 7a and the second connecting members 7b included therein respectively extend lower than the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b. The connecting joints 5a, 5b extend from the rear ends 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b towards the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b respectively assigned to the connecting joints 5a, 5b, particularly behind the partition baffle between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0064] According to the structure of the chassis 1, particularly according to the longitudinal separation deviation and / or the lateral separation deviation between the rear ends 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b and the fixing areas for fixing the connecting joints 5a, 5b to the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b respectively assigned to the connecting joints, the connecting joints 5a, 5b are more or less inclined with respect to the running plane of the vehicle.

[0065] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 above, for each of the connecting joints 5a, 5b, the connecting joints 5a, 5b connect the rear ends 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b to the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b via the first connecting members 7a. The longitudinally extending front end 8a of the first connecting member 7a is longitudinally fixed to the rear end 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b via the first fixing tab 9a included in the first connecting member 7a. The longitudinally extending rear end 8b of the first connecting member 7a is laterally fixed to the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b via the second fixing tab 9b included in the first connecting member 7a.

[0066] More specifically, in Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7Visibly above, the first connecting member 7a is also vertically fixed below the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b via a fixing wing plate 10 included in the first connecting member 7a. The fixing wing plate 10 extends transversely and longitudinally along the docking edge 11 of the first connecting member 7a, and the docking edge abuts laterally against the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown above.

[0067] More specifically, Figures 4 to 7 visibly above, the first connecting member 7a has a central portion 8c which is sandwiched between the front end portion 8a and the rear end portion 8b of the first connecting member 7a. The central portion 8c has a double bending portion formed between the front end portion 8a and the rear end portion 8b of the first connecting member 7a, and this double bending portion provides a lateral offset between the front end portion 8a and the rear end portion 8b of the first connecting member 7a. This lateral offset promotes a lateral connection between the rear end portions 4 of the longitudinal beams 3a, 3b and the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b via the first connecting member 7a.

[0068] The first connecting member 7a includes a first housing 12a which extends longitudinally and transversely. The first housing 12a has an elevated bottom 13a of the edge walls 14a, 14b, and this bottom extends vertically from the bottom 13a of the first housing 12a towards the top of the chassis 1 (the first edge wall 14a and the second edge wall 14b of this chassis).

[0069] The docking edge 11 is provided by the bottom 13a of the first housing 12a and extends between the outer lateral ends E1 of the first edge wall 14a and the second edge wall 14b which are oriented towards the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b. A first fixing tab 9a extends transversely and risingly between the front end portions of the first edge wall 14a and the second edge wall 14b. A second fixing tab 9b is provided by the longitudinal extension of the second edge wall 14b at its rear end portion.

[0070] The first connecting member 7a integrates a first strengthening member 15a which is housed inside the first housing 12a to strengthen the resistance to deformation of this first housing in the case of a frontal impact borne by the chassis 1. The first strengthening member 15a connects the front end portion 8a and the rear end portion 8b of the first connecting member 7a to each other by extending longitudinally and transversely. The first strengthening member 15a partially occupies the internal volume of the first housing 12a and has an arcuate fusiform configuration along the transverse-longitudinal plane between the front end portion 8a and the rear end portion 8b of the first connecting member 7a.

[0071] More specifically, Figure 6Visibly, the first reinforcement member 15a includes various components integrally formed with the first housing 12a and / or fixed to the first housing 12a for constituting the first connecting member 7a. The first component is formed by the first profile 16a, the second component is formed by the reinforcing flange 14b included in the first housing 12a, which is constituted by the second edge wall 14b, and the third component is formed by the second profile 16b, which extends transversely and longitudinally between the first profile 16a and the reinforcing flange 14b.

[0072] The first profile 16a has an S-shaped contour that extends vertically from the bottom 13a of the first housing 12a to which the first profile is fixed. The first profile 16a is oriented transversely with respect to the outer side E1 of the chassis 1 (in other words, in the direction of the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b to which the first profile is fixed). The first profile 16a extends longitudinally and transversely from the front end portion 8a of the first connecting member 7a and abuts against the reinforcing flange 14b at its own rear end portion in front of the second fixing tab 9b.

[0073] The reinforcing flange 14b extends vertically and has a folded upper edge, and is integrally formed with the material for constituting the first housing 12a. The reinforcing flange 14b extends with a variable lateral distance from the first profile 16a, while the first housing is along the edge of the first housing 12a at its side that is oriented transversely towards the second connecting member 7b (in other words, at its side that is oriented transversely from the inner side II of the chassis 1, and in other words, at its side that is oriented transversely away from the lateral longitudinal beams 1a, 1b to which the connection joints 5a, 5b are fixed). The reinforcing flange 14b and the first profile 16a delimit a bow-shaped spindle-shaped configuration of the first reinforcement member 15a therebetween.

[0074] The second profile 16b is transversely joined between the first profile 16a and the reinforcing flange 14b. The second profile 16b has a U-shaped contour and is fixed to the first profile 16a and the reinforcing flange 14b via the branches of the U-shaped contour of the second profile 16b. The second profile 16b extends longitudinally at least partially inside the volume delimited between the first profile 16a and the reinforcing flange 14b, while laterally and oppositely supporting the first profile 16a and the reinforcing flange 14b.

[0075] The second connecting member 7b is formed by a second housing 12b, which is reinforced by a second reinforcement member 15b accommodated therein. The second housing 12b extends longitudinally and transversely from the first housing 12a as an extension at the inner side II of the chassis. The second housing 12b includes a raised bottom 13b of the edge walls, which extend vertically from the bottom 13b of the second housing 12b towards the top of the chassis 1.

[0076] The edge wall of the second housing 12b is provided by a reinforcing flange 14b included in the first connecting member 7a at the face thereof facing the first connecting member 7a, in other words, by a second edge wall 14b included in the first housing 12a.

[0077] The reinforcing flange 14b thus forms a partition separating the internal volume of the first housing 12a from the internal volume of the second housing 12b. The reinforcing flange 14b also participates in the reinforcement of the second housing 12b in the case of a frontal impact borne by the vehicle (especially in the case of a frontal-lateral impact applied to the front of the vehicle). The second reinforcing member 15b received inside the second housing 12b has a stepped configuration extending vertically along the second housing 12b, and each of the steps is individually fixed to the bottom 13b included in the second housing 12b.

[0078] Each of the first connecting member 7a and the second connecting member 7b is provided with a base plate 17a, 17b for fitting and / or fixing the connecting member under the platform 2, as Figure 1 shown above. The base plates 17a, 17b are at least partially formed by bends included in at least one of the edge walls 14a, 14b of the first housing 12a and the second housing 12b. The base plate 17a of the first connecting member 7a is at least provided by the flanging of the upper edge of the reinforcing flange 14b and the flange of the first profile 16a provided by its own S-shaped contour configuration. The base plate 17b of the second connecting member 7b is provided on the upper periphery of the edge wall of the second housing for forming the second connecting member 7b and at least partially surrounds the edge wall.

[0079] On Figure 1 it, the base of the vehicle is provided with a longitudinal reinforcing channel member 18 that extends along a longitudinally central longitudinal axis A1 transversely and extends vertically to project towards the top of the chassis 1. The channel member 18 is provided with a boot 19, and the connecting joints 5a, 5b are respectively docked to the boot 19 on both sides thereof via the second connecting member 7b included in itself transversely and along its transverse extension.

Claims

1. A fixing device for fixing a rear end portion (4) of a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam (3a, 3b) included in an engine mount assembled on a chassis (1) of a motor vehicle to the chassis (1), characterized in that, For each of the longitudinal beams (3a, 3b), the fixing device includes connecting joints (5a, 5b), the connecting joints including at least one first connecting member (7a), the at least one first connecting member being longitudinally (L1) fixed to the rear end (4) of the longitudinal beam (3a, 3b) on the one hand via a front end portion (8a) included in the first connecting member (7a), and being transversely (T1) fixed to the lateral longitudinal beams (1a, 1b) for forming the chassis (1) on the other hand via a rear end portion (8b) included in the first connecting member (7a), and the first connecting member (7a) accommodating at least one first strengthening member (15a), the at least one first strengthening member coupling the front end portion (8a) and the rear end portion (8b) of the first connecting member (7a) to each other, the first strengthening member (15a) extending transversely (T1) along a transverse-longitudinal (T1-L1) plane between the front end portion (8a) and the rear end portion (8b) of the first connecting member (7a) while being arcuate, and the first strengthening member (15a) including: - a first profile (16a) extending vertically (V1), the first profile being fixed to the first connecting member (7a) and extending between the front end portion (8a) and the rear end portion (8b) of the first connecting member (7a), - a strengthening wing plate (14b) extending vertically (V1) and having a folded-up edge, the strengthening wing plate being integrally formed with the first connecting member (7a), the strengthening wing plate (14b) extending along the edge of the first connecting member (7a) at a transverse (T1) distance from the first profile (16a) and at its own edge, the edge being transversely (T1) oriented on the inner side (I1) of the chassis (1), - a second profile (16b), the second profile at least partially extending longitudinally (L1) inside a volume delimited between the first profile (16a) and the strengthening wing plate (14b), the second profile (16b) being fixed to transversely (T1) and oppositely support the first profile (16a) and the strengthening wing plate (14b).

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting member (7a) extends lower than the longitudinal beam (3a, 3b) and has a central portion (8c), the central portion being sandwiched between the front end portion (8a) and the rear end portion (8b) of the first connecting member (7a), the central portion (8c) having a transverse (T1) offset between the front end portion (8a) and the rear end portion (8b) of the first connecting member (7a).

3. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first connecting member (7a) includes a first housing (12a), the first housing including an elevated bottom (13a) of an edge wall extending vertically (V1), the bottom (13a) of the first housing (12a) being delimited between a first edge wall (14a) and a second edge wall (14b). The edge (11) of the bottom (13a) of the first housing (12a) is delimited between the first edge wall (14a) and the second edge wall (14b), laterally (T1) against the lateral longitudinal beams (1a, 1b) and longitudinally (L1) along the edge of the fixing flange (10) of the first connecting member (7a), the fixing flange being for vertically (V1) fixing the first connecting member below the lateral longitudinal beams (1a, 1b). A first fixing tab (9a) for fixing the front end portion (8a) of the first connecting member (7a) to the rear end portion (4) of the longitudinal beams (3a, 3b) is provided at the front end portion of the first connecting member (7a) and between the first edge wall (14a) and the second edge wall (14b), and the second edge wall (14b) is provided with a second fixing tab (9b), the second fixing tab being for fixing the first connecting member (7a) laterally (T1) against the lateral face of the lateral longitudinal beams (1a, 1b) at its own rear end portion (8b).

4. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the reinforcing flange (14b) is constituted by the second edge wall included in the first housing (12a), and a first profile (16a) for constituting the first reinforcing member (15a) abuts against the reinforcing flange (14b) at its own rear end portion and butts in front of the second fixing tab (9b).

5. The fixing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, Each of the connection joints (5a, 5b) respectively allocated to the longitudinal beams (3a, 3b) further includes a second connecting member (7b), the second connecting member being laterally (T1) joined between the first connecting member (7a) and a boot (19) equipped on the chassis (1) and laterally (T1) located in the center, and the respective second connecting members (7b) of the connection joints (5a, 5b) are respectively laterally (T1) butted on both sides of the boot (19).

6. The fixing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, For each of the connection joints (5a, 5b), the first connecting member (7a) and the second connecting member (7b) are end - to - end laterally (T1) with each other to jointly form a single - piece body.

7. The fixing device according to claim 6, characterized in that The second connecting member (7b) is configured as a second housing (12b) extending longitudinally (L1) and laterally (T1), the second housing accommodating a second reinforcing member (15b), the first connecting member (7a) includes a first housing (12a), and the reinforcing flange (14b) provides a partition partition between the internal volume of the first housing (12a) and the internal volume of the second housing (12b).

8. A motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1) on which are fixed respective rear ends (4) of a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam (3a, 3b) included in an engine support assembled on the chassis (1), characterized in that, The rear end portion (4) of the longitudinal beams (3a, 3b) is fixed to the chassis (1) via the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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