Motor vehicle floor with central passage-side arrangement for traction battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle structural element (2) comprising a floor (4), a central channel (6) dividing the floor into two half-floors (4.1), a profile (14) extending longitudinally along the central channel (6) on one of the two half-floors (4.1), wherein the profile (14) has a cutout (14.1) forming a longitudinal slot along an edge of the profile opposite the central channel (6) and a reinforcement of the profile (14) extending along the longitudinal slot and being fixed with the profile (14) and the central channel (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2101292, filed on February 11, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicles, and more specifically to structural components of motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0003] The development of pure electric or hybrid electric traction vehicles has progressed rapidly. This development necessitates the housing of electrical energy storage batteries (more commonly referred to as traction batteries) within the vehicle's structural components. Typically, these traction batteries are housed under the floor of the vehicle's structural components using enclosures. The traction batteries have a significant mass sufficient to modify the performance of the vehicle's structural components during a collision. In particular, frontal crash tests (especially against a partially covered deformable movable barrier (referred to as a "Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier," according to EURO-NCAP standards) and against a rigid fixed barrier spanning the entire width of the vehicle (referred to as a "Full Width Rigid Barrier," according to EURO-NCAP standards) apply significant deformational stresses at two longitudinal beam locations, extending from the engine compartment to below the floor and commonly referred to as longitudinal members. The mass added under the floor by the traction battery enclosure degrades performance in frontal crash tests. Furthermore, the position of the longitudinal member below the base plate is not conducive to the placement of the traction battery, since it is desirable to place the traction battery directly below the base plate.

[0004] Publicly available patent document US2010 / 0187864A1 discloses a motor vehicle structural component with a central tunnel reinforcement designed to improve performance in low-coverage frontal crash tests. The reinforcement is located at the front beneath the floor plate and includes a tubular structure extending substantially laterally and secured to the floor plate along the central tunnel at longitudinal profiles. This solution essentially limits engine intrusion into the passenger compartment via the central tunnel. This solution is not intended for vehicles weighted by a traction battery, nor does it address the positioning of such a traction battery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to overcome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art described above. More specifically, the object of this invention is to provide a vehicle structural component that is compatible with frontal crash testing when a traction battery is located under the floor, and facilitates the placement of the battery under the floor.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a structural component for a motor vehicle, the structural component comprising: a base plate; a central channel dividing the base plate into two half-base plates; a profile extending longitudinally along the central channel on one of the two half-base plates; characterized in that the profile has: a cut forming a longitudinal groove along an edge of the profile opposite to the central channel; and a reinforcing portion extending along the longitudinal groove and fixed to the profile and the central channel.

[0007] Advantageously, the motor vehicle structural member includes profiles respectively on each of the two half-base plates.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing portion includes one or more metal plates having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being horizontal and fixed against the lower surface of the profile, and the second portion being vertical and fixed against the adjacent inner surface of the central channel.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the reinforcing portion has a longitudinal edge opposite to the central channel, the longitudinal edge having a hollow profile forming the groove.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing part includes a longitudinal rib, which is vertical or forms an inclination of less than 30° with respect to the vertical direction.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal ribs point downwards.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the metal plate of the reinforcing portion includes a first metal plate forming the first portion and a second metal plate forming the second portion, the first metal plate and the second metal plate respectively including two edges assembled abutting each other along the sheet, the sheet forming the longitudinal rib.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing portion includes two opposite ends that extend longitudinally beyond the longitudinal groove.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal groove is located entirely on the front half of the base plate.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cut in the profile is an incomplete or complete cut in the transverse section of the profile.

[0016] The present invention also aims to provide a motor vehicle comprising: a motor vehicle structural member having a floor; a box for housing an electrical energy storage battery disposed below the floor; characterized in that the motor vehicle structural member is according to the present invention, and the box is adjacent to the longitudinal groove.

[0017] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a support for supporting the housing and the electrical energy storage battery, the support extending along a horizontal plane below the housing and fixed to a reinforcement of the profile.

[0018] The advantage of the present invention is that it allows for more space beneath the floor (particularly beneath the front portion of the floor, below the driver and / or front passenger) without interfering with beams and profiles (which are typically present and used to distribute and partially absorb frontal collision energy). This space allows the traction battery to be arranged directly opposite the lower surface of the floor, thereby limiting its downward vertical dimension. The loss of rigidity (caused by cuts made in the profile extending longitudinally along the central channel) is compensated by reinforcements that work in conjunction with the central channel. This prevents the central channel from catching fire in a frontal impact and also significantly reduces the forces acting on the support and fixing areas that support the traction battery. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic bottom view of a motor vehicle structural component according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective detail of the area where the traction battery box of a motor vehicle structural component is received. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A bottom view of a motor vehicle structural member (more specifically, half of the motor vehicle structural member) according to the invention is shown schematically, and it is understood that the other half may be symmetrically identical to the half shown and detailed below.

[0022] The structural component 2 of a motor vehicle typically includes a floor 4, a central passageway 6, and two lateral longitudinal beams 8 (along the outer edges of the floor 4). The central passageway 6 divides the floor 4 into two halves, of which only the left half 4.1 is shown.

[0023] The front beam 10 (more generally referred to as a longitudinal member) is a longitudinal member resembling a stretcher (forming two longitudinal beams, which are generally parallel and optionally vertically shaped at their ends), fixed to the front of the base plate 4. More precisely, the front beam 10 extends from the engine compartment or more generally (in the absence of an engine) from the front compartment, wherein the front beam supports the front bumper crossbeam via a compressible box (“crashbox”), however these elements are not shown. It is known that the front beam 10 may have a curved profile along a vertical longitudinal plane, evolving from a higher height in the front compartment or engine compartment toward a lower height below the base plate 4.

[0024] like Figure 1 As can be seen above, the front beam 10 has a straight profile along a horizontal plane parallel to the base plate 4, extending to the rear end of the front beam on the front of the base plate 4.

[0025] Lateral profile 12 extends longitudinally along lateral beam 8 on the base plate 4 and at a distance from adjacent lateral beams. Similarly, profile 14 extends longitudinally along the central passage 6 on the base plate 4 and substantially parallel to lateral profile 12. Each of lateral profile 12 and profile 14 is advantageously mechanically connected to front beam 10 at its respective front end.

[0026] The advantage of this configuration is that it provides space or area for accommodating the electrical energy storage battery box or traction battery box 16. The box can thus be placed directly against the lower surface of the base plate 4 without interfering with profiles or beams, thereby limiting the vertical dimension downwards and thus determining the ground clearance of the vehicle.

[0027] The lateral profile 12 can also be rigidly connected to the rear end of the front beam 10 by means of a transverse box 18 (shown schematically).

[0028] Furthermore, a rear beam 10' extending rearward from the front beam 10 can be provided. It can be observed that the rear beam 10' has a front end located near the rear surface of the box 16.

[0029] The profile 14, extending along the central channel 6, has a longitudinal cut 14.1 at the location of the traction battery box 16 to form a longitudinal groove 15 that receives the box 16 in question. This cut in the profile 14 (which may be incomplete or complete in the transverse section of the profile 14) naturally deforces the profile 14, even preventing it from gripping and transmitting forward impact energy rearward. For this purpose, a reinforcement 20 is fixed to the profile 14 along the longitudinal groove formed by the cut 14.1. The reinforcement 20 is advantageously fixed not only to the profile 14 on both sides of the cut 14.1 but also to the central channel 6. This central channel has a U-shaped transverse profile with walls adjacent to and generally perpendicular to the base plate. The advantage of fastening to these adjacent walls lies particularly in the compensation logic for compensating for the lack of rigidity in the profile 14 due to the cut 14.1.

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A detailed perspective view of the area of ​​the motor vehicle structural component receiving the traction battery box 16.

[0031] The reinforcing portion 20 is formed of one or more metal plates, which include a first portion 20.1 that is generally horizontal and, in particular, fixed to the profile 14 on both sides of the cut 14.1. This fixing can also occur along the cut, provided that the cut 14.1 of the profile 14 is not completely within the transverse section of the profile, that is, a portion of the transverse section is left unsaid and the first portion 20.1 of the reinforcing portion 20 can be fixed therein. This fixing is advantageously performed by welding (more specifically by resistance welding). The profile 14 advantageously has a U-shaped transverse section with two flaps at the ends of the U fixed to the base plate 4. The fixing of the first portion 20.1 of the reinforcing portion 14 can thus be performed on the central portion of the U-shaped section of the profile 14.

[0032] The first part 20.1 of the reinforcing part 20 has a longitudinal edge 20.1.1 opposite to the central channel, the longitudinal edge having a hollow profile that can form a longitudinal groove 15.

[0033] The reinforcing part 20 also includes a second part 20.2, which is fixed to the central channel 6, more specifically against the inner surface of the channel. Similar to the first part 20.1, the second part 20.2 is advantageously fixed to the central channel 6 by welding (more specifically by resistance welding).

[0034] The reinforcement 20 may also include a longitudinal rib 20.3, which is vertical or inclined at less than 30° to the vertical direction. The rib 20.3 is advantageously oriented downward (that is, opposite to the second part 20.2) in order to form maximum flexural stiffness along a longitudinal vertical plane or at least a near-vertical plane.

[0035] The reinforcing part 20 is advantageously partially made of two metal plates assembled together (i.e., a first metal plate comprising a first part 20.1 and a second metal plate comprising a second part 20.2). The two metal plates are assembled together at two edge positions along which a joining plate is stacked, forming a rib 20.3. This fixing can also be implemented by welding (more specifically by resistance welding points).

[0036] The support member 22 for supporting the traction battery box 16 is schematically shown by a break line. The support member is generally planar, although it may have reinforcing ribs or protrusions. The support member can be fixed to the reinforcement 20, more specifically to the first portion 20.1 of the reinforcement 20. The support member can also be fixed to the transverse box 18 via tabs 24 and also via the front end of the rear beam 10' (extending rearwards towards the front beam 10). These different fixing areas are... Figure 2 The above is schematically shown as a dot. The lateral profile 12 can also be used as a fixing area for the support member 22.

[0037] The reinforcement 20 just described can take other forms or be implemented differently, while ensuring the same functionality and bringing the same benefits.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising: Motor vehicle structural component (2), the motor vehicle structural component includes: - Base plate (4); - Central channel (6), which divides the base plate (4) into two half base plates (4.1); - Profile (14), which extends longitudinally along the central channel (6) on one of the two half-bottom plates (4.1); and a box (16) for accommodating electrical energy storage batteries, the box being arranged below the base plate (4), Its features are, The profile (14) has: a cut (14.1) forming a longitudinal groove (15) along an edge of the profile opposite to the central channel (6); and a reinforcing portion (20) of the profile (14) extending along the longitudinal groove and fixed to the profile (14) and the central channel (6). Furthermore, the box is adjacent to the longitudinal groove (15).

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The reinforcing part (20) includes one or more metal plates having a first part (20.1) and a second part (20.2), the first part being horizontal and fixed against the lower surface of the profile (14), and the second part being vertical and fixed against the adjacent inner surface of the central channel (6).

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The first part (20.1) of the reinforcing part (20) has a longitudinal edge (20.1.1) opposite to the central channel (6), the longitudinal edge having a hollow profile forming the longitudinal groove.

4. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The reinforcing part (20) includes a longitudinal rib (20.3), which is vertical or has an inclination of less than 30° to the vertical direction.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, The longitudinal rib (20.3) points downward.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The reinforcing part (20) includes a longitudinal rib (20.3), which is vertical or has an inclination of less than 30° to the vertical direction. The metal plate of the reinforcing part (20) includes a first metal plate forming the first part (20.1) and a second metal plate forming the second part (20.2). The first metal plate and the second metal plate each include two edges that are assembled abutting each other along the sheet, and the sheet forms the longitudinal rib (20.3).

7. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, wherein, The reinforcing part (20) includes two opposite ends that extend longitudinally beyond the longitudinal groove (15).

8. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, wherein, The longitudinal groove is located entirely on the front half of the base plate (4).

9. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, wherein, The cut (14.1) of the profile (14) is an incomplete or complete cut in the transverse section of the profile.

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