Protective device for protecting equipment of a land vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device (DP) equipped on a land vehicle (V), comprising a first crosspiece (T1) integral upstream of the equipment (BV) with a right-hand and a left-hand longitudinal chassis (L1) framing the equipment (BV). The device (DP) comprises a second crosspiece (T2) for fixing downstream of the equipment (BV) with the longitudinal chassis (L1) fixedly and without play, so as to define with the first crosspiece (T1) and the longitudinal chassis (L1) a protection frame for the equipment (BV).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2104121, filed on April 21, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the protection of land vehicles and, more specifically, to some equipment that is part of such vehicles. Background Technology

[0003] Some optional types of land vehicles include crossbeams integrated with right and left longitudinal beams that enclose at least one piece of equipment upstream. For example, these longitudinal beams may be what those skilled in the art would refer to as "small longitudinal beams," which are mounted under the rear cargo box of the (land) vehicle. In this case, the equipment enclosed by the small longitudinal beams may, for example, be a rechargeable battery protected by a cover and supplying electrical energy to at least one electrically driven mechanism of the vehicle's powertrain (or GMP).

[0004] When the vehicle experiences a rear-end collision with at least partial longitudinal force, the vehicle's longitudinal beams (or minor longitudinal beams) are able to withstand the impact without damaging the equipment and its optional cover. However, when the vehicle experiences a rear-end collision with at least partial lateral force at one location on the longitudinal beams (or minor longitudinal beams), the beams often bend inward and thus toward the equipment because they are fixedly connected only to one of the two opposite ends of the crossbeam (which is mounted upstream of the equipment) and are therefore unable to withstand shear forces. This bending can thereby damage the equipment, which can prove potentially dangerous even when the equipment is protected by a cover, especially when the equipment is a rechargeable battery. In fact, this can cause short circuits and / or the release of potentially toxic products.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore particularly to improve the situation by better protecting the equipment in the event that the vehicle is subjected to at least partially lateral impact at one location in the longitudinal beam (or minor longitudinal beam) of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a protective device for use on a land vehicle, the protective device comprising a first crossbeam integrally connected to a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam framing the equipment at an upstream position of at least one piece of equipment.

[0007] The protective device is characterized in that it includes a second crossbeam for being screwed and integrally connected to the longitudinal beam at the downstream end of the equipment, so as to define a protective frame for protecting the equipment together with the first crossbeam and the longitudinal beam.

[0008] Because of the protective frame that encloses the equipment, the equipment will be effectively protected not only in the event of a longitudinal collision but also in the event of a lateral collision.

[0009] The protective device according to the invention may include other features that can be used alone or in combination, in particular:

[0010] - The second crossbeam of the protective device can be used to be fixedly connected to the longitudinal beam by screwing and without gaps;

[0011] - The protective device may include two fixing parts, which are respectively welded to the right end and the left end of the second crossbeam, and are respectively screwed to the right longitudinal beam and the left longitudinal beam to be fixed together without gaps.

[0012] - In the case of the latter optional configuration, each fixing part may include, on the one hand, a first portion in the form of a parallelepiped, the first portion including an inner surface and an outer surface parallel to the inner surface, the inner surface being oriented toward and integrally connected to the corresponding end of the second crossbeam by welding, the outer surface being used for seamless mounting in front of the inner surface of the corresponding longitudinal beam; and on the other hand, a second portion in the form of a parallelepiped, the second portion including a lower surface, the lower surface being integrally connected to the upper surface of the first portion, and being used for seamless mounting in front of the upper surface of the corresponding longitudinal beam by screwing.

[0013] - In the presence of the latter optional configuration, each first part of the fixing part may form a hollow body, with at least one first reinforcing wall installed inside the hollow body, the at least one first reinforcing wall optionally being inclined relative to a vertical plane parallel to the inner and outer surfaces of the first part.

[0014] - In the case of the latter optional configuration, each second part of the fixing part can form a hollow body, and at least one second reinforcing wall is installed inside the hollow body along a vertical plane perpendicular to the lower surface of the second part;

[0015] - In the case of the latter optional configuration, the protective device may include two reinforcing angle irons, namely a right reinforcing angle iron and a left reinforcing angle iron, each of the two reinforcing angle irons including an inner wall and an upper wall, the inner wall being used for seamless insertion between the inner surface of the corresponding fixing part and the inner surface of the corresponding longitudinal beam, and the upper wall being used for seamless insertion between the upper surface of the corresponding fixing part and the upper surface of the corresponding longitudinal beam.

[0016] - In the case of the latter optional configuration, each reinforcing angle iron may extend on at least half of the longitudinal extension of the corresponding longitudinal beam.

[0017] The present invention also provides a land vehicle comprising a first crossbeam and a protective device of the type described above, wherein the first crossbeam is integrally connected to a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam framing the equipment at an upstream position of at least one piece of equipment.

[0018] For example, the device could be a rechargeable battery.

[0019] For example, the land vehicle may be a motorized type, in which case the longitudinal beams, protective devices, and equipment of the land vehicle may be installed under the trunk of the land vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings (obtained by means of CAO / DAO, "computer-aided design / computer-aided drafting"):

[0021] - Figure 1 An example of the rear portion of a land vehicle, including an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention, is schematically shown in a top perspective view.

[0022] - Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown in a top-down perspective view. Figure 1 The right sub-section of the rear section of a land vehicle.

[0023] - Figure 3 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As part of the protective device, before the protective device is installed in the land vehicle,

[0024] - Figure 4 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figures 1 to 3 The right side portion of the second crossbeam of the protective device, and

[0025] - Figure 5 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figures 1 to 3The right-side fixing part of the protective device. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The object of the present invention is particularly to provide a protective device DP for protecting the equipment BV of the land vehicle V in the event of a collision, in particular, occurring at a location in one of the longitudinal beams (or joists) Lj of the land vehicle V, which is at least partially transverse to the land vehicle V.

[0027] In the following description, as an illustrative example, the land vehicle V is considered to be of a motorized type. The land vehicle is, for example, a passenger car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. The invention actually relates to any vehicle including a first crossbeam (which is integrally connected upstream of at least one piece of equipment to be protected to the right and left longitudinal beams framing said equipment).

[0028] In this context, the concepts of "upstream" and "downstream" are understood relative to the front end of the vehicle V. Therefore, the first element located upstream of the second element is closer to the front end of the vehicle V than the second element. Conversely, the first element located downstream of the second element is closer to the rear end of the vehicle V than the second element.

[0029] Furthermore, in the following text, as an illustrative example, the equipment BV to be protected is considered to be a rechargeable battery. For example, this rechargeable battery BV is protected (or housed) by a cover CP (or casing) and is responsible for providing electrical energy to at least one electrically driven mechanism of the powertrain (or GMP) of the (land) vehicle V. However, the invention is not limited to this type of equipment. In fact, the invention relates to any equipment of a land vehicle that needs to be protected and is mounted between two longitudinal beams of the land vehicle.

[0030] Furthermore, as an illustrative example, in the following text, it is assumed that the equipment to be protected, BV, the longitudinal beam Lj, and the protective device DP are installed in the rear portion of the vehicle V and below the trunk of the vehicle V. However, the equipment to be protected, BV, the longitudinal beam Lj, and the protective device DP may be installed in the front portion of the vehicle V.

[0031] exist Figures 1 to 5 Above, direction X is the longitudinal direction of vehicle V (which is parallel to the lateral side including the side door), direction Y is the lateral direction of vehicle V (which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X), and direction Z is the vertical direction of vehicle V (which is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y).

[0032] exist Figure 1The above schematically illustrates an example of the rear portion of a (land) vehicle V, which includes a first crossbeam T1, a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam Lj (j = 1 or 2), a BV (here, a rechargeable battery concealed by a protective cover CP), and an embodiment of the protective device DP according to the invention.

[0033] The longitudinal beams (or small longitudinal beams) L1 and L2 are connected to the right and left ends of the first crossbeam T1 respectively, and frame the equipment BV (and its protective cover CP) on the right and left longitudinal sides of the vehicle V.

[0034] The first crossbeam T1 is installed upstream of the equipment BV (and its protective cover CP) and frames the equipment and its protective cover BV and CP on the lateral side.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown above, the protective device DP according to the invention includes at least one second crossbeam T2, which is bolted and integrally connected without gap to the longitudinal beam Lj downstream of the equipment BV, so as to define a protective frame for protecting the equipment BV together with the first crossbeam T1 and the longitudinal beam Lj. It is understood that the first crossbeam T1 and the second crossbeam T2 (in the transverse direction Y) are parallel to each other. It is also understood that the gap is understood to extend in the transverse direction Y.

[0036] The front and rear ends of each longitudinal beam (or sub-longitudinal beam) Lj are subsequently fixedly connected to the right or left ends of the first crossbeam T1 and the second crossbeam T2. This allows the longitudinal beam Lj to withstand greater shear forces (in the event of a collision at the location of the longitudinal beam where the vehicle V experiences at least a partial lateral impact) and thus to bend inward (towards the equipment BV). The equipment (BV) is therefore particularly well protected not only in the event of a longitudinal collision but also in the event of a lateral collision by a protective frame (which frames the equipment along the plane XY).

[0037] For example, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the non-limiting description above, the second crossbeam T2 can be used to be integrally connected to the longitudinal beam Lj by bolting without gaps. In contrast to integral connection by welding, integral connection by bolting advantageously allows for the installation of a protective device DP in the fully assembled vehicle. This protective device DP thus constitutes a "protective kit" for protecting the equipment involved.

[0038] However, in the implementation of the variant, the second crossbeam T2 can be fixedly and seamlessly connected to the longitudinal beam Lj by welding.

[0039] It will be noted that, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the above non-limiting illustration, the protective device DP may include two fixing parts PFj, which are respectively welded to the right and left ends Ej of the second crossbeam T2 of the protective device. These two fixing parts PFj are used to fix and seamlessly connect to the right and left longitudinal beams Lj respectively by screwing (or welding). It is understood that in this configuration, the two fixing parts PFj serve as a (gap-free) connecting joint between the second crossbeam T2 and the longitudinal beams Lj. Preferably, as shown, the longitudinal extension (along X) of each fixing part PFj is significantly larger than the longitudinal extension of the second crossbeam T2, which allows for a larger area distribution when the involved longitudinal beam Lj undergoes at least partially lateral impact, thereby reducing the force experienced by the second crossbeam T2.

[0040] For example, such as Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 As shown in the above non-limiting illustration, each fixed part PFj may include a first part P1 and a second part P2 that are fixedly connected to each other.

[0041] The first part P1 has a parallelepiped shape and includes an inner surface FI1 oriented toward the corresponding end Ej of the second crossbeam T2 and integrally connected to the end Ej by welding. Furthermore, the first part P1 includes an outer surface FE1 parallel to the inner surface FI1, the outer surface being positioned seamlessly in front of the inner surface FI2 of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj.

[0042] The second part P2 has a parallelepiped shape and includes a lower surface FI3, which is fixedly connected to the upper surface FS1 of the first part P1 and is used for seamless mounting to the upper surface FS2 of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj via screwing (or welding). In the case of screwing, the second part P2 includes at least one through hole TV, which allows the passage of a screw to securely connect the second part to the upper surface of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj. Figure 5 As shown above.

[0043] Thus, each fixed part PFj has a generally inverted L-shaped cross section along the vertical and horizontal plane YZ.

[0044] In this context, a surface is referred to as "external" (when the surface is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle) and a surface is referred to as "internal" (when the surface is oriented opposite to the outer surface of the same element). Additionally, in this context, a surface is referred to as "upper" (when the surface is oriented towards the top) and a surface is referred to as "lower" (when the surface is oriented opposite to the upper surface of the same element and therefore towards the bottom).

[0045] like Figure 5 As can be better seen above, each first portion P1 of the fixing part PFj can constitute a hollow body, with at least one first reinforcing wall PR1 installed inside the hollow body. For example, the first reinforcing wall PR1 can be installed at an inclination relative to a vertical plane XZ parallel to the inner surface FI1 and the outer surface FE1 of the first reinforcing wall. In this case, as shown non-limitingly in the figure, the lower and upper portions of the first reinforcing wall PR1 can be located near the inner surface FI1 and the outer surface FE1, respectively. This can enhance the stiffness of each first portion P1 in the lateral direction Y and thus enable each fixing part PFj to withstand greater lateral forces without deformation (or with almost no deformation).

[0046] It will be noted that each first reinforcing wall PR1 may optionally include a planned micro-deformation region (or a vulnerable region) in order to filter out the dynamic peaks of the forces subjected to it.

[0047] In the variant, each first reinforcing wall PR1 is not installed at an angle, but rather can be installed substantially horizontally. In fact, the orientation of the first reinforcing wall is selected based on the filtration requirements for the dynamic peak values ​​of the forces subjected to the forces to be filtered.

[0048] It will also be noted that each first part P1 may be made, for example, from aluminum by extrusion molding.

[0049] For example Figure 5 As can be better seen above, each second part P2 of the fixing part PFj can also constitute a hollow body, with at least one second reinforcing wall PR2 mounted inside the hollow body along a vertical (and longitudinal) plane XZ perpendicular to the lower side surface FI3 of the second part. In the non-limiting example shown, the hollow body of each second part P2 accommodates two second reinforcing walls PR2 that are parallel to each other. However, the hollow body may accommodate only a single second reinforcing wall. This can enhance the performance of each second part P2 in the vertical direction Z and thus prevent the second part from being crushed in the event of a lateral collision.

[0050] It will be noted that each second part P2 may, for example, optionally be made of aluminum by extrusion simultaneously with the associated first part P1 (this avoids the need to weld the second part and the first part to each other).

[0051] It will also be noted that the second crossbeam T2 may, for example, be a hollow body made of aluminum by extrusion. In this case, the wall thickness of the second crossbeam T2 may be less than the wall thickness of the fixing part PFj.

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 4As shown in the non-limiting illustration above, when the second crossbeam T2 is a hollow body, the second crossbeam may accommodate at least one third reinforcing wall PR3 along a vertical and transverse plane YZ. In the example shown in the non-limiting illustration, the hollow body of the second crossbeam T2 accommodates two third reinforcing walls PR3 that are parallel to each other. However, the hollow body may accommodate only a single third reinforcing wall. This can enhance the performance of the second crossbeam T2 in the vertical direction Z and thus prevent the second crossbeam from crushing in the event of a transverse collision.

[0053] It will also be noted that, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the above non-limiting description, the protective device DP may also include two reinforcing angle irons CRj (i.e., a right reinforcing angle iron and a left reinforcing angle iron), each of which includes an inner wall PC1 and an upper wall PC2, the inner wall and the upper wall extending from each other, for example, substantially at 90°. The inner wall PC1 is used for seamless insertion between the inner surface FI2 of the corresponding fixing part PFj and the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj. The upper wall PC2 is used for seamless insertion between the corresponding fixing part PFj and the upper surface FS2 of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj. The upper wall thus includes as many through holes as the second part P2 of the associated fixing part PFj, to allow screws integrally connected to the upper surface FS2 of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj to pass through, except in the case of welding, since the upper wall PC2 is thus welded to the corresponding fixing part PFj and the upper surface FS2 of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj.

[0054] The internal positioning of each reinforcing angle iron CRj on the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj prevents bending of the longitudinal beam Lj and thus makes such bending highly unlikely. Furthermore, the longer the reinforcing angle iron CRj extends along the longitudinal direction X, the more effectively it can distribute the force applied to the impact (or collision) zone along the length (along X) of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj. Therefore, preferably, each reinforcing angle iron CRj can extend over at least half of the extension portion extending along the longitudinal direction X of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the non-limiting illustration above, the reinforcing angle iron can even extend over almost the entire length of the corresponding longitudinal beam Lj.

[0055] It will also be noted that each reinforcing angle iron CR may be made of steel, for example.

[0056] It will also be noted that, in the non-limiting example shown in the accompanying drawings, the protective device DP includes two fixing parts PFj respectively added to the end Ej of the second crossbeam T2, but this is not mandatory. In fact, the end Ej of the second crossbeam T2 can be configured to define the two fixing parts PFj respectively.

Claims

1. A protective device (DP) for a land vehicle (V), the protective device comprising a first crossbeam (T1) integrally connected upstream of at least one piece of equipment (BV) to a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam (Lj) framing the piece of equipment (BV), characterized in that, The protective device includes a second crossbeam (T2) for being fixedly and seamlessly integrated with the longitudinal beam (Lj) downstream of the equipment (BV) to define a protective frame for protecting the equipment (BV) together with the first crossbeam (T1) and the longitudinal beam (Lj). The protective device also includes two fixing parts (PFj) fixedly connected by welding to the right and left ends (Ej) of the second crossbeam (T2), respectively, and for being fixedly and seamlessly integrated with the right and left longitudinal beams (Lj) by screwing, respectively. Each fixing part (PFj) comprises: i) a first portion in the form of a parallelepiped (… P1), the first part includes an inner surface (FI1) and an outer surface (FE1) parallel to the inner surface (FI1), the inner surface being oriented toward the corresponding end (Ej) of the second crossbeam (T2) and being fixedly connected to the end (Ej) by welding, the outer surface being used to be seamlessly mounted in front of the inner surface (FI2) of the corresponding longitudinal beam (Lj); and ii) a second part (P2) in the form of a parallelepiped, the second part including a lower surface (FI3), the lower surface being fixedly connected to the upper surface (FS1) of the first part (P1) and being used to be seamlessly mounted in front of the upper surface (FS2) of the corresponding longitudinal beam (Lj) by screwing.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second crossbeam (T2) is used to be fixedly connected to the longitudinal beam (Lj) by bolts and without gaps.

3. The protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each first part (P1) of the fixed part (PFj) constitutes a hollow body, and at least one first reinforcing wall (PR1) is installed inside the hollow body.

4. The protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each second part (P2) of the fixing part (PFj) constitutes a hollow body, and at least one second reinforcing wall (PR2) is installed inside the hollow body along a vertical plane perpendicular to the lower side surface (FI3) of the second part.

5. The protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective device includes two reinforcing angle irons (CR), namely a right reinforcing angle iron and a left reinforcing angle iron. Each of the two reinforcing angle irons includes an inner wall (PC1) and an upper wall (PC2). The inner wall is used to be inserted without gap between the inner surface (FI2) of the corresponding fixing part (PFj) and the corresponding longitudinal beam (Lj). The upper wall is used to be inserted without gap between the corresponding fixing part (PFj) and the upper surface (FS2) of the corresponding longitudinal beam (Lj).

6. The protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each reinforcing angle iron (CR) extends over at least half of the longitudinal extension of the corresponding longitudinal beam (Lj).

7. A land vehicle (V) comprising a first crossbeam (T1) integrally connected upstream of at least one piece of equipment (BV) to a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam (Lj) framing the equipment (BV), characterized in that, The land vehicle also includes a protection device (DP) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The land vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The device (BV) is a rechargeable battery.

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