Device for forming foot pedal of motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one longitudinal stringer (2, 3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and a liner (5, 6) connected to the stringer by a transverse connecting element (7, 8). The vehicle comprises at least one foot pedal device (10, 20) directly welded to the longitudinal rail (2, 3) and the transverse connecting element (7, 8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular to a structure forming a footrest of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A motor vehicle generally comprises a chassis configured to support all mechanical components and the body of the vehicle. The chassis comprises two longitudinal longitudinal beams, a plurality of transverse cross beams arranged between the longitudinal beams and a front cross beam intended in particular to support body elements, in particular the front bumper.

[0003] Motor vehicles are known to include footrests which are provided on each side of the vehicle and which each include a cavity formed in the front bumper so as to enable a user to stand thereon to reach the front windscreen of the vehicle.

[0004] The footrest must be rigid enough to support the user's weight.

[0005] In this regard, reference may be made to document FR-B1-3 033 764, which describes a footrest device comprising a front bumper comprising a cavity delimited by a lower wall forming a support surface for the user's feet. The footrest device further comprises a mobile plate hinged to the lateral edges of the front crossbar of the vehicle. The plate is hinged between a deployed position below the lower wall and a retracted position in the event of an external impact on the vehicle.

[0006] Such a footrest can be retracted in the event of a collision, particularly with a pedestrian.

[0007] However, the footrest must also meet the ECE 42 regulation for minor lateral impacts. This regulation covers the absence of breakage or even permanent deformation of the shock absorber and especially the mounting support, the sealing of the headlights is maintained, the absence of cracks in the skin of the front bumper, the absence of damage to the structure (i.e. the body, front crossbeam, longitudinal beams), etc.

[0008] A minor front lateral impact refers to an impact that occurs when the vehicle is traveling at a speed between 2.5 km / h and 5 km / h.

[0009] Generally speaking, the pedals must protect the vehicle components in the event of a minor frontal impact.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for improved foot pedals for motor vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to alleviate these disadvantages and to improve a motor vehicle footrest so as to enable a user to stand thereon in order to reach the windscreen and also to protect elements of the vehicle's structure from frontal lateral impacts.

[0012] A “front lateral impact” is an impact resulting from an obstacle arriving in the zone at an angle between 15° and 30° relative to the corresponding longitudinal beam.

[0013] The object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising at least one longitudinal longitudinal beam extending along a longitudinal axis and a lining connected to the longitudinal beam by means of a transverse connecting element.

[0014] The motor vehicle comprises at least one footrest device which is welded directly to the longitudinal rail and to the transverse connecting element.

[0015] Fastening to the underbody of the motor vehicle (ie the longitudinal beam and the element connecting it to the front lining) by direct welding allows production costs to be reduced compared to a solution of bolting to the front cross member.

[0016] The footrest device advantageously comprises a base extending along an axis making an angle of between 20° and 45°, preferably equal to 30°, relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] For example, the footrest arrangement includes a first vertical fixing lug extending laterally from an interior of the base along a vertical axis.

[0018] The footrest device advantageously comprises a rear reinforcement comprising a central portion extending from the rear side of the base along the vertical axis, and at least one first lateral lug extending from an inner lateral edge of the central portion of the rear reinforcement along the longitudinal axis toward the first vertical fixing lug.

[0019] Furthermore, due to the rear and lateral reinforcements, forces are transferred to the left lining in the event of an external lateral impact.

[0020] The inner lateral lug and the first vertical fixing lug advantageously together form a first portion to be fixed to the longitudinal stringer, said first portion to be fixed to the stringer being welded directly to the stringer by means of the inner lateral lug and the first vertical fixing lug, that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0021] For example, the rear reinforcement comprises a second lateral lug comprising a first portion extending obliquely from an outer lateral edge of the central portion of the reinforcement at least towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145°, for example equal to 120°, relative to the axis of said central portion, and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion along a transverse axis.

[0022] The footrest device advantageously further comprises a lateral reinforcement comprising an outer lug extending from a lateral side of the base at least along the vertical axis, and a connecting lug extending from the outer lug towards the longitudinal beam along the transverse axis.

[0023] The second section of the outer lateral lug of the rear reinforcement and the connecting lug of the lateral reinforcement together form the second part of the connecting element to be fixed to the front lining, and the second part to be fixed is directly welded to the connecting element of the front lining by means of the connecting lug and the second section, that is, welded without a supplementary interface.

[0024] The first section of the outer lateral lugs of the rear reinforcement advantageously extends obliquely towards the rear of the vehicle and towards the top of the vehicle, and the outer lugs of the lateral reinforcements advantageously extend vertically and obliquely towards the rear of the vehicle and towards the top of the vehicle.

[0025] For example, the footrest device includes at least one shock absorbing portion extending vertically downward from the front side of the base.

[0026] For example, the shock absorbing portion is located on the same side as the first portion to be fixed to the longitudinal beam.

[0027] In one embodiment, a motor vehicle as described above comprises a right longitudinal beam and a left longitudinal beam extending along a longitudinal axis, a right liner connected to the right longitudinal beam via a first transverse connecting element, and a left liner connected to the left longitudinal beam via a second transverse connecting element, the vehicle comprising a first right foot pedal device as described above directly welded to the right longitudinal beam and the first transverse connecting element, and a second left foot pedal device as described above directly welded to the left longitudinal beam and the second transverse connecting element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] [ Figure 1 ]

[0030] A front subdivision of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in a perspective view, the front subdivision comprising a right-side footrest device and a left-side footrest device;

[0031] [ Figure 2 ]

[0032] Detailed Figure 1 The right foot pedal device;

[0033] [ Figure 3 ]

[0034] yes Figure 2 A top view of the right foot pedal device;

[0035] [ Figure 4 ]

[0036] Represented in stereogram Figure 1 The left foot pedal device;

[0037] [ Figure 5 ]

[0038] Represented in stereogram Figure 1 The right foot pedal device;

[0039] [ Figure 6 ]

[0040] yes Figure 4 A top view of the left foot pedal assembly; and

[0041] [ Figure 7 ]

[0042] A right-side footrest device according to another embodiment is shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to a general orthogonal reference system of the motor vehicle represented in the accompanying drawings, which includes:

[0044] - a horizontal longitudinal axis X, oriented from the front towards the rear of the vehicle;

[0045] a horizontal transverse axis Y, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and is oriented from the left side to the right side of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forwards;

[0046] A vertical axis Z, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and to the transverse axis Y and which points upwards.

[0047] exist Figure 1 , a front subdivision of a motor vehicle 1 is represented in a highly schematic manner, comprising a right-hand side member 2 and a left-hand side member 3 extending along a longitudinal axis X and a front cross member 4 extending transversely along a transverse axis Y between said side members 2 , 3 .

[0048] The lateral edges 4 a , 4 b of the front cross member 4 are each fixed to one of the right or left side members 2 , 3 , for example by nuts and bolts (not referenced).

[0049] The front cross member 4 is intended to support body elements, in particular a front bumper (not shown) in which two lateral cavities are formed, delimited by lower walls forming a support for the user's feet.

[0050] The body of the vehicle 1 further comprises right and left side linings 5 ​​, 6 which extend along the longitudinal axis X and are each connected to the right and left side beams 2 , 3 by respective connecting elements 7 , 8 .

[0051] The connecting elements 7 , 8 extend transversely between the respective longitudinal beam 2 , 3 and the respective lining 5 , 6 .

[0052] The vehicle 1 further comprises a right side step device 10 which is fixed to the right side lining 5 between the right side beam 2 and the right connecting element 7 .

[0053] The vehicle 1 further comprises a left-side step arrangement 20 which is fixed to the left-side lining 6 between the left-side longitudinal beam 3 and the left-side connecting element 8 .

[0054] The right side step device 10 and the left side step device 20 are located below the lower wall of the front bumper, thereby forming a support for the user's feet.

[0055] The right side footrest device 10 and the left side footrest device 20 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the middle plane of the vehicle.

[0056] Alternatively, the right footrest device 10 and the left footrest device 20 are not symmetrical, such as Figure 7 A right side footrest 30 is depicted.

[0057] Figure 4 and Figure 6 The left footrest device 20 shown in detail comprises a base 21 extending in a plane containing a transverse axis Y and a longitudinal axis X.

[0058] The base 21 extends along an axis oriented at 30° relative to the longitudinal axis X and is delimited by a front side 21 a , a rear side 21 b , an inner lateral side 21 c and an outer lateral side 21 d .

[0059] The left-side step device 20 further comprises a first portion 22 for fixing it to the left-side front longitudinal beam 3 and a second portion 23 for fixing it to the connecting element 8 of the left-side front lining 6 .

[0060] The first portion 22 to be fixed to the left front side member 3 includes a first vertical fixing lug 22 a extending vertically upward from the inner lateral side 21 c .

[0061] The left footrest device 20 further includes a rear reinforcement 24 including a central portion 24a extending vertically upward from the rear side 21b of the base 21 and two lateral lugs 24b, 25 extending from each opposite lateral edge of the central portion 24a, respectively.

[0062] The inner lateral lug 24b extends along the longitudinal axis from the inner lateral edge of the central portion 24a toward the first vertical securing lug 22a.

[0063] The inner lateral lug 24 b and the first vertical fixing lug 22 a together form a first portion 22 to be fixed to the left front longitudinal member 3 .

[0064] The first portion 22 to be fixed to the left front longitudinal member 3 is welded directly to the left longitudinal member 3 by means of the inner lateral lug 24 b and the first vertical fixing lug 22 a , that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0065] The outer lateral lug 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 comprises a first portion 25a extending obliquely from the outer lateral edge of the central portion 24a towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145°, for example equal to 120° relative to the axis of said central portion 24a.

[0066] The outer lateral lug 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 comprises a second portion 25b extending outwardly from the first portion 25a along the transverse axis.

[0067] The left footrest device 20 further includes a lateral reinforcement 26 including an outer lug 26a extending vertically from the lateral side 21d of the base, and a connecting lug 26b extending inwardly along the transverse axis Y from the outer lug 26a.

[0068] The second section 25 b of the outer lateral lug 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 and the connecting lug 26 b of the lateral reinforcement 26 together form the second portion 23 of the connecting element 8 to be fixed to the left-hand front lining 6 .

[0069] The second portion 23 of the connecting element 8 to be fixed to the left front lining 6 is welded directly to the connecting element 8 of the left front lining 6 by means of the connecting lug 26b and the second subsection 25b of the outer lateral lug 25, that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0070] Fastening to the underbody of the motor vehicle, ie the connecting elements of the longitudinal beam and the front lining, by direct welding enables production costs to be reduced compared to a solution of bolting to the front cross member.

[0071] Furthermore, due to the rear reinforcement 24 and the lateral reinforcements 26 , the forces are transmitted to the left side lining 6 in the event of an external lateral impact.

[0072] The left footrest device 20 further includes a shock absorbing portion 27 extending vertically downward from the front side 21 a of the base 21 .

[0073] The shock absorbing portion 27 is located on the same side as the first portion 22 to be fixed to the left side member 3 .

[0074] Figure 5 The right footrest device 10 shown in detail comprises a base 11 extending in a plane containing a transverse axis Y and a longitudinal axis X.

[0075] The base 11 , which extends along an axis oriented at 30° relative to the longitudinal axis X, is delimited by a front side 11 a , a rear side 11 b , an inner lateral side 11 c and an outer lateral side 11 d .

[0076] The right footrest device 10 further comprises a first portion 12 to be fixed to the right front longitudinal beam 2 and a second portion 13 to be fixed to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5 .

[0077] The first portion 12 to be fixed to the right front side member 2 includes a first vertical fixing lug 12 a extending vertically upward from the inner lateral side 11 c .

[0078] The right footrest device 10 further includes a rear reinforcement 14 including a central portion 14a extending vertically upward from the rear side 11b of the base 11 and two lateral lugs 14b, 15 extending from each opposite lateral edge of the central portion 14a, respectively.

[0079] The inner lateral lug 14b extends along the longitudinal axis from the inner lateral edge of the central portion 14a to the first vertical fixing lug 12a.

[0080] The inner lateral lug 14 b and the first vertical fixing lug 12 a together form the first portion 12 to be fixed to the right front longitudinal member 2 .

[0081] The first portion 12 to be fixed to the right front longitudinal member 2 is welded directly to the right longitudinal member 2 by means of the inner lateral lug 14 b and the first vertical fixing lug 12 a , that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0082] The outer lateral lug 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 comprises a first portion 15a extending obliquely from the outer lateral edge of the central portion 14a towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145°, for example equal to 120° relative to the axis of said central portion 14a.

[0083] The outer lateral lug 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 comprises a second portion 15b extending outwardly from the first portion 15a along the transverse axis.

[0084] The right footrest device 10 further includes a lateral reinforcement 16 including an outer lug 16 a extending vertically from the lateral side 11 d of the base, and a connecting lug 16 b extending inwardly along the transverse axis Y from the outer lug 16 a .

[0085] The second section 15 b of the outer lateral lug 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 and the connecting lug 16 b of the lateral reinforcement 16 together form the second portion 13 of the connecting element 7 to be fixed to the right-hand front lining 5 .

[0086] Said second portion 13 of the connecting element 7 to be fixed to the right front lining 5 is welded directly to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5 by means of the connecting lug 16b and the second subsection 15b of the outer lateral lug 15, that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0087] Fastening to the underbody of the motor vehicle (ie the longitudinal beams and the elements connected to the front lining) by direct welding enables production costs to be reduced compared to a solution of bolting to the front cross member.

[0088] Furthermore, due to the rear reinforcement 14 and the lateral reinforcements 16 , the forces are transmitted to the right lining 5 in the event of an external lateral impact.

[0089] The right footrest device 10 further includes a shock absorbing portion 17 extending vertically downward from the front side 11 a of the base 11 .

[0090] The shock absorbing portion 17 is located on the same side as the first portion 12 to be fixed to the right side member 2 .

[0091] The left-side footrest device 20 and the right-side footrest device 10 are made of pressed and bent metal plates.

[0092] The thickness of the metal sheet of each of these footrest devices is between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example equal to 2 mm.

[0093] The footrest device 10, 20 makes it possible to maintain the integrity of the vehicle structure in the event of an external impact arriving at an angle between 10° and 45° (for example equal to 30°), such as in Figure 3 can be seen in.

[0094] Figure 7 The depicted embodiments (wherein like elements have like reference numerals) are similar to Figure 5 The depicted embodiment differs only in the shape of the second portion of the connecting element 7 for fixing the right-hand footrest device 10 to the right-hand front lining 5 .

[0095] As depicted, the rear reinforcement 14 includes an outer lateral lug 35 that includes a first section 35a that extends obliquely from an outer lateral edge of the central portion 14a toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the top of the vehicle.

[0096] The outer lateral lug 35 of the rear reinforcement 14 comprises a second portion 35b extending outwardly from the first portion 35a along the transverse axis.

[0097] The right side step device 10 further includes a lateral reinforcement 36, which includes an outer lug 36a extending vertically and obliquely from the lateral side 11d of the base 11 toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the top of the vehicle, and a connecting lug 36b extending inwardly along the transverse axis Y from the outer lug 36a.

[0098] The second section 35 b of the outer lateral lug 35 of the rear reinforcement 14 and the connecting lug 36 b of the lateral reinforcement 36 together form the second portion 33 of the connecting element 7 for fixing the right footrest device 10 to the right front lining 5 .

[0099] The second portion 33 of the connecting element 7 to be fixed to the right front lining 5 is welded directly to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5 by means of the connecting lug 36b and the second section 35b of the outer lateral lug 35, that is to say without a supplementary interface.

[0100] It can be provided that the right-hand footrest arrangement or the left-hand footrest arrangement comprises one or the other of the proposed variants.

[0101] These footrest arrangements may also be asymmetrical.

[0102] Thanks to the invention, the footrests described enable the user to step on them in order to access the windshield and also protect the elements of the vehicle's structure from frontal lateral impacts.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one longitudinal longitudinal beam (2, 3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), and a lining (5, 6) connected to the longitudinal beam by transverse connecting elements (7, 8), characterized in that The motor vehicle comprises at least one footrest device (10, 20) which is welded directly to the longitudinal side member (2, 3) and the transverse connecting element (7, 8).

2. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The footrest device (10, 20) comprises a base (11, 21) extending along an axis which makes an angle of between 20° and 45°, preferably equal to 30°, relative to the longitudinal axis (X).

3. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The footrest device (10, 20) comprises a first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) extending from an inner lateral side (11c, 21c) of the base (11, 21) along a vertical axis (Z).

4. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein: The footrest device (10, 20) includes a rear reinforcement (14, 24), which includes a central portion (14a, 24a) extending from a rear side (11b, 21b) of the base (11, 21) along a vertical axis (Z), and at least one first lateral lug (14b, 24b) extending from an inner lateral edge of the central portion (14a, 24a) of the rear reinforcement (14, 24) toward the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) along the longitudinal axis (X).

5. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claims 3 and 4, wherein: The inner lateral lug (14b, 24b) and the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) together form a first part (12, 22) to be fixed to the longitudinal stringer (2, 3), and the first part (12, 22) to be fixed to the stringer (2, 3) is directly welded to the stringer (2, 3) by means of the inner lateral lug (14b, 24b) and the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a).

6. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein: The rear reinforcement (14, 24) comprises a second lateral lug (15, 25, 35) comprising a first portion (15a, 25a, 35a) extending obliquely from an outer lateral edge of a central portion (14a, 24a) of the reinforcement (14, 24) at least toward the rear of the vehicle, and a second portion (15b, 25b, 35b) extending outwardly from the first portion (15a, 25a, 35a) along a transverse axis (Y).

7. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein: The footrest device (10, 20) further comprises a lateral reinforcement (16, 26, 36), the lateral reinforcement comprising an outer lug (16a, 26a, 36a) extending from a lateral side (11d, 21d) of the base at least along the vertical axis (Z), and a connecting lug (16b, 26b, 36b) extending from the outer lug (16a, 26a, 36b) toward the longitudinal beam (2, 3) along the transverse axis (Y), the outer lateral lug (15, 25, 35b) of the rear reinforcement (14, 24) ) and the connecting lugs (16b, 26b, 36b) of the lateral reinforcement (16, 26, 36) together form a second part (13, 23, 33) of the connecting element (7, 8) to be fixed to the front lining (5, 6), and the second part (13, 23, 33) to be fixed is directly welded to the connecting element (7, 8) of the front lining (5, 6) by means of the connecting lugs (16b, 26b, 36b) and the second part (15b, 25b, 35b).

8. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein: The first section (35a) of the outer lateral lug (35) of the rear reinforcement (14) extends obliquely toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the top of the vehicle, and the outer lug (36a) of the lateral reinforcement (36) extends vertically and obliquely toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the top of the vehicle.

9. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein: The footrest device (10, 20) includes at least one shock absorbing portion (17, 27) extending vertically downward from the front side (21a) of the base (21).

10. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 9 in combination with claim 5, wherein: The shock absorbing portion (17, 27) is located on the same side as the first portion (12, 22) to be fixed to the longitudinal beam (2, 3).

11. A motor vehicle (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising: A right longitudinal beam (2) and a left longitudinal beam (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), a right lining (5) connected to the right longitudinal beam (2) via a first transverse connecting element (7), and a left lining (6) connected to the left longitudinal beam (3) via a second transverse connecting element (8), the vehicle comprising a first footrest device (10) directly welded to the right longitudinal beam (2) and the first transverse connecting element (7), and a second footrest device (20) directly welded to the left longitudinal beam (3) and the second transverse connecting element (8).

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