Frame part of a motor vehicle with a door frame having longitudinal beams with defined aerodynamic ducts

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame part of a motor vehicle having a door frame with a longitudinal beam defining an aerodynamic duct, the frame part defining a passenger compartment (6) and comprising a door frame (7) for attaching a side door (4), the door frame defining an access passage (10) to allow side access to the passenger compartment, and comprising: a first upright (11) and a second upright (12) extending upwardly from respective lower ends (11b, 12b) toward respective upper ends (11c, 12c), the first upright being more forward than the second upright according to a direction of forward travel of the motor vehicle; a longitudinal beam (13) fixed to the first upright and to the second upright at the lower ends and having a beam portion (14) extending longitudinally between the lower ends; and a through duct (25) extending longitudinally through the first upright and the longitudinal beam and having an inlet opening (26) and an outlet opening (27) upstream and downstream of the beam portion, respectively, according to another direction opposite to the direction of forward travel of the motor vehicle (1).

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102024000027906, filed on December 9, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a frame or frame portion of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a door frame of the frame portion. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, the frame of a motor vehicle includes the frame portion or unit that defines the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle itself.

[0004] In addition, the frame includes a door frame for attaching a side door, which defines a side opening for providing, in particular, access to the passenger compartment for the driver.

[0005] The door frame includes two posts and a lower longitudinal beam (also called a door sill or threshold), one of the two posts being the foremost post (specifically referred to as "post A") and the other being the rearmost post (specifically referred to as "post B"). The lower longitudinal beam extends at least partially longitudinally between the posts and connects them, thereby securing them to them.

[0006] Therefore, the column protrudes vertically from the longitudinal beam, or more precisely, upwards, thus defining the lower part of the side opening with the longitudinal beam.

[0007] As a motor vehicle moves forward, the foremost pillar is typically subjected to aerodynamic pressure, particularly due to the aerodynamic flow passing through the front wheel well from the front of the vehicle. The front wheel well is defined or bounded above by the associated wheel arches and faces or, in any case, communicates with the foremost pillar.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the aerodynamic pressure at the pillar or more generally in the wheel chamber, that is, to reduce the aerodynamic pressure in the volume between the front wheel and the foremost pillar housed in the wheel chamber.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to preferably meet the above-mentioned needs in a simple and reliable manner. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The objective is achieved by the motor vehicle as defined in claim 1.

[0011] The dependent claims define specific embodiments of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0012] In the following description, to better understand the invention, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a motor vehicle including the frame portion according to the present invention.

[0014] - Figure 2 Similar to Figure 1 However, the components of motor vehicles are transparent, making the frame visible.

[0015] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another perspective view of the motor vehicle shown, viewed from a different stereoscopic perspective.

[0016] - Figure 4 It is a magnified 3D view of the frame details, and

[0017] - Figure 5 Presented Figure 4 The details are based on a sectional view of the horizontal section, in which parts have been removed for clarity. Detailed Implementation

[0018] exist Figure 1 In the attached figure, reference numeral 1 is used to indicate the entire motor vehicle.

[0019] The motor vehicle 1 includes multiple wheels 2 and a frame 3, which is suspended relative to the wheels 2 by, for example, a suspension of a known type and not shown.

[0020] The motor vehicle 1 also includes a side door 4, which is specifically connected or attached to the frame 3 in a manner that allows it to move between an open position and a closed position.

[0021] The motor vehicle 1 has a normal direction of travel along its longitudinal axis or lateral axis X. The direction of travel also applies to the frame 3, since the frame 3 is intended to be part of the motor vehicle 1.

[0022] In the following text, terms such as front, back, front, back, front, and rear should be understood in relation to the direction of travel.

[0023] Similarly, terms such as lower, upper, above, below, at the top, at the bottom, high, low, etc., should be understood with reference to the normal use of the motor vehicle 1 on which the frame 3 is used.

[0024] The frame 3 includes or is defined by a frame portion that defines the passenger compartment 6 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0025] The frame portion includes at least one door frame 7 for attaching or connecting the door 4.

[0026] Preferably, the frame portion or more generally the frame 3 also includes a wheel arch 8, which in particular defines a wheel chamber 9 below it, the wheel chamber 9 being designed to accommodate a wheel 2.

[0027] Specifically, the wheel chamber 9 is located in front of the door frame 7.

[0028] The door frame 7 defines or delineates and, in particular, surrounds (i.e., internally defines) the access opening 10 for providing access to the side passageway to the passenger compartment 6.

[0029] When the door 4 is in the open position and the closed position, the access opening 10 specifically opens and closes from the door 4 toward the outside of the motor vehicle 1.

[0030] The door frame 7 includes at least two uprights 11 and 12 and a longitudinal beam 13, particularly the lower beam or threshold.

[0031] Post 11 is further forward than post 12. Independently and preferably, posts 11 and 12 define the longitudinal limits or ends of the entrance and exit opening 10 (i.e., according to the direction of travel). Thus, posts 11 and 12 define the so-called A-post and B-post of the door frame 7.

[0032] The columns 11 and 12 extend upward or vertically from their respective lower ends 11b and 12b toward their respective upper ends 11c and 12c.

[0033] The longitudinal beam 13 is fixed at the lower ends 11b and 12b and more specifically welded to the columns 11 and 12.

[0034] Therefore, the longitudinal beam 13 defines the lower longitudinal member of the door frame 7, and more specifically, it at least partially defines the lower end of the door frame 7.

[0035] Preferably, the longitudinal beam 13 is or includes a tubular or box-shaped beam. Each column 11, 12, considered independently and separately from each other, may be or includes at least one cast member, i.e., a beam obtained by casting molten metal on a corresponding mold; the cast member is substantially solid, i.e., it occupies the entire volume except for holes or hollow portions obtained in its extended smaller portions.

[0036] In other words, while the longitudinal beam 13 occupies most of the volume (e.g., more than 70%), the cast components of columns 11 and 12 occupy most of the corresponding volume (e.g., more than 70%). Clearly, the terms "solid" and "empty" refer to the presence or absence of solid material, respectively.

[0037] The longitudinal beam 13 includes a beam portion 14 extending longitudinally between the lower ends 11b and 12b.

[0038] Specifically, for example, beam portion 14 is the middle portion of longitudinal beam 13, whereby longitudinal beam 13 may include a front end portion 16 and / or a rear end portion 17 according to the direction of travel.

[0039] More specifically, ends 16 and 17 intersect each other independently with the lower ends 11b and 12b.

[0040] Here, end 16 terminates at the lower end 11b.

[0041] Specifically, independently, end 17 terminates downstream of column 12 or lower part 12b itself in a direction opposite to the direction of advance (longitudinal).

[0042] Here, the lower part 12b cantilevered out from the end 17, which in particular extends longitudinally below the lower part 12b.

[0043] According to an alternative not shown, end 17 may terminate at the lower end 12b, for example, as end 16 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0044] On the other hand, the beam portion 14 is defined longitudinally by or between the columns 11 and 12, or more precisely by or between the lower portions 11b and 12b of the columns 11 and 12.

[0045] The beam portion 14, and more generally the longitudinal beam 13, extends longitudinally along axis K, for example, being curved, and particularly having a concave shape toward the passenger compartment 6.

[0046] The beam portion 14 has two side walls 20, 21, which face each other in a direction transverse to the axis K, and wherein wall 20 is the wall that is more internal or closer to the passenger compartment 6 in the lateral direction (in other words, wall 21 is the wall that is most exposed to the exterior of the motor vehicle 1 or furthest from the passenger compartment 6 in the lateral direction).

[0047] In particular, the beam portion 14 has an upper wall 22 and a lower wall 23, which are each connected to two side walls 20, 21 to close the cross section of the beam portion 14 relative to the axis K.

[0048] The beam portion 14 is hollow inside, thus defining the conduit portion 24, which extends particularly along the entire longitudinal extension of the beam portion 14 (especially along axis K).

[0049] The conduit portion 24 may also extend to be partially defined by the beam portion 14 and partially defined by the end portion 16 or completed by a cavity defined by the end portion 16.

[0050] Walls 20 and 21, together with walls 22 and 23, define conduit portion 24; conduit portion 24 is laterally defined between walls 20 and 21.

[0051] The door frame 7 includes a through conduit 25 that extends at least longitudinally through the post 11 or more precisely through the lower part 11b and the longitudinal beam 13 (or at least a portion thereof).

[0052] The conduit 25 has an inlet opening 26 upstream of the beam portion 14 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel. In particular, the inlet opening 26 is on the column 11 or more precisely on the lower portion 11b.

[0053] In addition, the conduit 25 has an outlet opening 27 downstream of the beam portion 14 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel.

[0054] The catheter 25 extends longitudinally between the inlet opening 26 and the outlet opening 27, thereby beginning and ending at the inlet opening 26 and the outlet opening 27, respectively.

[0055] Openings 26 and 27 communicate with the exterior of the frame portion or the frame 3, or more precisely, with the exterior of the motor vehicle 1. Here, in the description, "exterior" refers to the exterior of the passenger compartment 6 or the side opposite to the passenger compartment 6.

[0056] The entrance opening 26 and the beam section 14 are arranged in front of the exit opening 27 according to the direction of travel.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet opening 27 is on the longitudinal beam 13, particularly on the end 17, and more particularly downstream or below the column 12 or the lower part 12b, depending on the direction opposite to the direction of travel.

[0058] In other words, the outlet opening 27 is on the portion of end 17, wherein the column 12 is longitudinally (or along axis K) between the beam portion 14 and that portion of end 17.

[0059] Alternatively, the outlet opening 27 may be on the column 12 or more precisely on the lower part 12b.

[0060] Preferably, the entrance opening 26 and the separate exit opening 27 face the outside of the motor vehicle 1 (on the side opposite to the passenger compartment 6), that is, they are respectively arranged on the surfaces of the column 11 and the longitudinal beam 13 or the column 12 facing the outside of the motor vehicle 1 (on the side opposite to the passenger compartment 6).

[0061] Specifically, the entrance opening 26 faces or is at least connected to the wheel chamber 9.

[0062] Conveniently, the axis K of the longitudinal beam 13 is also the axis of the conduit 25, that is, the axis along which the conduit 25 extends longitudinally.

[0063] The inlet opening 26 is arranged to capture part of the aerodynamic flow of the vehicle 1 as it moves in the forward direction.

[0064] Specifically, the entrance opening 26 faces the front of the motor vehicle 1 or the frame portion; in other words, the axis K at the entrance opening 26 has at least one component along the direction of travel, and preferably also has another lateral component facing the passenger compartment 6.

[0065] The exit opening 27 defines the exit path of the portion of the aerodynamic flow captured by the inlet opening 26 toward the rear of the motor vehicle 1 or the frame portion.

[0066] Specifically, the outlet opening 27 faces the rear of the motor vehicle 1 or the frame portion; in other words, the axis K at the outlet opening 27 has at least one component in the direction opposite to the direction of travel, and preferably also has another lateral component facing the outside of the motor vehicle 1.

[0067] The conduit 25 includes a conduit portion 24, and in particular includes a through hole 28 passing through the post 11 or the lower portion 11b. The through hole 28 begins with an inlet opening 26 and communicates with the conduit portion 24.

[0068] Preferably, the catheter 25 includes another catheter portion 29 downstream of the catheter portion 24 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel.

[0069] The catheter section 29 is connected to the catheter section 24 and terminates at the outlet opening 27.

[0070] Specifically, the conduit portion 29 is defined by the end portion 17; alternatively, the conduit portion 29 may (particularly in the case where the outlet opening 27 is on the post 12) be defined by the post 12 or by the lower portion 12b, for example as a through hole through the post 12 or the lower portion 12b, which communicates with the conduit portion 24.

[0071] The entrance opening 26 has a profile 30 defined by the column 11, or is defined by the profile 30 defined by the column 11. The profile 30 has a foremost portion or edge 31 according to the direction of travel.

[0072] Edge 31 is connected to wall 20 by fillet 32, which is defined by the surface of the post 11 or lower portion 11b that laterally defines the conduit 25 or more precisely, the hole 28. In other words, fillet 32 ​​is part of the inner surface of post 11 and / or the defining hole 28.

[0073] By utilizing the fillet 32, the wall 20 extends from the column 11 with structural continuity, so that the stress applied to the column 11 can be continuously propagated along the longitudinal beam 13, that is, there will be no discontinuities or gaps in the path from the column 11 to the longitudinal beam 13.

[0074] Similarly, although independent, the exit opening 27 has a profile 33 or is defined by a profile 33, which has a final portion or edge 34 according to the direction of travel.

[0075] Edge 34 is connected to wall 20 by rounded corner 35, which is at least partially defined by the surface of the laterally defining conduit 25 or more precisely the conduit portion 29 of the column 12 or the longitudinal beam 13 (particularly end 17).

[0076] Based on the foregoing, the advantages of the motor vehicle 1 according to the present invention are obvious.

[0077] Due to the duct 25, the aerodynamic flow in the region of the wheel chamber 9 has a longitudinal path along the axis K, which passes through the beam portion 14 and vents towards the rear of the vehicle 1 or the frame portion.

[0078] In this way, the pressure exerted on column 11 by the aerodynamic flow drops sharply.

[0079] Since the inlet opening 26 and the outlet opening 27 are upstream and downstream of the beam portion 14, the beam portion 14 can define the conduit portion 24 of the conduit 25, even though the beam portion 14 has no holes (especially on the walls 20, 21). This is very advantageous because the beam portion 14 is a very important load-bearing member of the frame portion, especially since it is the load-bearing member on which the entire frame 3 is supported in practice; the presence of holes in the beam portion 14 would be particularly detrimental, because in addition to introducing serious aerodynamic interference, it would also introduce the need to reinforce the longitudinal beam 13 and thus lower the longitudinal beam 13.

[0080] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention; however, such modifications and variations are not outside the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0081] In particular, the shape of each component described and shown may be different, especially with regard to columns 11, 12 and longitudinal beam 13.

[0082] Finally, expressions such as “upstream” and “downstream” based on the direction opposite to the direction of travel can be used instead as “front” and “back” in particular, referring again to the direction of travel.

Claims

1. A frame portion of a motor vehicle (1), the frame portion defining a passenger compartment (6) of the motor vehicle (1) and including a door frame (7) for attaching a side door (4) of the motor vehicle (1), the door frame (7) defining an access opening (10) for providing a side passage to the passenger compartment (6), and comprising: - A first column (11) and a second column (12) extending upward from their respective lower ends (11b, 12b) toward their respective upper ends (11c, 12c), wherein, depending on the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (1), the first column (11) is further forward than the second column (12). - A longitudinal beam (13) fixed to the first column (11) and the second column (12) at the lower ends (11b, 12b) and having a beam portion (14) extending longitudinally between the lower ends (11b, 12b). The door frame (7) is characterized in that it further includes a through conduit (25) extending at least longitudinally through the first column (11) and the longitudinal beam (13), the through conduit (25) having an inlet opening (26) and an outlet opening (27) upstream and downstream of the beam portion (14) respectively, according to another direction opposite to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (1).

2. The frame portion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The entrance opening (26) is on the first column (11).

3. The frame portion according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outlet opening (27) is on the second column (12) or on a portion of the rear end (17) of the longitudinal beam (13), the second column (12) being arranged longitudinally between the portion of the beam (14) and the portion of the rear end (17).

4. The frame portion according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It also includes a wheel arch (8) that defines a wheel chamber (9) for receiving the wheel (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the inlet opening (26) faces the wheel chamber (9).

5. The frame portion according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The beam portion (14) extends longitudinally along the axis (K) and has a first sidewall (20) and a second sidewall (21) that laterally define the duct (50) and face each other in a direction transverse to the axis (K). The first wall (20) is more inward than the second wall (21) relative to the passenger compartment (6).

6. The frame portion according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first post (11) defines the outline (30) of the inlet opening (26), the outline (30) having a first edge (31) at the foremost point according to the direction of travel, wherein the first edge (31) is connected to the first wall (20) by a first fillet (32) defined by a first surface of the first post (11), the first surface laterally defining the conduit (25).

7. The frame portion according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The outlet opening (27) is defined by a profile (33) having a rearmost second edge (34) according to the direction of travel, wherein the second edge (34) is connected to the first wall (20) by a second fillet (35), the second fillet (35) being at least partially defined by a second surface of the longitudinal beam (13) or the second column (12), the second surface laterally defining the conduit (50).

8. The frame portion according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The axis (K) is curved.

9. The frame portion according to claim 8, characterized in that, The axis (K) has a concave shape facing the passenger compartment (6).

10. A motor vehicle (1) comprising a frame portion according to any one of the preceding claims.

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