VEHICLE WITH WHEEL GUARD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A wheel catcher assembly can prevent a wheel from moving toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle when an external force is applied to the vehicle. The wheel catcher assembly generally includes an energy absorption bracket and a plate coupled to the energy absorption bracket. The energy absorption bracket has a plurality of ridges and depressions to thereby define a waveform portion. The plate is coupled to the energy absorption bracket at the ridges such that an external force applied to the wheel catcher assembly is transferable from the plate to the energy absorption bracket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheel catcher assembly (hereinafter referred to as WCA) for preventing the tire from moving and rotating toward the passenger compartment of a vehicle when the vehicle is subjected to an external frontal force. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many vehicles currently feature energy absorption devices. These energy absorption devices can absorb and regulate external forces exerted on the vehicle. To achieve this, some energy absorption devices incorporate deformable metal components designed to deform when subjected to an external force.

[0003] From US 8 469 442 A1 a wheel catcher assembly with the features according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0004] DE 198 36 851 C1 describes a protective arrangement on a wheel arch of a motor vehicle body shell.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle in which a wheel catcher assembly prevents an external force exerted on a vehicle from being transmitted into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0006] This object is achieved by a vehicle having the features of claim 1, which comprises a wheel catcher assembly (WCA).

[0007] The WCA can prevent the tire from moving toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle and rotating when an external force is applied to the vehicle. The WCA includes an energy absorption bracket and a plate. The energy absorption bracket includes a plurality of ridges and depressions to thereby define a waveform feature. The plate is coupled to the energy absorption bracket at the ridges such that an external force applied to the WCA can be transferred from the plate to the energy absorption bracket, thereby mitigating the load on the body structure. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle having the WCA. In the vehicle, the WCA is indirectly coupled to the door sill via a gusset plate and an underbody rocker such that an external force applied to the vehicle can be transferred from the WCA to the door sill. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a schematic and fragmentary perspective view of the Fig. 1 having a WCA coupled to the vehicle body; Fig. 3 is a schematic and fragmentary perspective view of the WCA fitted with a gusset plate and an underbody sill of the Fig. 1 shown vehicle; Fig. 4 is a schematic and perspective exploded view of the Fig. 2 shown WCA and the one in Fig. 3 shown door sill; Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded view from below of the Fig. 4 and also on the door sill, gusset plate and sill of the vehicle, which are shown in Fig. 3 are shown; Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the Fig. 4 shown WCA, which is coupled to the gusset plate and the sill, which in Fig. 5 are shown; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the underbody cross sill shown in Fig. 6 is shown; Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the Fig. 6 shown gusset plate; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an energy absorption bracket of the WCA shown in Fig. 6 is shown; Fig. Figure 10 is a schematic front view of the energy absorption bracket of the WCA shown in Fig. 6 is shown; Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic bottom view of the energy absorption bracket of the WCA shown in Fig. 6 is shown; and Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of the plate of the WCA shown in Fig. 6 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to like or similar components throughout the various figures, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 generally depicts a vehicle 10 having a body 12 extending along a central longitudinal axis C. The vehicle 10 may be a passenger car, a truck, a light truck, or any other suitable automotive or non-automotive vehicle, and includes a plurality of wheels 14 coupled to the vehicle body 12. Each wheel 14 is coupled to a tire 16. When the vehicle 10 is driven, the wheels 14 rotate relative to the vehicle body 12 to propel the vehicle 10.

[0009] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle 10 further includes at least one door 18 movably coupled to the vehicle body 12. The door 18 is movable relative to the vehicle body 12 between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the door 18 provides access to a passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 10. The vehicle body 12 defines the passenger compartment 20, which is configured and sized to accommodate at least one driver and / or passenger.

[0010] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle body 12 has at least one door sill 22 under each door 18. In the embodiment shown, a With reference to Fig. 4-6, the gusset plate 27 is directly coupled to the front end portion 23 of the rocker panel 22, and it may be configured as a beam and serves to reinforce the front end portion 23 of the rocker panel 22. As a non-limiting example, the gusset plate 27 may be welded to the underside of the rocker panel 22 at weld points W. Specifically, the gusset plate 27 is welded to the lower rocker panel floor 34 of the rocker panel 22. The lower rocker panel floor 34 extends at right angles to a rocker panel sidewall 36. Additionally, the gusset plate 27 may be coupled to the rocker panel 22 using any fastener or adhesive.Regardless of how the gusset plate 27 is coupled to the door sill 22, the gusset plate 27 is directly coupled to the sill 32, which may be referred to as the underbody cross sill 32 because it extends along the vehicle 10 in a vehicle transverse direction R. The vehicle transverse direction R extends from one side of the vehicle 10 to the opposite side of the vehicle 10. The fore-aft direction A is perpendicular to the vehicle transverse direction R and extends from the front of the vehicle 10 to the rear of the vehicle 10. The door sill 22 and the gusset plate 27 extend in the fore-aft direction A, and both may be considered part of the wheel catcher assembly 100.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the underbody cross sill 32 includes a first sill sidewall 48, a second sill sidewall 50, and a sill base floor 52. The sill base floor 52 extends perpendicularly with respect to the first sill sidewall 48 and the second sill sidewall 50. The underbody cross sill 32 defines at least one sill hole 54. Each sill hole 54 is formed, shaped, and sized to receive a fastener 46, such as a bolt, to couple the underbody sill 32 to the vehicle body 12 or to the gusset 27. The fastener 46 may be a self-locking filler piece of the door sill 22 disposed under two doors 18 on each side of the vehicle 10. The door sill 22 helps to support at least one door 18 and has a first or front end portion 23 and a second or rear end portion 25 opposite the front end portion 23.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the vehicle 10 further includes a WCA 100 configured to prevent movement of the wheel 14 and / or the tire 16 toward the passenger compartment 20 when a frontal and displaced external force F is applied to the vehicle 10. The term "frontal and displaced external force" means a force applied to the front of the vehicle 10, wherein the force is displaced with respect to the central longitudinal axis C defined along the vehicle body 12. The central longitudinal axis C extends along the vehicle body in the fore / aft direction A. The frontal and displaced external force F is spaced from the central longitudinal axis C in a vehicle transverse direction R. The vehicle transverse direction R is perpendicular to the fore / aft direction A.When the vehicle 10 is subjected to the frontal and displaced external force F, the WCA 100 can prevent or at least limit one of the wheels 14 (along with the corresponding tire 16) from being displaced toward the passenger compartment 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes a WCA 100 coupled to the vehicle body 12 behind the wheels 14 (which are front wheels in this case).

[0013] With reference to Fig. 3, the WCA 100 is coupled to the front end portion 23 of the door sill 22 in the embodiment shown. The WCA 100 is coupled to the door sill 22 via a gusset plate 27 and an underbody cross sill 32 of the vehicle body 12, as explained in detail below. such as a filler piece made of polyamide bioplastic to maintain the clamping load of the connection.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 8, the gusset plate 27 includes a main gusset body 38 and a gusset flange 40 extending nearly perpendicularly from the main gusset body 38. The main gusset body 38 and the gusset flange 40 together define a gusset recess 42 that is designed, shaped, and sized to receive the underbody cross member 32. When the WCA 100 is coupled to the gusset plate 27, the gusset flange 40 is disposed between the WCA 100 and the underbody cross member 32. As a non-limiting example, the gusset plate 27 defines a plurality of gusset holes 44 extending through the gusset flange 40. Each gusset hole 44 is formed, shaped, and sized to receive a fastener 46, such as a bolt, to couple the WCA 100 to the gusset plate 27 and the underbody cross member 32 via the gusset flange 40.The fasteners 46 may extend through the WCA 100, the gusset flange 40, and the first sill sidewall 48 to couple the WCA 100 to the gusset 27 and the underbody cross sill 32.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the WCA 100 is configured to absorb and control kinetic energy resulting from the frontal and translated force F to prevent or restrict the wheel 14 and tire 16 from moving inward into the passenger compartment 20 in a direction T. In particular, the WCA 100 is coupled to the vehicle body 12 rearward of the wheel 14 and tire 16 to minimize the displacement of the wheel 14 and tire 16 toward the passenger compartment 20 when the vehicle 10 is subjected to the frontal and translated force F translated with respect to the central longitudinal axis C defined along the center of the vehicle body 12.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 9 to 12, the WCA 100 in the illustrated embodiment includes an energy absorption bracket 102 and a plate 104. The energy absorption bracket 102 is sandwiched between the gusset plate 27, the gusset plate flange 40, and the plate 104. Fasteners 46, such as bolts, may be inserted through the energy absorption bracket 102, the gusset plate flange 40, and the first rocker sidewall 48 to couple the WCA 100 to the gusset plate 27 and the underbody cross member 32. The gusset plate 27 couples the WCA 100 to the door sill 22.

[0017] The energy absorption clamp 102 is made of a substantially rigid material and includes a wave-shaped portion 106 and a clamp flange 108 extending from the wave-shaped portion 106. The clamp flange 108 can be connected to the plate 104 (see Fig. 6) directly coupled. For example, a fastener 46, such as a bolt, may be inserted through the plate 104 and the clamp flange 108 to couple the plate 104 to the energy absorption clamp 102. Similarly, the plate 104 may be coupled to the clamp flange 108 using any welding strategy.

[0018] The wave-shaped portion 106 of the energy absorption bracket 102 may also be referred to as a corrugated portion and includes a plurality of ridges 110 and valleys 112 such that the energy absorption bracket 102 defines a wave shape. The ridges 110 may also be referred to as hills, and the valleys 112 may be referred to as valleys. In the illustrated embodiment, the wave-shaped portion 106 includes four ridges 110 and four valleys 112. However, it is contemplated that the wave-shaped portion 106 may include more or fewer ridges 110 and valleys 112. The wave shape of the energy absorption bracket 102 allows it to absorb external forces.For example, when the frontal and translated force F is applied to the vehicle 10 and the wheel 14 and tire 16 exert a force on the WCA 100, the waveform portion 106 may be deformed to absorb at least a portion of the force exerted by the wheel 14 and tire 16, thereby preventing the wheel 14 and tire 16 from moving toward the passenger compartment 20. The ridges 110 and the troughs 112 may have different shapes and sizes. That is, not all ridges 110 and troughs 112 have the same shape or size. However, it is contemplated that all ridges 110 and troughs 112 may have the same shape and size. Each trough 112 may be defined by a U-shaped wall 113. Accordingly, the waveform portion 106 of the energy absorption bracket 102 has a plurality of U-shaped walls 113.

[0019] The energy absorption bracket 102 defines a plurality of bracket holes 114, each configured, shaped, and sized to receive a fastener 46. The fastener 46 may be inserted through the bracket holes 114, the gusset flange 40, and the first rocker sidewall 48 to couple the WCA 100 to the underbody cross member 32 and the gusset plate 27. Since the gusset plate 27 is coupled to the door sill 22, the energy absorption bracket 102 is indirectly coupled to the door sill 22. The energy absorption bracket 102 may be directly coupled to the plate 104.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 12, the plate 104 is configured to receive a force from the wheel 14 and the tire 16 and to transfer that force to the energy absorption bracket 102. In the embodiment shown, the plate 104 is made entirely or partially of a substantially rigid material, such as a rigid metal, and includes a gently curved portion 116 and a plate portion 118 extending from the gently curved portion 116. The gently curved portion 116 is shaped to receive external forces exerted by the wheel 14 and / or the tire 16. The plate flange 118 may be directly coupled to the bracket flange 108 to couple the energy absorption bracket 102 to the plate 104. The plate flange 108 may be bolted or welded to the bracket flange 118.The plate 104 defines a flange hole 120 to receive the fastener 46 and couple the WCA 100 to the vehicle body 12. In addition to the flange hole 120, the plate 104 may define a plurality of slots 122 to facilitate welding the plate 104 to the energy absorption bracket 102. Accordingly, the energy absorption bracket 102 may be welded to the plate 104, for example, using MIG (metal inert gas) welds. The plate 104 is coupled (e.g., welded) to the energy absorption bracket 102 at the ridges 110 of the waveform portion 106. The plate 104 further defines a plurality of access holes 124 for accessing the fasteners 46 that couple the energy absorption bracket 102 to the underbody cross member 32 via the gusset plate 27.

[0021] With reference to Fig.2 to 5, when the frontal and translated force F is applied to the vehicle 10, the wheel 14 and tire 16 may tend to rotate inwardly in a direction T into the passenger compartment 20. However, before the wheel 14 and tire 16 can move into the passenger compartment 20, the wheel catcher assembly 100 absorbs some of the kinetic energy resulting from the frontal and translated force F and prevents or at least limits further translation of the wheel 14 and tire 16 inwardly in the direction T into the passenger compartment 20.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (10) comprising: a vehicle body (12) having a door sill (22) and an underbody cross sill (32), a wheel catcher assembly (100) coupled to the door sill (22), the wheel catcher assembly (100) comprising: an energy absorption bracket (102) coupled to the door sill (22); wherein the energy absorption bracket (102) has a plurality of ridges (110) and depressions (112) to thereby define a wave-shaped portion (106), and a plate (104) coupled to the energy absorption bracket (102) at the elevations (110), wherein the wheel catcher assembly (100) is coupled to the door sill (22) such that an external force (F) exerted on the vehicle (10) can be transmitted from the plate (104) to the door sill (22) by means of the energy absorption clamp (102), a gusset plate (27) which is directly coupled to the door sill (22), the gusset plate (27) being integrated between the door sill (22) and the energy absorption bracket (102), wherein the gusset plate (27) has a main gusset plate body (38) and a gusset plate flange (40) extending at right angles from the main gusset plate body (38), characterized by , that the energy absorption clamp (102) is directly coupled to the gusset plate flange (40) and the underbody cross sill (32) is coupled to the energy absorption bracket (102), wherein the gusset plate (27) defines a gusset plate recess (42) which partially receives the underbody cross sill (32). [2] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gusset plate (27) is coupled to the energy absorption bracket (102) such that the external force (F) exerted on the vehicle (10) can be transmitted from the plate (104) by means of the energy absorption bracket (102) to the gusset plate (27) and the underbody cross sill (32). [3] The vehicle (10) of claim 2, wherein the gusset flange (40) is disposed between the underbody cross sill (32) and the energy absorption bracket (102). [4] The vehicle (10) of claim 3, wherein the door sill (22) includes a door sill sidewall (36) and a lower door sill floor (34) coupled to the door sill sidewall (36), the lower door sill floor (34) extending perpendicular to the door sill sidewall (36), and the gusset plate (27) being welded to the lower door sill floor (34). [5] The vehicle (10) of claim 4, wherein the energy absorption bracket (102) includes a plurality of U-shaped walls (113), each of the U-shaped walls (113) defining one of the recesses (112), and wherein the gusset flange (40) is directly coupled to the U-shaped walls (113). [6] The vehicle (10) of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of fasteners (46) extending through the U-shaped walls (113) and / or the gusset flange (40) to couple the energy absorption bracket (102) to the gusset plate (27). [7] The vehicle (10) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (10) includes a wheel (14) coupled to the vehicle body (12), the vehicle body (12) defining a passenger compartment (20), and the wheel catcher assembly (100) preventing the wheel (14) from moving toward the passenger compartment (20) when the external force (F) is applied to the vehicle (10).

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