VEHICLE WITH REINFORCED STRUCTURE TO LIMIT RETENTION FORCES IN A FRONT-ON IMPACT

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 1873617 filed on December 20, 2018.

[0002] The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a rear side structure on which is fixed, on the passenger side of the vehicle, a support for restraint systems such as for example a seat back locking system or a seat belt retractor.

[0003] In the event of a frontal collision, rear passengers are restrained in their seats by seat belts. Cargo in the trunk is held in place by the rear seat backrest. When the rear seat is folded down, it is locked at the top on each side by locking mechanisms attached to the rear side structural elements of the vehicle. The seat belt retractors are mounted on a seat backrest shelf, which is also attached to a rear side structural element, such as the rear pillar. The seat backrest shelf can thus be subjected to a forward tensile force of up to 1.5 tonnes. This force is transmitted to the rear pillar to which the seat backrest shelf is attached. The rear pillar must therefore be sufficiently strong to withstand these forces.

[0004] The ongoing pursuit of overall vehicle weight reduction to decrease greenhouse gas emissions sometimes necessitates a reduction in the vehicle's body mass. However, this weight reduction must not compromise passenger safety. Therefore, there is a need for solutions that reduce vehicle mass, particularly the body structure, while maintaining safety performance.

[0005] US2018 / 244318 describes a rear lateral vehicle structure comprising a rear pillar and a wheel arch. The structure further includes a suspension housing reinforcement that interconnects the rear pillar with the rear wheel arch in the vertical direction. The described arrangement is intended to reinforce the structure against vertical deformations resulting from rear-end collisions.

[0006] The CN206734419U document describes a vehicle structure in which the side structure is connected to the wheel arch by means of various reinforcing elements.

[0007] The structures proposed by these documents are interesting but do not address the problem of strengthening the structure in the event of a frontal collision resulting in significant tensile forces towards the front of the vehicle via supports for restraint systems.

[0008] The invention aims to address at least one of the problems and drawbacks encountered in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to improve the performance of the rear lateral structure of a vehicle with regard to resistance to restraint forces directed towards the front of the vehicle from the locking means of the rear seat backrest and / or the seat belt retractors in the event of a frontal collision.

[0009] Accordingly, and in a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a rear pillar liner and a rear wheel arch, and at least one restraint system bracket fixed to the rear pillar liner. The vehicle is notable in that it further comprises a reinforcement showing two lateral wings, said reinforcement being fixed by its lateral wings to the rear pillar liner and the rear wheel arch, and in that said reinforcement is arranged on the rear pillar liner at least partially at the same height as one or more of the restraint system brackets. The reinforcement is arranged in the vehicle such that one of its lateral wings is positioned in front of the other, thus defining a front lateral wing and a rear lateral wing, and said reinforcement is fixed to the rear wheel arch by its front lateral wing.Preferably, the front side wing of the reinforcement is fixed to the rear wheel arch and the rear side wing is fixed to the rear pillar lining. The rear pillar lining has an opening in front of the restraint system bracket mounting area, and the reinforcement is fixed to the edge of this opening so that its mounting area is interposed between the opening and the restraint system bracket mounting area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0010] As can be understood from the definition just given, the invention consists of transmitting a portion of the restraint forces exerted on the rear footrest lining to the rear wheel arch by means of a reinforcing component. This transmission of some of the forces reduces the stress on the rear footrest lining. The level of safety is thus maintained, or even improved. Positioning the reinforcement at the same height as the shelf optimizes this force transmission and prevents, or at least reduces, the risk of deformation of the rear footrest lining when it is subjected to significant restraint forces.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement is in the form of a folded stamping so that its lateral wings are not parallel to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the reinforcement also has a body arranged between the lateral wings and said body extends between the lateral wings in an arched profile.

[0013] Alternatively, the reinforcement also has a body arranged between the lateral wings and is in the form of a three-sided right angle.

[0014] According to another embodiment not covered by the claims, the rear foot lining showing an inner face and an outer face, the restraint system support (such as the backrest tablet) being fixed to the inner face of the rear foot lining, the vehicle is notable in that the reinforcement is fixed to the outer face of the rear foot lining.

[0015] According to another embodiment not covered by the claims, the reinforcement being fixed to the rear wheel arch by its front side wing, the vehicle is remarkable in that the reinforcement is fixed to a part of said rear wheel arch arranged to extend in the transverse direction of said vehicle.

[0016] According to another embodiment not covered by the claims, at least one side wing extends in the vertical direction, more preferably, both front and rear side wings extend in the vertical direction.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement is fixed to the rear foot lining in an area located in front of the restraint system support attachment area in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0018] For example, the restraint system including a backrest shelf, the reinforcement is fixed to the rear foot lining in an area positioned in front of the backrest shelf attachment area along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0019] For example, the rear foot lining has an opening in front of the attachment area of ​​a backrest shelf and said reinforcement is fixed to the edge of said opening so that its attachment area is interposed between said opening and the attachment area of ​​the backrest shelf in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0020] Optionally, the reinforcement has at least one stiffening rib on at least one of its lateral wings and / or on its body, when the reinforcement also has a body arranged between the lateral wings.

[0021] Advantageously, the reinforcement is made of steel and is assembled by welding.

[0022] According to a second aspect, not covered by the claims, the reinforcement is intended to be fixed to the rear foot lining and the rear wheel arch, the reinforcement being notable in that it comprises two lateral wings, is in the form of a folded stamping so that its lateral wings are not parallel to each other, in that it further has a body arranged between the lateral wings and in that said body extends between the lateral wings in an arched profile.

[0023] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will become clear upon reading the following description given with reference to the attached drawings, on which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a partial view of the body structure of a vehicle according to the invention as seen from inside the vehicle's passenger compartment. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a representation of a reinforcement according to the invention. Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane AA of the reinforcement illustrated in figure 2 . [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a partial view showing the arrangement of an assembly according to the invention comprising a rear foot liner, a rear wheel arch, a backrest shelf and a reinforcement. Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a partial view showing the arrangement of an assembly according to the invention comprising a rear foot lining, a rear wheel arch and a reinforcement from a different viewing angle.

[0024] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not restrictive in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle or the reinforcement to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of." "Front" and "rear" are understood to refer to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as oriented in its normal direction of travel. In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

[0025] We will refer first to the figure 1 partially illustrating a body structure of a vehicle 1 according to the invention as viewed from inside said vehicle. The vehicle 1 comprises a rear pillar liner 3, a rear wheel arch 5 (shown in figures 4 And 5), and at least one restraint system support 7 fixed to the inner face of the rear foot lining 3. In the embodiment shown, the restraint system support 7 is a seat back shelf 7 intended to hold the seat belt retractors. Those skilled in the art can nevertheless adapt the invention to a reinforcement of the rear wing lining at the level of the seat back locking system support.

[0026] According to the invention, the vehicle 1 further comprises a reinforcement 9 showing two lateral wings (13, 15) (visible in figure 2 The reinforcement 9 is attached to both the rear foot liner 3 and the rear wheel arch 5 by means of its lateral wings (13, 15). The reinforcement 9 is preferably attached to the outer face of the rear foot liner 3. According to the invention, said reinforcement 9 is positioned on the rear foot liner 3 at least partially at the same height as the backrest shelf 7, the height being defined along a vertical axis. The support 7 of the restraint system (here, a backrest shelf 7) and the reinforcement 9 are therefore both attached to the rear foot liner 3 at the same level along the vertical axis, but on different faces of said liner 3.

[0027] In an embodiment not shown, the restraint system support and the reinforcement are aligned along the transverse axis of the vehicle. However, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the restraint system support 7 and the reinforcement 9 are not aligned along the transverse axis but are offset, such that one is positioned in front of the other along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Thus, preferably, the reinforcement 9 is attached to the rear footrest lining 3 in an area positioned in front of the attachment area of ​​the restraint system support 7 (here, the seat backrest shelf 7) along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The reinforcement 9 is attached by means of its side wings and is arranged in the vehicle so that one of its side wings is positioned in front of the other. This defines a front side wing 13 and a rear side wing 15.According to one feature of the invention, the reinforcement 9 is fixed to the rear wheel arch 5 by its front side wing 13 and to the rear foot lining 3 by its rear side wing 15.

[0028] An example of the implementation of a reinforcement 9 according to the invention is illustrated in figure 2 , it is preferably in the form of a stamped sheet metal piece, for example in steel, bent so that its lateral wings (13, 15) are not parallel to each other.

[0029] According to one feature of the invention, at least one side wing (13, 15) extends in the vertical direction when the reinforcement 9 is mounted in the vehicle, more preferably, both side wings (13, 15) extend in the vertical direction.

[0030] For example, as illustrated in figure 3 The front lateral wings 13 and rear 15 extend in different directions, forming an angle β with a value between 60 and 120° as measured in a horizontal plane, more preferably between 80 and 100°, and even more preferably 90°. It will be understood that, advantageously, the reinforcement 9 is not flat. This configuration allows it to be fixed to non-parallel walls.

[0031] The reinforcement 9 is preferably fixed by welding to the rear foot lining 3 and the rear wheel arch 5, but other means of assembly can be considered by a person skilled in the art, for example, assembly by riveting.

[0032] Indeed, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement 9 is fixed to a portion of said rear wheel arch arranged to extend along the transverse direction of the vehicle as illustrated in figure 4 When the reinforcement 9 is attached to the rear wheel arch 5 by its front side wing, said front wing extends along the transverse axis of the vehicle, while the rear wing, attached to the rear footrest 3, extends along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This feature of the invention is advantageous because the force exerted on the rear footrest 3 from the restraint forces of the support 7 of the restraint system (here, the seat backrest shelf 7) is thus displaced and transmitted to the rear wheel arch by means of the reinforcement 9 bearing on an element that extends transversely with respect to the direction of the force. The reinforcement 9 bears on the rear wheel arch 5 by means of the entire surface of its front side wing 13.

[0033] According to an example of an embodiment not shown, the reinforcement is in the form of a reinforcing bracket. Preferably, the reinforcement has a body arranged between the front and rear side wings. The reinforcement can thus be in the form of a three-sided reinforcing bracket, the central side forming the body of the reinforcement. In this embodiment, the body of the reinforcement is flat.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in particular by figure 3 The reinforcement 9 further has a body 11 arranged between the lateral wings (13, 15), and this body 11 extends between the lateral wings in an arched profile. The arched shape of the body 11 of the reinforcement 9 is advantageous in that it optimizes the transmission of forces.

[0035] Preferably, as illustrated in figure 3 , each of the said front lateral wings 13 and rear 15 extends in a direction forming a non-flat angle α with the body 11 of the reinforcement 9. The value of the angle α between the front lateral wing 13 and the body 11 of the reinforcement 9 may be the same or different from the value of the angle α between the rear lateral wing 15 and the body 11 of the reinforcement 9. For example, the value of the angle α is between 60 and 120° as measured in a horizontal plane when the reinforcement 9 is fixed on the vehicle, more preferably between 80 and 100°, even more preferably 90°.

[0036] Whether the body 11 of the reinforcement is flat or arched, it advantageously presents at least one stiffening rib 17 on its body 11 (visible in figure 2 Alternatively, whether or not the reinforcement has a body, it must have at least one stiffening rib on at least one of its lateral wings. Whether the stiffening ribs are present on the body and / or on the lateral wings, they are preferably oriented horizontally.

[0037] As illustrated in figure 5 The presence of a body 11 also allows the reinforcement 9 to bypass an opening 19 presented by the rear foot lining 3. Thus, in a preferred embodiment illustrated for example in figure 5 , the rear foot lining 3 has an opening 19 arranged in front of the attachment area of ​​a restraint system support, for example of a backrest shelf, and said reinforcement 9 is fixed to the edge of said opening 19 so that its attachment area is interposed between said opening 19 and the attachment area of ​​the restraint system support in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a rear foot lining (3) and a rear wheel arch (5), at least one retaining system support (7) fixed to the rear foot lining (3), and a reinforcement (9) showing two lateral wings (13, 15), the said reinforcement (9) being fixed by its lateral wings (13, 15) to the rear foot lining (3) and to the rear wheel arch (5) being arranged on the rear foot lining (3) at least in part at the same height as the or one of the supports (7) a retaining system, the reinforcement (9) being arranged in the vehicle so that one of its lateral wings (13, 15) is arranged in front of the other so as to define a front lateral wing (13) and a rear lateral wing (15), said reinforcement (9) being fixed to the rear wheel arch (5) by its front lateral wing (13), wherein the rear foot lining has an opening (19) in front of the zone for fixing the retaining system support (7) to the rear foot lining (3) and in front of the rear foot lining said reinforcement (9) is fixed at the edge of said opening so that its fixing zone is inserted between said opening (19) and the fixing zone of the retaining system support (7) along the longitudinal management of the vehicle and the rear lateral wing is fixed on the rear foot lining (3).

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reinforcement (9) is in the form of a stamped portion folded so that its lateral wings (13, 15) are not parallel to one another.

3. Vehicle (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the reinforcement (9) also has a body (11) arranged between the lateral wings (13, 15) and in that the said body (11) extends between the lateral wings in an arched profile.

4. Vehicle (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the reinforcement (9) also has a body (11) arranged between the lateral wings (13, 15) and is in the form of a three-sided bracket.

5. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the reinforcement (9) is fixed to the rear foot lining (3) on a zone arranged in front of the zone for fixing the support (7) of the restraint system according to the longitudinal management of the vehicle.

6. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the reinforcement (9) has at least one stiffening rib (17) on at least one of its lateral wings (13, 15) and / or on its body (11), when the reinforcement (9) also has a body (11) arranged between the lateral wings (13, 15).

7. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reinforcement (9) is made of steel and is assembled by welding.