MEANS OF STEERING AN ELEMENT RELATING TO A REAR AXLE OF A VEHICLE IN THE CASE OF AN IMPACT

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising means for guiding an element of a vehicle in the event of a rear impact. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement. State of the prior art

[0002] A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, equipped with a single internal combustion engine or a hybrid engine, generally includes parts such as a fuel tank and / or a traction and / or propulsion battery and / or a charger for such a battery. Such parts are generally arranged at the level of a rear subframe. In the event of a rear impact, it is important to prevent these parts from being damaged. Indeed, such parts, if damaged, can cause and / or contribute to a fire or even a fire and / or an electric shock that is dangerous for both the occupants and the emergency services.

[0003] Such a situation is unacceptable. Any risk of fire and / or electric shock following an accident involving a motor vehicle should be avoided. An example of an arrangement is disclosed by EP3608207. Presentation of the invention

[0004] The aim of the invention is to provide an arrangement which overcomes the above drawbacks. In particular, the invention makes it possible to guide an element under the rear cradle in the event of a rear impact. Summary of the invention

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention relates to an arrangement for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising a rear cradle, an element extending behind the rear cradle, in particular extending at least partially transversely or substantially transversely, the arrangement comprising a guide means intended to guide the element under the rear cradle in the event of an impact at the rear or substantially at the rear of such a vehicle, and characterized in that the guide means comprises a ramp fixed to an upper face of the rear cradle.

[0006] The ramp may include a contact face intended to come into contact with the element and then guide the element during an impact at the rear of such a vehicle.

[0007] The contact face may be flat or substantially flat.

[0008] The contact face may extend transversely or substantially transversely and may be oriented forwards and downwards at an angle of between 25 degrees and 65 degrees, in particular of the order of 45 degrees, relative to a vertical and transverse plane.

[0009] The ramp may be a plate, in particular a folded plate comprising a first part extending in a plane parallel to the ground or substantially parallel to the ground and a second part extending from a rear edge or substantially from a rear edge, in particular a second part comprising a contact face.

[0010] The guide means may be made of steel and / or aluminum alloy and / or composite material and / or plastic material.

[0011] The element may be a casing of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine of such a vehicle.

[0012] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined previously. Presentation of figures

[0013] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of an embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle comprising an arrangement according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a schematic view of the arrangement according to one embodiment in the normal position. Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a schematic view of the arrangement according to the embodiment after a rear impact. Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment in the normal position. Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5is a perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment at the start of the rear impact. Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment during a significant rear impact. Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment after a significant rear impact. Detailed description

[0014] The direction in which a motor vehicle moves in a straight line is defined as the longitudinal direction X. By convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, located in a plane parallel to the ground, is called the transverse direction Y. The third direction, perpendicular to the other two, is called the vertical direction Z. Thus, a direct XYZ reference frame is used in which X is the longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, therefore directed towards the rear, Y is the transverse direction directed towards the right and Z is the vertical direction directed upwards. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which the motor vehicle usually moves in the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the rear direction.

[0015] There figure 1schematically illustrates a vehicle 1, in particular a motor vehicle, according to one embodiment. The vehicle 1 is for example of the hybrid type, that is to say that it comprises an internal combustion engine 5 and an electric motor for its traction and / or its propulsion. Alternatively, the vehicle 1 comprises only an internal combustion engine 5 for its traction and / or its propulsion. Alternatively again, the vehicle 1 is electric and comprises an electric motor for its traction and / or its propulsion. The vehicle 1 preferably comprises a rear cradle 2. For example, as illustrated in the figure 2 , the vehicle comprises a body 30 and the rear cradle 2 is arranged under the body 30, preferably at the rear of the body. For example, as illustrated in the figure 1, the body 30 comprises at least one side member 31 extending longitudinally or substantially longitudinally. Preferably the vehicle 1 comprises a rear face 35 or rear bumper extending transversely or substantially transversely behind a rear end of the body. The rear end of the body comprises for example a cross member 32.

[0016] The vehicle 1 comprises an arrangement 10 according to one embodiment.

[0017] As illustrated on the Figures 2 and 3 , the arrangement 10 comprises the rear cradle 2. The arrangement 10 further comprises an element 3. For example, the element 3 extends behind the rear cradle 2. Preferably, the element 3 extends at least partially transversely or substantially transversely.

[0018] The arrangement 10 further comprises a guide means 20. The guide means 20 is preferably intended to guide and / or orient the element 3 under the rear cradle 2 in the event of an impact F at the rear or substantially the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0019] Preferably, the guide means 20 comprises a ramp 21 or guide or crosspiece. The ramp 21 is preferably fixed at the rear cradle 2. For example, the ramp is fixed on an upper face 7 of the cradle 2 as illustrated in the figures 2 And 4 in particular. The fixing of the ramp to the cradle is done for example by welding and / or by a screw / nut system and / or by a screw / tapping system and or by riveting.

[0020] Preferably, the ramp 21 comprises a contact face 22 intended to come into contact with the element 3. More preferably, this contact face 22 is also intended to guide the element 3 during an impact at the rear of the vehicle 1 as will be explained below.

[0021] Advantageously, as illustrated in particular on the figure 4 in a normal situation, in other words before a rear impact, the contact face 22 is flat or substantially flat.

[0022] As illustrated in the figure 1 , preferably the contact face 22 extends transversely or substantially transversely. Advantageously, the contact face 22 is oriented forwards and downwards with an angle α of between 25 degrees and 65 degrees relative to a vertical and transverse plane P. Preferably, the angle α is of the order of 45 degrees relative to the plane P.

[0023] As illustrated in particular on the figures 5, 6 And 7, the ramp 21 is preferably a plate 23. For example, the plate 23 is folded so as to comprise a first portion 24 extending in a plane parallel to the ground or substantially parallel to the ground, i.e. in a transverse and longitudinal or substantially transverse and longitudinal plane. The plate 23 is preferably folded so as to comprise a second portion 25 extending from a rear edge 26, or substantially from a rear edge 26, as illustrated in particular in the figures 2 And 4 Advantageously, the second part 25 comprises the contact face 22. For example, a third part 27, illustrated in particular on the figure 4, extends, for example in a vertical and transverse or substantially vertical and transverse plane, between the first part 24 and the second part 25. Advantageously, the first part 24 and / or the second part 25 and / or the third part 27 are flat or substantially flat. For example, the third part 27 comprises orifices 28 intended for the passages of screws for fixing the guide means on the cradle. In addition or alternatively, the first part 24 may comprise orifices intended for the passages of screws for fixing the guide means on the cradle.

[0024] For example, the guide means 20 is made of steel and / or aluminum alloy and / or composite material and / or plastic material. In the case of a steel guide means, the thickness of the sheet metal allowing it to be obtained, preferably by bending, is for example between 1.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0025] In the case of a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine 5, the element 3 is preferably a box 6 or silencer or exhaust pipe of an exhaust system 8 of the internal combustion engine 5.

[0026] Alternatively, element 3 may be a traction and / or propulsion battery, particularly in the case of a hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0027] Alternatively, element 3 may be an additional trunk volume that is not or only slightly deformable, a subwoofer for the vehicle's audio system, or even one or more additional batteries.

[0028] Thus, in the event of a crash or collision or significant rear impact F at the rear bumper 35, the bumper deforms and / or breaks, subsequently causing possible deformation of the cross member 32 and / or the side member(s) 31. This impact further causes the box 6 (or the element 3) to translate in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 5 , possibly until contact with the guide means 20 of the ramp type 21 preferably. The box 6 then comes to bear against the guide means, in particular against the contact face 22. In the event of a significant impact, if the energy is not absorbed by this longitudinal translation towards the front of the box, the box 6 continues its movement towards the front and downwards while being guided by the guide means 20. Indeed, advantageously, the guide means is fixed solidly and does not deform or only slightly, even under a significant force transmitted by the box 6. Thus, the box follows and / or rubs and / or slides on at least part of the contact face 22 as illustrated in the figure 6 . Once the impact energy has been absorbed, the box 6 is found under the rear axle, in particular under the rear subframe 2, for example under a rear wheel axle, as illustrated in the figure 7 illustrating the configuration after a significant rear impact.

[0029] Thus, the arrangement 10 aims to encourage the element 3 to undergo a “submarining” phenomenon in the event of an impact at the rear of the vehicle, i.e. to drive the element 3 towards the ground.

[0030] The exhaust therefore does not get stuck against the rear of the cradle. Note that in the case of a hybrid vehicle in particular, a traction and / or propulsion battery, or even a charger, are generally housed in the environment or the area of ​​the rear of the cradle, for example in a plastic container. Thus, the impact does not cause the box 6 to be crushed against the cradle and / or against the charger and / or against the battery. Indeed, the box does not hit against one of these parts. In addition, in the case of a fuel tank arranged for example above the rear cradle, the tank is not impacted. The risk of electric shock and / or fire starting, or even a fire, is therefore eliminated.

[0031] As mentioned, preferably, certain parts of the rear part of the vehicle are designed to deform in the event of a rear impact, these parts therefore preferably being sized to absorb a certain amount of energy by deforming during an impact. This is for example the case of the bumper 35 and / or the side member 31 as illustrated in the figure 3 . Conversely, parts, such as element 3, preferably have desired displacement kinematics in the event of an impact as explained previously. Preferably, parts that are likely to move and deform little or not at all are those that absorb very little energy during an impact.

[0032] Thus, depending on the configuration of the different parts in the rear part of the vehicle including for example the rear cradle 2, one or more side members 31, the cross member 32, the bumper 35, the exhaust box 6, either a deformation or a displacement is expected in the event of a rear impact.

[0033] As a note, the solution according to the invention therefore achieves the desired objective of avoiding any risk of fire and / or electric shock following an accident causing a rear-end collision on a motor vehicle and has the following advantages: the cost is particularly low, the device being technically simple; it can be adapted to guide any type of part that is not very deformable or even non-deformable during an impact towards a desired direction, and this in all types of vehicles, in particular vehicles with internal combustion engines, electric or hybrid vehicles.

Claims

1. Arrangement (10) for a vehicle (1), notably for a motor vehicle, the arrangement (10) comprising: a rear subframe (2), an element (3) extending behind the rear subframe (2), notably extending at least partially transversely or substantially transversely, the arrangement (10) comprising guide means (20) for guiding the element (3) under the rear subframe (2) in the event of an impact at the rear or substantially at the rear of such a vehicle (1), characterized in that the guide means (20) comprise a ramp (21) fastened to an upper face (7) of the rear subframe (2).

2. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ramp (21) comprises a contact face (22) intended to come into contact with the element (3) and then to guide the element (3) during an impact at the rear of such a vehicle (1).

3. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact face (22) is flat or substantially flat.

4. Arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the contact face (22) extends transversely or substantially transversely and is oriented forwards and downwards at an angle (α) of between 25 degrees and 65 degrees, notably of the order of 45 degrees, relative to a vertical and transverse plane (P).

5. Arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ramp (21) is a plate (23), notably a folded plate (23) comprising a first part (24) extending in a plane parallel to the ground or substantially parallel to the ground and a second part (25) extending from a rear edge (26) or substantially from a rear edge (26), notably, a second part (25) comprising a contact face (22).

6. Arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means (20) are made of steel and / or aluminium alloy and / or composite material and / or plastic material.

7. Arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (3) is a housing (6) of an exhaust system (8) of an internal-combustion engine (5) of such a vehicle (1).

8. Vehicle (1), notably a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims.