AERODYNAMIC DEFLECTOR FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY OF A VEHICLE BODY WITH FORWARD RESTRAINT MEANS

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates generally to the aerodynamics of motor vehicles and in particular to underbody aerodynamics.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to an aerodynamic deflector intended to be mounted under the underbody of such a motor vehicle. [Earlier technique]

[0003] Aerodynamics tend to play an increasingly important role in the design of a motor vehicle, given its significant effects on fuel consumption and road handling, particularly at high speeds.

[0004] Improving the aerodynamic performance of vehicles can therefore contribute significantly to reducing pollutant emissions by reducing fuel consumption, while making vehicles safer and more comfortable from an acoustic point of view.

[0005] The underbody of the vehicle has a significant impact on the air drag generated at the rear of the vehicle, so car manufacturers have moved towards underbody fairing and a reduction in ground clearance to limit the volume of air entering under the vehicle and facilitate the flow of air under the body.

[0006] It is now common practice to equip vehicles with plastic deflectors which are placed under the underbody to improve aerodynamics and protect sensitive vehicle components located under the floor from impacts, such as the piping circuits of a propulsion battery.

[0007] Due to their significant size and weight, the installation of aerodynamic deflectors under the floor of motor vehicles on assembly lines can be a physically difficult operation for a single operator to carry out.

[0008] In order to facilitate these assembly operations, it is known, in particular from document FR 3 099 740 A1, to provide at the two corners of one of the longitudinal ends of this deflector pre-holding means capable of cooperating with complementary means provided on the underbody of the vehicle, so as to ensure pre-holding of this deflector on the underbody in the vertically suspended position.

[0009] These pre-holding means are further configured so that the deflector can freely pivot relative to the underbody of the vehicle around a transverse axis, so as to allow it to be folded into a horizontal position against this underbody.

[0010] During this operation of folding the deflector, studs welded to the side edges of the vehicle floor are inserted through corresponding holes made in the side edges of the deflector.

[0011] Pre-retaining rings are then snap-fitted onto these studs to ensure that the deflector is pre-retained in the mounting position (the perimeter of each of its holes being sandwiched between the vehicle floor and a corresponding pre-retaining ring).

[0012] The final fixing of the deflector is then ensured in the conventional way by screwing nuts onto other studs distributed over the surface of the floor and having passed through other holes distributed over the surface of the deflector when it is folded down into a horizontal position against this floor.

[0013] In the case of electric or hybrid vehicles with a propulsion battery extending under the floor, it is not possible to weld studs directly onto the propulsion battery housing.

[0014] Indeed, in the event of an impact with an element external to the vehicle such as a stone or a tree stump, such a stud could undergo sufficient torsional force to cause the battery casing to be torn off and damage certain sensitive elements of this battery.

[0015] For these electric or hybrid vehicles, the final fixing of the deflector is therefore ensured otherwise by inserting bolts through holes distributed over the surface of the deflector and screwing them into nuts welded onto the casing of this propulsion battery.

[0016] Generally made of thin plastic material and having large surface dimensions typically of the order of a square meter, such a deflector tends, due to its mass, to bend slightly when it is pre-maintained in a horizontal mounting position, which tends to slightly offset the axes of its orifices with respect to those of the nuts, so as to complicate the screwing operations, particularly when they must be carried out by a robotic arm. [Statement of the invention]

[0017] The present invention therefore aims to facilitate the mounting of such a deflector on a motor vehicle.

[0018] To this end, it proposes an aerodynamic deflector intended to be mounted under the underbody of a motor vehicle, comprising a sole intended to cover at least a portion of this underbody as well as first pre-holding means arranged at a first longitudinal end of said sole and capable of cooperating with complementary means provided on said underbody so as to ensure pre-holding of this deflector on said underbody in a vertically suspended position, said first pre-holding means being further configured so that said deflector can freely pivot with respect to said underbody around a transverse axis so as to allow it to be folded down into a horizontal position against this underbody;characterized in that it comprises second pre-holding means comprising a main clipping member projecting from the upper face of the transverse edge of said sole extending along the second longitudinal end of this sole, said main clipping member being intended, when said deflector is folded down into the horizontal mounting position against said base, to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding hole or cutout provided on a wall of said base.;

[0019] The presence of such a clipping member makes it possible to ensure the plating of the transverse edge of the deflector base located opposite its pivot axis, so as to prevent its bending by gravity and to facilitate the operations of fixing this deflector to the base by screwing.

[0020] According to preferred characteristics of said aerodynamic deflector according to the invention: said main clipping member is located in the central zone of said transverse edge; said deflector also comprises at least one secondary clipping member projecting from the upper face of said sole and also intended, when said deflector is folded down into a horizontal mounting position against said base, to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding hole or cutout provided on a wall of said base; each said clipping member comprises a hollow body in which is cut an elastically deformable tab provided with a ramp extending to a retaining ridge; said elastically deformable tab also comprises a gripping tab projecting below the ridge; said sole has a cutout provided on the periphery of each said clipping member directly above said tab, said cutout being sized so as to allow the insertion of a finger therein;the top of the hollow body of each said clipping member is chamfered; and / or the hollow body of said main clipping member is cylindrical.;

[0021] The invention also relates, under a second object, to a motor vehicle comprising a body underbody comprising a floor, a propulsion battery installed under said floor and housed in a battery casing, as well as at least one such aerodynamic deflector mounted under said underbody and at least partially covering said battery casing, each said clipping member being snapped onto the edge of a corresponding hole or cutout provided on a wall of said battery casing.

[0022] Advantageously, the vehicle comprises two such conforming deflectors mounted under the underbody in line with one another so as to cover the entire battery housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] represents a perspective view from below of the underbody of an electric-type motor vehicle supporting a propulsion battery and on the rear part of which is pre-mounted a first rear aerodynamic deflector according to the invention; [ Fig 2 ] is a top perspective view of the rear aerodynamic deflector of the figure 1 and certain portions of the vehicle's propulsion battery casing cooperating by snap-fastening with this deflector; [ Fig 3 ] represents a perspective top view of the main clipping member of the rear deflector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 4 ] is a perspective bottom view of the main clipping member of the rear deflector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 5 ] represents a perspective view from below of the underbody of the vehicle of the figure 1 after pre-assembly of a second front aerodynamic deflector according to the invention; [ Fig 6 ] is a top perspective view of the rear and front aerodynamic deflectors of the figure 5 and certain portions of the vehicle propulsion battery casing cooperating by snap-fastening with these deflectors; and [ Fig 7 ] represents a perspective sectional view of the figure 6 , taken along a vertical longitudinal plane crossing the main clipping member of the front aerodynamic deflector. [Detailed description]

[0024] There figure 1 illustrates a perspective view from below of the rear part of the underbody 1 of an electric-type motor vehicle.

[0025] We define with respect to this vehicle a direct orthogonal reference XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: a horizontal longitudinal axis X, parallel to the ground and oriented in the general direction of movement of the vehicle; a horizontal transverse axis Y, also parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the X axis; and a vertical axis Z, perpendicular to the ground and to the horizontal XY plane.

[0026] In the following description and by convention, the terms "lower", "upper", "front" and "rear" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle. The terms "lower" and "low" will indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "high". The term "front" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the front of a vehicle in the horizontal direction and the term "rear" will indicate a positioning oriented towards the rear of a vehicle in the same horizontal direction.

[0027] In reference to this figure 1 , the underbody 1 comprises a floor 10 and a propulsion battery 20 located under this floor 10 and housed in a battery housing 21.

[0028] As can be seen on this figure 1 , a first rear aerodynamic deflector 30 according to the invention has just been pre-mounted on the rear part of this base 1 so as to cover the rear part of the battery casing 21.

[0029] The rear deflector 30 is advantageously molded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene (PP) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), optionally loaded with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0030] As illustrated on the figure 2 , this rear deflector 30 comprises a sole 31 intended to extend opposite the floor 10 and the battery housing 21, as well as two lateral strips 32, 33 laterally bordering the major part of the sole 31 while extending substantially perpendicularly to the latter.

[0031] For the purpose of its pre-assembly on the body underbody 1, the deflector 30 comprises, at the two corners of its rear longitudinal end, two pre-holding cages 34 intended to engage with two hooks 11 fixed to the floor 10 (visible on the figure 1 ).

[0032] The cages 34 are positioned projecting from the sole 31 so as to be able to be engaged by the hooks 11 when the deflector 30 is positioned vertically under the body underbody 1.

[0033] These cages 34 are further configured so that this deflector 30 can freely pivot relative to the body underbody 1 around a transverse axis A1, so as to allow it to be folded into a horizontal position against this underbody 1.

[0034] In order to ensure that it is pre-maintained in this horizontal mounting position, the deflector 30 also comprises two generally frustoconical barrels 35 each projecting from the inner face of a corresponding lateral edge of the sole 31.

[0035] Each barrel 35 extends to an upper wall parallel to the sole 31 and in which a passage orifice 36 is provided.

[0036] These passage orifices 36 are arranged so as to be crossed by corresponding studs (not visible in the figures) welded to the lateral edges of the floor 10, which then makes it possible to snap-fit pre-holding rings onto these studs so as to ensure pre-holding in the mounting position of the deflector 30.

[0037] According to the invention and in order to avoid its bending when it is pre-maintained in the horizontal mounting position, the deflector 30 further comprises a main clipping member 37 projecting from the central zone of the upper face of the front transverse edge 31A of the sole 31 extending along the front longitudinal end of this sole.

[0038] This member 37 is intended, when the deflector 30 is folded down into the horizontal mounting position against the body underbody 1, to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding circular hole 22 (or with the edge of a cutout) provided on a wall 23 of the battery casing 21 (see figure 7 ).

[0039] In reference to the figures 3 And 4, the main clipping member 37 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 38 advantageously having a chamfered top so as to facilitate its insertion into the hole 22, and in which an elastically deformable tab 39 is cut.

[0040] The tab 39 comprises a ramp 39A extending from the body attachment zone 38 to a retaining step 39B.

[0041] When the deflector 30 is pivoted into a horizontal position against the base 1, this clipping member 37 is inserted through the hole 22 provided in the wall 23 of the battery casing 21 and the ramp 39A comes to bear against the edge of this hole 22.

[0042] The continuation of the folding movement of the deflector 30 causes the ramp 39A to be stressed, which causes the tab 39 to move radially towards the inside of the body 38 of this clipping member 37.

[0043] As soon as the ramp 39A has completely crossed the hole 22, the tab 39 returns to its initial position, so that the indent 39B now facing the perimeter of the hole 22 prevents the front transverse edge 31A of the sole 31 of the deflector 30 from bending by gravity (see figure 7 ).

[0044] It will be noted that the tab 39 also includes a gripping tab 39C projecting below the indent 39B from and along its inner edge, so as to allow an operator to unclip the main clipping member 37 in order to ensure easy disassembly of the deflector 30 after-sales.

[0045] It will also be noted that the sole 31 of the deflector 30 has a cutout 40 provided on the periphery of the main clipping member 37 directly above the tab 39C, and being sized so as to allow the operator to insert one of his fingers therein so that he can directly actuate with this finger (and therefore without any particular tool) the gripping tab 39C and unclip the member 37.

[0046] Once the deflector 30 is pre-mounted on the body underbody 1, its final fixing can then be carried out by inserting bolts through fixing holes 41 distributed over the surface of this deflector 30 (see figure 2 ) and their screwing into nuts (not visible in the figures) welded onto the battery casing 21.

[0047] These operations are facilitated by the pressing of the front transverse edge 31A of the sole 31 of this deflector 30 against the underbody 1 ensured by the clipping of the member 37 onto the battery casing 21.

[0048] Furthermore, and in order to avoid any micro-rotation of the deflector 30 around the axis of the main clipping member 37 after its pre-assembly which could also slightly misalign the axes of its fixing orifices 41 with respect to those of the nuts welded to the battery casing 21, this deflector 30 advantageously comprises two other secondary clipping members 42 projecting from the upper face of the rear longitudinal edge of the sole 31, and capable of cooperating respectively by snap-fastening with a corresponding rectilinear lateral edge of a rectangular cutout 24 (or with the edge of a corresponding orifice) provided on another wall 25 of the battery casing 21 (see figure 2 ).

[0049] These secondary clipping members 42 are similar to the member 37 except that their body is not cylindrical but has a rectangular section with a longitudinal axis better suited to cooperation with a corresponding rectilinear lateral edge of the rectangular cutout 24.

[0050] Still in order to allow them to be unclipped with a finger, the sole 31 of the deflector 30 has a cutout (not visible) made around the perimeter of each of these secondary clipping members 42 in line with their tab 43.

[0051] There figure 5 shows a perspective view from below of the rear part of the underbody 1 on which a second front aerodynamic deflector 50 according to the invention has just been pre-mounted on the front part of this underbody 1 in the extension of the first rear deflector 30 so as to cover the front part of the battery housing 21 not covered by this rear deflector 30.

[0052] In reference to the figure 6 , this front deflector 50 comprises a sole 51 intended to extend opposite the floor 10 and the battery housing 21, as well as two lateral strips 52, 53 laterally bordering the major part of the sole 51 while extending substantially perpendicularly to the latter.

[0053] For the purpose of its pre-assembly on the body underbody 1, the deflector 50 comprises, at the two corners of its front longitudinal end, two pre-holding hooks 54 intended to engage with two openings 12 provided in a plate 13 secured to the floor 10 (see figure 1 ).

[0054] The hooks 54 are positioned projecting from the sole 51 so as to be able to be engaged in the openings 12 when the deflector 50 is positioned vertically under the body underbody 1.

[0055] These hooks 54 are further configured so that this deflector 50 can freely pivot relative to the body underbody 1 around a transverse axis A2, so as to allow it to be folded into a horizontal position against this underbody 1.

[0056] In order to ensure its pre-maintenance in this horizontal pre-assembly position in which the rear transverse edge 51A of its sole 51 overlaps the front transverse edge 31A of the sole 31 of the rear deflector 30, the front deflector 50 also comprises two generally frustoconical barrels 55 each projecting from the upper face of a corresponding lateral edge of the sole 51 and shaped in a manner substantially identical to the barrels 35.

[0057] Still in order to avoid its bending when it is pre-maintained in the horizontal mounting position, the front deflector 50 further comprises a clipping member 57 projecting from the central zone of the upper face of the rear transverse edge 51A of the sole 51 extending along the rear longitudinal end of this sole.

[0058] Substantially identical to the member 37, this member 57 is intended, when the front deflector 50 is folded into a horizontal position against the body underbody 1, to pass through a notch 44 formed in the front transverse edge 31A of the sole 31 of the rear deflector 30 (see figures 2 And 7 ) and to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding circular hole 26 (or with the edge of a cutout) provided on the wall 23 of the battery casing 21 (see figure 7 ).

[0059] It will also be noted in reference to the figure 7 that the sole 51 of the front deflector 50 has a cutout 60 made on the periphery of the main clipping member 57 in line with its tab 59, so as to allow it to be unclipped with a finger.

[0060] Once the front deflector 50 is pre-mounted on the underbody 1, its final fixing can then be carried out in a similar manner to the rear deflector 30 by inserting bolts through fixing holes 61 distributed over the surface of this deflector 50 and screwing them into nuts (not visible in the figures) welded onto the battery casing 21.

[0061] These operations are facilitated by the pressing of the front edge of this deflector 50 against the underbody ensured by the clipping of the member 57 onto the battery casing 21.

[0062] Furthermore, and in order to avoid any micro-rotation of the front deflector 50 around the axis of the main clipping member 57 after its pre-assembly which could also slightly misalign the axes of its fixing orifices with respect to those of the nuts welded to the battery casing 21, this front deflector 50 advantageously comprises two other secondary clipping members 62 projecting from the upper face of the rear transverse edge 51A of the sole 51, and capable of cooperating respectively by snap-fastening with a corresponding rectilinear transverse edge of two other orifices 27 (or with the edge of a cutout) provided on the wall 23 of the battery casing 21 while being transversely spaced from each other (see figure 6 ).

[0063] These secondary clipping members 62 are similar to the members 42 except that their rectangular section body is oriented transversely.

[0064] Still in order to allow them to be unclipped with a finger, the sole 31 of the deflector 30 has a cutout (not visible) made around the perimeter of each of these clipping members 62 in line with their tab 63.

[0065] According to embodiment variants not shown, the conformation, arrangement and / or number of main and secondary clipping members that each deflector comprises may vary.

[0066] Generally speaking, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but that it encompasses any variant execution within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Aerodynamic deflector (30; 50) intended to be mounted under the body base (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a sole (31; 51) intended to cover at least a portion of this body base (1) and first pre-holding means (34; 54) arranged at a first longitudinal end of said sole (31; 51) and capable of cooperating with complementary means (11; 12) provided on said base (1) so as to ensure pre-holding of this sole deflector (30; 50) on said underframe (1) in a position suspended vertically, said first pre-holding means (34; 54) being further configured so that said deflector (30; 50) can freely pivot relative to said underframe (1) about a transverse axis (A1; A2) so as to allow it to be folded in horizontal position against this underframe (1); wherein it comprises second pre-holding means comprising a main snap-fastening member (37; 57) projecting from the upper face of the transverse edge (31A; 51A) of said sole (31; 51) extending along the second longitudinal end of this sole (31; 51), said main snap-fastening member (37; 57) being intended, when said deflector (30; 50) is folded down in a horizontal position of assembly line against said base (1), to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding hole or cut (22; 26) made on a wall (23) of said base (1).

2. Aerodynamic deflector (30; 50) according to claim 1, wherein said main clipping member (37; 57) is installed in the centre zone of said transverse rim (31A; 51A).

3. Aerodynamic deflector (30; 50) according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it also comprises at least one secondary clipping member (42; 62) projecting from the upper face of the said sole (31; 51) and also intended, when the said deflector (30; 50) is folded down in horizontal assembly line position against the said base (1), to cooperate by snap-fastening with the edge of a corresponding hole or cut-out (24; 27) made in a wall (25; 23) of said base (1).

4. Aerodynamic deflector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each said clipping member (37, 42; 57, 62) comprises a hollow body (38) in which is cut out an elastically deformable lug (39, 43; 59, 63) provided with a ramp (39A) extending as far as a retained tooth (39B).

5. Aerodynamic deflector according to claim 4, characterised in that the said elastically deformable tab (39, 43; 59, 63) also comprises a gripping tongue (39C) projecting below the tooth (39B).

6. Aerodynamic deflector according to claim 5, characterised in that the said sole (31; 51) has a cut-out (40; 60) formed on the periphery of each of the said clipping members (37, 42; 57, 62) in line with the said tongue (39C), the said cut-out (40; 60) being dimensioned so as to allow a finger to be inserted therein.

7. Aerodynamic deflector according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the top of the hollow body (38) of each of the said clipping members (37, 42; 57, 62) is chamfered.

8. Aerodynamic deflector according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the hollow body (38) of the said main clipping member (37; 57) is cylindrical.

9. Motor vehicle comprising a body base (1) comprising a floor (10), a propulsion battery (20) installed beneath said floor (10) and housed in a battery casing (21), and at least one aerodynamic deflector (30; 50) mounted beneath said base (1) and at least partially covering said battery casing (21), characterised in that the at least said deflector (30; 50) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 8 and in that each said clipping member (37, 42; 57, 62) is snap-fastened to the edge of a corresponding hole or cut-out (22, 24; 26, 27) provided on a wall (23, 25; 23) of said battery casing (21).

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that it comprises two said deflectors (30, 50) in accordance with one of Claims 1 to 8 and mounted under the body base (1) in the extension of one another so as to cover the whole of the said battery casing (21).