MOTOR VEHICLE WITH ONE SIDE PART WITH ONE REINFORCING PART

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2203700 filed on April 21, 2022. The present invention relates to motor vehicles comprising a structure with at least one longitudinal member.

[0002] A motor vehicle includes a structure with at least one side member. The side member is a structural support component of the vehicle. At the rear of the vehicle, the side member is usually positioned in front of the rear bumper. The side member can support, among other things, a rear suspension system.

[0003] In electric or hybrid electric vehicles, a battery tray is typically mounted beneath the passenger compartment. The integration of the batteries and specific equipment adds approximately 400 kg compared to a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. Therefore, the rigidity of the chassis rail is crucial to ensure the proper functioning of the vehicle's suspension springs.

[0004] The construction of the vehicle structure must also meet numerous requirements, including crash tests.

[0005] One test, for example, measures a vehicle's resistance to a high-speed rear-end collision. In this test, a moving barrier is launched against the rear bumper of a motor vehicle at a speed of 80 km / h. The vehicle is positioned so that at least 70% of the bumper's total width is impacted. Since the resulting deformation of the passenger compartment poses a significant risk of injury, the test specifically aims to assess the extent of this deformation.

[0006] In a high-speed rear-end collision, it is important that the deformation of the rear structure does not damage a battery tray.

[0007] Part of the forces resulting from a rear impact pass through the bumper beam and then through the side rails; it is understandable that in a high-speed rear-end collision situation the rigidity of the side rail is important.

[0008] We are therefore looking for solutions to improve the behavior of a vehicle in terms of suspension and in the event of a rear impact.

[0009] We are familiar with document FR 2997369, which describes a motor vehicle with a structure including a front side member. The side member is hollow and includes a passive reinforcement system configured to increase compressive strength along the longitudinal direction of the side member. The passive reinforcement system includes at least one rigid cylindrical element, fixed inside the side member substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the side member.

[0010] This solution is interesting but has several disadvantages. The passive reinforcement system involves complex tubes that are difficult to manufacture and install through the hollow body of the side member. The side member with its passive system does not improve the support of the vehicle's suspension system. Furthermore, the side member has two sections inclined relative to each other: one horizontal and one angled downwards. In the event of a rear-end collision, the angled section is forced downwards further, while the horizontal section is raised upwards. In addition, the rear structure penetrates the passenger compartment, compromising passenger safety. Another example is documented in DE 40 20 363 A1.

[0011] The invention aims to address at least one of the problems or drawbacks encountered in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to improve the rigidity of a motor vehicle structure. The invention also aims to optimize passenger safety and the ease of assembly of a motor vehicle structure.

[0012] Accordingly to a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a structure with at least one longitudinal member; the longitudinal member comprises an elongated body with a first horizontal section and a second section inclined relative to the first section, the body having a vertical side face and a lower face; the structure further comprising a reinforcement piece for the longitudinal member, said reinforcement piece comprising a first part for reinforcing the suspension system attachment against the lower face at the level of the first section.

[0013] The vehicle is remarkable in that the reinforcement piece further includes a second part which extends along the second section and is attached to said second section.

[0014] As can be understood from the definition just provided, thanks to the second part connected to the second section, the reinforcement piece increases the rigidity of the structure. The fixings on the first and second sections extend the anchoring areas, which also contributes to improving the overall rigidity of the structure. This aspect also limits the bending of the spar in the event of an impact, thus increasing passive safety.

[0015] Thus, the invention adapts a side member by lengthening the reinforcement piece used to attach the suspension, thereby improving safety. Furthermore, its attachment utilizes existing components. In this way, the invention optimizes both the attachment and safety. Additionally, the invention optimizes the safety and reduces the number of parts in a motor vehicle structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second part also extends against the lateral face along the first section of the body.

[0017] Preferably, the second part includes a width in the vertical direction of the lateral face, greater at the second section of the body than at the first section of the spar body.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first part is formed by a sheet having a first thickness, and the second part of the reinforcement piece comprises a sheet with a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

[0019] Preferably, the first part is formed by a sheet of metal having a first grade, and the second part comprises a metal sheet with a second grade that is more rigid than the first grade.

[0020] Preferably, the second part covers the lower face and / or the lateral face in the second section of the body of the reinforcement piece.

[0021] Preferably, the first part includes a fixing hole in which is arranged a means for fixing a suspension arm of a suspension system.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lateral face of the spar body is a first lateral face, and the body further comprises a second lateral face, the lower face connecting the first lateral face and the second lateral face; and along the first section the first part extends against said second lateral face.

[0023] Preferably, the reinforcement piece comprises a first component forming the first part, and a second component forming the second part of the reinforcement piece, against the underside of the body at the level of the first section and welded to the first component along the first section.

[0024] Preferably, the first component includes at least one mounting tab for welding to the second component; the mounting tab extending perpendicularly to the lateral face of the spar body.

[0025] In some embodiments, the vehicle further comprising a rear bumper beam, the vehicle is notable in that the side member is a lower rear side member, and in that the first body section is connected to the rear bumper beam.

[0026] Preferably, the lower face includes an angled surface at the junction between the first section and the second section; the second part covering said angled surface.

[0027] Preferably, along the second section the second part comprises a vertical wall against the vertical face and an inclined wall against the lower face; the vertical wall being longitudinally longer than the inclined wall.

[0028] Preferably, the vehicle includes a suspension arm fixed to the side member against the first part.

[0029] Preferably, the first section is above the second section.

[0030] Preferably, the spar is a rear spar or a front spar, the structure comprising a central spar connected to the second section.

[0031] Preferably, along the second section the second part exhibits an increase in vertical thickness towards the opposite of the first part.

[0032] Preferably, along the first section the reinforcement piece has a "U" profile and / or a longitudinal hollow in which the spar is arranged.

[0033] Preferably, the second inclined section is inclined downwards from the first section.

[0034] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a lower rear side member for a motor vehicle. According to the first aspect, the side member comprises an elongated body with a first horizontal section and a second section inclined relative to the first section, the body having a vertical side face and a lower face. The side member further comprises a reinforcing piece, said reinforcing piece comprising a first suspension mounting reinforcement portion against the lower face at the level of the first section.

[0035] The longeron is remarkable in that the reinforcing piece further includes a second part which extends along the second section and is fixed to said second section.

[0036] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will become clear upon reading the following description, given by way of example with reference to the attached drawings on which:

[0037] [Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a view from below of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a side view of an isolated side member of the vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0039] [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a perspective view of the underside of an isolated side member of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] In the remainder of this 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 frame rail to which it refers. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of".

[0041] Similarly, the terms "lower", "higher", "top" and "bottom" shall be understood according to their usual definition, in which the terms "lower" and "bottom" indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than respectively the terms "higher" and "top".

[0042] In this description, the terms "longitudinal," "longitudinally," "transverse," and "transversely" are used in relation to the vehicle's frame of reference and mounting configuration. "Longitudinal" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. "Transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. "Front" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. "Rear" refers to the opposite of the front of the vehicle.

[0043] In this description, the term "perpendicular" should not be understood in its strict sense. Perpendicular means an inclination of 90° + / - 10°; preferably + / - 5°; more preferably + / - 2°. Similarly, the term "horizontal" should not be understood in its strict sense. A tolerance of 10°, preferably 5°, is applied in the context of the invention. The term "parallel" should not be understood in its strict sense. The concept of parallelism covers inclinations less than or equal to 10°; preferably 5°.

[0044] A motor vehicle 10 shown in view from below at the figure 1 includes a structure designed to support vehicle components and parts. For example, as shown in the figure 1 In the case of an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, the structure supports a battery pack 12. The structure includes at least one longitudinal member 14 arranged along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0045] The side member is designed to support a load and also allows the transmission of forces in the event of a longitudinal impact from the rear of the vehicle 10. In the example of the figure 1 The vehicle includes two side members 14, which are lower rear side members, but the motor vehicle may include one or more side members arranged in the front part of the vehicle. The side member 14 is connected to a rear bumper assembly 16, and in particular to a bumper beam, not shown.

[0046] The longeron 14 shown isolated at the figure 2 is a hollow body comprising an elongated section with a first horizontal segment 18 and a second segment 20 inclined relative to the first segment 20. The segments are longitudinal. The longitudinal member 14 thus has an angled shape. The first and second segments can extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, forming an elbow. For example, the second segment 20 extends vertically downwards from the first segment 18; that is, the second segment 20 extends longitudinally downwards from the first segment 18. For example, the first segment 18 is positioned behind the second segment 20 in the vehicle 10.

[0047] The body of the longeron 14 can be formed from profiles or sheet metal parts. Advantageously, the longeron 14 is formed from a plurality of stamped and welded sheets. For example, the longeron may comprise a tubular body with a substantially rectangular or U-shaped cross-section. The longeron 14 has at least one vertical lateral face 22 and a lower face 24. It is understood that the longeron may have other faces depending on its profile. Preferably, the lateral face 22 and the lower face 24 are transversely adjacent and / or extend longitudinally along each other. They are generally perpendicular to each other.

[0048] The side face of the side member can be a first side face, for example, an external side face; and the body can further include a second side face, for example, an internal side face. The side member has a U-shaped or rectangular profile in which the two side faces 22 extend from the lower face 24. The side faces can be opposite faces in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The first side face is, for example, parallel to the first side face. The lower face of the body connects the first and second side faces. Along the first section, the first part of the reinforcement member extends against the first and second side faces of the side member.

[0049] The longeron 14 can be a metal part, for example, steel with a thickness between 1 and 2.5 mm. Alternatively, the longeron is made of aluminum. In another variant, the longeron 14 is made of an organic matrix composite material, and glass or carbon fibers. Other materials are being considered.

[0050] The vehicle structure 10 further includes a reinforcement piece 26 for the side member 14, fixed to faces of the side member. The reinforcement piece 26 comprises a first part 28, referred to as the suspension system mounting reinforcement, against the lower face 24 at the level of the first section 18 of the side member. The first part 28 is a first longitudinal part. Optionally, the first part 28 also extends onto the lateral face 22.

[0051] The reinforcement piece 26 further includes a second part 30 that extends along the second section 20 of the longitudinal member 14 and is attached to said second section 20. The second part 30 is a longitudinal second part. For example, the second part 30 can extend along the lower face 24 and / or the lateral face 22 in the second section 20 of the reinforcement piece body. The second part 30 covers the lower face 24 and / or the lateral face 22. Thus, the load-bearing surface of the reinforcement piece is extended, which improves its behavior in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0052] In the example of figures 2 And 3 , the first and second parts (28, 30) of the reinforcing piece 26 each extend against the lower face and the lateral face.

[0053] The reinforcement piece 26 is a metal component that can be formed from a single component or from several components joined together, for example, by welding. For example, the reinforcement piece 26 comprises one or more sheet metal or profile pieces. The reinforcement piece may have a specific profile, for example, a "U" or an "L" shape. The reinforcement piece may also include a longitudinal recess in which the side member is fitted.

[0054] As shown in the figure 3 The reinforcement piece may comprise a first component 32 and a second component 34. The first component 32 covers the underside along the first and second sections. The first component 32 also covers one of the lateral faces, for example, the outer lateral face (not shown) of the longeron. The second component 34 covers the inner lateral face along the first and second sections. Thus, in the second section, the longeron is held by the first component 32 and the second component 34; this improves the transmission of forces from the reinforcement piece from the first section to the second section. The second component 34 may be welded to the first component 32 along the first and second sections.

[0055] The first component 32 may include at least one mounting tab 35 by welding to the second component 34. The mounting tab 35 may then extend at an angle with respect to the lateral face of the spar body 14, for example the mounting tab 35 may extend perpendicularly to the lateral face of the spar body.

[0056] For example, the sheets forming the first and second parts can have a thickness of 1 to 4 mm. The first and second parts (28, 30) of the reinforcing piece 26 can be formed from sheets of the same thickness. This thickness, or these thicknesses, are advantageously greater than the thickness of the sheet forming the longitudinal member 14, and in particular its underside.

[0057] According to variants not shown, the first component 32 is formed by a sheet having a first thickness, and the second component 34 of the reinforcement piece comprises a sheet with a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

[0058] According to unshown variants, along the second section, the second part exhibits a vertical increase in thickness towards the opposite of the first part.

[0059] The first and second parts (28, 30) can be formed from sheets of the same or different metal grades. Advantageously, the second part of the reinforcing piece is formed from a metal of a grade offering a lower yield strength than the first part of the reinforcing piece.

[0060] The second part 30 may have a width in the vertical direction of the lateral face 22, and in particular a height, greater at the second section 20 of the body than at the first section 18 of the spar body. That is to say, if the second part is formed, for example, by a metal plate or wall elongated along the longitudinal direction of the spar and fixed to the lateral face, the width of the second part will be greater in the second section than in the first section of the spar. For example, the second part has a flared shape fixed to the lateral face of the spar, which widens towards the second section of the spar.

[0061] As shown in the figure 3 The first part 28 of the reinforcement piece may include a mounting hole 36 in which is arranged a means for attaching, not shown, a suspension arm of a suspension system. The mounting hole 36 is then advantageously fixed opposite a hole formed in the longitudinal member 14 in which the attachment means is arranged, such as for example a rod or a fixing screw.

[0062] The first part 28 may then include stiffening means arranged around the fastening hole 36. The stiffening means may include one or more notches, slots, corrugations, ribs, bosses, or rims, or a combination thereof. In the example of the figure 3 The stiffening means include a rim 38. The stiffening means are arranged at the level of the first section.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (10) comprising a frame with at least one spar (14); the spar comprises an elongated body with a first horizontal section (18) and a second section (20) inclined by report to the first section, the body having a vertical lateral face (22) and a lower face (24); the frame further comprising a reinforcing component (26) of the spar, said reinforcing component comprising a first part (28) for reinforcing the suspension system against the lower face (24) at the level of the first section (18); the frame further comprising a second part (30) which extends along the second section (20) and which is fixed to said second section (20).

2. Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterised in that the second part (30) also extends against the lateral face (22) along the first section (18) of the body.

3. Motor vehicle according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second part (30) comprises a width in the vertical management of the lateral face (22), greater at the level of the second section (20) of the body than at the level of the first section (18) of the body of the spar.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first part is made of a sheet having a first thickness, and the second part of the reinforcing component comprises a sheet with a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second part covers the lower face and / or the lateral face in the second section of the body of the reinforcing component.

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the first part comprises a fixing orifice in which is arranged a means for fixing a suspension arm of a suspension system.

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the lateral face (22) of the body of the spar (14) is a first lateral face, and in that the body further comprises a second lateral face, the lower face connecting the first lateral face and the second lateral face; and in that along the first section the first part extends against said second lateral face.

8. Motor vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the reinforcing component comprises a first component forming the first part, and a second component forming the second part of the reinforcing component, against the lower face (24) of the body at the level of the first section and welded to the first component along the first section.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the first component comprises at least one lug for fixing by welding to the second component; the fixing lug extending perpendicularly to the lateral face of the body of the spar.

10. Motor vehicle according to any one of the previous claims 1 to 9, the vehicle further comprising a rear bumper beam, wherein the side member is a lower rear side member, and wherein the first section of the body is connected to the rear bumper beam.