DEVICE FOR FORMING A RUNNING BOARD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular to structures forming a vehicle's running board.

[0002] Motor vehicles generally include a chassis configured to support all mechanical components and the vehicle's body. The chassis comprises two longitudinal members, a plurality of transverse members arranged between said members, and in particular a front crossmember intended to support a body element, such as a front bumper.

[0003] We are familiar with motor vehicles that include running boards arranged on each side of the vehicle, each with a cavity made in the front bumper to allow a user to lean on it to access the front windshield of the vehicle.

[0004] The step stool must have sufficient rigidity to support the user's weight.

[0005] In this regard, we can cite document FR-B1-3 033 764, which describes a step device comprising a front shield with a cavity delimited by a lower wall forming a support surface for a user's foot. The step device further includes a movable platform hinged to one lateral end of a front crossmember of the vehicle. The platform is hinged between a deployed position below the lower wall and a retracted position in the event of an external impact to the vehicle.

[0006] Such a step allows it to retract in the event of a collision, particularly with a pedestrian.

[0007] However, the running board must also comply with ECE42 regulations applicable to minor side impacts. These regulations stipulate the absence of breakage or permanent deformation of the bumper, particularly the mounting brackets, the preservation of the headlight seals, the absence of cracks in the front bumper skin, and the absence of damage to the structure, i.e., the body, the front crossmember, the side members, etc.

[0008] Minor front-end side impacts are defined as impacts occurring when the vehicle is traveling at a speed between 2.5 km / h and 5 km / h.

[0009] In general, the running board must ensure the protection of the vehicle's components in the event of a minor front side impact.

[0010] Thus, there is a need to improve the running boards of motor vehicles.

[0011] The objective of the invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages and to improve the running boards of motor vehicles, in order to allow the user to take support to access the windshield, but also to ensure the protection of the elements of the structure of the vehicle against frontal side impacts.

[0012] By "front side impact" we mean the impacts created by obstacles arriving in an area located at an angle between 15° and 30° relative to the corresponding side member.

[0013] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one longitudinal side member extending along a longitudinal axis and a lining connected to the side member by a transverse connecting element.

[0014] The motor vehicle includes at least one running board device welded directly to the longitudinal member and the transverse connecting element.

[0015] Attaching by welding directly to the underbody of the vehicle body, i.e. the side member and a connecting element to the front lining, reduces manufacturing costs compared to solutions screwed onto the extreme front crossmember.

[0016] Advantageously, the step device includes a base extending along an axis between 20° and 45°, preferably equal to 30° with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] For example, the step device includes a first vertical fixing leg extending along a vertical axis from an internal lateral side of the base.

[0018] Advantageously, the step device includes a rear reinforcement comprising a central portion extending along a vertical axis from a rear side of the base and at least one first lateral tab extending from an internal lateral end of the central portion of the rear reinforcement along the longitudinal axis towards the first vertical fixing tab.

[0019] In addition, thanks to the rear reinforcement and the lateral reinforcement, the forces in the event of an external lateral impact are transmitted to the left lining.

[0020] Advantageously, the internal lateral bracket and the first vertical fixing bracket together form a first portion of attachment to the longitudinal spar, said first portion of attachment to the spar being welded via the internal lateral bracket and the first vertical fixing bracket directly to the spar, i.e. without additional interface.

[0021] For example, the rear reinforcement includes a second lateral leg comprising a first part extending from an external lateral end of the central portion of the reinforcement obliquely at least towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145° relative to the axis of said central portion, for example equal to 120 and a second part extending from the first portion along a transverse axis outwards.

[0022] Advantageously, the step device further includes a lateral reinforcement comprising an external tab extending from one lateral side of the base at least along the vertical axis and a connecting tab extending from the external tab along the transverse axis towards the spar.

[0023] The second part of the external side tab of the rear reinforcement and the connecting tab of the side reinforcement together form a second portion of attachment to the connecting element of the front lining, said second portion of attachment being welded via the connecting tab and the second part directly to the connecting element of the front lining, i.e. without additional interface.

[0024] Advantageously, the first part of the external lateral leg of the rear reinforcement extends obliquely towards the rear and upwards of the vehicle and in which the external leg of the lateral reinforcement extends vertically and obliquely towards the rear and upwards of the vehicle.

[0025] For example, the step device includes at least one shock-absorbing portion extending vertically downwards from one front side of the base.

[0026] The shock-absorbing portion is, for example, located on the side of the first attachment portion to the side member.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the motor vehicle as described above comprises a right side member and a left side member extending along a longitudinal axis, a right lining connected to the right side member by a first transverse connecting element, and a left lining connected to the left side member by a second transverse connecting element, the vehicle comprising a first right running board as described above welded directly to the right side member and to the first transverse connecting element, and a second left running board as described above welded directly to the left side member and to the second transverse connecting element.

[0028] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig.1 ] illustrates, in perspective, a front part of a motor vehicle comprising a right-hand running board and a left-hand running board according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.2 ] represents in detail the right-hand running board device of the figure 1 ; Fig.3 ] represents a top view of the device, the right-hand step of the figure 2 ; Fig.4 ] represents in perspective the left-hand running board device of the figure 1 ; Fig.5 ] represents in perspective the right-hand step device of the figure 1 ; Fig.6 ] is a top view of the representation of the left step device of the figure 4 ; And [ Fig.7 ] represents in perspective the right-hand step device according to another embodiment.

[0029] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal coordinate system for motor vehicles, represented in the drawings, and which includes: a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle; a transverse axis Y, horizontal, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward; a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom to top.

[0030] On the figure 1 , a very schematic representation of the front part of a motor vehicle, referenced as 1 in its entirety 1, comprising a right longitudinal member 2 and a left longitudinal member 3 extending along the longitudinal axis X and a front cross member 4 extending transversely along the transverse axis Y between said longitudinal members 2, 3.

[0031] The lateral ends 4a, 4b of the front cross member 4 are each fixed to one of the right or left longitudinal members 2, 3, for example by means of screws (not referenced).

[0032] The front crossmember 4 is intended to support a bodywork element, in particular a front bumper (not shown), in which two lateral cavities are provided, delimited by a lower wall forming a support for the user's foot.

[0033] The body of vehicle 1 further includes a right lining 5 and a left lining 6 extending along the longitudinal axis X and each connected by a connecting element 7, 8 respectively to the right longitudinal member 2 and the left longitudinal member 3.

[0034] The connecting elements 7, 8 extend transversely between the corresponding spar 2, 3 and the corresponding lining 5, 6.

[0035] The vehicle 1 further includes a right step device 10 fixed between the right side member 2 and the right connecting element 7 to the right lining 5.

[0036] Vehicle 1 further includes a left step device 20 fixed between the left side member 3 and the left connecting element 8 to the left lining 6.

[0037] The right footrest device 10 and the left footrest device 20 are located under the lower wall of the front shield forming a support for the user's foot.

[0038] The right step device 10 and the left step device 20 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the vehicle.

[0039] Alternatively, the right-hand step device 10 and the left-hand step device 20 could be stipulated not to be symmetrical, such as the right-hand step 30 illustrated in the figure 7 .

[0040] The left-hand running board device 20, illustrated in detail on the figures 4 And 6 , includes a base 21 extending along a plane comprising the transverse axis Y and the longitudinal axis X.

[0041] The base 21 extends along an axis oriented at 30° with respect to the longitudinal axis X and is delimited by a front side 21a, a rear side 21b, an internal lateral side 21c and an external lateral side 21d.

[0042] The left step device 20 further includes a first portion 22 for fixing to the left front longitudinal member 3 and a second portion 23 for fixing to the connecting element 8 of the left front lining 6.

[0043] The first portion 22 of attachment to the left front longitudinal member 3 includes a first vertical attachment tab 22a extending vertically upwards from the inner lateral side 21c.

[0044] The left step device 20 further includes a rear reinforcement 24 comprising a central portion 24a extending vertically upwards from the rear side 21b of the base 21 and two lateral tabs 24b, 25 extending respectively from each opposite lateral end of the central portion 24a.

[0045] The internal lateral tab 24b extends from an internal lateral end of the central portion 24a along a longitudinal axis towards the first vertical fixing tab 22a.

[0046] The said internal lateral tab 24b and the first vertical fixing tab 22a together form the first portion 22 of attachment to the left front longitudinal member 3.

[0047] Said first portion 22 of attachment to the front left side member 3 is welded via the internal lateral tab 24b and the first vertical attachment tab 22a directly to the left side member 3, i.e. without additional interface.

[0048] The external lateral leg 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 includes a first part 25a extending from an external lateral end of the central portion 24a obliquely towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145° with respect to the axis of said central portion 24a, for example equal to 120°.

[0049] The external lateral tab 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 includes a second part 25b extending outwards from the first portion 25a along the transverse axis.

[0050] The left step device 20 further includes a lateral reinforcement 26 comprising an external tab 26a extending vertically from a lateral side 21d of the base and a connecting tab 26b extending from the external tab 26a along the transverse axis Y inwards.

[0051] The second part 25b of the external side tab 25 of the rear reinforcement 24 and the connecting tab 26b of the side reinforcement 26 together form the second portion 23 of attachment to the connecting element 8 of the left front lining 6.

[0052] Said second portion 23 of attachment to the connecting element 8 of the front left lining 6 is welded via the connecting tab 26b and the second part 25b of the external side tab 25 directly to the connecting element 8 of the front left lining 6, i.e. without additional interface.

[0053] Attaching by welding directly to the underbody of the vehicle body, i.e. the side member and a connecting element to the front lining, reduces manufacturing costs compared to solutions screwed onto the extreme front crossmember.

[0054] In addition, thanks to the rear reinforcement 24 and the lateral reinforcement 26, the forces in the event of an external side impact are transmitted to the left lining 6.

[0055] The left step device 20 further includes a shock-absorbing portion 27 extending vertically downwards from the front side 21a of the base 21.

[0056] The shock-absorbing portion 27 is located on the side of the first portion 22 of attachment to the left side member 3.

[0057] The right-hand step device 10, illustrated in detail on the figure 5 , includes a base 11 extending along a plane comprising the transverse axis Y and the longitudinal axis X.

[0058] The base 11 extends along an axis oriented at 30° with respect to the longitudinal axis X and is delimited by a front side 11a, a rear side 11b, an internal lateral side 11c and an external lateral side 11d.

[0059] The right step device 10 further includes a first portion 12 for fixing to the right front longitudinal member 2 and a second portion 13 for fixing to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5.

[0060] The first portion 12 of attachment to the right front longitudinal member 2 includes a first vertical attachment tab 12a extending vertically upwards from the inner lateral side 11c.

[0061] The right-hand step device 10 further includes a rear reinforcement 14 comprising a central portion 14a extending vertically upwards from the rear side 11b of the base 11 and two lateral tabs 14b, 15 extending respectively from each opposite lateral end of the central portion 14a.

[0062] The internal lateral tab 14b extends from an internal lateral end of the central portion 14a along a longitudinal axis towards the first vertical fixing tab 12a.

[0063] The said internal lateral tab 14b and the first vertical fixing tab 12a together form the first portion 12 of attachment to the right front longitudinal member 2.

[0064] Said first portion 12 of attachment to the right front longitudinal member 2 is welded via the internal lateral tab 14b and the first vertical attachment tab 12a directly to the right longitudinal member 2, i.e. without additional interface.

[0065] The external lateral leg 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 includes a first part 15a extending from an external lateral end of the central portion 14a obliquely towards the rear of the vehicle, for example at an angle between 100° and 145° with respect to the axis of said central portion 14a, for example equal to 120°.

[0066] The external lateral tab 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 includes a second part 15b extending outwards from the first portion 15a along the transverse axis.

[0067] The right-hand step device 10 further includes a lateral reinforcement 16 comprising an external tab 16a extending vertically from a lateral side 11d of the base and a connecting tab 16b extending from the external tab 16a along the transverse axis Y inwards.

[0068] The second part 15b of the external side tab 15 of the rear reinforcement 14 and the connecting tab 16b of the side reinforcement 16 together form the second portion 13 of attachment to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5.

[0069] Said second portion 13 of attachment to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5 is welded via the connecting tab 16b and the second part 15b of the external side tab 15 directly to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5, i.e. without additional interface.

[0070] Attaching by welding directly to the underbody of the vehicle body, i.e. the side member and a connecting element to the front lining, reduces manufacturing costs compared to solutions screwed onto the extreme front crossmember.

[0071] In addition, thanks to the rear reinforcement 14 and the lateral reinforcement 16, the forces in the event of an external side impact are transmitted to the right lining 5.

[0072] The right-hand step device 10 further includes a shock-absorbing portion 17 extending vertically downwards from the front side 11a of the base 11.

[0073] The shock-absorbing portion 17 is located on the side of the first portion 12 of attachment to the right side member 2.

[0074] The left step device 20 and the right step device 10 are made of stamped and folded sheet metal.

[0075] The sheet metal thickness of each of the step devices is between 1mm and 3mm, for example equal to 2mm.

[0076] The running board devices 10, 20 help to preserve the integrity of the vehicle structure in the event of an external impact occurring at an angle between 10° and 45°, for example equal to 30°, as shown on the figure 3 .

[0077] The method of implementation illustrated on the figure 7 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated on the figure 5 , solely by the fact that the shape of the second portion of the right footrest device 10 to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5.

[0078] As illustrated, the rear reinforcement 14 includes an external lateral tab 35 comprising a first part 35a extending from an external lateral end of the central portion 14a obliquely towards the rear and upwards of the vehicle.

[0079] The external lateral tab 35 of the rear reinforcement 14 includes a second part 35b extending outwards from the first portion 35a along the transverse axis.

[0080] The right-hand step device 10 further includes a lateral reinforcement 36 comprising an external tab 36a extending vertically and obliquely towards the rear and upwards of the vehicle from a lateral side 11d of the base 11 and a connecting tab 36b extending from the external tab 36a along the transverse axis Y inwards.

[0081] The second part 35b of the external side tab 35 of the rear reinforcement 14 and the connecting tab 36b of the side reinforcement 36 together form the second portion 33 of attachment of the right step device 10 to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5.

[0082] Said second portion 33 of attachment to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5 is welded via the connecting tab 36b and the second part 35b of the external side tab 35 directly to the connecting element 7 of the right front lining 5, i.e. without additional interface.

[0083] One could assume that either the right or left step device includes one or the other of the proposed variants.

[0084] The step devices may also not be symmetrical.

[0085] Thanks to the invention, the described running boards allow the user to gain support to access the windshield, but also to ensure the protection of the vehicle's structural elements against frontal side impacts.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one longitudinal side rail (2, 3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and a liner (5, 6) connected to the side rail by a transverse connecting element (7, 8), characterized in that it comprises at least one running board device (10, 20) welded directly to the longitudinal side rail (2, 3) and to the transverse connecting element (7, 8).

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, in which the running board device (10, 20) comprises a base (11, 21) extending along an axis at an angle between 20° and 45°, preferably equal to 30°, relative to the longitudinal axis (X).

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 2, in which the running board device (10, 20) comprises a first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) extending along a vertical axis (Z) from an internal lateral side (11c, 21c) of the base (11, 21).

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 3, in which the running board device (10, 20) comprises a rear reinforcement (14, 24) comprising a central portion (14a, 24a) extending along a vertical axis (Z) from a rear side (11b, 21b) of the base (11, 21) and at least one first lateral lug (14b, 24b) extending from an internal lateral edge of the central portion (14a, 24a) of the rear reinforcement (14, 24) along the longitudinal axis (X) toward the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a).

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claims 3 and 4, in which the internal lateral lug (14b, 24b) and the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) together form a first portion (12, 22) to be fixed to the longitudinal side rail (2, 3), said first portion (12, 22) to be fixed to the side rail (2, 3) being directly welded by means of the internal lateral lug (14b, 24b) and the first vertical fixing lug (12a, 22a) to the side rail (2, 3).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to either one of Claims 4 and 5, in which the rear reinforcement (14, 24) comprises a second lateral lug (15, 25, 35) comprising a first part (15a, 25a, 35a) extending obliquely from an external lateral edge of the central portion (14a, 24a) of the reinforcement (14, 24) at least toward the rear of the vehicle and a second part (15b, 25b, 35b) extending outward from the first portion (15a, 25a, 35a) along a transverse axis (Y).

7. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 6, in which the running board device (10, 20) further comprises a lateral reinforcement (16, 26, 36) comprising an external lug (16a, 26a, 36a) extending from a lateral side (11d, 21d) of the base at least along the vertical axis (Z) and a connecting lug (16b, 26b, 36b) extending from the external lug (16a, 26a, 36b) along the transverse axis (Y) toward the side rail (2, 3), the second part (15b, 25b, 35b) of the external lateral lug (15, 25, 35) of the rear reinforcement (14, 24) and the connecting lug (16b, 26b, 36b) of the lateral reinforcement (16, 26, 36) together forming a second portion (13, 23, 33) to be fixed to the connecting element (7, 8) of the front liner (5, 6), said second portion (13, 23, 33) to be fixed being directly welded by means of the connecting lug (16b, 26b, 36b) and the second part (15b, 25b, 35b) to the connecting element (7, 8) of the front liner (5, 6).

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 7, in which the first part (35a) of the external lateral lug (35) of the rear reinforcement (14) extends obliquely toward the rear and toward the top of the vehicle and in which the external lug (36a) of the lateral reinforcement (36) extends vertically and obliquely toward the rear and toward the top of the vehicle.

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 8, in which the running board device (10, 20) comprises at least one shock absorbing portion (17, 27) extending vertically downward from a front side (21a) of the base (21).

10. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 9 in combination with Claim 5, in which the shock absorbing portion (17, 27) is situated on the same side as the first portion (12, 22) to be fixed to the side rail (2, 3).

11. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a righthand side rail (2) and a lefthand side rail (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), a righthand liner (5) connected to the righthand side rail (2) by a first transverse connecting element (7), and a lefthand liner (6) connected to the lefthand side rail (3) by a second transverse connecting element (8), the vehicle comprising a first running board device (10) welded directly to the righthand side rail (2) and to the first transverse connecting element (7) and a second running board device (20) welded directly to the lefthand side rail (3) and to the second transverse connecting element (8).