Structure for reinforcing a rear quarter panel region

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcing structure (1) that is located laterally on the outside of a rear quarter panel region (2) of a motor vehicle relative to the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the reinforcing structure (1) comprising: a rear wheelhouse (10); a rear quarter panel liner (11) which extends in line with the wheelhouse so as to form a liner that closes the rear quarter panel region (2); a pillar reinforcement (12) which extends in line with the wheelhouse; a reinforcing panel (13) which is rigidly attached to the rear quarter panel liner (11) and to the wheelhouse, the reinforcing panel (13) extending perpendicular to the rear quarter panel liner (11).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Reinforcement structure for a quarter panel area [1] The present invention claims priority from French application 2202500 filed on March 22, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The technical context of the present invention is that of the structural elements of a motor vehicle, and in particular those located at the level of a rear pillar of said motor vehicle. [2] The invention relates more particularly to the rear part of a motor vehicle structure. This rear part of the motor vehicle structure comprises an annular section formed by at least a rear roof crossmember, a left rear fender gutter, a right rear fender gutter, and a rear panel. It further comprises, for each side of the motor vehicle, a quarter window area, a rear fender liner, a liner for a front portion of the rear fender, and a liner for a quarter window area. In the context of the present invention, the term quarter window area refers more particularly to the lateral rear portion of the motor vehicle and its body elements in conjunction with one or more corresponding sheet metal panels, not mounted on the vehicle door.In general, the quarter panel area in which the present invention is integrated is located in an intermediate position, relative to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle extending between a rear and a front of said motor vehicle, between a side door of the motor vehicle and a rear tailgate of said motor vehicle. [3] As is known, the annular portion of a motor vehicle forms a stiffening ring whose precise shape is determined by the rear opening of the motor vehicle intended to be closed by a tailgate. However, in the context of the present invention, the term "ring" refers indiscriminately to any set of elements forming an annular portion of the bodywork, without regard to the precise shape of the rear opening of the bodywork and therefore of this annular portion, the essential point being that these elements form a closed assembly. [4] As is known, the stiffening ring fulfills two different roles. The first role is to stiffen the different parts of the motor vehicle located in the area of ​​the quarter panel so that each of these parts can withstand the static and dynamic stresses to which the motor vehicle is exposed during its driving in particular. [5] The second role of the stiffening ring is to allow a transition of lateral forces from a lower part of the motor vehicle to an upper part of said motor vehicle. [6] In order to improve the dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle, it is necessary to increase the frequency of the dynamic torsional natural mode of the vehicle. [7] Indeed, the various elements assembled together to form the structure of a motor vehicle are characterized by an infinite number of natural modes of deformation, each characterized by a modal deformation and a natural frequency expressed in Hertz. One of these natural modes of deformation corresponds to a torsional deformation of the motor vehicle's body. This mode of deformation directly contributes to the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, and in particular to the vibration comfort of its occupants. [8] To minimize the amplitude of this particular deformation mode, it is known to increase the frequency of this natural mode as much as possible. This optimization is achieved by adding stiffness to the body structure of the motor vehicle. However, it is desirable that this stiffness increase be carried out while limiting the mass increase. [9] The present invention aims to propose a new reinforcement structure in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to further advantages.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to improve rigidity in a quarter panel area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to limit the mass contribution at the level of the quarter panel area.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to reinforce the rear pillar of the motor vehicle, particularly with regard to a mode of torsion.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a reinforcement structure for a quarter panel area of ​​a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure comprising (i) a rear wheel arch, the rear wheel arch having an arched shape relative to the rear wheel, (ii) a quarter panel liner extending vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a liner closing the quarter panel area, the quarter panel liner being fixed securely to said wheel arch, (iii) a pillar reinforcement extending vertically from the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement being fixed securely to both the quarter panel liner and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement extending in a straight line along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to a summit part of the wheel arch.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the rear wheel arch is defined as the set of structural elements that create a space designed to accommodate a wheel of the motor vehicle. To this end, the wheel arch forms a series of walls that partially delimit this space. In the context of the present invention, the wheel arch has an arched shape, one concavity of which is oriented towards the space in which the wheel is intended to be housed. In the context of the present invention, the wheel arch may be formed by a single shaped wall or by an assembly of several walls.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the quarter panel liner takes the form of a sheet metal panel that extends primarily along a plane formed by a vertical and a longitudinal orientation of the motor vehicle, when the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is mounted on the motor vehicle it is intended to equip. The quarter panel liner thus closes off a rear side portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The quarter panel liner is connected to the wheel arch, particularly at its upper edge. The quarter panel liner is securely fastened to the wheel arch by any known means, including welding.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the pillar reinforcement takes the form of a hollow body extending from the wheel arch and against the quarter panel lining. The pillar reinforcement rests against the quarter panel lining and extends Primarily along the vertical axis, directly above the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement takes the form of a hollow profile extending straight from the wheel arch along the rear quarter panel lining. The pillar reinforcement, by virtue of its shape, position, and elongation, thus increases the rigidity of the quarter panel area near the rear pillar of the vehicle by adding material and supplementary stiffness to the existing structural elements.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, lateral direction means a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the same motor vehicle. In other words, lateral direction means a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the same motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a lateral direction. Furthermore, longitudinal direction means a direction extending from the front to the rear or from the rear to the front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal direction.Finally, a vertical direction is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical direction being simultaneously perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical direction.

[0018] When these adjectives are used in this description, they are to be considered when the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is implemented on the motor vehicle with which it is intended to collaborate.

[0019] The reinforcement structure according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0020] - The pillar reinforcement has an omega-shaped cross-section, and the pillar reinforcement includes a peripheral fixing flap allowing it to be fixed The pillar reinforcement is securely attached to the quarter panel lining on one side and to the upper part of the wheel arch on the other. The peripheral fastening flap preferably extends over all or part of a peripheral contour of the pillar reinforcement. Advantageously, the peripheral fastening flap forms a closed contour around the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement. Alternatively, the peripheral fastening flap has a plurality of tabs distributed along at least part of the sides of the pillar reinforcement. The peripheral fastening flap thus forms a support and fastening area for the pillar reinforcement against the quarter panel lining on one side and against the upper part of the wheel arch on the other. Advantageously, the peripheral fastening flap is made of the same material as the pillar reinforcement.Preferably, the pillar reinforcement is thus formed from a sheet of folded and shaped sheet metal, for example by stamping, in order to form both the hollow body and the peripheral fixing flap;

[0021] - The pillar reinforcement is securely attached to the quarter panel lining and / or the upper part of the wheel arch by a number of welds located along the peripheral fixing flap. Thus, the peripheral fixing flap forms a bead for attaching and supporting the pillar reinforcement to the quarter panel lining and / or the upper part of the wheel arch. Advantageously, the pillar reinforcement is attached simultaneously to the quarter panel lining and the wheel arch in order to increase the rigidity of the quarter panel area at this point and to facilitate the transmission of forces transmitted to the wheel arch through the rear pillar of the motor vehicle;

[0022] - The reinforcement structure includes a mounting plate for a seat belt mechanism, which is fixed integrally to the quarter panel lining. The peripheral mounting flap of the pillar reinforcement partially overlaps the mounting plate, such that the mounting plate is sandwiched between the quarter panel lining and the pillar reinforcement. The mounting plate is fixed integrally to the quarter panel lining. The mounting plate extends against the quarter panel lining. The mounting plate includes an anchoring zone for the vehicle's seat belt mechanism. The anchoring zone for the seat belt mechanism is located within the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement, such that the peripheral mounting flap of said pillar reinforcement extends at a distance from and around said anchoring zone. More specifically, the mounting plate includes lateral tabs which extend on either side of the anchoring area, the peripheral fixing flap of the pillar reinforcement overlapping said lateral tabs so that the fixing plate is engaged between the quarter panel lining and the pillar reinforcement;

[0023] - The pillar reinforcement extends longitudinally between the rear wheel arch and a roof termination of the quarter panel liner. The roof termination of the quarter panel liner forms an upper edge of said quarter panel liner. Thus, the pillar reinforcement extends vertically along the entire height of the quarter panel liner, from the wheel arch. This advantageous configuration maximizes the vertical transmission of forces from the wheel arch to the upper structural elements of the motor vehicle;

[0024] - The pillar reinforcement is intended to be located laterally outside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, relative to the quarter panel lining. In other words, the quarter panel lining is located in an intermediate position between the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and the pillar reinforcement, relative to a lateral axis of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the pillar reinforcement is intended to be housed in a recess delimited laterally by the quarter panel lining on the passenger compartment side of the motor vehicle and by a bodywork element, such as, for example, a rear side wing;

[0025] - In order to increase the rigidity of the reinforcement structure against torsional stress about a vertical axis, the reinforcement structure includes a reinforcement panel fixed rigidly to the quarter panel liner and the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel extending substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel liner. Unlike the pillar reinforcement, the reinforcement panel is not a hollow body. On the contrary, it is a sheet of metal or a plate shaped to fit both the quarter panel liner, the wheel arch, and the bodywork element intended to form the rear side fender of the motor vehicle. The reinforcement panel is thus supported, by at least part of its edge, against the quarter panel liner. In addition, a lower edge of the reinforcement panel is supported against the wheel arch;

[0026] - more specifically, the reinforcement panel is fixed securely to a rear edge of the quarter panel lining;

[0027] - the reinforcement panel takes the form of a sheet of metal with a concavity oriented towards the pillar reinforcement. In other words, the reinforcement panel has an orientation that follows the rear edge of the quarter panel lining;

[0028] - To increase flexural rigidity, the reinforcement panel incorporates multiple stiffening ribs. Specifically, some of the stiffening ribs in the reinforcement panel extend in a transverse direction, that is, substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining. Complementarily or alternatively, some of the stiffening ribs in the reinforcement panel extend in a vertical direction, that is, substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the wheel arch.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is also proposed comprising a reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any of its improvements.

[0030] Various embodiments of the invention are envisaged, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features described herein.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0032] [Fig.1] illustrates an isolated view of the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates a view of the reinforcement structure of FIGURE 1 on a motor vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates the reinforcement structure visible in FIGURE 2 and in which the pillar reinforcement has been masked to make the seat belt mechanism fixing plate visible.

[0035] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described subsequently in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0036] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there are no technical obstacles to this combination.

[0037] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0038] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention in its first aspect relates to a reinforcement structure 1 intended to reinforce a quarter panel area 2 of a motor vehicle.

[0039] In the context of the present invention and in FIGURES 1 to 3, a lateral direction is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle, a longitudinal direction is understood as being taken along a direction which extends from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle, and a vertical direction is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical direction being simultaneously perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0040] According to the invention, the reinforcement structure 1 of the quarter panel area 2 comprises:

[0041] - a rear wheel arch 10, the rear wheel arch 10 having an arched shape relative to the rear wheel, not shown in the FIGURES. As can be seen in FIGURE 1 in particular, the wheel arch has an arched shape, one concavity of which is oriented towards the space in which the wheel is intended to be housed;

[0042] - a quarter panel liner 11 extending vertically from the wheel arch to form a lining closing off the quarter panel area 2, the quarter panel liner 11 being fixed securely to said wheel arch. The quarter panel liner 11 It takes the form of a sheet metal panel that extends mainly along a plane formed by a vertical and a longitudinal orientation. The quarter panel liner 11 thus allows a rear side section of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle to be closed off. The quarter panel liner 11 is fixed in particular to the wheel arch, and specifically at its upper part 101;

[0043] - a pillar reinforcement 12 which extends vertically from the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement 12 being fixed securely to both the quarter panel lining 11 and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement 12 extending in a straight line along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to a summit part 101 of the wheel arch.

[0044] More specifically, the pillar reinforcement 12 takes the form of a hollow body extending from the wheel arch and against the quarter panel lining 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pillar reinforcement 12 has an omega-shaped cross-section and extends in a straight, predominantly vertical direction from the wheel arch and its upper portion 101 towards a roof termination 111 of the quarter panel lining 11, forming its upper end. Thus, the pillar reinforcement 12 connects a lower part of the vehicle, located at the wheel arch, to an upper part of the vehicle, located at the roof.In this way, the mechanical rigidity of the quarter panel area 2 is reinforced, thus allowing certain vibrational modes of the motor vehicle to be pushed towards higher frequencies when it is in motion, thereby improving the comfort of its occupants.

[0045] For this purpose, the pillar reinforcement 12 takes the form of a hollow profile extending straight from the wheel arch and along the quarter panel lining 11. The pillar reinforcement 12 includes a peripheral fastening flap 123 for securely attaching said pillar reinforcement 12 to the quarter panel lining 11 on one side, and to the upper part 101 of the wheel arch on the other. In the example illustrated in the FIGURES, the peripheral fastening flap 123 extends along a peripheral contour of the pillar reinforcement 12, thus forming a closed contour around the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement 12. The peripheral fastening flap 123 thus forms a support and attachment area for the pillar reinforcement 12. against the lining of the quarter panel 11 on the one hand, and against the upper part 101 of the wheel arch on the other hand.

[0046] Along this attachment zone, the pillar reinforcement 12 is securely fastened to the quarter panel liner 11 and the wheel arch by means of a plurality of weld points 124 distributed along a weld line 125 that extends along the peripheral attachment flap 123. This peripheral attachment zone mechanically couples the pillar reinforcement 12 to the quarter panel liner 11 and the wheel arch, thereby increasing the mechanical rigidity of this area.

[0047] Thus, this type of connection between the pillar reinforcement 12 on the one hand and, on the other hand, the quarter panel liner 11 and the wheel arch cleverly distributes the forces that arise in the event of impacts on the vehicle or during vibrations related to the vehicle's rolling motion on the road. The weld line 125 and the multiple weld points 124 distributed along this weld line 125, which extends all around the pillar reinforcement 12 along its peripheral fastening flap 123, allow for a strong and continuous connection between the pillar reinforcement 12, the quarter panel liner 11, and the wheel arch. This configuration thus facilitates the transmission of forces resulting from torsional vibration modes, where shear forces occur in the quarter panel area 2.

[0048] As seen in FIGURE 3, the reinforcement structure 1 includes a fixing plate 14 for a seat belt mechanism fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11. In addition, the peripheral fixing flap 123 of the pillar reinforcement 12 partially overlaps the fixing plate 14 so that said fixing plate 14 is taken between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12.

[0049] The fixing plate 14 has a generally rectangular shape and extends against the quarter panel lining 11. The fixing plate 14 is fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11.

[0050] Additionally, the mounting plate 14 includes an anchoring zone 141 for the vehicle's seat belt mechanism. When the mounting plate 14 is mounted on the quarter panel lining 11, the anchoring zone 141 for the seat belt mechanism is located at the level of the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement 12. The seat belt mechanism is, for example, a seat belt deflector.

[0051] The mounting plate 14 thus comprises lateral tabs 142 extending on either side of the anchoring zone 141, and the peripheral fastening flap 123 of the pillar reinforcement 12 covers said lateral tabs 142 so that the mounting plate 14 is engaged between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12. Furthermore, this sandwiching of the mounting plate 14 between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12 strengthens said mounting plate 14 and limits movement of the seat belt mechanism in the event of an impact, for example. Moreover, from a dynamic point of view, this external mechanical reinforcement of the quarter panel lining 11 by the pillar reinforcement 12 naturally increases the rigidity of the quarter panel area 2 and limits the occurrence of torsional forces in this area.

[0052] To further enhance the rigidity of the reinforcement structure 1 against torsional stress about a vertical axis, the reinforcement structure 1 includes a reinforcement panel 13 as shown in the FIGURES. The reinforcement panel is fixed rigidly to the quarter panel liner 11 and the wheel arch. The reinforcement panel 13 extends substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel liner 11.

[0053] Unlike the pillar reinforcement 12, the reinforcement panel 13 is not a hollow body: the reinforcement panel 13 is a piece of sheet metal or a plate shaped to fit both the quarter panel lining 11, the wheel arch, and the bodywork element intended to form the rear side fender of the motor vehicle. The reinforcement panel 13 is thus supported, by at least part of its edge 131, against the quarter panel lining 11, particularly at its rear edge 112. In addition, a lower edge 121 of the reinforcement panel 13 is supported against the wheel arch.

[0054] The reinforcing panel 13 has an orientation that follows the rear edge 112 of the quarter panel lining 11, so that the reinforcing panel 13 has a concavity facing the pillar reinforcement 12. In other words, the reinforcing panel 13 has a general C-shape oriented towards the pillar reinforcement 12. This advantageous configuration, and in particular the orientation of the Reinforcement panel 13 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining 11 helps to reinforce the behavior of the quarter panel area 2 and the reinforcement structure 1 with respect to a vibration and torsion mode resulting from the rolling of the motor vehicle.

[0055] To increase the rigidity of the reinforcement panel 13, the reinforcement panel 13 includes a plurality of stiffening ribs 133. In particular, in the example shown in the FIGURES, a first portion of the stiffening ribs 133 of the reinforcement panel 13 extends substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining 11, and a second portion 133A of the stiffening ribs 133 extends substantially perpendicularly to the upper portion 101 of the wheel arch. The plurality of ribs 133 forms a general shape of a Lorraine cross, of which the second portion 133A of the ribs forms the vertical part and the first portion of the ribs forms the parallel arms of the cross. In Figure 3, the cross thus formed has three horizontal arms. Alternatively, the ribs 133 can be arranged differently.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to a reinforcement structure 1 located laterally outside a quarter panel area 2 of a motor vehicle relative to a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure 1 comprising a rear wheel arch 10, a quarter panel lining 11 which extends vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a lining closing the quarter panel area 2, a pillar reinforcement 12 which extends vertically from the wheel arch, a reinforcement panel 13 fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11 and to the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel 13 extending perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining 11.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Reinforcement structure (1) of a quarter panel area (2) of a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure (1) comprising: - a rear wheel arch (10), the rear wheel arch (10) having an arch shape relative to the rear wheel; - a quarter panel lining (11) which extends vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a lining closing the quarter panel area (2), the quarter panel lining (11) being fixed securely to said wheel arch; - a pillar reinforcement (12) which extends vertically from the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement (12) being fixed securely to both the quarter panel lining (11) and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement (12) extending in a straight line along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to a summit part (101) of the wheel arch.

2. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pillar reinforcement (12) has an omega cross-section, the pillar reinforcement (12) having a peripheral fixing flap (123) allowing said pillar reinforcement (12) to be fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) on the one hand, and to the top part (101) of the wheel arch on the other hand.

3. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pillar reinforcement (12) is fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) and to the top part (101) of the wheel arch by a plurality of weld points (124) located along the peripheral fixing flap (123).

4. Reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a fixing plate (14) for a seat belt mechanism fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11), the peripheral fixing flap (123) of the pillar reinforcement (12) partially overlapping the fixing plate (14) so ​​that said fixing plate (14) is sandwiched between the quarter panel lining (11) and the pillar reinforcement (12).

5. Reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a reinforcement panel (13) fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) and the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel (13) extending substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining (11).

6. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcement panel (13) takes the form of a sheet metal having a concavity oriented towards the pillar reinforcement (12).

7. Reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the reinforcement panel (13) comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs (133) of which: - a first part of the stiffening ribs (133) of the reinforcement panel (13) extend in a transverse direction, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining (11); and / or - a second part (133A) of the stiffening ribs (133) of the reinforcement panel (13) extend in a vertical direction, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the top part (101) of the wheel arch.

8. A motor vehicle comprising a reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, i

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