Reinforcing structure for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcing structure (1) for a motor vehicle, the reinforcing structure (1) comprising: an A-pillar (11); a front side member (12) which extends along a specific axis of elongation, a front portion of the front side member (12) being rigidly attached to a rear portion of the A-pillar (11); and a connecting reinforcement (13) which is attached to the A-pillar (11) and to the front side member (12), the connecting reinforcement (13) comprising a core (131) which is housed in the front side member (12) and extends along the specific axis of elongation. Advantageously, the connecting reinforcement (13) comprises an attachment part (132) for attaching the core (131) to the A-pillar (11), having a thickness of greater than 1.5 mm in order to contribute to the reinforcement of a junction region between the A-pillar (11) and the front side member (12).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Reinforcing structure for a motor vehicle [1] The present invention claims priority from French application 2303159 filed on March 31, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The technical context of the present invention is that of front reinforcement structures for motor vehicles. [2] In the state of the art, structures for motor vehicles are known comprising: [3] - a front pillar, located on one side of the motor vehicle, between a front wheel arch and a front door opening, [4] - a side member, located on the same side of the motor vehicle, between the front wheel arch and a rear wheel arch, and [5] - a connecting reinforcement, fixed to the front foot and to the side member. [6] In a known manner, a junction between the front foot and the side member makes it possible to establish a fixing of the front foot to the side member, in a direction parallel to an axis of elongation specific to the side member, that is to say along a longitudinal axis of extension of the motor vehicle. The known connecting reinforcements extend like a core in the side member in order to increase their rigidity and to allow better transmission of forces in the event of a frontal impact. [7] Known connecting reinforcements are fixed in place using a position-holding part which allows the side member and the connecting reinforcement to be positioned in place during their assembly. Such known holding parts are not intended to contribute to the transmission of force through the side member and the connecting reinforcement in the event of a frontal impact. In fact, they have a small thickness, typically of the order of a few millimeters, so as not to unnecessarily overload the mass of the motor vehicle. [8] However, it appears that in a frontal impact with low overlap, the forces are transmitted mainly at the level of a high force transmission path formed by an upper part of the front foot, while a low force transmission path is less stressed. Consequently, this distribution efforts create a leverage effect on the lower part of the front foot. If the presence of the connecting reinforcement in the side member and the lower part of the front foot makes it possible to strengthen the lower part of the front foot, the current reinforcements are insufficient. [9] The object of the present invention is to propose a novel front reinforcement structure in order to address at least largely the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to strengthen the connection between the front foot and the front side member.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a reinforcement structure for a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure comprising:

[0012] - a front foot;

[0013] - a front spar extending along a specific elongation axis, the front spar being fixed securely to the front foot;

[0014] - a connecting reinforcement fixed to the front foot and to the front side member, the connecting reinforcement comprising a core housed in the front side member and extending along the proper elongation axis.

[0015] In the reinforcement structure according to the first aspect of the invention, the connecting reinforcement comprises a part for fixing the core to the front foot.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the reinforcement structure according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inboard and outboard refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis extends as being taken along a direction which extends from front to rear or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to reference to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis 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 axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.

[0017] Additionally, we also define a proper extension axis in the reference frame of the front spar, the proper extension axis being defined by the main direction of elongation of the front spar. In the context of the integration of reinforcement structure in the motor vehicle, the proper axis of extension of the front side member is merged or substantially merged with the longitudinal axis.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the front pillar The front pillar is a structural element of the motor vehicle which is located on one side of the motor vehicle, laterally to the engine compartment of the motor vehicle and in front of the passenger compartment. The front pillar is connected to the bulkhead and also forms a rigid element to which the front stretcher is connected, the front pillar forming an upright located in front of said stretcher. The front pillar is in particular configured to support hinges of a front door of the motor vehicle.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the front side member forms a prismatic span which extends relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, at each lateral edge of said motor vehicle. The front side members form structural elements of the motor vehicle to which other parts of the motor vehicle are attached. The front side members thus provide the rigidity necessary for the operation of the motor vehicle, during driving sequences, but also in the event of an accident in order to transmit the forces resulting from said impact towards absorption devices or towards the running gear of the motor vehicle, for example. At their front part, the front side members are fixed integrally to the front pillar located opposite.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the connecting reinforcement is an additional mechanical element, attached to the front spar, in order to reinforce its rigidity, in particular with regard to compression, buckling, shear or bending forces. In the context of the present invention, the connecting reinforcement takes the form of a prismatic bearing surface which extends into the front spar. The prismatic span forms the web of the connecting reinforcement. The web may be solid or hollow. A front part of the web extends into a rear portion of the front foot, and a rear part of the web extends into a front portion of the front spar.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the attachment piece makes it possible to hold the core and the front pillar together, in a manner particularly advantageous to the invention according to its first aspect, the attachment piece has a thickness greater than known attachment pieces, so that it now contributes to the transmission of forces through the front pillar and the front side member. In other words, in the context of the present invention, the attachment piece is now configured to reinforce the front side member and the front pillar during a frontal impact. The attachment piece is also a reinforcement piece for the front pillar and the front side member.

[0022] The reinforcement structure in accordance with 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:

[0023] - the fixing part forms a gusset;

[0024] - the soul takes the form of a profile;

[0025] - the front spar comprises a first half-profile and a second half-profile, the first half-profile and the second half-profile being connected together at a longitudinal cap and together forming a hollow housing inside which extends a rear part of the web of the connecting reinforcement. Each half-profile extends along the proper elongation axis, the half-profiles forming between them the hollow housing. Each half-profile is connected to the other at their longitudinal cap forming a connecting interface which extends along the proper elongation axis. The first half-profile is fixed integrally to the second half-profile at their longitudinal cap, by welding. In a perpendicular plane, the first half-profile and the second half-profile form a closed contour;

[0026] - the front leg comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell, the first half-shell and the second half-shell being connected together at a longitudinal flap and together forming a closed box inside which extends a front part of the web of the connecting reinforcement. Each half-shell extends along the proper elongation axis, the half-shells forming between them the closed box. Each half-shell is connected to the other at their longitudinal flap forming a connection interface which extends along the proper elongation axis. The first half-shell is fixed integrally to the second half-shell at their longitudinal flap, by welding. In a perpendicular plane, the first half-shell and the second half-shell form a closed contour;

[0027] - the fixing part comprises (i) a bearing face against the web and (ii) a rim which extends projecting from the bearing face, the rim forming a bearing rim against the front leg. In other words, the bearing face of the fixing part is placed in abutment against the web of the connecting reinforcement; and the rim of the fixing part is placed in abutment against the front leg. Thus, the fixing part forms an interface part between the connecting reinforcement and the front leg. The rim is of the type of a folded edge which extends from a longitudinal edge of the bearing face;

[0028] - the edge is placed in abutment against the longitudinal flap of the first half-shell and / or the second half-shell of the front leg. Preferably, the edge is placed in an intermediate position between the first half-shell and the second half-shell of the front leg;

[0029] - the fixing part is fixed integrally to the core on the one hand and to the front foot on the other. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reinforce the connection between the front foot and the front side member;

[0030] - the fixing part is fixedly attached to the core by a plurality of rivets. Each rivet extends through the fixing part and the core. In particular, the rivets extend through the bearing face of the fixing part;

[0031] - the fixing part is securely attached to the front leg by means of a plurality of weld points. The weld points bind the fixing part and the front leg together. In particular, the weld points are located along the edge of the fixing part;

[0032] - advantageously, the welding points bind together, on the one hand, the edge of the fixing part and, on the other hand, the longitudinal flap of the first half-shell and / or of the second half-shell forming the front foot;

[0033] - the fixing part is formed of a metallic material. In particular, the material forming the fixing part comprises steel. This configuration advantageous allows to improve the mechanical reinforcement and the resistance to the forces generated by a frontal impact;

[0034] - the fixing part is obtained by stamping a folded sheet of constant thickness. In the context of the present invention, the thickness is taken according to the smallest dimension of the fixing part, for example perpendicular to the bearing face. In particular, a thickness of the fixing part is between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0035] - preferably, the thickness of the fixing part is greater than 2 mm. This configuration ensures sufficient resistance in the event of frontal impacts.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising at least one reinforcement structure in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0037] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0039] [Fig.1] illustrates a side sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a reinforcement structure according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] illustrates a detailed perspective view of the reinforcement structure shown in FIGURE 1;

[0041] [Fig.3] illustrates a first perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fixing part of the reinforcement structure illustrated in FIGURE 1;

[0042] [Fig.4] illustrates a second perspective view of the fastener shown in FIGURE 3.

[0043] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0044] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0045] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0046] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a reinforcement structure 1 for a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure 1 comprising:

[0047] - a front foot 11;

[0048] - a front spar 12 extending along a specific elongation axis, the front spar 12 being fixedly attached to the front foot 11. More particularly, a front portion of the front spar 12 is fixedly attached to a rear lower portion of the front foot 11. The front spar 12 is preferably formed by a profile. Advantageously, the front spar 12 comprises a first half-profile and a second half-profile, the first half-profile and the second half-profile being connected together at a longitudinal cap and together forming a hollow housing inside which extends a rear portion of the web 131 of the connecting reinforcement 13. Each half-profile extends along the specific elongation axis, the half-profiles forming the hollow housing between them. Each half-profile is linked to the other at the level of their longitudinal cap forming a connecting interface which extends along the proper elongation axis.The first half-profile is fixed to the second half-profile at their longitudinal cap by welding. In a perpendicular plane, the first half-profile and the second half-profile form a closed contour;

[0049] - a connecting reinforcement 13 fixed to the front foot 11 and to the front side member 12, the connecting reinforcement 13 comprising a core 131 housed in the front side member 12 and extending along the proper elongation axis. The core 131 extends rectilinearly inside the front side member 12 and at the level of the lower rear part of the foot before 11. The core 131 thus makes it possible to improve the transmission of forces between the front pillar 11 and the front side member 12 during a frontal impact, by reducing the risks of deformation and / or breakage at a junction zone between the front pillar 11 and the front side member 12.

[0050] In the reinforcement structure 1 according to the first aspect of the invention, the connecting reinforcement 13 comprises a fixing piece 132 for fixing the web 131 to the front foot 11. The fixing piece 132 contributes to the transmission of forces and to the reduction of the risks of deformation and / or breakage of the front spar 12 and / or the front foot 11, in particular at the junction zone. The fixing piece 132 is simultaneously fixed to the web 131 and to the front foot 11. Unlike known reinforcement structures, the fixing piece 132 is placed at the junction zone between the front foot 11 and the front spar 12.

[0051] Advantageously, the front leg 11 comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell, the first half-shell and the second half-shell being connected together at a longitudinal flap and together forming a closed box inside which extends a front portion of the core 131 of the connecting reinforcement 13. Each half-shell extends along its own elongation axis, the half-shells forming the closed box between them. Each half-shell is connected to the other at their longitudinal flap forming a connecting interface which extends along their own elongation axis. The first half-shell is fixed integrally to the second half-shell at their longitudinal flap, by welding. In a perpendicular plane, the first half-shell and the second half-shell form a closed contour.

[0052] With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the fixing part 132 will now be described in more detail. The fixing part 132 forms a gusset. In particular, the fixing part 132 comprises:

[0053] - a bearing face 1322 against the core 131 and

[0054] - a rim 1321 which projects from the bearing face 1322, the rim 1321 forming a bearing rim 1321 against the front foot 11.

[0055] The bearing face 1322 of the fixing part 132 is placed in abutment against the web 131 of the connecting reinforcement 13 and the edge 1321 of the fixing part 132 is placed in abutment against the front foot 11. Thus, the fixing part 132 forms a part interface between the connecting reinforcement 13 and the front foot 11. In a transverse plane and perpendicular to the proper elongation axis, the fixing part 132 has an “L” shaped profile.

[0056] The rim 1321 is of the type of a folded edge which extends from a longitudinal edge of the bearing face 1322. The rim 1321 extends perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the bearing face 1322 of the fixing part 132. The rim 1321 is placed in abutment against the longitudinal flap of the first half-shell and / or the second half-shell of the front leg 11. Preferably, the rim 1321 is placed in an intermediate position between the first half-shell and the second half-shell of the front leg 11;

[0057] The fixing part 132 is fixed integrally to the core 131 on the one hand and to the front foot 11 on the other hand. In particular:

[0058] - the fixing part 132 is fixedly fixed to the core 131 by a plurality of rivets. Each rivet extends through the fixing part 132 and the core 131. In particular, the rivets extend through a plurality of holes 1323 provided on the bearing face 1322 of the fixing part 132;

[0059] - the fixing piece 132 is fixedly fixed to the front leg 11 by means of a plurality of weld points. The weld points bind together the fixing piece 132 and the front leg 11. In particular, the weld points are located along the edge 1321 of the fixing piece 132. The weld points bind together, on the one hand, the edge 1321 of the fixing piece 132 and, on the other hand, the longitudinal flap of the first half-shell and / or of the second half-shell forming the front leg 11;

[0060] The fastening part 132 is formed from a metallic material. In particular, the material forming the fastening part 132 comprises steel. The fastening part 132 is obtained by stamping a folded sheet of constant thickness. Generally, a thickness of the fastening part 132 is greater than 2 mm. This configuration makes it possible to guarantee sufficient resistance in the event of frontal impacts.

[0061] In summary, the invention relates to a reinforcement structure 1 for a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure 1 comprising a front pillar 11, a front side member 12 extending along a specific elongation axis, a front part of the front spar 12 being fixedly attached to a rear part of the front leg 11, a connecting reinforcement 13 fixed to the front leg 11 and to the front spar 12, the connecting reinforcement 13 comprising a web 131 housed in the front spar 12 and extending along the proper elongation axis. Advantageously, the connecting reinforcement 13 comprises a fixing part 132 of the web 131 to the front leg 11 with a thickness greater than 1.5 mm in order to contribute to the reinforcement of a junction zone between the front leg 11 and the front spar 12.

[0062] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Reinforcing structure (1) for a motor vehicle, the reinforcing structure (1) comprising: - a front foot (11); - a front spar (12) extending along a specific elongation axis, the front spar (12) being fixedly attached to the front foot (11); - a connecting reinforcement (13) fixed to the front foot (11) and to the front side member (12), the connecting reinforcement (13) comprising a core (131) housed in the front side member (12) and extending along the proper elongation axis; characterized in that the connecting reinforcement (13) comprises a fixing part (132) of the core (131) to the front foot (11) with a thickness greater than 1.5 mm.

2. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the front spar (12) comprises a first half-profile and a second half-profile, the first half-profile and the second half-profile being connected together at a longitudinal cap and together forming a hollow housing inside which extends a rear part of the core (131) of the connecting reinforcement (13).

3. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the front leg (11) comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell, the first half-shell and the second half-shell being connected together at a longitudinal flap and together forming a closed box inside which extends a front part of the core (131) of the connecting reinforcement (13).

4. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing part (132) comprises a bearing face (1322) against the core (131) and a rim (1321) which projects from the bearing face (1322), the rim (1321) forming a rim (1321) for bearing against the front foot (11).

5. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the rim (1321) is placed in an intermediate position between the first half-shell and the second half-shell of the front foot (11).

6. Reinforcing structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing part (132) is fixed integrally to the core (131) on the one hand and to the front foot (11) on the other hand.

7. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing part (132) is fixed integrally to the core (131) by a plurality of rivets.

8. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixing piece (132) is fixedly fixed to the front leg (11) by means of a plurality of welding points.

9. Reinforcing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein a thickness of the fixing piece (132) is greater than 2 mm.

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one reinforcing structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, i

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