Frame for an underbody of a motor vehicle, underbody and vehicle comprising such a frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a central frame (10) for an underbody of a motor vehicle, which comprises a first side skirt (26), a second side skirt (28), a front crossmember (22) and a rear crossmember (24), characterised in that a first end of the front crossmember (22) is in contact with the first side skirt (26), a second end of the front crossmember (22) being in contact with the second side skirt (28), the frame (10) comprising a first connecting element (32) connecting a first end of the rear crossmember (24) to the first side skirt (26), and a second connecting element (34) connecting a second end of the rear crossmember (24) to the second side skirt (28).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Frame for a motor vehicle underbody, underbody and vehicle comprising such a frame

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The technical field of the invention is motor vehicles, in particular the underbodies of electric motor vehicles.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to a frame for a motor vehicle underbody, a underbody comprising such a frame and a motor vehicle comprising such a underbody.

[0005] Previous techniques

[0006] An electric motor vehicle known from the prior art comprises energy modules, an aluminum casing forming a sealed enclosure and a base.

[0007] The underbody includes a floor, longitudinal beams, front side members and rear side members.

[0008] The longitudinal beams are each attached at their first end to a front side member of the vehicle and at their second end to a rear side member of the vehicle. The floor extends transversely between the longitudinal beams and extends longitudinally between the front side members and the rear side members.

[0009] The housing includes a top plate and a reinforced bottom plate opposite the top plate, the housing being secured to the floor so that the top plate faces the floor.

[0010] The energy modules are arranged in the housing so that they rest on the reinforced bottom plate, the energy modules weighing, for example, more than 400 kilograms.

[0011] To ensure the tightness of the housing attachment to the floor and between the vehicle interior and the housing, the vehicle includes numerous sealant lines and blanking plugs.

[0012] Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to propose a motor vehicle underbody structure which simplifies in particular the creation of sealing between the vehicle batteries and the vehicle passenger compartment.

[0014] The present invention relates to a central frame for a motor vehicle underbody, the central frame comprising a first side skirt, a second side skirt, a front cross member and a rear cross member, a first end of the front cross member being in contact with the first side skirt, a second end of the front cross member being in contact with the second side skirt, the frame comprising a first connecting element connecting a first end of the rear cross member to the first side skirt and a second connecting element connecting a second end of the rear cross member to the second side skirt.

[0015] The frame thus defined forms a continuous structure simplifying the sealing of the base, in particular against dust, water and noise.

[0016] The front crossmember may comprise a flat upper face and a flat lower face parallel to said upper face, said upper and lower faces extending from the first side flap to the second side flap.

[0017] The rear crossmember may comprise a flat upper face and a flat lower face parallel to said upper face, said upper and lower faces extending between the first side flap and the second side flap.

[0018] The first connecting element may comprise a flat portion resting on the first side flap and on the first end of the rear cross member.

[0019] The second connecting element may comprise a flat portion resting on the second side flap and on the second end of the rear cross member.

[0020] In one embodiment, the central frame comprises fixing holes distributed on the first side skirt, on the second side skirt, on the front cross member and on the rear cross member, and comprising nuts welded opposite the fixing holes.

[0021] Advantageously, the front cross member, the rear cross member, the first side skirt, the second side skirt, the first connecting element and the second connecting element each comprise a flat lower surface, said lower surfaces forming a flat lower periphery of the central frame.

[0022] Optionally, the central frame includes a continuous sealing line placed on the lower perimeter of the frame.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle base comprising a central frame as defined above.

[0024] Advantageously, the base includes an upper floor fixed to the frame.

[0025] Advantageously, the base comprises a lower closing plate fixed to a lower periphery of the frame and closing the frame. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a base as defined above.

[0026] Advantageously, the vehicle comprises at least one battery arranged inside the frame and fixed to the upper floor, a gap remaining between the battery and the lower closing plate.

[0027] Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig 1] schematically illustrates a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig 2] schematically illustrates a top view of a central part of a base according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig 3] schematically illustrates a top view of a frame according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig 4] schematically illustrates a bottom view of the frame of Figure 3; and

[0033] [Fig 5] schematically illustrates a cross-section of the central part of the base of Figure 2.

[0034] Detailed description

[0035] Figure 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle 2, in particular an electric motor vehicle comprising a plurality of batteries 4, for example in the form of parallelepiped and / or flexible and / or prismatic and / or cylindrical energy cells.

[0036] In the remainder of the description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "under" and "on" are understood in relation to the usual orthogonal reference frame for motor vehicles, shown in Figure 1, and including:

[0037] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and directed from the front to the rear of the vehicle 2;

[0038] - a transverse axis Y, horizontal, perpendicular to the X axis and directed from the left to the right of the vehicle 2 moving forward;

[0039] - a Z axis, orthogonal to the X and Y axes, vertical and directed from bottom to top.

[0040] The vehicle 2 comprises a base 6 provided with an upper floor 8, a central frame 10 and a lower closing plate 12. The base 6 also comprises front side members 14 and rear side members 16.

[0041] The upper floor 8 faces the roof 18 of the vehicle 2 and forms a surface delimiting the passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 2.

[0042] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a top view of the central part of the base 6.

[0043] The central frame 10 comprises a front cross member 22 on which the front side members 14 are fixed and a rear cross member 24 on which the rear side members 16 are fixed.

[0044] The central frame 10 comprises a first lateral sill 26 and a second lateral sill 28 connected to the front and rear cross members 22, 24 of the central frame 10. Each lateral sill 26, 28 forms a lateral part of the vehicle 2, in particular a lateral part located longitudinally between the wheels of the vehicle 2 and vertically under the doors of the vehicle 2. The lateral sills 26, 28 are also called rocker panels or lower flaps.

[0045] The vehicle 2 comprises a plurality of central crosspieces 30 fixed to the upper floor 8. The central crosspieces 30 are, for example, welded to the upper floor 8, the absence of a fixing hole in the upper floor 8 making it possible to guarantee the sealing, in particular sound and / or thermal, of the passenger compartment 20 at the level of the upper floor 8.

[0046] The central crosspieces 30 are each in contact on either side in the transverse direction of the vehicle 2 with a lateral flap 26, 28. Each central crosspiece 30 allows the attachment of elements of the passenger compartment 20, in particular seats of the vehicle 2 and / or belts of the vehicle 2 and / or elements for attaching luggage and / or a child seat. Advantageously, each central crosspiece 30 contributes to the stiffness of the vehicle 2 and to the resistance of the vehicle 2 in the event of a side impact.

[0047] Figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate top and bottom views of the central frame 10.

[0048] A first end of the front cross member 22, located on the right side of the vehicle 2, is in contact with the first lateral skirt 26.

[0049] A second end of the front cross member 22, located on the left side of the vehicle 2, is in contact with the second lateral skirt 28.

[0050] The central frame 10 also comprises a first connecting element 32 connecting a first end of the rear cross member 24, located on the right side of the vehicle 2, to the first lateral skirt 26 and a second connecting element 34 connecting a second end of the rear cross member 24, located on the left side of the vehicle 2, to the second lateral skirt 28. Thus, the central frame 10 comprising the front cross member 22, the first lateral skirt 26, the first connecting element 32, the rear cross member 24, the second connecting element 34 and the second lateral skirt 28 forms a continuous structure of the underbody 6 of the vehicle 2, simplifying in particular the installation of sealing elements on the continuous structure.

[0051] Advantageously, the front cross member 22 comprises a flat upper face 36 and a flat lower face 38 parallel to each other.

[0052] The upper flat face 36 of the front cross member 22 constitutes in particular the highest flat face, along the vertical axis Z of the vehicle 2, of the front cross member 22 installed on the vehicle 2 and extends transversely between the first lateral flap 26 and the second lateral flap 28. The upper flat face 36 of the front cross member 22 is, for example, in contact on the one hand with the first lateral flap 26 and on the other hand with the second lateral flap 28.

[0053] The lower flat face 38 of the front cross member 22 constitutes in particular the lower flat face of the front cross member 22 installed on the vehicle 2 and extends transversely between the first lateral skirt 26 and the second lateral skirt 28. The lower flat face 38 of the front cross member 22 rests, for example, on the one hand on an edge 40 of the first lateral skirt 26 and on the other hand on an edge 42 of the second lateral skirt 28.

[0054] Advantageously, the rear cross member 24 comprises a flat upper face 44 and a flat lower face 46 parallel to each other.

[0055] The upper flat face 44 of the rear cross member 24 constitutes in particular the highest flat face of the front cross member 22 installed on the vehicle 2 and extends transversely between the first lateral skirt 26 and the second lateral skirt 28.

[0056] The lower flat face 46 of the rear cross member 24 constitutes in particular the lower flat face of the front cross member 22 installed on the vehicle 2 and extends transversely between the first lateral skirt 26 and the second lateral skirt 28.

[0057] Advantageously, the first connection element 32 comprises a flat portion 48 bearing on the edge 40 of the first lateral flap 26 and on the first end of the rear cross member 24, the second connection element 34 comprising a flat portion 50 bearing on the edge 42 of the second lateral flap 28 and on the second end of the rear cross member 24.

[0058] The flat portion 48 of the first connecting element 32 extends from the first end of the rear crossmember 24 towards the first lateral flap 26, in particular parallel to the flat lower face 46 of the rear crossmember 24 and substantially in the plane of the flat lower face 46 of the rear crossmember 24.

[0059] By "substantially in the plane" is meant that the flat portion 48 of the first connecting element 32 is less than one centimeter away from the flat lower face 46 of the rear cross member 24 in the direction orthogonal to the flat lower face 46 of the rear cross member 24.

[0060] The flat portion 50 of the second connecting element 34 extends from the second end of the rear cross member 24 towards the second lateral flap 28, in particular parallel to the flat lower face 46 of the rear cross member 24 and substantially in the plane of the flat lower face 46 of the rear cross member 24.

[0061] Advantageously, the first lateral flap 26 comprises a flat lower face, the second lateral flap 28 also comprising a flat lower face. For example, the edge 40 of the first lateral flap 26 and the edge 42 of the second lateral flap 28 are flat.

[0062] Preferably, the flat lower face 38 of the front cross member 22, the flat lower face 40 of the first lateral flap 26, the lower face of the flat portion 48 of the first connecting element 32, the flat lower face 46 of the rear cross member 24, the lower face of the flat portion 50 of the second connecting element 34 and the flat lower face 42 of the second lateral flap 28 jointly form a lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10 and are coplanar or substantially coplanar.

[0063] By "substantially coplanar" is meant that said faces 38, 40, 42, 46 and lower faces of said portions 48, 50 are spaced less than one centimeter apart along an axis orthogonal to one of said faces 38, 40, 42, 46 and lower faces of said portions 48, 50.

[0064] Preferably, the lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10 is flat.

[0065] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross-section of the base 6.

[0066] The lower perimeter 52 of the central frame 10 comprises fixing holes 54 for the lower plate 12 and / or the upper floor 8 to the central frame 10. The central frame 10 also comprises welded nuts 56 opposite the fixing holes 54. Alternatively, the lower plate 12 and / or the upper floor 8 are welded to the central frame 10. Optionally, the upper floor 8 is welded to the two lateral flaps 26, 28.

[0067] The upper floor 8 extends longitudinally between the front cross member 22 of the central frame 10 and the rear cross member 24 of the central frame 10, the rear cross member 24 extending in particular between two rear axle ball joints (not shown) of the vehicle 2.

[0068] Advantageously, the upper floor 8 also extends vertically from the central cross members 30 of the vehicle 2 to the lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10 so that a periphery of the upper floor 8 is fixed to the lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10.

[0069] Advantageously, the lower plate 12 is fixed to the lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10 so that the periphery of the upper floor 8 is vertically clamped between the central frame 10 and the lower plate 12.

[0070] The upper floor 8 and the lower plate 12 jointly delimit inside the central frame 10 a storage space 58 accommodating the batteries 4 of the vehicle 2.

[0071] In order to ensure the sealing, in particular against water and / or heat, of the storage space 58, the base 6 comprises a continuous sealing line 60 placed between the periphery of the upper floor 8 and the lower closing plate 12.

[0072] Optionally, the base 6 comprises a second continuous sealing line 60 deposited on the lower periphery 52 plane of the central frame 10, in particular between the lower periphery 52 of the central frame 10 and the upper floor 8.

[0073] The base 6 comprises a plurality of fixing members 62 housed in the storage space 58. Each fixing member 62 is fixed to the upper floor 8, in particular welded to the upper floor 8.

[0074] Each fastening member 62 is configured to suspend at least one battery 4 from the vehicle 2. By "suspending at least one battery from the vehicle" is meant that the battery 4 is supported by the fastening member 62 so that the battery 4 is suspended from the fastening member 62.

[0075] For example, each fixing member 62 comprises a beam extending in the storage space 58, in particular longitudinally. The beam comprises at least one hole formed in a section of the beam, the battery 4 comprising at least one fixing lug cooperating with the hole to suspend the battery 4 from the beam.

[0076] Advantageously, a vertical clearance 64 remains between each battery 4 housed in the storage space 58 and the upper floor 8 in order to electrically isolate the battery 4 from the upper floor 8.

[0077] Preferably, each fixing member 62 comprises an electrically insulating material in order to electrically insulate the batteries 4 from the upper floor 8. Optionally, the base 6 comprises an insulating foam (not shown), in particular for thermal protection, surrounding the battery 4 in the storage space 58.

[0078] Preferably, the thickness of the lower closing plate 12 is less than two millimeters. Since the lower plate 12 does not support the weight of the batteries 4, the thickness of the lower plate 12 is reduced, in particular in order to reduce the mass of the underbody 6 of the vehicle 2.

[0079] The lower plate 12 provides protection for the battery 4, particularly against road debris. Advantageously, a vertical clearance 66 remains between each battery 4 fixed to the upper floor 8 by means of a fixing member 62 and the lower plate 12.

[0080] The bottom plate 12 comprises, for example, aluminum and / or a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Central frame (10) for a base (6) of a motor vehicle (2), the central frame (10) comprising a first lateral skirt (26), a second lateral skirt (28), a front cross member (22) and a rear cross member (24), characterized in that a first end of the front cross member (22) is in contact with the first lateral skirt (26), a second end of the front cross member (22) being in contact with the second lateral skirt (28), the frame (10) comprising a first connecting element (32) connecting a first end of the rear cross member (24) to the first lateral skirt (26) and a second connecting element (34) connecting a second end of the rear cross member (24) to the second lateral skirt (28).

2. Central frame (10) according to claim 1, wherein the front cross member (22) comprises a flat upper face (36) and a flat lower face (38) parallel to said upper face (36), said upper and lower faces extending from the first lateral flap (26) to the second lateral flap (28).

3. Central frame (10) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the rear cross member (24) comprises a flat upper face (44) and a flat lower face (46) parallel to said upper face (44), said upper and lower faces (44, 46) extending between the first lateral flap (26) and the second lateral flap (28).

4. Central frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first connecting element (32) comprises a flat portion (48) bearing on the first lateral flap (26) and on the first end of the rear cross member (24) and / or in which the second connecting element (34) comprises a flat portion (50) bearing on the second lateral flap (28) and on the second end of the rear cross member (24).

5. Central frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising fixing holes (54) distributed on the first lateral flap (26), on the second lateral flap (28), on the front cross member (22) and on the rear cross member (24), and comprising welded nuts (56) opposite the fixing holes (54).

6. Central frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the front cross member (22), the rear cross member (24), the first lateral flap (26), the second lateral flap (28), the first connecting element (32) and the second connecting element (34) each comprise a surface lower (38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50) plane, said lower surfaces (38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50) forming a lower periphery (52) plane of the central frame (10).

7. Central frame (10) according to claim 6, comprising a continuous sealing line (60) deposited on the lower periphery (52) of the frame (10).

8. Underbody (6) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a central frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an upper floor (8) fixed to the frame (10).

9. Base (6) according to claim 8, comprising a lower closing plate (12) fixed on a lower periphery (52) of the frame (10) and closing the frame (10).

10. Motor vehicle (2), characterized in that it comprises a base (6) according to claim 9 and at least one battery (4) arranged inside the frame (10) and fixed to the upper floor (8), a gap (66) remaining between the battery (4) and the lower closing plate (12).

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