Motor vehicle assembly, and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly (1) comprising: - a cowl collector (11) positioned in front of a body panel and extending transversely to the vehicle, - a pair of lateral load-bearing elements (15), each intended to house a shock absorber head of a front axle of the motor vehicle, - a pair of wing linings (21) which each support one of the load-bearing elements (15) and are arranged laterally to the cowl collector (11), - a pair of reinforcing parts (25) for the lateral load-bearing elements (15). According to the invention, each of the reinforcing parts (25) is arranged behind each of the lateral load-bearing elements (15) and is arranged so as to assemble each of the wing linings (21) with the cowl collector (11). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising such an assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Motor vehicle assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly [Technical field]

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2305709 filed on June 7, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of motor vehicle safety to provide protection in the event of a frontal impact.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a motor vehicle assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. [State of the prior art]

[0003] A motor vehicle body comprises a set of structural sheet metal elements that provide rigidity to the motor vehicle, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0004] The body defines a passenger compartment, capable of accommodating the occupants of the motor vehicle, and a front unit, which defines a cradle for the motor vehicle's powertrain.

[0005] The area between the passenger compartment and the front end is commonly referred to as the "awning area."

[0006] The cowl typically includes a cowl collector, extending transversely relative to the body from one side of the body to the other and typically used to support various tanks and filters as well as the windscreen wiper system, to ensure the evacuation of water from the outside and to guide outside air into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0007] The canopy further includes a canopy stiffener, providing rigidity to the canopy, extending transversely relative to the body from one side of the body to the other.

[0008] The cowl collector is positioned in front of a body apron. The apron is connected to a front part of a bay opening, intended to accommodate a windshield, by means of a lower bay crossmember which provides the connection between the apron and the windshield.

[0009] The perimeter of the cowl manifold is fitted with seals to create a seal, particularly between the cowl manifold and the engine compartment, located below the cowl manifold. The seals are clamped by the cowl manifold on the one hand, and by the body of the motor vehicle on the other hand, in order to create the desired seal.

[0010] The front block of the body further comprises a pair of load-bearing elements intended to house shock absorber heads of a front axle of the motor vehicle in order to absorb vibrations rising from the front axle and to ensure the absorption of suspension forces. Each load-bearing element is positioned at the front of the cowl and extends at the top of a wheel arch, opposite a wing lining of the body.

[0011] When the motor vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact, the front block of the vehicle body compresses.

[0012] During compression, the load-bearing elements tend to move backwards towards the rear of the motor vehicle, which causes significant deformation, or even tearing, of the awning.

[0013] The deformation or tearing of the canopy in turn causes significant deformation of the apron, positioned behind the canopy collector and the supporting elements.

[0014] Such deformation of the apron significantly increases the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, significantly compromising the safety of the occupants of the motor vehicle.

[0015] Document EP3898388A1 describes an assembled reinforcement part which is intended to increase the frontal impact resistance of the front face of the motor vehicle.

[0016] The reinforcement piece is assembled on the passenger compartment side outside the wing lining, and is adapted and arranged to reinforce the load-bearing element.

[0017] However, such a reinforcement piece does not guarantee the hold between the supporting element and the awning collector.

[0018] Therefore, the risk of connection failure between the supporting element and the canopy collector remains high.

[0019] Furthermore, a direct rigid fixing between the load-bearing elements and the awning collector is not possible, on the one hand given the accessibility in this area of ​​the body, which is relatively limited, and on the other hand due to the presence of the sealing joints present around the perimeter of the awning collector, making it impossible to welding between the supporting elements and the awning collector so as not to hinder the proper functioning of the sealing joints. [Statement of the invention]

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle assembly comprising: - a cowl collector, positioned in front of a body apron, extending substantially transversely relative to said motor vehicle, - a pair of lateral load-bearing elements, each intended to house a shock absorber head of a front axle of said motor vehicle, - a pair of wing liners, each supporting one of said lateral load-bearing members and being arranged laterally relative to said cowl manifold, - a pair of reinforcing pieces of said lateral supporting elements, remarkable in that each of said reinforcing pieces is arranged behind each of said lateral supporting elements, and is arranged so as to assemble each of said wing linings with said cowl collector.

[0021] Thus, by providing reinforcement pieces arranged behind each load-bearing element and arranged so as to assemble each wing lining with the cowl manifold, not only is the side load-bearing element reinforced, but a solid lateral connection between the cowl manifold and the front wing lining is also ensured.

[0022] This increases the strength between the canopy collector and the supporting elements, which improves the stability of the supporting elements.

[0023] This prevents a break in the connection between the awning collector and the supporting elements.

[0024] The stability of the load-bearing elements during a frontal impact is improved, which limits the risk of the load-bearing elements moving backwards and therefore prevents the awning from being torn off.

[0025] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the risk of intrusion at the level of the apron is reduced, and consequently the safety of the occupants of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle is increased.

[0026] According to optional characteristics of the assembly according to the invention: - said reinforcing piece comprises a first covering portion, adapted to at least partially cover said collector, and a second covering portion, substantially perpendicular to said first covering portion, adapted to at least partially cover said wing lining; - said first covering portion comprises a transverse face, extending in a substantially transverse plane, and a horizontal face, extending in a substantially horizontal plane; - said first covering portion extends substantially over the entire height of said awning collector; - said first covering portion conforms to the shape of said cowl collector at a lateral end of said cowl collector; - said first covering portion of said reinforcing piece is “L” shaped; - said second covering portion extends in a substantially vertical plane; - the assembly comprises weld points connecting said reinforcing piece to said cowl collector and to said wing lining, said weld points being made between said first covering portion and said cowl collector, and between said second covering portion and said wing lining; - said reinforcement part consists of a piece of sheet metal.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly, remarkable in that said assembly is according to the invention. [Description of the drawings]

[0028] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view partially showing a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig. 2] is an enlargement of zone II of figure 1. [Description of embodiments]

[0031] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0032] By convention, we will adopt, without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0033] In the following, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "lower", "upper", "inner", "outer" refer to the vehicle.

[0034] Reference is made to Figure 1, which is a perspective view partially showing a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, centered on the front-left area of ​​the motor vehicle 1, at the level of the front-left axle.

[0035] The description of the invention made for the front-left zone of the motor vehicle 1 applies by analogy to the front-right zone of the motor vehicle 1.

[0036] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a body 3, comprising a set of structural sheet metal elements conferring stiffness to the motor vehicle 1, assembled to each other and forming the frame of the motor vehicle 1.

[0037] The body 3 defines a passenger compartment 5, capable of accommodating the occupants of the motor vehicle 1, and a front unit 7, which defines a cradle for the powertrain of the motor vehicle 1.

[0038] The body 3 further comprises a canopy 9, defined by the area between the passenger compartment 5 and the front block 7.

[0039] The awning 9 comprises a awning collector 11, typically used for example to support various tanks and filters as well as a windscreen wiper system, to ensure the evacuation of water coming from the outside and to guide the outside air towards the passenger compartment 5 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0040] The cowl collector 11 is positioned in front of a body apron (not shown) connected to a front part of a bay opening intended to accommodate a windshield (not shown), by means of a lower bay crossmember which provides the connection between the apron and the windshield.

[0041] The cowl collector 11 extends substantially transversely relative to the motor vehicle 1, from one side to the other of the body 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0042] The awning 9 further comprises a awning stiffener 13, giving rigidity to the awning and also extending substantially transversely relative to the motor vehicle 1, from one side to the other of the body 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0043] The body 3 also includes, at the level of the front block 7, a pair of lateral load-bearing elements 15 (a single left lateral load-bearing element 15 being visible in figure 1).

[0044] Each lateral supporting element 15 is intended to house a shock absorber head (not shown) of a front axle of the motor vehicle 1. The supporting element 15 is in the form of a hollow dome 17, or cup.

[0045] In normal operation of the motor vehicle 1, the load-bearing elements 15 absorb the vibrations coming up from the front axle and ensure the absorption of the suspension forces.

[0046] Each lateral load-bearing element 15 is supported by an inner face 19 of a wing lining 21 of the body 3 (only the front left wing lining 21 being visible in figure 1).

[0047] Each wing liner 21 extends above a wheel arch 23 and is arranged laterally relative to the cowl manifold 11, opposite the lateral ends of the cowl manifold 11 (only the lateral end 11a being visible in FIG. 1).

[0048] According to the invention, the body 3 also comprises a pair of reinforcement pieces 25 for the supporting elements 15, each being arranged behind each supporting element 15.

[0049] Refer to Figure 2 showing an enlargement of Zone II of Figure 1.

[0050] The reinforcing piece 25 is further arranged to assemble each wing liner 21 with the cowl collector 11.

[0051] By arranging the reinforcing piece 25 behind each load-bearing element 15 and so as to assemble each wing lining 21 with the cowl manifold 11, not only the lateral load-bearing elements 15 are reinforced, but also a solid lateral connection is ensured between the cowl manifold 11 and the front wing lining 21.

[0052] This increases the strength between the awning collector 11 and the supporting elements 15, which improves the stability of the supporting elements 15.

[0053] This avoids a break in the connection between the awning collector 11 and the supporting elements 15.

[0054] This improves the stability of the load-bearing elements 15 during a frontal impact of the motor vehicle 1, which makes it possible to limit the risk of the load-bearing elements 15 moving backwards, and therefore to prevent the awning 9 from being torn off.

[0055] The present invention thus reduces the risk of intrusion at the level of the apron, which consequently increases the safety of the occupants of the passenger compartment 5 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing piece 25 is arranged so as to assemble each inner face 19 of each wing lining 21 with each lateral end 11a of the cowl collector 11.

[0057] For example, the reinforcement piece 25 consists of a folded piece of sheet metal which connects the front wing lining 21 and the cowl manifold 11.

[0058] In one embodiment, the reinforcement piece 25 is designed to conform to the shape of both the front fender liner 21 and the cowl manifold 11.

[0059] The reinforcing piece 25 comprises a first covering portion 27, adapted to at least partially cover the cowl collector 11 at its lateral end 11a.

[0060] According to one arrangement, the first covering portion 27 matches the shape of the collector 11 at its lateral end 11a. In this case, the first covering portion 27 of the reinforcing piece 25 is “L” shaped.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first covering portion 27 comprises a transverse face 29, extending in a substantially transverse plane (V, T) and a horizontal face 31, extending in a substantially horizontal plane (L, T).

[0062] In one embodiment, the degree of coverage of the cowl collector 11 by the reinforcing piece 25 is complete. In this case, the first covering portion 27 extends substantially over the entire height of the cowl collector 11.

[0063] The reinforcing piece 25 further comprises a second covering portion 33, substantially perpendicular to the first covering portion 27, adapted to at least partially cover the inner face 19 of the wing lining 19. For this purpose, the second covering portion 33 extends in a substantially vertical plane (L, V).

[0064] The reinforcement piece 25 is connected to the cowl collector 11 and to the wing lining 21 by welding, via welding points, the number of which can be adapted as desired.

[0065] The solder points are strategically positioned to ensure the connection is maintained.

[0066] For this purpose, welding points 35 are made between the first covering portion 27 and the cowl collector 11, and welding points 37 are made between the second covering portion 33 and the wing lining 21.

[0067] The welding points 35 comprise longitudinal welding points 35L, extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 1 and arranged on the transverse face 29 of the first covering portion 27 of the reinforcing piece 25.

[0068] The welding points 35 further comprise vertical welding points 35V, extending substantially along the vertical axis of the motor vehicle 1 and arranged on the horizontal face 31 of the first covering portion 27 of the reinforcing piece 25.

[0069] The welding points 35 further comprise vertical welding points 35V, extending substantially along the vertical axis of the motor vehicle 1 and arranged on the horizontal face 31 of the first covering portion 27 of the reinforcing piece 25.

[0070] In one embodiment, the welding points 37 of the second covering portion 33 of the reinforcing piece 25 extend substantially along the transverse axis of the motor vehicle 1.

[0071] The welding points 37 of the second covering portion 33 can be made on fixing ears 39, 41 provided at a lateral edge of the second covering portion 33.

[0072] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Motor vehicle assembly (1) comprising: - a cowl collector (11), positioned in front of a body apron, extending substantially transversely relative to said motor vehicle (1), - a pair of lateral supporting elements (15), each intended to house a shock absorber head of a front axle of said motor vehicle (1), - a pair of wing liners (21), each supporting one of said lateral supporting elements (15) and being arranged laterally relative to said cowl collector (11), - a pair of reinforcing pieces (25) of said lateral supporting elements (15), characterized in that each of said reinforcing pieces (25) is arranged behind each of said lateral supporting elements (15), and is arranged so as to assemble each of said wing linings (21) with said cowl collector (11).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said reinforcing piece (25) comprises: - a first covering portion (27), adapted to at least partially cover said awning collector (11), and - a second covering portion (33), substantially perpendicular to said first covering portion (27), adapted to at least partially cover said wing lining (21).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said first covering portion (27) comprises a transverse face (29), extending in a substantially transverse plane (V, T), and a horizontal face (31), extending in a substantially horizontal plane (L, T).

4. Assembly according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said first covering portion (27) extends substantially over the entire height of said awning collector (11).

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said first covering portion (27) matches the shape of said cowl collector (11) at a lateral end (11a) of said cowl collector (11).

6. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said first covering portion (27) of said reinforcing piece (25) is “L” shaped.

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said second covering portion (33) extends in a substantially vertical plane (L, V).

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises weld points (35, 37) connecting said reinforcing piece (25) to said cowl collector (11) and to said wing lining (21), said weld points (35, 37) being made between said first covering portion (27) and said cowl collector (11), and between said second covering portion (33) and said wing lining (21).

9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said reinforcing piece (25) consists of a sheet metal piece.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an assembly, characterized in that said assembly is according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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