Vehicle floor equipped with a displacement-prevention device for the seat cross-members

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor of the front unit of an electrically powered vehicle comprising, on a first face, a tunnel (9) oriented along a longitudinal axis of the front unit, at least two one-piece cross-members (7, 8) which are parallel to one another and placed perpendicular to the tunnel (9), and comprising, on a second face opposite the first face, at least one battery supplying the electric motor of the vehicle. At least two parallel connecting members (11), distributed on either side of the tunnel (9) and configured as stamped plates each provided with at least two attachment tabs (12, 13) on the cross-members (7, 8) connecting said cross-members together. Each connecting member (11) is provided with at least one through-opening (15) for the passage of a screw or a bolt for attaching an attachment interface secured to the battery to the connecting member (11). The invention also relates to a vehicle which is equipped with such a floor.

Description

Description Title of the invention: VEHICLE FLOOR EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-ROLL-OVER DEVICE FOR THE SEAT CROSSBODY

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2308520 filed on August 7, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to a vehicle floor equipped with a device to prevent the seat cross members from tipping over.

[0002] Here the term vehicle refers to a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a piece of public works or agricultural machinery, regardless of the type of engine.

[0003] The chassis of the front unit of a vehicle, that is, the part housing at least the driver and passengers, includes a floor. This floor is most often made of two sections connected in the middle by a hollow section called a tunnel, oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the front unit. Cross members, called seat cross members, are positioned perpendicular to the tunnel, on either side of it, and attached to the sides of the frame forming the front unit. There are at least two, and frequently four, seat cross members: two distributed at the front right and rear right, and two distributed at the front left and rear left of the vehicle's front unit. The seat cross members allow for the attachment of rails supporting the front and / or rear seats to the vehicle floor.In the event of a side impact, the crossmembers contribute to maintaining the floor's shape and absorbing the shock, as they are welded to the tunnel and the side members defining the front frame. In some vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, and especially those with a purely electric motor, the battery(ies) occupy a larger space under the vehicle floor, especially if the vehicle is powered solely by electricity. Because of the battery(ies)' placement under the vehicle floor, the central tunnel is perforated to allow the free passage of one-piece crossmembers. US-B-10 933 916 describes such a solution with two one-piece crossmembers positioned perpendicular to the tunnel. In other words, In this configuration, instead of four crossmembers distributed to the right and left of the tunnel, there are two parallel crossmembers connecting the right and left sides of the front unit frame by passing perpendicularly through the tunnel. The connection between each single-piece crossmember and the tunnel is a sliding type. There is no individual crossmember attachment to the tunnel, only the ends of each crossmember are fixed to the right and left sides of the front unit, specifically to the side rails defining the sides of the front unit frame. With this configuration and the length of the crossmembers, during a side impact, the crossmembers are subjected to stress, resulting in relative movement of the front crossmember with respect to the rear crossmember, which affects the parallelism between the crossmembers.This results in reduced stability of the occupants' seats, compromising the position of the safety cushions or airbags during deployment, and generally reducing occupant safety. A structure preventing tunnel deformation during a side impact is known from CN-A-113 548 116. The structure comprises two reinforcement elements placed within the tunnel, strengthening it. Each reinforcement element is connected to one of the frames located on the right and left sides of the tunnel. These frames are formed by parallel cross members connected by struts. The electric battery can be mounted on some of these struts. This solution increases the vehicle's weight due to the number of additional parts and precludes the use of single-piece cross members passing through the tunnel.

[0004] The invention proposes another solution to improve the protection of vehicle occupants by eliminating the relative movements of the cross members in the case of the use of two monobloc cross members while also contributing to the fixing of the battery under the floor.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a floor for the front unit of an electrically powered vehicle comprising, on a first face, a tunnel oriented along a longitudinal axis of the front unit, at least two parallel monobloc cross members placed perpendicular to the tunnel, said cross members passing freely through the tunnel and being fixed at their ends to longitudinal members constituting the sides of the floor, and comprising, on a second face opposite the first face, at least one battery powering the electric motor of the vehicle, characterized in that at least two parallel connecting elements, distributed on either side of the tunnel and configured as stamped plates, each provided with at least two fixing tabs on the crossbeams, connect the latter together, and in that each connecting element is provided with at least one opening for the passage of a screw or a bolt for fixing said connecting element to a fixing interface integral with the battery.

[0006] Thanks to the invention, a connection is created between the front and rear crossmembers that stiffen the floor, eliminating, or at least limiting, the relative movement of the crossmembers and thus preventing them from tipping over. This also provides an additional means of securing the battery to the floor, without significantly affecting the floor's nominal dimensions or weight. The resulting assembly reduces stress on the crossmembers in the event of a side impact, thereby ensuring seat stability and optimal deployment of the airbags. The connecting elements thus reinforce the support of the battery(ies) in a collision and limit their relative movement to the floor, all while minimizing the number of parts required.

[0007] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a floor may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0008] The fixing lugs of each connecting element are separated by a concave cutout, each lug defining at least one welding point of the fixing element on a part of a cross member and the concave cutout defining at least one welding point of a cross member on the floor.

[0009] The distance between the median axes of the two parallel connecting members is between 80% and 120% of the distance between the median axis of each connecting member and the inner face of the right or left longitudinal member constituting an edge of the frame of the front unit and closest to the connecting member in question.

[0010] The width of each connecting element is between 50% and 80% of the width of at least one rear and front crossmember.

[0011] The front and rear cross members are the same width.

[0012] The crossbeams are of different widths.

[0013] The connecting parts are identical.

[0014] The connecting elements are of different shapes and / or sizes.

[0015] The connecting elements are located halfway between the tunnel and one of the longitudinal members forming the sides of the floor.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a floor fitted with at least two connecting elements conforming to at least one of the preceding characteristics.

[0017] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig.1] is a simplified and schematic view illustrating a side impact on a vehicle,

[0019] [Fig.2] is a partial view, from below the floor of a vehicle equipped with a battery, the front unit conforming to an embodiment of the invention,

[0020] [Fig.3] is a simple diagram, on a different scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a state-of-the-art vehicle,

[0021] [Fig. 4] is a view similar to Figure 3, with the front unit shown during a side impact.

[0022] [Fig. 5] is a view similar to Figure 3, at the same scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a vehicle equipped with a floor according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0023] [Fig. 6] is a view similar to Figure 4, at the same scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a vehicle equipped with a floor conforming to an embodiment of the invention during a side impact,

[0024] [Fig.7] is a simplified, smaller-scale view from the top face of a portion of a front floor according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [Fig. 8] is a partial, larger-scale view of the connection area between the sleepers and a connecting member, with the tunnel being partially illustrated in the upper part of Figure 8 and

[0026] [Fig.9] is a section along the IX-IX section plane at a larger scale and partial view of the battery fixing area under the floor at the level of a connecting element.

[0027] Hereafter, the terms car and vehicle will be used interchangeably to refer to a vehicle 1 as defined in the preamble. Figure 1 illustrates a car 1 when it undergoes a side impact as indicated by arrow F, provided the car 1 is equipped with a state-of-the-art floor. This type of impact is performed during mandatory and standardized crash tests prior to any type approval and marketing of a vehicle. Here, arrow F simulates a so-called pole side impact carried out by a ram at 32 km / h on the stationary vehicle 1, the impact being oriented at an angle of 75° with respect to the longitudinal median axis A1 of the vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 1, the impact primarily affects the front unit, more specifically the seating area of ​​the vehicle 1's passengers, including the driver, and the lower part of the vehicle 1.

[0028] The underside of the front unit, i.e., the side facing the road, houses a battery 2 in the case of an electric vehicle 1, and more specifically, a purely electric vehicle 1. As illustrated in Figure 2, for clarity, the battery 2 is shown as a single unit, although it is generally composed of several cells. Figure 2 is a view of the chassis or floor 3 from below, with the front of the vehicle 1 on the left and the rear on the right. The battery 2 is secured to the floor 3 by the side members 4 defining the right and left sides of the front unit of the vehicle, as well as by intermediate side members 5 positioned transversely to the side members 4, and by supports 6 located opposite the side members 5, typically at the front of the vehicle.It is understood that in order to maintain optimal ground clearance the size of the battery must be controlled and optimized so that its attachment to the floor at the level of the longitudinal members 4 and the longitudinal members 5 and the supports 6, therefore de facto at the level of the constituent elements of the floor frame 3 of the front unit, does not affect the size. nominal of this. The attachment of battery 2 to floor 3 is advantageously made in a removable manner, in particular by screwing, in order to be able to intervene if necessary on the battery or at least on a constituent cell of the latter.

[0029] On the opposite face of the floor 3 are at least two parallel metal cross members, referred to as the front cross members 7 and rear cross members 8, in reference to the usual direction F1 of movement of the vehicle 1. These cross members 7 and 8 reinforce the floor 3 and provide supports for the rails (not shown) that hold the seats and / or benches. The retaining rails are fixed to the front cross members 7 and rear cross members 8 by means of components known per se.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, when battery 2 is mounted under floor 3, the front crossmember 7 and the rear crossmember 8 are single pieces, connecting the side members 4 located to the right and left of the front unit. The ends of crossmembers 7 and 8 are, as is known, advantageously welded to the two side members 4 forming the sides of floor 3. In the central section, generally in a roughly mid-position of floor 3, the front crossmember 7 and rear crossmember 8 pass freely through a protective tunnel 9. The tunnel 9 extends longitudinally along floor 3, therefore parallel to the direction of travel F1 of vehicle 1.In a prior art vehicle 1, as shown in Figure 3, the tunnel 9 divides the floor 3 of the vehicle 1 into roughly two equal parts and, in addition to providing longitudinal rigidity to the floor 3, protects various components, for example, technical elements related to the electric drive system such as electrical cables, cooling ducts, and the like. The assembly thus forms a generally rectangular floor 3, reinforced in the seating area by the front crossmembers 7 and rear crossmembers 8, and longitudinally by the tunnel 9.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates the behavior of the side members and cross members during a side impact, as indicated by arrow F, in the case of a prior art vehicle 1. The side member 4 receiving the impact, here the one on the right in Figure 4, deforms under the impact. This deformation causes a relative displacement of the cross members 7 and 8 with respect to each other. In other words, they are no longer parallel but arranged in a V-shape, with the widest part corresponding to the impact zone. Lateral torsional buckling of the cross members 7 and 8 is observed during the side impact. Insofar as these crossmembers 7 and 8 support the passenger and / or driver's seats, this also affects the position of the seats and therefore passenger safety. This movement of the crossmembers 7 and 8 is often accompanied by a misalignment of the optimal positioning of the safety cushions or airbags relative to the occupants of vehicle 1. These safety cushions may, during a collision, deploy in a location other than their intended position. Consequently, the overall protection of the vehicle 1 occupants is reduced. This reduction is primarily due to the movement of each of the crossmembers and is also accompanied by a decrease in the stability of the battery 2, which is consequently also subjected to the lateral impact.

[0032] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the floor 3 of the front unit when the crossbeams 7, 8 are equipped with at least two connecting members 10, 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. These connecting members 10, 11 advantageously define an anti-rolling device for the crossbeams 7, 8, that is to say, a device that at least limits, and preferably cancels, the relative movements of the crossbeams 7, 8 with respect to each other. The connecting members 10, 11 respectively connect the front crossbeam 7 and the rear crossbeam 8 and keep them parallel to each other. These connecting members are configured here as stamped metal plates fixed at their ends to the front crossbeam 7 and the rear crossbeam 8. The plates 10, 11 are identical here. Alternatively, they may have different shapes and / or dimensions. The two plates 10, 11 are kept parallel to each other and distributed on either side of tunnel 9.As shown in Figure 6, during the side impact along arrow F, the side member 4 undergoes the impact and deforms, but no movement, or at least no significant movement, of one crossmember relative to the other is observed. Crossmembers 7 and 8 are held parallel and in position by connecting elements 10 and 11. Consequently, the attachment of the seat rails to crossmembers 7 and 8 and the deployment of the airbags are maintained at an optimal level, thus ensuring occupant protection.

[0033] With reference to figures 7 and 8, the distance D between the median axes A10, A11 of the connecting members 10, 11 is generally between 80% and 120% of the distance D1, D2 separating the median axis A10, A11 of each member The connecting members 10, 11 are located on the inner face of the nearest longeron 4. D1 is equal to D2, according to a preferred configuration. Alternatively, the position of the connecting members 10, 11 relative to the longerons 4 is not the same for both connecting members 10, 11, so D1 is not identical to D2.

[0034] The length L of the connecting members 10, 11 is between approximately 50% and 80% of the width L7, L8 of a cross member 7, 8, the latter being, according to an advantageous embodiment, of the same width L7, L8. Alternatively, the cross members 7, 8 do not have the same width. Here, the connecting members 10, 11 are located near the tunnel 9. Alternatively, their positions are different from those illustrated; for example, the plates 10, 11 are located away from the tunnel 9 and midway between the tunnel 9 and a stringer 4. In another embodiment, the distance between the cross members 7, 8 is greater than that illustrated in the various figures.

[0035] As is particularly visible in Figure 8, the stamped plates 10, 11 each have, on each of their edges connected to the crossbeams 7, 8, at least two tabs 12, 13. Here, the tabs 12, 13 are all identical. Alternatively, they are not identical on both edges and / or on the same edge. At least one concave cutout 14 is provided between the parallel tabs 12, 13 arranged on the same edge. The tabs 12, 13 each define at least one welding point for the connecting member 10 or 11 on a crossbeam 7 or 8. Similarly, each concave cutout 14 allows for at least one welding point between a crossbeam 7, 8 and the floor 3. Thus, it is possible to perform welds between the crossbeams 7, 8, the floor 3, and the plates 10, 11 across a maximum of three material thicknesses, resulting in optimal weld strength.

[0036] As is particularly visible in Figure 8, each plate 10, 11 is provided with at least one centrally located hole 15. This hole 15 allows the passage of a screw or bolt for securing the battery 2 to the plate 10 or 11. Thus each of the plates 10, 11 constitutes not only a connecting element ensuring optimal rigidity of the crossbeams 7, 8 by preventing the crossbeams 7, 8 from tipping but also forms an additional support for fixing the battery 2 to the floor 3. In this way, the fixing to the floor 3 and the rigidity of the battery 2 in case of impact are reinforced.

[0037] With reference to figure 9, it is noted that the shape of the plate 10 or 11 is adapted to that of the floor 3 and allows, through the opening 15, to fix in a removable manner a piece called interface 16 which is integral with the battery 2. The piece 16 ensures the fixing of the battery by keeping it isolated from the floor 3 without direct contact with it, therefore with an air circulation between the battery 2 and the floor 3 in order to evacuate the heat produced and forming a damping element.

[0038] Thanks to the invention, a solution is obtained in a simple and rapid manner, without a significant increase in weight, and by limiting the number of parts and preserving the nominal dimensions of the floor 3, allowing both the formation of an anti-tipping device for the crossbeams 7, 8 of the seat and, on the other hand, an additional support for the battery 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Floor (3) of the front unit of an electrically powered vehicle (1) comprising on a first face a tunnel (9) oriented along a longitudinal axis (A1) of the front unit, at least two monobloc crosspieces (7, 8) parallel to each other and placed perpendicular to the tunnel (9), said crosspieces (7, 8) passing freely through the tunnel (9) and being fixed by their ends to side members (4) constituting the sides of the floor (3) and comprising on a second face opposite the first face at least one battery (2) powering the electric motor of the vehicle (1), characterized in that at least two parallel connecting members (10, 11), distributed on either side of the tunnel (9) and configured as stamped plates each provided with at least two fixing lugs (12, 13) on the crosspieces (7, 8) connect the latter together and in that each member connecting(10,11) is provided with at least one passage orifice (15) for a screw or bolt for fixing to said connecting member (10, 11) an interface (16) for fixing integrally with the battery (2).,

2. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing lugs (12, 13) of each connecting member (10, 11) are separated by a concave cutout (14), each lug (12, 13) defining at least one welding point of the fixing member (10, 11) on a part of a crosspiece (7, 8) and the concave cutout (14) defining at least one welding point of a crosspiece (7, 8) on the floor (3).

3. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (D) between the median axes (A10, A11) of the two parallel connecting members (10, 11) is between 80% and 120% of the distance (D1, D2) between the median axis (A10, A11) of each connecting member (10, 11) and the inner face of the right or left side member (4) constituting the edges of the frame of the front unit and closest to the connecting member (10, 11) in question.

4. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the width (L) of each connecting member (10, 11) is between 50% and 80% of the width (L7, L8) of at least one front or rear cross member (7, 8).

5. Floor according to claim 4, characterized in that the crosspieces (7, 8) are of the same width (L7, L8).

6. Floor according to claim 4, characterized in that the crosspieces (7, 8) are of different widths (L7, L8).

7. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are identical.

8. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are of different shapes and / or dimensions.

9. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are located halfway between the tunnel (9) and one of the side members (4) constituting the sides of the floor (3).

10. The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) provided with a floor equipped with at least two connecting members according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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