Motor vehicle comprising a body structure including connecting parts at the rear feet

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprising a body structure with a rear roof crossmember (14) and two rear legs, each rear leg extending between the rear roof crossmember (14) and a rear wheel arch (18), and comprising an inner lining (16). The motor vehicle further comprises a connecting piece (20) at each rear leg providing a connection between the rear leg and the rear roof crossmember. Each connecting piece (20) comprises an angled body with an upper arm (22) attached to the rear roof crossmember (14) and a lower arm (24) attached to the rear wheel arch (18) and to the inner lining of the rear leg. The lower arm (24) has two lateral edges, along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece; one lateral edge is free, and the other is attached to the inner lining (16). Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a body structure including connecting pieces at the rear feet

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles. The invention relates more particularly to a motor vehicle with a body structure reinforced in the event of rear side impacts.

[0002] The body structure of a motor vehicle consists of a subframe and a roof structure. At the passenger compartment level, front, middle, and rear pillars form uprights on the vehicle's lateral edges and provide a connection between the subframe and the roof structure. The roof structure supports the roof of the vehicle and includes profiled elements forming lateral roof rails and roof crossmembers.

[0003] The construction of a vehicle body structure must meet numerous performance requirements, particularly with regard to impacts. Tests are performed to verify the strength and deformation of the vehicle body structure under various impact conditions. For example, one test involves applying a 1.5-tonne load to each rear seat belt retractor in a downward, transverse direction. The rear seat belt retractors are connected to the rear legs of the body structure, either directly or via a support bracket. Thus, during this test, the forces are transmitted to the rear legs, which can deform under the load between the rear roof crossmember and a rear wheel arch, or even cause a more general deformation of the roof ring, including the rear legs and the rear roof crossmember.

[0004] In certain vehicles, such as coupes or sports cars, the body structure is lightened in the roof and rear pillars, while the wheel arches are wider compared to a sedan, for example. Weight reduction is achieved by modifying the roof rails and rear pillars. These may consist of one or more substantially flat sheet metal pieces that do not have the mechanical strength properties of conventional profiled elements. The body structure is therefore less rigid and more easily deformed during the crash tests mentioned above. There is thus a need to find a vehicle solution with a body structure that has good rigidity and can be adapted to coupes or sports cars.

[0005] Motor vehicles are known to include body structures with rear foot reinforcements, as for example in document KR101923885. This document describes the body structure of a five-door motor vehicle. The body structure includes rear pillar reinforcements at the rear pillars. These reinforcements are configured to absorb a side impact by folding inward. The rear pillar reinforcement is a profile superimposed on the rear pillar. This solution does not take into account weight reduction at the rear pillar and roof rails and is not suitable for a lightweight vehicle such as a coupe or sports car.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to address at least one of the problems and / or drawbacks mentioned above. In particular, the invention aims to provide a motor vehicle comprising a body structure that is lightweight at the rear pillars and roof rails, and that limits deformation in the event of an impact to the rear pillars and the rear roof crossmember.

[0007] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body structure with a rear roof crossmember and two rear pillars, each rear pillar extending between the rear roof crossmember and a rear wheel arch, and comprising an inner lining. The motor vehicle is notable in that it further comprises a connecting piece at each rear pillar providing a connection between the rear pillar and the rear roof crossmember; each connecting piece comprising an angled body with an upper arm fixed to the rear roof crossmember and a lower arm fixed to the rear wheel arch and to the lower lining of the rear pillar; the lower arm showing two lateral edges, along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece; one with a free lateral edge, and the other fixed to the inner lining of the rear pillar.

[0008] It will be understood that in the prior art, when the rear foot is subjected to a force from inside the vehicle's passenger compartment, for example, a force at the level of the seat belt retractors of the rear passenger seats, for example, the second row, the rear foot, and therefore its inner lining, deforms inwards towards the passenger compartment, substantially at the middle of the rear foot. In the invention, this deformation is avoided or at least limited by the presence of the connecting piece. The forces received by the rear foot are transmitted to the connecting piece at the lateral edge attached to the inner lining of the rear foot. As the other lateral edge of the connecting piece is free, torques are created between the two edges of the lower arm. The connecting piece then reacts in bending at the lateral edge of the lower arm attached to the lining, but also in torsion between the two lateral edges of the lower arm.This reaction allows for a better distribution of stress. The described connecting piece is a simple component that does not significantly add mass to the body structure. Thus, the connecting piece provides satisfactory rigidity to the rear pillar and allows the vehicle's body structure to remain suitable for vehicles of this type. coupe or sport. However, the invention is not limited to vehicles exhibiting a coupe or sport type silhouette.

[0009] In embodiments, the lower arm of the connecting piece has a right-angled section comprising a first face, and a second face which extends vertically in the transverse direction of the vehicle; the first face comprising the free lateral edge of the connecting piece, and the second face comprising the lateral edge of the connecting piece fixed to the inner lining of the rear foot, preferably by means of at least one rebate and / or fixing tab.

[0010] The first panel is designed to deform in torsion, while the second panel forms a spacer between the first panel and the inner lining of the rear foot, and is designed to deform in bending with the inner lining of the rear foot. This configuration is simple to implement and allows for a low-mass connecting piece.

[0011] Advantageously, the first section of the lower arm is fixed to the rear wheel arch. Preferably, the rear wheel arch includes a horizontal support, and the first section of the lower arm is fixed to the horizontal support of the rear wheel arch. Fixing the first section to the rear wheel arch stiffens it and limits its bending deformation. It will be understood that this fixing is made at the lower end of said section. A horizontal support allows for a better distribution of forces across the width of the first section.

[0012] Advantageously, the first section of the lower arm of the connecting piece has a flared shape with a width increasing towards the rear wheel arch. This shape accentuates the offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, between the free edge of the lower arm and its edge fixed to the inner lining of the rear foot, so as to increase the component of the forces that will be transmitted by torsion of the connecting piece.

[0013] In embodiments, the first and / or second section of the lower arm comprises areas of different stiffness. A lower stiffness area is preferably made of a different grade of material compared to the stiffer areas, a different sheet metal thickness compared to the stiffer areas, one or more notches, slots, or a combination thereof.

[0014] Advantageously, the first section of the lower arm of the connecting piece includes an oblong opening, oriented to extend along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece. This facilitates the torsion of the lower arm.

[0015] Advantageously, the second section of the lower arm of the connecting piece includes at least one stiffening relief formed by a groove or rib curved in a concave manner oriented towards the inner lining of the rear foot. The The concave relief helps to stiffen the lower arm and guide flexion in case of deformation following an impact.

[0016] In embodiments, the second panel has an elongated shape and is wider at its ends than at its central part; preferably, the second panel is at least 1.5 times, or at least 2.0 times, wider at its ends than at its central part.

[0017] Advantageously, the first section of the lower arm of the connecting piece has a convex surface oriented towards the inner lining of the rear foot. This configuration increases the resistance of the first section to bending of the inner lining of the rear foot, and ensures that the first section works primarily in torsion during an impact stressing the rear seat belt retractors.

[0018] Advantageously, the connecting piece is a monolithic piece.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a connecting piece intended to be fixed to a body structure of a motor vehicle. The connecting piece is notable in that it comprises an angled body with an upper arm and a lower arm; the connecting piece showing a right-angled section, with a first face comprising a first lateral edge, and a second face forming an angle with the first face comprising a second lateral edge of the connecting piece; the second face comprising fastening means at said lateral edge; preferably, the fastening means comprising at least one fastening tab.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising a step of supplying a body structure with a rear roof crossmember, and two rear feet, each rear foot extending between the rear roof crossmember and a rear wheel arch and comprising at least one inner lining.

[0021] The method is remarkable in that it further comprises an assembly step at each rear foot, of a connecting piece comprising an angled body with an upper arm intended to be fixed to the rear roof crossmember and a lower arm intended to be fixed to the rear wheel arch and to the lower lining of the rear foot; the lower arm showing two lateral edges, along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece; with a free lateral edge, and a lateral edge fixed to the inner lining of the rear foot.

[0022] Other features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of at least one advantageous embodiment presented below by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

[0023] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a front perspective view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention showing a detail of a body structure of said vehicle;

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a rear perspective view of a detail of [Fig.1] showing a connecting piece;

[0025] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] is a top perspective view of an isolated connecting piece of an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a side perspective view of the connecting piece of the [Fig.3].

[0027] In the remainder of this description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the connecting part to which it refers. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of".

[0028] The terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "front" and "rear" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel, unless otherwise indicated.

[0029] A motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body structure 10 with a rear roof crossmember 14, and two rear feet 12. Each rear foot extends between the rear roof crossmember 14 and a rear wheel arch 18, and comprises at least one inner lining 16. The inner lining 16 is a sheet metal piece which constitutes a lining forming the rear foot and which is disposed opposite a body part of the motor vehicle.

[0030] The motor vehicle further includes a connecting piece 20 at each rear foot 16. For simplification, we will describe only one connecting piece 20, the other being able to be simply deduced by symmetry.

[0031] The connecting piece 20 is shown isolated from the vehicle in figures 3 and 4. It comprises an angled body with an upper arm 22 intended to be attached to the rear roof crossmember and a lower arm 24 intended to be attached to the rear wheel arch and the inner lining of the rear foot.

[0032] The upper arm 22 is arranged to transmit the forces received by the rear foot to the rear roof crossmember. The upper arm 22 can be attached to the rear roof crossmember by welding or by bolt and nut systems. The attachment is made, for example, by means of at least one groove and / or mounting bracket. It can also be fixed against the rear roof crossmember by inset mounting, or by means of a fastener on another part of the vehicle's body structure.

[0033] The lower arm 24 extends in line with the upper arm 22, along the rear foot. The lower arm shows two lateral edges, depending on the direction longitudinal of the connecting piece 20, with a free lateral edge, and a lateral edge fixed to the inner lining of the rear foot.

[0034] The two lower arms 22 and upper arms 24 extend in different directions and are connected to each other by one of their ends at the elbow of the bent body of the connecting piece 20.

[0035] The connecting piece 20 can be formed from several metal sheets or be a monolithic piece, i.e., formed in one piece; preferably, the connecting piece is monolithic. The connecting piece is a metal piece, preferably made of high-yield-strength steel, with a thickness of more than 0.7 mm, and preferably less than 1.27 mm.

[0036] The connecting piece 20 shown in [Fig. 3] is a sheet metal piece with an elongated profile. The upper arm 22 and lower arm 24 are connected by an elbow such that the lower arm forms an angle with the upper arm. The upper arm can thus extend in a substantially horizontal direction and overlap the rear roof crossmember.

[0037] The lower arm of the connecting piece may be a flat sheet or have a raised shape. For example, the lower arm 24 may have a right-angled section comprising a first face 26 and a second face 28 in a substantially vertical plane.

[0038] The first panel 26 can extend from the upper face of the upper arm 22 of the connecting piece 20. The second panel 28 can extend from the rear face of the upper arm 22 of the connecting piece 20. In this case, the upper arm 22 preferably also comprises a first and a second panel, for example, a first horizontal panel and a second vertical panel. The upper arm preferably has a shape complementary to the shape of the rear crossmember of the roof.

[0039] The first panel 26 advantageously includes the free lateral edge of the connecting piece 20.

[0040] Depending on the vehicle's transverse direction, the first section 26 of the lower arm 24 of the connecting piece 20 extends in line with the upper arm 22 at the elbow of the connecting piece, up to the rear wheel arch to which it is intended to be attached. Preferably, the rear wheel arch 18 includes a horizontal support 30, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the first section 26 of the lower arm 24 is attached to the horizontal support 30 of the rear wheel arch. The horizontal support 30 may be an added piece at the rear wheel arch, or formed from the material of the latter.

[0041] The first panel 26 may have a constant width, for example the width of the upper arm 22, but preferably the first panel 26 may have a flared shape with increasing width towards the rear wheel arch 18. As shown in [Fig.3], the first panel 26 can have a substantially triangular shape.

[0042] In order to facilitate the torsion of the lower arm 24 of the connecting piece in the event of an impact, the first face 26 may include areas of varying stiffness. For example, an area of ​​lower stiffness may be formed substantially in the center of the first face 26 so as to create an area for guiding the torsion of the lower arm in the event of an impact. This area of ​​lower stiffness may be made of a different grade of material compared to the stiffer areas, a different sheet metal thickness compared to the stiffer areas, one or more notches, slots, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first face 26 of the lower arm includes an opening, for example an oblong opening 32, positioned substantially in the middle of the width of the first face 26 and oriented to extend along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece.

[0043] The first face 26 of the lower arm of the connecting piece may have a flat surface from the outside of the vehicle body structure. Preferably, as shown in [Fig. 4], the first face 26 may have a convex surface oriented towards the inner lining of the rear foot to increase the bending resistance of the inner lining of the rear foot, and to ensure that the first face works primarily in torsion during an impact stressing the rear seat belt retractors.

[0044] The second panel 28 can be positioned at an angle to the inner lining 16 and includes the lateral edge of the connecting piece intended to be attached to the inner lining of the rear foot. The second panel 28 can be configured to be perpendicular to the inner lining.

[0045] The second panel 28 may include the lateral edge of the connecting piece 20 intended to be attached to the inner lining of the rear foot. The attachment between the second panel 28 and the inner lining may be achieved by means of screw-nut systems or by any other suitable means. For example, the attachment is achieved by means of at least one rabbet and / or fixing tab. The rabbet and / or fixing tab is preferably welded to the inner lining of the rear foot, so as to ensure good transmission of forces between the inner lining of the rear foot and the second panel of the lower arm of the connecting piece 20.

[0046] In the example shown in figures 3 and 4, the connecting piece 20 includes fixing grooves 36 for its fixing by welding to the inner lining.

[0047] In the transverse direction of the vehicle, the second face 28 of the lower arm 24 of the connecting piece 20 extends in line with the rear face of the upper arm 22 at the elbow of the connecting piece, up to the wheel arch rear. Preferably, the second panel 28 is not fixed to the rear wheel arch. Depending on the variant, the second panel may be fixed to the rear wheel arch.

[0048] The second panel 28 of the lower arm of the connecting piece being substantially perpendicular to the inner lining 16 of the rear foot, makes it possible to increase the resistance of the connecting piece against the bending of the inner lining 16 caused by forces at the level of the belt retractors of the rear passenger seats, for example of row 2. To modify the bending behavior of the second panel 28, it may include areas of lower or higher rigidity, such as areas formed by a different shade of material, a different sheet thickness, one or more lights, corrugations, notches or ribs, or a combination thereof.

[0049] For example, as shown in [Fig. 4], the second panel 28 may include at least one relief 34 defining a bending guide for the connecting piece. The relief is a groove or rib that may be straight or curved. The relief 34 shown in [Fig. 4] is concavely curved and oriented towards the inner lining of the rear foot.

[0050] The second panel 28 can have a constant width, but the shape of the second panel 28 of the lower arm 24 also allows for modification of the bending resistance of the connecting piece 20. For example, the second panel 28 has an elongated shape and is wider at its ends than in its central part. That is to say, the second panel 28 is wider at the elbow of the connecting piece and the rear wheel arch than at the middle of the rear foot, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Preferably, the width of the second panel 28 is at least 1.5 times greater at the elbow of the connecting piece and the rear wheel arch than at the middle of the rear foot, and more preferably, at least twice as great. Preferably, the width of the second panel 28 is greater at the elbow of the connecting piece 20 than at the rear wheel arch.

[0051] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising a step of supplying a body structure with a rear roof crossmember, and two rear feet, each rear foot extending between the rear roof crossmember and a rear wheel arch and comprising at least one inner lining.

[0052] The method further includes a step of mounting, at each rear foot, a connecting piece comprising an angled body with an upper arm for attachment to the rear roof crossmember and a lower arm for attachment to the rear wheel arch and the rear foot; the lower arm showing two edges lateral, according to the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece; with one free lateral edge, and one lateral edge fixed to the inner lining of the rear foot.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle comprising a body structure (10) with a rear roof crossmember (14), and two rear legs (12), each rear leg (12) extending between the rear roof crossmember (14) and a rear wheel arch (18), and comprising an inner lining (16); the motor vehicle is characterized in that it further comprises a connecting piece (20) at each rear leg (12) providing a connection between the rear leg and the rear roof crossmember; each connecting piece (20) comprising an angled body with an upper arm (22) fixed to the rear roof crossmember (14) and a lower arm (24) fixed to the rear wheel arch (18) and to the inner lining (16) of the rear leg; the lower arm (24) showing two lateral edges, along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece; with one free lateral edge, and one lateral edge fixed to the inner lining (16) of the rear leg.

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arm (24) of the connecting piece (20) has a right-angled section comprising a first face (26), and a second face (28) which extends vertically in the transverse direction of the vehicle; the first face (26) comprising the free lateral edge of the connecting piece, and the second face (28) comprising the lateral edge of the connecting piece fixed to the inner lining (16) of the rear foot, preferably by means of at least one rebate and / or tab (36) for fixing.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the first section (26) of the lower arm is fixed to the rear wheel arch (18); preferably, the rear wheel arch comprises a horizontal support (30), and the first section (26) of the lower arm is fixed to the horizontal support of the rear wheel arch.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first face (26) of the lower arm (24) of the connecting piece has a flared shape with a width increasing towards the rear wheel arch (18).

5. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first section (26) and / or the second section (28) of the lower arm (24) comprises areas of different stiffness; preferably, an area of ​​lower stiffness may be achieved by using a different material compound compared to the more rigid areas, a different sheet metal thickness compared to the more rigid areas, one or more notches, slots, or a combination thereof

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the first face (26) of the lower arm (24) of the connecting piece (20) comprises an oblong opening (32) oriented to extend along the longitudinal direction of the connecting piece.

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the second face (28) of the lower arm (24) of the connecting piece (20) comprises at least one stiffening relief (34) formed by a groove or rib curved in a concave manner oriented towards the inner lining (16) of the rear foot.

8. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second panel (28) has an elongated shape and has a greater width at its ends than at its central part; preferably, the second panel has a width at least 1.5 times greater at its ends than at its central part.

9. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first face (26) of the lower arm (24) of the connecting piece has a convex surface oriented towards the inner lining (16) of the rear foot.

Images