DOWNWARD EXTENSION FRONT BEAM, FOR A LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

A front beam (PV) is installed transversely in the front section of a land vehicle and comprises a central section (PC) to which is fixedly attached, near a lower front edge (BI) partially defining a lower wall (PI), a reinforcing piece (PR) having a first part (P1) extending downwards beyond the lower front edge (BI), installed transversely in the front section and extended by two first wings (A1), right and left, folded rearward under the lower wall (PI) so as to be oriented respectively towards the right and left sides of the vehicle to at least partially prevent deflection of the first part (P1) in the event of an impact sustained by the vehicle just below the lower wall (PI). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: DOWNWARD EXTENDING FRONT BEAM FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles, and more precisely to front beams which are intended to equip front parts of land vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a front part comprising a front beam installed transversely and to which a front bumper or a front shield is generally fixedly secured. This front beam is designed so as to absorb (or absorb) in a regulatory manner at least partially longitudinal impacts suffered by the front of its (land) vehicle. According to the safety regulations in force, this absorption must be done at a height relative to the ground which is contained within a predefined range of heights.

[0003] When the vehicle has a chassis raised above the average, which is often the case, for example, with an off-road vehicle or a hatchback (or SUV ("Sport Utility Vehicle")), the transverse beam may be located at a height which is higher than the upper limit of the aforementioned predefined height range. In this case, the transverse beam does not fully comply with the safety regulations in force.

[0004] The invention therefore aims in particular to remedy the aforementioned drawback. Presentation of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a front beam intended to be installed transversely in a front part of a land vehicle.

[0006] This front beam is characterized by the fact that it comprises a central part to which is fixedly secured, near a front lower edge partially delimiting a lower wall, a reinforcing piece comprising a first part extending downwards beyond the front lower edge, intended to be installed transversely in the front part of the vehicle and extended by two first right and left wings folded backwards under this lower wall in order to be oriented respectively towards the right and left sides of the vehicle to prevent at least partially a bending of the first part in the event of an impact suffered by the vehicle just below this lower wall.

[0007] Thanks to this downward extension of the front beam, provided by the reinforcement piece, combined with the presence of the first wings under the lower wall, the beam before can now comply with the safety regulations in force, and in particular those relating to impacts suffered within a predefined height range.

[0008] The front beam according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0009] - the first right and left wings can be perpendicular to the first part of the reinforcement piece in order to be installed each in a vertical and longitudinal plane of the vehicle;

[0010] - the first part of the reinforcement piece may be intended to be installed in a vertical and transverse plane of the vehicle;

[0011] - the reinforcement piece may comprise a second part fixedly secured to a front wall of the front beam which is extended rearwardly by the bottom wall at the front lower edge. In this case, the first part may extend the second part downwardly from the front lower edge;

[0012] - in the presence of the last option, the second part (of the reinforcement piece) can include from the lower front edge two second right and left wings folded backwards under the lower wall and extending the first wings respectively to the right and left;

[0013] - alternatively, the first part of the reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to the lower wall;

[0014] - the first right and left wings can be fixedly secured to the wall inferior;

[0015] - the reinforcement piece can be fixedly secured to the central part by welding or screwing.

[0016] The invention also provides a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a front part comprising a front beam of the type presented above.

[0017] For example, this vehicle may include a front bumper fixedly attached to its front beam. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, an exemplary embodiment of a front beam according to the invention, before equipping a front part of a vehicle,

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the part reinforcement of the front beam of [Fig.l],

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane and longitudinal, the front beam of [Fig.l], and

[0022] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a central part of a front beam according to the invention, comprising an alternative embodiment of a reinforcement piece. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] The invention aims in particular to propose a front beam PV intended to be installed in a front part of a land vehicle and making it possible to comply with current safety rules, and in particular those relating to impacts suffered within a predefined height range.

[0024] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the front beam PV is intended to be part of a motor vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It in fact relates to any land vehicle comprising a front part comprising a front beam intended to absorb (or absorb) at least partially longitudinal impacts suffered by the front.

[0025] In Figures 1 to 4, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is parallel to the lateral sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0026] Figures 1 and 3 schematically illustrate an example of an embodiment of a front beam PV according to the invention, before it is fitted to a front part of a land vehicle by being installed transversely (i.e. mainly in the transverse direction Y). For example, a front bumper (or a front shield) can be fixedly secured to this front beam PV, in particular to mask it.

[0027] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the front beam PV comprises a central part PC to which a reinforcement piece PR is fixedly secured near a front lower edge BI which partially delimits a lower wall PI (of the front beam PV).

[0028] In what follows and what precedes, a wall is said to be “upper” when it is located at the topmost point of an element, and a wall is said to be “lower” when it is located at the bottommost point and therefore opposite the upper wall of this same element. Furthermore, in what follows and what precedes, the notions of “front” and “rear” are understood in relation to the front end of the vehicle.

[0029] The reinforcement piece PR comprises at least a first portion PI which extends downwards beyond the front lower edge BI of the front beam PV. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, this first portion PI of the reinforcement piece PR is intended to be installed transversely (i.e. mainly along the transverse direction Y) in the front part of the vehicle. In addition, this first portion PI is extended by two first right and left wings A1 which are folded backwards under the lower wall PI of the front beam PV in order to be oriented respectively towards right and left (longitudinal) sides of the vehicle. This makes it possible to at least partially prevent the first portion PI from bending in the event of an impact suffered by the vehicle just below the lower wall PI of the front beam PV.

[0030] The downward extension of the front beam PV, provided by the reinforcement piece PR, combined with the presence of the first wings Al allows the front beam PV to comply with the safety regulations in force, and in particular those relating to impacts sustained within a predefined height range. Indeed, the height over which the first part PI extends in the vertical direction Z can be chosen according to the height at which the front beam PV is located, and the placement of the first wings Al under the lower wall PI of the front beam PV makes it possible to limit, or even prevent, the bending of the first part PI, whether the impact suffered by the latter (PI) is purely frontal (and therefore axial (along X)) or partially longitudinal (and therefore with a transverse component (along Y)).

[0031] For example, the extension of the first part PI along the longitudinal direction Y can be between 30 cm and 50 cm.

[0032] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 4, the first right and left wings Al may be perpendicular to the first part PI in order to each be installed in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle. This “90°” arrangement makes it possible to optimize the absorption of forces. But other relative orientations greater than 90° may be envisaged. For example, the relative orientation of each first wing Al with respect to the first part PI may be between 90° and 120°.

[0033] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 4, the first part PI may be intended to be installed in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle.

[0034] At least two embodiments of the PR reinforcement part can be envisaged.

[0035] In a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the reinforcement part PR comprises a second part P2 in addition to its first part PL. This second part P2 is fixedly secured to the front wall PAV of the front beam PV, which is extended towards the rear by the lower wall PI at the edge lower front edge BI, and the first part PI extends the second part P2 downwards from the lower front edge BI.

[0036] The fixed connection of the second part P2 to the front wall PAV of the front beam PV can, for example, be done by welding. But it could also be done by screwing, for example.

[0037] It will be noted that in the first embodiment the second part P2 may, as illustrated non-limitingly in FIGS. 1 to 3, comprise, from the front lower edge BI, two second right and left wings A2 which are folded backwards under the lower wall PI and which extend the first wings Al respectively towards the right and the left. This makes it possible to further reinforce the capacity of the reinforcement piece PR to absorb forces, in particular when they comprise a transverse component, and therefore makes it possible to further reduce the probability of bending of the first part PI.

[0038] For example, the second wings A2 may be fixedly secured by welding (by means of transverse weld bead(s)) to the lower wall PI of the front beam PV. It will be noted that in the presence or absence of second wings A2, the upper ends of the first wings Al located against the lower wall PI may possibly be fixedly secured by welding (by means of longitudinal weld bead(s)) to this lower wall PI.

[0039] Such a first embodiment of the PR reinforcement part can be obtained by molding a very strong plastic or synthetic material, or by casting a metallic material and / or forging and / or stamping.

[0040] In a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4] the reinforcement piece PR does not comprise a second part P2, but only a first part PI which is fixedly secured to the lower wall PI, just after (or under) the lower front edge BI.

[0041] In order to facilitate the fixed attachment of the first part PI to the lower wall PI, the upper part of the first part PI may, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], be extended by a third wing A3 folded backwards under the lower wall PI. In this case, it is this third wing A3 which is fixedly attached to the lower wall PI.

[0042] For example, the third wing A3 can be fixedly secured by welding (by means of transverse weld bead(s)) to the lower wall PI of the front beam PV. But this securing could also be done by screwing.

[0043] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], that in the second embodiment the upper part of each of the first right and left wings A1 may comprise an end part PT which is folded towards the right or the left under the lower wall P1 of the front beam PV. In the example illustrated, the terminal part PT of the upper part of the first wing Al right is folded to the right, and the terminal part PT of the upper part of the first wing Al left is folded to the left. But reversed folds (right / left) are possible.

[0044] For example, the end parts PT can be fixedly secured by welding (by means of longitudinal weld bead(s)) to the lower wall PI of the front beam PV.

[0045] Such a second embodiment of the PR reinforcement part can be obtained by molding a very strong plastic or synthetic material, or by casting a metallic material and / or forging and / or stamping and / or cutting.

Claims

Claims

1. Front beam (PV) suitable for being installed transversely in a front part of a land vehicle, comprising a central part (PC) to which is fixedly secured, near a front lower edge (BI) partially delimiting a lower wall (PI), a reinforcing piece (PR) comprising a first part (PI) extending downwards beyond said front lower edge (BI), intended to be installed transversely in said front part and extended by two first wings (Al) right and left folded backwards under said lower wall (PI) in order to be oriented respectively towards right and left sides of said vehicle to prevent at least partially a bending of said first part (PI) in the event of an impact suffered by said vehicle just below said lower wall (PI),said reinforcing piece (PR) comprising a second part (P2) fixedly secured to a front wall (PAV) of said front beam (PV) which is extended rearwardly by said lower wall (PI) at said front lower edge (BI), and said first part (PI) extending said second part (P2) downwardly from said front lower edge (BI), characterized in that said second part (P2) comprises from said front lower edge (BI) two second wings (A2) right and left folded rearwardly under said lower wall (PI) and extending said first wings (Al) respectively to the right and left.,

2. Front beam according to claim 1, characterized in that said first right and left wings (Al) are perpendicular to said first part (PI) in order to be each installed in a vertical and longitudinal plane of said vehicle.

3. Front beam according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first part (PI) is intended to be installed in a vertical and transverse plane of said vehicle.

4. Front beam according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said first right and left wings (Al) are fixedly secured to said lower wall (PI).

5. Front beam according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said reinforcing piece (PR) is fixedly secured to said central part (PC) by welding or screwing.

6. Land vehicle comprising a front part, characterized in that said front part comprises a front beam (PV) according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a front bumper fixedly secured to said front beam (PV).

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