MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC BLOCK WITH TRAJECTORY CONTROL FUNCTION

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising an apron (2) forming a sheet metal separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment arranged at the front in the direction of travel of the vehicle, having on the right side and on the left side similar drillings for fixing a braking system (14) on one side or the other of the vehicle in a volume reserved on each side, and comprising a hydraulic block (16) of a trajectory control function fixed in front of the apron (2) on the side opposite the braking system (14), in the volume which is reserved for the braking system (14) for this opposite side, this vehicle comprising a single support (40) of hydraulic block (16) which adapts to the right side and to the left side of the apron (2), with connections (48) using apron drillings provided for the braking system (14), and which on its side closes all the apron drillings. Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC BLOCK WITH A TRAJECTORY CONTROL FUNCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a hydraulic block with a trajectory control function.

[0002] A known type of motor vehicle, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3021610, comprises a hydraulic block implementing a trajectory control function, or electronic stability program, called “ESP” for “Electronic Stability Program” in English, which acts on the individual pressure of the brakes in order to carry out a trajectory correction in the event of the vehicle skidding.

[0003] This hydraulic block fixed by a support below a front side member, has lateral clamping means allowing it to slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in the event of a front impact on the vehicle transmitted to this block. In this way, it is possible to limit the stresses on the hydraulic block, and avoid expensive repairs in the event of an accident.

[0004] Furthermore, motor vehicles include a braking control system fixed to the front face of a bulkhead separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment, comprising an assistance system which increases the force applied by the brake pedal to a rod passing through the bulkhead, to control a master cylinder acting on the wheel brakes.

[0005] The assisted braking system, or amplifier, called "booster" in English, can use a depression generated by the thermal engine or by a vacuum pump to provide the assistance energy. Electrically assisted braking systems, called "ebooster" in English for electric amplifier, are developed using an electric motor to provide assistance energy, in particular for electric vehicles not having a thermal engine.

[0006] The apron comprises particular fixing shapes arranged in front of the driver opposite the brake pedal, receiving the braking system, having high rigidity to withstand a significant force developed by the driver. These particular shapes may comprise a large diameter bore for centering a cylindrical boss of the braking system, receiving the push rod along its axis, surrounded by small diameter bores receiving screws for fixing this system.

[0007] However, for vehicles that can accommodate right-hand drive, which is necessary for certain countries requiring left-hand drive on the roads, it is then necessary to provide the same specific shapes on the right side of the apron in order to maintain a standard body that can be used for the different markets.

[0008] In some cases, the hydraulic block of the trajectory control function is also installed in front of the apron, on the side of the vehicle opposite that of the braking control system, in order to occupy the space reserved for this system in the case of an inverse arrangement of the steering. It is then necessary to provide two different supports adapted to receive the hydraulic block on the right side or the left side of the vehicle, depending on the location of the steering, and in addition a part forming a cover in order to close the holes in the apron provided for the fixing of the braking system on the side which is not used.

[0009] The two variants of supports provided for both steering sides as well as the cover used for all vehicles, require the management and manufacturing of several part references. In addition, the cover must be systematically mounted on the vehicle in addition to the support, which leads to greater assembly complexity in a difficult-to-access location.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, it proposes a motor vehicle comprising an apron forming a sheet separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment arranged at the front in the direction of travel of the vehicle, having on the right side and on the left side similar holes allowing a braking system to be fixed on one side or the other of the vehicle in a volume reserved on each side, and comprising a hydraulic block of a trajectory control function fixed in front of the apron on the side opposite the braking system, in the volume which is reserved for the braking system for this opposite side, this vehicle being remarkable in that it comprises a single hydraulic block support which adapts to the right side and to the left side of the apron, with connections using apron holes provided for the braking system, and which on its side closes all the apron holes.

[0012] An advantage of this vehicle is that with the same single support forming a part that can be produced in large series, the hydraulic block is fixed on the right or left in the vehicle, and in the same operation the holes in the apron provided for the fixing of the braking control system on the side that does not receive it are closed.

[0013] The vehicle according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, the support connections comprise studs fitted into apron holes.

[0015] In this case, advantageously the connecting studs are fitted into apron holes used for fixing the braking system.

[0016] Furthermore, in particular the support may comprise two connecting studs fitted into two apron holes framing a large apron hole provided to center a circular boss of the braking system.

[0017] Advantageously, the support comprises additional fixings which are fixed to a cross member of the vehicle body.

[0018] Advantageously, the support comprises a substantially horizontal flat part receiving the hydraulic block.

[0019] Advantageously, the support is formed with a folded sheet metal.

[0020] In this case, the support may comprise folds forming, from the horizontal flat part, an upper flat face closing all the apron holes on its side.

[0021] In addition, the support may comprise folds forming, from the horizontal flat part, a lower part comprising an additional fixing of this support.

[0022] In this case, the additional fixing can be fixed to a crosspiece arranged at the bottom of the apron.

[0023] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] shows an engine compartment of a vehicle according to the prior art having left-hand drive;

[0025] [Fig.2] shows this same engine compartment with a right-hand drive;

[0026] [Fig.3] is a detail view of the brake control system;

[0027] [Fig.4] is a detail view showing the fixing holes of the apron seen from the front, receiving the braking control system;

[0028] [Fig.5] is a front view of the hydraulic block support of a trajectory control function, for a vehicle according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.6] is a rear view of this hydraulic block support; and

[0030] [Fig.7] is a front view of the engine compartment showing the layouts for left-hand and right-hand drive.

[0031] Throughout the document the expressions upper, lower, above or below, right side and left side relate to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground, and looking towards the forward direction of this vehicle indicated by the arrow AV.

[0032] [Fig.l] shows, for a left-hand drive vehicle, an apron 2 forming a substantially vertical sheet separating the passenger compartment from an engine compartment arranged at the front of the vehicle, receiving in this compartment in the lower part a crossmember 4, and at the level of this crossmember a left side member 6 and a right side member 8.

[0033] Each side member receives towards the outside of the vehicle a front wheel arch 10, which is surmounted by a horizontal plate 12 forming the upper support of the front wheel suspension spring.

[0034] A braking system with assistance 14 is fixed on the front face of the apron 2, facing the driver, at the level of the brake pedal. A hydraulic block of a trajectory control function 16 is fixed in front of the apron 2, in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the braking system 14.

[0035] [Fig. 2] shows, for a right-hand drive vehicle, an inversion of the braking system 14 which is on the right, and of the hydraulic block 16 which is on the left. The braking system 14 is reversed with respect to [Fig. 1], the same face remaining turned towards the inside of the vehicle in both cases, its upper face becoming a lower face. The hydraulic block 16 is simply translated from the right side to the left side of the vehicle, without turning over.

[0036] For both driving positions, the hydraulic block 16 fixed on one side has an external volume which is integrated into that reserved for receiving the braking system 14 on this same side. In this way, when designing the vehicle, a volume is reserved on both sides which can receive the braking system 14, and the hydraulic block 16 having smaller dimensions is integrated into the side which is not used by this system, which makes it possible to use this space which remains available.

[0037] [Fig. 3] shows a braking system with assistance 14 comprising a housing 30 having a circular flat face 32 facing the rear of the vehicle, comprising in its center a cylindrical boss 34 having an axial braking control rod 36 facing the rear, receiving the thrust from a brake pedal.

[0038] Four studs 38 equally distributed on the rear circular face 32, around the cylindrical boss 34, are provided for fixing to the apron of the vehicle 2.

[0039] [Fig.4] shows the fixing holes of the apron 2 receiving the braking system 14, comprising on a flat face 22 surrounded by ribs 28 providing stiffening, a central hole of large diameter 24 receiving in an adjusted manner the cylindrical boss 34 to ensure its centering, and four small holes 26 equally distributed around, each receiving a stud 38 of the braking system 14.

[0040] A nut coming from inside the passenger compartment is tightened on each stud 38 to ensure the locking of the braking system 14 on the bulkhead 2, with significant resistance to oppose the pressure coming from the brake pedal which pushes this system forward.

[0041] Figures 5 and 6 show the support 40 of the hydraulic block of the trajectory control function, formed with a folded sheet comprising a horizontal flat face 42 equipped with holes 44 for fixing this block.

[0042] The horizontal face 42 extends towards the rear after folding by a large upper vertical face 46 which is substantially square, comprising two upper fixing studs 48 facing towards the rear, arranged along a diagonal of this square. The horizontal face 42 extends towards the front after three folds by a lower vertical face 50 comprising an additional lower fixing stud 52 facing towards the rear, which is offset towards the front relative to the upper stud 48.

[0043] [Fig.7] shows for example the superposition on each side of the vehicle of a silhouette of the braking system 14, and of the hydraulic block 16 having a smaller outline.

[0044] The support 40 presented on both sides of the vehicle, has its large upper vertical face 46 coming to bear on the flat face 22 of the apron 2 by blocking the large central bore 24 and the small bores 26, the two upper studs 48 fitting into two small bores arranged along the diagonal. The additional lower stud 52 fits into a bore of the crossmember 4 arranged a little in front of the apron 2.

[0045] After having positioned a support 40 in a simple and rapid manner on one side or the other of the vehicle, and having engaged the three studs 48, 52 in their holes, a nut is adjusted and tightened from the rear on each stud, which at the same time ensures rigid maintenance of the support in all directions, and a blocking of all the holes 24, 26 on this side.

[0046] In addition, a flat sealing gasket can be arranged between the upper vertical face 46 of the support 40 and the flat face 22 of the apron 2, to ensure sealing around the large bore 24 in order to prevent transmission of gas or noise.

[0047] This provides a simple and rapid assembly of the hydraulic block 16 in a difficult-to-access location of the vehicle with a single support 40 allowing a single part reference to be managed and manufactured, without risk of error, without having to also fix a device for closing the large hole 24.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising an apron (2) forming a sheet metal separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment arranged at the front in the direction of travel of the vehicle, having on the right side and on the left side similar holes (24, 26) allowing a braking system (14) to be fixed on one side or the other of the vehicle in a volume reserved on each side, and comprising a hydraulic block (16) of a trajectory control function fixed in front of the apron (2) on the side opposite the braking system (14), in the volume which is reserved for the braking system (14) for this opposite side, characterized in that it comprises a single support (40) of hydraulic block (16) which adapts to the right side and to the left side of the apron (2), with connections (48) using apron holes (26) provided for the braking system (14), and which on its side closes all the apron holes (24, 26),the connections (48) of the support (40) comprising two studs fitted into two apron holes (26) used for fixing the braking system (14) and framing a large apron hole (24) provided for centering a circular boss of the braking system (34).,

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (40) comprises additional fixings (52) fixed to a cross member of the vehicle body (4).

3. Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (40) comprises a substantially horizontal flat part (42) receiving the hydraulic block (16).

4. Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (40) is formed with a folded sheet metal.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the support (40) comprises folds forming from the horizontal flat part (42), an upper flat face (46) closing all the apron holes (24, 26) on its side.

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (40) comprises folds forming from the horizontal flat part (42), a lower part (50) comprising an additional fixing (52) of this support (40).

7. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the additional attachment (52) is fixed to a cross member (4) arranged at the bottom of the apron (2).

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