PROPELLED DEFORMITY ZONE MOUNT

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly comprising: - at least one stretcher (11) having a longitudinal extension direction (D1), and - at least one powertrain support (13) fixed to said stretcher (11), said support (13) comprising: - a cage (16) of closed circumference delimiting a hollow interior space, - a wedge (24) made of a flexible material disposed at least partially inside the hollow interior space of the cage (16), and - at least two attachment interfaces (25) to the stretcher (11) provided in the cage (16). According to the invention, a portion of the cage (16) extending longitudinally along the longitudinal extension direction (D1) of the stretcher (11) comprises a programmed deformation zone (33) having reduced mechanical resistance. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: PROPELLER UNIT SUPPORT WITH PROGRAMMED DEFORMATION ZONE

[0001] The present invention relates to a powertrain support with a programmed deformation zone. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with electric powertrains consisting of an electric motor coupled to a speed reducer. The invention can also be implemented with a thermal powertrain consisting of a thermal engine, a clutch, and a gearbox.

[0002] Motor vehicles undergo crash tests under specific conditions that represent different types of accidents that may occur, in particular to protect passengers from injury and improve safety.

[0003] These tests include, in particular, impacts on the front of the vehicle, representing common accidents. In these cases, a specific deformation of the front frame members is planned in precise areas of controlled deformation. These deformations absorb mechanical energy and allow for the guidance of the main components, particularly the powertrain, to prevent intrusions into the passenger compartment that could injure the occupants.

[0004] In the event that the supports of the powertrain fixed on a stretcher are not designed to break, they may then make the stretcher too rigid, preventing it from deforming freely.

[0005] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a motor vehicle assembly comprising:

[0006] - at least one stretcher having a longitudinal extension direction, and

[0007] - at least one powertrain support fixed to said stretcher, said support of a powertrain comprising:

[0008] - a cage of closed circumference delimiting a hollow interior space,

[0009] - a wedge made of a flexible material disposed at least partially inside of the hollow interior space of the cage, and

[0010] - at least two attachment interfaces on the stretcher provided in the cage.

[0011] According to the invention, a portion of the cage extending longitudinally along the longitudinal extension direction of the stretcher comprises a programmed deformation zone having reduced mechanical resistance.

[0012] The invention thus allows the powertrain support to deform at the programmed deformation zone during a frontal impact of the vehicle in order to accommodate a deformation of the stretcher. The support according to the invention can be easily mounted in place of prior art supports that do not have a programmed breaking point, without modifying the vehicle body or the powertrain. This reduces design and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the support according to the invention has a similar footprint and cost compared to another elastic support of the same type manufactured according to the prior art.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, said portion of the cage comprising the programmed deformation zone is disposed between the two attachment interfaces on the stretcher.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the programmed deformation zone includes at least one groove made in an edge of the portion of the cage.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the programmed deformation zone comprises at least one arch-shaped plate.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the programmed deformation zone comprises a layer of two arch-shaped plates.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, each fastening interface consists of a protruding ear provided with a hole for the passage of a fastening element.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, each fixing interface is fixed on a corresponding fixing tab mechanically linked to an inner face of the stretcher.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, a fixing bracket comprises a wall extending against the inner face of the stretcher and a horizontal wall extending perpendicularly to the inner face of the stretcher.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cage is made of a metallic material, in particular of an aluminium or steel material.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as previously defined.

[0022] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These figures are given only to illustrate, but in no way limit, the invention.

[0023] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a top view of the front structural part of a motor vehicle comprising a stretcher incorporating a powertrain support according to the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a motor vehicle stretcher comprising a powertrain support according to the invention fixed on an inner face of said stretcher;

[0025] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a cage of a powertrain support according to the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a top view of a powertrain support according to the present invention;

[0027] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a first variant embodiment of a powertrain support according to the present invention;

[0028] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a powertrain support according to the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a top view illustrating a deformation of the front shafts and a powertrain support according to the invention during a frontal impact suffered by the motor vehicle;

[0030] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a top view illustrating a deformation of a support of powertrain according to the invention following a frontal impact suffered by a motor vehicle.

[0031] Identical, similar, or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

[0032] Furthermore, terms relating to spatial indications of the type "horizontal" or "vertical" are understood by reference to the orientation of a vehicle in a position of use arranged on a horizontal plane.

[0033] Figure 1 shows the structural front portion 10 of a motor vehicle comprising two frame members 11 intended to be arranged on either side of a powertrain (not shown). The frame members 11 connect the body to the front face 12 of the vehicle. One frame member 11 has a longitudinal extension direction DI.

[0034] The powertrain is intended to be fixed to a stretcher 11 by means of a support 13 described in more detail below. The powertrain may be an electric powertrain consisting in particular of an electric motor associated with a speed reducer or a thermal powertrain consisting in particular of a thermal engine, a clutch, and a gearbox.

[0035] A stretcher 11 advantageously has at least one groove 15 provided in an edge in order to promote its longitudinal deformation in the event of a frontal impact.

[0036] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a powertrain support 13 is fixed to a stretcher 11. The support 13 comprises a cage 16 with a closed circumference, delimiting a hollow interior space 17. More precisely, as can be seen in [Fig. 3], the cage 16 has an upper portion 18, a lower portion 19, and two lateral portions 20, 21 providing a connection between the upper portion 18 and the lower portion 19. The inner faces of these portions of the cage 16 delimit the hollow interior space 17. The upper portion 18 and lower portion 19 of the cage 16 extend longitudinally along the longitudinal extension direction DI of the stretcher 11. The cage 16 may have a shape generally trapezoidal. Cage 16 is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular aluminium or steel.

[0037] A wedge 24 made of a flexible material is disposed at least partially inside the hollow interior space 17 of the cage 16, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The wedge 24 has a fixing interface with a component of the powertrain, such as the gearbox or the internal combustion engine in the case of an internal combustion powertrain, or the speed reducer or the rotating electric machine in the case of an electric powertrain.

[0038] The spacer 24 acts as a vibration damper to isolate the powertrain from the vehicle body. The spacer 24 is preferably made of an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the spacer 24 may be made of rubber or any other flexible material suitable for the application.

[0039] The cage 16 also includes two attachment interfaces 25 on the stretcher 11. Each attachment interface 25 consists of a projecting lug 26 with a hole 27 for the passage of a fastener. The fastener may be a screw, a rivet, a stud, or any other fastener suitable for the application.

[0040] As can be seen in [Fig.4], in top view, the fixing ears 26 extend in line with the upper portion 18 of the cage 16. The upper portion 18 is arranged between the two fixing interfaces 25.

[0041] A fastening interface 25 is fixed by means of a fastening element to a corresponding fastening tab 30 mechanically connected to an inner face of the stretcher 11, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The inner face of the stretcher 11 faces the other stretcher 11. In this case, a fastening tab 30 has an L-shape with a wall 31 extending against the inner face of the stretcher 11 and a horizontal wall 32 extending perpendicularly to the inner face of the stretcher 11. The fastening interface 25 is fixed to the horizontal face 32. A fastening tab 30 may be welded to the inner face of the stretcher 11. Alternatively, a fastening tab 30 may be fixed to the inner face of the stretcher 11 by screwing, riveting, or any other fastening technique suitable for the application.

[0042] The upper portion 18 of the cage 16 includes a programmed deformation zone 33 having reduced mechanical resistance compared to the rest of the cage 16.

[0043] In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the programmed deformation zone 33 includes at least one recess 34 formed in an edge of the upper portion 18 of the cage 16. In this case, the programmed deformation zone 33 includes two recesses 34 formed in each edge of the upper portion 18. The recesses 34 make it possible to reduce the thickness of the upper portion 18 to locally create a mechanical weakness in cage 16. This embodiment is particularly well suited to a cage 16 made of aluminium.

[0044] In the embodiment of [Fig. 5], the programmed deformation zone 33 comprises at least one arch-shaped plate 35. The arch shape corresponds to a V-shaped fold with a rounded apex in the plate 35, forming at least part of the upper portion 18 of the cage 16. In this case, a layer of two plates 35 and an additional plate 35 are arranged one above the other. This embodiment is particularly well suited to a cage 16 made of steel.

[0045] In the embodiment of [Fig. 6], the programmed deformation zone 33 comprises a single layer of two arched plates 35. This embodiment is particularly well suited to a cage 16 made of steel for which a lower mechanical resistance is desired than for the previous embodiment.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], during a frontal impact, the support 13 can deform along its programmed deformation zone 33 so that the compressibility of the stretcher 11 remains satisfactory. Indeed, thanks to the integration of a support 13 according to the invention, the loss of compressibility is limited to 15% instead of 40% with a support according to the prior art lacking a programmed deformation zone 33.

[0047] Fig. 8 shows that the cage 16 of the support 13 can compress and bend at the level of the recesses 34 so as to accompany the deformation of the stretcher 11 whose deformation curvature 38 is represented in dashed lines.

[0048] Alternatively, the programmed deformation zone 33 is provided in the lower portion 19 of the cage 16 or in the upper portion 18 and in the lower portion 19 of the cage 16.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: - at least one stretcher (11) having a longitudinal extension direction (Dl), and - at least one powertrain support (13) fixed to said stretcher (11), said powertrain support (13) comprising: - a cage (16) of closed circumference delimiting a hollow interior space (17), - a wedge (24) made of a flexible material arranged at least partly inside the hollow interior space (17) of the cage (16), and - at least two fixing interfaces (25) on the stretcher (11) formed in the cage (16), characterized in that a portion (19) of the cage (16) extending longitudinally in the longitudinal extension direction (Dl) of the stretcher (11) comprises a programmed deformation zone (33) having reduced mechanical strength,said portion (19) of the cage (16) comprising the programmed deformation zone (33) is arranged between the two fixing interfaces (25) on the stretcher (H).,

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the programmed deformation zone (33) comprises at least one hollow (34) made in an edge of the portion of the cage (16).

3. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the programmed deformation zone (33) comprises at least one arch-shaped plate (35).

4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the programmed deformation zone (33) comprises a layer of two arch-shaped plates (35).

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each fixing interface (25) is constituted by a projecting ear (26) provided with a hole (27) for the passage of a fixing element.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each fixing interface (25) is fixed on a corresponding fixing lug (30) mechanically linked to an internal face of the stretcher (11).

7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that a fixing lug (30) comprises a wall (31) extending against the internal face of the stretcher (11) and a horizontal wall (32) extending perpendicular to the internal face of the stretcher (11).

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cage (16) is made of a metallic material, in particular of an aluminum or steel material.

9. Motor vehicle comprising an assembly as defined according to any one of the preceding claims.

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