reinforcement structure of a custodian area

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforcement structure (1) located laterally outside a quarter panel area (2) of a motor vehicle relative to a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure (1) comprising a rear wheel arch (10), a quarter panel liner (11) extending vertically below the wheel arch so as to form a liner closing the quarter panel area (2), a pillar reinforcement (12) extending vertically below the wheel arch, a reinforcement panel (13) fixed securely to the quarter panel liner (11) and the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel (13) extending perpendicularly to the quarter panel liner (11). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Reinforcement structure for a quarter panel area

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of the structural elements of a motor vehicle, and in particular those located at the level of a rear pillar of said motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to the rear section of a motor vehicle structure. This rear section of the motor vehicle structure comprises an annular portion formed by at least a rear roof crossmember, a gutter on the left rear fender, a gutter on the right rear fender, and a rear panel. It further comprises, for each side of the motor vehicle, a quarter window area, a rear fender lining, a lining for the front portion of the rear fender, and a lining for a quarter window area. In the context of the present invention, the term "quarter window area" refers more particularly to the lateral rear portion of the motor vehicle and its body elements in conjunction with one or more corresponding sheet metal panels, not attached to the vehicle door.Generally, the quarter panel area in which the present invention is integrated is located in an intermediate position, relative to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle extending between a rear and a front of said motor vehicle, between a side door of the motor vehicle and a rear tailgate of said motor vehicle.

[0003] As is known, the annular portion of a motor vehicle forms a stiffening ring whose precise shape is determined by the rear opening of the motor vehicle, which is intended to be closed by a tailgate. However, in the context of the present invention, the term "ring" refers indiscriminately to any set of elements forming an annular portion of the bodywork, without regard to the precise shape of the rear opening of the bodywork and therefore of this annular portion; the essential point is that these elements form a closed assembly.

[0004] As is known, the stiffening ring fulfills two different roles. The first role is to make the various parts of the motor vehicle located in the area of ​​the quarter panel rigid so that each of these parts can withstand the static and dynamic stresses to which the motor vehicle is exposed during its driving in particular.

[0005] The second role of the stiffening ring is to allow a transition of lateral forces from a lower part of the motor vehicle to an upper part of said motor vehicle.

[0006] In order to improve the dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle, it is necessary to increase the frequency of the dynamic torsional natural mode of the vehicle.

[0007] Indeed, the various elements assembled together to form the structure of a motor vehicle are characterized by an infinite number of natural modes of deformation, each characterized by a modal deformation and a natural frequency expressed in Hertz. One of these natural modes of deformation corresponds to a torsion of the motor vehicle's body. This mode of deformation directly contributes to the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, and in particular to the vibration comfort of its occupants.

[0008] In order to minimize the amplitude of this particular deformation mode, it is known to increase the frequency of this natural mode as much as possible. This optimization is achieved by adding stiffness to the body structure of the motor vehicle. However, it is desirable that this addition of stiffness be carried out while limiting the increase in mass.

[0009] The present invention aims to propose a new reinforcement structure in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to improve the rigidity at the level of a quarter panel area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to limit the mass contribution at the level of the quarter panel area.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to reinforce the rear pillar of the motor vehicle, particularly with regard to a mode of torsion.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a reinforcement structure for a quarter panel area of ​​a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure comprising (i) a rear wheel arch, the rear wheel arch having an arched shape relative to the rear wheel, (ii) a quarter panel liner extending vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a liner closing the quarter panel area, the quarter panel liner being fixed securely to said wheel arch, (iii) a pillar reinforcement extending vertically from the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement being fixed securely to both the quarter panel liner and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement extending in a straight line along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to a summit part of the wheel arch.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the rear wheel arch is defined by all the structural elements that define a space designed to accommodate a wheel of the motor vehicle. To this end, the wheel arch forms a set of walls that partially delimit such a space. In the context of the present invention, the wheel arch takes an arched shape, one concavity of which is oriented towards said space in which the wheel is intended to be housed. In the context of the present invention, the wheel arch can be formed by a single shaped wall or by an assembly of several walls.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the quarter panel liner takes the form of a sheet metal panel that extends primarily along a plane formed by a vertical and a longitudinal orientation of the motor vehicle, when the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is mounted on the motor vehicle it is intended to equip. The quarter panel liner thus closes off a rear side portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The quarter panel liner is connected, in particular, to the wheel arch, and specifically at its upper edge. The quarter panel liner is securely fastened to the wheel arch by any known means, and in particular by welding.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the pillar reinforcement takes the form of a hollow body extending from the wheel arch and along the quarter panel lining. The pillar reinforcement rests against the quarter panel lining and extends primarily in the vertical direction, directly above the wheel arch. Thus, the pillar reinforcement takes the form of a hollow profile extending in a straight line from the wheel arch and along the quarter panel lining. By virtue of its shape, position, and elongation, the pillar reinforcement thus increases the rigidity of the quarter panel area, near the rear pillar of the motor vehicle, by providing additional material and stiffness to the existing structural elements.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, lateral direction means a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the motor vehicle. In other words, lateral direction means a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a lateral direction. Furthermore, longitudinal direction means a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal direction.Finally, a vertical direction is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical direction being simultaneously perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical direction.

[0018] When these adjectives are used in the present description, they are to be considered when the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is implemented on the motor vehicle with which it is intended to collaborate.

[0019] The reinforcement structure according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0020] - the pillar reinforcement has a transverse omega-shaped section, the pillar reinforcement comprising a peripheral fastening flap for securely attaching the pillar reinforcement to the quarter panel lining on one side, and to the upper part of the wheel arch on the other. The peripheral fastening flap preferably extends over all or part of a peripheral contour of the pillar reinforcement. Advantageously, the peripheral fastening flap forms a closed contour around the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement. Alternatively, the peripheral fastening flap comprises a plurality of tabs distributed along at least part of the sides of the pillar reinforcement. The peripheral fastening flap thus forms a support and fastening area for the pillar reinforcement against the quarter panel lining on one side, and against the upper part of the wheel arch on the other. Advantageously, the peripheral fastening flap is formed from the same material as the pillar reinforcement.Preferably, the pillar reinforcement is thus formed from a sheet of folded and shaped metal, for example by stamping, in order to form both the hollow body and the peripheral fixing flap; .

[0021] - the pillar reinforcement is fixed securely to the quarter panel lining and / or to the part The upper part of the wheel arch is secured by a plurality of weld points located along the peripheral fixing flap. Thus, the peripheral fixing flap forms a bead for fixing and supporting the pillar reinforcement on the quarter panel lining and / or on the upper part of the wheel arch. Advantageously, the pillar reinforcement is fixed simultaneously to the quarter panel lining and the wheel arch in order to increase the rigidity of the quarter panel area at this point and to facilitate the transmission of forces up to the wheel arch through the rear pillar of the motor vehicle;

[0022] - the reinforcement structure includes a fixing plate for a mechanism The seat belt is securely attached to the quarter panel lining. The peripheral fixing flap of the pillar reinforcement partially overlaps the fixing plate, so that the fixing plate is sandwiched between the quarter panel lining and the pillar reinforcement. The fixing plate is securely attached to the quarter panel lining. The fixing plate extends against the quarter panel lining. The fixing plate includes an anchoring zone for the vehicle's seat belt mechanism. The anchoring zone for the seat belt mechanism is located within the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement, so that the peripheral fixing flap of the pillar reinforcement extends at a distance from and around it. anchoring area. More specifically, the fixing plate has lateral tabs which extend on either side of the anchoring area, the peripheral fixing flap of the pillar reinforcement overlapping said lateral tabs so that the fixing plate is engaged between the quarter panel lining and the pillar reinforcement;

[0023] - the pillar reinforcement extends longitudinally between the rear wheel arch and a roof termination of the quarter panel liner. The roof termination of the quarter panel liner forms an upper edge of said quarter panel liner. Thus, the pillar reinforcement extends vertically along the entire height of the quarter panel liner, and from the wheel arch. This advantageous configuration thus maximizes the vertical transmission of forces from the wheel arch to the upper structural elements of the motor vehicle;

[0024] - the pillar reinforcement is intended to be located laterally outside a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, relative to the quarter panel lining. In other words, the quarter panel lining is located in an intermediate position between the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and the pillar reinforcement, relative to a lateral axis of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the pillar reinforcement is intended to be housed in a recess delimited laterally by the quarter panel lining on the passenger compartment side of the motor vehicle and by a bodywork element, such as, for example, a rear side wing;

[0025] - in order to reinforce the rigidity of the reinforcement structure with respect to a force of Torsion around a vertical axis, the reinforcement structure includes a reinforcement panel fixed rigidly to the quarter panel liner and the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel extending substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel liner. Unlike the pillar reinforcement, the reinforcement panel is not a hollow body. Rather, it is a sheet of metal or a plate shaped to fit both the quarter panel liner, the wheel arch, and the body element intended to form the rear side fender of the motor vehicle. The reinforcement panel is thus supported, by at least part of its edge, against the quarter panel liner. In addition, a lower edge of the reinforcement panel rests against the wheel arch;

[0026] - more specifically, the reinforcement panel is fixed securely to a rear edge of the quarter panel lining;

[0027] - the reinforcing panel takes the form of a sheet metal plate, one concavity of which is oriented in direction of the pillar reinforcement. In other words, the reinforcement panel has an orientation that follows the rear edge of the quarter panel lining;

[0028] - in order to increase flexural rigidity, the reinforcement panel comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs. In particular, a first section of the stiffening ribs of the reinforcement panel extends in a transverse direction, that is to say, substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining. Complementarily or alternatively, a second portion of the reinforcing ribs of the reinforcement panel extend in a vertical direction, that is to say, substantially perpendicular to the upper part of the wheel arch.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is also proposed comprising a reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.

[0030] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] illustrates an isolated view of the reinforcement structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates a view of the reinforcement structure of [Fig.1] on a vehicle automobile conforming to the second aspect of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates the reinforcement structure visible in [Fig.2] and in which the The pillar reinforcement has been masked to make the seat belt mechanism mounting plate visible.

[0035] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0036] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0037] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0038] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention in its first aspect relates to a reinforcement structure 1 intended to reinforce a quarter panel area 2 of a motor vehicle.

[0039] In the context of the present invention and in FIGURES 1 to 3, a lateral direction is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the vehicle automobile and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle, a longitudinal direction is understood to be taken along a direction which extends from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle, and a vertical direction is understood to be taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical direction being simultaneously perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0040] According to the invention, the reinforcement structure 1 of the quarter panel area 2 comprises:

[0041] - a rear wheel arch 10, the rear wheel arch 10 having a shape of the arch relative to the rear wheel, not shown in the FIGURES. As can be seen in [Fig.1] in particular, the wheel arch takes an arched shape, one concavity of which is oriented towards the said space in which the wheel is intended to be housed;

[0042] - a quarter panel lining 11 which extends vertically above the wheel arch so to form a lining closing the quarter panel area 2, the quarter panel lining 11 being fixed securely to said wheel arch. The quarter panel lining 11 takes the form of a sheet metal panel that extends mainly along a plane formed by a vertical and a longitudinal orientation. The quarter panel lining 11 thus makes it possible to close a rear side part of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The quarter panel lining 11 is fixed securely to the wheel arch, and in particular at its upper part 101;

[0043] - a pillar reinforcement 12 which extends vertically above the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement 12 being fixed securely to both the quarter panel lining 11 and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement 12 extending in a straight line along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to a summit part 101 of the wheel arch.

[0044] More specifically, the pillar reinforcement 12 takes the form of a hollow body extending from the wheel arch and against the quarter panel lining 11. As can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the pillar reinforcement 12 has an omega-shaped cross-section and extends in a straight and predominantly vertical direction from the wheel arch and its upper part 101 towards a roof termination 111 of the quarter panel lining 11, forming its upper end. Thus, the pillar reinforcement 12 connects a lower part of the motor vehicle, located at the wheel arch, to an upper part of the vehicle, located at the roof.In this way, the mechanical rigidity of the quarter panel area 2 is reinforced, thus allowing certain vibration modes of the motor vehicle to be pushed towards higher frequencies when it is in motion, thereby improving the comfort of its occupants.

[0045] For this purpose, the pillar reinforcement 12 takes the form of a hollow profile which extends in a straight line from the wheel arch and along the quarter panel lining 11. The pillar reinforcement 12 includes a peripheral fastening flap 123 for securely fixing said pillar reinforcement 12 to the quarter panel lining 11 on one side, and to the upper part 101 of the wheel arch on the other. In the example illustrated in the FIGURES, the peripheral fastening flap 123 extends along a peripheral contour of the pillar reinforcement 12, thus forming a closed contour around the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement 12. The peripheral fastening flap 123 thus forms a support and fixing area for the pillar reinforcement 12 against the quarter panel lining 11 on one side, and against the upper part 101 of the wheel arch on the other.

[0046] Along this attachment zone, the pillar reinforcement 12 is fixed rigidly to the quarter panel lining 11 and the wheel arch by means of a plurality of weld points 124 distributed along a weld line 125 which extends along the peripheral attachment flap 123. This peripheral attachment zone allows the pillar reinforcement 12 to be mechanically coupled to the quarter panel lining 11 and the wheel arch, thus increasing the mechanical rigidity of this zone.

[0047] Thus, this type of connection between the pillar reinforcement 12 on the one hand and, on the other hand, the quarter panel lining 11 and the wheel arch cleverly distributes the forces occurring in the event of impacts on the motor vehicle or during vibrations related to the vehicle's rolling motion on the road. The weld line 125 and the plurality of weld points 124 distributed along this weld line 125, which extends all around the pillar reinforcement 12 along its peripheral fastening flap 123, thus allow for a strong and continuous connection between said pillar reinforcement 12, the quarter panel lining 11, and the wheel arch. This configuration therefore facilitates the transmission of forces resulting from torsional vibration modes where shear forces occur in the quarter panel area 2.

[0048] As seen in [Fig.3], the reinforcement structure 1 includes a fixing plate 14 for a seat belt mechanism fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11. In addition, the peripheral fixing flap 123 of the pillar reinforcement 12 partially overlaps the fixing plate 14 so that said fixing plate 14 is taken between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12.

[0049] The fixing plate 14 has a generally rectangular shape and extends against the quarter panel lining 11. The fixing plate 14 is fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11.

[0050] Additionally, the mounting plate 14 includes an anchorage area 141 for the vehicle's seat belt mechanism. When the mounting plate 14 is mounted on the quarter panel lining 11, the anchorage area 141 for the seat belt mechanism is located at the hollow body of the pillar reinforcement 12. The seat belt mechanism is, for example, a seat belt guide.

[0051] The mounting plate 14 thus comprises lateral tabs 142 extending on either side of the anchoring zone 141, and the peripheral fastening flap 123 of the pillar reinforcement 12 covers said lateral tabs 142 so that the mounting plate 14 is engaged between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12. Furthermore, this sandwiching of the mounting plate 14 between the quarter panel lining 11 and the pillar reinforcement 12 strengthens said mounting plate 14 and limits movement of the seat belt mechanism in the event of an impact, for example. Moreover, from a dynamic point of view, this external mechanical reinforcement of the quarter panel lining 11 by the pillar reinforcement 12 naturally increases the rigidity of the quarter panel area 2 and limits the occurrence of torsional forces in this area.

[0052] In order to further increase the rigidity of the reinforcement structure 1 against torsional stress about a vertical axis, the reinforcement structure 1 includes a reinforcement panel 13 as shown in the FIGURES. The reinforcement panel is fixed rigidly to the quarter panel liner 11 and the wheel arch. The reinforcement panel 13 extends substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel liner 11.

[0053] Unlike the pillar reinforcement 12, the reinforcement panel 13 is not a hollow body: the reinforcement panel 13 is a piece of sheet metal or a plate shaped to fit both the quarter panel lining 11, the wheel arch, and the bodywork element intended to form the rear side fender of the motor vehicle. The reinforcement panel 13 is thus supported, by at least a portion of its edge 131, against the quarter panel lining 11, particularly at its rear edge 112. In addition, a lower edge 121 of the reinforcement panel 13 is supported against the wheel arch.

[0054] The reinforcement panel 13 has an orientation that follows the rear edge 112 of the quarter panel lining 11, so that the reinforcement panel 13 has a concavity oriented towards the pillar reinforcement 12. In other words, the reinforcement panel 13 has a general C-shape oriented towards the pillar reinforcement 12. This advantageous configuration, and in particular the orientation of the reinforcement panel 13 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining 11, makes it possible to strengthen the behavior of the quarter panel area 2 and the reinforcement structure 1 with respect to a vibration and torsion mode resulting from the rolling of the motor vehicle.

[0055] In order to increase the rigidity of the reinforcement panel 13, the reinforcement panel 13 comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs 133. In particular, in the example illustrated in the FIGURES, a first portion of the stiffening ribs 133 of the reinforcement panel 13 extend substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining 11, and a second part 133A of the stiffening ribs 133 extend substantially perpendicularly to the upper part 101 of the wheel arch. The plurality of ribs 133 forms a general shape of a Lorraine cross, of which the second part 133A of the ribs forms the vertical part and the first part of the ribs forms the parallel arms of the cross. In [Fig. 3], the cross thus formed has three horizontal arms. Alternatively, the ribs 133 can be arranged differently.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to a reinforcement structure 1 located laterally outside a quarter panel area 2 of a motor vehicle relative to a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure 1 comprising a rear wheel arch 10, a quarter panel lining 11 which extends vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a lining closing the quarter panel area 2, a pillar reinforcement 12 which extends vertically from the wheel arch, a reinforcement panel 13 fixed securely to the quarter panel lining 11 and to the wheel arch, the reinforcement panel 13 extending perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining 11.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Reinforcement structure (1) of a quarter panel area (2) of a motor vehicle, the reinforcement structure (1) comprising: - a rear wheel arch (10), the rear wheel arch (10) having an arched shape relative to the rear wheel; - a quarter panel lining (11) extending vertically from the wheel arch so as to form a lining closing the quarter panel area (2), the quarter panel lining (11) being fixed rigidly to said wheel arch; - a pillar reinforcement (12) extending vertically from the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement (12) being fixed rigidly to both the quarter panel lining (11) and the wheel arch, the pillar reinforcement (12) extending straight along an axis of elongation substantially perpendicular to a summit portion (101) of the wheel arch;- a fixing plate (14) for a seat belt mechanism fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11), the peripheral fixing flap (123) of the pillar reinforcement (12) partially overlapping the fixing plate (14) so ​​that said fixing plate (14) is sandwiched between the quarter panel lining (11) and the pillar reinforcement (12).

2. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pillar reinforcement (12) has an omega cross section, the pillar reinforcement (12) having a peripheral fixing flap (123) allowing said pillar reinforcement (12) to be fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) on the one hand, and to the top part (101) of the wheel arch on the other hand.

3. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pillar reinforcement (12) is fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) and to the top part (101) of the wheel arch by a plurality of weld points (124) located along the peripheral fixing flap (123).

4. Reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a reinforcement panel (13) fixed securely to the quarter panel lining (11) and the wheel arch, the reinforcing panel (13) extending substantially perpendicularly to the quarter panel lining (11).

5. Reinforcement structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcement panel (13) takes the form of a sheet metal having a concavity oriented towards the pillar reinforcement (12).

6. Reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the reinforcement panel (13) comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs (133) of which: - a first part of the stiffening ribs (133) of the reinforcement panel (13) extend in a transverse direction, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the quarter panel lining (11); and / or - a second part (133A) of the stiffening ribs (133) of the reinforcement panel (13) extend in a vertical direction, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the top part (101) of the wheel arch.

7. Motor vehicle comprising a reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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