Motor vehicle structure

Abstract

In summary, the invention relates to a motor vehicle structure (1) comprising a footwell (10) delimited by a floor (101) and a firewall, a paddle pedal (11) located at a first lateral edge of the footwell (10), a footrest (12) extending back from the firewall, the footrest (12) being located at a second lateral edge of the footwell (10), and a false floor (13) extending between the footrest (12) and the first lateral edge, so as to form a surface flush with the footrest (12), the false floor (13) being set back from the firewall, relative to the longitudinal axis (X), so as to form a housing for at least one rigidity-reinforcing element of the motor vehicle structure (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle structure

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of passive safety for occupants of a motor vehicle, and more particularly the protection of the driver in the event of a high-speed frontal collision. More specifically, the invention relates to a motor vehicle structure.

[0002] In the prior art, the use of pedals by the driver to control the speed of a motor vehicle is known. In particular, such pedals can be used to:

[0003] - to control engine power in order to control vehicle acceleration automobile; and / or

[0004] - to control the braking of the motor vehicle; and / or

[0005] - to control a clutch mechanism of the motor vehicle.

[0006] Such pedals comprise a support, a plate extending longitudinally about its own axis of extension, and a system for articulating the plate relative to the support. Thus, the plate is articulated relative to a pedal support, according to a pivot and / or piston movement.

[0007] More specifically, the context of the invention is that of paddle pedals allowing complete control of the speed and braking of a motor vehicle. In such motor vehicles, the footwell is equipped with a single paddle pedal, which is located between a footrest and a lateral edge of the footwell. The paddle pedal is articulated by a rotational movement about an axis of rotation located at one lower end of the pedal.

[0008] A known problem with pedals – of all types – lies in the stability of the driver's foot on the footplate, particularly in the event of an impact. Indeed, in such circumstances, the driver's balance is significantly disrupted, resulting in possible uncontrolled movements of the foot on the pedal.

[0009] However, due to the narrowness of the pedal plate, unwanted movements at the ankle or knee can lead to unwanted injuries to the foot, resulting from the rotation of the foot relative to the pedal, such as, for example, a sprain or a rupture of the ankle ligaments.

[0010] In addition, the narrowness of the pedal plate can sometimes lead to the foot slipping off the pedal and striking the floor of the footwell into which the pedal is integrated. This slippage of the foot off the pedal can also lead to undesirable injuries to the driver's lower limbs.

[0011] The present invention aims to propose a new motor vehicle structure in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to reduce the risk of the foot slipping off the pedal.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to limit the risks of injury to the lower limb during a road accident.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a motor vehicle structure comprising (i) a footwell delimited by a floor and a bulkhead, (ii) a paddle pedal configured to control the speed of the motor vehicle, the paddle pedal being located at a first lateral edge of the footwell, and (iii) a footrest extending back from the bulkhead, the footrest being located at a second lateral edge of the footwell. According to the invention, the structure comprises a false floor extending between the footrest and the first lateral edge, so as to form a surface flush with the footrest.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to rear or from rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis.Finally, the vertical axis 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 axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0016] In addition, a proper extension axis is also defined in the pedal's frame of reference, the proper extension axis being defined by the principal direction of elongation of the pedal, defined in particular by the direction of elongation of the plate serving as a support for the driver's foot. In the context of integrating the pedal into the motor vehicle, the pedal's proper extension axis coincides or is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis.

[0017] In the context of the invention, the footwell is a concave housing located under and in front of a driver's seat. It is the space located under the steering wheel and at which the paddle shifter pedal is located, allowing the driver to control the speed and braking of the motor vehicle.

[0018] The foot cellar is delimited laterally by the first lateral edge and by the second lateral edge. The paddle pedal is located between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge.

[0019] The footrest is shaped like a resting platform for the driver's foot. The footrest has a generally flat and inclined shape to allow the driver to place their foot on it without extending their ankle.

[0020] In the context of the invention, the floor is the part extending between the driver's seat and the paddle shifter pedal. It is therefore the part located directly above the driver's thighs and knees. In contrast, the firewall is located in the frontal extension of the floor, rising up in front of the pedal. The firewall thus forms a rear partition of the engine compartment, thereby separating the engine compartment from the passenger compartment.

[0021] Thus, according to the invention, the false floor forms a lining located between the paddle pedal and the dashboard, so as to create a more regular geometry, and therefore a more comfortable and stable one for the driver. In particular, according to the invention, the false floor is located in the direct extension of the footrest, so that the bearing surface of the footrest is coplanar with a portion of the false floor directly adjacent to said footrest.

[0022] This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to offer a more regular foot cellar morphology, less concave, flatter and less deep, which limits the risks of torsion, slippage and collision for the driver's foot, thus reducing the risks of injury, particularly in the event of an accident.

[0023] In the context of the invention, the paddle pedal is characterized by both its functionality and its articulation: it allows for the control of both acceleration and braking of the motor vehicle depending on whether the paddle pedal is pressed or released. Furthermore, its articulation is primarily of the pivoting type. Thus, a motor vehicle equipped with a paddle pedal has a single control – the paddle pedal – for controlling the motor vehicle: in such a motor vehicle, there is no accelerator pedal and brake pedal separate from the accelerator pedal.

[0024] The 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:

[0025] - the false floor forms a mostly flat surface. This configuration This helps to limit the risk of injury to the driver;

[0026] - the false floor has a light outlining the paddle pedal, so that The raised floor extends around the paddle pedal. This configuration reduces the space between the apron and the paddle pedal, and increases the surface area of ​​the raised floor near the paddle pedal;

[0027] - the false floor is composed of a two-layer material. This configuration advantageous allows for a false floor with better mechanical properties, and in particular sufficiently rigid so as not to deform under the simple pressure of the driver;

[0028] - the bilayer material comprises at least one composite material;

[0029] - the bilayer material comprises a first stiffening material and a second damping material;

[0030] - the first material is of the molded composite material type. In other words, the first material is of the type of a BMC material, an English acronym meaning "Bulk Molding Compound";

[0031] - advantageously, the first material comprises a fiber filler of carbon in order to improve its rigidity;

[0032] - the second material is a type of polypropylene foam. A density of the polypropylene foam is between 40 g / L and 80 g / L, preferably equal to 60 g / L;

[0033] - the first material is located on the side of the apron, while the second material is located on the driver's seat side;

[0034] - the structure includes at least one apron reinforcement element, the element reinforcement being configured to increase the rigidity of the deck, at least one reinforcement element being housed between the deck and the raised floor. In other words, the raised floor creates a housing between said raised floor and the deck, said housing allowing to house and conceal at least one reinforcement element of the deck;

[0035] - at least one reinforcing element comprises a central cross member extending between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge, and / or a ski located at the level of the first lateral edge, and / or a tunnel reinforcement located at the level of the second lateral edge.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.

[0037] The motor vehicle is more particularly a vehicle with automatic transmission, that is to say that a gearbox of said motor vehicle is automatically controlled to modify ratios based on the speed of the motor vehicle and / or engine speed.

[0038] In the context of the invention, the motor vehicle is of the electrified type, that is to say, of the electric or hybrid type. Generally, the drivetrain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by the electric motor, which is electrically powered by the traction battery, in order to generate a motor torque used to propel the motor vehicle. Complementarily or alternatively, the electric motor is configured to recover mechanical energy from the drivetrain and convert it into electrical energy, thereby producing a braking torque on said drivetrain.

[0039] Preferably, the motor vehicle has only one pedal to control the acceleration, deceleration or braking of the motor vehicle.

[0040] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0041] 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:

[0042] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a motor vehicle structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0043] [Fig.2] illustrates a side view of the motor vehicle structure shown on the [Fig.l];

[0044] [Fig.3] illustrates a partial perspective view of the motor vehicle structure illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0045] 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.

[0046] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0047] On the FIGURES, the elements common to several FIGURES retain the same reference.

[0048] In the FIGURES described below, the longitudinal axis X, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y.The adjectives front, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X. Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis that extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis Z.

[0049] In addition, a proper extension axis is also defined in the pedal's frame of reference, the proper extension axis being defined by the principal direction of elongation of the pedal, defined in particular by the direction of elongation of the plate 112 which serves as a support for the driver's foot. In the context of integrating the pedal into the motor vehicle, the pedal's proper extension axis coincides or is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis X.

[0050] With reference to the FIGURES, the invention relates to a motor vehicle structure 1 comprising:

[0051] - a cellar with a floor 10 delimited by a floor 101 and a deck 102. The cellar foot 10 forms a concave LOG housing located under and in front of a front seat of the automobile driver, relative to the longitudinal axis X, located more particularly under a steering wheel and at the level of which space is located the paddle pedal 11 allowing control of a speed of movement and braking of the motor vehicle;

[0052] - a paddle pedal 11 configured to control a speed of movement of the motor vehicle, the paddle pedal 11 being located at the level of a first lateral edge B2 of the footwell 10;

[0053] - a footrest 12 extending back from the apron 102, the footrest 12 being located at the level of a second lateral edge B1 of the foot cellar 10. The footrest 12 takes the form of a rest for a supporting foot of the automobile driver. The footrest 12 has a generally flat and inclined shape to allow the driver to place their foot on it without putting their ankle in extension;

[0054] - a false floor 13 extending between the footrest 12 and the first lateral edge B2, so as to form a surface flush with the footrest 12.

[0055] The cellar with foot 10 is delimited laterally by the first lateral edge B2 and by the second lateral edge B1.

[0056] The floor 101 is the part located directly below the driver's thighs and knees and extending between the driver's seat and the paddle pedal 11. The bulkhead 102 is located in the frontal extension of the floor 101, relative to the longitudinal axis X, and extends forward of the paddle pedal 11, on the side of an engine compartment of the motor vehicle. In effect, the bulkhead 102 thus forms a rear partition of the engine compartment, thereby separating the engine compartment from the passenger compartment.

[0057] Thus, the false floor 13 forms a lining located, relative to the longitudinal axis X, between the paddle pedal 11 and the apron 102, so as to create a more regular geometry, and therefore a more comfortable and stable one for the driver. In particular, the false floor 13 is located in the direct extension of the footrest 12, so that the bearing surface of the footrest is coplanar with a portion of the false floor 13 directly adjacent to said footrest 12. The false floor 13 forms a predominantly flat surface.

[0058] The paddle pedal 11 is thus located between the first lateral edge B2 and the second lateral edge Bl.

[0059] As seen in [Fig. 1], the false floor 13 of the motor vehicle structure 1 has a light 103 outlining the paddle pedal 11, so that the false floor 13 extends around said paddle pedal 11. The light 103 thus takes the form of an opening around the paddle pedal 11 and its support 111, the opening forming a peripheral contour of said support 111 for the false floor 13, opposite the paddle pedal 11.

[0060] Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the false floor 13 forms a predominantly flat surface, that is to say, exhibiting few variations in shape between the first lateral edge B2 and the second lateral edge B1. In other words, the false floor 13 has a much less concave shape than the previously known basement floors 101 with foot 10.

[0061] In order to improve the mechanical properties of the false floor 13, and in particular to ensure that it is sufficiently rigid so as not to deform under the mere weight of the driver, the false floor 13 is composed of a bilayer material, at least one of the two components forming said bilayer material being of the composite type. In particular, a first material of the bilayer material is of the stiffening type, comprising for this purpose, for example, a carbon fiber filler. As a non-limiting example, the first material is of the type of a molded composite material.

[0062] A second material of the bilayer material is of the damping type, such as for example of the type of a polypropylene foam having a density between 40 g / L and 80 g / L, preferably equal to 60 g / L.

[0063] In the case where the material is of the bi-layer type, the first material is located on the side of the apron 102, i.e. on the side of the engine compartment of the motor vehicle, and the second material is located on the side of a driver's seat.

[0064] The false floor 13 is located, relative to the longitudinal axis X, at a distance and behind the deck 102, as shown in [Fig. 2]. Thus, the motor vehicle structure 1 cleverly incorporates a housing LOG located between the false floor 13 and the deck 102, making it possible to house and conceal each reinforcement element 14 of the deck 102.

[0065] As seen in [Fig.3], at least one reinforcement member 14 comprises a central cross member 141 extending between the first lateral edge B2 and the second lateral edge Bl, and / or a ski 142 located at the level of the first lateral edge B2, and / or a tunnel reinforcement 143 located at the level of the second lateral edge Bl.

[0066] In summary, the invention relates to a motor vehicle structure 1 comprising (i) a footwell 10 delimited by a floor 101 and a bulkhead 102, (ii) a paddle pedal 11 configured to control the speed of the motor vehicle, the paddle pedal 11 being located at a first lateral edge B2 of the footwell 10, (iii) a footrest 12 extending back from the bulkhead 102, the footrest 12 being located at a second lateral edge B1 of the footwell 10, and (iv) a false floor 13 extending between the footrest 12 and the first lateral edge B2, so as to form a surface flush with the footrest 12, the false floor 13 being located back from the bulkhead 102, relative to the longitudinal axis X, so as to form a housing LOG for housing at least one 14. Reinforcing element for the rigidity of the motor vehicle structure.

[0067] 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. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle structure (1) comprising: - a footwell (10) delimited by a floor (101) and a platform (102); - a paddle pedal (11) configured to control a speed of movement of the motor vehicle, the paddle pedal (11) being located at the level of a first lateral edge (B2) of the footwell (10); - a footrest (12) extending back from the platform (102), the footrest (12) being located at the level of a second lateral edge (B1) of the footwell (10); characterized in that the structure comprises a false floor (13) extending between the footrest (12) and the first lateral edge (B2), so as to form a surface flush with the footrest (12), the false floor (13) comprising a light (103) outlining the paddle pedal (11), so that the false floor (13) extends around said paddle pedal (11).

2. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the subfloor (13) is composed of a bilayer material.

3. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bilayer material comprises at least one composite material.

4. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bilayer material comprises a first stiffening material and a second damping material.

5. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second material is of the type of a polypropylene foam.

6. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure comprises at least one reinforcement member (14) of the apron (102), the reinforcement member (14) being configured to increase the rigidity of the apron (102), the at least one reinforcement member (14) being housed between the apron (102) and the subfloor (13).

7. Motor vehicle structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one reinforcing element (14)

8. includes a central cross member (141) extending between the first lateral edge (B2) and the second lateral edge (Bl), and / or a ski (142) located at the level of the first lateral edge (B2), and / or a tunnel reinforcement (143) located at the level of the second lateral edge (Bl). Motor vehicle comprising a motor vehicle structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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