Wedge for a vehicle rear axle crossmember, with variable positioning

Abstract

A wedge (CP) is fixedly attached to one end (ET) of a crossmember (TT) of a rear axle (TR), which is to be coupled to a vehicle structure. This wedge (CP) has a wall (PC) that folds back on itself, defining a passage (PP) housing a damping and fastening device (DAF) designed to be fixedly attached to the structure. The oblong shape of the wall allows for variable positioning of the damping and fastening device (DAF) within the passage (PP), thus adjusting the coupling position of this end (ET) relative to the structure. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Wedge for a vehicle rear axle crossmember, with variable position. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicle rear axles, and more specifically to the positioning of such rear axles relative to vehicle structures. Prior art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure having a rear part to which a rear axle is fixedly attached on the right and left sides. More specifically, the rear axle comprises a crossmember having two ends, right and left, which are coupled respectively to the right and left sides of the rear part of the vehicle structure, via pairs of shims.

[0003] Currently, each wedge comprises a circular cylindrical wall delimiting a passage that very closely houses a damping and fastening device designed to be permanently attached to the vehicle structure. This wall is permanently attached by welding into a corresponding semi-circular recess at one of the right and left ends of the crossmember.

[0004] When the same vehicle platform (or basic structure) is to be used for several body styles, the longitudinal position of the rear axle on the rear of the platform may vary. This is the case, for example, when the wheel diameter varies from one body style to another. However, the current arrangement of the rear axle shims only allows for installation in a single position on the rear of the same platform. Consequently, it is necessary to design a rear axle for each body style to be used with the same platform, or to have a variety of structures in its rear section so that the rear axle mounting points are offset, which significantly increases the design and production costs of the vehicles.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] It proposes in particular for this purpose a wedge, on the one hand, suitable for being fixedly attached to one end of a cross member of a rear axle, to be coupled to a structure of a vehicle, and, on the other hand, comprising a wall closing on itself by delimiting a passage housing a damping and fixing device suitable for being fixedly attached to this structure.

[0007] This wedge is characterized by the fact that its wall has an oblong shape so as to allow a variable position of the damping and fixing device in the passage to vary a coupling position of the end of the cross member relative to the structure.

[0008] Such an oblong arrangement of a wedge allows at least two different positions of its damping and fixing device or two different orientations of this wedge (without changing the internal position of the damping and fixing device), and therefore at least two different positions of the crossmember relative to the vehicle structure, which makes it possible to use the same rear axle for at least two different body silhouettes, associated with this structure and imposing different longitudinal positions of the rear axle.

[0009] The wedge according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - its damping and fixing device may include a first part damping system comprising a first central passage closely housing a cylindrical tube inside which is housed part of a screw having an end suitable for being fixedly attached to the structure;

[0011] - in the presence of this option, its damping and fastening device can including a second damping piece having a second central passage closely housing the first damping piece.

[0012] The invention also proposes a rear axle comprising a cross member having two ends, right and left, suitable for being coupled respectively to right and left sides of a vehicle structure.

[0013] This rear axle is characterized by the fact that it also includes two pairs of shims of the type shown above, fixedly attached respectively to the ends of the crossmember at two distant locations along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0014] For example, the passage may have a length intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0015] Also, for example, each wedge can be fixedly joined by welding in a corresponding semi-circular recess of one of the right and left ends.

[0016] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising a structure having right and left sides, and a rear axle of the type presented above and attached to the right and left sides in a rear part of the structure. Brief description of the figures

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0018] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates, in a top view, a right-hand part of a rear axle of a motor vehicle comprising a crossmember having a right-hand end to which are attached two examples of shim embodiments according to the invention, configured for attachment in a first position to a right-hand rear part of a vehicle structure,

[0019] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the wedge rear of the rear axle of [Fig. 1], configured for securing the crossmember in the first position to a right rear part of a vehicle structure,

[0020] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the wedge rear of the rear axle of the [Fig. 1], configured for securing the crossmember in the first position to a right rear part of a vehicle structure, and

[0021] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the wedge of the [Fig.2], before it was fitted to a rear axle. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] The invention aims in particular to provide a CP wedge intended to equip an ET end of a TT cross member of a TR rear axle to be coupled to a rear part of a structure (or platform) of a land vehicle.

[0023] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising a structure having a rear part to which a rear axle must be fixedly attached.

[0024] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a right-hand side of a TR rear axle equipped with CP shims according to the invention and intended to be attached to a rear section of a land vehicle structure (here, an automobile). As illustrated, the TR rear axle comprises, in particular, a TT crossmember having two ends ET, right and left (only the right end is shown here), intended to be coupled respectively to the right and left sides of the rear section of the vehicle structure via two pairs of CP shims according to the invention.

[0025] Each CP wedge is suitable for being fixedly attached to one end ET, right or left, of a TT cross member of a TR rear axle on a front or rear transverse side.

[0026] For example, and as illustrated in figures 1 to 3, each CP wedge can be fixedly joined by welding in a corresponding semi-circular recess ES of one of the ends ET right and left.

[0027] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, each wedge CP, according to the invention, comprises a wall PC which closes upon itself in an oblong shape and delimits a passage PP which houses a damping and fixing device The DAF is designed to be fixed to either the right or left side of the rear of the vehicle structure. The oblong shape of the PC wall allows for a highly advantageous variable positioning of the DAF damping and fixing device within the PP opening, thus enabling adjustment of the coupling position of the ET end of the TT crossmember relative to the structure.

[0028] In Figures 1 and 2, the CP wedge(s) is / are configured for securing the end ET of the TT crossmember in a first position relative to the right rear part of a vehicle structure. This first position allows the TR crossmember to be installed as close as possible to the front end of the vehicle, because the DAF damping and fastening device is installed in the rear part of the PP passage (i.e., the part closest to the rear end of the vehicle).

[0029] In [Fig. 3], the CP wedge is configured for securing the end ET of the TT crossmember in a second position relative to the right rear part of a vehicle structure. This second position allows the TR crossmember to be installed as close as possible to the rear end of the vehicle, since the DAF damping and fastening device is installed in the front part of the PP passage (i.e., the part closest to the front end of the vehicle).

[0030] It should be noted that the DAF damping and fastening device can be placed in at least one intermediate position between its "extreme front" and "extreme rear" positions, respectively in the front and rear sections of the PP passage. It will be understood that in this case, each intermediate position of the DAF damping and fastening device corresponds to an intermediate position of the TT crossmember between its first and second positions.

[0031] It should also be noted that, due to the symmetry of the oblong shape, the same CP wedge (and therefore having its DAF damping and fastening device fixed in a single position (extreme or intermediate)) can advantageously be used, but with two different orientations (by a simple rotation or a simple reversal) so as to obtain two different positions of the TT crossmember relative to the vehicle structure. The longitudinal variation of the position of the TT crossmember relative to the vehicle structure then depends on the length of the straight portion of the oblong shape. This reversibility makes it very advantageous to reduce costs.

[0032] Thanks to these oblong CP spacers, allowing at least two different positions of their DAF damping and fixing device or two different orientations of the CP spacers, and therefore at least two different positions of the TT crossmember relative to the vehicle structure, it is now possible to use the same TR rear axle for at least two different body styles associated with this structure (or platform) and imposing different longitudinal positions of the TR rear axle. Thus, it is now possible to combine the same TR rear axle with designs adapted to wheels of different diameters, while still using the same platform (or structure), for example. It should be understood that here, "longitudinal position" refers to a position relative to the longitudinal direction X (considered between the front and rear extremities of the vehicle).

[0033] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, the damping and fastening device DAF may comprise at least one first damping piece PA1, a cylindrical tube (not visible), and a screw VF. The first damping piece PA1 has a first central passage PCI which closely accommodates the cylindrical tube. The screw VF is partially housed inside the cylindrical tube, and its (free) end EV is designed to be fixed to the structure (by screwing either into a dedicated threaded hole or into a nut (possibly welded to this structure)).

[0034] For example, the first damping part PA1 can be of the “silent block” type.

[0035] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the damping and fixing device DAF may also include a second damping piece PA2 having a second central passage PC2 which closely houses the first damping piece PAL. In this case, it is this second damping piece PA2 which is in close contact with the inner face of the wall PC, and which preferably includes a lower part PI having a larger diameter and placed outside the passage PP in order to ensure a tight fit and immobilization of the damping and fixing device DAF against the lower edge of the wall PC, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.4].

[0036] For example, the second damping part PA2 can also be of the silent block type.

[0037] But in the absence of the second damping piece PA2 it is the first (and only) damping piece PA1 which is in close contact with the inner face of the wall PC, and which preferably includes a lower part having a larger diameter and placed outside the passage PP in order to ensure a tight fit and immobilization of the damping and fixing device DAF against the lower edge of the wall PC.

Claims

Demands

1. Rear axle (TR) comprising a cross member (TT) and a shim (CP), said shim (CP) being adapted to be fixedly attached to one end (ET) of the cross member (TT), said rear axle (TR) being coupled to a vehicle structure, said shim (CP) comprising a wall (PC) closing on itself by delimiting a passage (PP) housing a damping and fixing device (DAF) adapted to be fixedly attached to said structure, characterized in that said wall (PC) has an oblong shape so as to allow a variable position of said damping and fixing device (DAF) in said passage (PP) to vary a coupling position of said end (ET) relative to said structure,said damping and fixing device (DAF) comprising a first damping piece (PA1) having a first central passage (PCI) closely housing a cylindrical tube inside which is housed a portion of a screw (VF) having an end (EV) adapted to be fixedly attached to said structure, characterized in that said damping and fixing device (DAF) comprises a second damping piece (PA2) having a second central passage (PC2) closely housing said first damping piece (PA1).

2. Vehicle comprising a rear axle (TR) according to claim 1, which includes a cross member (TT) comprising two ends (ET), right and left, adapted to be coupled respectively to right and left sides of a vehicle structure, characterized in that it further comprises two pairs of wedges (CP) fixedly attached respectively to said ends (ET) at two distant locations along a longitudinal direction of said vehicle.

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said passage (PP) has a length intended to be parallel to said longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. Vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each wedge (CP) is fixedly joined by welding in a corresponding semi-circular recess (ES) of one of said right and left ends (ET).

5. Vehicle according to claim 2 to 4, characterized in that the rear axle (TR) is attached to said right and left sides in a rear part of said structure.

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.