MODULAR STRUCTURE FOR A LAND VEHICLE
The modular structure addresses the challenges of costly assembly and adaptability in land vehicles by using a longitudinal beam and structural modules for easy assembly and battery integration, reducing costs and enhancing adaptability and impact protection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing land vehicle structures are costly to manufacture due to complex assembly processes, lack modularity, and are not easily adaptable to different body silhouettes or wheelbases, and do not accommodate rechargeable batteries efficiently.
A modular structure comprising a longitudinal beam, structural modules, and interface pieces that allow for easy assembly and adaptation to various body shapes, while integrating rechargeable batteries and absorbing impact energy.
The modular structure reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying assembly, enhances adaptability to different vehicle designs, and efficiently integrates batteries, providing improved rigidity and impact protection.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: MODULAR STRUCTURE FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles, and more specifically to the structures (or platforms) that are part of such vehicles. State of the art
[0002] Some land vehicles, generally of the motor vehicle type, include a structure (or platform) of which at least the lower part (or underbody) is made up by assembly of structural elements such as longitudinal members, cross members, longitudinal members, shafts, a front cradle (with extensions), and upper arms.
[0003] This assembly is generally carried out on assembly lines by robots which are often complex, very restrictive and very expensive, and therefore significantly increase the manufacturing costs of land vehicles.
[0004] The structures (or platforms) resulting from this type of assembly can certainly sometimes be adapted to different body silhouettes (or different wheelbases), by means of the use of structural elements of greater or lesser length, but this introduces a significant diversity and requires different programming of the assembly robots.
[0005] Moreover, these structures (or platforms) can hardly be described as modular since they do not result from an assembly of true structural modules, the number of which can vary according to the desired body silhouette (or wheelbase).
[0006] Furthermore, these structures (or platforms) were not initially designed to accommodate a rechargeable main (or traction) battery used to supply electrical power to at least one electric drive unit of the purely electric or hybrid (thermal and electric) powertrain. Consequently, with such structures (or platforms), it proves difficult to vary the number of modules in the main battery according to the needs or demands of land vehicle users.
[0007] It has indeed been proposed, notably in US-B2 document 6,923,282, to introduce some modularity into the structures of (very) light land vehicles, but primarily with the aim of simplifying assembly and the transfer of components between a front or rear section and a central section. However, such structures lack rigidity and prove very difficult to adapt to different body silhouettes (or different wheelbases) without the introduction of significant diversity.
[0008] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0009] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a modular structure intended to equip a land vehicle and comprising:
[0010] - a longitudinal beam,
[0011] - at least a first structural module comprising a central longitudinal passage traversed by this longitudinal beam,
[0012] - of the second and third structural modules designed to receive respectively the front and rear axles of the land vehicle
[0013] - a first interface piece fixed to a front end of the beam longitudinal and to the first and second structural modules, and
[0014] - a second interface piece attached to a rear end of the beam longitudinal and to the first and third structural modules.
[0015] Thus, the modular structure is very rigid thanks to its longitudinal beam, very easily adaptable to different body silhouettes (or different wheelbases), and much easier to assemble, which makes it possible to reduce the number and complexity of assembly robots, and therefore the cost of manufacturing vehicles.
[0016] The modular structure according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0017] - each first structural module may include at least one housing transverse comprising two sub-parts right and left defined respectively to the right and left of the central longitudinal passage and each designed to house a battery module;
[0018] - in the presence of the first option, each first structural module can including two transverse dwellings defined next to each other;
[0019] - the second and third structural modules may be identical or different each other;
[0020] - the first and second interface pieces may be identical or different one from the other;
[0021] - each of the first and second interface pieces may comprise a first one face inclined and a second face opposite the first and not inclined. In this case, the first faces can either be intended to be oriented upwards in order to participate with the first face of each first structural module in defining a non-flat floor and giving the land vehicle a low ground clearance, are intended to be oriented downwards so that the associated second faces are oriented upwards and participate with the first face of each first structural module in defining a flat floor and that the land vehicle has a high ground clearance;
[0022] - it may comprise a first absorption piece attached to the second structural module opposite the first interface piece, and / or a second absorption piece attached to the third structural module opposite the second interface piece.
[0023] The invention also proposes a land vehicle comprising, on the one hand, front and rear axles, and, on the other hand, a modular structure of the type presented above to which these front and rear axles are attached.
[0024] For example, this land vehicle may be of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures
[0025] 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:
[0026] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a part of an example of a land vehicle comprising a first example of an embodiment of a modular structure according to the invention,
[0027] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the beam longitudinal of the modular structure of the [Fig.1],
[0028] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the first module structural of the modular structure of [Fig. 1], with the longitudinal beam passing through its central longitudinal passage,
[0029] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a first example of the first and second interface pieces of the modular structure of the [Fig.1],
[0030] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a second example of second interface piece of the modular structure of the [Fig.l],
[0031] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a side view (on the right), the part of land vehicle of the [Fig. 1], and
[0032] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a side view (on the right), a part of an example of a land vehicle comprising a second example of an embodiment of a modular structure according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
[0033] The invention aims in particular to provide a modular SM structure intended to be part of a land vehicle V.
[0034] In what follows, the land vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. This is, for example, a car, as illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 7. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising a structure (or platform) to which front and rear axles are attached.
[0035] In figures 1 to 7, direction X is the longitudinal direction of the land vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, direction Y is the transverse direction of the land vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and direction Z is the vertical direction of the land vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.
[0036] Figure [1] schematically illustrates part of an example of a land vehicle V (here a car) comprising a first example of an embodiment of a modular structure SM according to the invention.
[0037] As illustrated at least partially in [Fig.1], a modular structure SM, according to the invention, comprises at least one longitudinal beam PL, a first structural module MSI, second structural modules MS2 and third structural modules MS3, and first interface pieces PI1 and second interface pieces PI2, which are assembled to each other.
[0038] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the longitudinal beam PL comprises opposing front ends El and rear ends E2. Preferably, to optimize its rigidity, it is a closed structural element, except at its front ends El and rear ends E2, which include openings communicating with an internal housing to advantageously allow the passage of cables or cable bundles, for example. For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 3, the longitudinal beam PL may have a rectangular cross-section (in the YZ plane). Also, for example, the longitudinal beam PL may be made of a very strong and very rigid metallic material, such as steel or aluminum.
[0039] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first structural module MSI comprises a central longitudinal passage PLC through which the longitudinal beam PL passes, such that the front ends E1 and rear ends E2 of the latter (PL) open to the outside. This central longitudinal passage PLC can, as illustrated without limitation, be delimited by four walls fixedly joined in pairs, and of dimensions substantially equal in size but larger than those of the corresponding walls of the longitudinal beam PL to accommodate the latter (PL).
[0040] It should be noted that in the examples illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1, 6 and 7, the modular structure SM comprises only one first structural module MSI. However, it could include several (at least two) first structural modules (MSIs) assembled in series along the longitudinal X direction. The number of first structural modules (MSIs) depends on the body shape (or wheelbase) of vehicle V or the number of main (or traction) battery modules to be carried by vehicle V (as will be seen later). It follows that the number of first structural modules (MSIs) determines the length of the longitudinal beam (PL).
[0041] For example, the (each) first structural module MSI can be arranged in the form of a structural element in the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped defined by walls substantially perpendicular to each other and having through holes, at least one of which can be reinforced by internal ribs.
[0042] Also, for example, the (each) first structural module MS 1 can be made of very strong and very rigid metallic material, such as steel or aluminum.
[0043] The second structural module MS2 is suitable for receiving the front axle Tl of the (land) vehicle V. For example, it can be arranged in the form of a structural element in the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped defined by frames substantially perpendicular in pairs and which, for at least one of them, can be reinforced by internal ribs connecting two of its sides.
[0044] Also, for example, the second structural module MS2 can be made of very strong and very rigid metallic material, such as steel or aluminum.
[0045] The third structural module MS3 is suitable for receiving the rear axle T2 of the vehicle V. For example, it can be arranged in the form of a structural element in the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped defined by frames substantially perpendicular in pairs and which, for at least one of them, can be reinforced by internal ribs connecting two of its sides.
[0046] Also, for example, the third structural module MS3 can be made of very strong and very rigid metallic material, such as steel or aluminum.
[0047] The first interface piece PII is fixedly attached to the front end El of the longitudinal beam PL and to the first structural modules MSI and MS2. It therefore comprises two internal faces, FI and FE, which are respectively fixedly attached to a front face of the first structural module MS1 and a rear face of the second structural module MS2. As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the internal face FI includes a through hole TC allowing the insertion of the front end EL
[0048] For example, the first interface piece PII can be made of a very strong and rigid material, such as a metal (steel or aluminum) or a plastic or synthetic material (possibly fiber-reinforced). Furthermore, it can be a solid piece with at least one internal housing open to the outside on the side of its inner face FI to receive the front end El of the longitudinal beam PL, or of a hollow part, as illustrated non-limitingly in the example of [Fig.4],
[0049] The second interface piece PI2 is fixedly attached to the rear end E2 of the longitudinal beam PL and to the first MSI and third MS3 structural modules. It therefore comprises two internal faces FI and external faces FE, which are respectively fixedly attached to a rear face of the first structural module MS1 and a front face of the third structural module MS3. Although not shown in [Fig. 4], the internal face FI also includes a through hole TC allowing the insertion of the rear end E2.
[0050] For example, the second interface piece PI2 can be made of a very strong and very rigid material, such as a metal (steel or aluminum) or a plastic or synthetic material (possibly fiber-reinforced). Furthermore, it can be a solid piece with at least one internal recess open to the outside on its inner face FI to receive the rear end E2 of the longitudinal beam PL, or a hollow piece, as illustrated, but not limited to, in the two examples in Figures 4 and 5.
[0051] This provides a very rigid modular SM structure thanks to its centrally positioned longitudinal beam PL, which is very easily adaptable to different body shapes (or different wheelbases), particularly by adjusting the number of initial structural modules MSI it comprises. Furthermore, such a modular SM structure can be assembled much more easily, notably by screwing, which reduces the number and complexity of assembly robots, and therefore the manufacturing cost of V-vehicles.
[0052] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 7, the first structural module MS 1 may include at least one transverse housing LT comprising two sub-parts, right SPD and left SPG, defined respectively to the right and left of its central longitudinal passage PLC. As illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 7, each of these right SPD and left SPG sub-parts is suitable for housing a battery module MB. The battery module MB housed in the right SPD sub-part is therefore separated from the battery module MB housed in the left SPG sub-part by the walls delimiting the central longitudinal passage PLC of the first structural module MS 1 and the longitudinal beam PL.
[0053] The MB battery modules are part of a battery that is called the "main" (or traction) battery because it is responsible for electrically powering at least one electric drive unit MME (here part of the rear axle T2 - see [Fig. 1]) of the vehicle's powertrain (or powertrain) V. This main battery can be recharged by temporarily coupling a vehicle V charging connector to an external power source.
[0054] The main (or traction) battery may, for example, include electrical energy storage cells, possibly electrochemical (for example, of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type).
[0055] This arrangement of each first structural module MSI is particularly advantageous because it allows the MB battery modules to be integrated into the structure (the underbody) of the vehicle V, thereby increasing their protection in the event of an impact on the vehicle V, without the need for additional protective elements (which also simplifies the layout of the vehicle V and reduces its cost). In other words, the modular structure SM is designed, by design, to accommodate and protect at least one rechargeable main (or traction) battery.
[0056] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 7, the first structural module MS 1 may comprise two transverse housings LT defined side by side (and more precisely one after the other along the longitudinal direction X), and preferably separated by a transverse wall PT. This allows for the integration and protection of four battery modules MB. However, the first structural module MSI could comprise only one transverse housing LT or more than two transverse housings LT (for example, three or four in series along the longitudinal direction X).
[0057] This sub-option allows the number of MB battery modules to be easily varied according to the needs or demands of land vehicle users.
[0058] In order to facilitate the introduction (or extraction) of a battery module MB into (out of) a right sub-part SPD or left sub-part SPG of a transverse housing LT, the (each) first structural module MS 1 may, for example and as illustrated non-limitingly and partially in [Fig.3], include pairs of grooves or slides G fixedly attached to transverse and vertical walls PT which it comprises, and each battery module MB may include rollers, guides, pads, or ribs suitable for rolling or sliding in these grooves or slides G.
[0059] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the second MS2 and third MS3 structural modules are identical. This is particularly advantageous because it reduces the diversity of structural elements that can be used to create modular SM structures. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the second MS2 and third MS3 structural modules could be different from each other.
[0060] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, the first PII and second PI2 interface pieces are identical. This is This is particularly advantageous because it reduces the diversity of structural elements that can be used to create modular SM structures. However, in an unillustrated embodiment, the first PII and second PI2 interface pieces could be different from each other.
[0061] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 4 to 7, each of the first PII and second PII interface pieces may comprise a first inclined face Fl and a second face F2 opposite this first face Fl and not inclined. In this case, two arrangements can be envisaged.
[0062] In a first arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, the first faces Fl can be oriented upwards in order to participate, along with a first face Fl' of each first structural module MSI, in defining a non-flat floor. In this first arrangement, the vehicle V has a low ground clearance because the internal faces FI of the first PII and second PI2 interface pieces are offset downwards relative to the external faces FE of the latter (PII, PI2) due to the upward orientation of the inclined first faces Fl.
[0063] In a second arrangement illustrated in [Fig. 7], the first faces Fl can be oriented downwards so that the associated second faces F2 are oriented upwards and, together with the first face Fl' of each first structural module MSI, contribute to defining a flat floor. In this second arrangement, the vehicle V has a high ground clearance because the internal faces FI of the first PII and second PI2 interface pieces are now offset upwards relative to the external faces FE of the latter (PII, PI2) due to the downward orientation of the inclined first faces Fl.
[0064] It will be understood that to go from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, it is sufficient to impose a rotation of 180° in the transverse and vertical plane YZ on each of the first PII and second PI2 interface pieces, which is very simple to implement.
[0065] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 6 and 7, the modular structure SM may also include a first absorption piece PA1 and / or a second absorption piece PA2. The first absorption piece PA1 is attached to the second structural module MS2 opposite the first interface piece PII, in order to absorb part of the energy of the impacts sustained by the front of the vehicle V. The second absorption piece PA2 is attached to the third structural module MS3 opposite the second interface piece PII, in order to absorb part of the energy of the impacts sustained by the rear of the vehicle V.
[0066] It should be noted that in the examples illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1, 6 and 7, the modular SM structures include first PA1 and second PA2 absorption pieces. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, a modular SM structure may only include a first absorption piece PA1, or a second absorption piece PA2.
[0067] It should also be noted that in the examples illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the first PA1 and second PA2 absorption pieces are identical. This is particularly advantageous because it reduces the diversity of elements that can be used to create modular SM structures. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the first PA1 and second PA2 absorption pieces could be different from each other.
[0068] For example, the first PA1 and second PA2 absorption parts can be made of an energy-absorbing, plastic, or synthetic material, and / or can be specifically arranged to deform in a predefined way to absorb energy. Consequently, they can be solid parts, or parts that are at least partially hollow (for example, with partitions having particular orientations and / or attenuation zones).
Claims
Demands
1. Modular structure (MS) for a land vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises i) a longitudinal beam (PL), ii) at least one first structural module (MSI) comprising a central longitudinal passage (PLC) through which said longitudinal beam (PL) passes, iii) second (MS2) and third (MS3) structural modules adapted to receive respectively the front (T1) and rear (T2) axles of said land vehicle (V), iv) a first interface piece (PII) attached to a front end (El) of said longitudinal beam (PL) and to said first (MSI) and second (MS2) structural modules,and (v) a second interface piece (PI2) attached to a rear end (E2) of said longitudinal beam (PL) and to said first (MSI) and third (MS3) structural modules, and in that each of said first (PII) and second (PI2) interface pieces comprises a first inclined face (Fl) and a second face (F2) opposite said first face (Fl) and not inclined, said first faces (Fl) being either intended to be oriented upwards in order to participate with a first face (Fl') of each first structural module (MSI) in defining a non-flat floor and that said land vehicle (V) has a low ground clearance, or intended to be oriented downwards so that said associated second faces (F2) are oriented upwards and participate with said first face (Fl') of each first structural module (MSI) in defining a flat floor and that said land vehicle (V) has a high ground clearance.
2. Modular structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each first structural module (MSI) comprises at least one transverse housing (LT) having two right (SPD) and left (SPG) sub-parts defined respectively to the right and left of said central longitudinal passage (PLC) and each suitable for housing a battery module (MB).
3. Modular structure according to claim 2, characterized in that each first structural module (MSI) comprises two transverse housings (LT) defined next to each other.
4. Modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second (MS2) and third (MS3) structural modules are identical.
5. Modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second (MS2) and third (MS3) structural modules are different from each other.
6. Modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first (PI1) and second (PI2) interface pieces are identical.
7. Modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first (PI1) and second (PI2) interface pieces are different from each other.
8. Modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a first absorption piece (PA1) attached to said second structural module (MS2) opposite said first interface piece (PII), and / or a second absorption piece (PA2) attached to said third structural module (MS3) opposite said second interface piece (PI2).
9. Land vehicle (V) comprising front (T1) and rear (T2) carriages, characterized in that it further comprises a modular structure (SM) according to one of the preceding claims, and to which said front (T1) and rear (T2) carriages are attached.