LAND VEHICLE WITH STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS ADAPTED TO VARIATIONS IN FLOOR SECTION LENGTHS
The vehicle structure addresses the challenge of varying lengths by using adaptable coupling elements in internal longitudinal members and a conduit, enabling the same chute to be used across different body styles, reducing inventory complexity and costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle structures face challenges in reusing the same cable channel across different body styles due to variations in the length of the rear floor and heel board, leading to increased inventory diversity and management complexity, which in turn raises vehicle costs.
The vehicle structure incorporates internal longitudinal members with longitudinally spaced coupling elements and a conduit housing a cable, allowing the same chute to be used across various structure variations by adapting coupling elements to the respective extensions of the heel board and internal stringers.
This solution reduces inventory diversity and complexity, thereby lowering vehicle costs by enabling the reuse of the same chute for different structure lengths, and simplifies assembly by allowing adaptable coupling regardless of the wheelbase.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: LAND VEHICLE WITH STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS ADAPTED TO VARIATIONS IN LENGTH PARTS OF FLOOR Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising a structure having two internal longitudinal members attached to a floor. State of the art
[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure (or platform) including a rear crossmember (sometimes called a "crossmember closure"), a heel board, a rear floor extending rearward from the heel board, a load floor located behind the rear floor, and two internal longitudinal members fixedly attached to the rear crossmember, rear floor, and heel board. These two internal longitudinal members are generally used to reinforce the structure and to allow the attachment of a rear portion of a battery providing electrical power for an electric drive unit of the vehicle's powertrain.
[0003] In some vehicles, the internal side members include internal faces oriented towards each other, defining a space that houses part of a channel containing at least one cable. However, when the same vehicle structure (or platform) is used for several body styles, the length of the structure may vary, particularly in the rear half. More specifically, some structures have a single front floor, used for all their variations, to which are attached a heel board that can have several lengths and a rear floor that can also have several lengths. In this case, it proves impossible to reuse the same channel for all variations of the same structure, which increases diversity and complicates inventory management, and therefore increases vehicle costs.
[0004] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0005] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a land vehicle comprising a structure including a rear cross member (or cross member closure), a heel board, and two internal longitudinal members fixedly attached to the rear cross member and heel board and comprising internal faces oriented towards each other and delimiting a space.
[0006] This land vehicle is characterized by the fact that:
[0007] - the inner faces of the inner longitudinal members each comprise at least two first coupling elements spaced longitudinally, and
[0008] - that it comprises a conduit housing at least one cable, housed in the space, and comprising two second coupling elements each coupled to one of the first coupling elements, chosen according to the respective longitudinal extensions of the internal stringers and heel board.
[0009] Thanks to the invention, it is now possible to use the same chute for all variations of the same structure, which reduces the diversity and complexity of stock management, and therefore reduces vehicle costs.
[0010] The land vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0011] - each first coupling element can be a clipping hole, and each second coupling element can be a clipping lug;
[0012] - in the presence of internal longerons having a first longitudinal extension called short, each internal face of an internal spar can include at least two first coupling elements defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to different longitudinal extensions of the heel board;
[0013] - in the presence of the last option, each internal face of an internal longeron can include three initial coupling elements defined in three different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to three different longitudinal extensions of the heel board;
[0014] - in the presence of internal longerons having a second longitudinal extension called long, each internal face of an internal spar can include two first coupling elements defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to two different longitudinal extensions of the heel board;
[0015] - the structure may include a rear floor extending rearward the a heel board to which the internal stringers and the rear cross member are fixedly attached, and a load floor located behind the rear floor and fixedly attached to the rear cross member;
[0016] - it can be of the automotive type. 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 perspective view from below, a part of a first example of a land vehicle structure according to the invention, after the coupling of a chute,
[0019] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, a part of a second example of a land vehicle structure according to the invention, after coupling of the chute,
[0020] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, a part of a third example of a land vehicle structure according to the invention, after coupling of the chute,
[0021] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the right inner longitudinal member of the land vehicle structures in Figures 1 and 2, before the coupling of the chute, and
[0022] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the right internal longitudinal member of the land vehicle structure of [Fig.3], before the coupling of the chute. Detailed description of the invention
[0023] The invention aims in particular to provide a land vehicle V having structural elements LI adapted to variations in length of parts of its floor (PT, PR, PC).
[0024] In what follows, the land vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, it is 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 internal longitudinal members delimiting between them a space housing part of a cable conduit(s).
[0025] In figures 1 to 5, 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 vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.
[0026] In the preceding and following, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the front and rear extremities of vehicle V. Therefore, a front part of an element is intended to be oriented towards the front of vehicle V, while a rear part of an element is intended to be oriented towards the rear of the same vehicle V.
[0027] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate three examples of the realization of part of a structure SV of a (land) vehicle V according to the invention, after the coupling of a chute GC.
[0028] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the SV structure of a vehicle V according to the invention includes in particular a rear cross member (or cross member closure) TR, a heel board PT, and two internal longitudinal members LI.
[0029] It should be noted that the SV structure also includes a rear floor PR which generally supports the rear bench seat of the vehicle V and extends the heel board PT towards the rear, and a load floor PC located behind the rear floor PR, fixedly attached to the rear cross member TR, and which partially delimits the rear trunk of the vehicle V.
[0030] This rear floor PR has at least two different longitudinal extensions (along the longitudinal direction X) (at least one called short (illustrated in figures 1 and 2) and one called long (illustrated in [Fig.3])).
[0031] The rear cross member TR is fixedly attached to two external longitudinal members right and left (not shown) and to the lower faces of the front part of the load floor PC and the rear part of the rear floor PR.
[0032] The heel board PT is a structural element which extends rearward from the front floor (not shown), and which is extended rearward by the rear floor PR. It includes a rear transverse part PTR defining a cross member (and therefore extending along the transverse direction Y), and against which the heels of the rear passengers of the vehicle V can rest. This heel board PT can have at least two different longitudinal extensions (along the longitudinal direction X) (at least one called short (illustrated in [Fig. 1]) and one called long (illustrated in Figures 2 and 3)).
[0033] The two inner longitudinal members LI are fixedly attached to the rear crossmember TR and to the heel board PT between the two outer longitudinal members. They are also fixedly attached to the underside of the rear floor PR. For example, these two inner longitudinal members LI can be used to reinforce the structure SV and allow the attachment of a rear portion of a battery providing electrical power for an electric drive unit of the vehicle's powertrain (or powertrain) V.
[0034] These two internal longitudinal members LI have at least two different longitudinal extensions (along the longitudinal direction X) (at least one called short (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) and one called long (illustrated in [Fig.3])), so that they can be associated respectively with the rear floors PR of different lengths (since they extend over the entire length of the latter (PR)).
[0035] Furthermore, the two inner longitudinal members LI comprise inner faces FI which are oriented towards each other and delimit (together with the lower face of the rear floor PR) a space EL. Moreover, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 5, each of the inner faces FI comprises at least two first coupling elements EClj spaced longitudinally (along the longitudinal direction X).
[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle V also includes a duct GC housing at least one CB cable (and more generally at least one cable harness), and located in the space EL. This duct GC comprises two lateral sides CL oriented respectively towards the two inner faces FI of the inner longitudinal members LI and each comprising a second coupling element EC2 coupled to one of the first coupling elements EClj of the corresponding inner face FI. This first coupling element EClj is chosen according to the respective longitudinal extensions of the inner stringers LI and the heel board PT.
[0037] Thus, the same GC chute can be used for all variations (or all wheelbases) of the same SV structure (short PR rear floor and short PT heel board ([Fig. 1]), short PR rear floor and long PT heel board ([Fig. 2]), long PR rear floor and long PT heel board ([Fig. 3]), and long PR rear floor and short PT heel board). This advantageously reduces the diversity and complexity of inventory management, and therefore reduces vehicle costs.
[0038] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially, in Figures 1 to 5, each first coupling element EC1j can be a clipping hole, and each second coupling element EC2 can be a clipping tab. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the coupling could be achieved by other techniques, in particular by screwing.
[0039] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1, 2 and 4, when the internal stringers LI have a first longitudinal extension (called short), each internal face FI can include at least two first coupling elements EClj defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to different longitudinal extensions of the heel board PT.
[0040] In the first and second examples illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4 respectively, each internal face FI comprises three first coupling elements ECU to EC13 (j = 1 to 3) defined in three different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to three different longitudinal extensions of the PT heel board (for example, a short one ([Fig. 1]), a long one ([Fig. 2]), and a very long one). The first two ECU coupling elements (j = 1) are therefore associated with a short PT heel board, the second two EC12 coupling elements (j = 2) are associated with a long PT heel board, and the first two EC13 coupling elements (j = 3) are associated with a very long PT heel board (not shown).
[0041] In the example of [Fig. 1], it can be observed that the intermediate zone ZI of the GC channel is located slightly after the rear transverse portion PTR of the heel board PT, and the rear end ER of the GC channel is located above the rear portion of the rear cross member TR, due to the short heel board PT. The coupling of the two second coupling elements EC2 then occurs here at the level of the first two coupling elements ECU (j = 1), which are associated with a short heel board PT.
[0042] In contrast, in the example of [Fig. 2], it can be observed that the intermediate zone ZI of the duct GC is located above the rear transverse portion PTR of the heel board PT, and the rear end ER of the duct GC is located above the rear ends of the internal stringers LI, due to the long heel board PT. The coupling of the two second coupling elements EC2 then occurs here at the level of the two second first coupling elements EC12 (j = 2) which are associated with a long heel board PT.
[0043] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 3 and 5, when the internal stringers LI have a second longitudinal extension (called long), each internal face FI can include two first coupling elements EC11 (j = 1 or 2) defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to two different longitudinal extensions of the heel board PT. The first two coupling elements EC11 (j = 1) are therefore associated with a short heel board PT, and the second two coupling elements EC12 (j = 2) are associated with a long heel board PT.
[0044] In the example of [Fig. 3], it can be observed that the intermediate zone ZI of the duct GC is located above the rear transverse portion PTR of the heel board PT, as in the second example of [Fig. 2], and the rear end ER of the duct GC is located slightly forward of the rear ends of the internal stringers LI, due to the length of the heel board PT. The coupling of the two second coupling elements EC2 then occurs here at the level of the two second first coupling elements EC12 (j = 2), which are associated with a long heel board PT.
[0045] The coupling of the two second coupling elements EC2 takes place at the level of the first two first coupling elements ECU (j = 1) when the rear floor PR is long and the heel board PT is short.
[0046] The invention makes it possible to reduce assembly time, adapt the coupling regardless of the wheelbase of the SV structure, and the number of additional parts or elements required for the couplings.
Claims
Demands
1. Land vehicle (V) comprising a structure (SV) having a rear cross member (TR), a heel board (PT) and two internal side members (LI) fixedly attached to said rear cross member (TR) and heel board (PT) and comprising internal faces (FI) oriented towards each other and delimiting a space (EL), characterized in that said internal faces (FI) each have at least two first coupling elements (EC1j) spaced longitudinally apart, and in that it comprises a chute (GC) housing at least one cable (CB), housed in said space (EL), and comprising two second coupling elements (EC2) each coupled to one of said first coupling elements (EC1j), chosen according to respective longitudinal extensions of said internal side members (LI) and heel board (PT).
2. Land vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that each first coupling element (EC1j) is a clipping hole, and each second coupling element (EC2) is a clipping tab.
3. Land vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the presence of internal longerons (LI) having a first longitudinal extension called short, each internal face (FI) comprises at least two first coupling elements (EClj) defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to different longitudinal extensions of said heel board (PT).
4. Land vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that each inner face (FI) comprises three first coupling elements (EClj) defined in three different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to three different longitudinal extensions of said heel board (PT).
5. Land vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the presence of internal side members (LI) having a second longitudinal extension called long, each internal face (FI) comprises two first coupling elements (EClj) defined in different longitudinal positions adapted respectively to two different longitudinal extensions of said heel board (PT).
6. Land vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said structure (SV) comprises a rear floor (PR) extending rearward from said heel board (PT), and to which said internal longitudinal members (LI) and said rear crossmember (TR) are fixedly attached, and a load floor (PC) located behind said rear floor (PR) and fixedly attached to said rear cross member (TR).
7. Land vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.