REAR CROSSMEMBER FOR LAND VEHICLES, SUITABLE FOR DIFFERENT ENGINES

Abstract

A rear crossmember (TR) is part of a structure (SV) equipping a land vehicle (V) and comprising a rear floor (PR) located in front of a cargo floor (PC). This rear crossmember (TR) is fixedly attached to the rear floor (PR) and cargo floor (PC), and includes a lower wall (PI) arranged to allow the attachment of either at least one mounting bracket (PF) of a fuel tank (RC) of the land vehicle (V), or two internal longitudinal members of the structure (SV). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: REAR CROSSMEMBER FOR A LAND VEHICLE, ADAPTED TO DIFFERENT ENGINES Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising a structure including a rear cross member to which at least one element (possibly structural) must be attached. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure (or platform) having a rear floor located in front of a load floor, and a rear cross member (sometimes called a "cross member closure") fixedly attached to the rear floor and the load floor. The rear floor generally supports the rear seat of the vehicle and extends a heel board of the structure to the rear, and the load floor generally partially delimits the rear cargo area of ​​the vehicle.

[0003] As those skilled in the art know, the rear crossmember includes a lower wall (facing the ground) which serves as an anchoring (or fastening) area for at least one vehicle component that depends on the vehicle's powertrain. Indeed, depending on the powertrain (or PT) equipping the vehicle, the lower wall of the rear crossmember serves as an anchoring area for at least one fuel tank mounting bracket (in the case of a combustion or hybrid PT) or for two internal structural members (in the case of an electric PT). It should be noted that these two internal members are generally used to reinforce the structure and allow the attachment of a rear section of a main (or traction) battery that provides electrical power to an electric drive unit of the PT.

[0004] Currently, rear crossmembers are used with lower walls that differ depending on the engine. More specifically, the following are used:

[0005] - either a first lower wall specifically adapted for securing a a single mounting piece for a fuel tank when the powertrain is purely thermal or hybrid and at the same time the rear suspension is of the multi-link type,

[0006] - i.e. a second lower wall specifically adapted for securing two fuel tank mounting parts when the powertrain is hybrid and at the same time the rear axle is of the dynamic type.

[0007] - either a third lower wall specifically adapted for securing two internal longitudinal members for the support of the main (or traction) battery when the powertrain is purely electric.

[0008] We are therefore forced to use three different stamping tools to produce the three different lower walls of the rear crossmembers and various sub-assemblies of the bodywork, which increases diversity and complicates inventory management, and thus increases vehicle costs. Furthermore, holes are initially defined in the three different lower walls to allow for screw fastening of the fasteners, but when the fastening is done by welding (as in the case of the internal side members), we have to plug these holes when they are not used to ensure the rear crossmember is watertight, which is time-consuming and further increases the diversity and complexity of inventory management, and therefore further increases vehicle costs.

[0009] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0010] It proposes in particular for this purpose a rear cross member, on the one hand, suitable for being part of a structure of a land vehicle, this structure comprising a rear floor located in front of a load floor, and, on the other hand, suitable for being fixedly attached to the rear floor and the load floor.

[0011] This rear cross member is characterized by the fact that it includes a lower wall arranged to allow the attachment of either at least one fixing piece for a fuel tank of the land vehicle, or of two internal longitudinal members of the structure.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, it is now possible to use the same lower wall for the rear cross members of vehicles that can have several different engines, which reduces the diversity and complexity of stock management, and therefore reduces vehicle costs.

[0013] The rear crossmember according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - its lower wall may include two spaced reinforcing stampings transversely, and designed to be oriented so as to project downwards and allow the attachment of a fuel tank fixing piece or an internal longitudinal member;

[0015] - in the presence of the first option, at least one of the stamped parts may include a through hole suitable for being passed through by a screw intended to secure a fuel tank fixing part by screwing;

[0016] - also in the presence of the first option and possibly in combination With the last sub-option, at least one of the stamped parts may include a flat underside suitable for allowing the joining by welding of an internal spar.

[0017] The invention also proposes a land vehicle comprising a structure having, on the one hand, a rear floor located in front of a loading floor, and, on the other hand, a rear cross member of the type presented above and fixedly attached to the rear floor and the loading floor.

[0018] The land vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0019] - it may include a fuel tank fixedly attached to the wall lower of the rear crossmember by at least one fixing piece associated with a screw;

[0020] - in the presence of the first option, its fuel tank can be secured fixed to the lower wall of the rear crossmember by two fixing pieces associated respectively with two screws;

[0021] - its structure may comprise two internal longitudinal members fixedly joined by welding to the lower wall of the rear crossmember and to the rear floor;

[0022] - in the presence of the last option, it may include a battery specific to to provide electrical power for an electric motive machine of a powertrain (or PWM) and fixedly attached by screwing to the internal longitudinal members;

[0023] - it can be of the automotive type. Brief description of the figures

[0024] 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:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a bottom view, part of a first example of a land vehicle structure comprising a first example of an embodiment of a rear crossmember according to the invention adapted to a thermal powertrain,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a view from below, the lower wall of the rear crossmember of the [Fig.1], before its integration into a thermal powertrain vehicle structure,

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a bottom view, part of a second example of a land vehicle structure comprising a second example of an embodiment of a rear crossmember according to the invention adapted to a hybrid powertrain,

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a view from below, the lower wall of the rear crossmember of [Fig.3], before its integration into a hybrid powertrain vehicle structure,

[0029] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a bottom view, part of a third example of a land vehicle structure comprising a third example of an embodiment of a rear crossmember according to the invention adapted to an electric powertrain, and

[0030] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a view from below, the lower wall of the rear crossmember of the [Fig.5], before its integration into an electric powertrain vehicle structure. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The invention aims in particular to provide a rear crossmember (or crossmember closure) TR intended to be part of a structure SV of a land vehicle V and adapted to the different motorizations that this vehicle V may have.

[0032] 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 to any land vehicle comprising a structure including a rear crossmember (or crossmember closure) serving as an anchoring (or securing) area for at least one vehicle component that is dependent on the vehicle's motorization.

[0033] In figures 1 to 6, the 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, the direction Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Figures 1, 3, and 5 schematically illustrate three examples of embodiments of parts of a vehicle (land) V structure SV comprising a rear crossmember (or crossmember closure) TR according to the invention. This vehicle V has a structure that can be associated with different powertrains (or powertrains), namely a purely thermal powertrain, a hybrid (thermal and electric) powertrain, and a purely electric powertrain.

[0036] It will be noted that vehicle V partially illustrated in [Fig. 1] has a purely thermal powertrain, vehicle V partially illustrated in [Fig. 3] has a hybrid powertrain and a dynamic rear axle, and vehicle V partially illustrated in [Fig. 5] has a purely electric powertrain.

[0037] As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the structure SV of a vehicle V according to the invention includes in particular a rear cross member (or cross member closure) TR, a rear floor PR and a load floor PC.

[0038] The rear floor PR generally supports the rear seat of the vehicle V, is fixedly attached to the rear crossmember TR, and extends rearward from a heel board (not shown) which is a structural element extending rearward from a front floor (not shown). It should be noted that the heel board includes a rear transverse portion defining a crossmember (and therefore extending along the transverse direction Y), against which the heels of the rear passengers of the vehicle V can rest.

[0039] The PC load floor is located behind the rear floor PR, fixedly attached to the rear crossmember TR, and partially delimits the rear trunk of the vehicle V.

[0040] The rear cross member TR is designed to be 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. It comprises a main part (not visible in the figures), for example having a cross-section in the general shape of an inverted U, and a lower wall PI fixedly attached by welding to the main part, closing the cavity delimited by the latter, and intended to be oriented towards the ground once installed in the vehicle V.

[0041] This lower wall PI is arranged so as to allow the attachment of either at least one fixing piece PF of a fuel tank RC of the land vehicle V (figures 1 to 4, case of thermal and hybrid powertrains), or of two internal longitudinal members LI of the structure SV (figures 5 and 6, case of the electric powertrain).

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, each PF fastening piece can, for example, pass under a part of the RC fuel tank associated with a thermal or hybrid GMP, and include ends secured by screwing to the lower wall PI and to the RC fuel tank or to another element of the SV structure (for example the heel board).

[0043] As partially illustrated in [Fig. 5], the two inner longitudinal members LI are fixedly attached to the rear crossmember TR and to the heel board 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 for the fixed attachment, by bolting, of a rear section of a battery designed to supply electrical power to an electric drive unit of an electric powertrain of the vehicle V.

[0044] Thanks to this unique arrangement of the lower wall PI, it is no longer necessary to use three different stamping tools to produce three different lower walls of the rear crossmember and different sub-assemblies of the bodywork. Now, only one stamping tool is required, which significantly reduces the diversity and management of inventory, and therefore reduces vehicle costs.

[0045] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 6, the lower wall PI may include two transversely spaced reinforcing stampings ER, oriented to project downwards. In this case, each reinforcing stamping ER, which forms a concave area, is designed to allow the attachment of a fastener PF (Figures 1 to 4) to a fuel tank RC or an internal spar LI (Figures 5 and 6).

[0046] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 4, when the vehicle's powertrain (V) is internal combustion or hybrid, at least one of the reinforcing stampings ER may include a through hole TT designed to be passed through by a screw intended to secure a fastener PF to the fuel tank RC. Thus, in the first example in Figures 1 and 2 (internal combustion powertrain, but it could also be a hybrid powertrain associated with a multi-link rear suspension), only one of the two reinforcing stampings ER includes a through hole TT because the fuel tank RC is held under the rear wall PR by a single fastener PF screwed onto the lower wall PI via the single through hole TT.In the second example in Figures 3 and 4 (hybrid GMP and dynamic rear axle), each of the two reinforcing stampings ER includes a through hole TT because the RC fuel tank is held under the rear wall PR by two fixing pieces PF screwed onto the lower wall PI via the two through holes TT.

[0047] It will be understood that each through hole in the TT is now made only when necessary, and therefore to accommodate a screw, which advantageously avoids having to plug holes when they are not used to ensure the sealing of a TR rear crossmember. This results in time savings, a reduction in the diversity and complexity of inventory management, and therefore a reduction in vehicle costs.

[0048] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 6, at least one of the ER reinforcement stampings may include a flat lower face suitable for allowing the joining by welding of an internal spar LI.

[0049] Thus, in the third example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 5 and 6, when the vehicle's powertrain V is electric, the two reinforcing stampings ER have a flat underside suitable for welding an internal longitudinal member LI. In this case, there is no through hole TT to be made in a reinforcing stamping ER.

[0050] It should be noted that in the first example of figures 1 and 2 (thermal GMP, but it could also be a hybrid GMP associated with a multi-link rear axle), the two ER reinforcement stampings also have a flat lower face and only the lower face of one of them (ER) includes a through hole TT.

[0051] It will also be noted that in the second example of Figures 3 and 4 (hybrid GMP associated with a dynamic rear axle), the two ER reinforcement stampings also have a flat lower face, and the two lower faces each include a through hole TT.

[0052] The invention makes it possible to reduce assembly time, production costs, logistics, and the number of additional parts or elements required for couplings.

Claims

Demands

1. Rear cross member (TR) suitable for forming part of a structure (SV) of a land vehicle (V), said structure (SV) comprising a rear floor (PR) located in front of a load floor (PC), and said rear cross member (TR) being suitable for being fixedly attached to said rear floor (PR) and load floor (PC), characterized in that it comprises a lower wall (PI) arranged so as to allow attachment of either at least one fastening part (PF) of a fuel tank (RC) of said land vehicle (V), or of two internal longitudinal members (LI) of said structure (SV) and in that said lower wall (PI) comprises two transversely spaced reinforcing stampings (ER), suitable for being oriented so as to project downwards and to allow attachment of a fastening part (PF) of said fuel tank (RC) or of an internal longitudinal member (LI).

2. Rear cross member according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said reinforcement stampings (ER) includes a through hole (TT) suitable for being passed through by a screw intended to secure a fixing piece (PF) of said fuel tank (RC) by screwing.

3. Rear cross member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said reinforcement stampings (ER) comprises a flat lower face suitable for allowing the joining by welding of an internal spar (LI).

4. Land vehicle (V) comprising a structure (SV) having a rear floor (PR) located in front of a load floor (PC), characterized in that it comprises a rear cross member (TR) according to any one of the preceding claims, fixedly attached to said rear floor (PR) and load floor (PC).

5. Land vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a fuel tank (RC) fixedly attached to said lower wall (PI) of the rear cross member (TR) by at least one fastening piece (PF) associated with a screw.

6. Land vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that said fuel tank (RC) is fixedly attached to said lower wall (PI) of the rear cross member (TR) by two fixing pieces (PF) associated respectively with two screws.

7. Land vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that said structure (SV) comprises two internal longitudinal members (LI) fixedly joined by welding to said lower wall (PI) of the rear cross member (TR) and said rear floor (PR).

8. Land vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a battery suitable for supplying electrical energy for an electric motive machine of a powertrain and fixedly attached by screwing to said internal longitudinal members (LI).

9. Land vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.