Combination of motor vehicles and motor vehicles comprising such a combination
By integrating left and right sub-assemblies with a single plastic part and a sealing system, the vehicle assembly addresses water infiltration and component degradation issues, enhancing durability and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022010606
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-14
AI Technical Summary
Two-seater electric vehicles, known as 'micro-city' vehicles, experience water infiltration and damage to electrical components due to splashes of mud or gravel at the junctions of their vehicle assembly, particularly at the underbody, leading to degradation and increased maintenance costs.
The vehicle assembly is redesigned with left and right sub-assemblies made of a single plastic part each, featuring a female and male profile with a seal and clipping system to secure them together, reducing the number of attached parts and enhancing watertightness.
This design minimizes water infiltration and component degradation, lowers manufacturing and maintenance costs, and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Motor vehicle assembly and motor vehicle comprising such an assembly Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and more particularly concerns a motor vehicle assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. Prior art
[0002] Motor vehicles, in particular two-seater electric vehicles known as “micro-city vehicles”, comprise, in a known manner, a set of parts assembled together so as to form the underbody of the motor vehicle.
[0003] Such a vehicle assembly comprises several parts connected to each other, including, in particular, a front floor, extended at the front by a front left and front right wheel arch and by a front apron, separating the engine from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0004] In the same way, the vehicle assembly also comprises, in particular, a rear floor, extended at the rear by left and right rear wheel arches, by left and right rear mudguards and by a rear apron, these parts also being connected to each other.
[0005] The underbody of the motor vehicle is the part of the vehicle most exposed to splashes of water, mud, gravel and salt.
[0006] It has been found that two-seater electric motor vehicles, so-called "micro-city" motor vehicles, which include such a vehicle assembly, are particularly subject to water infiltration inside their passenger compartment, in particular when the motor vehicle crosses a ford, the water entering at the junctions between the different parts forming the vehicle assembly at the underbody of said vehicle.
[0007] Similarly, the electrical components mounted on the underbody of the motor vehicle, in particular the traction battery supplying the electric motor of the motor vehicle, or the battery charger, are regularly damaged by projections of mud or gravel which enter at the junctions of the parts forming the motor vehicle assembly. Statement of the invention
[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle assembly forming the underbody of said motor vehicle, comprising a left sub-assembly and a right sub-assembly, characterized in that said left and right sub-assemblies each consist of a single part made of plastic material and in that said left and right sub-assemblies are assembled together at a junction zone.
[0009] Thus, each left and right subassembly consists of a single part, made of plastic material. This reduces, compared to the prior art, the number of added parts forming the motor vehicle assembly defining the underbody of the motor vehicle.
[0010] By reducing the number of added parts, the risk of water infiltration through the underbody of the motor vehicle is advantageously limited, infiltration which can occur in particular when said vehicle crosses a ford.
[0011] The risk of damage to the electrical components mounted on the underbody of the motor vehicle, which could occur due to mud or gravel being thrown up when the motor vehicle is moving, is also limited.
[0012] According to optional characteristics of the assembly according to the invention: - said left subassembly comprises at least one left floor, one left front apron and one left rear apron, one left front mudguard and one left rear mudguard, and said right subassembly comprises at least one right floor, one right front apron and one right rear apron, one right front mudguard and one right rear mudguard; - said junction zone extends longitudinally relative to said assembly; - said left and right subassemblies are fitted relative to each other; - said left subassembly comprises a female profile and said right subassembly comprises a male profile cooperating with said female profile; - said female profile extends over the entire length of the left subassembly and said male profile extends over the entire length of the right subassembly; - said female profile is made under a lower face of said left subassembly and in that said male profile is made under a lower face of said right subassembly; - the assembly includes a sealing gasket mounted between said male and female profiles; - the assembly includes a clipping system arranged to provide a fixing between said left subassembly and said right subassembly.
[0013] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises an assembly obtained according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings
[0014] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
[0015] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a motor vehicle according to the invention, in rear left isometric view.
[0016] [Fig.2] is a front right isometric view of the motor vehicle according to the invention.
[0017] [Fig.3] is a top view of the motor vehicle according to the invention.
[0018] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along line IV-IV of [Fig.3], in perspective. Description of the embodiments
[0019] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.
[0020] By convention, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted, without limitation, indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.
[0021] In the following, the terms “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.
[0022] Reference is made to Figures 1 and 2 showing schematically an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, respectively in rear left and front right isometric view.
[0023] The motor vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, of the “micro-city” type, for example with two seats.
[0024] The motor vehicle 1 comprises an assembly 3 defining a part of the body of the motor vehicle 1 and forming the underbody of the motor vehicle 1.
[0025] The assembly 3 of motor vehicle 1 is intended to be supported by a set of wheels 5.
[0026] The motor vehicle 1 illustrated in the figures is a quadricycle.
[0027] However, the present invention applies in the same way to motor vehicles of the “tricycle” type.
[0028] The assembly 3 comprises a left subassembly 7g and a right subassembly 7d assembled together at a junction zone 9.
[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the junction zone 9 extends longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 1.
[0030] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the junction zone 9 between the left 7g and right 7d subassemblies extends in another direction, for example in a transverse direction relative to the motor vehicle 1.
[0031] The left subassembly 7g comprises a left floor 11g, defining a lower part of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1.
[0032] The left subassembly 7g further comprises a left front apron 13g, separating part of the engine from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1 and extending the left floor 11g at the front.
[0033] The left subassembly 7g further comprises a left front mudguard 15g, extending above the corresponding wheel 5 and extending the left front apron 13g laterally outwards.
[0034] As best seen in [Fig.2], the left subassembly 7g further comprises a left rear apron 17g, extending the left floor 11g to the rear.
[0035] The left subassembly 7g further comprises a left rear mudguard 19g, extending above the corresponding wheel 5 and extending the left rear apron 17g laterally outwards.
[0036] Thus, the left subset 7g comprises: - a left floor 11g, - a 13g left front apron, - a 15g front left mudguard, - a left rear apron 17g, and - a left rear mudguard 19g.
[0037] According to the invention, the left subassembly 7g consists of a single part made of plastic material, for example polypropylene.
[0038] The left subassembly 7g can for example be obtained by a plastic injection molding process, known to those skilled in the art.
[0039] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing the motor vehicle 1 in top view.
[0040] The description given for the left subassembly 7g of the assembly 3 of motor vehicle 1 applies in the same way to the right subassembly 7d.
[0041] The right subassembly 7d comprises a right floor 11d, defining a lower part of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1. When the left 7g and right 7d subassemblies are assembled together, the right floor 11d defines with the left floor 11g the floor 11 of the motor vehicle 1.
[0042] The right subassembly 7d further comprises a right front apron 13d, separating a portion of the engine from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1 and extending the right floor 11d at the front. When the left 7g and right 7d subassemblies are assembled together, the right front apron 13d forms, with the left front apron 13g, the front apron 13 of the motor vehicle 1.
[0043] The right subassembly 7d further comprises a right front mudguard 15d, extending above the corresponding wheel 5 and extending the right front apron 13d laterally outwards.
[0044] The right subassembly 7d further comprises a right rear apron 17d, extending the right floor 11d at the rear. When the left 7g and right 7d subassemblies are assembled together, the right rear apron 17d forms, with the left rear apron 17g, the rear apron 17 of the motor vehicle 1.
[0045] The right subassembly 7d further comprises a right rear mudguard 19d, extending above the corresponding wheel 5 and extending the right rear apron 17d laterally outwards.
[0046] Thus, the right subset 7d comprises: - a straight floor 1 Id, - a 13d right front apron, - a 15d front right mudguard, - a 17d right rear apron, and - a 19d right rear mudguard.
[0047] According to the invention, the right subassembly 7d consists of a single part made of plastic material, for example polypropylene.
[0048] As is the case for the left subassembly 7g, the right subassembly 7d can for example be obtained by a plastic injection molding process, known to those skilled in the art.
[0049] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing a sectional view along line IV-IV of [Fig.3], in perspective.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the assembly 3, the assembly between the right 7d and left 7g sub-assemblies at the junction zone 9 is obtained by fitting between the sub-assemblies 7d, 7g.
[0051] To do this, a female profile 25 is made on the left subassembly 7g.
[0052] The left subassembly 7g has an upper face 21g and a lower face 23g. Similarly, the right subassembly 7d has an upper face 21d and a lower face 23d.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the female profile 25 is made under the lower face 23g of the left subassembly 7g.
[0054] According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the female profile 25 can be made on another face of the right subassembly 7d, in particular on the upper face 21g.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the female profile 25 has an L shape.
[0056] For this purpose, the female profile 25 comprises a first edge 27, extending from the lower face 23g of the left subassembly 7g, substantially perpendicular to said lower face 23g.
[0057] The female profile 25 comprises a second edge 29 extending from the first edge 27 substantially parallel to the lower face 23g of the left subassembly 7g-
[0058] The assembly formed by the first edge 27 and the second edge 29 defines the L-shaped female profile 25.
[0059] The female profile 25 can extend over the entire length of the left subassembly 7g, in particular over the entire length of the lower face 23g when the female profile 25 is made under the lower face 23g of the left subassembly 7g.
[0060] Alternatively, the female profile 25 may extend over only part of the length of the left subassembly 7g.
[0061] The female profile 25 is for example made close to a right lateral edge 31 of the left subassembly 7g.
[0062] The right subassembly 7d comprises a male profile 33 cooperating with the female profile 25.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the male profile 33 is made under the lower face 23d of the right subassembly 7d.
[0064] According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the male profile 33 can be made on another face of the right subassembly 7d, in particular the upper face 21d.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the male profile 33 also has an L shape.
[0066] The male profile 33 comprises a first edge 35, extending from the lower face 23d of the right subassembly 7d, substantially perpendicular to said lower face 23d.
[0067] The male profile 33 comprises a second edge 37 extending from the first edge 35 substantially parallel to the lower face 23d of the right subassembly 7d.
[0068] The assembly formed by the first edge 35 and the second edge 37 defines the L-shaped male profile 33.
[0069] The male profile 33 can extend over the entire length of the straight subassembly 7d, in particular over the entire length of the lower face 23d when the male profile 33 is made under the lower face 23d of the straight subassembly 7d.
[0070] Alternatively, the male profile 33 may extend over only part of the length of the straight subassembly 7d.
[0071] The male profile 33 of the right subassembly 7d is arranged so as to open into the female profile 25 of the left subassembly 7g. For this purpose, the male profile 33 extends for example from a left lateral edge 39 of the right subassembly 7d.
[0072] The assembly 3 further comprises a sealing gasket 41, or sealing foam, mounted between the male 33 and female 25 profiles.
[0073] In the embodiment of the assembly 3 illustrated in the figures, the sealing joint 41 has a U-shaped cross-section.
[0074] The seal 41 is introduced between the female profile 25 and the male profile 33, so as to form a sandwich comprising the female profile 25, the seal 41 and the male profile 33.
[0075] This makes it possible to simply ensure good adhesion between the left subassembly 7g and the right subassembly 7d and to limit the dispersion of the sealing gasket 41, which makes it possible to seal the assembly 3 at the level of the underbody of the motor vehicle 1 of the invention.
[0076] The embodiment example indicates that the female profile 25 equips the left subassembly 7g and that the male profile 33 equips the right subassembly 7d. However, the reverse is of course possible.
[0077] The fitting of the right subassembly 7d onto the left subassembly 7g is thus obtained at the level of the junction zone 9 by the introduction of the male profile 33 into the sealing joint 41, itself mounted in the female profile 25.
[0078] According to an embodiment of the assembly 3 not shown in the figures, the assembly 3 comprises a clipping system arranged to provide a fixing between the left sub-assembly 7g and the right sub-assembly 7d.
[0079] For example, the clipping system may comprise one or more fixing clips mounted under the lower face 23d of the right subassembly 7d and cooperating with one or more centering devices mounted under the lower face 23g of the left subassembly 7g.
[0080] Thanks to the present invention, the front left 13g and rear left 17g aprons, and the front left 15g and rear left 19g mudguards are integrated into the left floor 11g so as to form the left subassembly 7g.
[0081] In the same way, the front right 13d and rear right 17d aprons, and the front right 15d and rear right 19d mudguards are integrated into the right floor 1 Id so as to form the right subassembly 7d.
[0082] Thus, each left 7g and right 7d subassembly each consists of a single part made of plastic material, for example polypropylene.
[0083] The number of added parts forming the assembly 3 of the motor vehicle 1 and defining the underbody of the motor vehicle 1 is then reduced compared to the prior art.
[0084] By reducing the number of added parts, the risk of water infiltration through the underbody of the motor vehicle 1 is advantageously limited, infiltration which may occur in particular when said vehicle crosses a ford.
[0085] The risk of damage to the electrical components mounted on the underbody of the motor vehicle 1, which could occur due to projections of mud or gravel when the motor vehicle 1 is moving, is also limited.
[0086] Thanks to the present invention, the quality of the underbody of the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is significantly improved, relative to the motor vehicles of the prior art.
[0087] Also, by reducing the number of parts to be assembled, the manufacturing cost and the assembly time of the assembly 3 according to the invention are minimized. The maintenance costs of the motor vehicle 1 equipped with such an assembly are also reduced, costs incurred in the prior art to repair damage caused by water infiltration and projections of mud and gravel.
[0088] Furthermore, the fact of producing the entire invention from two sub-assemblies 7g, 7d which are assembled together makes it possible to limit the complexity of producing the tooling for implementing the plastic injection molding process and to limit the cost price of this tooling, by comparison with the cost price which would be obtained by an assembly produced in a single part.
[0089] The cooling time that it is necessary to apply to the two sub-assemblies 7g, 7d at the exit of the mold is also limited, by comparison with the cooling time that it would be necessary to respect if the assembly were made in a single piece.
[0090] The present invention is particularly suitable for two-seater electric motor vehicles known as “micro-city vehicles”, in particular those whose maximum speed is capped at 45 km / h.
[0091] However, the assembly 3 of motor vehicle 1 according to the invention can be adapted to equip other types of electric motor vehicles, for example those with four or five seats.
[0092] Also, the assembly 3 of motor vehicle 1 according to the invention can be adapted to equip electric motor vehicles whose maximum speed is not necessarily capped at 45 km / h.
[0093] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims
Claims
1. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) forming the underbody of said motor vehicle (1), comprising a left subassembly (7g) and a right subassembly (7d), said left (7g) and right (7d) subassemblies each consisting of a single part made of plastic material and in that said left (7g) and right (7d) subassemblies are assembled together at a junction zone (9), said left (7g) and right (7d) subassemblies being fitted relative to each other, said left subassembly (7g) comprising a female profile (25) and said right subassembly (7d) comprising a male profile (33) cooperating with said female profile (25), characterized in that said female profile (25) is formed under a lower face (23g) of said left subassembly (7g) and in that said male profile (33) is formed under a lower face lower (23d) of said right subassembly (7d).
2. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said left sub-assembly (7g) comprises at least: - a left floor (11g), - a left front apron (13g) and a left rear apron (17g), - a left front mudguard (15g) and a left rear mudguard (19g), and in that said right sub-assembly (7d) comprises at least: - a right floor (11d), - a right front apron (13d) and a right rear apron (17d), - a right front mudguard (15d) and a right rear mudguard (19d).
3. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said junction zone (9) extends longitudinally relative to said assembly (3).
4. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said female profile (25) extends over the entire length of said left sub-assembly (7g) and in that said male profile (33) extends over the entire length of said right sub-assembly (7d).
5. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a seal sealing (41) mounted between said male (33) and female (25) profiles.
6. Assembly (3) of motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a clipping system arranged to effect a fixing between said left sub-assembly (7g) and said right sub-assembly (7d).
7. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an assembly (3) obtained according to any one of the preceding claims.