Layout of the rear structure of a utility vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) of a rear structure of a vehicle body (2), in particular a utility vehicle, the body structure (2) delimiting at least one loading area (3) and at least one energy storage area (4), the structure comprising a floor (5) separating the loading area from the storage area, characterized in that all or part of the loading area (3) overhangs at least all or part of the energy storage area (4), the body comprising at least one beam (6), the beam projecting from the extension, in particular the longitudinal extension, of at least one of the storage and loading areas, the body structure (2) comprising at least one step delimited by the loading area (3), the storage area (4) and at least the beam (6). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Layout of a rear structure of a utility vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicles, more particularly commercial vehicles. It concerns an arrangement of the rear part of such a vehicle comprising a loading opening, a floor, a flap for closing the opening, and a step providing access to the floor. It also relates to a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, having such an arrangement.

[0002] It is known that vehicles, commonly called vans, are intended for the transport of objects and / or are fitted out according to the needs of a user, in particular a craftsman who wants a specific fit for his trade.

[0003] Such vehicles are designed to provide the user with maximum cargo space within a compact length. To facilitate access to the rear of the vehicle, it is common practice to use a step attached to the rear of the vehicle so as to protrude outwards. Such an accessory attached to the rear of the vehicle is often subject to damage because it is not visible in the driver's rear view. The use of obstacle detection systems designed to warn the driver of obstacles at the rear is sometimes rendered inoperative by the aftermarket installation of a step, which does nothing to improve the step's protection. This is why many vehicles with protruding steps require repairs, which is not only a nuisance due to the vehicle's downtime for repairs, but also increases insurance costs due to the higher risk of repairs.

[0004] Such a situation is no longer desirable, which is the reason for the existence of the present invention.

[0005] The invention aims to provide a solution to this drawback by proposing an arrangement of a rear structure of a vehicle body, in particular a utility vehicle, the body structure delimiting at least one loading area and at least one energy storage area, the structure comprising a floor separating the loading area from the storage area.

[0006] In particular, the arrangement of the invention is distinguished by the fact that all or part of the loading area overhangs at least all or part of the energy storage area, the body comprising at least one beam, the beam projecting outwards from the extension, in particular the longitudinal extension, of at least one of the storage and loading areas, the body structure including at least one step delimited by the loading area, the storage area and at least the beam.

[0007] The arrangement that is the subject of the invention may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination with each other: - the storage area includes at least one vertical wall extending between the beam and the loading area, which includes at least one access opening, the vertical wall incorporating a notch cooperating with a cutout in a floor of the loading area in order to delimit the step; - the vertical wall extends approximately to the right of a vertical axis plane in which the access opening to the loading area is located; - the cutout is made at an end edge of the floor, in particular a lateral edge delimiting one side of the vehicle or a transverse edge of the floor delimiting the rear opening of the vehicle, the cutout being subject to the geometry of the storage area's opening, - the step includes a support portion which is delimited by the beam, the vertical wall of the storage area then delimiting a riser; - the loading area extends laterally to the floor cutout; - the beam is a rear cross member forming a bumper such that the running board is located at the rear of the vehicle; - the beam is oriented longitudinally forming a lip such that the step is located at the level of a lateral side of the vehicle; - the arrangement includes an opening, in particular a retractable opening of the type of a curtain mounted to slide along vertical walls delimiting the loading area by means of lateral guide rails extending on each side of the opening; - the opening in the retracted position is rolled up around an axis, in particular a transverse one, located in the upper part of the loading area, in particular at the level of a trunk, near the roof delimiting the upper part of the loading area; - the opening may include a flexible curtain or rigid side panels connected to each other in rotation; - the opening in the closed position is resting on the end edge of the floor, in particular the rear end edge which includes the step cutout; - the opening includes a flap, in particular a rigid flap, intended for closing the step, the flap being able to come to the horizontal extension of the floor by closing the cutout in the floor, when the opening is in the closed position - the arrangement includes at least one sealing element, in particular carried by the opening.

[0008] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle with all or part electric propulsion, the vehicle being of the type of a utility vehicle, the vehicle comprising an arrangement as previously described, the storage area being intended for the storage of at least one energy reserve, in particular an electrical energy reserve consisting of electricity storage batteries.

[0009] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a roof module, an air deflector, an assembly consisting of a module and an air deflector according to the invention. Fig. 1 schematically represents, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, a part of a vehicle comprising the arrangement according to the invention, the opening being in the closed position; Figure [Fig.2] schematically represents a three-quarter rear perspective view of the vehicle in [Fig.1], with the opening in the open position.

[0010] Reference will be made to a direct orthonormal XYZ frame, in which the X axis designates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction of the vehicle and is oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle, the left and the right being defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented from the bottom to the top, the vehicle resting on a horizontal ground. The terms "upper" and "lower" are defined with reference to the Z-axis. The terms "front" and "back" are defined with reference to the X-axis.

[0011] Figure 1 represents a utility vehicle comprising a rear section for transporting objects. The vehicle may be a car. Alternatively, the vehicle could be a trailer.

[0012] Regardless of the vehicle type, it comprises a body 2 which defines an energy storage area 4 located in the lower part of the vehicle. In order to store a significant amount of energy, the storage area extends towards the rear of the vehicle, even to its rearmost point. The rear beam 6 is adjacent to the body 2, defining the energy storage area 4.

[0013] An energy reserve 40 is located in the storage area. In a preferred embodiment, this is a high-power electric battery intended to supply electricity to the vehicle's powertrain. In another embodiment, it could be a completely different means of energy storage, for example, a reserve intended to hold hydrogen.

[0014] For safety reasons, the rear end part of the body 2 is away from the energy reserve 40, so that in the event of a rear impact, the body 2 is able to deform without coming into contact with the reserve 40, which tends to preserve its physical and functional integrity.

[0015] Only a rear beam 6 protrudes from the body, according to an arrangement extending only towards the rear as shown in [Fig.1], or according to an arrangement partly below the energy storage area 4 and partly extending towards the rear of the vehicle as shown in [Fig.2],

[0016] In [Fig.1], the arrangement of the energy reserve 40 extends partly between the rear wheels of the vehicle, which tends to protect the reserve by the axle connecting the rear wheels together. The arrangement of the rear part of the vehicle also includes a loading area 3 which is arranged above the energy storage area 4. The loading area 3 can be directly delimited by the vehicle body 2.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the crate 2 is intended to receive a container forming the loading area 3. In this case, the container is brought and fixed to the crate 2 by appropriate means not shown.

[0018] The vehicle thus includes a floor 5 made by the body 2 or by the bottom of the container, as the case may be. In order to maximize the space allocated to the loading area 3, the latter extends to the end of the storage area 4. More specifically, a rear end portion of the loading area 3 is positioned directly above the rear end of the storage area.

[0019] This rear end portion of the loading area 3, as well as the rear end of the energy storage area 4, lies in a plane PI with vertical axis Z and transverse axis Y. The energy storage area 4 includes a vertical wall 41 connecting the beam 6 to the loading area 3, thus providing a sort of enclosure for the space separating these parts of the vehicle. The vertical wall 41 extends in the plane PL. The opening 50 is laterally delimited by guide rails along which a sliding panel 53 is able to move between a closed position shown in [Fig. 1] and an open position shown in [Fig. 2].

[0020] The guide rails are supported by the side walls 54 delimiting the sides of the loading area 3. The vertical rear end edges of the side walls 54 run at the level of the PL plane. The guide rails are fixed against the inner face of the side walls 54, opposite each other.

[0021] An opening 50 is made in the loading area 3 to provide access from the outside. According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], the access opening 50 is located at the level of plane PL

[0022] The vertical wall 41 of the storage area 4 includes a slot 42, shown in [Fig. 2], in the middle part of the vehicle. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the rear of the vehicle may include several slots. According to another In the variant embodiment not shown, the niche 42 has a width of at least one third of the width of the opening 50.

[0023] The preferred embodiment features a single slot 42 located in the central area of ​​the rear of the vehicle, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The slot 42 is intended to increase the depth of the bearing portion 11 of the step 10, which thus extends partially into the loading area 3, the floor of which 5 includes a cutout 51 following the geometry of the slot 42. As shown in [Fig. 2], the floor 5 of the loading area 4 extends laterally to the cutout 51 formed at its transverse edge 52. The transverse edge 52 is located at the junction of the vertical wall 41 and the floor 5, extending along an axis Y, at the level of the plane PL.

[0024] The notch in the vertical wall 41 defines a riser 12 whose upper edge is located at the junction of the cut line 51 of the floor 5. The riser 12 defines a fixing area on which a vehicle identification or registration plate can be fixed as shown in [Fig.2],

[0025] The vehicle includes an opening 53 which is intended to close the opening 50. According to the embodiment of the figures, the opening 53 is a flap which is capable of evolving, in particular manually, between a closed position of the opening 50 and an open position in which the flap is rolled up around an axis YY positioned in the upper part of the loading area 3.

[0026] The loading area 3 may include a compartment 55 for storing the opening 53. The compartment 55 connects the side walls 54 to each other. By its design, the compartment 55 ensures the resistance to deformation of the rear ring formed by the side walls, the floor 5, and the roof of the loading area 3. The compartment 55 may be a hollow-section beam acting as a structural element of the loading area 3. The compartment 55 has a rectangular polygonal cross-section, one outer face of which is visible from the outside.

[0027] The opening 53 may be flexible, for example, being of the canvas type. The opening 53 may be flexible, comprising side panels or slats connected to each other by a rotational articulation means. In the storage position in the trunk 55, the opening 53 is rolled up on itself so as to free the lateral sides 54 of the loading area 3 from the presence of any opening, which increases the accessibility on board. The lower part of the opening 53 is substantially rigid in order to support a sealing element intended to bear against the transverse edge 52 of the floor 5.

[0028] Given the presence of the slot 42, the opening 53 includes a flap 530 intended to close the slot such that, in the closed position, the flap 530 is supported against the cutout 51 in the floor. The free edge of the shutter 530 may include a sealing means such that in the closed position of the opening 53, the opening 50 is made airtight.

[0029] The flap 530 is positioned substantially orthogonally to plane PI such that the flap 530 is positioned as an extension of the floor 5. The flap 530 can be rigid so that it forms part of the floor 5 when the sash is in the closed position, as shown in [Fig. 1]. In the open position of the sash 53, the flap 530 is positioned against the underside of the housing 55, thus acting as a stop to the movement of the sash within the housing. The flap 530 can also serve as a gripping means that allows the user to maneuver the sash between its open and closed positions.

[0030] Due to the X-shaped recess of the cutout 51 in the floor 5 relative to the plane of the opening 50, the shutter 530 has a dimension substantially complementary to that of the cutout 51 in the floor.

[0031] The identification or registration area is thus interposed between the lower part of the opening and the bumper formed by the rear crossbeam 6.

[0032] The arrangement of the rear section of the vehicle just described is remarkable in that it allows for a vehicle with a loading area while maintaining easy access to the vehicle. Due to the integration of a step partly within the vehicle body, and in particular because it is partially delimited by the floor 5 of the loading area 3, insurance costs can be reduced compared to a solution where the step is an accessory projecting from the rear bumper.

Claims

Demands

1. Arrangement (1) of a rear structure of a body (2) of a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, the body structure (2) delimiting at least one loading area (3) and at least one energy storage area (4), the structure comprising a floor (5) separating the loading area from the storage area, all or part of the loading area (3) overhanging at least all or part of the energy storage area (4), the body comprising at least one beam (6), the beam projecting outwards from the extension, in particular the longitudinal extension, of at least one of the storage and loading areas, the body structure (2) comprising at least one step delimited by the loading area (3), the storage area (4) and at least the beam (6), characterized in that the storage area comprises at least one vertical wall (41) extending between the beam (6) and the loading area (3),which includes at least one access opening (50), the vertical wall incorporating a notch (42) cooperating with a cutout (51) in a floor (5) of the loading area (3) in order to delimit the step (10)...,

2. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vertical wall (41) extends approximately to the right of a plane (PI) with a vertical axis in which the access opening to the loading area (3) is inscribed.

3. Arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutout (51) is made at an end edge of the floor (5), in particular a lateral edge delimiting a side of the vehicle or a transverse edge (52) of the floor (5) delimiting the rear opening (50) of the vehicle, the cutout (51) being subject to the geometry of the slot (42) of the storage area (4).

4. Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the step (10) includes a support portion (11) which is delimited by the beam (6), the vertical wall (41) of the storage area delimiting a riser (12).

5. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an opening (53), in particular a retractable opening of the type of a curtain mounted to slide along vertical walls (54) delimiting the loading area (3) by means of lateral guide rails extending on each side of the opening (50).

6. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening (53) comprises either a flexible curtain or rigid sideboards connected to each other in rotation such that the opening in the closed position rests on the end edge of the floor, in particular the rear end edge having the cutout (51) for the footrest (10).

7. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening comprises a flap (530), in particular a rigid flap, intended for closing the step (10), the flap being able to come to the horizontal extension of the floor by closing the cutout (51) of the floor, when the opening (53) is in the closed position.

8. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing element, in particular carried by the opening (53).

9. Vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle with all or part electric propulsion, the vehicle being of the utility type, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the storage area (4) being intended for the storage of at least one energy reserve, in particular an electrical energy reserve consisting of electricity storage batteries.

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