TILTING SIDE SKIRTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

TILTING SILL FOR MOTOR VEHICLE The present invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising: - a floor; - a side beam (8) along each lateral side of the floor (6), respectively; - a sill (12) on each of the side beams; notable in that at least one of the sills is pivotally mounted between a closed position, against the corresponding side beam, and an open position, away from said corresponding side beam, and comprises pre-holding means (14) capable of automatically engaging with the corresponding side beam when said sill is pivoted into the closed position. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: TILTING SIDE SKIRT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of motor vehicle structure. Prior art

[0002] The interchangeability of traction batteries in electric vehicles is a well-known subject, but one which still presents certain limitations and difficulties.

[0003] Indeed, accessing traction batteries is often complex, as they are generally located under the vehicle. This requires lifting the vehicle safely, which can be difficult without the use of specialized equipment such as motorized lifting platforms. This requirement for specific tools can complicate the battery replacement process and limit access for electric vehicle owners who do not have such equipment.

[0004] The design of current electric traction motor vehicles makes the process of replacing traction batteries more complex and potentially costly, in particular because the service of a specialist professional remains necessary.

[0005] Difficult access and the requirements for specialized equipment imply the emergence of a need to simplify access to traction batteries in order to further facilitate their replacement on current motor vehicles. Statement of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a simple, efficient, and economical solution for facilitating access to traction batteries for motor vehicles.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising: - a floor; - a lateral beam along each lateral side of the floor, respectively; - a rocker panel on each of the side beams; remarkable in that at least one of the rocker panels is pivotally mounted between a closed position, against the corresponding side beam, and an open position, away from said corresponding side beam, and includes pre-holding means capable of automatically engaging with the corresponding side beam during a pivoting of said rocker panel box in the closed position.

[0008] Advantageously, "to engage automatically" means an engagement requiring only the pivoting effort of the bottom of the body.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the pre-holding means are configured to automatically disengage when said lower body is pivoted from the closed position to the open position.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the disengagement of the pre-maintenance means requires an effort equal to an effort of engagement of said pre-maintenance means, within a tolerance of 15%.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the pre-holding means comprise at least one roller mounted movable on one of the rocker panels and the corresponding side beam, and comprising at least one engagement surface with said roller disposed on the other of the rocker panel and the corresponding side beam.

[0012] According to one embodiment, at least one roller is mounted movable in a transverse plane of the vehicle and at least one engagement surface has a V-shaped transverse profile.

[0013] According to one embodiment, at least one roller is mounted movable on the bottom of the body or the corresponding side beam against an elastic force, preferably exerted by a spring.

[0014] According to one embodiment, at least one roller is supported by an axle mounted to slide along an oblong hole made on a tab fixed to the bottom of the body.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the leg extends along the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, said leg being formed with a lining of the lower body.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the lower body comprising pre-holding means on each of its two longitudinal ends, and the side beam being delimited longitudinally by two lateral walls each comprising a corresponding engagement surface.

[0017] According to one embodiment, said motor vehicle being electrically driven, and the underbody in the open position allows access to an electric traction energy accumulator.

[0018] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the pre-holding means allow, in a simple and efficient manner and without the need for tools, the opening of the tilting underbody and access to the electric traction energy accumulator of the motor vehicle, in an ergonomic and rapid manner.

[0019] Indeed, the automatic manual engagement and disengagement movements require little effort, which makes it possible to considerably improve ergonomics, and thus improve the possible interchangeability of traction batteries of electric vehicles. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] [Fig.1] represents a side view of a body of the motor vehicle of the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a rocker panel mounted pivotally on a side beam of the motor vehicle of [Fig.1], said rocker panel being in an open position;

[0022] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the lower body in a closed position against the side beam, said lower body being held in the closed position by pre-holding means engaged with the side beam;

[0023] [Fig.4] represents an enlarged perspective view of the pre-maintaining means of the [Fig.3];

[0024] [Fig.5] represents a cross-sectional view along axis AA of the pre-holding means of [Fig.4];

[0025] [Fig. 6] shows a cross-sectional view along axis BB of the pre-holding means of [Fig. 4], Detailed description

[0026] Fig. 1 represents a side view of a body 4 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention.

[0027] The motor vehicle 2 comprises a floor 6 and a side beam 8 extending longitudinally along the axis X, respectively, along each lateral side of said floor 6.

[0028] Preferably, the vehicle 2 further comprises a rocker panel (not shown here) mounted on each of the two side beams 8. Advantageously, the rocker panel is mounted pivotally between a closed position and an open position; these two configurations will be detailed later in this description.

[0029] Preferably, the vehicle 2 includes two access passages 10 to the passenger compartment, the latter being without doors and preferably including tubular guardrails or low doors (not shown) not reaching the hatch position 6. The motor vehicle 2 preferably corresponds to a "buggy" type vehicle, comprising a light chassis, suitable for off-road use and preferably having two seats.

[0030] For this purpose, the motor vehicle 2 is devoid of a middle pillar, and the rocker panel extends longitudinally along a length corresponding substantially to a total longitudinal extent of the access passage 10 to the passenger compartment, within a tolerance of ± 20%.

[0031] Preferably, the motor vehicle 2 is electrically driven and may therefore include an access hatch to an electric charging connection arranged on bodywork 4.

[0032] Advantageously, each side beam 8 can house one or more traction electric energy storage units (not shown). Thus, the opening in the underbody provides access to at least one of the traction batteries, allowing for their possible replacement and / or recharging by a user.

[0033] Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a rocker panel 12 mounted on the side beam 8 of Fig. 1, and in an open position.

[0034] The open position of the rocker panel 12 corresponds to a downward vertical tilting of said rocker panel 12 relative to the corresponding side beam 8, with a lower pivot axis. Alternatively, the tilting can also be upward with a higher pivot axis.

[0035] The pivoting of the lower body 12 relative to the side beam 8 can be ensured by a sliding of the lower edge 12.1 of the lower body on a corresponding edge on the body of the motor vehicle, and / or by at least one hinge, and / or by a specific pivot axis.

[0036] Advantageously, the lower body 12 is capable of tilting from a closed position to the open position illustrated by a simple downward manual pulling force. This is possible thanks to pre-holding means 14 configured to automatically disengage from the side beam 8.

[0037] The automation of the disengagement of the rocker panel 12 advantageously corresponds to a detachment movement carried out mechanically, in particular by means of an elastic force exerted preferably by a return spring 16 mounted on an upper edge 12.2 of the rocker panel 12, so as to assist the user by reducing the effort required during the opening movement.

[0038] Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the lower body 12 in a closed position against the side beam 8, said lower body 12 being held in the closed position by pre-holding means 14 engaged with the side beam 8.

[0039] The transition from the open position visible in [Fig. 2] to the closed position is achieved by a simple manual closing movement. Advantageously, the pre-holding means 14 are capable of engaging with the beam 8 automatically, similarly to their disengagement, requiring an effort substantially equal to the disengagement force of said pre-holding means 14, within a tolerance of 15%.

[0040] The pre-holding means 14 make it possible to ensure that the lower body 12 is held in position in a removable and temporary manner on the beam 8. For this purpose, a secure locking system (not shown) is preferable in order to permanently hold said lower body 12 in the closed position.

[0041] The safety locking system may correspond to a screw fixing and / or a nut tightening and / or a hold and / or a lock, etc. Electrical means can also be provided to further secure the closed position of the underbody 12, for example, the motor vehicle 2 can notify the user of the position of the underbody 12, and possibly prevent starting if it remains in the open position.

[0042] Fig. 4 represents an enlarged perspective view of the pre-maintaining means of Fig. 3.

[0043] The spring 16 is not illustrated here in order to simplify the figure and to show other aspects of the pre-holding means 14. The latter preferably comprise a roller 18 mounted movable in translation on the lower body 12, in a substantially vertical direction when the lower body 12 is closed.

[0044] Preferably, the roller 18 is mounted movable in a transverse plane YZ (visible in [Fig.3]) by means of an axis 20 of said roller 18, mounted to slide along an oblong hole 22 presented in a tab 24 fixed to the bottom of the body 12. More preferably, the tab 24 is formed with a lining 12.3 of the bottom of the body 12, and extends essentially transversely from said lining 12.3.

[0045] The pre-holding means 14 further include an engagement surface 26.1 with the roller 18, allowing the latter to roll and / or slide relative to a corresponding protrusion 26 formed with a side wall 9 of the side beam 8.

[0046] Advantageously, the rocker panel 12 includes pre-holding means 14 on each of its two longitudinal ends, and the side beam 8 is longitudinally delimited by two lateral walls 9, each comprising a corresponding engagement surface 26.1. For this purpose, the pre-holding means 14 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the side beam 8, so that the rocker panel 12 can be automatically engaged with the beam 8 by means of two engagement surfaces 26.1 with two corresponding rollers 18.

[0047] In an alternative not illustrated, the roller 18 can be mounted movably by sliding on the side beam, and the guiding surface of said roller can be provided at the level of the bottom of the body.

[0048] Figures 5 and 6 represent, respectively, a cross-sectional view along axis AA and axis BB of the pre-holding means 14 of [Fig.4].

[0049] It can be seen in [Fig.5] that the engagement surface 26.1 has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile, which corresponds to a rounded bump 26.2 on the surface 26.1 on which the roller 18 rolls during the pivoting towards the closed position of the lower body 12, to pass over said bump 26.2 and join the other branch of the V in the closed position.

[0050] The cross-sectional profile of the engagement surface 26.1 of the protrusion 26 advantageously presents a portion transversely distant from the lining 12.3 having a semi-circular shape ending with a substantially vertical wall 26.3 allowing the engagement movement to be stopped and ensuring that the roller 18 is held in the closed position.

[0051] The axle 20 mounted to slide in the oblong hole 22 includes an end 20.1 configured to be attached to the spring 16 visible in [Fig.3], the latter being preferably fixed to the upper edge 12.2 of the bottom of the body 12.

[0052] Advantageously, the pre-holding means 14 of the tilting underbody 12 of the present invention allow, in a simple and efficient manner and without the need for tools, the opening of the underbody and access to the traction battery of the motor vehicle, in an ergonomic and rapid manner.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (2), comprising: - a floor (6); - a side beam (8) along each lateral side of the floor (6), respectively; - a rocker panel (12) on each of the side beams (8); characterized in that at least one of the rocker panels (12) is pivotally mounted between a closed position, against the corresponding side beam (8), and an open position, spaced from said corresponding side beam (8), and comprises pre-holding means (14) capable of automatically engaging with the corresponding side beam (8) when said rocker panel (12) pivots into the closed position.

2. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, wherein the pre-holding means (14) are configured to disengage automatically when said underbody (12) pivots from the closed position to the open position.

3. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 2, in which the disengagement of the pre-holding means (14) requires a force equal to an engagement force of said pre-holding means (14), within a tolerance of 15%.

4. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the pre-holding means (14) comprise at least one roller (18) mounted movably on one of the rocker panels (12) and the corresponding side beam (8), and comprising at least one engagement surface (26.1) with said roller (18) arranged on the other of the rocker panel (12) and the corresponding side beam (8).

5. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one roller (18) is mounted movably in a transverse plane (YZ) of the vehicle (2) and the at least one engagement surface (26.1) has a V-shaped transverse profile.

6. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 4 and 5, in which the at least one roller (18) is mounted movably on the underbody (12) or the corresponding side beam (18) against an elastic force, preferably exerted by a spring (16).

7. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the at least one roller (18) is supported by an axle (20) mounted sliding along an oblong hole (22) made on a tab (24) fixed to the bottom of the body (12).

8. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7, wherein the tab (24) extends in the transverse direction (Y) of the motor vehicle (2), said tab (24) being formed with a lining (12.3) of the underbody (12).

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the underbody (12) comprises pre-holding means (14) on each of its two longitudinal ends, and the lateral beam (8) being delimited longitudinally by two lateral walls (9) each comprising a corresponding engagement surface (26.1).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said motor vehicle (2) is electrically powered, and the underbody (12) in the open position allows access to an electric traction energy accumulator.

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