VEHICLE FLOOR EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-TIPPING DEVICE FOR THE SEAT CROSSBARS
By using parallel connecting members to stabilize single-piece crossmembers, the solution addresses the issue of stress and instability during side impacts in electric vehicles, enhancing seat stability and safety while maintaining the vehicle's structural integrity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023008520
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-08-07
AI Technical Summary
In vehicles with electric motors, the placement of batteries under the floor causes stress on single-piece crossmembers during a side impact, leading to relative movements and degradation of seat stability and safety cushion deployment.
The implementation of parallel connecting members, configured as stamped plates with fixing lugs, connects the front and rear crossmembers, preventing relative movement and providing additional support for the battery, thus enhancing floor stability and safety.
This solution effectively reduces stress on crossmembers during a side impact, maintains seat stability, ensures optimal deployment of safety cushions, and reinforces the battery's attachment to the floor without significantly increasing weight or altering the floor's nominal size.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: VEHICLE FLOOR EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-TIPPING DEVICE FOR THE CROSS MEMBERS OF ASSISI
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle floor equipped with an anti-tipping device for the seat cross members.
[0002] Here the term vehicle designates a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a public works or agricultural machine, regardless of the type of engine.
[0003] The chassis of the front unit of a vehicle, namely the part receiving at least the driver and passengers, comprises a floor. This is most of the time made of two parts connected in the central part by a hollow body called a tunnel and oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the front unit. Cross members called seat cross members are arranged perpendicular to the tunnel, on either side of the latter and fixed to the sides of the frame constituting the front unit. There are at least two seat cross members, frequently four, namely two distributed at the front right and rear right and two distributed at the front left and rear left of the front unit of the vehicle. The seat cross members allow the fixing of rails supporting the front and / or rear seats on the floor of the vehicle.In the event of a side impact, the seat crossmembers help to maintain the shape of the floor and absorb the impact, due to the fact that the crossmembers are welded to the tunnel and to the side members defining the sides of the frame of the front unit. In the case of certain vehicles, in particular an electric vehicle, and more particularly a vehicle with a solely electric motor, the battery(ies) occupy an even greater space under the floor of the vehicle as the latter's motorization is solely electric. Due to the location of the battery(ies) under the floor of the vehicle, the central tunnel is perforated to allow the free passage of single-piece crossmembers. US-B-10 933 916 describes such a solution with two single-piece crossmembers placed perpendicular to the tunnel.In other words, in this case there are no longer four cross members distributed to the right and left of the tunnel but two parallel cross members connecting the right and left sides of the frame of the front unit by crossing the tunnel perpendicularly. The connection between each single-piece cross member and the tunnel is of the slide type. There is no attachment of each cross member to the tunnel but only of the ends of each cross member on the right and left sides of the front unit, more precisely on the side members defining the sides of the frame of the front unit. With such a configuration and such a length of the cross members, during a . side impact, the cross members are put under stress, resulting in relative movements of the front cross member in relation to the rear cross member, which affects the parallelism between the cross members. This has the effect of degrading the stability of the occupants' seats as well as the position of the safety cushions or airbags when they are deployed and, in general, of degrading the safety of the occupants. CN-A-113 548 116 discloses a structure preventing the tunnel from deforming during a side impact. The structure comprises two reinforcing elements placed in the tunnel and reinforcing the latter. The reinforcing elements are each connected to one of the frames placed to the right and left of the tunnel. These frames are formed by parallel cross members connected by spacers. The electric battery can be fixed to certain spacers.Such a solution affects the weight of the vehicle due to the number of additional parts and does not allow the use of single-piece sleepers passing through the tunnel.
[0004] The invention proposes another solution making it possible to improve the protection of the vehicle occupants by eliminating the relative movements of the cross members in the case of the use of two single-piece cross members while participating in the fixing of the battery under the floor.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a floor of the front unit of an electrically powered vehicle comprising on a first face a tunnel oriented along a longitudinal axis of the front unit, at least two monobloc crosspieces parallel to each other and placed perpendicular to the tunnel, said crosspieces passing freely through the tunnel and being fixed by their ends to side members constituting the sides of the floor and comprising on a second face opposite the first face at least one battery powering the electric motor of the vehicle, characterized in that at least two parallel connecting members,distributed on either side of the tunnel and configured as stamped plates each provided with at least two fixing lugs on the crosspieces connecting the latter together and in that each connecting member is provided with at least one orifice for the passage of a screw or a bolt for fixing to said connecting member a fixing interface integral with the battery.
[0006] Thanks to the invention, a connection is made between the rear and front cross members which stiffen the floor and eliminates, or at least limits, the relative movements of the cross members, therefore the tilting of the cross members, while providing an additional means of fixing the battery to the floor, without significantly affecting the nominal size and the weight of the floor. An assembly is obtained which makes it possible to reduce the stresses on the cross members in the event of a side impact, which makes it possible to guarantee the stability of the seats and the optimal deployment of the safety cushions during the impact. The connecting members thus reinforce the support of the battery(ies) in the event of an impact and limit the relative movements of the battery(ies) in relation to the floor, while minimizing the number of parts used.
[0007] According to advantageous but not obligatory aspects of the invention, such a floor may comprise one or more of the following characteristics:
[0008] The fixing lugs of each connecting member are separated by a concave cutout, each lug defining at least one welding point of the fixing member on a part of a cross member and the concave cutout defining at least one welding point of a cross member on the floor.
[0009] The distance between the median axes of the two parallel connecting members is between 80% and 120% of the distance between the median axis of each connecting member and the inner face of the right or left side member constituting an edge of the frame of the front unit and closest to the connecting member in question.
[0010] The width of each connecting member is between 50% and 80% of the width of at least one rear and front cross member.
[0011] The front and rear cross members are the same width.
[0012] The sleepers are of different widths.
[0013] The connecting members are identical.
[0014] The connecting members are of different shapes and / or dimensions.
[0015] The connecting members are located halfway between the tunnel and one of the side members. constituting the sides of the floor.
[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a floor equipped with at least two connecting members conforming to at least one of the preceding characteristics.
[0017] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0018] [Fig-1] is a simplified and schematic view illustrating a side impact on a vehicle,
[0019] [Fig.2] is a partial view, from below, of the floor of a vehicle equipped with a battery, the front unit being in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
[0020] [Fig.3] is a simple diagram, on another scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a state-of-the-art vehicle,
[0021] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], the front unit being shown during a side impact,
[0022] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.3], at the same scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a vehicle equipped with a floor according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0023] [Fig.6] is a view similar to [Fig.4], at the same scale, illustrating the kinematics of a front unit of a vehicle equipped with a floor according to an embodiment of the invention during a side impact,
[0024] [Fig.7] is a simplified view, on a smaller scale, from the upper face, of a part of a front floor according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0025] [Fig.8] is a partial view on a larger scale of the connection zone between the crosspieces and a connection member, the tunnel being partially illustrated in the upper part of [Fig.8] and
[0026] [Fig.9] is a section along section plane IX-IX on a larger scale and partially from the battery mounting area under the floor at the level of a connecting member.
[0027] Hereinafter the terms car or vehicle will be used interchangeably to designate a vehicle 1 as defined in the preamble. [Fig.l] illustrates a car 1 when the latter receives a side impact according to arrow F when the car 1 is equipped with a state-of-the-art floor. This is a type of impact carried out during the mandatory and standardized impact tests or crash tests before any approval and marketing of a vehicle. Here the arrow F simulates an impact known as a side impact pole impact carried out by a ram at 32 km / h on the stationary vehicle 1, the impact being oriented angularly at 75° relative to the median longitudinal axis A1 of the vehicle 1. As appears in [Fig.l], the impact essentially affects the front unit, more precisely the seating area of the passengers of the vehicle 1, including the driver, and the lower part of the vehicle 1.
[0028] The lower face of the front unit, therefore the face located opposite the traffic lane, receives, in the case of a car 1 with an electric motor, and more particularly with a solely electric motor, a battery 2. As illustrated in [Fig.2], for greater readability, the battery 2 is shown in a single block, it being understood that it is generally formed of several cells. [Fig.2] is a view of the chassis or floor 3 from below, the front of the vehicle 1 being to the left of [Fig.2] and the rear to the right. The battery 2 is held integral with the floor 3 on the one hand at the side members 4 defining the right and left sides of the front unit of the vehicle as well as at the level of intermediate side members 5 placed transversely with respect to the side members 4 and at the level of supports 6 arranged opposite the side members 5 typically in the front part of the vehicle.It is understood that to maintain optimal ground clearance, the size of the battery must be controlled and optimized so that its attachment to the floor at the level of the side members 4 and the side members 5 and the supports 6, therefore de facto at the level of the constituent elements of the floor frame 3 of the front unit, does not affect the nominal size of the latter. The attachment of the battery 2 to the floor 3 is advantageously carried out in a removable manner, in particular by screwing, in order to be able, if necessary, to intervene on the battery or at least on a constituent cell of the latter.
[0029] On the opposite face of the floor 3 there are at least two parallel metal crosspieces called front 7 and rear 8 crosspieces with reference to the usual direction F1 of movement of the vehicle 1. These crosspieces 7, 8 make it possible to reinforce the floor 3 and to define supports for fixing the rails, not shown, for holding the seats and / or benches. The holding rails are fixed by elements known per se on the front 7 and rear 8 crosspieces.
[0030] As is apparent from Figures 3 to 6, when the battery 2 is installed under the floor 3, the front cross member 7 and the rear cross member 8 are monobloc, therefore in a single piece, connecting the side members 4 located to the right and left of the front unit. The ends of the cross members 7, 8 are, in a known manner, advantageously welded to the two side members 4 forming the sides of the floor 3. In the central part, generally in a substantially middle position of the floor 3, the front 7 and rear 8 cross members freely pass through a protective tunnel 9. The tunnel 9 extends longitudinally on the floor 3, therefore parallel to the direction of movement F1 of the vehicle 1. In a car 1 of the state of the art, according to [Fig.3], the tunnel 9 divides the floor 3 of the vehicle 1 substantially into two equal parts and, in addition to a longitudinal stiffening of the floor 3, forms protection for various elements, for example, technical elements linked to the electric motor such as electric cables, cooling ducts or others. The assembly thus forms a generally rectangular floor 3 reinforced at the level of the seating area by the front 7 and rear 8 crossmembers and longitudinally by the tunnel 9.
[0031] [Fig. 4] illustrates the behavior of the side members and cross members during a side impact, according to arrow F, in the case of a vehicle 1 of the state of the art. The side member 4 receiving the impact, here the one located on the right in [Fig. 4], deforms under the impact. This deformation causes a relative displacement of the cross members 7, 8 relative to each other. In other words, these are no longer parallel but arranged in a V, the widest part corresponding to the impact zone. A tilting of the cross members 7, 8 is observed during the side impact. Insofar as these cross members 7, 8 support the passenger and / or driver seats, this also has an effect on the position of the seats and therefore on the safety of the passengers. This displacement of the cross members 7, 8 is often accompanied by a defect in the optimal position of the safety cushions or airbags relative to the occupants of the vehicle 1.These safety cushions may, upon impact, deploy in a location other than that for which they are initially intended. As a result, there is an overall deterioration in the protection of the occupants of the vehicle 1. This deterioration is essentially due to the movements of each of the cross members and is also accompanied by a deterioration in the support of the battery 2, which de facto also suffers the side impact.
[0032] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the floor 3 of the front unit when the crossmembers 7, 8 are equipped with at least two connecting members 10, 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. These connecting members 10, 11 advantageously define an anti-tipping device for the crossmembers 7, 8, i.e. at least one device limiting, preferably canceling, the relative movements of the crosspieces 7, 8 with respect to each other. The connecting members 10, 11 respectively connect the front 7 and rear 8 crosspieces and keep them parallel to each other. These connecting members are here configured as stamped metal plates and fixed, by their ends to the front 7 and rear 8 crosspieces. The plates 10, 11 are here identical. Alternatively, they have different shapes and / or dimensions. The two plates 10, 11 are kept parallel to each other and distributed on either side of the tunnel 9. Thus, as noted in [Fig. 6], during the lateral impact according to arrow F, the side member 4 undergoing the impact is deformed but no movement or at least no significant movement of one crosspiece relative to the other is observed. The crosspieces 7, 8 are kept parallel and in position by the connecting members 10, 11.As a result, the attachment of the seat rails to the crosspieces 7, 8 and the deployment of the safety cushions are maintained at an optimal level, thus ensuring the protection of the occupants.
[0033] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the distance D between the median axes A10, A11 of the connecting members 10, 11 is generally between 80% and 120% of the distance D1, D2 separating the median axis A10, A11 of each connecting member 10, 11 from the inner face of the nearest spar 4. D1 is equal to D2, according to a preferred configuration. Alternatively, the position of the connecting members 10, 11 relative to the spars 4 is not the same for the two connecting members 10, 11, D1 then not being identical to D2.
[0034] The length L of the connecting members 10, 11 is between approximately 50% and 80% of the width L7, L8 of a cross member 7, 8, the latter being, according to an advantageous embodiment, of the same width L7, L8. As a variant, the cross members 7, 8 do not have the same width. Here, the connecting members 10, 11 are placed in the vicinity of the tunnel 9. As a variant, their positions are different from those illustrated, for example the plates 10, 11 are distant from the tunnel 9 and located halfway between the tunnel 9 and a spar 4. In another embodiment, the distance between the cross members 7, 8 is greater than that illustrated in the various figures.
[0035] As is particularly visible in [Fig.8], the stamped plates 10, 11 comprise, on each of their edges connected to the crosspieces 7, 8, at least two tabs 12, 13. Here the tabs 12, 13 are all identical. Alternatively, they are not identical on both edges and / or on the same edge. At least one concave cutout 14 is provided between the parallel tabs 12, 13 arranged on the same edge. The tabs 12, 13 each define at least one welding point of the connecting member 10 or 11 on a crosspiece 7 or 8. Similarly, each concave cutout 14 makes it possible to define at least one welding point between a crosspiece 7, 8 and the floor 3. Thus, it is possible to make welds between the crosspieces 7, 8, the floor 3 and the plates 10, 11 on a maximum of three thicknesses of material, which allows for optimal welds in terms of strength.
[0036] As is particularly visible in [Fig.8], each plate 10, 11 is provided with at least one orifice 15 in a central position. This orifice 15 allows the passage of a screw or a bolt for fixing the battery 2 on the plate 10 or 11. Thus, each of the plates 10, 11 constitutes not only a connecting member ensuring optimal rigidity of the crosspieces 7, 8 by preventing the crosspieces 7, 8 from tilting but also forms an additional support for fixing the battery 2 to the floor 3. In this way, the fixing to the floor 3 and the rigidity of the battery 2 in the event of an impact are reinforced.
[0037] With reference to [Fig.9], it is noted that the shape of the plate 10 or 11 is adapted to that of the floor 3 and allows, through the orifice 15, to removably fix a part called interface 16 which is integral with the battery 2. The part 16 ensures the fixing of the battery by keeping it isolated from the floor 3 without direct contact with it, therefore with a circulation of air between the battery 2 and the floor 3 in order to evacuate the heat produced and by forming a damping element.
[0038] Thanks to the invention, a solution is obtained in a simple and rapid manner, without any significant increase in weight, and by limiting the number of parts and preserving the nominal size of the floor 3, which makes it possible both to form an anti-tipping device for the seat crosspieces 7, 8 and, on the other hand, an additional support for the battery 2.
Claims
Claims
1. Floor (3) of the front unit of an electrically powered vehicle (1) comprising on a first face a tunnel (9) oriented along a longitudinal axis (A1) of the front unit, at least two monobloc crosspieces (7, 8) parallel to each other and placed perpendicular to the tunnel (9), said crosspieces (7, 8) passing freely through the tunnel (9) and being fixed by their ends to side members (4) constituting the sides of the floor (3) and comprising on a second face opposite the first face at least one battery (2) powering the electric motor of the vehicle (1), characterized in that at least two parallel connecting members (10, 11), distributed on either side of the tunnel (9) and configured as stamped plates each provided with at least two fixing lugs (12, 13) on the crosspieces (7, 8) connect the latter together and in that each connecting member connection(10,11) is provided with at least one passage orifice (15) for a screw or bolt for fixing to said connecting member (10, 11) an interface (16) for fixing integrally with the battery (2).,
2. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing lugs (12, 13) of each connecting member (10, 11) are separated by a concave cutout (14), each lug (12, 13) defining at least one welding point of the fixing member (10, 11) on a part of a crosspiece (7, 8) and the concave cutout (14) defining at least one welding point of a crosspiece (7, 8) on the floor (3).
3. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (D) between the median axes (A10, A11) of the two parallel connecting members (10, 11) is between 80% and 120% of the distance (D1, D2) between the median axis (A10, A11) of each connecting member (10, 11) and the inner face of the right or left side member (4) constituting the edges of the frame of the front unit and closest to the connecting member (10, 11) in question.
4. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the width (L) of each connecting member (10, 11) is between 50% and 80% of the width (L7, L8) of at least one front or rear cross member (7, 8).
5. Floor according to claim 4, characterized in that the crosspieces (7, 8) are of the same width (L7, L8).
6. Floor according to claim 4, characterized in that the crosspieces (7, 8) are of different widths (L7, L8).
7. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are identical.
8. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are of different shapes and / or dimensions.
9. Floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting members (10, 11) are located halfway between the tunnel (9) and one of the side members (4) constituting the sides of the floor (3).
10. The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) provided with a floor equipped with at least two connecting members in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims.