STRUCTURAL VEHICLE ELEMENT WITH PLATE EQUIPPED WITH A MEANS OF MOVEMENT LOCKING IN CASE OF IMPACT

Abstract

[Structural element (1) of a vehicle, comprising a receiving plate (10) is fixed by screws to a mounting plate for an energy absorber (28). The mounting plate (20) has a fixed position in which it is attached to the receiving plate (10) and an offset position corresponding to a position with a transverse displacement along a transverse direction (Y) relative to the fixed position. The receiving plate (10) has a receiving interface (11) cooperating with an engagement interface (21) fixed to the mounting plate (20). After a displacement of said mounting plate (20) from the fixed position to the offset position, the displacement of the mounting plate (20) beyond the offset position is blocked in the transverse direction (Y) and the internal direction (Yi) following the failure of the screws. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4]

Description

Title of the invention: STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF A VEHICLE WITH A PLATE EQUIPPED WITH A MEANS FOR BLOCKING MOVEMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle, and more precisely to certain structural elements of the front and rear parts equipping the vehicle, as well as a device for absorbing energy in the event of an impact.

[0002] structural forming part of the front part of the structure of such vehicles.

[0003] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure having a front part comprising at least one structural element extended forward by at least one energy absorber of a shock absorption device masked by a bumper or a shield. For example, such a structural element may be what those skilled in the art call a "stretch", and in this case the vehicle comprises two stretchers, extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle, installed laterally to the right and to the left in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in the extensions of which are respectively installed two energy absorbers.

[0004] This absorption device comprises a beam installed transversely and to which are fixedly secured the two energy absorbers which are arranged so as to deform to absorb the energy of an impact suffered by the beam (and therefore by the front of the vehicle). This deformation is generally done by compression of material in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, generally by the formation of folds.

[0005] Generally, the structural element comprises at least a first fixing plate having a front face on which the second fixing plate of one of the energy absorbers is intended to be fixed by screws.

[0006] When the absorption device of a vehicle experiences an impact on one of its external sides, the second fixing plate of the neighboring energy absorber undergoes a transverse force which can cause it to move inwards, in a direction transverse to the vehicle, and thus subject the screws which ensure its fixing on the first fixing plate of the structural element to a shear stress. When this shear stress is too great for the screws, the latter can break, causing a displacement of the first plate, and therefore prevent the absorption device from correctly ensuring the transmission of part of the forces in the transverse direction, which can prove dangerous for the passengers of the vehicle.

[0007] To remedy this problem, document FR2108830 describes a vehicle comprising a first plate fixed to a structural element and on which is fixed a second plate of an energy absorber. The first plate comprises a protuberance on its face and on which the second plate comes into abutment so as to resist lateral forces.

[0008] The disadvantage of such a solution is that if the fixing screws break, the absorber plate may pass over the protrusion, for example due to excessive force or a defective protrusion. The absorber plate is then no longer held against a transverse movement to the vehicle, and the absorber shifts laterally significantly, reducing its effectiveness during the impact.

[0009] The objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to propose a structural element making it possible to stabilize an absorption device in the event of a vehicle impact, and in particular to limit the movement of a part of the absorption device carrying an absorber.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention, by means of a structural element of a vehicle, intended to form part of a front or rear part of a structure of a vehicle, and comprising at least one receiving plate having a front face on which is intended to be fixed by screws a fixing plate of an energy absorber of an absorption device, said absorber extending in a longitudinal direction, the fixing plate comprises a fixing position in which it is fixed to the receiving plate by screws and an offset position corresponding to a position with a transverse displacement in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the fixing position, the displacement from the fixing position to the offset position being in a so-called internal direction,remarkable in that the receiving plate comprises a receiving interface cooperating with an engagement interface fixed to the fixing plate, after a movement of said fixing plate from the fixing position to the offset position, the cooperation between the receiving interface and the engagement interface blocking the movement of the fixing plate beyond the offset position in the transverse direction and the internal direction, so as to maintain the fixing plate in the offset position following the breakage of the screws. In other words, the receiving and engagement interface cooperate so as to maintain the fixing plate in the offset position on the fixing plate after the movement of said fixing plate from the fixing position to the offset position.

[0011] Thus advantageously, in the event of an impact, in particular an offset frontal impact, i.e. in which the vehicle is impacted only on a lateral part of its front face, the fixing plate which is opposite the impact is held opposite the receiving plate despite the breaking of the fixing screws thanks to the cooperation between the receiving interface and the engagement interface. This cooperation reduces the displacement of the fixing plate, and thus reduces the risk of significant displacement of the entire absorption device relative to the vehicle structure in the transverse direction and the internal direction in the event of such an offset impact.

[0012] Furthermore, this arrangement makes it possible to only show the cooperation after the movement of the fixing plate from the fixing position, and not when the fixing plate is in the fixing position. Thus, the installation of the fixing plate on the engagement plate is simple and quick to carry out because it is not disturbed by the presence of the engagement and reception interfaces. In particular, the mounting of the absorption device on the reception plates is possible when the absorption device comprises fixing plates parallel to each other, fixed to a rigid bumper beam by absorbers, aligned in the transverse direction with the internal direction of movement of each of the fixing plates oriented towards the other fixing plate.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the cooperation between the receiving interface and the engagement interface blocks the movement of the fixing plate beyond the offset position in the transverse direction in the transverse direction and the internal direction, and in the longitudinal direction, when moving the fixing plate from the fixing position to the offset position.

[0014] In other words, when the fixing plate is in the fixing position, the engagement interface is not engaged in the receiving interface. This engagement only appears when the fixing plate has started to move towards the offset position from its fixing position. In other words, the cooperation between the engagement interface and the receiving interface creates a hooking effect.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the engagement interface is a protrusion extending in the transverse direction and in the internal direction, from the fixing plate.

[0016] That is to say that the protrusion is connected to the plate and has, opposite its connection with the plate, a free end oriented in the internal direction.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the engagement interface is disposed on an inner lateral edge of the fixing plate, the fixing plate moving towards this inner lateral edge when moving from the fixing position to the offset position. That is, the fixing plate moves in the direction of this inner lateral edge.

[0018] Thus advantageously, the engagement interface is as close as possible to the receiving plate allowing better transmission of force during cooperation between said engagement interface and the receiving interface.

[0019] In another particular embodiment of the invention, the fixing plate comprises a flat part extending at least partly in an extension plane parallel to the transverse direction and a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse and longitudinal directions, and forming a bearing face resting on the front face of the receiving plate, the front face extending in this same extension plane, the engagement interface forming a protrusion along the internal edge and extending in the extension of the flat part parallel to the extension plane.

[0020] Thus advantageously, the contact of the flat parts allows guidance during the movement of the fixing plate in the extension plane, and ensures effective cooperation of the engagement interface with the receiving interface.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the receiving interface is an opening in the receiving plate arranged such that the engagement interface enters said opening when moving it from the fixing position to the offset position, the engagement interface being outside the opening in the fixing position.

[0022] The opening is for example a through hole in the receiving plate, or the entrance of a cavity made in the receiving plate.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the receiving plate comprises a fallen edge along its edge arranged on the same side as the internal edge of the fixing plate, the fallen edge being oriented towards the front face, and said fallen edge comprising the receiving interface opposite the engagement interface.

[0024] Thus, advantageously, the reception interface and / or the engagement interface are produced in a simple manner while ensuring effective cooperation between them.

[0025] The invention also relates to an absorption device comprising two absorbers each arranged near each of the ends of a bumper beam, the beam extending in a substantially transverse direction, each absorber comprising a fixing plate intended to be fixed each on a receiving plate arranged on a front or rear part of a structure of a vehicle, each fixing plate comprising on their edge, called the internal edge oriented towards the other fixing plate, a protrusion oriented towards the other fixing plate extending parallel to the transverse direction, the protrusion being intended to cooperate with a receiving interface carried by the receiving plate following a movement of said fixing plate in the direction of the other fixing plate.

[0026] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising two structural elements as described above, fixed to a front or rear part of the vehicle structure, two absorbers each fixed on one side to a fixing plate and on the other to a bumper beam extending in the transverse direction, the transverse direction corresponding to the transverse axis of the vehicle, the internal direction for each fixing and receiving plate being oriented towards the median longitudinal and vertical plane of the vehicle, the absorbers, the fixing plates and the beam forming an absorption device. In other words, the internal direction Yi corresponds to the direction from the outside towards the inside of the vehicle, parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a front part of a vehicle structure comprising an absorption device with a structural element according to the invention whose fixing plate is in the fixing position.

[0029] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the structural element of [Fig.l] without the absorber of the absorption device.

[0030] [Fig.3] represents a front view of the structural element of [Fig.2].

[0031] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of the front part of the structure of a vehicle of [Fig.l] with the fixing plate in the offset position.

[0032] The drawings are schematic representations to facilitate understanding of the invention. The components are not necessarily shown to scale. The same references correspond to the same components from one figure to another.

[0033] The X axis represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y axis the transverse direction and the Z axis the vertical direction. The forward, backward, up, down directions are taken in the vehicle's reference frame.

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates a front part of a vehicle structure, and more particularly the right front part of the structure of a motor vehicle. The left front part of the vehicle structure is substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane vertical to the vehicle. The right front part of the vehicle structure comprises a stretcher 3 at the end of which is fixed a receiving plate 10. An absorption device 2 is fixed to the end of the stretcher 3, and comprises a bumper beam 29 on which are fixed two energy absorbers 28 each arranged near each of the ends of the bumper beam 29. The beam 29 extends in a direction substantially transverse Y to the vehicle. The absorber 28 is fixed at one of these ends to a fixing plate 20, and is fixed to the beam 29 by its other end. In [Fig.l], only one end of the beam 29 is visible, with an absorber 28.The receiving plate 13, the fixing plate 20 and the absorber 28 form a structural element 1 forming part of a front part of a structure. vehicle.

[0035] The fixing plate 20 is shown in [Fig.l] in a position called the fixing position in which it is fixed to the receiving plate 10 by fixing screws not shown. In this fixing position, the absorber 28 extends in the longitudinal direction X and in the extension of the stretcher 3.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the fixing plate 20 has an offset position in which said fixing plate 20 has moved relative to the receiving plate 10 in the transverse direction Y and in a direction Yi oriented towards the interior of the vehicle, in other words oriented towards the vertical median plane of the vehicle. This movement is for example a consequence of a partial frontal impact impacting the left front part of the structure of the vehicle not shown in the figures, that is to say the front part of the structure of the vehicle opposite that shown in the figures. In such an impact, the forces undergone by the absorption device 2 and the front structure of the vehicle tend to move the absorber 28 on the side of the front part of the structure not impacted and which itself drives the fixing plate 20 towards the impacted part, that is to say towards the vertical median plane of the vehicle, in the internal direction Yi.

[0037] The receiving plate 10 comprises a receiving interface 11 cooperating with an engagement interface 21 fixed to the fixing plate 20, after a movement of said fixing plate 20 from the fixing position to the offset position, so as to block the movement of the fixing plate 20 beyond the offset position in the transverse direction Y and the internal direction Yi, and to maintain the fixing plate 20 in the offset position following the breakage of the screws. That is to say that the cooperation between the receiving interface 11 and the engagement interface 21 blocks the movement of the fixing plate 20 beyond the offset position.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the cooperation between the engagement interface 21 and the receiving interface 11 appears only after a movement of the fixing plate 20 from the fixing position to the offset position, that is to say in the direction of the offset position. In other words, in this alternative, the engagement interface 20 does not cooperate with the receiving interface 11 when the fixing plate 20 is in the fixing position, and cooperates with said receiving interface 11 after having moved in the internal direction Yi towards the offset position.

[0039] In the example of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cooperation between the receiving interface 11 and the engagement interface 21 blocks the movement of the fixing plate 20 beyond the offset position in the transverse direction Y and the internal direction Yi, and in the longitudinal direction X, towards the front of the vehicle, when moving the fixing plate from the fixing position to the offset position. For example, the cooperation between the engagement interface 21 and the receiving interface 11 creates a hook from the engaging interface 21 to the receiving interface 11.

[0040] For example, as shown in the figures, the engagement interface 21 is a protrusion extending in the transverse direction Y and in the internal direction Yi, from the fixing plate 20. The protrusion 21 is arranged on an internal lateral edge 22 of the fixing plate 20, the internal lateral edge 22 of the fixing plate 20 being an edge of the fixing plate 20 located on the side of the movement of said fixing plate 20 during its movement from the fixing position to the offset position. In other words, the internal edge 22 is the edge of the fixing plate 20 located on the side of the vertical median plane of the vehicle, that is to say on the inside of the vehicle. The engagement interface 21 is for example located opposite the absorber 28 in the transverse direction Y.

[0041] The fixing plate 20 comprises a flat part extending at least partly in an extension plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z, and forms a bearing face resting on a front face 13 of the receiving plate 10 which also extends in this same extension plane. The front face 13 of the receiving plate 10 is the face of said receiving plate 10 opposite that on which the stretcher 3 is fixed. The engagement interface 21 is a protrusion along the internal edge 22, that is to say that it forms a zone projecting relative to this internal edge, which extends in the extension of the flat part parallel to the extension plane. In other words, the internal edge 22 comprises a recess, such as a crenellation, projecting along this internal edge 22, in the transverse direction Y and the internal direction Yi.

[0042] The receiving interface 11 is for example, as shown in the figures, an opening 11 in the receiving plate 10 arranged so that the engagement interface 21 enters said opening 11 when it is moved from the fixing position to the offset position. That is to say, as illustrated in the figures, the protrusion 21 enters the opening 11 when it is moved from the fixing position to the deployed position. Once in the opening 11, the movements of the fixing plate 20 are blocked by contact of the protrusion 21 and possibly of the fixing plate 20 on the parts of the receiving plate 10 arranged around said opening 11.For example, the movement of the fixing plate 20 in the longitudinal direction X and towards the front of the vehicle is blocked by the contact of the protrusion 21 against an edge of the opening 11 arranged opposite said protrusion in the longitudinal direction X when the fixing plate 20 is in the offset position.

[0043] The opening 11 is for example a through hole in the receiving plate 10, or the entrance to a cavity located in the receiving plate 10.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving plate 10 has a flanged edge 12 along its edge arranged on the same side as the internal edge 22 of the fixing plate 20. The flanged edge 12 is oriented towards the front face 13, i.e. towards the front of the vehicle. The flanged edge 12 has the opening 11 opposite the engagement interface 21 along the transverse axis Y.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], 2 and 3, when the fixing plate is in the fixing position, the flanged edge 12 and the internal edge 22 are spaced from each other. In the offset position illustrated in [Fig. 4], the protrusion 21 forming the engagement interface is retracted into the opening 11, and the part of the internal edge 22 of the fixing plate 20 located outside the protrusion 21 rests against a part of the dropped edge 12 of the receiving plate 10 around the opening 11. In this offset position, the fixing plate 20 can neither advance in the longitudinal direction X towards the front of the vehicle, blocked by the engagement of the protrusion 21 in the opening 11, nor move in the transverse direction Y and the direction Yi by the blocking of the internal edge 22 against the dropped edge 12.Thus, once in the offset position, the fixing plate 20 cannot pass over the dropped edge even under significant forces resulting from a front impact, thanks to the cooperation of the engagement interface 21 with the receiving interface 11 having a hooking effect.

[0046] The front structure of the vehicle, of which only the right front part is shown in the figures, comprises on its front part two stretchers 3, and comprises the two structural elements 1 each arranged at the end of each of said stretchers 3: two receiving plates 10 each fixed to the end of each of the stretchers 3, two fixing plates 20 each fixed to one of the receiving plates 10, and two absorbers 28 are fixed to each of the fixing plates 20. The bumper beam 29 is fixed to the absorbers 28, connecting the two absorbers 28. The protrusion 21 of each of the structural elements 1 is oriented towards the vertical median plane of the vehicle, that is to say towards the interior of the vehicle. In other words, the protrusion 21 arranged on one of the fixing plates 20 is oriented towards the protrusion arranged on the other fixing plate.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, the engagement interface 21 is a pin extending in the transverse direction Y and cooperating with the receiving interface 11 such as an opening adapted in the receiving plate 10.

[0048] In another alternative embodiment, the engagement interface 21 is an engagement opening in the fixing plate 20 and cooperates with the receiving interface 11 which forms an element projecting in the transverse direction Y and oriented in the direction opposite to the internal direction Yi, so as to penetrate into the engagement opening when the fixing plate 20 is moved from the fixing position to the offset position at the time of a frontal impact of the vehicle.

[0049] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the application of the structural element 1 on a front part of a vehicle structure. Alternatively, such a structural element is installed on the rear part of the vehicle structure, the front direction being replaced by the rear direction for the orientation of the components of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Structural element (1) of a vehicle, intended to form part of a front or rear part of a structure of a vehicle, and comprising at least one receiving plate (10) having a front face (13) on which is intended to be fixed by screws a fixing plate (20) of an energy absorber (28) of an absorption device (2), said absorber (28) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), the fixing plate (20) comprises a fixing position in which it is fixed to the receiving plate (10) by screws and an offset position corresponding to a position with a transverse displacement in a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the fixing position, the displacement from the fixing position to the offset position being in a so-called internal direction (Yi),characterized in that the receiving plate (10) comprises a receiving interface (11) cooperating with an engagement interface (21) fixed to the fixing plate (20), after a movement of said fixing plate (20) from the fixing position to the offset position, the cooperation between the receiving interface (11) and the engagement interface (21) blocking the movement of the fixing plate (20) beyond the offset position in the transverse direction (Y) and the internal direction (Yi), so as to maintain the fixing plate (20) in the offset position following the breakage of the screws.,

2. Structural element (1) according to the preceding claim, the cooperation between the receiving interface (11) and the engagement interface (21) of which blocks the movement of the fixing plate (20) beyond the offset position in the transverse direction (Y) in the transverse direction and the internal direction (Yi), and in the longitudinal direction (X), after the movement of the fixing plate (20) from the fixing position to the offset position.

3. Structural element (1) according to the preceding claim, the engagement interface (21) of which is a protrusion extending in the transverse direction (Y) and in the internal direction (Yi), from the fixing plate (20).

4. Structural element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the engagement interface (21) of which is arranged on an internal lateral edge (22) of the fixing plate (20), the fixing plate (20) moving towards this internal lateral edge (22) during its movement from the fixed position to the offset position.

5. Structural element (1) according to the preceding claim, the fixing plate (20) of which comprises a flat part extending at least partly in an extension plane parallel to the transverse direction (Y) and a vertical direction (Z) perpendicular to the transverse (Y) and longitudinal (X) directions, and forming a bearing face resting on the front face (13) of the receiving plate (10), the front face (13) extending in this same extension plane, the engagement interface (21) forms a protrusion along the internal edge (22) and extending in the extension of the flat part parallel to the extension plane.

6. Structural element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, the receiving interface (11) of which is an opening (11) in the receiving plate (10) arranged so that the engagement interface (21) enters said opening (11) when it is moved from the fixing position to the offset position, the engagement interface (21) being outside the opening (11) in the fixing position.

7. Structural element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, the receiving plate (10) of which has a flanged edge (12) along its edge arranged on the same side as the internal edge (22) of the fixing plate (20), the flanged edge (12) being oriented towards the front face (13), and said flanged edge (12) having the receiving interface (11) opposite the engagement interface (21).

8. Vehicle comprising two structural elements (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, fixed to a front or rear part of the structure of the vehicle, two absorbers (28) each fixed on one side to a fixing plate (20) and on the other to a bumper beam (29) extending in the transverse direction (Y), the transverse direction (Y) corresponding to the transverse axis of the vehicle, the internal direction (Yi) for each fixing plate (20) and receiving plate (10) being oriented towards the median longitudinal and vertical plane of the vehicle, the absorbers (28), the fixing plates (20) and the beam (29) forming an absorption device (2).

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