Underbody assembly of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly

Abstract

Underbody assembly for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. Underbody assembly (19) of a motor vehicle, comprising:- a floor (13),- lateral longitudinal side members (7g), laterally bordering said floor,- an assembly zone for said floor on said lateral longitudinal side members.According to the invention, the floor is adapted to define a traction battery cover of the vehicle and the underbody assembly comprises a set of evacuation channels (23, 25) made in said assembly zone, adapted to create a clearance between said floor and said lateral longitudinal side members.The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. Figure 8

Description

Title of the invention: Underbody assembly of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly concerns an underbody assembly of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such an underbody assembly. Prior art

[0002] A motor vehicle body structure comprises a set of sheet metal structural elements providing stiffness to the motor vehicle, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The body structure comprises, in particular, among these sheet metal elements, a left lateral structure and a right lateral structure. Each lateral structure comprises a set of upper and lower horizontal elements, extending substantially longitudinally relative to the body, and a set of vertical elements, extending substantially vertically relative to the body.

[0004] The lower horizontal elements comprise lateral longitudinal side members defining part of the perimeter of the body underbody.

[0005] The left and right side structures are connected to each other in the lower part of the vehicle by a floor, belonging to a vehicle underbody assembly and bordered laterally by the right and left side longitudinal side members.

[0006] The floor comprises a central area, generally flat, bordered laterally by a set of edges welded laterally to the lateral longitudinal side members of the body structure.

[0007] After assembling the floor and the body structure, the assembly thus formed is immersed in a bath or in several successive baths in order to apply at least one coating by a cataphoresis process.

[0008] After applying the cataphoresis process to the assembly, it is necessary to be able to drain the assembly in order to remove the excess coating applied. To do this, in a known embodiment of the prior art, the floor comprises a set of cataphoresis removal holes arranged on the central area of ​​the floor.

[0009] When the vehicle is an electric motor vehicle with battery (motor vehicle known as “BEV”, an English acronym for “Battery Electric Vehicle”), the vehicle includes a traction battery powering the electric motor of the motor vehicle.

[0010] The traction battery comprises a set of battery modules, mounted in a battery tray. The battery tray is mounted under the floor of the underbody assembly.

[0011] The presence of drainage holes in the central area of ​​the floor is not possible because this would break the airtightness of the battery tray.

[0012] Indeed, this would increase the humidity level inside the battery tray or would cause water infiltration from the passenger compartment into the battery tray, which would have the effect of severely damaging the battery modules. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to an underbody assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a floor, - lateral longitudinal side members, laterally bordering said floor, - an assembly zone of said floor on said lateral longitudinal side members, said underbody assembly being remarkable in that said floor is adapted to define a traction battery cover of said motor vehicle and in that said underbody assembly comprises a set of evacuation channels made in said assembly zone, adapted to create a clearance between said floor and said lateral longitudinal side members.

[0014] Thus, by providing a set of evacuation channels made in the assembly zone between the floor and the lateral longitudinal side members and adapted to create a clearance between the floor and the lateral longitudinal side members, the excess coating applied during the cataphoresis step is evacuated without the floor having evacuation holes arranged on the central zone of the floor, as is the case in the prior art.

[0015] Thus, when the vehicle is an electric vehicle, the floor can define a cover for the traction battery of the motor vehicle while protecting the interior of the battery tray from the harmful effects of humidity or water infiltration from the passenger compartment which would severely damage the battery modules.

[0016] According to optional characteristics of the underbody assembly: - which said floor comprises a central zone and lateral longitudinal edges laterally bordering said central zone, and at least one of said evacuation channels is made at the level of at least one of said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor; - said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor comprise a vertical longitudinal face, extending from said central zone towards a lower part of said motor vehicle, and at least one of said evacuation channels is made at the level of said vertical longitudinal face of said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor; - at least one of said evacuation channels extends substantially vertically relative to the motor vehicle; - at least one of said evacuation channels made at the level of said vertical longitudinal face of said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor is adapted to create a clearance between said floor and said lateral longitudinal side members approximately equal to 5 mm; - at least one of said evacuation channels is made at the level of said lateral longitudinal beams; - said lateral longitudinal side members comprise a vertical face assembled to said vertical longitudinal face of said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor, a horizontal face extending from a lower edge of said vertical face, and at least one of said evacuation channels is made at the level of said horizontal face of said lateral longitudinal side members; - said lateral longitudinal edges of said floor comprise a horizontal longitudinal face extending from a lower edge of said vertical longitudinal face, and at least one of said evacuation channels made at the level of said lateral longitudinal side members is adapted to create a clearance between said horizontal longitudinal face of said floor and said horizontal face of said lateral longitudinal side members less than or equal to approximately 3 mm; - said evacuation channels made at the level of said lateral longitudinal side members have a width of between approximately 10 mm and approximately 20 mm.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an underbody assembly, remarkable in that said underbody assembly is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] 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:

[0019] [Fig-1] shows a body structure of a motor vehicle according to the invention, perspective view from below.

[0020] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from above of a motor vehicle underbody assembly according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.3] shows the underbody assembly of the motor vehicle in perspective from below.

[0022] [Fig.4] shows the floor of the underbody assembly in top perspective.

[0023] [Fig.5] is an enlargement of area V of [Fig.4].

[0024] [Fig.6] is an enlargement of zone VI of [Fig.2].

[0025] [Fig.7] is a sectional view along lines VII-VII of [Fig.6] passing outside the evacuation channels.

[0026] [Fig.8] is a sectional view along lines VIII-VIII of [Fig.6], passing at the level of the evacuation channels. Description of the embodiments

[0027] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0028] 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.

[0029] In the following, the terms “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0030] Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0031] Reference is made to [Fig.l] showing a body structure 1 of a motor vehicle 3, seen in perspective from below.

[0032] The body structure 1 comprises a set of sheet metal structural elements providing stiffness to the motor vehicle, assembled together and forming the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0033] In particular, the body structure 1 comprises a left lateral structure 5g and a right lateral structure 5d.

[0034] Each lateral structure comprises a set of upper and lower horizontal elements, extending substantially longitudinally relative to the body, and a set of vertical elements, extending substantially vertically relative to the body.

[0035] The lower horizontal elements comprise lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d extending substantially longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 3.

[0036] At the front, the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are connected to the front block 9 of the motor vehicle 3. At the rear, the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are connected to the rear axle 11 of the motor vehicle 3.

[0037] The left and right lateral structures 5g, 5d are connected to each other in the lower part of the motor vehicle 3 by a floor 13 (visible in [Fig.2]).

[0038] The motor vehicle 3 is an electric motor vehicle with battery (motor vehicle called “BEV”, an English acronym for “Battery Electric Vehicle”). For this purpose, the motor vehicle 3 comprises a traction battery (not shown) supplying the electric motor (not shown) of the motor vehicle 3.

[0039] The traction battery comprises a set of battery modules, mounted in a battery tray 15 mounted under the floor 13. The battery tray 15 is assembled to the body structure 1, for example by screwing at the level of fixing holes 17 (visible in [Fig.2]) provided on the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d.

[0040] Reference is made to [Fig.2] which is a perspective view from above of a base assembly 19 of the motor vehicle 3.

[0041] The underbody assembly 19 of the motor vehicle 3 comprises, in particular, the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d which laterally border the floor 13.

[0042] The floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are assembled together at an assembly zone 21.

[0043] According to the invention, the underbody assembly 19 comprises a set of evacuation channels 23, 25 (visible in FIGS. 5 to 8) made in the assembly zone 21 and adapted to create a clearance between the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d.

[0044] Thus, by providing a set of evacuation channels 23, 25 made in the assembly zone 21 between the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d and adapted to create a clearance between the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d, the excess coating applied during the cataphoresis step is evacuated without the floor 13 having evacuation holes arranged on the central zone 27 of the floor 13.

[0045] The floor 13 thus defines the cover of the traction battery of the motor vehicle while protecting the interior of the battery tray 15 from the harmful effects of humidity or water infiltration from the passenger compartment which would severely damage the battery modules.

[0046] Reference is made to Figures 3 and 4 showing respectively the underbody assembly 19 of the motor vehicle 3 in perspective from below and the floor 13 in perspective from above.

[0047] According to the invention, the floor 13 is adapted to define a cover of the traction battery of the motor vehicle 3.

[0048] For this purpose, the floor 13 comprises a central zone 27, generally flat, front lateral transverse edges 29 and rear 31 and lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d laterally bordering the central zone 27.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evacuation channels 23 of the floor 13 are made at the level of at least one of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13.

[0050] The evacuation channels 23 of the floor 13 consist for example of a surface offset which can for example be obtained by grooving.

[0051] Reference is made to [Fig.5] showing an enlargement of zone V of [Fig.4].

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 comprise a vertical longitudinal face 35, extending from the central zone 27 of the floor 13 towards a lower part of the motor vehicle 3.

[0053] The vertical longitudinal face 35 extends substantially vertically and substantially longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 3. In other words, the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 extends in a plane (L, V) of the motor vehicle 3.

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evacuation channels 23 of the floor 13 are made at the level of the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13.

[0055] Each discharge channel 23 of the floor 13 consists for example of a surface offset at the level of the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d. The surface offset can for example be obtained by a grooving step carried out on the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13.

[0056] For example, one or more of the evacuation channels 23 of the floor 13 may extend substantially vertically relative to the motor vehicle 3.

[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 further comprise a horizontal longitudinal face 37 which extends from a lower edge 39 of the vertical longitudinal face 35. In other words, the horizontal longitudinal face 37 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 extends in a plane (L, T) of the motor vehicle 3.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, three evacuation channels 23 equip the floor 13. However, in another embodiment not illustrated, more evacuation channels 23 can be provided on the floor 13, for example depending on the dimensions of the floor 13.

[0059] In one embodiment, the floor 13 is welded to the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d. For this purpose, the floor 13 comprises welding zones 41 on which the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are intended to be welded. The welding zones 41 are interposed with the evacuation channels 23.

[0060] Reference is made to [Fig.6] showing an enlargement of zone VI of [Fig.2].

[0061] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the evacuation channels 25 are made at the level of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d (only the side member 7g being visible in [Fig.5]) to allow a clearance to be created between the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal beams 7g, 7d.

[0062] The evacuation channels 25 of the lateral longitudinal beams 7g, 7d consist for example of a surface offset which can for example be obtained by grooving.

[0063] The lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d comprise a vertical face 43 extending substantially vertically and substantially longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 3. In other words, the vertical face 43 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d extends in a plane (L, V) of the motor vehicle 3.

[0064] The vertical face 43 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d is assembled to the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13, at the level of the assembly zone 21, at the level of the welding zones 41 of the floor 13.

[0065] The lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d further comprise a horizontal face 45 which extends substantially horizontally and substantially longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle 3 from a lower edge 47 of the vertical face 43. In other words, the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d extends in a plane (L, T) of the motor vehicle 3.

[0066] The evacuation channels 25 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are made at the level of the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d.

[0067] Each discharge channel 25 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d consists for example of a surface offset at the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d. The surface offset can for example be obtained by a grooving step carried out on the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d.

[0068] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, six evacuation channels 25 equip each lateral longitudinal beam 7g, 7d. However, in another embodiment not illustrated, more evacuation channels 25 can be provided on the lateral longitudinal beams 7g, 7d, for example depending on the dimensions of the lateral longitudinal beams 7g, 7d.

[0069] According to an arrangement of the invention, the evacuation channels 25 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d have a width 1 of between approximately 10mm and approximately 20mm.

[0070] Reference is made to Figures 7 and 8 which illustrate the base assembly 19 in section respectively along lines VILVII of [Fig.6], passing outside the evacuation channels 23, 25, and along lines VIII-VIII of [Fig.6], passing at the level of the evacuation channels 23, 25.

[0071] The floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d (only the longitudinal side member 7g being visible in figures 7 and 8) are assembled together at the level of the assembly area 21.

[0072] The floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d are welded together at the welding zones 41 made on the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 (only the lateral longitudinal edge 33g being visible in FIGS. 7 and 8) and interposed with the evacuation channels 23.

[0073] Thus, the vertical face 43 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d is assembled to the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13.

[0074] In the lower part of the assembly, the horizontal longitudinal face 37 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 is assembled to the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d.

[0075] As visible in [Fig.8], according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more of the evacuation channels 23 made at the level of the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 is adapted to create a clearance Ji between the floor 13 and the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d approximately equal to 5mm.

[0076] According to another arrangement, in an embodiment of the invention, one or more of the evacuation channels 25 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d, made at the level of the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d, is adapted to create a clearance J2 between the horizontal longitudinal face 37 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13 and the horizontal face 45 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d less than or equal to approximately 3 mm. This makes the use of the evacuation channels 25 compatible with sealing gaskets (not shown) adapted to prevent water from entering the battery tray from outside the vehicle.

[0077] After immersing the body structure in a bath or in several successive baths in order to apply at least one coating by cataphoresis, the body structure 1 is extracted from the bath from above.

[0078] The excess coating applied is evacuated by gravity thanks to the evacuation channels 23 made at the level of the vertical longitudinal face 35 of the lateral longitudinal edges 33g, 33d of the floor 13, as illustrated by the arrow 49. The evacuation then continues thanks to the evacuation channels 25 of the lateral longitudinal side members 7g, 7d, as illustrated by the arrow 51.

[0079] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this underbody assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such an underbody 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. Underbody assembly (19) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising: - a floor (13), - lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d), laterally bordering said floor (13), - an assembly zone (21) of said floor (13) on said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d), said underbody assembly (19) being characterized in that said floor (13) is adapted to define a traction battery cover of said motor vehicle (3) and in that said underbody assembly (19) comprises a set of evacuation channels (23, 25) made in said assembly zone (21), adapted to create a clearance between said floor (13) and said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d).

2. A base assembly (19) according to claim 1, wherein said floor (13) comprises a central zone (27) and lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) laterally bordering said central zone (27), characterized in that at least one of said evacuation channels (23, 25) is formed at the level of at least one of said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13).

3. Underbody assembly (19) according to claim 2, wherein said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13) comprise a vertical longitudinal face (35), extending from said central zone (27) towards a lower part of said motor vehicle (3), characterized in that at least one of said evacuation channels (23) is made at the level of said vertical longitudinal face (35) of said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13).

4. Underbody assembly (19) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said evacuation channels (23) extends substantially vertically relative to the motor vehicle (3).

5. Underbody assembly (19) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of said evacuation channels (23) made at the level of said vertical longitudinal face (35) of said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13) is adapted to create a clearance (JJ between said floor (13) and said longitudinal side members lateral tudinals (7g, 7d) approximately equal to 5mm.

6. Underbody assembly (19) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of said evacuation channels (25) is made at the level of said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d).

7. Underbody assembly (19) according to claim 6 combined with any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d) comprise: - a vertical face (43) assembled to said vertical longitudinal face (35) of said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13), - a horizontal face (45) extending from a lower edge (47) of said vertical face (43), and in that at least one of said evacuation channels (23, 25) is formed at the level of said horizontal face (45) of said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d).

8. Underbody assembly (19) according to claim 7, characterized in that said lateral longitudinal edges (33g, 33d) of said floor (13) comprise a horizontal longitudinal face (37) extending from a lower edge (39) of said vertical longitudinal face (35), and in that at least one of said evacuation channels (25) made at the level of said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d) is adapted to create a clearance (J2) between said horizontal longitudinal face (37) of said floor (13) and said horizontal face (45) of said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d) less than or equal to approximately 3mm.

9. Underbody assembly (19) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said evacuation channels (25) made at the level of said lateral longitudinal side members (7g, 7d) have a width of between approximately 10mm and approximately 20mm.

10. Motor vehicle (3) comprising an underbody assembly (19), characterized in that said underbody assembly (19) is according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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