Assembly of a motor vehicle body structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) of a body structure of a motor vehicle comprising a first structural element (12) and a second structural element (14) integral and extending in the same longitudinal direction, the first structural element (12) being provided with an orifice (16) forming a pilot. An added part (20), integral with the structural elements, is at least partly in abutment against these structural elements (12, 14), and has a first part (200) of which a wall (210) extends a wall (140) of the second structural element (14) and comprises a first orifice (202) forming a pilot identical to that of the first structural element (12).A second part (210) of said insert (20), covering a portion of the wall (120) of the first structural element (12) provided with the orifice (16), further comprises a second orifice (211) identical to the orifice (16) of the first structural element (12) and positioned in correspondence therewith. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly of a motor vehicle body structure

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly of a motor vehicle body structure, which can in particular be used for different types of vehicle.

[0002] In order to carry out the assembly of a body structure and the elements secured to the latter, manufacturers generally use pilots making it possible to support the body structure with precision via fingers secured to an assembly plate, and thus allowing the implementation of subsequent assembly operations via automated tools.

[0003] These pilots are typically orifices of precise shape and dimensions, typically made at the level of rigid parts of the body structure when it comes to pilots by which the body structure must be able to be supported. Certain pilots are thus made on the side members of the body structure, the latter having sufficient rigidity and not being weakened by the production of pilots.

[0004] Depending on the vehicle's engine, more or less bulky elements, such as battery packs, may be fixed to the body structure in positions that hinder or prohibit access to certain drivers. It is then necessary to modify the position of the drivers, which can generate considerable costs when it is necessary to modify the mounting plates in all the factories concerned. Furthermore, the drivers must be made using structural elements that are sufficiently rigid to support the body structure if necessary, without compromising the rigidity of these structural elements: certain parts of the body structure, such as the sills, do not have sufficient strength and / or would be weakened by the installation of a driver. In addition, in order to avoid having to change the mounting plates, the new driver must remain close to the position of the usual driver, which makes the installation of a new driver complex.Finally, it is advantageous to produce body structures that can be used for different types of vehicle and thus include several drivers adapted to particular types of vehicle.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing an assembly of a motor vehicle body structure, this assembly comprising a first structural element and a second structural element which are integral and extend in the same longitudinal direction, each structural element having a wall extending substantially horizontally or horizontally facing the ground in a position of use of the assembly, these walls being offset from each other in a vertical direction, in particular generally also offset in a transverse direction. Furthermore, said wall of the first structural element is provided with an orifice forming a pilot and said wall of the second structural element extends over a portion of the length of the second structural element in the longitudinal direction and has an end close to said orifice forming a pilot of the first structural element. In other words, the wall of the second structural element does not extend over the entire length of the latter.

[0006] According to the invention, the assembly further comprises an insert secured to the first and second structural elements and at least partly bearing against said walls of these structural elements. This insert has a first part, one wall of which extends the wall of the second structural element beyond its end in the longitudinal direction and comprises a first pilot-forming orifice identical, in particular in shape and dimensions, and generally in orientation, to that of said wall of the first structural element, this first part defining with the second structural element a closed housing. A second part of said insert, covering a portion of the wall of the first structural element provided with the pilot-forming orifice, further comprises a second orifice identical, in particular in shape and dimensions, to the orifice of the spar and positioned in correspondence with it.

[0007] This arrangement makes it possible to position a new pilot at the level of the area of ​​the second structural element without weakening the latter since the pilot level is part of the added part which reinforces the assembly and whose housing shape has adequate strength. In particular, the strength of the added part can be calculated in order to allow the body structure to be supported via the pilot, even if the second structural element generally has insufficient strength. It will thus be possible to use an added part having a strength greater than the strength of the second structural element although this is not obligatory, the housing shape of the first part of the added part and the fact that it is supported by both the second structural element and the first structural element being able to give it sufficient strength.Furthermore, the housing shape of the first part allows the finger to be received which will be used to position and support the body structure, this finger typically being part of a mounting plate.

[0008] Advantageously, the first part of the insert may have a support zone around the first pilot-forming orifice. This support zone is in particular intended to receive as support a finger of a mounting plate, its dimensions may thus be determined according to the dimensions of this finger. This support zone may thus form a surface area enlarged relative to the rest of the insert.

[0009] Advantageously, the wall of the first structural element may comprise at least one second pilot-forming orifice located near the first pilot-forming orifice, also covered by the second part of the insert. This at least one second pilot-forming orifice may for example be used to position the assembly for screwing or other assembly operations. The second part of the insert then comprises at least one third orifice identical, in particular in shape and dimensions, to the at least one second orifice of the wall of the side member and positioned in correspondence with it. Thus, although the insert covers the area in which the original pilot is located, it is possible to continue to use this pilot if necessary due to the correspondence of the third orifice of the insert. This makes it possible to use the body structure according to the invention for different types of vehicle.

[0010] Advantageously, the first structural element, the second structural element and the insert may be made of metal or metal alloy, generally steel. The insert is then assembled to the first structural element and to the second structural element by welding, which makes it possible to obtain a strong assembly. This assembly by welding may be carried out at the level of the areas of the insert covering the first structural element and the second structural element.

[0011] Advantageously, the second part of the added part can match the shape of the first structural element and the second structural element against which it bears. This can improve the strength and resistance to stress of the added part and reinforce the second structural element locally.

[0012] Advantageously, the first part of the added part may comprise edges bearing against the first structural element and the second structural element. This allows good support of the added part, these edges typically being assembled by welding to the first structural element and to the second structural element.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first structural member may be a spar and the second structural member may be a sill.

[0014] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle body structure comprising two assemblies according to the invention arranged on either side of the body structure laterally.

[0015] Advantageously, the added part can be located on the front side of the body structure, for example behind the wheel arch.

[0016] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to the invention or a body structure according to the invention.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig.l] is a bottom view of an existing body structure.

[0019] [Fig.2] represents an enlarged bottom view of an assembly of a spar and of an existing soffit.

[0020] [Fig.3] represents an enlarged bottom view of an assembly of a spar and of a flap according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a longitudinal section of the assembly of [Fig.3].

[0022] The orientations expressed in the description of the figures are given with reference to a conventional orthonormal XYZ reference frame of a motor vehicle, the X axis representing the longitudinal direction, oriented from front to rear of the vehicle, the Y axis representing the transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right, and the Z axis represents the vertical direction, oriented upwards, of the vehicle.

[0023] In the remainder of the description, the terms front and rear conventionally refer to the front and rear of the motor vehicle.

[0024] By substantially horizontal, longitudinal or vertical, we mean a direction / plane forming an angle of at most ±20°, or even at most ±10° or at most ±5°, with a horizontal, longitudinal or vertical direction / plane.

[0025] By substantially parallel, perpendicular or at right angles is meant a direction / angle deviating by at most ±20°, or even at most ±10° or at most ±5° from a direction / plane that is parallel, perpendicular or at right angles.

[0026] Identical references may be used from one figure to another to designate identical or similar elements.

[0027] [Fig. 1] represents an existing body structure 10 comprising in particular two side members 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each secured to a flap 14 respectively. In the example shown, as seen more clearly in [Fig. 2], each side member comprises, here at the rear of the front wheel arch of the body structure, a first orifice 16 forming a pilot and a second orifice 18 forming a pilot. The first orifice 16 forming a pilot is here a mounting pilot, intended to receive a finger forming part of a mounting plate, and making it possible to support the body structure while positioning it in X and Y, in order to be able to mount elements such as a battery pack or other. The second orifice 18 forming a pilot is here a so-called sheet metal pilot, serving rather for positioning the body during assembly of the body structure.

[0028] The first and second orifices 16, 18 are here positioned on a substantially horizontal wall 120 of the side member 12, this wall being located facing the ground in a position of use of the body structure.

[0029] The first orifice 16 can however be hidden by the element to be mounted when the latter is bulky in the transverse direction, such as for example a battery pack: it is then not possible to use it. [Fig.4] schematically represents a large battery pack 2 laterally and which partly covers the spar 12, preventing access to the pilot 16.

[0030] According to the invention, the assembly 1 of the side member 12 and the side skirt then comprises an added part 20 secured to the side skirt 14 and to the side member 12 and bearing against a substantially horizontal wall 140 of the side skirt and the substantially horizontal wall 120 of the side member. This substantially horizontal wall 140 of the side skirt is also facing the ground in the mounting position of the body structure and is offset vertically relative to the wall 120 of the side member. This offset is typically towards the ground in the position of use. In other words, the substantially horizontal wall 140 of the side skirt is closer to the ground than the substantially horizontal wall 120 of the side member in the position of use of the body structure. In general, this substantially horizontal wall 140 of the side skirt is also offset in the transverse direction Y, towards the outside of the body structure, relative to the substantially horizontal wall 120 of the side member.Furthermore, the substantially horizontal wall 140 of the skirt extends over a part of the length of the skirt in the longitudinal direction Y and has an end 141 close to the first orifice 16 forming a pilot of the spar, as visible [Fig.2].

[0031] The skirt 14 and the spar 12 are secured in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown, the spar 12 is assembled to a substantially vertical wall 142 of the skirt. The substantially horizontal walls 120 and 140 are thus here connected by the substantially vertical wall 142.

[0032] The insert 20 has a first part 200, a wall 201 of which extends the wall 140 of the skirt beyond its end 141 in the longitudinal direction and comprises a first orifice 202 forming a pilot identical (in shape and dimensions, and generally also in orientation) to the first orifice forming a pilot 16 of the wall 120 of the spar 12. This first part 200 also defines with the skirt a closed housing 203. The insert 20 comprises a second part 210 covering a portion of the wall 120 of the spar provided with the first orifice 16 forming a pilot. In order to allow the use of this pilot, the second part 210 of the insert 20 further comprises a second orifice 211 identical (in shape and dimensions) to the first orifice 16 of the spar and positioned in correspondence with it, as shown [Fig. 3].

[0033] The first orifice 202 of the insert 20 is thus on the wall 201 forming part of the closed housing 203: a finger 30 forming part of a mounting plate can easily be introduced via this orifice inside the housing in the vertical direction Y, as shown [Fig.4]. To ensure good support of the finger 30 on the insert 20, a support zone 204 can be sized around the first orifice 202 according to the dimensions of the finger 30.

[0034] In the example shown, the spar 12 has two pilot-forming orifices 16 and 18. In order to be able to continue to use the other pilot-forming orifice 18 of the spar, the second part 210 of the added part comprises a third orifice 212 identical (in shape and dimensions) to the second orifice 18 of the spar and positioned in correspondence with it as shown [Fig.3].

[0035] The invention is of course not limited by the number of pilot holes. The spar could have a single pilot hole 16, two pilot holes 16, 18, or more than two holes. If these pilot holes are covered by the insert 20 while it is desired to continue to be able to use them, it is then sufficient to make suitable holes through the insert 20.

[0036] The insert 20 will preferably be assembled to the spar 12 and to the skirt 14 by welding. These elements are then typically made of metal or metal alloy, generally steel. The insert is preferably made in one piece, for example by stamping.

[0037] Preferably, as shown in the example, the second part 210 of the insert 20 matches the shape of the skirt 14 and the spar 12 against which it bears. It is thus understood that the insert here reinforces both the skirt and the spar.

[0038] To improve the strength of the closed housing 203, as shown in the example, the first part 200 of the added part comprises edges 205, 206, bearing respectively against the flap 14 and the side member 12.

[0039] In the example previously described, the spar 12 is a first structural element and the skirt 14 is a second structural element within the meaning of the invention, these two assembled elements forming an assembly 1 within the meaning of the invention.

[0040] The invention is however not limited to this embodiment and can be applied to any assembly of two longitudinal structural elements having horizontal or substantially horizontal walls offset vertically, and generally also offset transversely, one of these horizontal walls being shorter than the other, and the other of the horizontal walls having an orifice forming a pilot. The horizontal walls of these structural elements can typically be connected via a vertical wall belonging to one or other of the structural elements. It will further be noted that the longitudinal and transverse directions of the assembly may not correspond to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle depending on the position of the structural elements within the body structure.

[0041] The added part of the assembly according to the invention thus makes it possible to extend the shortest horizontal wall by a closed housing in which a pilot orifice is made while leaving free the pilot initially provided in one of the structural elements.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1) of a body structure of a motor vehicle comprising a first structural element (12) and a second structural element (14) integral and extending in the same longitudinal direction, each structural element having a wall (120, 140) extending substantially horizontally facing the ground in a position of use of the assembly, these walls (120, 140) being offset from each other in a vertical direction, said wall (120) of the first structural element (12) being provided with an orifice (16) forming a pilot, said wall (140) of the second structural element extending over a portion of its length in the longitudinal direction and having an end (141) close to said orifice (16) forming a pilot of the first structural element (12),characterized in that the assembly further comprises an insert (20) secured to the first and second structural elements and at least partly bearing against said walls (120, 140) of these structural elements (12, 14), said insert (20) having a first part (200) of which a wall (210) extends the wall (140) of the second structural element (14) beyond its end (141) in the longitudinal direction and comprises a first orifice (202) forming a pilot identical to that of said wall (120) of the first structural element (12), this first part (200) defining with the second structural element (14) a closed housing (203), a second part (210) of said insert (20), covering a portion of the wall (120) of the first structural element (12) provided with the orifice (16) forming a pilot,further comprising a second orifice (211) identical to the orifice (16) of the first structural element (12) and positioned in correspondence therewith.,

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (200) of the added part (20) has a support zone (204) around the first orifice (202) forming a pilot.

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall (120) of the first structural element (12) comprises at least one second pilot-forming orifice (18) located near the first pilot-forming orifice (16), also covered by the second part (210) of the insert (20) and in that this second part comprises at least one third orifice (212) identical to the at least one second orifice (18) of the wall (120) of the first structural element and positioned in correspondence therewith.

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first structural element (12), the second structural element (14) and the insert (20) are made of metal or metal alloy, and in that the insert (20) is assembled to the structural elements (12, 14) by welding.

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second part (210) of the added part (20) matches the shape of the first structural element (12) and of the second structural element (14) against which it bears.

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first part (200) of the added part (20) comprises edges (206, 205) bearing against the first structural element (12) and the second structural element (14).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first structural element (12) is a spar and the second structural element (14) is a flap.

8. Body structure (10) of a motor vehicle comprising two assemblies (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, arranged on either side of the body structure laterally.

9. A motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a body structure according to claim 8.

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