SIDE MEMBERS WITH EXPANDABLE INSERT(S), FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A side member (LS) equips a motor vehicle comprising a floor (PV) comprising a peripheral wall extended by a peripheral rebate, and comprises first (PL1) and second walls having first faces (FL1) secured respectively to second faces (FP2) of the peripheral wall and peripheral rebate while having at least two non-contact zones (ZNC) distant from each other for the evacuation of a cataphoresis residue. At least one of the first (PL1) and second walls comprises in at least one non-contact zone (ZNC) a cavity (CI1, CI2) housing an expandable insert (IE1, IE2) capable of expanding in a post-cataphoresis drying phase, in order to define a sealing bead connecting upper (CES) and lower sealing beadings located on the floor (PV). Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: SIDE RAIL WITH EXPANDABLE INSERT(S), FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles, and more specifically to the side members to which the floors of such vehicles are intended to be fixedly secured. State of the art

[0002] Certain motor vehicles comprise, on the one hand, a floor comprising a peripheral wall extended by a peripheral rebate, and, on the other hand, side members, right and left, each comprising first and second walls having first faces secured respectively to second faces of the peripheral wall and peripheral rebate.

[0003] It will be noted that the floor can possibly serve as a protective cover for a rechargeable battery installed in a battery tray, and in this case the latter is fixedly secured to the second walls of the side members and to the peripheral rebate of the floor. The battery, the battery tray and the floor-cover then define a battery assembly (or “pack”).

[0004] In order to allow the evacuation of cataphoresis residues (industrial paint deposition technique by electrophoresis), it is usual for the first faces of the first and second walls of the side members to not be continuously secured (by welding and / or screwing) respectively to the second faces of the peripheral wall and peripheral rebate of the floor. In this case, there are generally at least two non-contact zones spaced apart between each side member and the floor for the evacuation of cataphoresis residues when the vehicle leaves the cataphoresis bath. Typically, in each non-contact zone there is a clearance of approximately 5 mm between a side member and the floor.

[0005] Such non-contact zones interrupt the continuity of certain sealing cords, located in the passenger compartment and responsible for sealing the vehicle against liquids, because these sealing cords cannot fill the aforementioned gap between the floor and the side members. This results in a local sealing defect, which can accelerate the corrosion of the structure of the vehicle, and can harm the sealing of the possible battery assembly (or pack), which can prove dangerous.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] It proposes in particular for this purpose a side member, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a motor vehicle comprising a floor comprising a peripheral wall extended by a peripheral rebate, and, on the other hand, comprising first and second walls having first faces suitable for being secured respectively to second faces of the peripheral wall and peripheral rebate while having at least two distant non-contact zones for the evacuation of a cataphoresis residue.

[0008] This spar is characterized by the fact that at least one of its first and second walls comprises in at least one non-contact zone a cavity housing an expandable insert capable of expanding in a post-cataphoresis drying phase, in order to define a sealing bead connecting upper and lower sealing beadings located on the floor.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, during cataphoresis each expandable insert is in its non-expanded state and therefore allows the evacuation of cataphoresis residue(s) because it is housed in a cavity of its non-contact zone, then during the drying phase (or oven) which follows cataphoresis each expandable insert expands in order to ensure a sealed connection between the upper and lower sealing cords which are installed subsequently.

[0010] The spar according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - at least one of its first and second walls may comprise two cavities spaced along a direction which is intended to be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and respectively housing two expandable inserts;

[0012] - each cavity may be defined on the first wall and may extend to the second wall;

[0013] - in the presence of the last option, each cavity can be defined on the first wall extending to the second wall in a direction which is intended to be parallel to a vertical direction of the vehicle;

[0014] - each expandable insert may be capable of defining a sealing bead intended for connecting, on the one hand, an upper sealing bead intended to extend from an interface between the first face of the first wall and an upper face of an upper wall of the floor, extended by its peripheral wall, to a chosen area of this upper wall, and, on the other hand, a lower sealing bead intended to extend over an interface between the first face of the second wall and the second face of the peripheral rebate;

[0015] - in the presence of the first and last options, the two expandable inserts can be intended to contact respectively two opposite ends of the lower sealing cord;

[0016] - its first wall may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the peripheral wall of the floor by welding, and its second wall may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the peripheral rebate of the floor by welding and / or screwing;

[0017] - it can be made of steel.

[0018] The invention also provides a motor vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a floor comprising a peripheral wall extended by a peripheral rebate, and, on the other hand, right and left side members, of the type presented above and to which right and left lateral parts of the floor are fixedly secured respectively.

[0019] For example, this vehicle may also include a rechargeable battery installed in a battery tray fixedly secured to the second walls of the side members and to the peripheral rebate of the floor, the latter defining a cover protecting the battery. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, a part of an example of a motor vehicle underbody comprising a floor, constituting an upper cover of a battery assembly, and two examples of embodiment of a side member according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the sou base of [Fig.l], with cellular modules, of the battery of the battery pack, installed under the floor, and before the installation of a battery tray of the battery pack,

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the sou base of [Fig.l], with the battery tray of the battery assembly fixedly secured to the peripheral rebate of the floor and to it,

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the first face, a part of an exemplary embodiment of a straight spar according to the invention, before it becomes part of the base of figures 1 to 3,

[0025] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the relative positions of the right side member and the right lateral part of the base floor of figures 1 to 3, with the materialization of part of the sealing cords,

[0026] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below and in transparency, the relative positions of the right side member and the right lateral part of the floor of the base of figures 1 to 3, with the materialization of part of the sealing cords, and

[0027] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side and partially in section in a transverse and vertical plane, the relative positions of the left side member and the left lateral part of the floor of the base of figures 1 to 3. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The invention aims in particular to propose a side member LS intended to form part of a base SV of a motor vehicle, and initially provided with expandable insert(s) 1Ej each intended to define a sealing bead.

[0029] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the motor vehicle is a car, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. But the invention is not limited to this type of motor vehicle. It relates in fact to any motor vehicle comprising a floor fixedly secured to its underbody and capable of providing a function of upper hood (or cover) of a battery assembly (or pack).

[0030] In Figures 1 to 7, the X direction is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (automobile), which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0031] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate a part of an example of a motor vehicle underbody SV comprising two side members LS, right and left, according to the invention, and to which an example of a floor PL is fixedly secured. This fixed securing can be done by welding and / or screwing, for example. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3 the floor PL also constitutes an upper cover of a battery assembly EB, but this is not an obligation.

[0032] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2 and 5 to 7, the floor PL comprises an upper wall PS which is extended downwards by a peripheral wall PP, itself extended substantially perpendicularly (here in an XY plane) by a peripheral rebate FP.

[0033] As best seen in Figures 4 and 7, each spar LS comprises first PLI and second PL2 walls which extend each other. Here, each first PLI wall extends substantially in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and each second PL2 wall extends substantially in a horizontal plane XY. It will be noted that each spar LS also comprises a third wall PL3 which is extended downwards by the first PLI wall, and which extends substantially in a horizontal plane XY while being placed above the second wall PL2. In addition, each first wall PLI has a first face FL1 which is suitable for being secured to a second face FP2 of a lateral part (right or left) of the peripheral wall PP of the floor PL, and each second wall PL2 has a first face FL1 which is suitable for being secured to a second face FP2 of the peripheral rebate FP of the floor PL. It is important to note that this securing is not continuous. Indeed, there are at least two non-contact zones ZNC (and therefore not secured to each other), distant, for the evacuation of cataphoresis residue(s), when the vehicle leaves the cataphoresis bath. Typically, in each non-contact zone ZNC there is a clearance of approximately 5 mm between a side member LS and the floor PV.

[0034] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 5 and 6 there are three non-contact zones ZNC between each side member LS and the floor PL. But there could be two non-contact zones ZNC or even more than three non-contact zones ZNC (for example four, or even more).

[0035] For example, each first wall PLI can be secured to the peripheral wall PP by welding, and each second wall PL2 can be secured to the peripheral rebate FP by welding and / or screwing. Screwing is advantageous because it also allows the fixing of a battery tray BB of the battery assembly EB to the second wall PL2 and peripheral rebate FP by means of screws VF, as partially illustrated in [Fig. 3]. In this case, the second wall PL2, the peripheral rebate FP of the floor PL and a peripheral rebate FB of the battery tray BB comprise through holes which are placed opposite and crossed by screws VF which cooperate with nuts to fix the battery tray BB under the floor PL. It will be understood that the peripheral rebate FP of the floor PL is interposed between the second wall PL2 of each side member LS and the peripheral rebate FB of the battery tray BB.

[0036] The battery tray BB is part, like a rechargeable battery BR installed in the latter (BB), of a battery assembly (or pack) EB. When the floor PL also provides a top cover function within this battery assembly EB, a part of the rechargeable battery BR is housed in the space delimited by the top cover PL and the battery tray BB.

[0037] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the rechargeable battery BR may comprise at least one cellular module MC comprising at least two electrical energy storage cells. Here, the term “electrical energy storage cell” means a rechargeable and possibly electrochemical cell (for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type).

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 4 to 6, at least one of the first PLI and second PL2 walls of each spar LS comprises in at least one non-contact zone ZNC a cavity Clj housing an expandable insert lEj. This (each) expandable insert lEj is arranged to expand in a post-cataphoresis drying phase, in order to define a sealing bead which connects upper sealing beads CES and lower sealing beads CEI located on the PV floor and installed subsequently (see figures 5 and 6).

[0039] It will be understood that each expandable insert lEj has the capacity to expand (and therefore to significantly increase its volume) in a non-contact zone ZNC when it is subjected to a high temperature during the drying phase (oven) which follows the cataphoresis. Thus, during the cataphoresis each expandable insert lEj allows the evacuation of cataphoresis residue(s) because it is housed in a dedicated cavity Clj of its non-contact zone ZNC while being in a non-expanded state, and after the drying phase each expandable insert lEj is now in its expanded state in order to ensure a sealed connection between the upper sealing beads CES and lower sealing beads CEI.

[0040] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 5 and 6, two of the three non-contact zones ZNC comprise an expandable insert lEj. But only one of the three non-contact zones ZNC could comprise an expandable insert lEj or the three non-contact zones ZNC could respectively comprise three expandable inserts lEj.

[0041] For example, each expandable insert 1Ej may comprise a plastic structure (for example of polyamide type (possibly PA66)) and an expansive material (for example of foam type) which is subject to significant expansion in a post-cataphoresis oven phase.

[0042] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 to 6, at least one of the first PLI and second PL2 walls may comprise two cavities Clj (j = 1 or 2) which are spaced along a direction intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and which respectively house two expandable inserts lEj (IE1 and IE2). But the number of cavities Clj, and therefore of expandable inserts lEj, may take any value greater than or equal to one. The higher the number of non-contact zones ZNC, and therefore the more sealing interconnections there are potentially to be made between the upper sealing beads CES and lower sealing beads CEI, the higher the number of cavities Clj may be.

[0043] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], each cavity Clj can be defined on the first wall PLI and can extend to the second wall PL2. It will be understood that this definition is carried out in a concave (or hollow) manner on the first face FL1 of the spar LS which is intended to be located opposite the peripheral wall PP of the floor PL. It will be noted, as illustrated, that a cavity Clj can also extend (by extending) over at least part of the second wall PL2, in order to increase the length of the sealing bead that it defines. after expansion.

[0044] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], each cavity Clj can be defined on the first wall PLI by extending to the second wall PL2 in a direction which is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction Z. But in an alternative embodiment at least one cavity Clj could be defined on the first wall PLI by extending to the second wall PL2 in a direction which is intended to be inclined relative to the vertical direction Z. In the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], each cavity Clj extending on the second wall PL2 in a direction which is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction Y. But in an alternative embodiment at least one cavity Clj could be defined on the second wall PL2 in a direction which is intended to be inclined relative to the longitudinal direction Y.Furthermore, one (each) cavity Clj could be defined only on the first wall PLI or only on the second wall PL2.

[0045] As described above, each expandable insert 1Ej may be capable of defining a sealing bead intended to connect (or interconnect) upper sealing bead CES and lower sealing bead CEI. In this case, as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper sealing bead CES may be intended to extend from a first interface, between the first face FL1 of the first wall PLI of a spar LS and the upper face of the upper wall PS of the floor PV, to a chosen area of the upper wall PS, and the lower sealing bead CEI may be intended to extend over a second interface, between the first face FL1 of the second wall PL2 of this same spar LS and the second face FP2 of the peripheral rebate FP of the floor PV.

[0046] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 5 and 6, when two expandable inserts IE1 (j = 1) and IE2 (j = 2) are used, the latter (lEj) can be intended (once expanded) to contact respectively two opposite ends of the lower sealing bead CEI. This advantageously makes it possible to establish sealing continuity between two portions (front and rear) of the upper sealing bead CES and the lower sealing bead CEI.

[0047] It will also be noted that each LS spar can be made of steel.

Claims

Claims

1. Side member (LS) suitable for equipping a motor vehicle comprising a floor (PV) comprising a peripheral wall (PP) extended by a peripheral rebate (FP), said side member (LS) comprising first (PLI) and second (PL2) walls having first faces (FL1) suitable for being secured respectively to second faces (FP2) of said peripheral wall (PP) and peripheral rebate (FP) by having at least two non-contact zones (ZNC) distant for the evacuation of a cataphoresis residue, characterized in that at least one of said first (PLI) and second (PL2) walls comprises in at least one non-contact zone (ZNC) a cavity (Clj) housing an expandable insert (lEj) suitable for expanding in a post-cataphoresis drying phase, in order to define a sealing bead connecting upper (CES) and lower (CEI) sealing bead located on said floor (PV).

2. Side member according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said first (PLI) and second (PL2) walls comprises two cavities (Clj) spaced along a direction intended to be parallel to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle and respectively housing two expandable inserts (lEj).

3. A spar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each cavity (Clj) is defined on said first wall (PLI) and extends to said second wall (PL2).

4. Side member according to claim 3, characterized in that each cavity (Clj) is defined on said first wall (PLI) by extending to said second wall (PL2) in a direction intended to be parallel to a vertical direction of said vehicle.

5. A side member according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each expandable insert (1Ej) is capable of defining a sealing bead intended to connect i) an upper sealing bead (CES) intended to extend from an interface between said first face (FL1) of the first wall (PLI) and an upper face of an upper wall (PS) of said floor (PV), extended by said peripheral wall (PP), to a chosen area of said upper wall (PS), and ii) a lower sealing bead (CEI) intended to extend over an interface between said first face (FL1) of the second wall (PL2) and said second face (FP2) of the peripheral rebate (FP).

6. Longeron according to the combination of claims 2 and 5, characterized in that said two expandable inserts (1Ej) are intended to contact respectively two opposite ends of said lower sealing cord (CEI).

7. Longeron according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first wall (PLI) is suitable for being fixedly secured to said peripheral wall (PP) by welding, and said second wall (PL2) is suitable for being fixedly secured to said peripheral rebate (FP) by welding and / or screwing.

8. Longeron according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is made of steel.

9. Motor vehicle comprising a floor (PV) comprising a peripheral wall (PP) extended by a peripheral rebate (FP), characterized in that it further comprises side members (LS), right and left, according to one of claims 1 to 8, to which right and left lateral parts of said floor (PV) are fixedly secured respectively.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a rechargeable battery (BR) installed in a battery tray (BB) fixedly secured to said second walls (PL2) of the side members (LS) and to said peripheral rebate (FP) of the floor (PV), the latter (PV) defining a cover protecting said battery (BR).

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