Motor vehicle body structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle body structure comprising: a body underbody having two opposite side sills and an underside extending from one sill to the other, said underside having two opposite edges (54) running alongside said sills respectively; an aerodynamic fairing mounted on said underbody opposite said underside to reduce the friction forces in the air. Said underbody further comprises a plurality of support wedges (10') mounted respectively in said two side edges (54); and said fairing is anchored on the support wedges (10'). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle body structure

[0001] The invention relates to a body structure of a motor vehicle.

[0002] It relates more particularly to the underbody, which is usually required to be supported on a lifting bridge for vehicle maintenance.

[0003] Known body shell structures comprise a sub-frame having two side sills, a left sill and a right sill, opposite each other. The sub-frame also has an underside which extends between the two sills and from one to the other.

[0004] The underside then has two opposite lateral edges running alongside the two lower body panels respectively.

[0005] In addition, the underbody is equipped with aerodynamic fairing to be able to reduce the friction forces of the vehicle moving in the air. Indeed, the underside of the underbody is generally heterogeneous and it has certain protruding parts, others hollow. Also, it is appropriate to cover it with an aerodynamic fairing allowing the flow of air to its wall with less resistance.

[0006] Furthermore, the side skirts which include sills could until now be supported on the lifting bridge in order to be able to lift the vehicle.

[0007] However, some motor vehicles now have sills whose profile does not allow the weight of the vehicle to be taken up.

[0008] Thus, the implementation of these new types of underbody and, in addition, the installation of aerodynamic fairings on the underside, make it more complex to support the underbody of vehicles on a lifting bridge.

[0009] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a motor vehicle body structure equipped with aerodynamic fairings, which allows not only the vehicles to be carried on a lifting bridge, but also to preserve the underbody.

[0010] In order to solve this problem, a motor vehicle body structure is proposed comprising: a body underbody having two opposite side sills and an underside extending from one sill to the other, said underside having two opposite edges running respectively along said sills; an aerodynamic fairing mounted on said underbody opposite said underside to reduce the friction forces in the air.

[0011] Said base further comprises a plurality of support wedges mounted respectively in said two lateral edges; and said fairing is anchored on the support wedges.

[0012] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of support wedges in the lateral edges of the underside of the base, which support wedges make it possible both to support the body structure on a lifting bridge, for example, without affecting the underbody or aerodynamic fairings and, moreover, to allow these aerodynamic fairings to be anchored precisely.

[0013] Furthermore, each of said support wedges advantageously comprises, according to the invention, at least one anchoring tab having an orifice for anchoring said fairing. Such an anchoring tab in which an orifice is made, allows faster fixing of the fairing.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the support wedge has two anchoring tabs, adapted to be connected to the fairing.

[0015] According to the invention, and according to a preferred embodiment, each of said support wedges comprises an application part having an application face and a free part extending in the extension of said application part and having a free face opposite said application face. Thus, the application face is supported against the edge of the underside of the base, while the free face is intended to be applied to the lifting bridge. The support wedges are obviously capable of resisting compression, and thus supporting the weight of the motor vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, according to the invention, said application part has an axial bore opening into said application face, while said free part has a recess opening into said free face, and said axial bore also opens axially into said recess, forming a shoulder. In this way, the anchoring wedge can be easily secured in the edge of the underside by first applying the wedge, the application face against the edge, and by inserting a screw through the recess, then the axial bore in order to pass through the wall of the underside and to find there, for example, a nut as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0017] According to the invention, said anchoring tab extends substantially parallel to the plane defined by said application face. The latter is itself applied to the edge of the underside, so that the anchoring tab extends substantially parallel to the underside and is spaced from it. In other words, the edge of the fairings can easily be slid between the anchoring tab and the underside and then secured thereto, as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0018] Also, according to the invention, said anchoring lug extends substantially equidistant from the two planes defined by said application face and said free face. In this way, the lifting bridge can receive the free face of the wedge and take up the vehicle's supports without interfering with the anchoring lug or with the aerodynamic fairings.

[0019] Furthermore, it will be observed that the support wedge has sufficient height so that the flaps do not interfere with the lifting bridge.

[0020] Preferably, and according to the invention, said support wedge comprises a reinforcing rib between said tab and said application part. In this way, the rigidity of the anchoring tab is increased and vibrations of the aerodynamic fairings are thus prevented.

[0021] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said support wedge is molded in one piece from a polymer material. The chosen polymer is relatively rigid so as to be able to remain non-deformable under the weight of the vehicle. Polyamide or polyester are, for example, good polymer candidates for making the support wedge.

[0022] Advantageously, and according to the invention, said underbody has two front wheel arches and two rear wheel arches respectively opposite one another, and said plurality of support wedges comprises two front support wedges mounted respectively in the vicinity of said two front wheel arches and two rear support wedges mounted respectively in the vicinity of said two rear wheel arches. In this way, the vehicle, and more precisely the underbody, can be supported at four points on the lifting bridge. The center of gravity of the vehicle is thus located, directly above the square defined by the four support wedges and in the vicinity of the intersection of the diagonals. In this way, there is no risk of the vehicle tipping over.

[0023] Furthermore, preferably, said two front support wedges and said two rear support wedges are respectively symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane. It will be observed that the anchoring tab of the support wedges is substantially inclined towards the rear of the vehicle when it is in place against the underside edge. Consequently, the support wedges of the same edge are identical. On the other hand, they are not identical from one edge to another as will be explained below.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view from above of an element of the invention from a first viewing angle;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view from below of the element shown on [Fig.l] from a second angle of view;

[0027] [Fig.3A] and [Fig. 3B] are partial views from below of the same structure of motor vehicle body in accordance with the invention; and,

[0028] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the object of [Fig.3A] according to the segment V - V.

[0029] [Fig. 1] shows a support wedge 10 according to the invention. Here it is axially traversed by a screw 12 along an axis A and the function of which will be explained below.

[0030] Furthermore, the support wedge 10 is molded in a single piece of polyester. Other polymer materials are obviously capable of being used.

[0031] It has a front face 11 opposite a rear face 13, and a left face 15 opposite a right face 17.

[0032] Also, it comprises an application part 14 and a free part 16, opposite each other with respect to a transverse plane Pt. The application part 14 has a plurality of axial recesses 18 extending along the axis A, and delimited by a plurality of axial partitions 20. Also, it has, substantially towards the rear face 13, an axial bore 22 extending along the axis A and in which the screw 12 itself extends.

[0033] Thus, the application part 14 defines, at its apex, an application face 24, which defines an application plane Pa, substantially parallel to the transverse plane Pt.

[0034] Furthermore, the application part 14 also has, at the top, in front of the axial bore 22, towards the front face 11, a lug 26 whose function will be explained in the remainder of the description.

[0035] Also, the support wedge 10 comprises an anchoring tab 28 which extends substantially at the level of the transverse plane Pt between the application part 14 and the free part 16 and in a direction of ¾ front left.

[0036] Another support wedge 10' is also provided, the anchoring tab 28' of which extends in a ¾ front right direction. The implementation of such another support wedge will be explained below.

[0037] The anchoring lug 28 has a length substantially greater than the width of the wedge 10, taken between the left 15 and right 17 faces.

[0038] Furthermore, an upper reinforcing rib 30 extends between the anchoring tab 28 and the application portion 14.

[0039] Also, the anchoring lug 28 has a free end 32 in which an orifice 34 is made.

[0040] We will now refer to [Fig. 2] showing the wedge 10 seen from below and from ¾ rear. We thus find the application part 14 and the free part 16, as well as the anchoring lug 28. It will be observed that the anchoring lug 28 also has a lower reinforcing rib 36 which extends in line with the upper reinforcing rib 30 and which connects it to the free part 16. These two reinforcing ribs 30, 36 make it possible to increase the rigidity of the anchoring lug 28.

[0041] Furthermore, the free part 16 has a free face 38, opposite the application face 24 relative to the transverse plane Pt. This free face 38 extends substantially parallel to the application face 24.

[0042] Also, the free part 16 has an axial recess 40 forming a recess and opening into the free face 38. In other words, the axial recess 40 is substantially coaxial with the axial bore 22, the latter opening into the former, forming a shoulder. The advantage of this will be explained below.

[0043] We will now refer to [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3A] showing respectively seen from below, the same truncated base 42 of a motor vehicle, in accordance with the invention.

[0044] The base 42 is inscribed in an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, in which the X axis extends in a front-rear longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a rolling situation; and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0045] Thus, [Fig. 3A] shows a front portion of the underbody 42 extending substantially behind the front wheel arches, while [Fig. 3B] represents a rear portion extending in front of the rear wheel arches.

[0046] The two parts have the same median plane Pm, dividing them both into a right part and a left part.

[0047] Thus, the base 42 has two lateral rocker panels, a right rocker panel 44 opposite a left rocker panel 46.

[0048] Also, it has an underside 48 covered with a front portion of aerodynamic fairing 50 in [Fig. 3A] and a rear portion of aerodynamic fairing 52 in [Fig. 3B].

[0049] Furthermore, the underside 48 has two opposite edges, a right edge 54 and a left edge 56, which run alongside the right 44 and left 46 rocker panels respectively.

[0050] Thus, the base 42 comprises, on the right, a right front support wedge 10', as defined above and whose anchoring lug 28' extends in a ¾ front right direction. It is located near the right front wheel arch. It also comprises the same right rear support wedge 10' located near the right rear wheel arch.

[0051] And the base 42 comprises on the left, a front left support wedge 10 as illustrated in [Fig.2] and [Fig.2], the anchoring lug 28 of which extends in a ¾ front left direction. It is located near the front left wheel arch. It also comprises the same rear left support wedge 10 located near the rear left wheel arch.

[0052] The left support wedges 10, 10 are identical and they correspond to the wedge support wedges 10 illustrated in [Fig.2] and [Fig.2]. On the other hand, the right support wedges 10', 10' are symmetrical to the left support wedges 10, 10 with respect to the median plane Pm. In other words, their anchoring tab 28' extends in a direction of ¾ front right with respect to [Fig.l].

[0053] And we will refer to [Fig.4] showing in detail according to a section V - V, the front right support wedge 10', mounted on the right edge 54 of the underside 48.

[0054] In [Fig.4] we find the right front support wedge 10' and the right edge 54 of the underside 48. The application face 24 of the support wedge 10' is then applied against the right edge 54.

[0055] It will be observed that the straight edge 54 is extended by a rim 58 against which the rear face 13 of the support wedge 10' is applied at the level of its application part 14.

[0056] Also, we find the lug 26 engaged in a slot 60 made in the right edge 54. The lug 26 makes it possible to hold the support wedge 10' in position against the edge 54 before fixing it.

[0057] Thus, we also find the screw 12, which has been engaged inside the recess 40, then the axial bore 22 to be screwed into a nut 62 secured to a wing 64 closing the flap. The nut 62 is for example welded beforehand onto the wing 64. This facilitates the assembly and screwing of the screw 12

[0058] Also, the screw 12 has a head 66, located inside the recess 40 and which comes to bear against the shoulder 68 located between the axial bore 22 and the recess 40. In this way, the support wedge 10' is perfectly secured to the straight edge 54.

[0059] Furthermore, the three other support wedges, front left 10, rear right 10', and rear left 10, are connected in the same way in the edges 54, 56 of the underside 48.

[0060] Thus, the four support wedges 10, 10, 10', 10', can take up the weight of the body structure of the motor vehicle, and of the entire vehicle, when they are themselves supported on a lifting bridge or any other device allowing their support.

[0061] Furthermore, the support wedges 10, 10, 10', 10', allow, as illustrated in [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3A] to which reference will be made again, to anchor the aerodynamic fairings 50, 52, thanks to their anchoring tab 28, 28'.

[0062] Thus, with regard to the front part of the base 42 illustrated in [Fig.3A], the front portion of the aerodynamic fairing 50 has a right front recess 70 extended by a right front edge 72 in return, which edge is engaged under the anchoring lug 28'. Also, a right front fixing member 74 is engaged through the orifice 34 and through the right front edge 72. In this way, the right front edge 72 of the front portion of the aerodynamic fairing 50 is integral with the anchoring lug 28'.

[0063] Opposite relative to the median plane Pm, in a similar manner, the front portion of the aerodynamic fairing 50 has a left front recess 76 extended by a left front edge 78 in return, which is engaged under the anchoring lug 28. And, a left front fixing member 80 is engaged through the orifice 34 and through the left front edge 78 in order to connect them together.

[0064] On the rear part of the base 42, the rear portion of the aerodynamic fairing 52 has a right rear recess 82 extended by a right rear edge 84 in return, which edge is engaged under the anchoring lug 28'. Also, a right rear fixing member 86 is engaged through the orifice 34 and through the right rear edge 84 so as to connect them together.

[0065] And opposite relative to the median plane Pm, the rear portion of aerodynamic fairing 52 has a left rear recess 88 extended by a left rear edge 90 in return, which is engaged under the anchoring lug 28. Also, a left rear fixing member 92 is engaged through the orifice 34 and through the left rear edge 90 to secure them.

[0066] In this way, the support wedges 10, 10, 10', 10' arranged in a rectangle in the underbody of the motor vehicle are used to be able to both take up the vehicle's supports on a lifting bridge, and in addition, to perfect the fixing of the aerodynamic fairings 50, 52 opposite the underside 48 of the underbody 42.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle body structure comprising: - a body underbody (42) having two opposite lateral rocker panels (44, 46) and an underside (48) extending from one rocker panel to the other, said underside (48) having two opposite edges (54, 56) running respectively along said rocker panels (44, 46); - an aerodynamic fairing (50, 52) mounted on said underbody (42) opposite said underside (48) to reduce friction forces in the air; characterized in that said underbody (42) further comprises a plurality of support wedges (10', 10) mounted respectively in said two lateral edges (54, 56); and in that said fairing (50, 52) is anchored on the support wedges (10', 10).

2. Body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said support wedges (10', 10) comprises at least one anchoring lug (28', 28) having an orifice (34) for anchoring said fairing (50, 52).

3. Body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said support wedges (10', 10) comprises an application part (14) having an application face (24) and a free part (16) extending in the extension of said application part and having a free face (38) opposite said application face (24).

4. Body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that said application part has an axial bore (22) opening into said application face (24), while said free part (16) has a recess (40) opening into said free face (38), and in that said axial bore (22) also opens axially into said recess (40) forming a shoulder (66).

5. Body structure according to claims 2 and, 3 or 4, characterized in that said anchoring lug (28) extends substantially parallel to the plane Pa defined by said application face (24).

6. Body structure according to claims 2 and, 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that said anchoring lug (28) extends substantially equidistant from the two planes defined by said application face (24) and said free face (38).

7. Body structure according to claim 6, characterized in that said support wedge (10', 10) comprises a reinforcing rib (30) between said tab (28) and said application part (14).

8. Body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said support wedge (10', 10) is molded in one piece from a polymer material.

9. Body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said underbody (42) has two front wheel arches and two rear wheel arches respectively opposite one another, and in that said plurality of support wedges (10', 10) comprises two front support wedges mounted respectively in the vicinity of said two front wheel arches and two rear support wedges mounted respectively in the vicinity of said two rear wheel arches.

10. Body structure according to claim 9, characterized in that said two front support wedges (10', 10) and said two rear support wedges (10', 10) are respectively symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm.

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