Automotive vehicle body body structure

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle body structure

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

[0002] It relates more particularly to the bodywork underbody, which is usually brought to rest on a lifting bridge for vehicle maintenance.

[0003] Known body structures include a subframe having two side sills, a left sill and a right sill, opposed to each other. The subframe also has an underside that extends between the two sills and from one to the other.

[0004] The underside then presents two opposing lateral edges running along the two lower body panels respectively.

[0005] Furthermore, the underbody is equipped with aerodynamic fairings to reduce the friction forces of the vehicle moving through the air. Indeed, the underside of the underbody is generally heterogeneous, with some protruding parts and others recessed. Therefore, it is necessary to cover it with aerodynamic fairings that allow air to flow over its surface with less resistance.

[0006] In addition, the rocker panels which include drip edges could until now be carried in support on the lifting bridge in order to be able to lift the vehicle.

[0007] However, some motor vehicles now have mud flaps whose profile does not allow the weight of the vehicle to be supported.

[0008] Thus, the implementation of these new types of rocker panels and, in addition, the installation of aerodynamic fairings on the underside, makes it more complex to support the underside of the 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 underframe having two opposing side sills and an underside extending from one sill to the other, said underside having two opposing edges running along said sills respectively; an aerodynamic fairing mounted on said underframe opposite said underside to reduce friction forces in the air.

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

[0012] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of support wedges in the lateral edges of the underside of the subframe, which support wedges allow both the body structure to be supported on a lifting bridge, for example, without affecting the rocker panels or aerodynamic fairings and, moreover, allow these aerodynamic fairings to be precisely anchored.

[0013] Furthermore, each of said support blocks advantageously comprises, according to the invention, at least one anchoring tab having an opening for anchoring said fairing. Such an anchoring tab, in which an opening is formed, allows for faster attachment of the fairing.

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

[0015] In accordance with the invention, and according to a preferred embodiment, each of said support blocks comprises a mounting portion having a mounting face and a free portion extending in line with said mounting portion and having a free face opposite said mounting face. Thus, the mounting face is borne against the edge of the underside of the subframe, while the free face is intended to bear against the lifting platform. The support blocks are obviously capable of resisting compression, and thus of supporting the weight of the motor vehicle.

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

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

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

[0019] In addition, 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 mounting portion. In this way, the rigidity of the anchor 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 polymer chosen is relatively rigid so as to be undeformable under the weight of the vehicle. Polyamide or polyester are, for example, good polymer candidates for manufacturing the support wedge.

[0022] Advantageously, and according to the invention, the underbody has two front wheel arches and two rear wheel arches respectively opposed to each other, and the plurality of support blocks comprises two front support blocks mounted respectively near the two front wheel arches and two rear support blocks mounted respectively near the two rear wheel arches. In this way, the vehicle, and more specifically the underbody, can be supported at four points on the lifting platform. The vehicle's center of gravity is thus located directly above the square defined by the four support blocks and near the intersection of the diagonals. Therefore, there is no risk of the vehicle tipping over.

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

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.1] is a schematic top perspective view of an element of the invention from a first angle of view;

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

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

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

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

[0030] Furthermore, the support wedge 10 is molded in one piece from polyester. Other polymer materials are obviously also possible.

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

[0032] It also 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. It also has, substantially towards the rear face 13, an axial bore 22 extending along the axis A and in which the screw 12 extends.

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

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

[0035] Also, the support wedge 10 includes an anchoring lug 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 ¾ front left direction.

[0036] Another support wedge 10' is also provided, the anchoring lug 28' of which extends in a ¾ forward 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 face 15 and right face 17.

[0038] In addition, an upper reinforcing rib 30 extends between the anchoring lug 28 and the application part 14.

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

[0040] Reference will now be made to [Fig. 2] showing the wedge 10 viewed from below and from a 3 / 4 rear angle. This shows the application portion 14 and the free portion 16, as well as the anchoring lug 28. It will be noted that the anchoring lug 28 also has a lower reinforcing rib 36 which extends parallel to the upper reinforcing rib 30 and connects it to the free portion 16. These two reinforcing ribs 30 and 36 increase the rigidity of the anchoring lug 28.

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

[0042] Also, the free portion 16 has an axial recess 40 forming a counterbore 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 by forming a shoulder. The purpose of this will be explained below.

[0043] Reference will now be made to [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3A] showing respectively, viewed from below, the same truncated underbody 42 of a motor vehicle, according to the invention.

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

[0045] Thus, [Fig.3A] shows a front part of the underbody 42 extending substantially behind the front wheel arches, while [Fig. 3B] represents a rear part 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 opposed to a left rocker panel 46.

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

[0049] In addition, the underside 48 has two opposite edges, a right edge 54 and a left edge 56, which run along the right side 44 and left side 46 respectively.

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

[0051] The subframe 42 includes, 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 includes a similar 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 10 illustrated in [Fig.2] and [Fig.2]. In contrast, 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 lug 28' extends in a ¾ front right direction with respect to [Fig.1].

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

[0054] Figure 4 shows the front right 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 right 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, the lug 26 is found engaged in a slot 60 made in the right edge 54. The lug 26 allows the support wedge 10' to be held in position against the edge 54 before being fixed.

[0057] Thus, we also find the screw 12, which has been inserted into the recess 40, then into the axial bore 22 to be screwed into a nut 62 attached to a flap closure wing 64. The nut 62 is, for example, pre-welded to the wing 64. This facilitates the assembly and tightening 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 solid to the straight edge 54.

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

[0060] Thus, the four support blocks 10, 10, 10', 10', can support 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] In addition, the support wedges 10, 10, 10', 10', allow, as illustrated by [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3A] to which reference will be made again, the aerodynamic fairings 50, 52 to be anchored, thanks to their anchoring tab 28, 28'.

[0062] Thus, with regard to the front part of the underbody 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, which edge is engaged under the anchoring tab 28'. Also, a right front fastening member 74 is engaged through the opening 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 tab. 28'.

[0063] Opposite with respect to the median plane Pm, similarly, the front portion of the aerodynamic fairing 50 has a front left step 76 extended by a front left rim 78 in return, which is engaged under the anchoring tab 28. And, a front left fixing member 80 is engaged through the orifice 34 and through the front left rim 78 in order to connect them together.

[0064] On the rear part of the underbody 42, the rear portion of the aerodynamic fairing 52 has a right rear recess 82 extended by a right rear rim 84, which rim is engaged under the anchoring tab 28'. Also, a right rear fastening member 86 is engaged through the opening 34 and through the right rear rim 84 so as to connect them together.

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

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

Claims

Demands

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

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

3. Car 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 continuation of said application part and having a free face (38) opposite said application face (24).

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

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

8. Car 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 opposed to each other, 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 blocks (10', 10) and said two rear support blocks (10', 10) are respectively symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm.

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