AUTOMOTIVE TRACTION POWERTRAIN SUPPORT CROSSBODY SYSTEM

Abstract

A motor vehicle powertrain support crossmember system, comprising a crossmember (2) for supporting this powertrain, and comprising, for each end of the crossmember (14), a plate (10) having a lower face bearing against a side member of the vehicle (8), and a connection (20) with this end of the crossmember (14), these crossmember end connections (20) being pivotable. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE TRACTION POWERTRAIN SUPPORT CROSS BRACKET SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle powertrain support crossmember system, as well as a motor vehicle equipped with such a crossmember system and a method of assembling this vehicle.

[0002] A method for assembling a known electric traction powertrain, described in particular by document JP-A-2011020626, involves preparing the complete unit mounted on a chassis, which is placed on a lower jig, and then positioning an upper frame comprising cross members onto this unit by means of vertical pins attached to the jig. The assembly is then mounted under the vehicle body by adjusting the unit between two front side members of the engine compartment, and finally, upper plates are attached to both the top of the side members and the ends of the frame cross members.

[0003] Furthermore, a type of traction powertrain of a known electric vehicle, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3110495, includes in the front engine compartment a cross member fixed by its ends on the top of the side rails of this compartment, which supports below the electric machine with its speed reducer, and above the electronic control components of this machine.

[0004] Each end of the cross member receives an end fitting comprising bosses surrounded by elastic vibration-filtering elements, which are fitted into the longitudinal holes in this cross member. On each side, an upper suspension plate covers both the part of the end fitting protruding from the cross member and the longitudinal member, with these two elements being fastened under this plate by screws to provide suspension of the cross member at both ends.

[0005] This type of assembly comprising the electric traction machine fixed under the cross member and the control components above is particularly suitable for an electric vehicle, with a distribution of the elements on each side of this cross member which balances the masses and fills the available volume in the engine compartment.

[0006] For mounting the powertrain in the vehicle, including mounting the powertrain under the engine compartment, the upper suspension plates at the ends of the crossmembers cannot be pre-attached to the crossmember because the ends that rest on the side members would remain blocked underneath during the powertrain installation. Plates separate from the powertrain must be provided. complete prepared in advance, to be fixed to the ends of the crossmember only after the assembly and final positioning of this group in the engine compartment.

[0007] The upper plates must then be supplied separately in the vehicle's final assembly workshop, as they cannot be pre-attached to the powertrain, which adds preparation time and incurs additional costs. This separation of components complicates the logistics of supplying the vehicle sub-assemblies to be assembled and creates a risk of error in selecting the correct type of plates if several part numbers adapted to different powertrains are available.

[0008] The present invention is specifically intended to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0009] To this end, it proposes a powertrain support crossmember system of a motor vehicle, comprising a support crossmember of this group, and comprising for each crossmember end a plate having an underside bearing face on a side member of the vehicle, and a connection with this crossmember end, this system being notable in that the crossmember end connections are pivotal.

[0010] One advantage of this cross member system is that, thanks to the pivoting links connecting each plate to one end of the cross member, the complete powertrain assembly fixed to the cross member can be prepared in advance, including its two plates held at the ends which are tilted into a mounting position giving a width of the assembly in the transverse direction of the vehicle which is less than the passage between the two longitudinal members of the engine compartment.

[0011] The complete powertrain can then be mounted under the engine compartment to be covered by the vehicle body, with the plates left pivoted so that, after its final positioning in height, the two plates can be tilted to place their lower faces in support on each longitudinal member.

[0012] The complete powertrain assembly, including its specific plates, can thus be prepared in a separate workshop, eliminating the need to supply these parts to the final vehicle assembly plant, which only receives complete sub-assemblies. This simplifies vehicle assembly and component supply logistics, and avoids the risk of errors in plate selection.

[0013] The cross-bracing system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0014] Advantageously, pivot joints have a pivot axis arranged in a horizontal plane.

[0015] Advantageously, the pivoting links allow the plates to be positioned vertically.

[0016] Advantageously, each pivoting link includes a device for locking the plates in a folded mounting position.

[0017] Moreover, advantageously the plate locking device includes a ratchet which engages automatically in this position.

[0018] Advantageously, each pivoting joint includes a device for locking the plate in its final assembly position.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an electric traction powertrain fixed in the vehicle by a crossmember system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it includes an engine compartment comprising two lateral longitudinal members receiving on top the support face of the plates.

[0020] In this case, advantageously with the plates folded into a mounting position, along the transverse direction of the vehicle the total width of the prepared powertrain is less than the available width between the side rails.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method of assembling a motor vehicle comprising one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it includes the supply of a complete powertrain mounted on its crossmember, including its plates arranged in a folded mounting position.

[0022] Moreover, advantageously the assembly process involves lifting the powertrain under the engine compartment, then in its final assembly position pivoting each plate to support it on its lateral side member.

[0023] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following description given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] is a front view of an electric vehicle powertrain comprising a crossmember system according to the prior art;

[0025] [Fig.2] is a front view of an electric vehicle powertrain comprising a crossmember system according to the invention being assembled in the vehicle; and

[0026] [Fig.3] is a view of this group after its assembly.

[0027] Throughout the document the upper or top direction is relative to a vehicle placed on a horizontal ground, and the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle with an inner side turned towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a traction powertrain of an electric vehicle arranged in a front engine compartment, comprising a horizontally mounted flat crossmember 2, supporting below an electric traction machine equipped with a reduction gear 4, and above various electronic systems 6 such as an inverter delivering power to the electric machine, a battery charger, or a trans trainer between the high voltage of the traction chain and the low voltage of the on-board network.

[0029] Each side of the engine compartment has a longitudinal member 8 receiving on top a top suspension plate 10 which is fixed to this longitudinal member by fixing screws 12. The side of the plate 10 facing the interior of the vehicle is fixed to the end of the cross member 14 by connecting screws 16.

[0030] The length of the cross member 2, giving the maximum transverse space of the complete powertrain fixed on this cross member, is less than the available width of the space between the two longitudinal members LL. It is thus possible to prepare the powertrain on the cross member 2, without the upper suspension plates 10, and then raise them between the longitudinal members 8 during the final assembly of the vehicle.

[0031] The assembly then involves placing the upper plates 10, which are prepared separately from the powertrain, onto the longitudinal members 8, and then tightening the connecting screws 16 onto the ends of the cross member 14. Pre-fixing the plates 10 onto the ends of the cross member 14 would not allow the powertrain to be mounted between the longitudinal members 8.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the powertrain fully assembled on the cross member 2 having at each end 14 a pivot 20 comprising an axis arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, receiving the inner side of the plate 10 and allowing it to rise completely vertically.

[0033] Each pivot 20 includes a locking system for its upper plate 10 in the vertical position, maintaining this position after the complete powertrain assembly has been prepared to obtain a total width of this assembly L2 that is less than the space between the longitudinal members L1, with lateral clearance J on each side. In particular, each pivot 20 may include a ratchet that automatically locks when the plate 10 is raised to the vertical position for rapid operation, and that unlocks by manual intervention.

[0034] During vehicle assembly, the powertrain thus prepared is lifted to come under the engine compartment, with a vertical guide to keep the minimum lateral play J distributed on each side with respect to the longitudinal members 8.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the arrival of the powertrain in its final position, allowing each upper plate 10 to pivot and be positioned horizontally in support of its longitudinal member 8, and then the fixing of the outer side of these plates by the screws 12 on the longitudinal member.

[0036] Each pivot 20 can then be left unblocked as long as the plates 10 are held horizontally by their clamping screws 12. Alternatively, a locking device of the pivot 20 can be locked with the plate 10 in its final mounting position, which ensures greater rigidity to this pivoting connection.

[0037] The crossmember system according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a powertrain fully assembled on its crossmember in a workshop for preparing these groups, including its own pivoting plates 10 which are fixed on it to allow logistics maintaining this complete assembly.

[0038] Subsequently in the final assembly workshop of the vehicle the powertrain is put into position in the vehicle without changing the existing tooling for the crossmember systems usually used, the pivoting P of the plates 10 to place them on top of the longitudinal members 8 being done without additional tooling or parts.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle powertrain support crossmember system, comprising a crossmember (2) for supporting this group, and comprising for each crossmember end (14) a plate (10) having a lower face bearing on a side member of the vehicle (8), and a connection (20) with this crossmember end (14), characterized in that the crossmember end connections (20) are pivotable.

2. Crossbar system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting links (20) have a pivot axis disposed in a horizontal plane.

3. Crossbar system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivoting links (20) allow vertical positioning of the plates (10).

4. Crossbar system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pivot joint (20) includes a device for locking the plates (10) in a folded mounting position.

5. Crossbar system according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate locking device (10) comprises a ratchet which is automatically engaged in the folded mounting position.

6. Crossbar system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pivot joint (20) includes a device for locking the plate (10) in its final assembly position.

7. Motor vehicle equipped with an electric traction powertrain fixed in the vehicle by a crossmember system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an engine compartment including two side rails (8) receiving on top the bearing face of the plates (10).

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the plates (10) being folded into a mounting position, along the transverse direction of the vehicle the total width of the prepared powertrain (L2) is less than the available width (L1) between the side rails (8).

9. A method for assembling a motor vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises supplying a complete powertrain mounted on its cross member (2), including its plates (10) arranged in a folded mounting position.

10. A method of assembling a vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises lifting the powertrain under the engine compartment, then in its final assembly position pivoting (P) each plate (10) to support it on its side member (8).

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