Reinforcing sleeve for connecting a longitudinal structural beam and a facade support of a front face of a vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a front face

Abstract

Reinforcing sleeve for connecting a longitudinal structural beam and a front support of a vehicle front end and motor vehicle comprising such a front end. The invention relates to a motor vehicle front end comprising a longitudinal structural beam (5), having a front end connected to a front support, said front support being adapted to support a repairable beam extending transversely relative to said vehicle; According to the invention, the front end comprises, on the one hand, a fixing plate (15), fixed to said front support, and, on the other hand, a reinforcing sleeve (17), fitted inside said front end of said longitudinal structural beam (5) and fixed, on the one hand, to said fixing plate (15), and, on the other hand, to said longitudinal structural beam (5). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a front end. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Reinforcing sleeve for connecting a longitudinal structural beam and a front support of a vehicle front face and motor vehicle comprising such a front face Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of passive safety of the motor vehicle in the event of repairable impact.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a front end of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such a front end. Prior art

[0003] A front end of a motor vehicle typically comprises longitudinal structural beams, commonly called "stretchers", extending longitudinally relative to the motor vehicle, on either side of a powertrain of the motor vehicle.

[0004] The longitudinal structural beams, or stretchers, belong to a body structure, comprising structural elements defining the frame of the motor vehicle.

[0005] Conventionally, the front ends of the longitudinal structural beams, or stretchers, are extended by boxes which are deformable in the event of impacts, commonly called "crash boxes" or "sacrificial", configured to be compressed in the event of an impact, particularly a frontal impact of the motor vehicle, so as to absorb the forces.

[0006] At the front of these deformable boxes there is a repairable beam, or upper front beam, extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle and connecting the right and left deformable boxes together.

[0007] At the junction of each of the deformable boxes and each of the corresponding longitudinal structural beams there is a facade support, extending vertically relative to the motor vehicle and serving in particular to support the repairable beam.

[0008] The fixing of the front end of one of the longitudinal structural beams to the corresponding facade support is carried out by means of an interface part.

[0009] The interface part consists of a fixing plate fixed, on the one hand, to the facade support, and, on the other hand, to the interior of the corresponding longitudinal structural beam.

[0010] To do this, the fixing plate has a generally flat support face, fixed to the facade support, extended laterally by folding fixing lugs and fixed inside the corresponding longitudinal structural beam.

[0011] Among the plurality of tests used for the approval of motor vehicles, a so-called "reparability" impact, consisting of projecting the motor vehicle onto a barrier oriented at 10° at a speed of approximately 16 km / h, is carried out.

[0012] When the motor vehicle is electric, its mass is significantly increased compared to a thermal motor vehicle.

[0013] Thus, such a repairable shock can damage the longitudinal structural beams when the motor vehicle is electric.

[0014] However, such damage to the longitudinal structural beams does not allow the vehicle to successfully pass the “repairability” impact test.

[0015] Also, such damage to longitudinal structural beams results in extremely high longitudinal structural beam repair costs.

[0016] There is therefore a need to strengthen the impact resistance of the repairable beam and the longitudinal structural beams, in particular when the motor vehicle is electric.

[0017] Also, when the motor vehicle is electric, its mass is such that when the vehicle has to be removed from a ditch, the risk of the vehicle's bumper coming off or even the front of the vehicle being torn off is greatly increased compared to a thermal vehicle. Similarly, when the vehicle has to be secured on a boat or truck, there is a significant risk of poor performance of the motor vehicle's securing point during transport.

[0018] There is also a need to strengthen the tear resistance of the front face of the vehicle, in particular when the motor vehicle is electric.

[0019] A solution aimed at increasing the stiffness of the interface piece fixed to the facade support and to the inside of the corresponding longitudinal structural beam would not be possible. Indeed, the increase in stiffness would make it impossible to produce the fixing lugs folded and fixed to the inside of the longitudinal structural beam. Statement of the invention

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to do so relates to a front end of a motor vehicle, comprising a longitudinal structural beam, having a front end connected to a front support, said front support being adapted to support a repairable beam extending transversely relative to said motor vehicle, said front face being remarkable in that it comprises, on the one hand, a fixing plate, fixed to said front support, and, on the other hand, a reinforcing sleeve, fitted inside said front end of said longitudinal structural beam and fixed, on the one hand, to said fixing plate and, on the other hand, to said longitudinal structural beam.

[0021] Thus, by providing a front face which comprises, on the one hand, a fixing plate fixed to a facade support, and, on the other hand, a reinforcing sleeve, fitted inside the front end of a longitudinal structural beam and fixed, on the one hand, to said fixing plate and, on the other hand, to said longitudinal structural beam, it is now possible to increase the stiffness of the fixing plate taking into account the fact that the folding of the fixing plate inside the longitudinal structural beam is no longer necessary, the reinforcement in the junction zone between the longitudinal structural beam and the facade support being obtained by the reinforcing sleeve.

[0022] By increasing the stiffness in the junction zone between the longitudinal structural beam and the facade support, the risk of deformation of this zone in the event of a repairable impact is limited.

[0023] Consequently, the risk of deformation of the repairable beam is limited as well as the risk of deformation of the bumper.

[0024] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the impact resistance and repairability of the repairable beam and the longitudinal structural beams are improved, in particular when the motor vehicle is electric.

[0025] Also, thanks to the present invention, the tear resistance of the front face of the vehicle is reinforced, in particular when the motor vehicle is electric.

[0026] According to optional characteristics of the front face according to the invention: - said fixing plate consists of a generally flat fixing plate; - said reinforcing sleeve comprises a peripheral wall defining a tubular hollow body; - said peripheral wall consists of a closed surface; - said reinforcing sleeve consists of a part welded to itself; - said reinforcing sleeve consists of a profiled part; - said reinforcing sleeve is fixed to said fixing plate by means of at least one weld bead; - said reinforcing sleeve is fixed to said longitudinal structural beam by means of at least one welding point.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front face, remarkable in that said front face is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] shows partially in perspective a front face of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of zone II of [Fig.l] seen from the rear to the front of the motor vehicle, the front support, the deformable boxes and the repairable beam being hidden for better visibility.

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the reinforcement sleeve fixed to the fixing plate.

[0032] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the reinforcement sleeve. Description of the embodiments

[0033] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0034] By convention, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted, without limitation, indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0035] In the following, the terms “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0036] Similarly, the terms “front” and “rear” are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0037] Reference is made to [Fig.l] showing partially in perspective a front face 1 of a motor vehicle 3 which may for example be a hybrid or electric motor vehicle.

[0038] The front face 1 of the motor vehicle 3 comprises a set of structural elements, including in particular longitudinal lower beams, commonly called “extensions” (not shown) positioned parallel on either side of a powertrain (not shown).

[0039] Above the extensions, in the vertical direction of the front face 1 of the motor vehicle 3, the front face 1 of the motor vehicle 3 comprises two longitudinal structural beams 5, commonly called “stretchers”.

[0040] The front ends of the longitudinal structural beams 5, or stretchers, are extended forward by boxes 7, deformable in the event of impacts, boxes commonly called “crash boxes” or “sacrificial”, and configured to be compressed in the event of impact of the motor vehicle 3 so as to absorb the forces.

[0041] At the front of the deformable boxes 7 there is a repairable beam 9, or upper front beam, extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle 3 and connecting the right and left deformable boxes 7 to each other.

[0042] At the junction of each of the deformable boxes 7 and each of the corresponding longitudinal structural beams 5 there is a facade support 11, extending vertically securely relative to the motor vehicle and serving in particular to support the repairable beam 9.

[0043] Reference is made to [Fig. 2] showing zone II of [Fig. 1] seen from the rear to the front of the motor vehicle 3, the front support 11, the deformable boxes 7 and the repairable beam 9 having been hidden for better visibility.

[0044] In order to ensure the connection between a front end 13 (visible in [Fig.l]) of the longitudinal structural beam 5 and the facade support 11, the front face 1 comprises, according to the invention, a fixing plate 15 and a reinforcing sleeve 17.

[0045] The fixing plate 15 is fixed to the facade support 11 and the reinforcing sleeve 17 is fitted inside the front end 13 of the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0046] The reinforcing sleeve 17 is fixed, on the one hand, to the fixing plate 15 and, on the other hand, to the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0047] The fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the longitudinal structural beam 5 can for example be carried out by means of welding points 19.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, eight welding points 19 are provided to ensure the fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0049] However, a distinct number of welding points 19 may be provided to ensure the fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0050] According to one arrangement, the reinforcing sleeve 17 has a rectangular shape and the welding points 19 are distributed over the four faces 21 of the reinforcing sleeve 17.

[0051] Reference is made to [Fig. 3] which is a perspective view of the reinforcing sleeve 17 fixed to the fixing plate 15.

[0052] The fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the fixing plate 15 can be ensured by means of welding beads 23.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, four weld beads 23 are provided to ensure the fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the fixing plate 15.

[0054] However, a separate number of welding beads 23 may be provided to ensure the fixing of the reinforcing sleeve 17 on the fixing plate 15.

[0055] When the reinforcing sleeve 17 has a rectangular shape, the weld beads 23 can be distributed over the four faces 21 of the reinforcing sleeve 17.

[0056] According to one arrangement, the fixing plate 15 consists for example of a fixing plate 25, generally flat.

[0057] The fixing plate 25 of the fixing plate 15 thus receives the welding beads 21.

[0058] Also, the fixing plate 25 has four orifices 27 for receiving (only two being visible in [Fig.3]) fixing nuts (not shown) of the boxes 7 deformable.

[0059] Reference is made to [Fig.4], which is a perspective view of the reinforcing sleeve 17.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the reinforcing sleeve 17 comprises a peripheral wall 29, defining a tubular hollow body.

[0061] The peripheral wall 29 may for example consist of a closed surface.

[0062] The reinforcing sleeve 17 can be made of a metallic material.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the peripheral wall 29 consists of a closed surface, the reinforcing sleeve 17 may consist of a part welded to itself.

[0064] Alternatively, the reinforcing sleeve 17 may consist of a profiled part.

[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the reinforcing sleeve 17 comprises a flat 31, shaped to follow the contour of the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0066] According to one arrangement of the invention, the longitudinal length of the reinforcing sleeve 17 is sufficiently long to allow the operation of welding the reinforcing sleeve 17 to the longitudinal structural beam 5 while being sufficiently short to allow its deformation in the event of a frontal impact so that the reinforcing sleeve 17 can take up part of the forces and can deform to avoid total transmission of the forces to the rest of the longitudinal structural beam 5.

[0067] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle front end and of this motor vehicle comprising such a front end, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Front end (1) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising a longitudinal structural beam (5), having a front end (13) connected to a front support (11), said front support (11) being adapted to support a repairable beam (9) extending transversely relative to said motor vehicle (3), said front end (1) being characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a fixing plate (15), fixed to said front support (11), and, on the other hand, a reinforcing sleeve (17), fitted inside said front end (13) of said longitudinal structural beam (5) and fixed, on the one hand, to said fixing plate (15), and, on the other hand, to said longitudinal structural beam (5).

2. Front face (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing plate (15) consists of a generally flat fixing plate (25).

3. Front face (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said reinforcing sleeve (17) comprises a peripheral wall (29) defining a tubular hollow body.

4. Front face (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said peripheral wall (29) consists of a closed surface.

5. Front face (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said reinforcing sleeve (17) consists of a part welded to itself.

6. Front face (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said reinforcing sleeve (17) consists of a profiled part.

7. Front face (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said reinforcing sleeve (17) is fixed to said fixing plate (15) by means of at least one weld bead (23).

8. Front face (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said reinforcing sleeve (17) is fixed to said longitudinal structural beam (5) by means of at least one welding point (19).

9. Motor vehicle (3) comprising a front face (1), characterized in that said front face (1) is according to claim 8.

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