VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A REAR SEAT BELT REEL TO THE VEHICLE BODIES

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a device for attaching a rear seat belt retractor to the vehicle body, comprising at least one part forming both a rear seat belt retractor support and a reinforcement for the rear seat back latch, the support being connected at least to a wall of a rear wheel arch of the vehicle and to a retractor support mounting reinforcement, the latter being itself connected to a portion of a quarter panel lining (15) of the vehicle, characterized in that the device comprises at least one fender reinforcement partition (11) positioned opposite the mounting reinforcement and fixed to the opposite face of the quarter panel lining (15) to that to which the mounting reinforcement is attached. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A REAR REEL FROM SEAT BELT TO VEHICLE BED

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with an improved device for attaching a rear seat belt retractor to the vehicle body.

[0002] Here, the term vehicle means a car, a van, a truck, a public transport vehicle, a piece of public works or agricultural machinery, the vehicle being motorized, partially or solely, by at least one electric motor or by a thermal engine.

[0003] In a vehicle, in the event of an accident, passengers are restrained in their seats by seat belts. These belts are equipped with a retractor that tightens and secures the belt against the passenger's torso during an impact, while still allowing the passenger to move without sudden tension on the belt following the impact. The retractors ensure that the seat belt webbing is wound flat, preventing it from twisting. In the rear seats, the retractors are attached to the vehicle body by means of a bracket. The regulations in force in Europe, known by the acronym ECE R14, require that in the event of an accident, the seat belt retractor and its bracket withstand standardized forces and that the vehicle body, which will absorb part of the impact, as well as the retractor and its bracket, have specific dynamic stiffness characteristics.The area where the seat belt retractor bracket is attached to the vehicle body is inherently a structurally sensitive zone with respect to dynamic stiffness and stress resistance requirements as defined by ECE R14. A rear seat belt retractor bracket comprising a body-mounted section and a so-called fragile section is known from US-B-9 517 749. FR-A-3 105 126 concerns a horizontal retractor bracket attached to a quarter panel lining of a vehicle body. This bracket includes a stiffening rib. In known solutions, the seat belt retractor brackets, at the attachment point, have a reinforced fixing with one or more screws to comply with regulatory requirements. However, the presence of screws results in increased production costs in terms of vehicle assembly time and material usage.The invention aims to provide an alternative solution for improving vehicle assembly cycle time and reducing additional costs, with a rear seat belt retractor fixing area to the vehicle body that complies with regulations, without the need for additional screws or bolts.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a device for fixing a rear seat belt retractor to the vehicle body comprising at least one part forming both a rear seat belt retractor support and a latch wire for the rear backrest of the vehicle, the support being connected at least to a wall of a partition fixed on a rear wheel arch of the vehicle and to a fixing reinforcement for the rear seat belt retractor support, the latter being itself connected to a part of a lining of a quarter panel of the vehicle, characterized in that the device comprises at least one wing reinforcement partition placed opposite the fixing reinforcement for the rear seat belt retractor support and fixed on the opposite face of the quarter panel lining to that on which the fixing reinforcement for the rear seat belt retractor support is fixed.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, a vehicle equipped with a rear seat belt retractor mounting device that complies with regulations without the need for screws is produced. The presence of a fender reinforcement partition effectively forms a reinforcement element between the quarter panel lining and, indirectly, the seat belt retractor support fixed to the quarter panel lining. This fender reinforcement partition optimizes the transmission of stresses to the vehicle body, due to the position of the reinforcement partition relative to the mounting reinforcement.

[0006] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a device for attaching a rear seat belt retractor may include one or more of the following features:

[0007] At least one wing reinforcement partition placed opposite the rear seat belt retractor support fixing reinforcement and fixed on the opposite face of the quarter panel lining to that on which the rear seat belt retractor support fixing reinforcement is fixed defines a triple-thickness welding zone between these three pieces.

[0008] The wing reinforcement bulkhead is configured as a hollow triangle whose base rests on the upper part of a rear wing lining, one long side of the reinforcement bulkhead resting on a face of the quarter panel lining, at the level of the bearing area of ​​one side of the fixing reinforcement on the opposite face of the quarter panel lining.

[0009] The front part of the reel support is, at least in part, supported on the quarter panel lining at the level of an upper quarter panel reinforcement, which makes it possible to define a triple-thickness welding zone between these three parts.

[0010] At least one quarter panel liner partition is placed on one face of the upper part of a rear wing liner.

[0011] At least one quarter panel liner partition is positioned so as to define with the upper quarter panel reinforcement and the rear wing liner a triple-thickness welding zone.

[0012] At least one structural insert is placed on one face of the reel support in a location such that it allows a connection to be made between the reel support and the rear wheel arch.

[0013] Several wing reinforcement bulkheads are arranged in parallel.

[0014] Several quarter-door lining partitions are arranged in parallel.

[0015] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] is a partial side view of the interior of a vehicle, from the outside, with the quarter window removed, of the area concerned by the invention in the right rear part of a vehicle body, without the seats or seat belts,

[0017] [Fig.2] is a perspective view, along arrow II and at another scale, of a portion of [Fig.1], the object of the invention being in place according to one embodiment and being fixed, the fixing reinforcement not being shown,

[0018] [Fig.3] is a larger scale view of detail III in [Fig.2], the fixing reinforcement being visible, part of the quarter panel lining being removed,

[0019] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], according to another embodiment of the invention and

[0020] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.2] and according to arrow V to [Fig.4].

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates the interior of a portion of the right rear area of ​​a vehicle body, viewed from outside the vehicle's passenger compartment, without a quarter window, seat, or seat belt, at the level of the rear wheel arch 1. The invention is not visible here. Only certain parts relevant to the invention are illustrated here, according to one embodiment, it being understood that these parts may have geometric configurations and / or dimensions other than those shown, particularly depending on the vehicle model concerned.

[0022] A first lower front partition 2 is advantageously attached by welding to the front part of the quarter panel, not shown here. Partition 2 reinforces the quarter panel. As a reminder, the term quarter panel refers to a body panel located laterally, directly above the rear wheels, between the roof and the vehicle's beltline. In [Fig. 1], the body cutout corresponding to the opening for one of the rear doors is labeled D and located on the left side of [Fig. 1]. In other words, the front of the vehicle is located on the left when looking at [Fig. 1]. Partition 2 is generally flat and has a tab attached, advantageously by welding, to the wheel arch 1.

[0023] A second lower rear partition of quarter panel 3, smaller in size than partition 2, is fixed to the rear part of the rear area of ​​the body, therefore here partly right of [Fig.l]. It is L-shaped, one arm resting on the wheel arch 1, the other arm resting on the quarter panel.

[0024] Parts 1 to 3, by virtue of their positions, form part of an assembly designated as the vehicle body base, the body base being connected to the chassis. The body silhouette refers to a set of parts located in the upper part in [Fig. 1], therefore above the base, namely above parts 1 to 3. These parts are positioned laterally, above the chassis. Thus, partitions 2 and 3 provide the connection and rigidity between the silhouette and the vehicle body base.

[0025] Here, the silhouette includes, among other things, a part 4 that forms both a rear retractor support, in the flat example, for a seat belt and a reinforcement for the rear seat back latch. This dual function is achieved by the geometric configuration of part 4. In another embodiment, these two functions, seat belt retractor support and latch reinforcement, are performed by two separate parts, optionally connected to each other in a removable manner. For ease of reference, part 4 will hereafter be referred to as the retractor support.

[0026] A fixing reinforcement 5 is fixed on part 4. During the assembly of the vehicle, therefore when the silhouette is attached to the base, it is necessary to position parts 2 to 5 relative to each other respecting specific clearances, in order to be able to carry out the ironing and welding operations between the base and the silhouette of the body.

[0027] The winder support 4 is generally open in a V shape. One arm 6 is substantially parallel to a principal plane P of the vehicle chassis. The other arm 7 is inclined and oriented downwards relative to arm 6. The free end of arm 7 is beveled, supported, and fixed by welding to a complementary shaped area of ​​the partition 3. An opening in arm 7 allows the free passage of the rear seat back latch wire 8.

[0028] The arm 6, by its free end, is connected to the fixing reinforcement 5. The fixing is made near the upper end 9 of the reinforcement 5, which is fixed to an upper edge of the quarter panel. The opposite end 10 of the reinforcement 5 is fixed to the second lower partition 3 of the quarter panel. It is understood that in the event of violent tension exerted on the seat belt, as indicated by arrow F, there is a risk of the retractor support 4 and / or the fixing reinforcement 5 tipping or bending, the risk being all the greater as the tension increases.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. The invention consists of placing at least one additional part 11, or partition, opposite the fixing reinforcement 5 and a fixed point, on the external side of the rear part of the vehicle body. Such a part is hereafter referred to as the fender reinforcement partition 11. In the illustrated embodiment, this partition 11 is a flat, triangular part, with A central recess is incorporated to limit its weight while maintaining its mechanical characteristics. Alternatively, the shape and / or dimensions of the reinforcing partition 11 may differ; for example, it may be solid. The base 12 of the reinforcing partition 11 rests against one face of a rear fender liner 13. The rear fender liner 13 is fixed to the top of the wheel arch 1, on the outer side of the quarter panel liner 15, and is therefore not visible from inside the passenger compartment. One long side 14 of the reinforcing partition 11 has a folded tab 140 perpendicular to a principal plane of the reinforcing partition 11. The reinforcing partition 11 rests against one face of a part called the quarter panel liner 15 and on an edge 16 of the mounting reinforcement 5.It is easy to see that the position of the partition 11 is adapted so that it is opposite the fixing reinforcement 5, the latter being fixed to the opposite face of the quarter panel lining 15 from that receiving the partition 11. Thus, the reinforcing partition 11 is located on the other side of the quarter panel lining 15 with respect to the fixing reinforcement 5. This forms a zone with three thicknesses of material, the quarter panel lining 15 being positioned between the fixing reinforcement 5 and the reinforcing partition 11. In other words, the quarter panel lining 15 separates the fixing reinforcement 5 and the reinforcing partition 11, while concealing the latter. In another embodiment of the invention, several wing reinforcement partitions are placed in parallel on the quarter panel lining. In such a case, not all the partitions necessarily define a zone with three thicknesses.

[0030] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2, with the mounting reinforcement 5 visible due to the absence of the quarter panel liner 15. It should be noted that the reinforcement partition 11 defines a strut for the mounting reinforcement 5, which is not visible and does not encroach on the internal volume of the passenger compartment. This reinforces the support of the seat belt retractor bracket 4 at the level of the mounting reinforcement 5, preventing any tipping during an impact. The contact area between the reinforcement partition 11, the quarter panel liner 15, and the mounting reinforcement 5 allows for triple-layer welds between the side 16 of the mounting reinforcement 5, the quarter panel liner 15, and the long side 14 of the partition 11. As a reminder, a triple-layer weld is an optimal fastening solution in terms of strength, eliminating the need for additional fixing screws.Furthermore, welding is an operation that can be automated, which helps to preserve the duration of the vehicle assembly cycle.

[0031] In [Fig. 3], it can be noted that it is also possible to perform, in the front part of the roller reinforcement 4, a triple-thickness weld between the quarter panel lining 15, the roller support 4 and a part 18 called the upper reinforcement of the quarter panel lining 15, which is itself welded to the rear wing lining 13. This reinforces thus the fixing of the reel support 4 and the fixing reinforcement 5 on the vehicle body, at the front and rear, without using screws.

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 correspond to another embodiment of the invention. Here, the connection between the base and the front section of the passenger compartment is reinforced, i.e., between parts 1 to 3 and parts 4 and 5. To this end, at least one quarter panel liner partition 17 is placed between the rear fender liner 13 and the rear wheel arch 1. The partition 17 is triangular in shape, flat, and hollow, similarly to the reinforcing partition 11. Two sides of the partition 17 thus bear against two sides of the fender liner 13, and a third side bears against one face of the rear wheel arch 1. By positioning the partition 17 vertically above the upper quarter panel liner reinforcement 18, triple-thickness welding zones are defined between the partition 17, the fender liner 13, and the upper reinforcement 18.Such a solution makes it possible to limit lateral movements between the upper part of the bodywork, i.e. between the base connected to the silhouette and the rear wheel arch 1. It is also possible to place several parallel partitions 17 between the wing lining 13 and the wheel arch 1, knowing that possibly all these partitions 17 do not allow the definition of triple-thickness welding zones.

[0033] Alternatively, it is also possible to place a structural reinforcement insert between the inner face of the lower end of the roller support 4 and the upper face of the wheel arch 1, therefore at the level of the bearing area of ​​the roller support 4 on the rear wheel arch 1. Such a reinforcement insert also limits the movements between the base and the silhouette at the level of the rear wheel arch 1.

[0034] The invention makes it possible, by adding at least one reinforcing piece at at least one specific location, not only to stiffen the assembly, but also to join the parts using triple-thickness welds. The invention eliminates the need for screws, thus simplifying assembly, which is carried out quickly and automatically.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle equipped with a device for attaching a rear seat belt retractor to the vehicle body comprising at least one part (4) forming both a rear seat belt retractor support and a latch wire (8) of the rear backrest of the vehicle, the support (4) being connected at least to a wall of a partition (2) fixed to a rear wheel arch (1) of the vehicle and to a fixing reinforcement (5) of the rear seat belt retractor support (4), the latter being itself connected to a part of a lining of a quarter panel (15) of the vehicle, characterized in that the device comprises at least one wing reinforcement partition (11) placed opposite the fixing reinforcement (5) of the rear seat belt retractor support (4) and fixed to the opposite face of the quarter panel lining (15) to that on which the fixing reinforcement (5) of the rear seat belt retractor support (4) is fixed.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one wing reinforcement partition (11) placed opposite the fixing reinforcement (5) of the rear seat belt retractor support (4) and fixed on the opposite face of the quarter panel lining (15) to that on which the fixing reinforcement (5) of the rear seat belt retractor support (4) is fixed defines a triple-thickness welding zone between these three parts. (11, 5, 15).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the wing reinforcement partition (11) is configured as a hollow triangle whose base (12) rests on the upper part of a rear wing lining (13), a large side (14) of the wing reinforcement partition (11) resting on the quarter panel lining (15), at the level of the bearing area of ​​one side (16) of the fixing reinforcement (5).

4. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the front part of the winder support (4) is, at least in part, supported on the quarter panel lining (15) at the level of an upper quarter panel reinforcement (18), which makes it possible to define a triple-thickness welding zone between these three parts.

5. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one quarter panel liner partition (17) is placed on one face of the upper part of a rear wing liner (13).

6. Vehicle according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that at least one quarter panel liner partition (17) defines with the upper quarter panel reinforcement (18) and the rear wing liner (13) a triple-thickness welding zone.

7. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one structural insert is placed on one face of the reel support (4) and provides a connection between the reel support (4) and the rear wheel arch (1).

8. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that several wing reinforcement partitions (11) are arranged in parallel.

9. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that several quarter panel lining partitions (17) are arranged in parallel.

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