Reinforcement piece for a rear side structural component of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A reinforcement device (RD) is fitted to a rear lateral structural part (PSL) of a motor vehicle with a rear axle and roof crossmember. The device comprises a lower part fixedly attached to an upper part (PS), which is itself fixedly attached to the roof crossmember. This reinforcement device (RD) includes a reinforcing piece (PR) extending from the lower part to the roof crossmember and fixedly attached to the latter and to the outer face (FE1) of the lower and upper parts (PS). The PR is arranged to reinforce the roof crossmembers while defining a load path to transfer static and dynamic forces from the rear axle to the roof crossmember. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Reinforcement piece for a rear side structural component of a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles comprising right and left rear lateral structural parts located on either side of a rear axle and to which the opposite ends of a roof crossmember are fixedly attached. State of the art

[0002] Certain motor vehicles include a structure comprising right and left rear lateral structural parts which are located on either side of a rear axle and to which are fixedly attached respectively the right and left ends of a roof crossmember.

[0003] Currently, each rear lateral structural part includes, in particular and generally:

[0004] - a lower part (sometimes called a "gutter gusset") comprising a part lower edge of a rear side door rebate,

[0005] - an upper piece (sometimes called a "quarter lining") comprising a part upper part of this rear side door rebate, and fixedly attached to the lower part,

[0006] - a vertical stiffener extending from the lower part to the roof crossmember and fixedly attached to the latter and to the outer face of the lower and upper pieces, and

[0007] - an inclined reinforcement extending from the lower part to a part intermediate of the vertical stiffener.

[0008] The vertical stiffener and the inclined reinforcement together define a load path which is responsible for transferring loads from the rear axle to the roof crossmember.

[0009] Generally, all the components of a rear side structural section mentioned above are specific to a single vehicle body style, and therefore cannot be used from one vehicle body style to another. Since none of the components can generally be used for several body styles (lack of shared components), it is therefore necessary to design each of the aforementioned components of its rear side structural section and each specific tooling adapted to each component for each vehicle body style, which is time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Furthermore, this significantly complicates the management of component inventories and considerably increases the space required on the assembly lines. when these are used for the assembly of several vehicle silhouettes.

[0010] Furthermore, when the load path is defined by two components (the vertical stiffener and the reinforcement), it is not always entirely satisfactory, because the load transfer is often difficult to model when it results from a combination of actions. For example, a load path can withstand static or dynamic torsion of the rear axle, but very rarely both static and dynamic torsion of the rear axle.

[0011] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0012] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a reinforcement device intended to be part of a rear lateral structural part, on the one hand, intended to be part of a motor vehicle with rear axle and roof crossmember, and, on the other hand, comprising a lower part fixedly attached to an upper part intended to be fixedly attached to said roof crossmember.

[0013] This reinforcement device is characterized by the fact that it includes a reinforcement piece suitable for extending from the lower piece to the roof crossmember and for being fixedly attached to the latter and to an external face of the lower and upper pieces, and arranged so as to reinforce the latter while defining a path of force suitable for transmitting static and dynamic forces from the rear axle to the roof crossmember.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, we have a reinforcement piece which replaces a vertical stiffener and a reinforcement, which not only makes it possible to reduce the number of constituents of a rear lateral structural part and therefore the cost of the latter, but also to make the load path more efficient, both statically and dynamically, and also to use it for several vehicle silhouettes and therefore to reduce costs even further.

[0015] The reinforcement device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0016] - its reinforcing piece may comprise a main part having a cross-section in general L shape and extended on one side by a first rebate suitable for being fixedly attached to the external face of the lower and upper pieces, and on a second side by a second rebate suitable for being fixedly attached to the external face of the upper piece;

[0017] - in the presence of the first option, the first and second rebates can be defined in planes perpendicular to each other;

[0018] - in the presence of the first option or the last sub-option, the second rebate may be suitable for being fixedly attached, via at least the upper part, to a upper lining forming part of the rear lateral structural part and delimiting part of a rear side door rebate;

[0019] - its reinforcing piece may have a curved shape.

[0020] The invention also proposes a rear lateral structural part intended to be part of a motor vehicle with rear axle and roof crossmember, and comprising a lower part fixedly attached to an upper part intended to be fixedly attached to the roof crossmember.

[0021] This rear lateral structural part is characterized by the fact that it also includes a reinforcement device of the type presented above, and having its reinforcement piece fixedly attached to an external face of the lower and upper pieces and suitable for being fixedly attached to the roof crossmember.

[0022] The rear lateral structural part according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0023] - it may also include an upper lining delimiting part of a rear side door rebate and fixedly attached to the upper part and reinforcement part at the same level along a first direction intended to be parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle;

[0024] - in the presence of the first option, its upper lining may include, on the on the one hand, a first sub-part extending along the first direction and fixedly attached to the upper piece and reinforcing piece at the same level and extended by a folded edge, and, on the other hand, a second sub-part substantially perpendicular to this first sub-part and terminated by the part of the rear side door rebate;

[0025] - in the presence of the last sub-option, it may also include an external skin fixedly attached to the folded edge and to the part of the rear side door rebate so as to conceal the upper lining, the reinforcement piece and the lower and upper pieces, and suitable for installation at the interface with the exterior of the vehicle;

[0026] - in the presence of the last sub-option and the last sub-sub-option, the The first sub-part may have an extension, following the first direction, which is adapted to a shape of the external skin.

[0027] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a rear axle and a roof crossmember, and, on the other hand, two rear lateral structural parts of the type presented above, installed respectively in the vicinity of two right and left ends of the rear axle, and fixedly attached respectively to two right and left ends of the roof crossmember. Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the right inner side, a part of an example of a right rear lateral structural part comprising an example of a reinforcement device according to the invention but not its outer skin, and intended to be part of an example of a vehicle,

[0030] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and transverse plane at the level of the upper part, the rear right lateral structural part of [Fig.1], with its outer skin,

[0031] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in another perspective view from the inside, the right rear lateral structural part of [Fig.1], with its outer skin,

[0032] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the reinforcing piece of the reinforcement device of Figures 1 to 3, and

[0033] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the upper lining of the reinforcement device of figures 1 to 3. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The invention aims in particular to provide a DR reinforcement device intended to be part of a rear lateral structural part PSL to be part of a motor vehicle with rear axle and roof crossmember.

[0035] In what follows, the motor vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be a car with four side doors (two of which are rear doors). However, the invention is not limited to this type of motor vehicle. It relates in fact to any motor vehicle comprising a structure having right and left rear lateral structural parts located on either side of a rear axle and to which the right and left ends of a roof crossmember are fixedly attached respectively.

[0036] In figures 1 to 5 the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (automobile), which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0037] In the preceding and following text, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the front end of the vehicle. Therefore, the front part of a element is located closer to the front end of the vehicle than the rear part of that same element.

[0038] Furthermore, in the preceding and following text, the terms "lower" and "upper" are defined in relation to the vehicle floor. Consequently, an upper component is located above a lower component.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of an example of a rear lateral structural part PSL (here right) intended to be part of a vehicle (automobile) by being placed near one of the two opposite ends of the rear axle of the vehicle.

[0040] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, this rear lateral structural part PSL comprises at least, and in particular, a lower part PI, an upper part PS and a reinforcement device DR according to the invention.

[0041] The lower piece PI (or gutter gusset) is fixedly attached, for example by welding, to the upper piece (or quarter lining).

[0042] This upper piece PS is intended to be fixedly attached, for example by welding, to one of the two opposite ends of the roof crossmember (or pavilion).

[0043] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the reinforcing piece PR is adapted to extend from the lower piece PI to the aforementioned end of this roof crossmember and to be fixedly attached to the latter, for example by welding. Furthermore, this reinforcing piece PR is adapted to be fixedly attached, for example by welding, to the outer face FE1 of the lower piece PI and the upper piece PS. The term "outer face" here refers to a face intended to be oriented towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0044] The reinforcement piece PR is further arranged to reinforce the lower piece PI and upper piece PS, because it extends in front of them and is fixedly attached to them (PI, PS), while defining a path of force which is suitable for transmitting static and dynamic forces from the rear axle to the roof crossmember, and in particular torsional forces.

[0045] Thus, the PR reinforcement piece replaces the vertical stiffener and the reinforcement present in the rear lateral structural parts of the prior art, which offers at least three advantages. A first advantage is the reduction in the number of components of a rear lateral structural part (PSL), which reduces the total number of specific tooling pieces required to manufacture the components of the rear lateral structural part (PSL), thereby facilitating its design and reducing its production cost. A second advantage is the simplification of the load path modeling, since it is now defined by a single part, making it highly efficient, even optimal, both statically and dynamically. A third advantage is the possibility of using the PR reinforcement piece for several vehicle profiles, since it does not include of parts that must necessarily vary from one silhouette to another, such as part of a rear door rebate, which allows it to be shared and thus reduce costs, simplify the management of component stocks, and reduce the space required on the assembly lines used for the assembly of several vehicle silhouettes.

[0046] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially, in Figures 2 to 4, the PR reinforcement piece may have a curved shape. However, its overall shape could be substantially straight.

[0047] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 2 to 4, the reinforcement piece PR may include a main part PP1 having a generally L-shaped cross-section. This main part PP1 is extended on one side by a first rebate Fl which is suitable for being fixedly joined, for example by welding, to the external face FE1 of the lower part PI and upper part PS, and on a second side by a second rebate F2 which is suitable for being fixedly joined, for example by welding, to the external face FE1 of the upper part PS, in particular.

[0048] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 2 to 4, these first Fl and second F2 rebates of the PR reinforcement piece can be defined in planes that are perpendicular to each other. This increases the rigidity of the PR reinforcement piece and its resistance to the forces it must transfer. However, the first Fl and second F2 rebates could also be defined in planes that are not perpendicular to each other.

[0049] In addition, the L-shaped section is well suited to housing the reinforcement piece PR in hollow bodies defined by the lower piece PI and upper piece PS and allowing to further increase the resistance of the rear lateral structural part PSL, and therefore to consider a reduction in the thickness of some of its constituents which makes it possible to reduce the cost of the vehicle and the mass of the vehicle (and therefore also the consumption of motive energy by the latter).

[0050] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 1 to 3, the second rebate F2 of the reinforcement piece PR can be adapted to be fixedly attached, for example by welding, via at least the upper piece PS, to an upper lining (or "upper quarter panel lining") DS which forms part of the rear side structural section PSL and which defines a first part PF1 of the rear side door rebate. This creates a very strong triple-thickness weld of the upper piece PS, upper lining DS, and reinforcement piece PR, which further strengthens the upper piece PS and increases the capacity of the reinforcement piece PR to transfer the forces from the rear axle.

[0051] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 1 to 3, the upper lining DS can be fixedly attached to the upper part PS and the reinforcing part PR at the same level along a first direction which is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle. Such a "Y-shaped anchorage" using the second groove F2 of the reinforcing part PR further increases the strength of the rear lateral structural part PSL.

[0052] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the upper lining DS may comprise first sub-parts SP1 and second sub-parts SP2 that extend one another. The first sub-part SP1 extends along the first direction (here parallel to the transverse direction Y) and is fixedly attached to the upper part PS and the reinforcing part PR at the same level along the transverse direction Y. Furthermore, this first sub-part SP1 is extended by a folded edge BR, the purpose of which will be explained later. The second sub-part SP2 is substantially perpendicular to the first sub-part SP1, and more precisely, here parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Moreover, this second sub-part SP2 terminates with the first part PF1 of the rear side door rebate (see Figures 2 and 5).

[0053] The upper lining DS therefore extends the upper part PS forward of the rear side structural section PSL (and thus toward the front of the vehicle). It is therefore fixedly attached, for example by welding, to this upper part PS. Furthermore, since this upper lining DS includes the first part PF1 of the rear side door rebate, it can vary from one vehicle profile to another, depending on the shape that the upper part of the rear side door rebate must have.This is particularly advantageous because it allows the upper PS part to be used for several vehicle silhouettes since it does not include parts that necessarily vary from one silhouette to another, thus allowing it to be shared and reducing costs, simplifying the management of component stocks, and reducing the footprint on the assembly lines used for assembling several vehicle silhouettes.

[0054] It should be noted, as illustrated in Figure 1, that the upper lining DS may also, optionally, extend a small portion of the lower part PI forward of the rear side structural part PSL. In this case, the first portion PF1 of the rear side door rebate extends downwards beyond the interface between the upper part PS and the lower part PI, and the upper lining DS is also fixedly attached, for example by welding, to the lower part PI.

[0055] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 1], that the rear side structural part PSL may also include, below the upper lining DS and extending forward from the lower part PI, a lower lining (or "lower quarter panel lining") DI defining a second (lower) part PF2 of the rear side door rebate, extending downwards from the first part PF1 of this rear side door rebate. In this case, the lower lining DI is fixedly attached, for example by welding, to the lower part PI and to the upper lining DS.

[0056] The lower lining DI, comprising the second part PF2 of the rear side door rebate, can vary from one vehicle silhouette to another, depending on the required shape of the lower part of the rear side door rebate. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the lower part PI to be used for several vehicle silhouettes since it does not include parts that necessarily vary from one silhouette to another, thus enabling its reuse and reducing costs, simplifying component inventory management, and reducing space requirements on the assembly lines used for assembling multiple vehicle silhouettes.However, the second part PF2 of the rear side door rebate could be the same for several vehicle body styles, and in this case it can be shared, thus further reducing costs, further simplifying the management of component stocks, and further reducing the footprint on the assembly lines used for assembling several vehicle body styles.

[0057] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in [Fig. 2], the rear lateral structural part PSL may also include an outer PE skin fixedly attached to the folded edge BR of the first sub-part SP1 of the upper lining DS and to the first part PF1 as well as to the optional second part PF2 of the rear side door rebate. This allows the outer PE skin to completely conceal the upper lining DS, the reinforcing piece PR, and the lower part PI and upper part PS when installed at the interface with the exterior of the vehicle.

[0058] It should be noted, as illustrated (though not exhaustively) in [Fig. 2], that the first sub-part SP1 of the upper lining DS can have an extension, along the first direction (here the transverse direction Y), which can be adapted to the (local) shape of the outer skin PE. In other words, the extension along the first direction of the first sub-part SP1 can vary from one vehicle silhouette to another, depending on the shape that the outer skin PE must locally present. This can be observed in [Fig. 2], where the solid lines represent a first silhouette while the dashed lines represent a second silhouette. Here, the difference in curvature of the outer skin PE along the first direction is shown. Between the first and second silhouettes, there is a difference in extension, along the first direction, of the first sub-part SP1. Therefore, here too, the upper lining DS is advantageously adapted according to the different shapes that the outer skin PE can take within the different silhouettes.

Claims

Demands

1. Reinforcement device (DR) for a rear lateral structural part (PSL) intended to be part of a motor vehicle with a rear axle and roof crossmember and comprising a lower part (PI) fixedly attached to an upper part (PS) intended to be fixedly attached to said roof crossmember, characterized in that it comprises a reinforcement part (PR) suitable for extending from said lower part (PI) to said roof crossmember and for being fixedly attached to the latter and to an external face (FE1) of said lower part (PI) and upper part (PS), and arranged so as to reinforce the latter (PI, PS) while defining a load path suitable for transmitting static and dynamic loads from said rear axle to said roof crossmember.

2. Reinforcement device according to claim 1, characterized in that said reinforcement piece (PR) comprises a main part (PP1) having a generally L-shaped cross-section and extended i) on a first side by a first rebate (F1) suitable for being fixedly attached to said external face (FE1) of the lower part (PI) and upper part (PS), and ii) on a second side by a second rebate (F2) suitable for being fixedly attached to said external face (FE1) of the upper part (PS).

3. Reinforcement device according to claim 2, characterized in that said first (F1) and second (F2) rebates are defined in planes perpendicular to each other.

4. Reinforcement device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said second rebate (F2) is suitable for being fixedly attached, via at least said upper part (PS), to an upper lining (DS) forming part of said rear lateral structural part (PSL) and delimiting a part of a rear side door rebate.

5. A rear lateral structural part (PSL) intended to form part of a motor vehicle with a rear axle and roof crossmember, and comprising a lower part (PI) fixedly attached to an upper part (PS) intended to be fixedly attached to said roof crossmember, characterized in that it further comprises a reinforcement device (DR) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having its reinforcement part (PR) fixedly attached to an external face (FE1) of said part lower (PI) and upper piece (PS) and suitable for being fixedly attached to said roof cross member.

6. Rear lateral structural part (PSL) according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises an upper lining (DS) delimiting a part (PF1) of a rear side door rebate and fixedly attached to said upper part (PS) and reinforcing part (PR) at the same level along a first direction intended to be parallel to a transverse direction of said vehicle.

7. Rear lateral structural part (PSL) according to claim 6, characterized in that said upper lining (DS) comprises i) a first subpart (SP1) extending along said first direction and fixedly attached to said upper part (PS) and reinforcing part (PR) at said same level and extended by a folded edge (BR), and ii) a second subpart (SP2) substantially perpendicular to said first subpart (SP1) and terminated by said part (PF1) of the rear side door rebate.

8. Rear lateral structural part (PSL) according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises an outer skin (PE) fixedly attached to said folded edge (BR) and to said part (PF1) of the rear side door rebate so as to conceal said upper lining (DS), said reinforcement piece (PR) and said lower part (PI) and upper part (PS), and suitable for being installed at the interface with the exterior of said vehicle.

9. Rear lateral structural part (PSL) according to the combination of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said first subpart (SP1) has an extension, along said first direction, adapted to a shape of said outer skin (PE).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a rear axle and a roof crossmember, characterized in that it further comprises two rear lateral structural parts (PSL) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, installed respectively in the vicinity of two right and left ends of said rear axle and fixedly attached respectively to two right and left ends of said roof crossmember.

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