MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A DOOR PILLAR EQUIPPED WITH AN INFLATING SEAL INSERT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURED BY SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body including a quarter panel liner (DC) resting on an inner side member (LI), comprising a clip (PA) retaining said liner (DC), the assembly being covered by an outer passenger compartment wall, delimiting an upper and a lower space with respect to the vertical axis (Z), delimited by a rear fender liner (DAR), characterized in that the body further comprises an inflatable insert extending into gaps between the passenger compartment wall and the fender liner (DAR) on an outer side of the upper space, towards the inner side member (LI) on an inner side of the lower space, so as to seal the upper and lower spaces below the clip (PA) with respect to the vertical axis (Z). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a vehicle. Abstract figure: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A DOOR PILLAR EQUIPPED WITH AN INFLATING SEAL INSERT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURED BY SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sheet metal and bodywork of motor vehicles, more particularly to the sealing of such sheet metal and bodywork.

[0002] The manufacture of motor vehicles conventionally involves installing the passenger compartment in the body with a reinforcing ring on the base of the vehicle body. During this installation, it is necessary to seal a door pillar area called the lower part of the C-pillar where the pillar rests on a base piece equipped with a clip. In the prior art, sealing is conventionally achieved by means of a bead of paint on the interior side of the vehicle. It should also be noted that in the applicant's solutions, there is an expanding insert in this area which closes the hollow body at the lower part of the C-pillar, above the clip.

[0003] This technical solution therefore requires the installation of an expanding insert and the application of a paint bead. Unfortunately, the sealing of the front part of the lower foot C is not satisfactory because the bead requires reduced gaps between the sheets, whereas in this area, the stresses of the metalwork require the greatest possible gap.

[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide an easier and more practical solution for sealing the bottom of foot C as well as the area of ​​the stapling tab, in order to block the rising of noise, dust, water, fumes (for example following a problem with the batteries in an electric vehicle).

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle in a frame of reference in space comprising a front-rear axis along a direction of movement of the vehicle; a lateral axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis, and a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis and to the lateral axis, the motor vehicle comprising a body which includes a quarter panel liner resting on an internal longitudinal member on an internal side with reference to the lateral axis, the internal longitudinal member comprising a clipping tab retaining the quarter panel liner on the internal longitudinal member, the quarter panel liner and the internal longitudinal member being covered by a passenger compartment wall on an external side with reference to the lateral axis, the quarter panel liner and the passenger compartment wall delimiting an upper space with reference to the vertical axis, the internal longitudinal member and the passenger compartment wall delimiting a lower space with reference to the vertical axis, the upper and lower spaces being delimited by a wing lining on one rear side with reference to the front-to-rear axis, characterized in that the body further comprises an inflating insert extending into gaps between the passenger compartment wall and the wing lining on an external side of the upper space with reference to the lateral axis, towards the internal side member on an internal side of the lower space with reference to the lateral axis, so as to seal the upper and lower spaces below the stapling tab with reference to the vertical axis.

[0006] Advantageously, the invention provides an inflating insert that performs both the sealing function of the hollow body of the foot C in the lower part and also the sealing at the level of the clip tab on the side of the assembled passenger compartment in order to avoid the need for the installation of a paint sealing bead.

[0007] The technical advantage of this solution is that it simplifies the vehicle manufacturing process by eliminating the need to apply a paint bead at the bottom of foot C at the stapling tab, thus simplifying production. Furthermore, managing the conflicting constraints of requiring minimal clearance for proper sealing with a bead, while needing significant clearance to ensure proper loading of the body, is no longer an issue.

[0008] Preferably, the wing lining includes at least one fixing hole for attaching the inflating insert.

[0009] Preferably, the motor vehicle includes a side rail closure device comprising a surface closing the stapling tab on an internal side with reference to the lateral axis.

[0010] This allows the door pillar to be sealed on the inside at the level of the lug stapling.

[0011] Preferably, the inflating insert comprises a non-extensible core and an extensible expansion structure, and in that the volume of the expansion structure once extended is greater than the volume of the upper space, and that of the lower space.

[0012] This allows for a rigid core to be well fixed in the upper and lower spaces.

[0013] Preferably, the non-extensible core occupies the gaps between the passenger compartment wall and the wing lining in the upper space, and the outer part of the inner spar in the lower space.

[0014] This allows for initial sealing even without inflation of the inflatable insert.

[0015] Another object of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - a step of mounting the quarter panel lining onto the inner side member using the stapling tab; - a step of fixing the inflating insert in the upper and lower spaces; - a step involving the assembly of the passenger compartment wall on the external side, and the wing lining on the rear side, - a step of inflating the inflating insert so that it extends into the gaps between the passenger compartment wall and the wing lining on an external side of the upper space, towards the internal spar on an internal side of the lower space, and that it seals the upper and lower spaces.

[0016] Preferably, the fixing step includes fixing the inflating insert in said fixing hole of the wing lining.

[0017] Preferably, the manufacturing process further includes a step of setting up the spar closure device so that the surface closes the stapling tab internally.

[0018] Preferably, the fixing step includes a positioning of the non-extensible core so that it occupies the gaps between the passenger compartment wall and the wing lining in the upper space, and the outer part of the inner spar in the lower space.

[0019] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a view in space of an internal side of a door pillar of a motor vehicle according to the invention without a side member closing device; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a view similar to that of [Fig.1] with a spar closure device; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a view in space of an external side of a door pillar of a motor vehicle according to the invention without a passenger compartment wall; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a view in space of a spar reinforcement; - [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view along VV of [Fig.3]; - [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view along VLVI of [Fig.3]; - [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view along VILVII of [Fig.3]; and - [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to the axes XY at the level of the axis of section VILVII of [Fig.3].

[0020] The classic design with a swollen insert at the bottom of foot C (door pillar) and a paint sealing bead at the level of the staple tab on the assembled passenger compartment side.

[0021] The prior art solution for sealing the bottom of foot C included the installation of an upper inflatable insert closing the hollow body of foot C to seal it against noise, water, and dust; and a paint sealing bead to seal at the junction between the silhouette of the pillar and the base piece (platform).

[0022] The present invention aims to provide a technical solution that enables this dual function to be achieved with an IG inflatable insert, and eliminates the need to apply a paint sealing bead.

[0023] Fig. 1 presents the interior side design of the vehicle showing the pillar and the base piece equipped with the PA clipping tab which allows the assembled passenger compartment side to be put in place on the platform during the body-in-place process.

[0024] The case includes: - a front FL side member closure device (illustrated in [Fig.2]); - the PA stapling tab; -1'Inflating insert IG; - a lower DC quarter panel lining; - an internal LI spar; - a reinforcement of the RL side member; - a DAR wing lining; - a CDH passenger compartment side wall.

[0025] The rear DAR wing lining in its front part has holes Ti allowing the inflatable insert IG to be clipped into it.

[0026] The rear RL side member reinforcement (forming part of the base piece) is illustrated in detail in [Fig. 4]. It has a housing shape in the area of ​​interaction with the foot C, which is defined by: - a first vertical face Fl which allows for spot welding to the wing lining DAR; - a second oblique face F2 in the upper part.

[0027] A cutout of the spar reinforcement RL, which is in particular decomposed into a first part DI on the upper face (mainly in a vertical plane (axes Y,Z) and a second part D2 which is rather on an oblique plane close to the horizontal (axes X,Y).

[0028] The cutout allows the space to be opened between the spar reinforcement RL and the lower quarter panel lining DC.

[0029] By using the Ti holes in the wing liner DAR and the spacing created by the cutout Dl, D2 on the spar reinforcement RL, it is possible to bring the inflatable insert IG up to the level of the PA stapling tab, and also to plug the X-shaped hole between the lower quarter panel liner DC and the inner spar LI. The inflation zone of the inflatable insert IG is along the interface between the pillar and the base piece.

[0030] The inflating insert IG fixed on the wing lining DAR can therefore pass over the second oblique face F2, then descend to extend to the inflation interface by descending in Z thanks to the spacing.

[0031] The seal of the inflatable insert IG is located under the stapling tab PA, and the insert seals the entire overlap between the lower quarter panel lining DC and the inner side member LI, whether laterally in Y or at the front in X. Thus, there is no longer any need to apply a paint sealing bead inside the body as in the prior art because the seal is achieved by the inflatable insert IG which will also close the entire lower part of the hollow body of the foot C.

[0032] Figures 5 to 8 show sections of foot C with the inflatable insert IG which is colored dark for its rigid part, and light for the inflation volume of the inflatable material of the inflatable insert IG.

[0033] Regarding the FL side member closure device, it includes a sealing surface F covering the PA stapling tab (illustrated in [Fig. 2]). The sealing surface F is retained on the stapling tab to prevent any overflow of the expanding product into the passenger compartment during the expansion of the IG expanding insert, thus avoiding problematic assembly of the woodwork.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle in a frame of reference in space comprising a front-to-back axis (X) along a direction of movement of the vehicle; a lateral axis (Y) perpendicular to the front-rear axis (X), and a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the front-rear axis (X) and to the lateral axis (Y), the motor vehicle comprising a body which includes a quarter panel liner (DC) resting on an internal side member (LI) on an internal side with reference to the lateral axis (Y), the internal side member (LI) comprising a clipping tab (PA) retaining the quarter panel liner (DC) on the internal side member (LI), the quarter panel liner (DC) and the internal side member (LI) being covered by a passenger compartment wall (CDH) on an external side with reference to the lateral axis (Y), the quarter panel liner (DC) and the passenger compartment wall (CDH) delimiting an upper space with reference to the vertical axis (Z), the internal side member (LI) and the passenger compartment wall (CDH) delimiting a lower space with reference to the vertical axis (Z),the upper and lower spaces being delimited by a wing lining (DAR) on one rear side with reference to the front-rear axis (X), characterized in that the body further comprises an inflating insert (IG) extending into gaps between the passenger compartment wall (CDH) and the wing lining (DAR) on one external side of the upper space with reference to the lateral axis (Y), towards the inner side member (LI) on one internal side of the lower space with reference to the lateral axis (Y), so as to seal the upper and lower spaces below the stapling tab (PA) with reference to the vertical axis (Z).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the wing liner (DAR) includes at least one fixing hole (Ti) for fixing the inflating insert (IG).

3. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, comprising a side member closure device (FL) which includes a surface (F) closing the stapling tab (PA) on an internal side with reference to the lateral axis (Y).

4. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inflating insert (IG) comprises a non-extensible core (N) and an extensible expansion structure (V), and in that the volume of the expansion structure (V) when expanded is greater than the volume of the upper space, and that of the lower space.

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the non-extensible core (N) occupies the gaps between the passenger compartment wall (CDH) and the wing lining (DAR) in the upper space, and the outer part of the inner side member (LI) in the lower space.

6. A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following steps: - a step of mounting the quarter panel liner (DC) on the inner side member (LI) by means of the stapling tab (PA); - a step of fixing the inflatable insert (IG) in the upper and lower spaces; - a step of mounting the passenger compartment wall (CDH) on an external side, and the wing liner (DAR) on a rear side; - a step of inflating the inflatable insert (IG) so that it extends into the gaps between the passenger compartment wall (CDH) and the wing liner (DAR) on an external side of the upper space, towards the inner side member (LI) on an internal side of the lower space, and that it seals the upper and lower spaces.

7. A manufacturing method according to claim 6 combined with claim 2, characterized in that the fixing step comprises fixing the inflating insert (IG) in said fixing hole (Ti) of the wing lining (DAR).

8. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 6 to 7 combined with claim 3, further comprising a step of setting up the spar closure device (FL) so that the surface (F) closes the stapling tab (PA) internally.

9. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 combined with claim 4, characterized in that the fixing step includes a placement of the non-extensible core (N) so that it occupies the gaps between the cockpit wall (CDH) and the wing lining (DAR) in the upper space, and the outer part of the inner spar (LI) in the lower space.

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