Crossing for removing cataphoresis residue, for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A crossmember (TS) is fitted to a motor vehicle comprising a floor (PL) installed between two side members (LS), and includes front (PV) and rear (PR) walls fixedly attached to the side members (LS) and connected to each other by a lower wall (PI) to which a rear end (ER) of the floor (PL) is attached. These front (PV) and rear (PR) walls each include at least one first drainage hole (TT1), designed to allow the discharge into the crossmember (TS) of cataphoresis residue resulting from cataphoresis treatment of the vehicle and present on the floor (PL), and at least one second drainage hole (TT2), designed to allow the discharge out of the crossmember (TS) of the cataphoresis residue discharged into the latter. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Cross member for removing cataphoresis residue, for a motor vehicle. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles, and more specifically to the crossmember to which a rear end of the floor of such vehicles is intended to be fixedly attached. State of the art

[0002] Some motor vehicles include a floor installed between two longitudinal members and comprising a rear end fixedly attached to a lower wall of a cross member, itself fixedly attached to the longitudinal members.

[0003] It should be noted that the floor can optionally serve as a protective cover for a rechargeable battery installed in a battery tray, and in this case the latter is fixedly attached to the side members, the lower wall of the crossmember, and the floor. The battery, the battery tray, and the floor cover then define a battery assembly (or "pack").

[0004] As those skilled in the art know, before most equipment is installed in a vehicle under assembly, its structure (including its body) is immersed in a cataphoresis liquid (an industrial paint deposition technique using electrophoresis to provide corrosion protection). After this cataphoresis phase and before a post-cataphoresis drying phase, the vehicle under assembly is tilted from front to rear (which is then at its lowest point) to allow the cataphoresis residue to drain away. However, it has been observed that, due to this tilt, some of the cataphoresis residue on the floor tends to accumulate between the rear end of the floor and the front wall of the crossmember (which is fixedly attached to its lower wall).However, it proves very difficult to remove these accumulated cataphoresis residues, and this can only be done manually or by hoping that they will harden during the post-cataphoresis drying phase.

[0005] It would certainly be possible to define through holes in the rear end of the floor to allow the evacuation of accumulated cataphoresis residues, but such a solution is relatively inefficient when this rear end has a longitudinal L-shaped cross-section and therefore includes a sub-section positioned opposite and a few millimeters from the front wall of the cross member. Furthermore, this solution proves impossible to implement when the floor serves as a protective cover. for a rechargeable battery, because it would create a significant leak in the battery assembly (or pack), potentially (very) dangerous.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] It proposes in particular for this purpose a cross member, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a motor vehicle comprising a floor installed between two longitudinal members, and, on the other hand, comprising front and rear walls suitable for being fixedly attached to these longitudinal members and connected to each other by a lower wall to which a rear end of the floor is suitable for being attached.

[0008] This cross member is characterized by the fact that its front and rear walls respectively include at least one first drainage hole, suitable for allowing the evacuation into the cross member of a cataphoresis residue resulting from a cataphoresis of the vehicle and present on the floor, and at least one second drainage hole, suitable for allowing the evacuation out of the cross member of the cataphoresis residue evacuated into the latter.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, most of the cataphoresis residues which accumulate between the rear end of the floor and the front wall of the cross member can be evacuated via the cross member, which makes it possible not to have to carry out this evacuation manually and not to create a sealing defect in a possible battery assembly.

[0010] The cross member according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - its front wall may include at least two initial drainage holes;

[0012] - its rear wall may include at least two second drainage holes;

[0013] - each first drainage hole can be defined at a first level with respect to to its lower wall, and each second drainage hole can be defined at a second level relative to its lower wall, the second level being lower than the first level;

[0014] - its rear wall can be provided at each second drainage hole with a expandable insert designed to expand, in a post-cataphoresis drying phase carried out after the cataphoresis residue has been removed from the cross member, in order to hermetically seal the second drainage hole;

[0015] - in the presence of the last option, each expandable insert can be clipped into clipping holes which are defined around the second associated drain hole;

[0016] - each expandable insert may include a plastic structure attached to the back wall and an expansive material;

[0017] - its front, rear and lower walls can be made of steel.

[0018] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a floor installed between two longitudinal members, and, on the other hand, a crossmember of the type of that presented above and fixedly attached to the side members and to a rear end of the floor.

[0019] For example, this vehicle may also include a rechargeable battery installed in a battery box fixedly attached to the side members, the cross member and the floor, the latter defining a cover protecting the battery. Brief description of the figures

[0020] 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:

[0021] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, part of an example of a motor vehicle underbody comprising a floor, constituting an upper cover of a battery assembly,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the base of the [Fig.1], with the battery tray of the battery assembly fixedly attached to the floor and to it,

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view and partially in cross-section in a longitudinal and vertical plane, a part of the base of the [Fig.1] with part of an example of an embodiment of a cross member according to the invention,

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in another cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, the part of the base of the [Fig.3],

[0025] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the cross member of figures 3 and 4 before the installation of the expandable inserts,

[0026] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, a portion of the cross member of [Fig.5] after the installation of the expanding inserts, and

[0027] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear wall side, part of the cross member of [Fig.6]. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The invention aims in particular to provide a TS cross member intended to be part of an SV underbody of a motor vehicle, and allowing the evacuation of a cataphoresis residue after the cataphoresis phase and before the post-cataphoresis drying phase.

[0029] In what follows, the motor vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be a car, as partially illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to this type of motor vehicle. It relates in fact to any motor vehicle comprising a floor permanently attached to its base and can, possibly, serve as the upper cover (or lid) of a battery assembly (or pack).

[0030] In figures 1 to 7, 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.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a portion of an example of a motor vehicle underbody (SV) comprising two longitudinal members (LS), right and left, and a crossmember (TS), according to the invention, to which an example of a floor (PL) is fixedly attached. This fixed attachment can be achieved by welding and / or screwing, for example. It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 1 and 2, the floor (PL) also constitutes an upper cover for a battery pack (EB), but this is not mandatory.

[0032] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2 to 4, this battery assembly EB comprises a battery tray BB and a rechargeable battery (not visible) installed therein (BB). When the floor PL also serves as an upper cover within this battery assembly EB, part of the rechargeable battery is housed in the space between the upper cover PL and the battery tray BB. The battery tray BB is fixedly attached to the side members LS, the lower wall PI of the cross member TS (described later), and the floor PL. For example, this rechargeable battery may include at least one cell module comprising at least two electrical energy storage cells. Here, "electrical energy storage cell" means a rechargeable cell and possibly an electrochemical cell (for example, of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-MH or Ni-Cd type).

[0033] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2, the floor PL is fixedly installed between the two longitudinal members LS (which are intended to extend along the longitudinal direction X), and the cross member TS comprises front wall PV, rear wall PR and lower wall PL

[0034] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 3 and 4, the front PV and rear PR walls are suitable for being fixedly attached to the longitudinal members LS, for example by welding, and are connected to each other by the lower wall PL. The cross member TS therefore has a longitudinal section in the general shape of a U. In addition, the floor PL includes a rear end ER which is suitable for being fixedly attached to the lower wall PI, for example by welding and / or screwing.

[0035] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in figures 3 and 4 the rear end ER of the floor PL has a longitudinal section in the general shape of L and therefore comprises a first sub-part placed opposite and a few millimeters from the front wall PV of the cross member TS, and a second sub-part substantially perpendicular to its first sub-part and fixedly attached to the lower wall PI of the cross member TS.

[0036] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in figures 1 to 3 the rear end ER of the floor PL is located much closer to the rear part PRS of the underbody SV than to the front part PVS of the underbody SV.

[0037] Furthermore, in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 1, 3 and 4, a seat floor PS is fixedly attached to the floor PL and to the upper end of the cross member TS, having a longitudinal section in the general shape of an inverted L. This seat floor PS therefore comprises a first sub-part substantially perpendicular to the floor PL and installed in a transverse and substantially vertical plane, and a second sub-part substantially perpendicular to its first sub-part, installed in a substantially horizontal plane above the floor PL, concealing the cross member TS, fixedly attached to the upper end of the cross member TS, and to which a rear seat of the vehicle is intended to be fixedly attached.

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 3 to 7, the front wall PV includes at least one first drainage hole TT1 and the rear wall PR includes at least one second drainage hole TT2. Each first drainage hole TT1 is designed to allow the discharge into the crossmember TS of cataphoresis residue resulting from the cataphoresis of the vehicle being assembled and present on the floor PL (between its rear end ER and the front wall PV of the crossmember TS due to the front-to-rear tilt of the vehicle after cataphoresis). Each second drainage hole TT2 is designed to allow the discharge out of the crossmember TS of the cataphoresis residue that was discharged into the latter (TS) via each first drainage hole TT1.

[0039] Thus, at least most of the cataphoresis residue that accumulates between the rear end ER of the floor PL and the front wall PV of the cross member TS can be discharged via the cross member TS. This eliminates the need for manual discharge and prevents the creation of a leak in the eventual battery assembly EB.

[0040] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 to 6, the front wall PV may include at least two first drainage holes TT1. This facilitates the drainage into the cross member TS of the cataphoresis residues accumulated in front of the front PV wall, and to increase the amount of these accumulated cataphoresis residues that can be removed. Note that in the example illustrated (non-exhaustively) in Figures 4 to 6, the number of the first TT1 drainage holes is three. However, this number can take any value greater than or equal to one.

[0041] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 to 7, the rear wall PR may include at least two secondary drainage holes TT2. This facilitates the removal of cataphoresis residues from the cross member TS, which are discharged via the first drainage holes TT1, and increases the quantity of these cataphoresis residues removed. It should be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 to 7, the number of secondary drainage holes TT2 is three. However, this number can be any value greater than or equal to one.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4 and 5, each first drainage hole TT1 can be defined at a first level relative to the lower wall PI, and each second drainage hole TT2 can be defined at a second level relative to the lower wall PI, the second level being lower than the first level. This facilitates the removal of cataphoresis residues from the cross member TS via the first drainage holes TT1, and increases the quantity of these cataphoresis residues removed, in the presence of the tilt of the vehicle being assembled upon exiting the cataphoresis process (see [Fig. 4]). However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the first and second levels could be identical.

[0043] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 4, 6 and 7, the rear wall PR can be provided at each second drainage hole TT2 with an expandable insert IE. This insert (IE) is designed to expand, during the post-cataphoresis drying phase carried out after the cataphoresis residue has been removed from the cross member TS, in order to hermetically seal the associated second drainage hole TT2.

[0044] It will be understood that each expandable insert IE has the capacity to expand (and thus significantly increase its volume) in front of or within the associated second drain hole TT2 when subjected to a high temperature during the drying (oven) phase following cataphoresis. Thus, during the removal of the cataphoresis residue, each expandable insert IE is in a non-expanded state and therefore leaves the associated second drain hole TT2 open to allow the cataphoresis residue to be removed from the cross member TS. After the drying phase, each expandable insert IE is now in its expanded state in order to block the associated second drain hole TT2 and prevent liquid from entering the cross member TS.

[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 5 and 7, each expandable insert IE can be clipped into clipping holes TC defined in the rear wall PR around the associated second drainage hole TT2. For this purpose, each expandable insert IE may include a number of clipping tabs PC equal to the number of clipping holes TC defined around the associated second drainage hole TT2. This facilitates securing each expandable insert IE to the rear wall PR. It should be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 5 and 7, the number of clipping holes TC defined around each second drainage hole TT2 is two. However, this number can be any value greater than or equal to two (thus it could be three or four).

[0046] But in an alternative embodiment each expandable insert IE could be glued to the rear wall PR using an adhesive resistant to the high temperatures of the oven.

[0047] It should also be noted that each expandable insert IE can comprise a plastic structure attached to the rear wall PR (for example by clipping) and an expanding material. For example, the plastic structure can be a polyamide (possibly PA66), and the expanding material can be a foam that undergoes significant expansion in a post-cataphoresis oven phase.

[0048] It should also be noted that the front PV, rear PR and lower PI walls of the cross member TS can be made of steel. However, other materials (possibly synthetic or composite) can be used.

Claims

Demands

1. Crossmember (TS) for a motor vehicle comprising a floor (PL) installed between two longitudinal members (LS), said crossmember (TS) comprising front (PV) and rear (PR) walls adapted to be fixedly attached to said longitudinal members (LS) and connected to each other by a lower wall (PI) to which a rear end (ER) of said floor (PL) is adapted to be attached, characterized in that said front (PV) and rear (PR) walls respectively comprise at least one first drainage hole (TT1), adapted to allow the drainage into said crossmember (TS) of a cataphoresis residue resulting from a cataphoresis of said vehicle and present on said floor (PL), and at least one second drainage hole (TT2), adapted to allow the drainage out of said crossmember (TS) of said cataphoresis residue discharged into the latter (TS).

2. Cross member according to claim 1, characterized in that said front wall (PV) comprises at least two first drainage holes (TT1).

3. Cross member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said rear wall (PR) comprises at least two second drainage holes (TT2).

4. Cross member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each first drainage hole (TT1) is defined at a first level with respect to said lower wall (PI), and each second drainage hole (TT2) is defined at a second level with respect to said lower wall (PI), said second level being lower than said first level.

5. Cross member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said rear wall (PR) is provided at each second evacuation hole (TT2) with an expandable insert (IE) capable of expanding, in a post-cataphoresis drying phase carried out after said evacuation of the cataphoresis residue out of said cross member (TS), in order to hermetically seal said second evacuation hole (TT2).

6. Crossbar according to claim 5, characterized in that each expandable insert (IE) is clipped into clipping holes (TC) defined around the associated second evacuation hole (TT2).

7. Crossbar according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each expandable insert (IE) comprises a plastic structure attached to said back wall (PR) and an expanding material.

8. Cross member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said front (PV), rear (PR) and bottom (PI) walls are made of steel.

9. Motor vehicle comprising a floor (PL) installed between two longitudinal members (LS), characterized in that it further comprises a cross member (TS) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, fixedly attached to said longitudinal members (LS) and to a rear end (ER) of said floor (PL).

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a rechargeable battery installed in a battery box (BB) fixedly attached to said longitudinal members (LS), to said cross member (TS) and to said floor (PL), the latter (PL) defining a cover protecting said battery.

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