Side panel arrangement of a motor vehicle body in the docking area of ​​a front seat belt retractor bracket

Abstract

The invention relates to a side member (100) of a motor vehicle body structure, comprising: - a longitudinal member (110) formed by an inner longitudinal member part and by an outer longitudinal member part (112) welded to each other by their upper (112A) and lower (112B) attachment rabbets; - a center pillar (120) comprising an outer center pillar casing (121) having a lower base (122) flaring downwards and welded to said outer longitudinal member part; - a passenger compartment side covering externally said outer longitudinal member part and said outer center pillar casing; and- a support (140) for front seat belt retractor, welded from the inside against said lower base, and comprising a lower attachment groove (143) welded to said upper attachment grooves (112A) of said inner and outer longitudinal members (112) by being interposed between these grooves.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Side panel arrangement of a motor vehicle body in the docking area of ​​a support for a front seat belt retractor. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the arrangement of a side side of a motor vehicle body structure, at the level of the docking area of ​​a support for a front seat belt retractor. Previous technique

[0002] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view taken from inside the passenger compartment of the lower central area of ​​a right side 1 of a motor vehicle body structure, in accordance with the prior art.

[0003] This side panel 1 includes a lower body member 10, formed by an inner part of the member (not shown on this [Fig.1] to facilitate reading) and by an outer part of the member 12 (also commonly referred to as the "member reinforcement") welded to each other by their respective upper and lower attachment rabbets (only the upper rabbet 12A of this outer part of the member 12 being visible) to form an elongated hollow body with a substantially square closed cross-section.

[0004] The side member 1 also includes a center leg 20, connecting the side member 10 to a corresponding side frame of the roof (not shown), and comprising an outer casing 21 (also commonly referred to as the "center leg reinforcement") in the form of a hollow body open inwards and extending substantially vertically. This outer center leg casing 21 includes a lower base 22 flaring downwards which is welded to the outer portion of the side member 12.

[0005] This outer part of the longitudinal member 12 and the outer mid-pillar casing 21 are further covered externally by a side of the passenger compartment 30 comprising two front attachment grooves 31 and rear attachment grooves 32 each comprising a substantially longitudinal orientation portion welded against the outer face of the upper attachment groove 12A of the outer part of the longitudinal member 12, as well as a curved portion welded against the outer face of a corresponding curved attachment groove not visible from the lower base 22 of the outer mid-pillar casing 21.

[0006] The side panel 1 further comprises a support 40 for a front seat belt retractor (this retractor not being shown) welded on the inside against the lower base 22 of the outer envelope of the middle foot 21, above the spar 10.

[0007] The support 40 includes a lower attachment rebate 43 welded against the outer face of the upper attachment rebate 12A of the outer part of the longitudinal member 12.

[0008] As can be seen on this [Fig.1], this type of design results in the presence of two holes Tb T2 in front and behind the lower attachment groove 43 of the support 40, these holes Tb T2 each being delimited between this lower attachment groove 43 of the support 40, the upper attachment groove 12A of the outer part of the longitudinal member 12 and the hollow part on the passenger side 30 bordered by the attachment grooves 31, 32 of this passenger side 30.

[0009] Due to their relatively large dimensions, these Tb T2 holes unfortunately cannot be plugged by simply applying a bead of paint with a robotic head.

[0010] However, in the case of an electric vehicle whose side walls in the docking area of ​​the front seat belt retractor support are similar to those of side wall 1, the deterioration of certain electrochemical cells of its battery pack following an impact could generate the emission of toxic fumes which could infiltrate the passenger compartment through these holes Tb T2.

[0011] In order to overcome this possibility, sealing adhesives must therefore be manually applied to these holes Tb T2 on the docking areas of the supports for the front seat belt retractor of the body structure of the electrically powered vehicles.

[0012] However, the addition of these sealing adhesives generates a significant additional cost and also leads to an increase in the vehicle assembly time. Description of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a side panel for the body structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a longeron formed by an inner part of a longeron and by an outer part of a longeron welded to each other by their upper and lower attachment rabbets; - a middle foot comprising an outer middle foot casing having a lower base flaring downwards and welded to said outer part of the spar; - a passenger compartment side covering externally said outer part of the longitudinal member and said outer casing of the center pillar; and - a support for a front seat belt retractor, welded from the inside against said lower base of the outer mid-pillar casing, and comprising a lower attachment groove welded to said upper attachment grooves of said inner and outer longitudinal member parts; characterized in that said lower attachment rebate is interposed between said upper attachment rebates of said inner and outer spar parts.

[0015] Such a positioning of the lower attachment groove of the front seat belt retractor support allows this support to cover almost entirely the hollow part on the passenger side, so as to reduce the dimensions of the holes in front and behind this lower attachment groove.

[0016] According to preferred characteristics of said side panel of the body structure according to the invention: - said side of the passenger compartment includes two front and rear attachment grooves, each comprising a substantially longitudinal orientation portion welded against the outer face of the upper attachment groove of said outer part of the longitudinal member, as well as a curved portion welded against the outer face of a corresponding curved attachment groove, front or rear, of said lower base; - that said support comprises two curved attachment grooves front and rear welded respectively against the internal faces of said corresponding front and rear attachment grooves of said lower base, so that these latter grooves are each sandwiched between a said curved attachment groove of said support and the curved portion of a said attachment groove on said side of the passenger compartment; - said lower attachment rebate of said support extends along a plane parallel and offset on the external side relative to that of its curved attachment rebates; - said lower attachment rebate of said support is housed in a recess of complementary shape and size provided in the upper attachment rebate of said outer part of the longitudinal member; - said outer part of the longitudinal member has two protrusions, front and rear, projecting above its upper attachment rabbet and welded each against the inner face of a lower end zone, not covered by a said front or rear attachment rabbet of said lower base, of the curved portion of a said front or rear attachment rabbet of said passenger compartment side; - the upper edge of each said protrusion has a curved profile following that of the curved portion of a corresponding said attachment rebate on said side of the passenger compartment; - said support includes two front and rear end points, projecting longitudinally on either side of said lower attachment rabbet as well as said front and rear attachment rabbets of said lower base, and welded each against the external face of a corresponding said protrusion; - said end points extend along the same plane interposed transversely between that of said lower attachment rebate and that of said curved attachment rebates of said support; and / or - each said end point is also fixed to the curved portion of a said respective attachment rebate of said passenger compartment side, by means of at least one triple-thickness electric weld point of sheet metal passing through a said corresponding protrusion. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.l] represents a partial perspective view taken from inside the passenger compartment of the lower central area of ​​a right-hand side panel conforming to the prior art of a motor vehicle body structure; - [Fig.2] is a partial elevation view taken from inside the passenger compartment of the lower central area of ​​a right side panel according to the invention of a motor vehicle body structure; - [Fig.3] represents a partial section view, taken along section plane III-III of [Fig.2]; - [Fig. 4] is an enlarged perspective view taken from the rear end of the lower base of the outer midfoot casing; and - [Fig.5] represents an enlarged perspective view, taken at the level of the front end of the lower base of the outer midfoot envelope. Description of the implementation methods

[0018] Figures 2 to 5 represent several views of the lower central area of ​​the right lateral side 100 of the body structure of an electrically powered motor vehicle.

[0019] An orthogonal frame of reference XYZ is defined with respect to the vehicle, comprising three axes perpendicular in pairs, namely: - an X-axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, parallel to the ground and coinciding with the general direction of movement of the vehicle - a Y-axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, also parallel to the ground, which, together with the X-axis, defines a horizontal XY plane, and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.

[0020] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the frame defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinally" shall refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms "transverse" or "transversely" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms "vertical" or "vertically" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0021] Furthermore, and by convention, the terms "lower," "upper," "front," and "rear" shall be understood in relation to the overall orientation of the vehicle. The terms "lower" and "low" shall indicate a closer proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "high." The term "front" shall indicate a forward-facing position of a vehicle in the horizontal direction, and the term "rear" shall indicate a rear-facing position of a vehicle in the same horizontal direction.

[0022] The terms "external" and "internal" will be used to define the relative position of an element with reference to the vehicle's median vertical longitudinal plane. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal, as opposed to the other element further from this same plane, which will be described as external.

[0023] Finally, the term "substantially" will be used to indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" will indicate that a deviation of approximately 10 to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0024] With reference to these figures 2 to 5, the side panel 100 conventionally comprises a lower body member 110, formed by an inner part of a member 111 (not shown on [Fig.2] to facilitate reading) and by an outer part of a member 112 welded to each other by their upper attachment rabbets 111A, 112A and lower (only that 112B of the outer part of member 112 being visible on [Fig.2]) to form an elongated hollow body with a substantially square closed cross-section.

[0025] These inner and outer parts of the longitudinal member 111, 112 are each made up in this case and in a conventional manner by several pieces of sheet metal assembled by electric weld points in the longitudinal extension of each other.

[0026] This side 100 also includes a middle leg 120, connecting the side member 110 to a corresponding side frame of the roof not shown, and comprising an outer casing 121 in the form of a hollow body open inwards and extending substantially vertically.

[0027] The outer mid-foot casing 121 includes a lower base 122 flaring downwards which is welded to the outer portion of the longeron 112 as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. This lower base 122 includes two curved attachment grooves, front 122A and rear 122B, partially visible in Figures 4 and 5.

[0028] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the outer part of the longitudinal member 112 and the outer casing of the mid-pillar 121 are further covered externally by a side of the passenger compartment 130.

[0029] With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, this side of the passenger compartment 130 has two front 131 and rear 132 attachment grooves, each comprising: - a portion of substantially longitudinal orientation 131 A, 132A welded against the outer face of the upper attachment rebate 112A of the outer part of the longitudinal member 112, and - a curved portion 13IB, 132B welded against the outer face of a corresponding curved attachment rebate in front 122A or rear 122B of the lower base 122.

[0030] The side 100 further includes a support 140 for a front seat belt retractor (this retractor not being shown) welded from the inside against the lower base 122 of the outer mid-pillar casing 121, above the longitudinal member 110.

[0031] With reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, this support 140 comprises two curved attachment grooves front 141 and rear 142 welded respectively against the inner faces of the corresponding curved attachment grooves front 122A and rear 122B of this lower base 122, so that these latter grooves 122A, 122B are each sandwiched between a curved attachment groove 141, 42 of the support 140 and the curved portion 13IB, 132B of an attachment groove 131, 132 on the passenger side 130.

[0032] The support 140 also includes a lower attachment rebate 143, interposed between the upper attachment rebates 111A, 112A of the inner part of the spar 111 and the outer part of the spar 112, and welded by triple-thickness electric spot welds to these upper attachment rebates 11 IA, 112A.

[0033] Such a positioning of the lower attachment rebate 143 allows the support 140 to cover almost entirely the hollow part of the passenger compartment side 130, so as to reduce the dimensions of the holes in front and behind this lower attachment rebate 143.

[0034] This lower attachment rebate 143 extends along a plane parallel to and offset on the outer side relative to that of the curved attachment rebates 141, 142 of this support 140, being housed in a recess R of shape and dimension additional space provided in the upper attachment rebate 112A of the outer part of the longitudinal member 112 (see [Fig.2]).

[0035] This outer part of the longitudinal member 112 further comprises two front protrusions EXi and rear protrusions Ex2 projecting above its upper attachment rabbet 112A and welded each against the inner face of a lower end area, not covered by a front attachment rabbet 122A or rear attachment rabbet 122B of the lower base 122, of the curved portion 13IB, 132B of a front attachment rabbet 131 or rear attachment rabbet 132 on the passenger side 130.

[0036] The presence of these Exb Ex2 protrusions makes it possible to completely fill the residual holes at the front and rear of the lower attachment rebate 143.

[0037] The upper edge of each of these protrusions Exb Ex2 advantageously presents a curved profile following that of the curved portion 13IB, 132B of a said corresponding attachment rebate 131, 132 on the passenger compartment side 130.

[0038] With further reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the support 140 further comprises two front end points 144 and rear end points 145, projecting longitudinally on either side of its lower attachment groove 143 as well as the front attachment grooves 122A and rear attachment grooves 122B of the lower base 122, and welded each against the outer face of a corresponding protrusion Exb Ex2.

[0039] As illustrated by figures 4 and 5, these end points 144, 145 further extend along the same plane interposed transversely between that of the lower attachment rebate (143) and that of the curved attachment rebates (141, 142) of said support (140).

[0040] In order to improve the mechanical strength of the support 140 in case of impact, each end point 144, 145 is advantageously also fixed to the curved portion 13IB, 132B of a respective attachment rebate 131, 132 on the passenger compartment side 130, by means of at least one triple-thickness electric weld point through a corresponding protrusion Exb Ex2.

[0041] Many variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all variants of execution within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Side member (100) of motor vehicle body structure, comprising: - a side member (110) formed by an inner side member (111) and by an outer side member (112) welded to each other by their upper (111A, 112A) and lower (112B) attachment rabbets; - a center pillar (120) comprising an outer center pillar casing (121) having a lower base (122) flaring downwards and welded to said outer side member (112); - a passenger compartment side (130) externally covering said outer side member (112) and said outer center pillar casing (121);and - a support (140) for a front seat belt retractor, welded internally against said lower base (122) of the outer mid-pillar casing (121), and comprising a lower attachment groove (143) welded to said upper attachment grooves (11 IA, 112A) of said inner side member (111) and outer side member (112); characterized in that said lower attachment groove (143) is interposed between said upper attachment grooves (111A, 112A) of said inner side member (111) and outer side member (112).

2. Side panel (100) of body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said side panel (130) has two front (131) and rear (132) attachment grooves each comprising a substantially longitudinal orientation portion (131 A, 132A) welded against the outer face of the upper attachment groove (112A) of said outer part of side member (112), and a curved portion (13IB, 132B) welded against the outer face of a corresponding curved front (122A) or rear (122B) attachment groove of said lower base (122).

3. Side panel (100) of a body structure according to claim 2, characterized in that said support (140) comprises two curved front (141) and rear (142) attachment grooves welded respectively against the inner faces of said corresponding front (122A) and rear (122B) attachment grooves of said base lower (122), so that these latter rebates are each sandwiched between a said curved attachment rebate (141, 142) of said support (140) and the curved portion (131B, 132B) of a said attachment rebate (131, 132) of said side of passenger compartment (130).

4. Side panel (100) of box structure according to claim 3, characterized in that said lower attachment rebate (143) of said support (140) extends in a plane parallel and offset on the external side relative to that of its curved attachment rebates (141, 142).

5. Side member (100) of body structure according to claim 4, characterized in that said lower attachment rabbet (143) of said support (140) is housed in a recess (R) of complementary shape and dimensions provided in the upper attachment rabbet (112A) of said outer part of side member (112).

6. Side member (100) of body structure according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said outer part of side member (112) has two front (EXi) and rear (Ex2) projections projecting above its upper attachment rabbet (112A) and welded each against the inner face of a lower end area, not covered by said front (122A) or rear (122B) attachment rabbet of said lower base (122), of the curved portion (13IB, 132B) of said front (131) or rear (132) attachment rabbet of said passenger side (130).

7. Side panel (100) of body structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper edge of each said protrusion (Exi, Ex2) has a curved profile following that of the curved portion (131B, 132B) of a corresponding said attachment rebate (131, 132) of said passenger compartment side (130).

8. Side panel (100) of body structure according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said support (140) comprises two front (144) and rear (145) end points, projecting longitudinally on either side of said lower attachment groove (143) as well as said front (122A) and rear (122B) attachment grooves of said lower base (122), and welded each against the outer face of a corresponding protrusion (Exb Ex2).

9. Side panel (100) of box structure according to claim 8, characterized in that said end points (144, 145) extend along the same plane interposed transversely between that of said lower attachment rebate (143) and that of said curved attachment rebates (141, 142) of said support (140).

10. Side panel (100) of body structure according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that each said end point (144, 145) is also fixed to the curved portion (131B, 132B) of a said respective attachment rebate (131, 132) of said passenger side (130), by means of at least one triple-thickness electric weld point through a said corresponding protrusion (Exb Ex2).

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