Automotive apron arrangement
The motor vehicle apron arrangement addresses the issue of bumper inefficiency in low-overlap collisions by reinforcing the front foot with a foot protector, enhancing rigidity and preventing deformation, thus reducing damage and injury risk.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024007142
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing bumper systems in motor vehicles are unable to effectively absorb mechanical energy during low-overlap frontal collisions, leading to front wheel rotation and potential damage to the front strut, which can cause significant damage to the passenger compartment and risk injury to occupants.
A motor vehicle apron arrangement comprising a front foot, front apron, front foot reinforcement, and a foot protector that connects the apron to the reinforcement, enhancing the rigidity of the front foot and preventing it from deforming or opening during a low-overlap frontal impact.
The apron arrangement increases the mechanical rigidity of the front foot, preventing deformation and opening, thereby reducing damage to the passenger compartment and minimizing the risk of injury to occupants during such collisions.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Motor vehicle apron arrangement
[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of reinforcement elements for motor vehicles operating in the event of a frontal collision in order to limit the damage caused by such a collision. More particularly, the invention relates to a front apron arrangement for motor vehicles.
[0002] In the prior art, it is known
[0003] In a collision, the bumper plays an important role in protecting the driver and front passenger. In a low-overlap frontal impact—that is, collisions affecting approximately 25% of the front and side of the vehicle—the bumper is unable to absorb all the mechanical energy generated by the impact. Consequently, such impacts cause the front wheel to rotate and pivot toward the passenger compartment, causing damage to the front bulkhead and, consequently, to the person positioned there in the vehicle.
[0004] More specifically, during such a low-overlap frontal impact, the front wheel pivots towards and against the front strut of the motor vehicle, leading to significant damage to the front strut. If the damage is too extensive, the front strut can open, i.e., twist and break. Such a situation is undesirable because it subsequently leads to very significant damage to the passenger compartment and a high risk of injury to its occupants.
[0005] The present invention aims to propose a new apron arrangement in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to further advantages.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to reinforce the rigidity of the front foot of the motor vehicle, at the point of its connection with the front apron.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to reduce the risks of the front foot opening.
[0008] Another objective of the invention is to enhance the safety of the vehicle's occupants automobile in the event of a frontal collision with low overlap.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a motor vehicle apron arrangement, the apron arrangement comprising:
[0010] - a front foot of the motor vehicle, the front foot extending behind a front wheel arch, relative to a longitudinal axis;
[0011] - a front apron that extends from the front foot and transversely to the vehicle automobile, relative to a transverse axis, the front apron delimiting a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;
[0012] - a front foot reinforcement that extends along a lower part of the front foot;
[0013] In the apron arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention, the apron arrangement includes a foot protector connecting the front apron to the foot reinforcement.
[0014] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the apron arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between one lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The adjectives front, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.
[0015] In the context of the present invention, the front pillar is a structural element of the motor vehicle located on one side of the vehicle, laterally to the engine compartment and in front of the passenger compartment. The front pillar forms a rigid element connecting a lower load-bearing element—in particular a bulkhead and / or a side member—to an upper load-bearing element located at the roof level. The front pillar is connected to the bulkhead and the front frame rail, the front pillar forming a support located in front of said frame rail. The front pillar forms a prismatic span that extends predominantly along the vertical axis. The front pillar is notably configured to support hinges for a front door of the motor vehicle.
[0016] In the context of the present invention, the front apron is a structural element of the motor vehicle forming a transverse lower partition made of lightweight sheet metal located at the front of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The front apron separates the engine compartment of the motor vehicle from its passenger compartment. The front apron is located between the front stretcher and the front foot of the motor vehicle, to which they are securely attached together.
[0017] In the context of the present invention, the front foot reinforcement is associated with the lower part of the front foot. The front reinforcement extends along the front foot, like a lining of the front foot. The front foot reinforcement extends predominantly along the vertical axis. The front foot reinforcement takes the form of a profile that collaborates with the front foot. The front foot reinforcement rests against the front foot. The front foot reinforcement thus makes it possible to increase the mechanical rigidity of the front foot at its lower part, that is to say, at the level of the front wheel arch. By way of non-limiting example, the front foot reinforcement is made of a metallic material.
[0018] In the context of the present invention, the foot protector takes the form of a patch extending between the front apron and the foot reinforcement. The foot protector provides an additional connection between the front apron and the lower part of the front foot, in order to prevent the front foot from opening in the event of a low-overlap frontal impact. The front foot protector is located on the outermost part of the front apron, along the transverse axis, that is, in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arch and the lower part of the front foot.
[0019] Thus, the apron arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem in that it reinforces the rigidity of the front foot and, in the event of a low overlap frontal impact, prevents it from deforming and opening under the effect of the impact.
[0020] The apron arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:
[0021] - the foot protector in the form of a patch fixed securely to both the apron front and foot reinforcement. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to limit or even prevent the opening of the lower part of the front foot in the event of a low-overlap frontal impact. In the context of the present invention, the foot protector can be fixed securely to the apron and the foot reinforcement by any means;
[0022] - the foot protector comprises a base bearing against the front apron and a fixing bracket resting against the foot reinforcement. The base forms a bearing surface against the front apron, and the fixing bracket forms a bearing surface against the foot reinforcement and / or against the lower part of the front foot;
[0023] - the foot protector's fixing tab extends at an angle relative to at the base. In particular, the inclined leg of the foot protector extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the base;
[0024] - the base of the foot protector is fixed securely to the front apron. By For example, the base of the foot protector is attached to the front apron by welding. This advantageous configuration allows for easier attachment to the front apron, particularly given the thinness of the front apron. Alternatively, the foot protector's mounting bracket is attached directly to the foot reinforcement by screwing. Specifically, the arrangement includes a nut welded to the foot protector's mounting bracket, and the foot reinforcement has a through hole for a fixing screw that extends through this hole and engages with the nut welded to the mounting bracket.
[0025] - optionally, alternatively, the arrangement includes a nut welded to the foot reinforcement, and the foot protector includes a through hole for a fixing screw which extends through said passage and which collaborates with the nut welded onto the foot reinforcement;
[0026] - the foot reinforcement includes a fastening tab configured to collaborate with the foot protector's fixing tab. The fixing tab extends from the foot reinforcement to form a support surface for the protector's fixing tab. This advantageous configuration makes it easier to attach the protector to the foot reinforcement;
[0027] - according to a first embodiment, the foot protector is formed of a sheet metal. Sheet metal is formed by stamping or bending. Sheet metal is made of a metallic material, such as steel. The thickness of the sheet metal forming the foot protector is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm;
[0028] - according to a second embodiment, the foot protector is formed from a composite material. The foot protector is obtained by molding.
[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising at least one apron arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.
[0030] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.
[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:
[0032] [Fig.1] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a chassis of a motor vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention;
[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates a three-dimensional and detailed view of an example embodiment of an apron arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention and equipping the motor vehicle illustrated in [Fig.1];
[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a foot protector of the arrangement of apron illustrated in [Fig.2].
[0035] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.
[0036] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other, if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.
[0037] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.
[0038] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle 2 on which the apron arrangement 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.
[0039] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one lateral side of the motor vehicle 2 and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle 2. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle 2 to a driver's side of said motor vehicle 2, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y.
[0040] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X extends as if taken along a direction extending from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle 2. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives front, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.
[0041] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle 2 and towards the roof of said motor vehicle 2, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis Z.
[0042] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention addresses a dashboard arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle 2, the dashboard arrangement 1 comprising:
[0043] - a front foot 11 of the motor vehicle 2, the front foot 11 extending backwards of a front wheel arch 21, relative to a longitudinal axis X. The front foot 11 thus forms a prismatic span which extends mainly along the vertical axis Z and which makes it possible to delimit a passenger compartment 22 of the motor vehicle 2 and a high channel for the transmission of forces, at the level of a roof roof;
[0044] - a front apron 12 which extends from the front foot 11 and transversely to motor vehicle 2, relative to a transverse axis Y, the front apron 12 delimiting a passenger compartment 22 of the motor vehicle 2. In other words, the apron forms a transverse elongation wall that extends between an engine compartment of the motor vehicle 2 and the passenger compartment 22. In particular, in the context of the present invention, the front apron 12 extends behind the driving pedals of the motor vehicle 2 or in front of the footwell of a front passenger seat of the motor vehicle 2.
[0045] - a front foot reinforcement 13 11 which extends along a lower part of the foot front 11. The reinforcement 13 of the front foot 11 forms a reinforcement frame for the front foot 11, and in particular for the lower part of the front foot 11 which extends along the front wheel arch 21 of the motor vehicle 2.
[0046] According to the invention, the apron arrangement 1 further comprises a foot protector 14 connecting the front apron 12 to the foot reinforcement 13. The protector forms a patch, that is to say, a thin metal plate that conforms to the shape of the front apron 12 and that allows for an additional mechanical connection between the front apron 12 and the foot reinforcement 13 or the front foot 11 itself.
[0047] The foot protector 14 is located on the front apron 12, in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arch 21. With respect to the longitudinal axis X, the foot protector 14 is located on the engine compartment side, i.e., on the side opposite the passenger compartment 22. With respect to the vertical axis Z, the foot protector 14 is located at the front wheel arch 21. With respect to the longitudinal axis X, the foot protector 14 is located at an outer lateral end of the front apron 12.
[0048] Cleverly, the foot protector 14 is welded to the front apron 12. To this end, the foot protector 14 has several points of contact with the front apron 12, the foot protector 14 being connected to the front apron 12 by a plurality of weld points or by a weld bead. The objective here is to strongly connect the front apron 12 to the foot protector 14 in order to allow effective transmission of forces between the front apron 12 and the front foot 11, so as to prevent the front foot 11 from opening in the event of a low-overlap frontal impact.
[0049] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the foot protector 14 comprises:
[0050] - a base 141 bearing against the front apron 12. The base 141 forms a bearing surface against the front apron 12. The base 141 forms a shaped sheet metal following the general shape of the front apron 12, so as to be able to collaborate with said front apron 12. In particular, the base 141 is fixed by welding to the front apron 12; and
[0051] - a fixing bracket 142 bearing against the foot reinforcement 13. The fixing bracket 142 forms a bearing surface against the foot reinforcement 13 and / or against the lower part of the front foot 11. In other words, the fixing tab 142 forms a linking interface between the foot protector 14 and the foot reinforcement 13.
[0052] For this purpose, the fixing tab 142 is inclined relative to the base 141. In other words, the fixing tab 142 extends outwards and intersects relative to the base 141. This advantageous configuration makes it easier to mount, assemble and work together between the foot protector 14 and the foot reinforcement 13.
[0053] The mounting bracket 142 of the foot protector 14 is securely fastened to the foot reinforcement 13 by screwing. In particular, the arrangement includes a nut welded to the mounting bracket 142 of the foot protector 14, and the foot reinforcement 13 has a through hole 133 for a fixing screw that extends through said hole and interacts with the nut welded to the mounting bracket 142. In [Fig. 3], a screw hole 143 is visible on the mounting bracket 142.
[0054] As shown in [Fig. 2], the foot reinforcement 13 has a fastening tab 131 configured to work with the fastening lug 142 of the foot protector 14. The fastening tab 131 extends from the foot reinforcement 13 to form a bearing surface for the fastening lug 142 of the protector. The protector—and more specifically its fastening lug 142—is thus securely fixed to the fastening tab 131 of the foot reinforcement 13.
[0055] In summary, the invention relates to a front apron arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle 2, the apron arrangement 1 comprising a front leg 11 of the motor vehicle 2, the front leg 11 extending behind a front wheel arch 21, a front apron 12 extending from the front leg 11 and transversely to the motor vehicle 2, a front leg reinforcement 13 extending along a lower portion of the front leg 11, and a leg protector 14 connecting the front apron 12 to the leg reinforcement 13. The leg protector 14 forms a direct connection patch between the front apron 12 and the leg reinforcement 13 in order to increase the strength of the front leg 11 in the event of a low-overlap frontal impact.
[0056] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. one another. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.
Claims
Demands
1. Apron arrangement (1) for motor vehicle (2), the apron arrangement (1) comprising: - a front foot (11) of the motor vehicle (2), the front foot (11) extending rear of a front wheel arch (21), relative to a longitudinal axis (X); - a front apron (12) extending from the front foot (11) and transversely to the motor vehicle (2), relative to a transverse axis (Y), the front apron (12) delimiting a passenger compartment (22) of the motor vehicle (2); - a front foot reinforcement (13) extending along a lower part of the front foot (11); characterized in that the apron arrangement (1) comprises a foot protector (14) connecting the front apron (12) to the foot reinforcement (13).
2. Apron arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the foot protector (14) comprises a base (141) bearing against the front apron (12) and a fixing tab (142) bearing against the foot reinforcement (13).
3. Apron arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixing tab (142) of the foot protector (14) extends at an angle relative to the base (141).
4. Apron arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the base (141) of the foot protector (14) is fixed securely to the front apron (12).
5. Apron arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the base (141) of the foot protector (14) is fixed to the front apron (12) by welding.
6. Apron arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the fixing tab (142) of the foot protector (14) is fixed securely to the foot reinforcement (13) by screwing.
7. Apron arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the foot reinforcement (13) has a fastening tab (131) configured to collaborate with the fastening tab (142) of the foot protector (14).
8. Apron arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot protector (14) is formed from sheet metal formed by stamping or bending.
9. Apron arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sheet metal is formed of a metallic material, such as, for example, steel.
10. Motor vehicle (2) comprising at least one apron arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Citation Information
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