Welded steel body structure for light vehicles such as tricycles or quadricycles

Abstract

The invention relates to a welded mechanical body structure for a light vehicle, comprising a tubular steering column (130) and a tubular dashboard cross member (140) fixed to each other by means of a device (D) comprising a first element (150) welded to said cross member, a second element (160) welded to said column, and a third connecting element (170) fixed by bolting to said first element via at least one first bolt (B1) passing through two fixing holes provided respectively in said first and third elements, said third element also being fixed by bolting to said second element via at least one second bolt (B2) passing through two fixing holes provided respectively in said second and third elements;at least some of said fixing holes being oblong and oriented so as to permit a predetermined tolerance of relative positioning between said elements in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Welded mechanical body structure for a light vehicle of the tricycle or quadricycle type technical field

[0001] The invention relates generally to light vehicles of the tricycle or quadricycle type with a compact size particularly suited to urban use. More specifically, it relates to a welded body structure for such a light vehicle. Previous technique

[0002] The continued increase in the number of vehicles in circulation poses many congestion problems related to the movement and parking of these vehicles, particularly in city centre areas.

[0003] In order to facilitate traffic and parking, an ever-increasing number of users are turning to motorized two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters, but these do not offer the same level of safety and protection against the weather to the driver and any passenger.

[0004] For these reasons, recent years have seen the appearance on the market of light vehicles of the tricycle or quadricycle type whose reduced dimensions are particularly suited to use in urban environments.

[0005] These light vehicles typically have a tubular body structure of the welded type onto which bodywork elements, generally made of plastic, are then positioned.

[0006] Such a welded body structure generally includes a tubular dashboard crossmember, made of a single piece or from several tubular elements welded end to end, and extending transversely between the front side uprights of a cabin frame to which its two ends are attached.

[0007] This dashboard crossmember, to which the vehicle dashboard is then attached, must also be rigidly fixed to the steering column in order to limit the vibrations of this dashboard (and the instrument cluster attached to it) during the vehicle's driving phases.

[0008] On the assembly line of this type of vehicle, it may also be advantageous to mount the steering column prior to the dashboard crossmember.

[0009] Unfortunately, due to manufacturing tolerances, the dashboard crossmember often exhibits relatively large dimensional variations which complicate the operations of fixing this crossmember to the steering column. Description of the invention

[0010] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0011] For this purpose, it proposes a welded body structure for a light vehicle of the tricycle or quadricycle type, comprising a tubular steering column and a tubular dashboard crossmember extending transversely and whose two ends are fixed to two front lateral uprights of a tubular cab frame; characterized in that said steering column and said dashboard crossmember are fixed to each other by means of a fixing device comprising: - a first element welded to said dashboard crossmember; - a second element welded to said steering column; and - a third connecting element fixed by bolting to said first element via at least one first bolt passing through two fixing holes provided respectively in said first and third elements, said third element also being fixed by bolting to said second element 160 via at least one second bolt passing through two fixing holes provided respectively in said second and third elements; at least some of said fixing holes being oblong in type and oriented so as to permit a predetermined tolerance of relative positioning between said elements in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions.

[0012] Such a fixing device thus makes it possible to compensate for the dimensional dispersions present in particular on the dashboard crossmember so as to ensure perfect centering of the latter as well as of the vehicle dashboard which is subsequently fixed to it.

[0013] According to preferred characteristics of said welded steel body structure according to the invention: - said first element comprises a horizontal wall in which at least one said fixing hole is provided, said second element comprises a vertical transverse wall in which at least one said fixing hole is provided, and in that said third right-angled connecting element comprises a horizontal wall in which at least one said fixing hole is provided as well as a vertical transverse wall in which at least one said fixing hole is provided; - the opening(s) provided in at least one of said walls are oblong openings oriented transversely, the opening(s) provided in at least one of said horizontal walls are oblong openings oriented longitudinally, and the opening(s) provided in at least one of the said vertical transverse walls are oblong openings oriented vertically; - said horizontal walls each have two identical openings arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry; - said vertical transverse walls each have two identical openings arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry; - said first element is in the form of a bracket welded to said dashboard crossmember; - said second element comprises two lateral right-angle returns welded to said steering column; - said tubular dashboard crossmember is made up of several tubular sections joined end to end by welding; and / or - said dashboard crossmember includes a central U-shaped part surrounding said steering column, this crossmember being made up of two coaxial lateral sections extending along the same transverse axis, a central section extending along a transverse axis offset longitudinally forward from that of said lateral sections and to which said first element is welded, as well as two connecting sections each extending between said central section and a corresponding said lateral section.

[0014] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a light vehicle of the tricycle or quadricycle type comprising such a welded body structure. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an example embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.l] represents a side elevation view of the front part of a light tricycle-type vehicle with a welded tubular body structure according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the front part of the body structure of the vehicle in [Fig.1]; - [Fig. 3] represents an enlarged view of detail III of [Fig. 1] corresponding to the junction area between the dashboard crossmember and the vehicle's steering column; and - [Fig.4] is an exploded view enlargement of detail IV of [Fig.2] corresponding to the perspective area of ​​the junction area between the dashboard crossmember and the steering column of the vehicle. Description of the implementation methods

[0016] Figure 1 shows a view of the front part of a light tricycle-type vehicle 1 according to the invention

[0017] A direct orthogonal frame of reference XYZ is defined with respect to this vehicle 1, comprising three axes perpendicular in pairs, namely: - a horizontal longitudinal axis X, parallel to the ground and oriented according to the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a horizontal transverse axis Y, also parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the X axis; and - a vertical axis Z, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.

[0018] In the following description, 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 "bottom" shall indicate a closer proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms "upper" or "top." The term "front" shall indicate a forward-facing position of a vehicle in the horizontal direction, and the term "rear" shall indicate a rearward-facing position of a vehicle in the same horizontal direction.

[0019] The vehicle 1 comprises a tubular welded body structure 100, the front part of which is shown alone in [Fig.2].

[0020] This structure 100 is said to be tubular in the sense that it is essentially formed of metal tubes (typically made of steel or aluminum alloy) welded and / or bolted together.

[0021] The body structure 100 comprises a platform or body base 110 extending along a substantially horizontal average plane and comprising a rectangular frame 111 the front portion of which is visible in [Fig.3].

[0022] This frame 111 includes in particular a front cross member 112 and two side rails 113.

[0023] The body structure 100 also includes a tubular cab frame 120 comprising two side frames 121 each defining an access opening to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. Each side frame 121 includes in particular a front side post 122 extending substantially vertically.

[0024] This tubular front cabin frame 120 also includes a central strut 123 extending diagonally upwards and forwards from the central area of ​​the front crossmember 112 of the frame 111 of the subframe 110.

[0025] The body structure 100 further comprises a steering column 130 comprising by means of a cylindrical tubular metal sleeve welded to the top of the central strut 123 and extending along an axis forming a predetermined angle with the vertical determining the caster angle.

[0026] This steering column 130 is crossed by the steering shaft, not shown, of the front steering fork 200 of the vehicle 1 partially visible on [Fig.1] and conventionally provided with two lateral suspension arms 210 at the lower ends of which a front wheel 220 is articulated for free rotation.

[0027] The body structure 100 also includes a tubular dashboard cross member 140 extending transversely between the front side pillars 122 to which its two ends are fixed by bolting.

[0028] Having a central U-shaped part allowing it to bypass the steering column 130 located in the path of its transverse orientation, this tubular cross member 140 is formed from several square tubular sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145 assembled end to end by welding.

[0029] With reference to [Fig.4], the tubular cross member 140 is thus made up of two coaxial lateral sections 141, 142 extending along the same transverse axis defining the transverse orientation of this cross member, a central section 143 extending along a transverse axis offset longitudinally forward with respect to that of these lateral sections 141, 142, as well as two connecting sections 144, 145 each extending diagonally between this central section 143 and a corresponding lateral section 141, 142.

[0030] These various sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145 constituting the dashboard crossmember 140 are welded to each other along vertical connection planes oriented at an angle of approximately 45° with the longitudinal and transverse axes.

[0031] As can be easily understood from the light of this [Fig.4], the normal manufacturing tolerances relating in particular to the cutting and butt welding of these different sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145 result in relatively large dimensional dispersions on this cross member 140 along the three longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes.

[0032] In order to limit the vibrations of the vehicle's dashboard and the instrument cluster which is subsequently attached to the crossmember 140, the central part of this crossmember 140 is attached to the steering column 130 by means of a fastening device D which will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0033] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, this fastening device D comprises: - a first metal element 150 welded to the central part of the dashboard crossmember 140; - a second metal element 160 welded to the steering column 130; and - a third metal connecting element 170 bolted to this first element 150 via at least one first bolt Bi passing through two fixing holes 150A, 170A provided respectively in these first and third elements 150, 170; this third connecting element 170 also being bolted to the second element 160 via at least one second bolt B2 passing through two fixing holes 160A, 170B provided respectively in these second and third elements 160, 170.

[0034] At least some of the fixing holes 150A, 160A, 170A and 170B are oblong and oriented so as to permit a predetermined tolerance of relative positioning between these three elements 150, 160, 170 in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions.

[0035] The presence of these oblong orifices thus makes it possible to compensate for the dimensional dispersions present in particular on the dashboard crossmember 140.

[0036] Presenting itself in the form of a right angle obtained by cutting and bending or stamping from a sheet of steel or aluminum alloy, the first element 150 has a vertical transverse wall 151 welded to the rear face of the central section 143 of the dashboard cross member 140.

[0037] This first element 150 also includes a horizontal wall 152 extending rearward from and along the lower edge of the vertical transverse wall 151 and in which is provided at least one oblong fixing hole 150A oriented along a longitudinal direction and whose width corresponds substantially to the diameter of the screw of a first bolt Bi.

[0038] Also obtained by cutting and bending or stamping from a sheet of steel or aluminum alloy, the second element 160 has a vertical transverse wall 161, bordered laterally by two lateral right-angle returns 162 welded to the steering column 130, and in which is provided at least one oblong fixing hole 160A oriented along a transverse direction and whose width corresponds substantially to the diameter of the screw of a second bolt B2.

[0039] Presented in the form of a right angle obtained by cutting and bending or stamping from a sheet of steel or aluminum alloy, the third element 170 comprises a horizontal wall 171 in which is provided at least one oblong fixing hole 170A oriented in a transverse direction and whose width corresponds substantially to the diameter of the screw of a first bolt Bp

[0040] This third element 170 also includes a vertical transverse wall 172 extending downwards from and along the rear edge of the horizontal wall 171 and in which is provided at least one oblong fixing hole 170B oriented in a vertical direction and whose width corresponds substantially to the diameter of the screw of a second bolt B2.

[0041] In general, the orientation of the oblong openings made on the walls 152, 161, 171, 172 may vary as long as: - the opening(s) made in at least one of these four walls 152, 161, 171, 172 are oblong openings oriented transversely, - the opening(s) made in at least one of the horizontal walls 152, 171 are oblong openings oriented longitudinally, and - the opening(s) provided in at least one of the vertical transverse walls 161, 172 are oblong openings oriented vertically.

[0042] Preferably and in order to avoid any risk of relative pivoting between the first and third elements 150, 170, the horizontal walls 152, 171 of these elements 150, 170 each have two identical orifices 150A, 170A arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry.

[0043] Furthermore, and in order to avoid any risk of relative pivoting between the second and third elements 160, 170, the vertical transverse walls 161, 172 of these elements 160, 170 advantageously each have two identical orifices 160A, 170B arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry.

[0044] According to other embodiments not shown, elements 150, 160 and / or 170 could also be shaped differently.

[0045] The first element 150 could, for example, be in the form of a plate welded to the underside of the central section 143 of the dashboard crossmember 140. The second element 160 could, for its part, be devoid of lateral right-angle returns such as 162. The arrangement of the horizontal wall 171 and vertical transverse wall 172 constituting the third right-angle element 170 could also differ (the vertical transverse wall 172 being able, for example, to extend downwards from and along the front edge of the horizontal wall 171).

[0046] Many other embodiments 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 the execution variants within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

[0047] The invention can therefore also be implemented in the context of welded mechanical body structures of light quadricycle-type vehicles.

Claims

Demands

1. Welded body structure (100) for a light vehicle of the tricycle or quadricycle type (1), comprising a tubular steering column (130) and a tubular dashboard crossmember (140) extending transversely and whose two ends are fixed to two front side uprights (122) of a tubular cab frame (120); characterized in that said steering column (130) and said dashboard crossmember (140) are fixed to each other by means of a fixing device (D) comprising: - a first element (150) welded to said dashboard crossmember (140); - a second element (160) welded to said steering column (130);and - a third connecting element (170) fixed by bolting to said first element (150) via at least one first bolt (B i) passing through two fixing holes (150A, 170A) provided respectively in said first and third elements (150, 170), said third element (170) also being fixed by bolting to said second element (160) via at least one second bolt (B2) passing through two fixing holes (160A, 170B) provided respectively in said second and third elements (160, 170); at least some of said fixing holes (150A, 160A, 170A and 170B) being oblong and oriented so as to allow a predetermined tolerance of relative positioning between said elements (150, 160, 170) in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions.;

2. A welded steel body structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element (150) comprises a horizontal wall (152) in which at least one said fixing hole (150A) is provided, said second element (160) comprises a vertical transverse wall (161) in which at least one said fixing hole (160A) is provided, and in that said third L-shaped connecting element (170) comprises a horizontal wall (171) in which at least one said hole fixing (170A) as well as a vertical transverse wall (172) in which at least one said fixing hole (170B) is provided.

3. Mechanically welded body structure (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: - the opening(s) (160A, 170A) provided in at least one of said walls (152, 161, 171, 172) are oblong openings oriented transversely, - the opening(s) (150A) provided in at least one of said horizontal walls (152, 171) are oblong openings oriented longitudinally, and - the opening(s) (170B) provided in at least one of said vertical transverse walls (161, 172) are oblong openings oriented vertically.

4. Mechanically welded box structure (100) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said horizontal walls (152, 171) each have two identical orifices (150A, 170A) arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry.

5. Mechanically welded body structure (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said vertical transverse walls (161, 172) each have two identical orifices (160A, 170B) arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry.

6. Mechanically welded body structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first element (150) is in the form of a bracket welded to said dashboard crossmember (140).

7. Mechanically welded body structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said second element (160) comprises two lateral right-angle returns (162) welded to said steering column (130).

8. Mechanically welded body structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said tubular dashboard crossmember (140) is made up of several tubular sections (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) joined end to end by welding.

9. Welded steel body structure (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that said dashboard crossmember (140) comprises a U-shaped central part and in that it is made up of two coaxial lateral sections (141, 142) extending along the same transverse axis, a central section (143) extending along a transverse axis offset longitudinally forward with respect to that of said lateral sections (141, 142) and to which said first element (150) is welded, as well as two connecting sections (144, 145) each extending between said central section (143) and a corresponding said lateral section (141, 142).

10. Light vehicle of tricycle or quadricycle type (1) comprising a welded body structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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