FRONT SIDE STRUCTURAL PART OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, WITH PROTECTED GROUNDING POINTS

Abstract

A front lateral structural part (PSL) is part of a motor vehicle and includes a suspension support piece (PSS) having an upper part (PS) extending downwards into a first front transverse part (PT1) and a first internal longitudinal part (PLI1), in front of which are positioned a second front transverse part (PT2) and a second internal longitudinal part (PLI2) of a wheel arch (PR). The second front transverse part (PT2) includes an upper edge (BS) extending upwards above an upper end (ES) of the first front transverse part (PT1), to define with the latter a channel (CL) allowing the flow of fluid from the upper part (PS).The first front transverse part (PT1) includes at least one groove (RE) extending downwards and communicating with the channel (CL) to allow the evacuation of fluid from the upper part (PS) and / or flowing into the channel (CL). Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: FRONT SIDE STRUCTURAL PART OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, WITH PROTECTED GROUNDING POINTS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles comprising front, right and left lateral structural parts, respectively comprising right and left suspension support parts. State of the art

[0002] Certain motor vehicles include a structure comprising front, right and left lateral structural parts, each of which comprises:

[0003] - a suspension support piece comprising an extended upper part downwards by means of the first transverse front part and the first internal longitudinal part, and

[0004] - a (front) wheel arch comprising a second front transverse part and second internal longitudinal part placed respectively in front of the first front transverse part and first internal longitudinal part.

[0005] Generally, in vehicles such as those described above, a cowl grille is installed transversely between, and above, the right and left suspension support members, with a cowl collector interposed. Thus, fluid runoff from the windshield is collected and channeled by the cowl collector, preventing this runoff from reaching the suspension support members and therefore the grounding points located in front of the second transverse sections of the wheel arches.

[0006] However, in some very recent vehicles there is no canopy collector interposed between the canopy grille and the suspension support parts, and therefore fluid flows from the windshield can reach the (grounding) points, which can lead to their oxidation and / or prove dangerous for the vehicle and its passengers.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a front lateral structural part intended to be part of a motor vehicle and comprising a suspension support piece having an upper part extended downwards by a first front transverse part and a first internal longitudinal part in front of which are placed respectively in the second transverse front part and the second internal longitudinal part of a wheel arch (front).

[0009] This front lateral structural part is characterized by the fact that:

[0010] - that the second front transverse part comprises an upper edge extending towards the top, above one upper end of the first front transverse part, in order to define with the latter a channel suitable for allowing a flow of liquid from the upper part, and

[0011] - that the first front transverse part comprises at least one groove extending downwards and communicating with the canal in order to allow drainage of liquid from the upper part and / or flowing into the canal.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the liquid flowing over the upper part of the suspension support piece joins the groove which evacuates it downwards and / or the channel which evacuates it into the groove, which prevents it from reaching the (grounding) points located in front of the second front transverse part of the wheel arch and thus prevents their oxidation and / or triggering an electrical problem in the vehicle.

[0013] The front lateral structural part according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - the groove can extend downwards along the entire height of the first part transverse front;

[0015] - the groove can extend downwards in a direction which is intended to be approximately vertical;

[0016] - the groove can be made by stamping;

[0017] - the upper edge can extend upwards, above the upper end of the first transverse front part, over a height which is between 1 mm and 3 mm;

[0018] - the upper part can be extended downwards by a longitudinal part external in front of which is placed a front wing lining and defining with the first front transverse part which it extends a rounded area spaced from the front wing lining and second front transverse part in order to define with the latter a hole which is suitable for evacuating liquid coming from the upper part.

[0019] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising two front lateral structural parts, right and left, of the type presented above, and front suspensions, right and left, fixedly attached respectively to the suspension support parts, right and left.

[0020] For example, the motor vehicle may include a canopy grille installed in a transverse direction between, and above, the right and left suspension support parts. Brief description of the figures

[0021] 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:

[0022] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a part of an example of a right front lateral structural part according to the invention, intended to be part of an example of a motor vehicle,

[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in another perspective view from the side right, part of the right front lateral structural part of the [Fig.l],

[0024] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical at the level of the suspension support piece, part of the right front lateral structural part of the [Fig.l],

[0025] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a top view, a part of the part right front lateral structural element of the [Fig. 1], and

[0026] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the support piece of suspension (right) of the front right lateral structural part of the [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide a front lateral structural part PSL intended to be part of a motor vehicle, and allowing protection against water flows from a canopy grid GA of the (grounding) points.

[0028] In what follows, a motor vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of motor vehicle. It relates in fact to any motor vehicle comprising a structure having right and left front lateral structural parts comprising right and left suspension support parts respectively.

[0029] In figures 1 to 5 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.

[0030] In the preceding and following text, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to the front end of the vehicle. Consequently, the front part of an element is located closer to the front end of the vehicle than the rear part of that same element.

[0031] Furthermore, in the preceding and following text, the terms "lower" and "upper" are defined in relation to the vehicle floor. Therefore, an upper element is located above a lower element.

[0032] Furthermore, in the foregoing and following, an element is said to be transverse when it extends along a principal direction which is intended to be substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y of the vehicle, and an element is said to be longitudinal when it extends along a principal direction which is intended to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a portion of an example of a front lateral structural section (PSL, here right), according to the invention, intended to be part of a vehicle (automobile). It should be noted that a vehicle (automobile) comprises front lateral structural sections (PSL), right and left, to which right and left front suspensions are fixedly attached, respectively.

[0034] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, a front lateral structural part PSL, according to the invention, comprises at least, and in particular, a suspension support piece PSS and a wheel arch PR.

[0035] A canopy grille GA is installed along the transverse direction Y between, and above, the right and left suspension support parts PSS, without interposition of a canopy collector.

[0036] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 5, each suspension support piece PSS comprises an upper part PS which is extended downwards (along the vertical direction Z) by a first transverse front part PT1, a first internal longitudinal part PLU and an external longitudinal part PLE, among other things. The suspension is usually fixedly attached to the upper part PS by screws.

[0037] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, the (each) wheel arch PR comprises a second front transverse part PT2 and a second internal longitudinal part PLI2 which are respectively installed in front of the first front transverse part PT1 and first internal longitudinal part PLU.

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, this second front transverse part PT2 includes an upper edge BS which extends upwards, above the upper end ES of the first front transverse part PT1 of the (each) suspension support piece PSS, in order to define with this first front transverse part PT1 a channel CL which is suitable for allowing the flow of liquid from the upper part PS of the suspension support piece PSS, and originating from at least the canopy grid GA due to the absence of a canopy collector.

[0039] Furthermore, and as illustrated at least partially in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the first transverse front part PT1 of the (each) suspension support piece PSS includes at least one groove RE which extends downwards (possibly along the vertical direction Z) and communicates with the channel (CL), in order to allow the evacuation of fluid from the upper part PS of the suspension support piece PSS and / or flowing into the channel CL.

[0040] It will be understood that the fluid flowing onto a front area of ​​the upper part PS of the suspension support piece PSS directly enters the groove RE, which drains it downwards, and / or the channel CL, through which it flows until it reaches the groove RE, which drains it downwards. Thus, fluid flows originating from at least the cowl grille GA and reaching a suspension support piece PSS cannot pass through the second front transverse part PT2 of the wheel arch PR and therefore cannot reach the grounding points located in front of (or upstream of) this second front transverse part PT2, thereby preventing their oxidation and / or causing a potentially serious electrical problem in the vehicle.

[0041] It should be noted that in the example illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the PSS suspension support piece comprises only a single groove RE on its first transverse portion PT1. However, it could comprise several (at least two) grooves RE on its first transverse portion PT1.

[0042] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially in [Fig. 5], the (each) groove RE can extend downwards along the entire height of the first transverse front portion PT1 of the suspension support piece PSS. This facilitates the drainage of fluid flows by gravity.

[0043] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially, in [Fig. 5], each groove RE can extend downwards in a direction that is intended to be substantially vertical (substantially parallel to the vertical direction Z). This optimizes the drainage velocity of the liquid by gravity. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, each groove RE could extend downwards in a direction that is intended to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

[0044] It should be noted that each groove RE can be formed by stamping, particularly when the suspension support part PSS is made of sheet metal, for example steel. However, when the suspension support part PSS is molded from a very rigid and very strong plastic, synthetic, or composite material, each groove RE can be formed during the molding process.

[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation and at least partially in Figures 2 and 3, the upper edge BS of the second front transverse part PT2 of the wheel arch PR can extend upwards (along the vertical direction Z), above the upper end ES of the first part transverse front PT1 of the PSS suspension support piece, over a height which is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0046] By way of illustration, this upward extension above the upper end ES can be equal to 2 mm. This option prevents a significant flow of liquid (causing complete filling of the channel CL) from overflowing above the upper edge BS.

[0047] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2, 4 and 5, that the upper part PS of the (each) suspension support piece PSS can be extended downwards (along the vertical direction Z) by an external longitudinal part PLE in front of which the front wing lining DAV is placed and which defines with the first front transverse part PT1 which it extends a rounded area ZA spaced from the front wing lining DAV and the second front transverse part PT2 of the wheel arch PR.

[0048] In this case, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 4], the outer longitudinal part PLE, the front wing liner DAV, and the second front transverse part PT2 can together define a hole TE that is suitable for evacuating fluid from the upper part PS that has not yet reached the channel CL. This option advantageously increases the amount of fluid from the upper part PS of each suspension support piece PSS that is evacuated downwards by gravity.

Claims

Demands

1. Front lateral structural part (PSL) intended to be part of a motor vehicle and comprising a suspension support part (PSS) having an upper part (PS) extended downwards by a first front transverse part (PT1) and a first internal longitudinal part (PLU) in front of which are placed respectively a second front transverse part (PT2) and a second internal longitudinal part (PLI2) of a wheel arch (PR), characterized in that said second front transverse part (PT2) comprises an upper edge (BS) extending upwards, above an upper end (ES) of said first front transverse part (PT1), in order to define with the latter (PT1) a channel (CL) suitable for allowing a flow of liquid from said upper part (PS),and in that said first front transverse part (PT1) comprises at least one groove (RE) extending downwards and communicating with said channel (CL) in order to permit drainage of liquid from said upper part (PS) and / or flowing into said channel (CL).

2. Front lateral structural part according to claim 1, characterized in that said groove (RE) extends downwards over a whole height of said first front transverse part (PT1).

3. Front lateral structural part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said groove (RE) extends downwards in a direction intended to be substantially vertical.

4. Front lateral structural part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said groove (RE) is made by stamping.

5. Front lateral structural part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upper edge (BS) extends upwards, above said upper end (ES) of the first front transverse part (PT1), over a height of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

6. Front lateral structural part according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said upper part (PS) is extended downwards by an external longitudinal part (PLE) in front of which a front wing liner (DAV) is placed and which, together with said first front transverse part (PT1), extends a rounded area (ZA) spaced from said front wing lining (DAV) and second front transverse part (PT2) in order to define with the latter (DAV, PT2) a hole (TE) suitable for evacuating liquid from said upper part (PS).

7. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises front lateral structural parts (PSL), right and left, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and front suspensions, right and left, fixedly attached respectively to the suspension support parts (PSS), right and left.

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a canopy grille (GA) installed in a transverse direction between, and above, said right and left suspension support pieces (PSS).