Set including a spare wheel and a spare wheel fixing device for a cargo space of a motor vehicle.

The spare wheel assembly secures the wheel using the vehicle's inner and exterior panels, addressing the need for space-efficient and mass-neutral mounting by embedding the wheel without reinforcement, ensuring secure retention and reduced vibrations.

FR3166132A1Active Publication Date: 2026-03-13RENAULT SA
View PDF 3 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-09
Publication Date
2026-03-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing spare wheel mounting solutions for motor vehicles require reinforcement of the mounting area, increasing vehicle mass and occupying valuable space that could be used for other equipment like traction batteries and electric powertrains.

Method used

A spare wheel assembly that secures the wheel using the vehicle's existing inner and exterior side panels, forming a counter-form housing that embeds the wheel without additional reinforcement, utilizing friction forces and optionally a strap for additional retention, minimizing obstruction and vibrations.

Benefits of technology

The solution allows secure mounting of a spare wheel without increasing vehicle mass, simplifies installation, reduces vibrations, and optimizes space usage by integrating with existing vehicle structures.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
    Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Assembly (comprising a spare wheel and a spare wheel mounting device) Assembly comprising a spare wheel (2) and a spare wheel mounting device (1) for a cargo space, the device comprising a housing (17) containing the spare wheel, the housing comprising: - an inner wall of a rear wheel well, said inner wall comprising a first surface (13), - a portion (12) of an inner side panel of the cargo space located above the inner wall and comprising a second surface (14) and a third surface (15). The first, second, and third surfaces (13, 14, 15) form a counter-mold for the spare wheel adapted to secure the spare wheel above the rear wheel well by simply fitting the spare wheel into the counter-mold. Figure for the abbreviation: 4
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a spare wheel and a device for securing the spare wheel for a cargo space of a motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly comprising a spare wheel and a device for securing the spare wheel to a cargo space of a motor vehicle.

[0002] For users of utility vehicles, it is necessary that a utility vehicle be able to be equipped with a spare wheel, in particular a "real" ready-to-use wheel, identical to those installed on the vehicle.

[0003] However, such a wheel takes up a significant amount of space. Furthermore, an area under the floor, which could previously be used to house a spare wheel, can now be used to install equipment such as a traction battery and / or an electric powertrain.

[0004] Solutions exist for securing a spare wheel in the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle. However, these solutions have drawbacks. In particular, existing solutions require reinforcing the area where the wheel is mounted, and such reinforcement increases the vehicle's mass.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an assembly comprising a spare wheel and a spare wheel mounting device for the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and improves upon prior art assemblies comprising a spare wheel and a spare wheel mounting device for the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce an assembly comprising a spare wheel and a spare wheel mounting device for the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle that is reliable and efficient and does not require reinforcing the area to which the wheel is attached.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a spare wheel and a device for securing the spare wheel in the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle, the securing device comprising a housing in which the spare wheel is housed, the housing comprising: - an inner wall of a rear wheel arch of the motor vehicle, said inner wall comprising a first surface, - a portion of an interior side panel of the vehicle's cargo area, said portion of the interior side panel being located above the wall interior, said portion of interior side panel comprising a second surface and a third surface, the first surface, the second surface and the third surface of the fixing device together forming a counter-form of the spare wheel capable of fixing the spare wheel above the rear wheel passage by a simple embedding of the spare wheel in the counter-form.

[0007] In one embodiment, at least one surface among the second surface and the third surface is located at least partially above a substantially horizontal plane of symmetry of a volume of the spare wheel inserted in the housing.

[0008] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises - an exterior side panel of the motor vehicle, and - a guide rail for a sliding door and / or a door stop allowing a rear door to open 180 degrees, said door being intended to close the loading space. Furthermore, the dwelling also includes a fourth surface area defining the depth of the dwelling. the depth being defined so as to minimize the obstruction, along a transverse axis of the motor vehicle, of a spare wheel inserted in the housing, and / or the depth being defined so as to allow installation of the guide rail and / or door stop in an area located between the fourth surface and the outer side panel of the motor vehicle.

[0009] In one embodiment, a thrust, exerted on the spare wheel by at least one surface among the second surface and the third surface, includes a non-zero component along each axis of an orthonormal frame attached to the motor vehicle.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least one surface among the first surface, the second surface and the third surface comprises a coating intended to increase the grip of a spare wheel tire on at least one surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, - an angle measured between, on the one hand, a first plane tangent to the first surface at its lowest point relative to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the vehicle, is such that a first thrust, exerted on the spare wheel by the first surface at its lowest point, is primarily oriented along the increasing vertical axis of the vehicle, and / or - an angle measured between, on the one hand, a second plane tangent to the first surface at a point on the most lateral side of the first surface relative to the transverse axis of the motor vehicle, and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis of the vehicle, is such that a second thrust, exerted on the spare wheel by the first surface at the most lateral point, is mainly directed along the transverse axis of the vehicle and oriented towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fastening device further includes a strap capable of opposing a movement of the spare wheel towards the loading space, the movement being oriented along the transverse axis of the vehicle.

[0013] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly according to the invention.

[0014] The invention further relates to a method of fixing a spare wheel of a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising a step of embedding the spare wheel in the housing of the entire motor vehicle.

[0015] In one embodiment, the motor vehicle comprises an assembly according to the invention including a strap, and the method comprises, following the embedding step, a step of attaching the spare wheel of the assembly with the strap of the fastening device of the assembly.

[0016] The attached drawing represents, by way of example, an embodiment of an assembly consisting of a spare wheel and a spare wheel fixing device for a cargo space of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 represents an embodiment of a motor vehicle equipped with an assembly according to the invention.

[0018] Figure [Fig.2] defines an orthonormal frame of reference relative to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a first perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a second perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a third perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a fourth perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. 7 is a fifth perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0024] An example of a motor vehicle 100 equipped with an embodiment of an assembly 10 formed by a passage 11 of a rear wheel 4 of the motor vehicle 100, and an inner side panel of a loading space 3 of the motor vehicle 100, is described below with reference to [Fig.1].

[0025] For the purposes of this description, and with reference to [Fig. 2], a direct orthonormal coordinate system R0, with axes X, Y, Z, commonly used in automotive design, is used, in which - the X-axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, - the Y-axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, and - the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0026] In the embodiment described below, the motor vehicle 100 is a vehicle comprising a loading space 3, in particular a utility vehicle of the van type.

[0027] In the embodiment presented, the motor vehicle 100 includes an assembly 10 comprising a spare wheel 2 and a fixing device 1 for the spare wheel 2 for a loading space 3 of a motor vehicle 100. The fastening device 1 includes a housing 17 in which the spare wheel 2 is housed, the housing 17 comprising: - an inner wall 111 of a rear wheel passage 4 of the motor vehicle 100, said inner wall 111 comprising a first surface 13, - a portion 12 of an inner side panel of the loading space 3 of the motor vehicle 100, said portion 12 of the inner side panel being located above the inner wall 111, said portion 12 of the inner side panel comprising a second surface 14 and a third surface 15, the first surface 13, the second surface 14 and the third surface 15 of the fixing device 1 together forming a counter-form of the spare wheel 2 suitable for fixing the spare wheel 2 above the passage 11 of the rear wheel 4 by a simple embedding of the spare wheel 2 in the counter-form.

[0028] Portion 12 of the inner side panel is more specifically illustrated by figures 4 to 7. In the remainder of the document, the terms "inner side panel 12" or "panel 12" refer to portion 12 of the inner side panel located above the inner wall 111 of the passage 11.

[0029] Furthermore, the second surface 14 and the third surface 15 are distinct. In other words, a point belonging to the second surface 14 does not belong to the third surface 15. Advantageously, the second surface 14 and the third surface 15 are disjoint.

[0030] In the remainder of the document, the motor vehicle 100 and the assembly 10 are described with reference to an orthonormal frame (X, Y, Z) illustrated by [Fig.2].

[0031] Figures 3 to 5 illustrate an assembly 10 on which a spare wheel 2 is fixed. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an assembly 10 without the spare wheel 2.

[0032] Figure 3 is a view along a (Y, Z) plane, representing: - the fastening device 1 disposed on a first side (in particular on the left side of [Fig. 3]) of a separation boundary between the inside and outside of the body of the motor vehicle 100, the assembly 10 being located in the loading space 3, the assembly 10 comprising an inner wall 111 of the passage 11 and the portion 12 of the inner side panel, and - an area of ​​the motor vehicle 100 arranged on a second side (in particular on the right side of [Fig.3]) of a boundary separating the inside and outside of the vehicle body, said area comprising an outer wall 112 of the passage 11, and a guide rail 7 of a sliding side door of the motor vehicle 100.

[0033] The passage 11 thus comprises two walls 111, 112 which together define a space for the passage of a rear wheel, the inner wall 111 of the passage 11 being located in the cargo space 3 of the motor vehicle 100, and the outer wall 112 of the passage 11 being located outside the cargo space of the vehicle. The passage 11 thus isolates the rear wheel 4 from the cargo space 3.

[0034] In the remainder of the document, an inner face 121 of the panel 12 is referred to as "inner face 121", and an outer face 122 of the panel 12 is referred to as "outer face 122".

[0035] In one embodiment, the panel 12 is made of sheet metal with a thickness of approximately 1 millimeter, or even 0.8 millimeter.

[0036] The panel 12 extends above the inner wall 111 of the passage 11, the inner face 121 being oriented towards the loading space 3 of the motor vehicle 100, and the outer face 122 being oriented towards the outside of the body of the motor vehicle 100. The inner face 121 is illustrated by figures 4, 6 and 7; the outer face 122 is illustrated by [Fig.5].

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one surface among the second surface 14 and the third surface 15 is located at least partially above a substantially horizontal plane of symmetry PI of a volume of the spare wheel 2 inserted in the housing 17.

[0038] For example, as can be seen more specifically in [Fig. 6], the third surface 15 extends above the plane PL

[0039] In one embodiment, the assembly 10 further includes - an interior side panel 12 of the motor vehicle, and - a guide rail 7 of a sliding door and / or a cam door stop allowing a rear swing door to open 180 degrees, said door being intended to close the loading space, and the housing 17 further includes a fourth surface 16 delimiting a depth 171 of the housing 17. The depth 171 is then advantageously defined so as to minimize the obstruction of the transverse axis Y of the motor vehicle by a spare wheel 2 inserted in the housing 17, and / or the depth 171 is defined so as to permit installation of the guide rail 7 and / or the cam door stop in an area located between the fourth surface 16 and the outer side panel 6 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0040] In other words, the depth 171 of the housing 17 is defined so as to meet both - constraints limiting the size of the spare wheel 2 in the cargo space 3, and - constraints to preserve sufficient space to install a guide rail 7, between the inner side panel 12 and the outer side panel 6 and / or to install a cam door stop between the inner side panel 12 and the outer side panel 6.

[0041] The presence of a cam door stop between the inner side panel 12 and the outer side panel 6 may be intended for the implementation of a rear swing door.

[0042] In one embodiment, a thrust, exerted on the spare wheel 2 by at least one surface among the second surface 14 and the third surface 15, includes a non-zero component along each axis (X, Y, Z) of an orthonormal frame attached to the motor vehicle.

[0043] In one embodiment, at least one surface among the first surface 13, the second surface 14 and the third surface 15 comprises a coating intended to increase the grip of a spare tire on at least one surface. For example, the coating may contain micro-asperities to increase the coefficient of friction or grooves.

[0044] In one embodiment, the shape of the wheel arch 11 has been modified so that a recess formed by the surface 13 at a vertex 113 of the wheel arch is located at a distance from a wheel inserted in the wheel arch 11. In other words, the wheel arch 11 has a modified height, i.e. a height measured along the Z axis greater than the height of a traditional wheel arch, so as to be able to lower slightly the upper surface of the wheel arch by forming the recess of the first surface 13, the modified height making it possible to maintain a volume necessary for the passage of a rear wheel 4.

[0045] In one embodiment, an angle measured between, on the one hand, a first plane tangent to the first surface 13 at a point 131 lowest of the first surface 13 relative to the vertical axis Z of the motor vehicle 100, and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis X and a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, is such that a first thrust exerted on the spare wheel 2 by the first surface 13 at the lowest point 131 of the first surface is mainly oriented along the increasing vertical axis Z of the vehicle, and / or an angle measured between, on the one hand, a second plane tangent to the first surface 13 at a point 132 most lateral to the first surface relative to the transverse axis Y of the motor vehicle 100, and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis X and a vertical axis Z of the vehicle, is such that a second thrust exerted on the spare wheel by the first surface 13 at the most lateral point 132 is mainly directed along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle and oriented towards the cargo space 3.

[0046] In other words, the thrust exerted on the spare wheel 2 at each point the first surface 13 is decomposed along the Y and / or Z axes of the vehicle, the thrust along Y being directed towards the interior of the vehicle, in particular towards the cargo space 3, and the thrust along Z being directed towards the top of the vehicle.

[0047] Thus, the surfaces 13, 14, 15 described above conform to the shape of the spare wheel so as to hold the spare wheel 2 in the housing 17. Since the retention of the spare wheel is largely ensured by friction forces at the surfaces 13, 14, and 15, no central fastener is required. Furthermore, the shape of the housing 17, particularly through stamping, improves the rigidity of the inner panel 12, so that it is not necessary to add a stiffening reinforcement to the inner panel 12 on which the spare wheel is intended to be held.

[0048] In order to reduce the risk of the spare wheel 2 coming out of its housing 17, particularly during a strong lateral acceleration exerted on the spare wheel 2 and directed towards the interior of the vehicle, the fastening device may contain a strap capable of opposing a movement of the spare wheel 2 in a direction along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle and directed towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0049] In one embodiment, the strap can be fixed at both ends to the portion 12 of the inner side panel, so as to be positioned, for example, according to a diameter of the spare wheel 2.

[0050] Alternatively, the strap can be arranged so as to be offset from the centre of the spare wheel 2.

[0051] The invention further relates to a method of fixing a spare wheel of a motor vehicle comprising a step of fitting the spare wheel into the housing 17, comprising a counter-form delimited by the first surface 13, the second surface 14 and the third surface 15.

[0052] In one embodiment, the fastening method includes, following the embedding step, a step of attaching the spare wheel 2 with the strap of the fastening device 1 of the assembly 10.

[0053] Finally, the invention makes it possible to use existing vehicle surfaces to create a housing for the spare wheel without having to reinforce the existing surfaces. Not using reinforcement for the spare wheel mounting reduces the vehicle's mass.

[0054] Furthermore, the spare wheel is secured by fitting the wheel into a wheel mold, and possibly using a strap to Reinforce the hold. Thus, the spare wheel attachment does not require screwing, which simplifies the use of the spare wheel.

[0055] In addition, fitting the spare wheel into a housing greatly limits the vibrations generated by the spare wheel.

[0056] Furthermore, the recessing of the spare wheel into a housing made in a recess in an interior side panel of the loading space, the housing being located above the wheel arch, makes it possible to limit the volume occupied by the spare wheel in the loading space.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (10) comprising a spare wheel (2) and a spare wheel (2) mounting device (1) for a cargo space (3) of a motor vehicle (100), the mounting device (1) being characterized in that it comprises a housing (17) in which the spare wheel (2) is housed, the housing (17) comprising: - an inner wall (111) of a rear wheel (4) passage (11) of the motor vehicle (100), said inner wall (111) comprising a first surface (13), - a portion (12) of an inner side panel of the cargo space (3) of the motor vehicle (100), said portion (12) of the inner side panel being located above the inner wall (111), said portion (12) of the inner side panel comprising a second surface (14) and a third surface (15), the first surface (13),the second surface (14) and the third surface (15) of the fastening device (1) together forming a counter-form of the spare wheel (2) suitable for fixing the spare wheel (2) above the passage (11) of the rear wheel (4) by a simple embedding of the spare wheel (2) in the counter-form.

2. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one surface among the second surface (14) and the third surface (15) is located at least partially above a substantially horizontal plane of symmetry (PI) of a volume of the spare wheel (2) inserted in the housing (17).

3. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, assembly (10) further comprising - an exterior side panel (6) of the motor vehicle, and - a guide rail (7) for a sliding door and / or a door stop allowing a rear door to open 180 degrees, said door being intended to close the cargo space (3), characterized in that the housing (17) further comprises a fourth surface (16) delimiting a depth (171) of the housing (17), the depth (171) being defined so as to minimize the obstruction, along a transverse axis (Y) of the motor vehicle (100), of a spare wheel (2) inserted in the housing (17), and / or the depth (171) being defined so as to permit installation of the guide rail (7) and / or the door stop in an area located between the fourth surface (16) and the outer side panel (6) of the motor vehicle (100).

4. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thrust, exerted on the spare wheel (2) by at least one surface among the second surface (14) and the third surface (15), comprises a non-zero component along each axis (X, Y, Z) of an orthonormal frame attached to the motor vehicle.

5. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one surface among the first surface (13), the second surface (14) and the third surface (15) comprises a coating intended to increase the grip of a spare wheel tire (2) on at least one surface.

6. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - an angle measured between, on the one hand, a first plane tangent to the first surface (13) at a lowest point (131) of the first surface relative to the vertical axis (Z) of the motor vehicle (100), and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis (X) and a transverse axis (Y) of the vehicle, is such that a first thrust, exerted on the spare wheel (2) by the first surface (13) at the lowest point (131) of the first surface, is principally oriented along the increasing vertical axis (Z) of the vehicle, and / or - an angle measured between, on the one hand, a second plane tangent to the first surface at a most lateral point (132) of the first surface (13) relative to the transverse axis (Y) of the motor vehicle (100), and, on the other hand, a plane comprising a longitudinal axis (X) and a the vertical axis (Z) of the vehicle, is such that a second thrust,exerted on the spare wheel (2) by the first surface (13) at the most lateral point (132), is mainly directed along the transverse axis (Y) of the vehicle and oriented towards the interior of the vehicle.

7. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (1) further comprises a strap capable of preventing movement of the spare wheel (2) towards the loading space (3), the movement being oriented along the transverse axis (Y) of the vehicle.

8. Motor vehicle (100) comprising an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Method of fixing a spare wheel of a motor vehicle (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a step of embedding the spare wheel (2) in the housing (17) of the assembly (10) of the motor vehicle (100).

10. A fastening method according to the preceding claim, the motor vehicle (100) comprising an assembly (10) according to claim 7, the method being characterized in that it comprises, following the embedding step, a step of attaching the spare wheel (2) of the assembly (10) with the strap of the fastening device (1) of the assembly (10).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Automobile rear body structure and automobile

    CN118082991A

  • Safeguarding a vehicle's input line assembly

    US20220063397A1

  • Spare tire retaining structure

    US7077448B2