Chassis arrangement for a three-wheeled vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a chassis arrangement (1) for a three-wheeled vehicle, the chassis arrangement (1) comprising two lateral longitudinal members (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the three-wheeled vehicle, connected together by a front cross member (12), a central longitudinal member (13) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and connecting the front cross member (12) to a rear cross member, two intermediate cross members (14) extending from the central longitudinal member (13) to each lateral longitudinal member (11) of the peripheral frame, at a front portion of the chassis arrangement (1), and two inclined longitudinal members (15) extending between the central longitudinal member (13) and the intermediate cross members (14), forward of the intermediate cross members (14) and rear of the front cross member (12). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Chassis arrangement for a three-wheeled vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of structural arrangements of three-wheeled motor vehicles, and in particular those which improve the safety and reliability of such three-wheeled vehicles in the event of frontal impacts. More specifically, the invention relates to a chassis arrangement for a three-wheeled vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates particularly to such three-wheeled vehicles equipped with an electric motor powered by a traction battery located under a driver's seat. Such three-wheeled vehicles have, at the front, a driver's cab housing the driver's seat and the steering mechanism. Behind the driver's cab, such three-wheeled vehicles have a support frame supporting a load floor that forms a mostly flat loading surface attached to the support frame.

[0003] In a known manner, such known three-wheeled vehicles comprise a chassis arrangement which is formed:

[0004] - of a peripheral frame comprising two lateral longitudinal members extending along a longitudinal axis of the three-wheeled vehicle and a front cross member and a rear cross member which both extend between the two side members at their longitudinal ends;

[0005] - a median longitudinal span which extends along the longitudinal axis and connects the front cross member and rear cross member;

[0006] - two intermediate cross members extending from the median longitudinal span and towards each lateral longitudinal member of the peripheral frame.

[0007] The driver's cab is located at the front of such a chassis arrangement, between the front crossmember and the intermediate crossmembers. Subsequently, the electric traction battery is housed in the driver's cab, under the driver's seat, in order to optimize the overall dimensions of such three-wheeled vehicles.

[0008] As is known, in the event of a frontal collision, such a chassis arrangement has a single path for transmitting the forces resulting from such a frontal collision. Following such a frontal collision, the front wheel of the three-wheeled vehicle transmits the force to the front crossmember and the central longitudinal support located directly behind it. The central longitudinal support then concentrates a very large share of the forces resulting from the frontal collision, due to its alignment with the single front wheel impacted by the three-wheeled vehicle. Consequently, the central longitudinal support it slides backwards and into the housing containing the electric traction battery, under the driver's seat.

[0009] Consequently, the proximity of the electric battery located directly behind the casing leads to a risk of deformation or perforation. In other words, a frontal impact on such known three-wheeled vehicles leads to a significant risk of damage or even perforation of the traction battery, in turn leading to increased and excessive fire risks for such three-wheeled vehicles.

[0010] Of course, this situation is not desirable.

[0011] The present invention aims to propose a new chassis arrangement in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to improve the electrical safety and fire safety of a three-wheeled vehicle equipped with such a chassis arrangement.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the deployment of such chassis arrangements on existing architectures of three-wheeled vehicles.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to offer such a chassis arrangement at a lower cost and easy to implement.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a chassis arrangement for a three-wheeled vehicle, the chassis arrangement comprising:

[0016] - a peripheral frame formed by two lateral longitudinal members extending along a longitudinal axis of the three-wheeled vehicle and a front cross member and a rear cross member which both extend between the two side members at their longitudinal ends;

[0017] - a median longitudinal span that extends along the longitudinal axis and connects the front cross member and rear cross member;

[0018] - two intermediate cross members extending from the median longitudinal span and towards each lateral longitudinal member of the peripheral frame, the two intermediate cross members being collinear.

[0019] According to the invention, the chassis arrangement comprises two inclined longitudinal members which extend between a front part of the median longitudinal span and the intermediate cross members, the front part being located between said intermediate cross members and the front cross member.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the three-wheeled vehicle on which the chassis 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 three-wheeled vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said three-wheeled vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the three-wheeled vehicle to a driver's side, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as a direction extending from the front to the back or from the back to the front of the three-wheeled 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 a direction extending from the wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle to the roof of the three-wheeled vehicle, or vice versa, with the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to both the transverse and longitudinal axes. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the side member forms a prismatic span extending relative to the longitudinal axis of the three-wheeled vehicle, at each lateral edge of said three-wheeled vehicle. The side members form structural elements of the three-wheeled vehicle to which other parts of the three-wheeled vehicle are attached. The side members thus provide the rigidity necessary for the operation of the three-wheeled vehicle, during driving sequences, but also in the event of an accident, in order to transmit the forces resulting from said impact along force transmission paths and towards absorption devices and / or towards the rear wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle, for example. The side members are generally made of steel profiles, giving the body structure its robustness.

[0022] More generally, in the context of the present invention, the longerons—whether lateral or inclined—as well as the central longitudinal span, form prismatic spans defining a rectangular, square, or even trapezoidal transverse profile. The longerons and the central longitudinal span are preferably made of a metallic material, such as steel. The longerons and / or the central longitudinal span are joined together by welding and / or riveting.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the crossmember is a beam—straight or curved—that extends primarily along the transverse axis. The crossmember is fixed rigidly at its lateral ends to the side members of the three-wheeled vehicle's body structure. The crossmember thus forms a bracing device for the side members. The chassis arrangement of the three-wheeled vehicle includes one or more crossmembers connecting the side members, the crossmembers being distributed along the longitudinal axis. Each crossmember thus provides the rigidity necessary for the operation of the three-wheeled vehicle during driving sequences, and also transmits the mechanical forces resulting from an impact to each side member. of the three-wheeled vehicle. Each cross member is generally formed from a steel profile, giving the body structure its robustness.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral frame thus forms a frame extending in a reference plane encompassing all the cross members and longitudinal members defined previously. The peripheral frame forms a reference structure for the assembly of the three-wheeled vehicle.

[0025] According to the invention, the connection between the front crossmember and the rest of the peripheral frame located at the rear, that is to say more particularly the intermediate crossmembers, is improved by incorporating inclined side members which allow the lateral side members to be stressed more in the event of a frontal impact, rather than only or predominantly the median longitudinal span.

[0026] Thus, the invention allows for a better distribution of forces within the chassis arrangement following a frontal impact. This improved distribution helps to preserve the front part of the median longitudinal span and, ultimately, prevents it from being pushed backward toward the electric traction battery of the three-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, the invention, according to its first aspect, makes it possible to secure such three-wheeled vehicles.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention is easy and economical to implement. It can also be deployed on existing three-wheeled vehicles by adding the inclined side rails to the existing structure, which is very advantageous.

[0028] The chassis 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:

[0029] - each inclined longitudinal member extends in the plane of the peripheral frame, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to limit the vertical bulk of the chassis arrangement according to the invention and to allow better transmission of forces towards the rear of the chassis arrangement and / or towards the side rails;

[0030] - each inclined spar forms an angle with the median longitudinal span between 30° and 60°. This advantageous configuration avoids excessively concentrated load transmission towards the central longitudinal span, and reduces stress on the lateral side members in particular. More generally, each inclined side member is oriented towards the rear of the chassis arrangement;

[0031] - the chassis arrangement includes lateral longitudinal spans which extend along the longitudinal axis and between the intermediate cross members and the rear cross member, the inclined side members being fixed to the intermediate cross members in line with the lateral longitudinal spans. The lateral longitudinal spans extend parallel to the lateral side members. Each lateral span is located between the central longitudinal span and one of the lateral side members. Thus, the invention primarily aims to direct the forces resulting from the frontal impact towards these lateral longitudinal spans. The lateral longitudinal spans take the form of prismatic spans analogous to the side members;

[0032] - the inclined longerons have deformation incipients configured for to locate mechanical stresses in the event of a frontal impact. This advantageous configuration allows for better control of the load on the inclined side members, in order to better control the deformation kinematics of the chassis arrangement resulting from the frontal impact. Thus, the invention makes it possible to generate lateral forces rather than only longitudinal forces, preserving the rear part of the chassis arrangement;

[0033] - the deformation starters comprise one or more notches formed on The inclined side members. Each notch thus allows the concentration of mechanical stresses which will lead to an elastic and then plastic deformation of the inclined side member corresponding to and following the frontal impact.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the invention, a three-wheeled vehicle is proposed comprising a chassis arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.

[0035] Preferably, the three-wheeled vehicle is of the electrified type, that is to say, comprising an electric traction battery capable of supplying electrical energy to an electric motor driving the drive wheel(s). To this end, the three-wheeled vehicle comprises an electric traction battery integral with the chassis arrangement and located under a driver's seat of the three-wheeled vehicle, the electric traction battery being situated between the intermediate cross members and the front cross member.

[0036] Advantageously, a front face of the electric traction battery is located behind a connection area of ​​the inclined side members on the median longitudinal span, relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0037] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0038] 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:

[0039] [Fig.1] illustrates an overview of an example of an embodiment of a three-wheeled vehicle conforming to the second aspect of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] illustrates an overall and bottom view of an example of an embodiment of chassis arrangement equipping the three-wheeled vehicle illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0041] [Fig.3] illustrates a detailed and profile view of the chassis arrangement equipping the three-wheeled vehicle illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0045] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the three-wheeled vehicle 2 on which the chassis arrangement 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0046] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one lateral side of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 and an opposite lateral side of said three-wheeled vehicle 2. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 to a driver's side of said three-wheeled vehicle 2, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0047] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X is understood to be taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the three-wheeled 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.

[0048] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 and towards the roof of said three-wheeled 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.

[0049] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention addresses a chassis arrangement 1 for a three-wheeled vehicle 2. An example of an embodiment of such a three-wheeled vehicle 2 is shown in [Fig. 1] and includes a driver's seat located directly behind a central front wheel 22. The driver's seat includes, at the rear, a seat A driver's seat 23 sits atop an electric traction battery 21, which powers the motor (not shown) of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 and enables its propulsion. Behind the driver's seat, the three-wheeled vehicle 2 has a wide loading platform 24. The three-wheeled vehicle 2 is built around a chassis arrangement 1 formed by an assembly of longitudinal members creating a rigid frame.

[0050] According to the invention, the chassis arrangement 1 of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 comprises:

[0051] - a peripheral frame formed by two lateral longitudinal members 11 extending along a longitudinal axis X of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 and a front cross member 12 and a rear cross member which both extend between the two lateral longitudinal members 11 at their longitudinal ends;

[0052] - a median longitudinal span 13 which extends along the longitudinal axis X and connecting the front cross member 12 and the rear cross member;

[0053] - two intermediate cross members 14 extending from the longitudinal span median 13 and towards each lateral longitudinal member 11 of the peripheral frame, the two intermediate cross members 14 being collinear;

[0054] - two inclined longitudinal members 15 which extend between a front part of the span longitudinal median 13 and the intermediate cross members 14, the front part being located between said intermediate cross members 14 and the front cross member 12.

[0055] As shown in the FIGURES, the side rails 11, the inclined rails 15, the central longitudinal span 13 and the lateral longitudinal spans 16, as well as the intermediate cross members 14, the front cross member 12 and the rear cross member, all form prismatic spans with identical or substantially identical rectangular cross sections. The various rails and spans, as well as the various cross members, are joined to one another by any means, and in particular by welding and / or riveting and / or screwing.

[0056] All the side rails 11, the inclined rails 15, the median longitudinal span 13 and the side longitudinal spans 16, as well as the intermediate cross members 14, the front cross member 12 and the rear cross member extend predominantly in the same plane, or substantially in the same plane, formed by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

[0057] In order to create additional force transmission paths to the central force transmission path in the event of a frontal impact, formed by the median longitudinal span 13, the chassis arrangement 1 puts in place the inclined longitudinal members 15 to stress a load on the lateral longitudinal members 11. These inclined longitudinal members 15 are located in front of the battery 21 of the three-wheeled vehicle 2 in order to prevent the latter from being damaged by the deformation of a front part of the median longitudinal span 13, as was the case on known chassis arrangements.

[0058] More particularly, the inclined longitudinal members 15 extend between the median longitudinal span 13, taken in front of the intermediate cross members 14, and said intermediate cross members 14. Thus, a front end of the inclined longitudinal members 15 is integral with a front part of the median longitudinal span 13, located between the intermediate cross members 14 and the front wheel 22 of the three-wheeled vehicle 2. A rear end of the inclined longitudinal members 15 is integral with one of the intermediate cross members 14, each inclined longitudinal member 15 being associated with one of the intermediate cross members 14.

[0059] Thus, as can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the inclined longitudinal members 15 form a chevron structure located in front of the electric traction battery 21 of the three-wheeled vehicle 2. Laterally, the rear ends of the inclined longitudinal members 15 extend if possible beyond a lateral edge of the electric traction battery 21, but not necessarily as can be seen in [Fig.3].

[0060] Advantageously, in order to effectively stress the chassis arrangement 1, the rear end of the inclined side members 15 is located in the direct extension of the lateral longitudinal supports 16 of said chassis arrangement 1. The lateral longitudinal supports 16 extend along the longitudinal axis X and are located between the central longitudinal support 13 and the lateral side members 11. They allow the longitudinal loading forces resulting from the frontal impact and transmitted by the inclined side members 15 to be supported.

[0061] To facilitate the loading of the inclined longerons 15 for the benefit of the lateral longitudinal spans 16, the inclined longerons 15 advantageously include deformation points configured to localize mechanical stresses in the event of a frontal impact. In particular, the deformation points include one or more notches formed on the inclined longerons 15. Each notch thus makes it possible to concentrate mechanical stresses that will lead to elastic and then plastic deformation of the inclined longeron 15 corresponding to and following the frontal impact.

[0062] Thus, the invention provides for securing the electric battery 21 located in a very frontal position in the three-wheeled vehicle 2 by arranging inclined longitudinal members 15 which will allow the mechanical stresses which propagate in the chassis arrangement 1 according to the invention to be diverted on either side of the battery 21, relative to the transverse axis Y. In other words, the addition of the inclined longitudinal members 15 makes it possible to create lateral force transmission paths, complementary or even predominant in relation to the longitudinal force transmission path which then extended along the median longitudinal span 13.

[0063] In summary, the invention relates to a chassis arrangement 1 for a three-wheeled vehicle 2, the chassis arrangement 1 comprising two lateral longitudinal members 11 extending along a longitudinal axis X of the three-wheeled vehicle 2, connected together by a front cross member 12, a median longitudinal span 13 extending along the longitudinal axis X and connecting the front cross member 12 to a rear cross member, two intermediate cross members 14 extending from the median longitudinal span 13 and towards each side member 11 of the peripheral frame, at the level of a front part of the chassis arrangement 1, and two inclined members 15 extending between the median longitudinal span 13 and the intermediate cross members 14, in front of the intermediate cross members 14 and behind the front cross member 12.

[0064] 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 they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Chassis arrangement (1) for a three-wheeled vehicle (2), the chassis arrangement (1) comprising: - a peripheral frame formed by two lateral longitudinal members (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the three-wheeled vehicle (2) and a front cross member (12) and a rear cross member, both extending between the two lateral longitudinal members (11) at their longitudinal ends; - a median longitudinal span (13) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and connecting the front cross member (12) and the rear cross member; - two intermediate cross members (14) extending from the median longitudinal span (13) and towards each lateral longitudinal member (11) of the peripheral frame, the two intermediate cross members (14) being collinear;characterized in that the chassis arrangement (1) comprises two inclined longitudinal members (15) which extend between a front portion of the median longitudinal span (13) and the intermediate cross members (14), the front portion being located between said intermediate cross members (14) and the front cross member (12).

2. Chassis arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each inclined side member (15) extends in the plane of the peripheral frame.

3. Chassis arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each inclined side member (15) forms an angle with the median longitudinal span (13) of between 30° and 60°.

4. Chassis arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each inclined side member (15) is oriented towards the rear of the chassis arrangement (1).

5. Chassis arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis arrangement (1) comprises lateral longitudinal spans (16) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and between the intermediate cross members (14) and the rear cross member, the inclined side members (15) being integral with the intermediate cross members (14) in the extension of the lateral longitudinal spans (16).

6. Chassis arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined side members (15) have deformation incipients configured to localize mechanical stresses in the event of a frontal impact.

7. Chassis arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deformation starters have one or more notches provided on the inclined side members (15).

8. Three-wheeled vehicle (2) comprising a chassis arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Three-wheeled vehicle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the three-wheeled vehicle (2) comprises an electric traction battery (21) integral with the chassis arrangement (1) and located under a driver's seat (23) of the three-wheeled vehicle (2), the electric traction battery (21) being located between the intermediate cross members (14) and the front cross member (12).

10. Three-wheeled vehicle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein a front face of the electric traction battery (21) is located behind a connection area of ​​the inclined side members on the median longitudinal span (13), relative to the longitudinal axis (X).

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