MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A CENTRAL SIDE BEAM INCLUDING A DISCHARGE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a central side member having a tipping device (100) configured to force tipping of the central side member in the third direction (Z) so that said central side member is positioned above said traction battery in the event of a frontal impact, said central side member comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2), the first part (1) and the second part (2) each comprising a central portion (3) and two lateral portions (4) positioned perpendicularly on either side of said central portion (3), each central portion (3) comprising at least one mounting bracket (5) fixed to said central side member, each lateral portion (4) of the first part (1) is fixed to one of the lateral portions (4) of the second part (2). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A CENTRAL SIDE BEAM INCLUDING A TIPPERING DEVICE

[0001] The invention relates to means of reinforcing the chassis of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal collision.

[0002] Prior art patent application JPH11206821 is known, describing a three-wheeled electric vehicle comprising batteries and a chassis including a pair of left and right main pipes positioned parallel to each other, with a gap between the two main pipes. The vehicle includes a square pipe positioned vertically against said batteries and vertically positioned platforms to house the batteries. The square pipe is shown laterally to the batteries. The platforms connect the pair of main pipes and the square pipe to reinforce the rigidity of the chassis. However, a drawback remains. In the event of a frontal impact, the batteries are not protected because the main pipes and the square pipe are positioned laterally to the batteries.Thus, if a frontal impact occurs, the chassis deforms from the front wheel of the vehicle towards the batteries because there is no obstacle between these components.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to prevent damage to the battery in the event of a frontal impact.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising a front running gear and a rear running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane defined by a first longitudinal direction corresponding to straight-line driving, by a second transverse direction orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction and a third vertical direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and oriented away from the ground, said vehicle comprising a traction battery and a central longitudinal member positioned in front of said traction battery along the first direction, notable in that said central longitudinal member comprises a tipping device configured to force a tipping of the central longitudinal member along the third direction so that said central longitudinal member is positioned above said traction battery in the event of a frontal impact,said central longitudinal member comprising a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part each comprising a central portion and two lateral portions positioned perpendicularly on either side of said central portion, each central portion comprising at least one, fixing bracket fixed on said central spar, each lateral portion of the first part is fixed to one of the lateral portions of the second part.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the rigidity of the central spar is improved to prevent its deformation, and consequently reduce the risks of deterioration of the surrounding components.

[0006] Advantageously, each central portion comprises at least one rib.

[0007] Advantageously, the lateral portions of the first part and the lateral portions of the second part have at least one rib.

[0008] The presence of ribs helps to promote the upward folding of the tipping device, thus preventing the central longitudinal member from sinking into the vehicle components, particularly the battery.

[0009] Advantageously, the lateral portions of the first part and the lateral portions of the second part have weld beads to fix the first part and the second part together.

[0010] The weld beads ensure a solid connection between the first part and the second part.

[0011] Preferably, said discharge device comprises a metallic material.

[0012] The metal exhibits good mechanical resistance to reinforce the strength of the central longitudinal member.

[0013] Preferably, the central portions of the first part and the second part are positioned on either side of said central spar along the third direction Z.

[0014] Preferably, said vehicle has three wheels.

[0015] The invention will be further detailed by the description of a non-limiting embodiment, and on the basis of the attached figure illustrating the invention, in which [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a device for unloading a central side member of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a tipping device 100 for a central side member of a motor vehicle comprising a traction battery. The vehicle has a front axle and a rear axle whose points of contact with the ground define a basic plane XY defined by a first longitudinal direction X corresponding to straight-line travel, a second transverse direction Y orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction X, and a third vertical direction Z orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y and oriented away from the ground. The vehicle is preferably a tricycle, that is, a vehicle with three wheels, including a front wheel positioned at the front of the vehicle and two rear wheels positioned opposite each other along the second direction Y at the rear of the vehicle. The central side member is positioned at the front of the vehicle along the first X direction, behind the front wheel and in front of the traction battery. Optionally, the traction battery is protected in a casing to prevent damage. In tricycle vehicles, the traction battery is generally positioned under the driver's seat, behind the central frame rail along the first X direction. In the event of a frontal impact, for example, when the vehicle strikes a wall, the front wheel deforms and exerts a force on the central frame rail. The central frame rail itself then deforms in the direction of the impact, namely longitudinally along the first X direction. Consequently, the central frame rail is forced into the battery, or into the battery casing, which can damage the traction battery.Damage to the traction battery presents significant risks, both for the vehicle and its occupants. In particular, there is a risk of the traction battery catching fire. The tipping device is designed to force the central side member to tip in the third direction Z so that, in the event of a frontal collision, it is positioned above the traction battery. This reduces the risk of damage to the traction battery during a frontal impact. The tipping device comprises a first part 1 and a second part 2. Each of the first part 1 and the second part 2 has a central portion 3 and two lateral portions 4. Each part is thus U-shaped. The lateral portions 4 of each part are positioned perpendicular to the central portion 3, on either side of it.Each lateral portion 4 of the first part 1 is fixed to one of the lateral portions 4 of the second part 2. Thus, when the tipping device 100 has a rectangular cross-section, the connection between the lateral portions 4 of the first part 1 and the lateral portions 4 of the second part 2 is made by means of weld beads. The tipping device 100 therefore preferably comprises a metallic material. Welding on metal creates a strong and deformation-resistant joint. In addition, welds on metal are heat-resistant, which is advantageous when the tipping device 100 is located near the traction battery. The central portion 3 of the first part 1 and the central portion 3 of the second part 2 each have at least one fixing lug attached to the central side member. In [Fig.[l] The central portion 3 of the first part 1 and the central portion 3 of the second part 2 each have two mounting tabs. The two mounting tabs are positioned on either side of said discharge device 100. Preferably, said central portion 3 and / or the lateral portions 4 have at least one rib to facilitate the folding of the discharge device 100 during a frontal impact.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle comprising a front running gear and a rear running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane (XY) defined by a first longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to straight-line driving, by a second transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction (X) and a third vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to the first direction (X) and to the second direction (Y) and is oriented away from the ground, said vehicle comprising a traction battery and a central side member positioned in front of said traction battery along the first direction (X), characterized in that said central side member comprises a tipping device (100) configured to force a tipping of the central side member along the third direction (Z) so that said central side member is positioned above said traction battery in the event of a frontal impact,said central longitudinal member comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2), the first part (1) and the second part (2) each comprising a central portion (3) and two lateral portions (4) positioned perpendicularly on either side of said central portion (3), each central portion (3) comprising at least one fixing lug (5) fixed to said central longitudinal member, each lateral portion (4) of the first part (1) being fixed to one of the lateral portions (4) of the second part (2).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that each central portion comprises at least one rib.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the lateral portions (4) of the first part (1) and the lateral portions (4) of the second part (2) have at least one rib.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the lateral portions (4) of the first part (1) and the lateral portions (4) of the second part (2) have weld beads for fixing the first part (1) and the second part (2) together.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said discharge device (100) comprises a metallic material.

6. 5 Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the central portions of the first part (1) and of the second part (2) are positioned on either side of said central longitudinal member along the third direction (Z).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said vehicle comprises three wheels.