Support for motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method of mounting and manufacturing the support.

Abstract

Support (100) intended to be fixed to a component (400) of a motor vehicle carrying a pedestrian alert sound generator (300), a vacuum pump (200) and a vacuum pump relay (500). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Support for motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method of mounting and manufacturing the support.

[0001] The present invention relates to motor vehicles and the manufacture of motor vehicles on assembly lines. There is a constant need to facilitate this manufacture and to reduce the costs and time required for its manufacture on these assembly lines.

[0002] The invention aims to meet this objective and has as its object, according to one of its aspects, a support intended to be fixed (in other words: intended to be mounted) to an element of a motor vehicle (for example, with a box) carrying a pedestrian alert sound generator (in English: "Vehicle Sound Pedestrian" and known by the abbreviation "VSP") and a vacuum pump and a vacuum pump relay.

[0003] Thanks to the invention, the pedestrian alert sound generator and the vacuum pump with its relay, usually mounted sequentially, can be mounted on the motor vehicle in a single operation, for example screwing, which reduces the time of assembly of the motor vehicle on the assembly line.

[0004] The pedestrian alert sound generator can, for example, emit a sound when the speed of the motor vehicle is below a threshold to warn pedestrians of the presence of the motor vehicle nearby.

[0005] The vacuum pump with its relay is intended, in a conventional way, to facilitate the braking of the motor vehicle, for example in certain conditions, such as the circulation of the motor vehicle at altitude.

[0006] Alternatively, the pedestrian alert sound generator and / or the vacuum pump with its relay can be replaced by another element, for example whose weights are within the ranges envisaged below for the pedestrian alert sound generator and / or the vacuum pump with its relay.

[0007] The support is for example made of metal (for example steel), for example (made of plates) with a thickness between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters.

[0008] For example, the pedestrian alert sound generator and the vacuum pump are screwed (i.e., attached by screws), for example by means of two elastic pads (for example made of rubber) with regard to the vacuum pump, to avoid transmitting the vibrations of the vacuum pump, in operation, to the support.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the support comprises three parts, a first part among the three parts being welded to a second part among the three parts, and a third part among the third parts being welded to said second part.

[0010] Of course, alternatively, the support can be made of a single piece.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the support includes arms to which the vacuum pump and its relay are attached (by screwing), and / or arms to which the pedestrian alert sound generator is attached (by screwing).

[0012] Alternatively, the vacuum pump with its relay and / or the pedestrian alert sound generator can be mounted or fixed differently to the support.

[0013] We refer here to a direct orthonormal XYZ coordinate system classically used in automotive design, in which the X axis designates the front-to-back 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, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the support includes an anchor (for example in the form of a hook, but other forms are of course possible) for suspending the support (from an element of the vehicle) and for positioning vertically (i.e., in the Z axis) and horizontally in a first direction (for example parallel to the transverse direction, i.e. in the Y axis, or in a direction which is a combination of the longitudinal direction and a transverse direction) the support in a position where it will be fixed to the element (in other words: will be in a position of fixing to the element).

[0015] For example, the anchor may consist of a plate comprising a fold and / or may include a fin, but of course many shapes are possible.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the support includes a tab (for example straight, but other shapes are of course possible) for horizontally positioning, in a second direction (for example parallel to the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the X axis, or in a direction which is a combination of the longitudinal direction and a transverse direction), orthogonal to the first direction, the support (to an element of the motor vehicle) in a position where it will be fixed to the element (in other words; will be in a position of fixing to the element).

[0017] According to one embodiment, the vacuum pump weighs between 1.5 kilograms and 2 kilograms and / or the pedestrian alert sound generator weighs between 250 grams and 1 kilogram, and / or the support weighs between 3 and 4 kilograms (including vacuum pump and pedestrian alert sound generator).

[0018] Such weights have made the design of a support with sufficient mechanical resistance over time particularly difficult. For example, with such a weight, to obtain sufficient mechanical resistance, the support includes, for example, one or more ribs, one or more bulldozers, and / or one or more dropped edges.

[0019] The positioning of the support, thanks to the anchor and / or the tab, is particularly useful because, with such weight, it is more difficult to adjust the position of the support.

[0020] Alternatively, of course, the vacuum pump and / or the pedestrian alert sound generator and / or the support may have a weight outside these ranges.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the support includes a fixing element for fixing a (power) cable connected to a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle and to the element (in other words: to the body or the body) of the motor vehicle.

[0022] The fastening member is subjected to significant mechanical stresses due to the vibrations of the propulsion engine transmitted via the cable, which may require the support to include one or more ribs, one or more bulldozers, and / or one or more dropped edges.

[0023] The cable can be an electrical power cable or a water supply pipe, or more generally a fluid.

[0024] For example, the fastening element may be included in the anchor.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the support.

[0026] According to one embodiment, this process comprises the following steps: - Obtaining each of the three parts by molding (by casting), then - Welding (and / or screwing) of the first part to the second part, and of the third part to the second part, - Then, for example, fixing, for example by screwing, the pedestrian alert sound generator and the vacuum pump with its relay to the support.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the support.

[0028] The support can be screwed to a component of the motor vehicle.

[0029] For example, the motor vehicle is a motor vehicle comprising a thermal and / or electric propulsion engine for the motor vehicle.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method of mounting the support in a motor vehicle.

[0031] For example, the assembly process comprises the following steps: - Suspension (i.e. horizontal vertical positioning and possibly of the support in a first direction) of the support to an element of the motor vehicle by means of the anchor, and (possibly horizontal positioning of the support in a second direction) by bringing the tab into contact with the element then - Screwing (or more generally fixing) of the support to the element of the motor vehicle.

[0032] For example, the screwing is implemented according to an isostatic assembly known to the person skilled in the art.

[0033] For example, the element is (a part of) the body (otherwise the frame) of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Preferably, the support is mounted (in other words: is located) at the front, for example at the front right of the motor vehicle.

[0035] Preferably, the support is mounted (in other words: is located) in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle (in other words: under the hood of the motor vehicle), for example at the front right of the vehicle.

[0036] The characteristics of the manufacturing process of the support, of the motor vehicle, and of the assembly process are identical to those of the support, which is why they are not repeated here. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a reference frame classically used in automotive design;

[0039] [Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.4], [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] represent a support or part of this support according to an embodiment of the invention, as well as elements of a motor vehicle interacting with the support when the latter is mounted in a motor vehicle;

[0040] [Fig.7] represents manufacturing steps of the support of figures 2 to 5 and then of mounting this support in a motor vehicle.

[0041] To facilitate the reading of figures 2 and 5, certain elements, for example the N100 ribs, referenced in some of these figures (for example in figures 2 and 4 for the N100 ribs) are not referenced in some other figures (for example in [Fig.3] for the N100 ribs) although these elements are visible. Detailed description

[0042] Figure 1 shows a right-handed orthonormal coordinate system (XYZ) commonly used in automotive design and which will be used in this description. The X-axis represents the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear. The Y-axis represents the transverse direction and is oriented to the right of the vehicle. The Z-axis represents the vertical direction and is oriented upwards.

[0043] Fig. 2 represents a support 100 comprising a pedestrian alert sound generator 300, a vacuum pump 200 and a vacuum pump relay 500. Fig. 3 shows the same support 100, but without the pedestrian alert sound generator 300, the vacuum pump 200 and the relay 500.

[0044] With reference to [Fig. 7], in step S00, parts 110, 120, and 130 of the support 100 are cast by pouring a metal, for example steel, into molds. Then, in step S10, part 120 is welded to parts 110 and 130 to produce the support 100 shown in [Fig. 4].

[0045] The support 100 then comprises plates with a thickness between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. The support 100 also comprises the arms BR200 and the arms B300. The support 100 also comprises an anchor 111 having the form of a plate and comprising a fin 1111. The support 100 also comprises a tab 121.

[0046] At step S20, the pedestrian alert sound generator 300 is screwed to the arms BR300 and the vacuum pump 200 is screwed to the arms BR200 via two elastic rubber pads pl200.

[0047] At step S30, the support 100 is suspended from the case 400 by means of the anchor 111 and is positioned by bringing the tab 121 into contact with the case 400.

[0048] The anchor 111 positions the support 100 in the Y and Z axes, while the tab 121 positions the support in the Z axis.

[0049] Anchor 111 is also visible in [Fig. 5]. Anchor 111, alternatively, can have many other forms than that in [Fig. 5].

[0050] At step S40, once positioned in this way, the support 100 is screwed to the body 400, by the screw-nut systems vlOO, according to an isostatic assembly.

[0051] Preferably, the support 100 is thus fixed to the front right of the motor vehicle in the motor vehicle propulsion engine compartment.

[0052] For example, the vacuum pump 200 weighs 1.6 kilograms, the pedestrian alert sound generator 300 weighs 400 grams. The support 100 weighs 3.2 kilograms (including the vacuum pump 200 and the pedestrian alert sound generator 300).

[0053] To obtain sufficient mechanical resistance, with such weight, the support includes N100 ribs, BD 100 bulldozers, and BT 100 dropped edges.

[0054] As illustrated [Fig.6], the anchor 111 includes a fastening member OF500 for fixing an electrical power cable T500 connected to a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle and to the body of the motor vehicle.

[0055] The support 100 may also include fastening elements (not shown) for attaching an electrical cable to the support 100.

Claims

Demands

1. Support (100) intended to be attached to a component (400) of a motor vehicle carrying a pedestrian alert sound generator (300) a vacuum pump (200) and a relay (500).

2. Support (100) according to the preceding claim comprising three parts, a first part (110) among the three parts being welded to a second part (120) among the three parts, and a third part (130) among the three parts being welded to said second part (120).

3. Support (100) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising arms (BR200) ​​to which the vacuum pump (200) is attached.

4. Support (100) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising arms (BR300) to which is attached the pedestrian alert sound generator (300).

5. Support (200) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an anchor (111) for suspending the support (100).

6. Support (100) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a tab (121) for horizontally positioning the support (100).

7. Support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the vacuum pump (200) weighs between 1.5 kilograms and 2 kilograms or wherein the pedestrian alert sound generator (300) weighs between 250 grams and 1 kilogram, or wherein the support (100) weighs between 3 and 4 kilograms.

8. Support (100) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a fastening member (OF500) for fixing a cable (500) connected to a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle and to the element.

9. A manufacturing method comprising a step of manufacturing the support (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A manufacturing method, according to the preceding claim of the support (100), according to claim 2 or according to any one of claims 3 to 8 taken in dependence on claim 2, comprising the following steps: - Obtaining (S 10) by molding each of the three parts,

11.

12.

13. - Weld (S20) of the first part (110) to the second part (120), and of the third part (130) to the second part (120). Motor vehicle comprising the support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Assembly method comprising a step of mounting a support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A method of mounting, according to the preceding claim, a support (100) according to claim 5 or according to any one of claims 6 to 8 taking into account claim 5, in a motor vehicle, the mounting method comprising the following steps: - Suspension (S30) of the support (100) to a component (400) of the motor vehicle via the anchor (111), then - Screwing (S40) of the support (100) to an element (400) of the motor vehicle.

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