Automotive floor arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a structural arrangement for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement (1) having a volumetric conformation formed from a lower wall (12) situated opposite an upper wall (11) and supported by lateral flanges (13) on one side, reinforced on the other by cross braces (14, 14A, 14B) in order to form a honeycomb and / or sandwich structure. Such a floor arrangement (1) thus allows for a better distribution of the forces resulting from a frontal or lateral impact within said floor arrangement (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Floor arrangement for motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of the mechanical architecture of a motor vehicle and the underbody elements of the motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a floor arrangement for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the prior art, the use of a floor in the form of a shaped sheet metal supported by two longitudinal stringers on each lateral side of the floor, as well as by cross members extending transversely between the two stringers, is known. The use of such a floor incorporating a tunnel for the passage of transmission components or for the exhaust system is also known.

[0003] Such structural arrangements are very common, but are not optimal from the point of view of transmitting longitudinal forces in the event of a frontal impact. Indeed, in a frontal crash, the forces generated by the impact come mainly from the front frame rails. Due to the presence of the front wheels, these front frame rails are located transversely towards the inside of the engine compartment and are therefore not aligned with the side rails located directly behind them. Therefore, in order to transmit the forces propagating in the front frame rails to the side rails, the use of crank-shaped plates is known, ensuring the connection between a rear portion of the front frame rails and a front end of the longitudinal rails. These plates are sometimes supported by a front crossmember that extends between the two side rails.This arrangement thus presents a Y-shaped architecture which is not optimal for the propagation of forces resulting from the impact in the side rails, since the plates and / or the front crossmember are then stressed in a non-optimal direction.

[0004] The present invention aims to propose a new floor arrangement in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to further advantages.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to propose such a structural arrangement which is lighter than the known architectures as described previously.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to improve the transmission of forces resulting from a frontal impact to such a floor arrangement which is more rigid than those previously known.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a floor arrangement for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement comprising a box-section structure having an upper wall and an inner wall connected to the upper wall by two side flanges, the floor arrangement extending between two side edges of the motor vehicle.

[0008] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis are defined with respect to the motor vehicle on which the structural 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 motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis is understood as being taken along a direction extending from front to back or from back to front of the motor 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 being taken along an axis extending from the wheels of the motor vehicle towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper, refer to this vertical axis.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, the floor arrangement extends under the passenger compartment and allows for the subsequent attachment of seats for the occupants of the motor vehicle. The upper wall of the floor arrangement defines a substantially flat surface that extends longitudinally from front to back and transversely between two lateral edges of the motor vehicle. Relative to the vertical axis, the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle is located above the floor arrangement.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the floor arrangement forms a box-section structure, that is to say, the lower and upper walls extend opposite each other and at a distance from each other. The upper and lower walls are kept at a distance from each other and fixed rigidly to each other by the side flanges. Thus, in a particularly original way, the floor arrangement according to the invention now forms a volumetric structure and no longer a simple sheet metal connecting lateral stringers. Thus, henceforth, the entire floor arrangement, from one lateral edge to the other, will be used to transmit the longitudinal forces, rather than just the lateral stringers as in the case of arrangements known until now.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, each side flange extends along the longitudinal axis and to which the upper wall is fixed on one side relative to the vertical axis, and to which the lower wall is fixed along a second vertical side. According to the invention, each side flange can be in the form of a longitudinal member or a rebate. In the case where the side flange is of the longitudinal member type, then the side flange forms a prismatic span that extends relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, at each lateral edge of said motor vehicle. In this case, the side flange can be, for example, in the form of a steel profile in order to give the floor arrangement its robustness.

[0012] Alternatively, if the side flange is of the rebate type, then it is a shaped sheet metal connecting the upper wall to the lower wall. Naturally, the transverse profile of the rebate is defined according to the desired effects and rigidity.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the upper and lower walls of the floor arrangement form a solid wall extending between the two side flanges. The upper and lower walls comprise a sheet metal integral with the two side flanges.

[0014] Thus, the floor arrangement according to the invention solves the technical problem by proposing a new, more efficient architecture for transmitting the longitudinal forces resulting from a frontal impact. Indeed, by presenting such a box-section architecture, the longitudinal forces are transmitted throughout the entire structure itself, that is to say, with a better distribution along the transverse axis. Furthermore, the volumetric conformation of the floor arrangement, that is to say, a "thickness" along the vertical axis providing housing, allows for the incorporation of electrical or mechanical equipment of the motor vehicle, thus improving its compactness.In other words, the invention provides such a floor arrangement as a "sandwich" structure that alone provides the functions of mechanical strength and rigidity, without the need for cross members or longitudinal members as found in known arrangements. It also allows for the full use of the available space between the ground clearance of the motor vehicle and the footwells at the front of the passenger compartment. Such a floor arrangement thus maximizes inertia and reduces the overall mass of the motor vehicle since it eliminates the need for heavy and bulky longitudinal members and cross members.

[0015] The floor 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:

[0016] - the upper wall forms or is associated with a floor of the vehicle's passenger compartment automobile. Thus, the upper wall itself forms a passenger compartment floor onto which seats can be directly fixed; or the upper wall is combined with a floor. In this case, the upper wall is separate from the floor, the floor being a double layer of the upper wall. In this case, the floor is fixed securely to the upper wall by any means;

[0017] - the lower wall forms or is associated with a base element of the motor vehicle. Thus, the lower wall forms, by itself, a substructure element of the passenger compartment; or the lower wall is associated with such a substructure element, such as, for example, a deflector or a shield. In this case, the lower wall is separate from the substructure element, said substructure element lining the lower wall. In this case, the substructure element is fixed securely to the lower wall by any means;

[0018] - the upper wall and / or the lower wall are fixed securely to the flanges lateral in a removable manner. For example, the upper and / or lower wall are screwed to the side flanges. This advantageous configuration allows easier access to equipment that could be housed in the hollow space delimited by the upper and lower walls, particularly during the assembly of the floor arrangement, but also for subsequent maintenance operations;

[0019] - the upper wall extends parallel to the lower wall;

[0020] - the upper wall and the lower wall together define a storage space. The storage space includes, for example, an electric battery from the motor vehicle and / or electrical cables and / or transmission components;

[0021] - the upper wall and / or the lower wall has stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs are formed on the surface of the upper wall, preferably on a side opposite the lower wall relative to the vertical axis; and / or the stiffening ribs are formed on the surface of the lower wall, preferably on a side opposite the upper wall relative to the vertical axis. The stiffening ribs are formed by stamping, for example. This advantageous configuration improves the rigidity of the floor arrangement and facilitates the transmission of forces through it.

[0022] - generally speaking, the stiffening ribs extend in a way straight. Preferably, the stiffening ribs extend along the longitudinal axis of the floor arrangement. Alternatively, the stiffening ribs extend along the longitudinal axis of the floor arrangement;

[0023] - the floor arrangement includes at least one spacer which connects the wall upper part of the lower wall. In the context of the present invention, the spacer is a mechanical support element extending between the lower and upper walls. The spacer can have a surface elongation in the form of a wall; or the spacer can have a more localized column shape. The spacer is fixed securely to the upper and / or lower walls by any means, including screwing and / or welding;

[0024] - preferably, each at least one spacer forms a vertical wall which extends between the lower and upper walls. In other words, at least one brace takes the form of a rebate extending between the lower and upper walls. Alternatively, at least one brace can take the form of a profile extending between the lower and upper walls. This configuration is particularly advantageous for improving the rigidity of the floor arrangement, promoting the sandwich structure, and facilitating the transmission of forces through the floor arrangement;

[0025] - at least one spacer is of the type of a longitudinal spacer which extends parallel to the side flanges. In other words, at least one brace includes at least one longitudinal brace. In particular, each at least one longitudinal brace extends along the longitudinal axis. The at least one longitudinal brace thus strengthens the floor arrangement and facilitates the transmission of longitudinal forces through said floor arrangement;

[0026] - at least one spacer is of the type of a transverse spacer that extends perpendicular to the side flanges. In other words, at least one brace includes at least one transverse brace. In particular, each at least one transverse brace extends along the transverse axis. The at least one transverse brace thus strengthens the floor arrangement and facilitates the transmission of transverse forces through said floor arrangement;

[0027] - the floor arrangement includes at least one intermediate wall which extends between the side flanges, at least one intermediate wall extends parallel to the upper and lower walls. Thus, each at least one intermediate wall divides the volume delimited by the lower and upper walls into two sub-volumes located on either side of the intermediate wall, relative to the vertical axis. This configuration strengthens the floor arrangement and facilitates the transmission of forces through said floor arrangement;

[0028] - the upper wall forms a peripheral rim that extends beyond the wall lower. According to a first embodiment, the peripheral edge of the upper wall extends beyond the lower wall in a longitudinal direction. In other words, the upper wall extends, along the longitudinal axis, beyond a front portion of the lower wall and / or beyond a rear portion of said wall. lower wall. Alternatively or complementarily, according to a second embodiment, the peripheral edge of the upper wall extends beyond the lower wall in a transverse direction. In other words, the upper wall extends, along the transverse axis, beyond a left lateral part of the lower wall and / or beyond a right lateral part of said lower wall;

[0029] - the floor arrangement comprises a plurality of cells, each cell being delimited, on the one hand, by the upper wall and / or the lower wall and / or the intermediate wall and, on the other hand, by a longitudinal stringer and / or a transverse stringer and / or a lateral flange;

[0030] - the floor arrangement is formed of a metallic material, such as comprising for example steel and / or magnesium and / or a composite material.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a floor arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.

[0032] Advantageously, the motor vehicle is of the electrified type. In the context of the present invention, an electrified motor vehicle may be of the type of an electric vehicle pulled exclusively by an electric motor powered by a traction battery, or of the type of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising both the electric motor powered by the traction battery and associated with another propulsion system, such as an internal combustion engine, to propel the motor vehicle. Among hybrid motor vehicles, a distinction is made between plug-in hybrid vehicles, for which the traction battery can be recharged by connecting to an external power source, and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles, i.e., those not equipped for such recharging of the traction battery from an external electrical grid.

[0033] By way of non-limiting example, the electric traction battery is advantageously housed in the floor arrangement, in other words, electrical modules of the electric traction battery are housed between the lower wall and the upper wall of the floor arrangement, of course, it is also possible to run electrical wires or any other mechanical and / or electrical equipment between the upper and lower walls.

[0034] Generally, the drivetrain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by an electric machine, electrically powered by a traction battery, in order to generate motor torque used to propel the motor vehicle. Complementarily or alternatively, the electric machine is configured to recover mechanical energy from the drivetrain. traction and convert it into electrical energy, thereby producing a braking torque on said traction chain and allowing the electric traction battery to be recharged.

[0035] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0036] 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:

[0037] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic three-dimensional view of an example embodiment of a floor arrangement conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] illustrates another schematic three-dimensional view of the arrangement of floor illustrated in [Fig.1], in which the upper wall has been masked for clarity.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0041] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0042] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the floor arrangement 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0043] More specifically, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction between one side of the motor vehicle and the opposite side of the same motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction extending from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of the same motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inside, and outside refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0044] 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 motor vehicle. The axis The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0045] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, 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.

[0046] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention addresses a floor arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement 1 comprising a box-shaped structure having an upper wall 11 and an inner wall connected to the upper wall 11 by two side flanges 13, the floor arrangement 1 extending between two side edges of the motor vehicle.

[0047] Thus, the invention consists of giving the floor arrangement 1 a volumetric shape, particularly along the vertical axis Z, in order to provide a honeycomb or sandwich structure that reinforces the longitudinal and transverse rigidity of the floor arrangement 1, while also providing sufficient vertical rigidity to serve as a chassis and subframe element. The volumetric shape of the floor arrangement 1 thus allows for better transfer of forces within the floor arrangement 1 and leads to other advantages, such as the availability of storage space between the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12 for integrating vehicle equipment.

[0048] Advantageously, the side flanges 13 are located on either side of the floor arrangement 1, relative to the transverse axis Y. The upper wall 11 and / or the lower wall 12 are fixed rigidly to the side flanges 13 to form a compact and rigid assembly. Preferably, the assembly of the upper wall 11 and / or the lower wall 12 onto the side flanges 13 is made in a non-permanent manner to allow the floor arrangement according to the invention to be "opened" to access the equipment housed within said floor arrangement 1.

[0049] Thus, the floor arrangement 1 forms a hollow body which considerably lightens the structure of the motor vehicle, compared to previously known arrangements formed from longitudinal members and cross members supporting a sheet metal floor stretched between them. The invention here considers the floor of the motor vehicle as a load-bearing "sandwich" structure providing both mechanical strength and rigidity functions, as well as mechanical interface functions for the passenger compartment floor of the motor vehicle, and further functions for integrating motor vehicle equipment within the space delimited by the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 11. This arrangement of floor 1 according to the invention does not include cross members or stringers as known until now, and it allows to occupy all the available space between the ground clearance of the motor vehicle and may extend over the entire length of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0050] In order to provide sufficient rigidity and good force transmission in the floor arrangement 1, distributed as evenly as possible along the transverse axis Y and / or the longitudinal axis X, the floor arrangement 1 includes at least one strut 14 that connects the upper wall 11 to the lower wall 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the struts 14, 14A, 14B extend between the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 11 in the form of a rebate or a profile. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the struts 14, 14A, 14B extend along the vertical axis Z between the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 11.

[0051] Each spacer 14 is fixed securely to the upper wall 11 and / or the lower wall 12 by any means, and in particular by screwing and / or welding.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to optimize the rigidity of the floor arrangement 1 according to the invention, the spacers 14, 14A, 14B of the floor arrangement 1 comprise:

[0053] - longitudinal spacers 14A which extend along the longitudinal axis X between a rear edge and a front edge of the floor arrangement 1. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the longitudinal spacers 14A are integral with the lower wall 12, and the upper wall 11 is attached to the assembly formed by the lower wall 12 and the longitudinal spacers 14A. For example, the longitudinal spacers 14A and the lower wall 12 are obtained by molding, and the upper wall 11 is screwed onto this assembly.

[0054] - transverse spacers 14B which extend along the transverse axis Y between a left edge and a right edge – typically formed by the side walls – of the floor arrangement 1. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the transverse braces 14B are integral with the lower wall 12, and the upper wall 11 is attached to the assembly formed by the lower wall 12 and the transverse braces 14B. For example, the transverse braces 14B and the lower wall 12 are obtained by molding, and the upper wall 11 is screwed onto this assembly.

[0055] The floor arrangement 1 according to the invention thus serves as a chassis element for the direct attachment of running gear, for example. The invention therefore eliminates the need for longitudinal members and lateral cross members to form such a chassis structure. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to lighten such a chassis structure while offering improved mechanical performance because allowing a better distributed transmission of forces in the floor arrangement 1.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to a floor arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement 1 having a volumetric conformation formed from a lower wall 12 located opposite an upper wall 11 and supported by side flanges 13 on one side, reinforced on the other by spacers 14, 14A, 14B in order to form a honeycomb and / or sandwich structure. Such a floor arrangement 1 thus allows for a better distribution of the forces resulting from a frontal or side impact within said floor arrangement 1.

[0057] 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. Floor arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, the floor arrangement (1) comprising a box-section structure having an upper wall (11) and a lower wall (12) connected to the upper wall (11) by two side flanges (13), the floor arrangement (1) extending between two side edges of the motor vehicle.

2. Floor arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper wall (11) and / or the lower wall (12) are fixed securely to the side flanges (13) in a detachable manner.

3. Floor arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper wall (11) and the lower wall (12) together delimit a storage space.

4. Floor arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper wall (11) and / or the lower wall (12) has stiffening ribs.

5. Floor arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor arrangement (1) comprises at least one spacer (14, 14A, 14B) which connects the upper wall (11) to the lower wall (12).

6. Floor arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one spacer (14, 14A, 14B) is of the type of a longitudinal spacer (14A) which extends parallel to the side flanges (13).

7. Floor arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one brace (14, 14A, 14B) is of the type of a transverse brace (14B) which extends perpendicularly to the side flanges (13).

8. Floor arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor arrangement (1) comprises at least one intermediate wall extending between the side flanges (13), at least one intermediate wall extending parallel to the upper wall (11) and the lower wall (12).

9. Floor arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor arrangement (1) is formed of a metallic material, such as comprising by

10. example of steel and / or magnesium and / or a composite material. Motor vehicle comprising a floor arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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