Linkage device for a tricycle motor vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (1) designed to equip a body (2) of a tricycle motor vehicle, the connecting device (1) enabling the attachment of a steering tube (3) to a side member (5) of the body (2), the device (1) comprising a central portion (7) forming a reinforcing bracket and extending between a first interface, designed to allow the attachment of the device (1) to the steering tube (3), and a second interface (9), designed to allow the attachment of the device (1) to the side member (5), the central portion (7) comprising a breaking zone, designed to undergo programmed deformation when the steering tube (3) attached to the device (1) is impacted during a frontal collision experienced by the vehicle, the programmed deformation enabling the absorption of at least part of the energy released by the collision to reduce the energy transmitted to the side member (5). (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Linking device for a tricycle motor vehicle.

[0001] The technical field relates to linking devices for linking two structural elements of a tricycle motor vehicle body, motor vehicle bodies equipped with such a device and motor vehicles having such a body.

[0002] Automobile manufacturers are particularly attentive to the safety of their customers when they are in their vehicles. Four-wheeled vehicles intended for the American and / or European markets are subject to numerous road safety regulations. Thus, automobile manufacturers must ensure the safety of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. In order to guarantee passenger safety, vehicles are subjected to various standardized crash simulation procedures against a rigid obstacle impacting the vehicle. Such standardized procedures are, for example, described by the various national road safety authorities. Automobile manufacturers are therefore accustomed to studying the behavior of their vehicles subjected to standardized crash procedures.

[0003] Certain types of vehicles, such as some tricycles, are not intended for markets that require stringent testing procedures. Therefore, the safety of some tricycles could be improved.

[0004] In this context, some tricycle vehicles have a chassis with a steering tube, which forms part of the structure to which the steering is attached and articulated to steer the front wheel of the tricycle. However, in the event of a frontal impact on the tricycle, experience shows that when the front wheel is struck by the obstacle, it causes a deformation of the steering, which moves backward and impacts the steering tube. When the steering tube is impacted, it is susceptible to plastic deformation. Such deformations can lead to intrusions into the area occupied by the driver, which may cause injury to the driver. Furthermore, since the steering tube is integral with a central longitudinal member, the steering tube is then likely to transmit some of the energy released during the impact to the longitudinal member.However, when the tricycle vehicle has an electric motor, the motor battery is connected to the central frame rail, so that some of the impact energy transmitted to the frame rail is also transmitted to the battery. This energy transmitted to the battery poses a fire risk.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a solution to limit the energy transmitted by the steering tube during a front impact suffered by a tricycle motor vehicle.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a linkage device that limits the transmission to a side member of energy released by a front impact involving the steering tube.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a linkage device designed to equip a body of a tricycle motor vehicle, the linkage device allowing a steering tube to be fixed to a side member of the body, the device comprising a central part forming a reinforcing bracket and extending between a first interface, designed to allow the device to be fixed to the steering tube, and a second interface, designed to allow the device to be fixed to the side member, the central part comprising a breaking zone, designed to undergo programmed deformation when the steering tube fixed to the device is impacted during a front shock suffered by the vehicle, the programmed deformation allowing at least part of the energy released by the shock to reduce the energy transmitted to the side member.

[0008] The invention also relates to a tricycle motor vehicle body comprising a steering tube designed to fix and articulate the steering of the vehicle, the vehicle further comprising at least one longitudinal member, in particular a central longitudinal member, the vehicle further comprising a device according to the invention, the first and second interfaces being fixed respectively to the steering tube and the longitudinal member.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a tricycle motor vehicle having a body according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, the connecting device according to the invention allows the steering tube to be secured to a side member, in particular a central side member. Each of the first and second interfaces allows for attachment, while the central part forms a reinforcing bracket providing rigidity to the body. In the event of an impact, the central part undergoes a programmed deformation that absorbs all or part of the energy released by the impact. The connecting device therefore ensures the rigidity of the body in the absence of an impact, while limiting the risk of the steering tube protruding into the passenger compartment and the risk of fire due to a damaged battery.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the linking device, the rupture zone has a cut-out formed in the central part and shaped to initiate the programmed deformation in the event of a front impact suffered by the vehicle.

[0012] According to one possibility of the linking device, the first and / or second interfaces have at least two opposing fixing tabs allowing the interface to be fixed on two opposite sides of the steering tube respectively of the spar.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device has a U-shaped cross-section, having a base extended by two opposite branches, the rupture zone extending, in the cross-section, at least partly over a portion of the opposite branches and over the base.

[0014] Advantageously, the first and / or second interfaces are designed to be fixed by screwing onto the steering tube respectively the spar.

[0015] Advantageously still, the connecting device is formed from a stamped sheet metal.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a linking device according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a vehicle body according to the invention equipped with the linking device of the [Fig.1];

[0019] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0020] A connecting device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 1], is designed to equip a body 2 of a tricycle motor vehicle according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 2]. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the body 2 conventionally comprises a steering tube 3, designed to fix and articulate the steering of the vehicle. On the body 2, the steering tube 3 extends in a vertical plane of the body 2 and allows the vehicle's steering, which controls the orientation of the front wheel 4 of the vehicle, to be fixed and articulated. The body also includes several longitudinal members 5, two lateral longitudinal members and a central longitudinal member, connected at one of their ends to a front crossmember 6.

[0021] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the connecting device 1 allows the steering tube 3 to be fixed to the central longitudinal member 5 of the body 2. The connecting device 1 is, for example, formed from a stamped sheet metal.

[0022] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the device 1 comprises a central part 7 forming a reinforcing bracket and extending between a first interface 8, designed to allow the attachment of the device 1 to the steering tube 3, and a second interface 9, designed to allow the attachment of the device 1 to the longitudinal member 5.

[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.1], the first 8 and second 9 interfaces have at least two opposing mounting tabs 10a, 10b allowing the interface to be fixed on two opposite sides of the steering tube 3, respectively of the spar 5. As illustrated in [Fig.1], the second interface 9 is designed to be fixed by screwing onto the spar 5, while the first interface 8 is fixed to the steering tube 3 by welding.

[0024] The central portion 7 includes a rupture zone 11, designed to undergo programmed deformation when the steering tube 3, attached to the device 1, is impacted during a frontal collision involving the vehicle. The programmed deformation allows at least part of the energy released by the impact to be absorbed in order to reduce the energy transmitted to the side member 5.

[0025] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the rupture zone 11 has a cutout 12 formed in the central part 7. The cutout 12 is shaped to initiate the programmed deformation in the event of a frontal impact on the vehicle. The programmed deformation involves, for example, folding and / or tearing.

[0026] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the embodiment of the connecting device 1 has a U-shaped cross-section, having a base 13 extended by two opposing arms 14. The rupture zone 11, in this case the cutout 12, extends over a portion of the opposing arms 14 and passes through the base 13. Advantageously, the cutout 12 has straight edges on each of the arms 14 and on the base 13.

[0027] In order to fix the second interface 9 on the spar 5 by screwing, the second interface 9 has, for example, a plurality of holes 15. Furthermore, to reinforce the central part 7, reinforcing ribs 16 protrude from the central part 7.

[0028] Finally, to improve the attachment of the second interface 9 to the longeron 5, the latter advantageously presents an additional tab 17 extending in a plane perpendicular to the attachment tabs 10b.

[0029] Thus, the connecting device 1 secures the steering tube 3 to the central side member 5. Each of the first 8 and second 9 interfaces allows the device 1 to be attached, while the central portion 7 forms a reinforcing bracket that provides rigidity to the body 2. In the event of an impact, the central portion 7 undergoes a programmed deformation that absorbs all or part of the energy released by the impact. The connecting device 1 therefore ensures the rigidity of the body 2 in the absence of an impact, while limiting the risk of the steering tube 3 protruding into the passenger compartment and the risk of fire due to a damaged battery.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the linking device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A connecting device (1) designed to equip a body (2) of a tricycle motor vehicle, the connecting device (1) enabling the attachment of a steering tube (3) to a side member (5) of the body (2), the device (1) comprising a central part (7) forming a reinforcing bracket and extending between a first interface (8), designed to allow the attachment of the device (1) to the steering tube (3), and a second interface (9), designed to allow the attachment of the device (1) to the side member (5), the central part (7) comprising a rupture zone (11), designed to undergo programmed deformation when the steering tube (3) attached to the device (1) is impacted during a front impact suffered by the vehicle, the programmed deformation enabling the absorption of at least part of the energy released by the impact to reduce the energy transmitted to the side member (5).

2. Connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rupture zone (11) has a cutout (12) formed in the central part (7) and shaped to initiate the programmed deformation in the event of a front impact suffered by the vehicle.

3. Connection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first (8) and / or the second (9) interfaces have at least two opposing fixing lugs (10a, 10b) allowing the interface to be fixed on two opposite sides of the steering tube (3) respectively of the spar (5).

4. A connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a U-shaped cross-section, having a base (13) extended by two opposite branches (14), the rupture zone (11) extending, in the cross-section, at least in part over a portion of the opposite branches (14) and over the base (14).

5. A linking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first (8) and / or the second (9) interfaces are designed to be fixed by screwing onto the steering tube (3) respectively the spar (5).

6. A connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is formed from a stamped sheet metal.

7. Body (2) of a tricycle motor vehicle comprising a steering tube (3) designed to fix and articulate the steering of the vehicle, the vehicle further comprising at least one longitudinal member (5), in particular a central longitudinal member, the vehicle further comprising a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the first (8) and second (9) interfaces being fixed respectively to the steering tube (3) and the longitudinal member (5).

8. Tricycle motor vehicle having a body (2) according to claim 7.

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