Reinforcement piece for the central longitudinal member of a three-wheeled motor vehicle and vehicle containing such a piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-wheeled vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising: – a guide (5) including at least one wheel; – a first longitudinal member (9), called the central longitudinal member, fixed to said guide (5); – a cabin through which said central longitudinal member (9) extends; characterized in that said vehicle (1) includes a reinforcing piece (29) which is fixed to a portion of the central longitudinal member (9) located in said cabin. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: REINFORCEMENT PIECE FOR VEHICLE CENTER FRAME TRIPOTOR-TYPE AUTOMOBILE AND VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH A PART

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles and the passive protection of occupants of such vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to electric three-wheeled vehicles equipped with an electric battery and the passive, for example electrical, safety of the occupants of such a vehicle.

[0002] As a reminder, an electric tricycle vehicle is equipped with a battery and includes a cabin, located at the front of the vehicle, which can accommodate one or two people, as well as a loading platform, located behind the cabin, which can accommodate people and / or equipment.

[0003] The electric battery is located in the cabin of such vehicles, generally under the driver's seat, and supplies electricity to an electric motor that drives the vehicle's wheels. The vehicle also includes a welded assembly comprising several longitudinal and transverse members that form the vehicle's chassis structure.

[0004] More particularly, the chassis structure of the vehicle includes among other things: - two lower lateral longitudinal members which extend on each side of the vehicle and from one longitudinal end to the other of said vehicle; - intermediate stringers which are fixed to the lower lateral stringers and which define the structure of the loading platform, and which allow, for example, the fixing of a loading floor; - a central longitudinal member which is located between the lower lateral longitudinal members and which are connected to each other by means of cross members.

[0005] The central longitudinal member is generally attached to a guide rail, which is the element used to steer and control the vehicle's direction. The guide rail allows, for example, the driver to maneuver the vehicle by steering the front wheel. This guide rail may also include additional controls, such as an accelerator, brake controls, and sometimes electrical control elements for headlights and / or turn signals.

[0006] Thus, during a frontal collision of a vehicle of this type, generally modeled in standardized tests by a frontal impact of the vehicle against a rigid wall at 50 km / h, the first element of the vehicle's structure that comes into contact with the The wall is the guiding wheel; after its deformation, the latter constitutes an incompressible element coming into contact with the central spar.

[0007] Subsequently, upon contact between the guide wheel and the central longitudinal member, the significant forces transmitted by the wheel to said longitudinal member cause plastic deformation of the central longitudinal member, ultimately leading to its rupture. This rupture of the longitudinal member may, in particular, cause a portion of said longitudinal member to move transversely within the cab, potentially injuring a cab occupant or penetrating the battery, causing the battery casing to rupture and making contact with the battery's components, thus creating an electrical hazard for the vehicle's occupants.

[0008] Thus, unlike the majority of modern vehicles which have a passive protection design based on three paths of force: a first path of force consisting of the side member or frame line, a second path of force, also called the lower path of force, consisting of cradle extensions, as well as a third path of force which includes an outer hollow body and a wing lining which closes said outer hollow body, a motor vehicle of the three-wheeled type includes only one path of force corresponding to the central side member.

[0009] It is therefore necessary to find solutions to increase the passive safety of motor vehicles of the three-wheeled type without this leading to an increase in manufacturing costs and / or complicating the mechanical architecture of such vehicles.

[0010] The present invention thus aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of three-wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising: - a guide comprising at least one wheel; - a first longeron, called the central longeron, fixed to the said guide; - a cabin through which the said central longitudinal member extends; characterized in that said vehicle includes a reinforcement piece which is fixed to a portion of the central longitudinal member which is located in said cab.

[0011] The presence of a reinforcing piece on the portion of the central side member located in the cab of a three-wheeled vehicle allows for the mechanical reinforcement of said central side member and better control of the deformation kinematics of said side member during an accident, thus preventing injury to one of the occupants of said cab. Therefore, the vehicle according to the invention improves the passive safety of the vehicle and limits the risk of injury to the occupants of the cab during an accident, particularly during a frontal collision.

[0012] This invention is all the more relevant in the case of three-wheeled vehicles (which can also be referred to as tricycles), since these have only one load-bearing element, which is the central longitudinal member of such vehicles. Moreover, advantageously, the invention is easy and inexpensive to apply to existing vehicles, without the need to modify the mechanical architecture of said vehicles.

[0013] According to one possible feature, said vehicle includes an electric battery disposed in said cabin. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in electric three-wheeled vehicles, that is, three-wheeled vehicles equipped with an electric motor and an electric battery, which is generally located in the vehicle's cabin, for example, under one of the passenger or driver seats. Thus, the central frame member to which the reinforcement piece is attached limits, or even prevents, the central frame member, due to its deformation, from damaging the electric battery and risking electrocution of the occupants of the cabin (or vehicle) in the event of an accident.

[0014] According to another possible feature, said reinforcing piece comprises a main body having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The main body advantageously has a main body whose cross-section is substantially U-shaped to facilitate the attachment of said part to said central spar, in particular by allowing the attachment of the reinforcement part to the spar in the mounted position, for example from below.

[0015] According to another possible feature, said vehicle includes cross members fixed to said central longitudinal member, said reinforcement piece including fixing tabs fixed to said cross members. The central spar is generally connected to lateral spars by means of cross members, the reinforcement piece comprising tabs configured to be fixed to the cross members connecting the central spar to lateral spars.

[0016] According to another possible feature, said central spar comprises at least two opposite faces which extend, in mounted position, in a substantially vertical plane, said lateral faces, said reinforcement piece comprising two walls each having a cutout, each of said walls having a cutout being fixed on one of the lateral faces of said central spar. Advantageously, the walls of the reinforcement piece intended to be fixed to the lateral faces of the central spar have a cutout to promote longitudinal deformation of the central spar, for example upwards, during a frontal collision and thus prevent the central spar from deforming laterally (and for example damaging an electric battery or injuring a cabin occupant).

[0017] According to another possible feature, said reinforcing piece has a longitudinal plane of symmetry. Advantageously, the reinforcement piece has longitudinal symmetry to ensure homogeneous mechanical behavior of said reinforcement piece and the central side member to which the piece is attached during an accident (thus promoting upward deformation of said side member).

[0018] According to another possible feature, said central spar comprises at least two opposite faces which extend, in mounted position, in a substantially horizontal plane, faces respectively called lower face and upper face, said reinforcement piece being fixed on the lower face of said central spar. Advantageously, the reinforcement piece, in the mounted position, covers (at least in part) the lower face and the lateral faces of said central longitudinal member, thus avoiding interference with other elements (generally located above said central longitudinal member) of said vehicle and facilitating the attachment of the reinforcement piece to said central longitudinal member.

[0019] According to another possible feature, the reinforcement piece is fixed by welding to said central longitudinal member. Welding, for example by means of spot welds and / or weld beads, the reinforcement piece to the central spar is a quick and economical method, while allowing good mechanical strength of the assembly and promoting a unified mechanical behavior of the spar-reinforcement piece assembly.

[0020] According to another possible feature, the reinforcement piece is configured to exhibit a form cooperation with the area of ​​the central spar where said reinforcement piece is fixed. It is advantageous to optimize the contact and fixing surface, and for example the welding area, between the reinforcement piece and the central spar, so that the assembly of these elements behaves as a unit element, particularly in terms of mechanical behavior (during an impact).

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, the reinforcing piece has a thickness of at least 1 mm, and advantageously a thickness between 1 and 3 mm. The thickness of the reinforcement piece can be advantageously adapted according to the weight of the vehicle.

[0022] According to another possible feature, the reinforcing piece is monobloc. The fact that the reinforcement piece is a single piece or unit reduces the production costs of said piece, facilitates its manufacture, as well as its attachment to said central spar.

[0023] According to another possible feature, the reinforcing piece is made of a steel which has a high yield strength, for example a steel having a yield strength greater than 300 MPa and a tensile strength greater than 400 MPa. The reinforcement piece is advantageously made of sheet steel with a high elastic limit, for example by bending or stamping, in order to guarantee good mechanical properties and limit the manufacturing costs of said reinforcement piece.

[0024] According to another possible feature, the reinforcing piece has flat areas. The flat areas make it easier to attach the reinforcement piece to the central spar, by providing the largest possible contact areas, for example for spot welds or weld beads.

[0025] According to another possible feature, the reinforcing piece includes stiffening ribs. The presence of stiffening ribs improves the mechanical resistance of said reinforcement piece, and therefore of the area of ​​the central spar where said reinforcement piece is fixed.

[0026] The invention also relates to a reinforcement piece for a central side member of a three-wheeled vehicle, characterized in that said reinforcement piece is configured to be implemented in a three-wheeled vehicle as defined above.

[0027] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic, partial, and side perspective view of a motor vehicle of the tripoteur type according to the invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic, partial, enlarged and perspective view of the vehicle in [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic and perspective view of the reinforcement piece mounted on the vehicle of [Fig.1] and [Fig.2].

[0028] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of". Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" shall be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle.

[0029] The term "lower" will denote a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

[0030] Furthermore, an orthogonal XYZ frame of reference is defined with respect to the vehicle, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal and horizontal direction of the vehicle, - a Y-axis, defining a transverse and horizontal direction of the vehicle, which, together with the X-axis, defines a horizontal XY plane, - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction of the vehicle, orthogonal to the horizontal XY plane, the Z axis with the X axis defining a vertical XZ plane.

[0031] In this application, it should be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by no more than 20°, or even by no more than 10° or 5°, from a parallel direction. It should also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by no more than 20°, or even by no more than 10° or 5°, from an angle of 0°.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a very schematic, partial, and side view of a three-wheeled vehicle 1 according to the invention. This vehicle 1 comprises a battery 3 and an electric motor (not shown) powered by said battery 3, meaning that said vehicle 1 can also be described as an electric tricycle.

[0033] It should be noted that the vehicle 1 currently described is here an electric tricycle, but that said vehicle can also be a thermal or hybrid tricycle type vehicle.

[0034] Said three-wheeled vehicle 1 comprises: - a guide 5 comprising at least one wheel 7, guide 5 for example located at the front of the vehicle 1; - a first longitudinal member 9 (more particularly visible in [Fig.2]), called the central longitudinal member, fixed to said guide 5 (said central longitudinal member 9 extending substantially along the X axis of the vehicle); - a cabin 11 through which extends at least in part said central spar 9 (cabin generally located behind the guide).

[0035] The guide 5 is the element which allows the direction of the vehicle 1 to be directed and controlled, the guide 5 allowing, for example, the driver to maneuver the vehicle by steering the front wheel 7 of the vehicle 1.

[0036] Said guide 5 may also include additional controls (not shown), such as an accelerator, brake control, and sometimes electrical control elements for headlights and / or turn signals.

[0037] The electric battery 3 is located in the cabin 11, generally under a seat 13, for example the driver's seat, and provides electricity to the electric motor (not shown) which drives the wheels 7 and 14 of the vehicle 1 in rotation.

[0038] Fig. 2 illustrates a very schematic enlarged, partial and perspective view of vehicle 1. Said vehicle 1 further includes a reinforcement piece 29 which is fixed on a portion of the central longitudinal member 9 which is located in the cab 11.

[0039] Said vehicle 1 further comprises a welded assembly 15 comprising several longitudinal members 9, 17, 19 and cross members 21 which form the structure of the chassis of vehicle 1.

[0040] The chassis structure of vehicle 1 includes, among other things: - two lower lateral longitudinal members 17 which extend from each side of vehicle 1 and from one longitudinal end to the other of said vehicle 1; - intermediate stringers 19 which are fixed to the lower lateral stringers 17 and which define the structure of a loading platform 23, and which allow a loading floor 25 to be fixed for said platform 23; - the central longitudinal member 9 which is located between the lower lateral longitudinal members 17 and which are connected to each other by means of cross members 21 (most particularly visible in [[Fig.2]]).

[0041] Whereas [Fig.3] illustrates, for its part, a very schematic enlarged and perspective view of the reinforcement piece 29 alone which is intended to be fixed to said central longitudinal member 9 of the vehicle 1.

[0042] Said reinforcement piece 29 is advantageously located between the guide 5 and the cross members 21, said reinforcement piece 29 being advantageously also fixed to said cross members 21.

[0043] Said central spar 9 is, for example, a hollow body and is advantageously a metal profile (and therefore substantially a hollow metal beam), for example made of steel. Thus, the central spar 9 has an elongated shape, one of its longitudinal ends being fixed to said guide 5.

[0044] Furthermore, said central longitudinal member 9 comprises: - at least two opposite faces which, in the mounted position, extend in a substantially horizontal plane (or XY plane), faces respectively called lower face and upper face; - at least two opposite lateral faces, which extend, in the mounted position, in a substantially vertical plane (or XZ plane).

[0045] As is particularly visible in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], said reinforcement piece 29 comprises a main body 29a, as well as two fixing tabs 29b configured to be fixed to said cross members 21.

[0046] The fixing tabs 29b are advantageously fixed on a face of the cross members 21 which is located, in the mounted position, in a substantially vertical plane (or YZ plane) and arranged opposite the guide 5.

[0047] The fixing tabs 29b of said reinforcement piece 29 are arranged at one of the longitudinal ends of said main body 29a and are configured to be fixed on one of the faces of the cross members 21.

[0048] The main body 29a of the reinforcement piece 29 comprises three walls 30a and 30b arranged to present a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Said walls 30a and 30b comprise two lateral walls 30a (corresponding to the arms of the U) and a base wall 30b (corresponding to the base of the U) connecting said lateral walls 30a to each other.

[0049] The main body 29a of said reinforcement piece 29 is advantageously fixed to the lower face of said central spar 9, by means of the base wall 30b, and to the lateral walls of said spar 9, by means of the lateral walls 30a of said reinforcement piece 29. Thus, in the mounted position, the reinforcement piece 29 covers, at least in part, the lower face and the lateral faces of said central spar 9.

[0050] Furthermore, the reinforcement piece 29 is advantageously fixed by welding to said central spar 9, for example by means of spot welds and / or weld beads, the reinforcement piece 29 having, for example, flat areas to facilitate fixing by welding.

[0051] Furthermore, the reinforcement piece 29 is advantageously configured to exhibit a form cooperation with the area of ​​the central spar 9 to which said reinforcement piece 29 is fixed.

[0052] Furthermore, the side walls 30a of the main body 29 of the central spar 9 each have a cutout, said cutouts preferably having a rounded or convex shape. Thus, the side walls 30a have a concave shape, the curve being oriented towards the base wall 30b of said main body 29a.

[0053] The reinforcement piece 29 is advantageously one-piece (or unitary) and / or is made of sheet steel, for example by bending or stamping, in order to guarantee good mechanical properties and limit the manufacturing costs of said reinforcement piece 29.

[0054] Furthermore, the reinforcing piece 29 has walls 30a and 30b with a thickness of at least 1 mm, and for example between 1 and 3 mm. The reinforcing piece 29 is made of a steel that has a high yield strength, for example a steel having a yield strength greater than 300 MPa and a tensile strength greater than 400 MPa, such as DP780 steel or FP60 steel.

[0055] It will be noted that said reinforcing piece 29 has a longitudinal plane of symmetry, that is to say that the reinforcing piece 29 has a plane cutting, along its longitudinal axis, the piece 29 into two identical parts, each of said parts being mirror images of each other.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the thickness of the reinforcing piece is greater than the thickness of the walls of the central spar to which the reinforcing piece is fixed, and / or the constituent material, such as steel, the reinforcement piece has a mechanical resistance greater than the constituent material, such as steel, of the central spar to which the reinforcement piece is attached.

[0057] In another embodiment not shown, the reinforcement piece includes stiffening ribs, said ribs extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body of said reinforcement piece (and therefore, in mounted position, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central spar).

[0058] Said ribs have an extension which is preferably substantially parallel to the direction of compression (for example along the X axis) of the load path, here the central spar, during an impact.

[0059] The presence of such stiffening ribs makes it possible to improve the mechanical resistance of said reinforcement piece, and therefore of the area of ​​the central spar where said reinforcement piece is fixed.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle (1) of the three-wheeled type, said vehicle (1) comprising: - a guide (5) including at least one wheel (7); - a first longitudinal member (9), said central longitudinal member, fixed to said guide (5); - a cabin (11) through which said central longitudinal member (9) extends; characterized in that said vehicle (1) includes a reinforcing piece (29) which is fixed to a portion of the central longitudinal member (9) which is located in said cabin (11).

2. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said vehicle (1) comprises an electric battery (3) disposed in said cabin (11).

3. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcement piece (29) comprises a main body (29a) having a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

4. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vehicle (1) comprises cross members (21) fixed to said central longitudinal member (9), said reinforcement piece (29) comprising fixing tabs (29b) fixed to said cross members (21).

5. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central side member (9) comprises at least two opposite faces which extend, in mounted position, in a substantially vertical plane, said side faces, said reinforcement piece (29) comprising two walls (30a) each having a cutout, each of said walls (30a) having a cutout being fixed on one of the side faces of said central side member (9).

6. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcement piece (29) has a longitudinal plane of symmetry.

7. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central longitudinal member (9) comprises at least two opposite faces which extend, in the mounted position, in a substantially horizontal plane, faces referred to respectively as lower face and upper face, said reinforcement piece (29) being fixed to the lower face of said central longitudinal member (9).

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement piece (29) is fixed by welding to said central longitudinal member (9).

9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement piece (29) is configured to exhibit a form cooperation with the area of ​​the central side member (9) where said reinforcement piece (29) is fixed.

10. Reinforcement piece (29) for central side member of tripoteur type vehicle, characterized in that said reinforcement piece (29) is configured to be implemented in a tripoteur type vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images