VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE DUAL-FUNCTION SEAT BELT RETURN REINFORCEMENT
The seat belt return reinforcement addresses the issue of weld line deformation in vehicle pillars by reinforcing the weld line between segments of different thicknesses, improving structural integrity and safety without additional weight or cost.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing solutions for reinforcing the upper part of vehicle pillars to withstand side impacts add additional weight and cost without effectively addressing deformation issues at weld lines between segments of different thicknesses.
Integrate a seat belt return reinforcement that covers the weld line between segments of different thicknesses in the upper part of the vehicle pillars, enhancing stress resistance without additional components or significant mass increase.
Enhances the structural integrity of vehicle pillars during side impacts by minimizing deformation at weld lines, ensuring occupant safety without increasing vehicle mass or production costs.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE DUAL-FUNCTION SEAT BELT RETURN REINFORCEMENT
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one dual-function seat belt return reinforcement.
[0002] Here, the term vehicle refers to a car, van, truck, passenger vehicle, recreational vehicle such as a motorhome or campervan, agricultural or construction equipment. The vehicle is powered by a combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid powertrain.
[0003] On a vehicle, each side of the vehicle body is equipped with at least two, more commonly three, vertical supports, called pillars, which connect the body floor to the roof. The pillars are located between the engine compartment and the front part of the passenger compartment, between the front and rear seats, and between the rear seats and the trunk, or between the front seats and the trunk for vehicles without rear seats, such as vans or pickup trucks. In the event of a side impact, the pillars are the first structural elements of the body to be affected. It is necessary that the pillars undergo minimal deformation in order to protect the vehicle occupants by preventing, among other things, the roof from collapsing. The pillar located between the front and rear seats or between the front seats and the trunk requires particular attention.In addition to maintaining its integrity to preserve the occupants' survival space during a collision, it must also have controlled deformation kinematics to allow safety devices, namely at least the seat belt and, potentially, the side airbags, to deploy in the event of a crash. A foot is a hollow body formed by a foot reinforcement, generally with a U-shaped cross-section, and a foot lining that closes the reinforcement. The foot is made up of two parts, upper and lower, with different stiffnesses and ductilities, joined together by welding. The lower part has the lowest stiffness and is the most ductile; it will be the one that undergoes deformation first. The upper part, to limit its mass, has a variable thickness obtained by welding two segments of different thicknesses but the same stiffness and ductility.This configuration means that the deformation of the upper part of the foot is concentrated in the weld area between the segments of different thicknesses in the upper part of the foot. A known solution is to place a reinforcement along the entire upper part, or even along the entire height of the foot. In both cases, an additional component, and therefore weight, is added to the structure. A foot equipped with a reinforcement in its upper part is known from CN-U-206 417 074U. of the foot, inner side. FR-B-2 988 351 describes a foot with reinforcement in the seat belt guide to strengthen the outer sheet metal of the foot in the event of a side impact. US-B-7 445 269 also discloses reinforcement of the upper part of the foot.
[0004] The invention aims to propose an alternative solution for reinforcing the upper part of the foot without affecting its weight and size.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one vertical post or foot connecting the roof to the floor of the vehicle body, said post or foot comprising a so-called upper part made by welding between two segments of different thicknesses, a seat belt return reinforcement being mounted on the segment of the upper part of the post or foot, in the vicinity of the upper end of the segment constituting the upper part of the post or foot, characterized in that the seat belt return reinforcement comprises a part covering, at least partially, the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses.
[0006] Thanks to the invention, a vehicle is obtained equipped with at least one vertical pillar or support in which the weld line between the segments of different thicknesses in the upper part is reinforced by a portion of the seat belt guide reinforcement that covers it. The invention thus makes it possible to increase the stress resistance of this junction area between the segments, without additional parts and without a significant increase in the vehicle's mass.
[0007] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a vehicle may include one or more of the following features:
[0008] .All vehicle uprights equipped with a seat belt return reinforcement include a portion of the seat belt return reinforcement covering, at least partially, the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses.
[0009] The part of the seat belt return reinforcement covering, at least partially, the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses is formed by a part of the main body of the seat belt return reinforcement.
[0010] The part of the seat belt return reinforcement covering, at least partially, the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses is formed by at least one tab extending from the main body of the seat belt return reinforcement.
[0011] The part of the seat belt return reinforcement covering, at least partially, the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses is formed by several parallel tabs extending from the main body of the seat belt return reinforcement.
[0012] The portion of the seat belt return reinforcement covers the weld line between the two segments of different thicknesses over the entire length of the weld line.
[0013] Two folded side wings extend from the part of the seat belt return reinforcement covering the weld line between the two segments towards a portion of the main body of the seat belt return reinforcement.
[0014] Two folded side wings extend from the part of the seat belt return reinforcement covering the weld line between the two segments along the entire length of the main body of the seat belt return reinforcement.
[0015] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] [Fig-1] is a top view of a vehicle before a side impact by a ram, during of a standardized test,
[0017] [Fig.2] is a simplified, side view, at a different scale, of one side of a crate of the vehicle in [Fig. 1],
[0018] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view, at a different scale, of a pillar or foot of the vehicle in Figures 1 and 2, the foot being equipped with a reinforcement for redirecting a seat belt, seen through the transparent material and conforming to an embodiment of the invention, and
[0019] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view, at a larger scale, of detail IV in [Fig. 3].
[0020] [Fig. 1] illustrates a vehicle 1, here a car with front and rear seats, viewed from above during a standardized test in which the vehicle 1 is subjected to a side impact. Hereafter, for ease of reading, the terms vehicle and car will be used interchangeably to refer to the vehicle. Here, a battering ram 2 is directed against the left side 3 of the car 1, in a direction indicated by arrow F, under standardized and defined conditions.The ram 2 is positioned so that the impact takes place at the level of one of the vertical posts or feet connecting the floor 4 to the roof 5 of the body of the vehicle 1. Hereafter, the terms vertical posts and feet will be used interchangeably.
[0021] Figure 2 illustrates side 3 of car 1. Three vertical posts or supports, labeled 6 to 8 respectively, are shown in Figure 2. It is easy to see that the right side 9 of car 1 is identical to side 3. Alternatively, the number of posts may be different, for example, two in the case of a vehicle, such as a van or pickup truck, without rear seats. Here, post 6 is located at the separation between the engine compartment 10 and the front seats, which are not shown, of car 1. The central post 7 is located at the separation between the front and rear seats, which are also not shown, and post 8 is located between the rear seats and the trunk 11 of vehicle 1. Note that post 7, by virtue of its location, ensures the maintenance of the shape of the passenger compartment between the central part of the roof 5 and the floor 4. Preserving the integrity of the foot 7 in the event of a side impact is essential to avoid the roof crushing onto the occupants of the front and / or rear seats.
[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a pillar or foot 7, viewed from outside the passenger compartment and conforming to an embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that the other pillars 6 and 8, as well as those located on the right side of the vehicle, are similar to pillar 7. In particular, the foot 8 located at the level of the rear seats has a configuration almost identical to that of foot 7. Foot 7 is a hollow, elongated metal structure. Its cross-section is generally U-shaped or V-shaped with a rounded bottom. Foot 7 is not straight and uniform along its entire length. The part facing outwards from the passenger compartment is formed by folding to define the hollow part of foot 7. This is called the foot reinforcement 12. Another part, not visible, called the foot lining, closes the open part 12 along the entire length of foot 7 and is oriented towards the inside of the vehicle body 1.
[0023] The foot 7 comprises a lower portion 13 defining the base of the foot 7. The base 13 is fixed to a side member of the vehicle body 1. In the event of a side impact, the base 13 will be impacted first. In order to preserve the integrity of the entire foot 7, the base 13 is made of a metallic material whose stiffness is lower than that of the rest of the foot 7 while being more ductile. Thanks to its characteristics, the base 13 deforms significantly during the impact without breaking, thus preserving the integrity of the rest of the foot 7, referred to as the upper portion 14. The upper portion 14 is therefore stiffer than the base 13 and less ductile, thus exhibiting less deformation before breaking.
[0024] As noted in [Fig. 3], the upper portion 14 represents 65% to 85% of the foot 7. Therefore, to optimize the mass of the foot 7 without affecting its characteristics, the thickness of portion 14 is not constant along its entire length. The chosen solution consists of making portion 14 in two segments of different thicknesses. The first segment, referenced as 15, is the one with the greatest length and the greatest thickness. It is located closest to the base 13. In other words, it is the lower segment of part 14. The second segment, referenced 16, forms the upper end of the foot 7. As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the base 13 and part 14, therefore segment 15, are connected by a weld line 17. Another weld line 18, visible in particular in [Fig. 4], connects segments 15 and 16.Thus, from end 19 of base 13 fixed to a longitudinal member to end 20 of segment 16 connected to the roof 5 of vehicle 1, there is a decrease in the thickness of foot 7 associated with a variation in stiffness and ductility, in order to optimize impact resistance and manufacturing. Such a configuration nevertheless poses certain problems. Regarding the deformation zones, these problems are caused, on the one hand, by the inertia between the base 13 and the part 14 and, on the other hand, by the variation in thickness of the part 14. Thus, during an impact, deformations occur at the weld line 18, therefore at the joint between the segments 15 and 16 of different thicknesses. As a result, a bend is observed in the upper part of the foot 7, which is incompatible with the required strength during a lateral impact. The invention makes it possible to remedy this problem by avoiding the need for an additional reinforcing piece, which would increase the mass and production cost.
[0025] To this end, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the invention consists of providing a specific seat belt return reinforcement 21. As a reminder, a seat belt return reinforcement 21 is a metal piece located in the upper part of the internal volume of the foot 7, 8 defined by the foot reinforcement 12. The seat belt return reinforcement is placed behind the lining and secures the anchorage of a seat belt, the latter being fitted to a front or rear seat. For ease of reading, the term reinforcement 21 will be used hereafter instead of seat belt guide reinforcement 21. The reinforcement 21 is therefore, according to the known state of the art, positioned mainly on segment 16, between the upper end 20 and the weld line 18 between segments 15 and 16. The invention advantageously applies to all pillars 7, 8 of the vehicle 1 equipped with a seat belt guide reinforcement 21.
[0026] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the reinforcement 21 comprises a rectangular main body 22. Alternatively, it may be of another shape, for example, square. The reinforcement 21 is attached, advantageously by welding, to the foot reinforcement 12 and to the foot lining. The longer edges 23, 24 are folded and shaped to conform to the shape of the foot reinforcement 12. It is understood that the configuration of the edges 23, 24 may differ from that illustrated, in order to be adapted to that of the foot reinforcement 12.
[0027] In all cases, the seat belt guide reinforcement 21 comprises a portion, here the lower portion 25 as seen in [Fig. 4], which at least partially covers the weld line 18 connecting segments 15 and 16. According to the illustrated embodiment, the portion 25 is a portion of the main body 22 of the reinforcement 21. Alternatively, the portion 25 is formed by at least one tab extending from the body 22 towards the weld line 18. In another embodiment, several parallel tabs cover the weld line 18. In all cases, the overlap of the portion 25 over the weld line 18 must continue beyond the weld line 18 over a portion of the segment 15.
[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the reinforcement 21 comprises at least two folded lateral sides 26, 27, which are identical and parallel. The sides 26, 27 are here of They are rectangular in shape and extend from part 25 towards body 22, thus covering weld line 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the sides 26, 27 extend over the lower portion of body 22 that is closest to weld line 18. Alternatively, they extend along the entire length of body 22. The sides 26, 27 are configured to fit the inner face of part 14, and therefore of segments 15 and 16 in the vicinity of weld line 18. The sides 26, 27 ensure that the reinforcement 21 is held in position within the foot 7.
[0029] Thanks to the invention, during a side impact, the foot 7 undergoes initial deformation at the weld line 17, but no deformation, or at least limited deformation, at the weld line 18, as part 25 reinforces this weak point. In this way, deformation of the upper part 14 of the foot 7 is avoided, thus complying with regulatory requirements in the event of an impact, thereby preserving the safety of the vehicle 1's occupants, without additional parts, without a significant increase in the vehicle 1's mass, and without increasing manufacturing costs.
Claims
Demands
1. Vehicle (1) equipped with at least one vertical post (7) or foot connecting the roof (5) to the floor (4) of the vehicle body (1), said post (7) or foot comprising a part (14) called upper part made by welding (18) between two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses, a seat belt return reinforcement (21) being mounted on the segment (16) of the upper part (14) of the post (7, 8) or foot, in the vicinity of the upper end (20) of the segment (16) constituting the upper part (14) of the post (7) or foot, characterized in that the seat belt return reinforcement (21) comprises a part (25) covering, at least partially, the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses.
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that all the vehicle (1) uprights (7, 8) provided with a seat belt return reinforcement (21) comprise a portion (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering, at least partially, the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses.
3. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering, at least partially, the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses is formed by a part of the main body (22) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21).
4. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering, at least partially, the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses is formed by at least one tab extending from the main body (22) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21).
5. Vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering, at least partially, the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses is formed by several parallel tabs extending from the main body (22) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21).
6. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covers the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) of different thicknesses over the entire length of the weld line (18).
7. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that two folded side sides (26, 27) extend from the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) towards a portion of the main body (22) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21).
8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the two folded side sides (26, 27) extend from the part (25) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21) covering the weld line (18) between the two segments (15, 16) over the entire length of the main body (22) of the seat belt return reinforcement (21).