Assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising the attachment of a cradle and a side rail

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly (20) for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a cradle (2); a side rail (3); and an attachment device (1) that attaches the cradle and the side rail to one another. The side rail comprises: a rabbet (4); a closure element (5); a first assembly zone (21) and a second assembly zone (22), the rabbet and the closure element being attached to one another in these zones; and an internal cavity (23), provided between the rabbet (4) and the closure element (5) and disposed between the first assembly zone (21) and the second assembly zone (22); the cradle comprises a sleeve (28) extending along an attachment axis (30); the attachment device comprises: a spacer (6); a first reinforcement (7); a second reinforcement (8); and a bolt (35).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising the attachment of a cradle and a side member

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of fixing between a cradle and a side member for a motor vehicle, and in particular the fixing of the front cradle to a rebate of the front side member of a motor vehicle.

[0005] In particular, the invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a cradle; a side member; and a fastening device fastening the cradle and the side member to each other; the side member comprising: a rebate; a closing element; first and second assembly zones, in which the rebate and the closing element are fastened to each other; and an internal cavity, formed between the rebate and the closing element and arranged between the first and second assembly zones; the cradle comprising a sleeve extending along a fastening axis; the fastening device comprising: a spacer; a first reinforcement; a second reinforcement; and a screw; the spacer extending along the fastening axis and comprising: an external surface, arranged around the fastening axis; and an internal thread;the first reinforcement being received in the internal cavity of the spar and fixed to the spar and to the spacer, the first reinforcement thus being able to transfer forces parallel to the fixing axis; the second reinforcement being fixed to the spar and comprising a support plate arranged between the spacer and the sleeve of the cradle along the fixing axis, said support plate comprising an opening centered on the fixing axis; the screw being arranged in the sleeve, passing through the opening of the second reinforcement and being assembled to the internal thread of the spacer; the second reinforcement thus being able to transfer forces perpendicular to the fixing axis.;

[0006] Today, the front subframe attachment of a motor vehicle is generally centered on a section of the front side member which is particularly rigid, and which allows for easy integration of additional reinforcement.

[0007] However, in some cases, this architecture is not possible due to spatial constraints. Indeed, for some vehicles, a volume must be freed up for the passage of the anti-roll bar and the wheel casing, which requires an offset of the cradle towards the center of the vehicle. Thus, the offset cradle attachment is found at the level of the rebate of the side member. In particular, document DE102014210844 describes an assembly of the aforementioned type, the cradle attachment being located at the level of the rebate of the side member.

[0008] However, the spar groove is a relatively rigid area, cantilevered relative to the spar, which makes it difficult to implement a fixing at this location.

[0009] Statement of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned problems and, in particular, to free up volume for the anti-roll bar and the wheel casing of the vehicle, while compensating for the structural weakness linked to the rebate of the side member.

[0011] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to an assembly of the aforementioned type, in which the first reinforcement comprises a concave part and at least a first flat insertion part, the concave part having a shape complementary to the external surface of the spacer and being fixed to said external surface, the first flat insertion part being sandwiched between the rebate and the closing element at the level of the first and / or second assembly zone of the spar.

[0012] According to advantageous aspects, the assembly comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the concave part of the first reinforcement has an elongated shape parallel to the fixing axis;

[0014] - the first reinforcement further comprises a second flat insertion part, each of the first and second flat insertion parts of the first reinforcement being sandwiched between the rebate and the closing element, at the level of the first and second assembly zones of the spar respectively;

[0015] - one of the rebate and the closing element comprises an embossing arranged at the first assembly zone of the spar, the embossing having a shape complementary to the external surface of the spacer and being in contact with said external surface, the first reinforcement and the spacer thus being sandwiched between the rebate and the closing element of the spar at the first assembly zone;

[0016] - the first reinforcement further comprises a flat support edge, fixed to the support plate of the second reinforcement;

[0017] - the fixing device further comprises a third reinforcement arranged in the internal cavity of the spar, said third reinforcement being fixed to the first reinforcement and to walls of said internal cavity of the spar; - the rebate of the spar has a substantially U-shaped section, the internal cavity comprising a lower wall, an upper wall and a side wall formed by said rebate;

[0018] - the spacer is fixed to the concave part of the first reinforcement by welding beads;

[0019] - the reinforcements are fixed to the spar by welding points.

[0020] The first aspect of the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as described above, configured so that the fixing axis is arranged vertically.

[0021] A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for fixing a cradle to a side member of a motor vehicle. The fixing device comprises a spacer, at least one first reinforcement comprising means for fixing to the side member and to the spacer and capable of transferring forces along a first axis and at least one second reinforcement comprising means for fixing to the side member and capable of transferring forces along two axes perpendicular to each other and to the first axis.

[0022] Advantageously, the spacer is a threaded sleeve.

[0023] Optionally, the spacer is fixed to the first reinforcement by welding beads.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first reinforcement is a vertical wall of complementary shape to the spacer.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the second reinforcement constitutes a support face for the cradle.

[0026] Advantageously, the fixing device comprises a third reinforcement intended to be installed inside the spar by connecting the walls of said spar to the first reinforcement.

[0027] Optionally, the reinforcements are fixed to the spar by welding points.

[0028] The second aspect of the invention also relates to a side member for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one rebate and one closing element capable of enclosing a fixing device as defined above. Said rebate and said closing element of the side member have a shape complementary to that of the fixing device.

[0029] The second aspect of the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a side member as defined above and a cradle fixed to the side member by means of a fixing device as defined above, located between a rebate of the side member and a closing element of the side member. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 is a schematic view, in section, of an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a device for fixing a cradle to a side member of a motor vehicle; and

[0032] - Figures 2 to 5 are detailed perspective views of the assembly of Figure 1.

[0033] Detailed description

[0034] Figure 1 represents an assembly 20 for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising: a cradle 2; a side member 3; and a fixing device 1 fixing the cradle and the side member to each other.

[0035] More specifically, Figure 1 represents a part of a motor vehicle comprising a device 1 for fixing a front right cradle 2 to a front right side member 3.

[0036] The motor vehicle is located in an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, the X direction designating the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y direction designating the transverse direction oriented towards the right of the vehicle in a driving situation, and the Z direction designating the vertical direction, oriented towards the top of the vehicle.

[0037] The spar 3 comprises at least one rebate 4 and a closing element 5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the spar 3 comprises a lower rebate 4 and a closing element 5 on its left side.

[0038] The spar 3 further comprises: a first 21 and a second 22 assembly zones, in which the rebate 4 and the closing element 5 are fixed to each other; and an internal cavity 23, formed between the rebate and the closing element and arranged between the first 21 and second 22 assembly zones.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the rebate 4 of the spar 3 has a substantially U-shaped section at the level of the internal cavity 23, along a plane (Y, Z). More precisely, the internal cavity 23 comprises a lower wall 24, an upper wall 25 and a side wall 26, formed by the rebate 4. The side wall 26 is arranged between the lower 24 and upper 25 walls and is vertical or slightly inclined relative to the vertical. The lower 24 and upper 25 walls are opposite each other and horizontal or slightly inclined relative to the horizontal. The upper wall 25 is located higher than the lower wall.

[0040] The first 21 and the second 22 assembly zones are located close, respectively, to the lower wall 24 and the upper wall 25 of the internal cavity 23. The first and second assembly zones will be described more precisely below.

[0041] The cradle 2 is fixed under the side member 3 by means of the fixing device 1 which is inserted between the lower rebate 4 and the closing element 5 of the side member 3, as will be specified below.

[0042] In particular, the cradle 2 comprises a sleeve 28 extending along a fixing axis 30, between a first 32 and a second 34 open end. The fixing axis 30 is parallel to the Z direction.

[0043] The fixing device 1 comprises: a spacer 6; at least one first reinforcement 7 which comprises means for fixing to the spar 3 and to the spacer 6 and which is capable of transferring forces in the vertical direction Z; and at least one second reinforcement 8 which comprises means for fixing to the spar 3 and which is capable of transferring forces in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The spacer 6 and the first 7 and second 8 reinforcements will be described more precisely below.

[0044] The fixing device 1 also comprises a screw 35. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the fixing device 1 also comprises a third reinforcement 9.

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates the spacer 6 fixed on the first reinforcement 7 of the fixing device 1.

[0046] The spacer 6 extends along the fixing axis 30 between a first 36 and a second 38 open end. The spacer 6 comprises an external surface 40 and an internal thread 42.

[0047] The external surface 40 of the spacer 6 is arranged around the fixing axis 30. Preferably, the external surface 40 has a shape of revolution, more preferably a cylindrical shape of revolution.

[0048] Preferably, the external surface 40 has an elongated shape along the fixing axis 30.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the spacer 6 further comprises a base 42 widened at its first end 36. The base 42 projects radially relative to the external surface 40.

[0050] In this embodiment, the spacer 6 is a threaded sleeve. A nut can also be considered as the spacer 6. The first reinforcement 7 is a vertical wall extending in particular in a plane X, Z. It comprises: a central concave part 44, of a shape complementary to the spacer 6 intended to accommodate said spacer 6; and a flat periphery, which constitutes a means of attachment to the spar 3 and to the other reinforcements 8, 9.

[0051] More precisely, the concave part 44 has a shape complementary to the external surface 40 of the spacer 6, so as to come into contact with said external surface 40. Preferably, the concave part 44 has an elongated shape parallel to the fixing axis 30, so as to maximize a contact surface with the spacer.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the spacer 6 is fixed to the first reinforcement 7 by weld beads 10, extending parallel to the fixing axis 30.

[0053] The flat periphery of the first reinforcement comprises at least one flat insertion portion 46, 48. In the embodiment shown, the flat periphery of the first reinforcement comprises a first 46 and a second 48 flat insertion portion. Said first 46 and second 48 flat insertion portions are arranged at opposite ends of the first reinforcement 7 in the Z direction.

[0054] More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the first flat insertion part 46 comprises two flanks 50, 52 located on either side of the concave part 44 in the direction X and forming a continuous surface with said concave part. The flanks 50, 52 extend substantially in the same first plane (X, Z).

[0055] Furthermore, the second flat insertion part 48 extends in a second plane (X, Z) and is aligned with the concave part 44 in the Z direction. Preferably, the first and second planes (X, Z) of the first 46 and second 48 flat insertion parts are close to each other in the Y direction, and more preferably substantially coincident.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the first reinforcement 7 further comprises a bearing edge 54, extending in a plane (X, Y) and forming one end of the first reinforcement 7 in the direction Z. The bearing edge 54 is adjacent to the concave portion 44 and to the two flanks 50, 52.

[0057] Preferably, the first reinforcement 7 comprises a first 56 and a second 58 substantially parallel faces. In the embodiment shown, for this purpose, the first reinforcement 7 is formed from a stamped sheet metal. The first face 56 of the first reinforcement 7 forms the concave portion 44 in contact with the external surface 40 of the spacer 6. At the bearing edge 54, the first 56 and second 58 faces of the first reinforcement 7 are oriented respectively downwards and upwards along Z.

[0058] Figure 5 illustrates the assembly comprising the spacer 6 fixed on the first reinforcement 7, inserted between the rebate 4 and the closing element 5 of the spar 3. The rebate 4 and the closing element 5 of the spar 3 have a shape complementary to that of the fixing device 1 in order to grip it perfectly.

[0059] More specifically, Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the first assembly zone 21 of the spar 3. Said first assembly zone 21 is adjacent to a first lower edge 60 of the rebate 4 and to a second lower edge 62 of the closing element 5. Said first 60 and second 62 lower edges form a lower end of the spar 3 in the direction Z.

[0060] The first assembly zone 21 comprises: a first 64 and a second 66 contact portions; and an insertion portion 68, located between the first 64 and second 66 contact portions in the direction X.

[0061] At the first 64 and second 66 contact portions, the rebate 4 and the closing element 5 of the spar 3 are in contact with each other, the first 60 and second 62 lower edges being opposite each other.

[0062] At the insertion portion 68, the spacer 6 and the first reinforcement 7 are inserted between the rebate 4 and the closing element 5. More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the first 56 and second 58 faces of the first reinforcement 7 are in contact respectively with the rebate 4 and the closing element 5.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, at the insertion portion 68, the rebate 4 comprises an embossment 70 adjacent to the first lower edge 60. The embossment 70 has a shape complementary to the external surface 40 of the spacer 6 and is in contact with said external surface 40. In other words, the external surface 40 of the spacer 6 is sandwiched between the embossment 70 of the rebate 4 and the concave portion 44 of the first reinforcement 7, in the direction Y. Preferably, the first lower edge 60 of the rebate 4 is arranged above the base 42 of the spacer 6 in the direction Z.

[0064] Furthermore, at the level of the insertion portion 68, the flanks 50, 52 of the first flat insertion part 46 of the first reinforcement 7 are sandwiched between the rebate 4 and the closing element 5. Preferably, the second lower edge 62 of the closing element 5 is arranged above the bearing edge 54 of the first reinforcement 7 in the direction Z.

[0065] Similarly, at the level of the second assembly zone 22 of the spar 3, the second flat insertion part 48 of the first reinforcement 7 is clamped between the rebate 4 and the closing element 5.

[0066] Figure 3 shows the second reinforcement 8 of the fixing device 1. The second reinforcement 8 is located under the side member 3, outside the internal cavity 23.

[0067] The second reinforcement 8 comprises a curved central part 72, a perimeter 74 which constitutes a means of attachment to the spar 3 and to the first reinforcement 7, and a support plate 76 extending in a plane X, Y. The perimeter 74 of the second reinforcement 8 comprises an upper tab 80 and two lower tabs 82.

[0068] The upper tab 80 extends substantially in a plane (X, Z) and is fixed to the rebate 4, at the level of the side wall 26 of the internal cavity 23.

[0069] The lower tabs 82 are arranged at the two ends of the upper tab 80 in the direction X. Each lower tab 82 is fixed to the rebate 4, at the level of the lower wall 24 of the internal cavity 23.

[0070] The support plate 76, located lower than the lower legs 82, has an opening 84 centered on the fixing axis 30. The support plate 76 is inserted between the second end 34 of the sleeve and the first end 36 of the spacer 6. Furthermore, the support plate 76 is in contact with the support edge 54 of the first reinforcement 7.

[0071] The curved central part 72 of the second reinforcement 8 forms the junction between the support plate 76 and the perimeter 74. The curved central part 72 is arranged opposite the spacer 6 in the direction Y.

[0072] The second reinforcement 8 is fixed to the spar 3 and to the first reinforcement 7 by weld points 11 made on its periphery 74 and on its support plate 76.

[0073] Figure 4 illustrates the integration of the third reinforcement 9 in the fixing device 1, the three reinforcements 7, 8, 9 being fixed to each other by welding points 11. The third reinforcement 9 is implanted in the internal cavity 23 of the spar 3, fixed to the walls of the spar 3 by means of welding points 11. The third reinforcement 9 comprises a vertical wall 88 extending in a plane Y, Z. The third reinforcement 9 is in particular fixed to the lower 24, upper 26 and lateral 26 walls of the internal cavity 23, formed by the rebate 4. The first reinforcement 7 and the third reinforcement 9 are connected to each other by welding points 11.

[0074] The third reinforcement 9 makes it possible, among other things, to connect the walls of said spar 3 to the first reinforcement 7, and thus to consolidate the fixing device 1.

[0075] Preferably, welding points 11 are made on the flat periphery of the first reinforcement 7, making it possible to fix its upper part and a portion of its lower part to the spar 3, and the other portion of its lower part to the second reinforcement 8, as described above.

[0076] The screw 35 comprises: a threaded rod 90, arranged along the fixing axis 30; and an enlarged head 92, arranged at one end of the threaded rod 90.

[0077] In the assembly 20, the threaded rod 90 is arranged in the sleeve 28 of the cradle 2 and in the spacer 6, passing through the opening 84 of the support plate 76 of the second reinforcement 8. Said threaded rod 90 is assembled to the internal thread 42 of the spacer 6, the enlarged head 92 bearing against the first end 32 of the sleeve 28. The cradle 2 and the side member 3 are thus secured to each other by the fixing device 1.

[0078] The invention applies to all cases of fixing a cradle 2 to a side member 3, and also applies to a case where the rebate 4 of the side member 3 is positioned towards the outside of the vehicle, that is to say on the left side of a left side member 3, and on the right side of a right side member 3.

[0079] The fixing device 1 inserted between a rebate 4 of the side member 3 and a closing element 5 of the side member 3 and comprising reinforcements 7, 8, 9, thus makes it possible to compensate for the structural weakness of the rebate 4 of the side member 3 while freeing up volume for the anti-roll bar and the wheel casing of the vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Assembly (20) for a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising: a cradle (2); a side member (3); and a fastening device (1) fastening the cradle and the side member to each other; the side member comprising: a rebate (4); a closing element (5); a first (21) and a second (22) assembly zones, in which the rebate and the closing element are fastened to each other; and an internal cavity (23), formed between the rebate (4) and the closing element (5) and arranged between the first (21) and second (22) assembly zones; the cradle comprising a sleeve (28) extending along a fastening axis (30); the fastening device comprising: a spacer (6); a first reinforcement (7); a second reinforcement (8); and a screw (35); the spacer (6) extending along the fixing axis (30) and comprising: an external surface (40), arranged around the fixing axis; and an internal thread (42);the first reinforcement (7) being received in the internal cavity (23) of the spar and fixed to the spar and to the spacer, the first reinforcement thus being able to transfer forces parallel to the fixing axis; the second reinforcement (8) being fixed to the spar and comprising a support plate (76) arranged between the spacer (6) and the sleeve (28) of the cradle along the fixing axis, said support plate comprising an opening (84) centered on the fixing axis (30); the screw (35) being arranged in the sleeve (28), passing through the opening (84) of the second reinforcement (8) and being assembled to the internal thread (42) of the spacer (6); the second reinforcement (8) thus being able to transfer forces perpendicular to the fixing axis;the assembly being characterized in that the first reinforcement (7) comprises a concave part (44) and at least a first flat insertion part (46), the concave part having a shape complementary to the external surface (40) of the spacer and being fixed to said external surface, the first flat insertion part (46) being sandwiched between the rebate (4) and the closing element (5) at the level of the first (21) and / or the second assembly zone of the spar.; 2. Assembly according to claim 1, in which the concave part (44) of the first reinforcement (7) has an elongated shape parallel to the fixing axis (30).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the first reinforcement (7) further comprises a second flat insertion part (48), each of the first (46) and second (48) flat insertion parts of the first reinforcement being sandwiched between the rebate (4) and the closing element (5), at the level of the first (21) and second (22) assembly zones of the spar (3) respectively.

4. Assembly according to claim 1, in which one of the rebate (4) and the closing element (5) comprises an embossing (70) arranged at the first assembly zone (21) of the spar, the embossing having a shape complementary to the external surface (40) of the spacer and being in contact with said external surface, the first reinforcement (7) and the spacer (6) thus being sandwiched between the rebate (4) and the closing element (5) of the spar at the first assembly zone (21).

5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first reinforcement (7) further comprises a flat bearing edge (54), fixed to the bearing plate (76) of the second reinforcement (8).

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing device (1) further comprises a third reinforcement (9) arranged in the internal cavity (23) of the spar, said third reinforcement being fixed to the first reinforcement (7) and to walls (24, 25, 26) of said internal cavity of the spar.

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rebate (4) of the spar (3) has a substantially U-shaped section, the internal cavity (23) comprising a lower wall (24), an upper wall (25) and a side wall (26) formed by said rebate.

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the spacer (6) is fixed to the concave part (44) of the first reinforcement (7) by weld beads (10).

9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcements (7, 8, 9) are fixed to the spar (3) by weld points (11).

10. Motor vehicle comprising an assembly (20) according to one of the preceding claims, configured so that the fixing axis (30) is arranged vertically.

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