Front running gear of a motor vehicle, provided with reinforcements in the hinge zones between the horns and the suspension triangles

Abstract

The invention relates to a front running gear comprising a cradle (100), two front side extensions (110) fixed to the cradle by means of two horns (120) that each have a receiving reinforcement (122) delimited longitudinally by two protuberances (123, 124), and two suspension triangles (130) each hinged with respect to a corresponding side edge of the cradle and each comprising an annular ring (133) in which a resilient hinge (150) is force-fitted, through the internal opening of which hinge a cylindrical bar (180) passes, the two flattened longitudinal ends (181, 182) of which are fixed to the two protuberances of this horn by means of two screws that each pass through an aperture formed in one flattened longitudinal end before being screwed into a threaded bore (123A, 124A) provided in a corresponding protuberance, the running gear also comprising two metal reinforcing members (190) each extending fixedly between the two protuberances of a corresponding horn.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Front running gear of a motor vehicle with reinforcements in the articulation areas between the horns and the suspension triangles

[0003] [Technical field]

[0004] The present invention claims priority from French application 2502037 filed on February 28, 2025, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to the front suspension assemblies of motor vehicles. It focuses in particular on the articulation areas between the suspension arms and wishbones.

[0005] [Previous technique]

[0006] [1] The front running gear of a motor vehicle classically comprises a subframe, two front lateral extensions extending in the forward line from the two front lateral ends of this subframe to which they are attached by means of two lateral metal connecting members commonly referred to as "side horns", as well as two

[0007] suspension triangles carrying the front wheels and articulated each opposite a corresponding lateral edge of the cradle.

[0008] [2] Each lateral horn has a reception recess with a cross-section substantially in the shape of a U, open on the external side and delimited longitudinally by two rear and front outgrowths.

[0009] [3] As disclosed for example by document FR 3080079 A1, the suspension triangles can be mounted pivotally articulated vis-à-vis the cradle by means of two elastic joints rear and front aligned in a substantially longitudinal direction, so as to allow reversible pivoting of this triangle during the vertical movement of the corresponding wheel while ensuring vibration filtering.

[0010] [4] Following such a configuration, each suspension triangle comprises, at its proximal front end, an annular ring, partially housed in the recess for receiving a corresponding horn, and in which is press-fitted a front elastic joint whose inner opening is traversed by a cylindrical bar whose two flattened longitudinal ends are fixedly attached by screwing against the two protrusions of this horn.

[0011] [5] Before being placed on the market, motor vehicles must also be subjected to numerous test protocols to assess, in particular, their level of passive safety.

[0012] [6] In the United States, the IIHS (for "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety") has for several years been implementing a test protocol called "Driver Side Small Overlap Front Test" with the aim of simulating a frontal collision with small overlap on the driver's side.

[0013] [7] More specifically, this test protocol consists of projecting the vehicle at a speed of 64 km / h against a rigid barrier 150 cm high and covering only 25% of the width of the vehicle on the driver's side.

[0014] [8] It is understood that such a test protocol primarily affects the driver's side of the vehicle with the impact forces being directed directly towards the front wheel, the suspension system and the corresponding firewall.

[0015] [9] Thus, it is not uncommon for this front wheel to be pushed back and become embedded in the lower part of the passenger compartment, which constitutes a very damaging intrusion likely to cause serious injuries to the driver's legs and feet.

[0016]

[0010] In order to avoid such entrapment of the front wheels in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, it is known to weaken the cylindrical bars passing through the front elastic joints mounted on the suspension triangles and whose ends are screwed to the protrusions of the lateral horns.

[0017]

[0011] This weakening thus allows the bar located on the impact side to break under a predetermined shear force so as to allow the corresponding front wheel to detach from the vehicle and prevent it from being pulled backwards towards the passenger compartment.

[0012] Unfortunately, the tests carried out showed that a weakening of the bars could lead, during such a test protocol, to the breakage of the lateral horn between its two protrusions and the embedding of the corresponding lateral extension in the lower part of the passenger compartment.

[0018] [Description of the invention]

[0019]

[0013] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0020]

[0014] For this purpose, it proposes a front running gear for a motor vehicle comprising a cradle, two front lateral extensions fixed to said cradle by means of two lateral horns, each having a reception recess delimited longitudinally by two protrusions, as well as two suspension triangles, each articulated with respect to a corresponding lateral edge of said cradle and each comprising an annular ring in which is press-fitted an elastic joint, the inner opening of which is traversed by a cylindrical bar, the two flattened longitudinal ends of which are fixed to the two protrusions of this horn by means of two screws, each passing through an orifice provided in said flattened longitudinal end before being screwed into a tapped bore provided in said corresponding protrusion;

[0021] characterized in that it further comprises two metallic reinforcing elements, each extending fixedly between the two outgrowths of a corresponding horn.

[0022]

[0015] The addition of these two reinforcing metal elements thus makes it possible to avoid, in the event of a low overlap frontal impact, the breakage of the lateral horn located on the side of the impact between its two protrusions and the embedding of the corresponding lateral extension in the lower part of the passenger compartment.

[0023]

[0016] According to preferred characteristics of said front running gear according to the invention:

[0024] - each said reinforcing organ comprises two flat end tabs arranged respectively in two slots formed in the two outgrowths of a corresponding said horn;

[0025] - the bore of each said protrusion comprises a first and a second aligned sections made respectively in the portions of this protrusion located on either side of its slot, each said screw passing successively through said first section of a corresponding said bore, an orifice made in a corresponding end tab of said reinforcing member, then through said second section of this bore;

[0026] - only the second sections of said bores, which are last traversed by said screws, are tapped so as to achieve the tightening of the end tabs of said reinforcing element when they are screwed in;

[0027] - the two slots made in the two protrusions of each said horn extend along the same average plane perpendicular to the two bores made in these two protrusions;

[0028] - each said reinforcing element also includes a rod extending rigidly between said end legs;

[0029] - the stem of each said reinforcing element extends in a substantially longitudinal direction and has an arched profile whose convexity is turned upwards;

[0030] - each said reinforcing element was cast in a single piece from a steel alloy; and / or

[0031] - the two flattened longitudinal ends of each said bar are fixed against the flat lower ends of the two outgrowths of the corresponding said horn.

[0032]

[0017] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising such a front running gear.

[0033] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034]

[0018] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an example embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0035] - [Fig 1] represents a perspective view of a front running gear of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0036] - [Fig 2] is an enlarged perspective view of the articulation area between the anterior proximal end of a suspension triangle and a lateral horn; - [Fig 3] shows a perspective view of a reinforcing element extending fixedly between the two projections of the lateral horn of Figure 2; and - [Fig 4] is a side elevation view of the lateral horn of Figure 2. [Detailed description]

[0037]

[0019] Figure 1 represents the front part of a front running gear 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0038]

[0020] In the following description, and by convention, an orthogonal frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular in pairs is defined with respect to this front running gear 1, namely:

[0039] - an X axis, defining a longitudinal direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;

[0040] - a Y-axis, defining a horizontal, transverse direction, which, together with the X-axis, defines a horizontal XY plane; and

[0041] - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane.

[0042]

[0021] In the remainder of this description and with reference to the coordinate system defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinally" shall refer to a direction parallel to the X-axis, the terms "transverse" or "transversely" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Y-axis, and the terms "vertical" or

[0043] "Vertically" will refer to a direction parallel to the Z-axis.

[0044]

[0022] On the other hand, and by convention, the terms "lower", "higher",

[0045] "Front" and "rear" refer to the overall orientation of the vehicle. "Lower" and "lower" indicate a closer proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than "upper" or "higher." "Front" indicates a vehicle facing forward in the horizontal direction, and "rear" indicates a vehicle facing backward in the same horizontal direction.

[0046]

[0023] The terms "external" and "internal" will be used to define the relative position of an element with reference to the median vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry of this front running gear 1. The element closest to this plane will thus be described as internal as opposed to the other element further away from this same plane which will be described as external.

[0047]

[0024] Furthermore, the term "substantially" will be used to indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or orientation, while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially horizontal" indicates that a deviation of approximately 10° to 15° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0048]

[0025] With reference to figure 1, the front running gear 1 comprises a cradle 100 extending along a horizontal mean plane, and two hollow front lateral extensions 110 extending substantially horizontally in the front extension of the two front lateral ends of this cradle 100 to which they are fixed by means of two metal lateral horns 120.

[0049]

[0026] Advantageously made from a single piece of aluminum alloy to limit its mass, each of the lateral horns 120 comprises a main body 121 extending along a substantially horizontal average plane and fixedly attached to the cradle 100 advantageously by non-visible screws.

[0050]

[0027] As illustrated by figure 2, the main body 121 of each horn 120 has a reception recess 122 with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, open on the external side and delimited longitudinally by two rear 123 and front 124 protrusions.

[0051]

[0028] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the front end portion of this main body 121 is received in the hollow rear end portion of a corresponding front lateral extension 110 to which it is fixed by screwing with the aid of screws V.

[0052]

[0029] Each side horn 120 also conventionally comprises a mounting arm 125, originating from the rear end of the main body 121 located at the rear protrusion 123, and extending above this main body 121, curving outwards. The two mounting arms 125 each have, at their upper ends, fastening means 126 for securing the front running gear 1 to the vehicle body structure.

[0053]

[0030] Still with reference to this figure 1, the front running gear 1 further comprises two suspension triangles 130 projecting transversely from the two lateral edges of the cradle 100 and each articulated to pivot with respect to this cradle 100 by means of a first and a second elastic joints 140, 150 (also commonly referred to by the English term "silentbloc") aligned in a substantially longitudinal direction, so as to allow the pivoting of this triangle 130 during the vertical movement of the corresponding wheel while ensuring the filtering of vibrations.

[0054]

[0031] These suspension triangles 130 each have at their distal end opposite the cradle 100 several fixing holes allowing a support pallet 160 to be fixedly attached by screwing, intended to be mechanically connected to a wheel pivot not shown and on which the hub of a corresponding front wheel of the vehicle is fixed.

[0055]

[0032] Each suspension triangle 130 comprises, at its rear proximal end, an axle inserted into the inner opening of the first elastic joint 140 press-fitted into an annular ring 171 of a respective lateral support 170 fixedly attached by screwing onto a corresponding lateral edge of the cradle 100 by means of two tabs 172 welded onto this ring 171.

[0056]

[0033] As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, each suspension triangle 130 comprises, at its proximal front end, an annular ring 133 partially housed in the reception recess 122 of a corresponding horn 120 and in which is press-fitted the second elastic joint 150 whose inner opening is traversed by a cylindrical bar 180 whose two flattened longitudinal ends 181, 182 are fixed against the flat lower ends of the two protrusions 123, 124 of this horn 120.

[0057]

[0034] This fixing is ensured by means of two non-visible screws, each passing through an orifice made in a corresponding flattened longitudinal end 181, 182 of this bar 180, before being screwed into a threaded bore passing through 123A, 124A made in a corresponding protrusion 123, 124 of this horn 120.

[0058]

[0035] In order to prevent the front wheels from becoming embedded in the vehicle's passenger compartment in the event of a low overlap frontal impact, these cylindrical bars 180 include non-visible weakening means such as orifices, so as to break under a predetermined shear stress.

[0059]

[0036] According to the invention and as can be clearly seen in figure 2, the front running gear 1 also includes two metal reinforcing elements 190 each extending fixedly between the two rear 123 and front 124 protrusions of a corresponding horn 120.

[0060]

[0037] With reference to figure 3, each of the reinforcement members 190 has two flat end tabs rear 191 and front 192 arranged respectively in two slots 123B, 124B provided in the two rear 123 and front 124 protrusions of a corresponding horn 120 (these two slots 123B, 124B being visible in figure 4 showing a side elevation view of one of these horns 120 before the assembly of the suspension triangle 130 and the corresponding reinforcement member 190).

[0061]

[0038] Each flat end tab 191, 192 further has a fixing hole 191 A, 192A clearly visible in figure 3.

[0062]

[0039] As can be seen in Figure 4, the two slots 123B, 124B formed in the two protrusions 123, 124 of each horn 120 extend advantageously along the same average plane substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the two bores 123A, 124A formed in these two protrusions 123, 124.

[0063]

[0040] The bore 123A, 124A of each protrusion 123, 124 thus comprises a first and a second aligned sections formed respectively in the lower portions 123C, 124C and upper portions 123D, 124D of this protrusion 123, 124 located on either side of its slot 123B, 124B.

[0064]

[0041] The attachment of the two end tabs 191, 192 of each reinforcing member 190 to the two protrusions 123, 124 of the corresponding horn 120 is advantageously ensured by the two screws securing the flattened ends 181, 182 of the bar 180 to these same protrusions 123, 124. Each screw thus passes successively through the first section of a corresponding bore 123A, 124A, the fixing hole 191A, 192A provided in a corresponding end tab 191, 192 of this reinforcing member 190, then the second section of this bore 123A, 124A.

[0042] In order to achieve, during the screwing operations of these screws, the tightening of the end tabs 191, 192 between the lower portions 123C, 124C and upper portions 123D, 124D of the protrusions 123, 124, only the second sections of the bores 123A, 124A which are last crossed by these screws will be advantageously tapped.

[0065]

[0043] Advantageously made from a single piece of steel alloy to limit the cost, each reinforcing member 190 also includes a rod 193 extending rigidly between the end tabs 191, 192 in a substantially longitudinal direction and having an arched profile whose convexity is turned upwards, so as to avoid any risk of interference with the proximal front end of the corresponding suspension triangle 130 during its pivoting movement.

[0066]

[0044] In order to ensure sufficient tensile strength to prevent the horn 120 from breaking between its two protrusions 123, 124 in the event of a low overlap frontal impact, the rod 193 of each reinforcing member 190 advantageously has a diameter greater than or equal to 10 millimeters.

[0067]

[0045] This diameter will also preferably be less than or equal to 20 millimeters so as not to hinder the mounting on these horns 120 and via the bars 180 of the elastic joints 150 attached to the proximal front ends of the suspension triangles 130.

[0068]

[0046] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the rod of each reinforcing member could be welded onto the end tabs of that reinforcing member.

[0069]

[0047] According to other embodiments not shown, the stem of each reinforcing member could be replaced by a flat tongue extending rigidly between the end tabs of this reinforcing member.

[0070]

[0048] Many other variants are conceivable, and it should be noted in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, but also encompasses all variants of execution within the grasp of a person skilled in the art, i

Claims

Demands

1. Front running gear (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a subframe (100), two front lateral extensions (110) fixed to said subframe (100) by means of two lateral brackets (120), each having a recess (122) longitudinally delimited by two projections (123, 124), and two suspension triangles (130), each articulated with respect to a corresponding lateral edge of said subframe (100) and each comprising an annular ring (133) into which is press-fitted an elastic joint (150), the inner opening of which is traversed by a cylindrical bar (180), the two flattened longitudinal ends (181, 182) of which are fixed to the two projections (123, 124) of this bracket (120) by means of two screws, each passing through an orifice provided in said end longitudinal flattened before being screwed into a tapped bore (123A, 124A) made in a corresponding protrusion (123, 124);characterized in that it further comprises two metallic reinforcing elements (190) each extending fixedly between the two protrusions (123, 124) of a corresponding horn (120).;

2. Front running gear (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said reinforcement member (190) comprises two flat end tabs (191, 192) disposed respectively in two slots (123B, 124B) formed in the two protrusions (123, 124) of a said corresponding horn (120).

3. Front running gear (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the bore (123A, 124A) of each said protrusion (123, 124) comprises a first and a second aligned sections formed respectively in the portions of this protrusion (123, 124) situated on either side of its slot (123B, 124B), each said screw successively passing through said first section of a corresponding said bore (123A, 124A), an orifice (191A, 192A) formed in a corresponding said end tab (191, 192) of said reinforcing member (190), and then through said second section of this bore (123A, 124A).

4. Front running gear (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that only the second sections said bores (123A, 124A) last traversed by said screws are tapped so as to achieve the tightening of the end tabs (191, 192) of said reinforcing member (190) when they are screwed in.

5. Front running gear (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the two slots (123B, 124B) formed in the two protrusions (123, 124) of each said horn (120) extend along the same mean plane perpendicular to the two bores (123A, 124A) formed in these two protrusions (123, 124).

6. Front running gear (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each said reinforcement member (190) also comprises a rod (193) extending rigidly between said end tabs (191, 192).

7. Front running gear (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the rod (193) of each said reinforcement member (190) extends in a substantially longitudinal direction and has an arched profile whose convexity is turned upwards.

8. Front running gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each said reinforcing member (190) is cast in one piece from a steel alloy.

9. Front running gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the two flattened longitudinal ends (181, 182) of each said bar (180) are fixed against the flat lower ends of the two protrusions (123, 124) of said corresponding horn (120).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front running gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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