Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
  • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
  • B62D25/14—Dashboards as superstructure sub-units
  • B62D25/145—Dashboards as superstructure sub-units having a crossbeam incorporated therein

Definitions

• Cross member for a motor vehicle comprising a reinforced section.
• the present invention relates to a cross member for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one tube extending along a longitudinal direction, the cross member having a reinforced section.
• the invention applies in particular to a dashboard cross member.
• Such a cross member extends along the transverse and horizontal direction of the motor vehicle, generally called the Y axis.
• the cross member is connected by its ends to the so-called A uprights of the body of the motor vehicle. It is intended to support on the one hand the dashboard, and on the other hand the steering column, via its reinforced section.
• the reinforced section has an increased rigidity and therefore an inherent frequency of vibration which make it possible to meet the requirements of motor vehicle manufacturers with regard to the structure supporting the steering column.
• the crosspiece comprises two tubes arranged end to end, one of smaller thickness and the other of greater thickness. These two tubes are welded to each other.
• the thicker section constitutes the reinforced section.
• Such sleepers meet the requirements of motor vehicle manufacturers, but have high masses.
• An object of the invention is to solve this problem by providing a cross member of the aforementioned type which is of reduced mass.
• the invention relates to a cross member of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises, in its reinforced section, a hollow body distinct from the tube and at least one transverse reinforcing member disposed in the tube.
• the crossmember may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination: - the hollow body has a substantially tubular shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the tube, L - the hollow body is provided with means for mounting equipment on the cross member, - the transverse reinforcing member is arranged longitudinally opposite the mounting means, - the mounting means came integrally with the hollow body, - the hollow body at least partially surrounds the tube, - the tube extends longitudinally over the entire length of the hollow body, - the hollow body is secured to means for fixing the cross member to the body of the motor vehicle,.
• the fixing means comprise: • a device for connecting a lateral end of the cross member to a lateral upright of the body of the motor vehicle, and • a strut for connecting the cross member to the floor of the body of the motor vehicle, -
• the hollow body comprises at least two assembled shells, - the shells have different thicknesses, and - the hollow body is at least partly formed by a stamped part.
• the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a dashboard cross member for a motor vehicle and a steering column mounted on the cross member, characterized in that the cross member is a cross member as defined above.
• the invention further relates to a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an assembly as defined above.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cross dashboard according to a first embodiment of the invention
• - Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of ja cross member of Figure 1
• - Figure 3 is a schematic view, partial and from above, illustrating the reinforced section of the cross member of Figures 1 and 2
• - Figure 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.
• the orientations used are the usual orientations of a motor vehicle.
• the terms "front”, “rear”, “right” and “left” are understood in relation to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle and the position of a driver.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a crossmember 1 of a dashboard for a motor vehicle, this crossmember 1 mainly comprising: - a tube 3, - devices 5 for connecting the ends 7 of the tube 3 to the body of the motor vehicle, - a leg force 9 to link the cross member 1 to the floor of the motor vehicle, - a hollow body 11 for reinforcing a left section 13 of the cross member 1, and - an element 14 for fixing the strut 9 to the hollow body 11
• the tube 3 extends along a direction D intended to be transverse and horizontal, that is to say coincident with the axis Y of the motor vehicle in which the cross member 1 is mounted.
• the tube 3 has for example a substantially circular section over its entire length.
• Spacers 15 have been threaded on the left section of the tube 3, to form the reinforced section 13 of the cross member 1, as will be described later. These spacers 15 have shapes substantially complementary to that of the interior of the hollow body 11.
• the spacers 15 have for example been fixed by welds to the tube 3.
• the connecting devices 5 each comprise a front bracket 17 and a rear bracket 19 welded to each other along two wings 21 and 23 extending vertically. These brackets 17 and 19 have for example been fixed by screws to the ends 7 of the tube 3.
• Each connecting device 5 may further comprise other members, for example a tie rod 24 such as that shown on the device 5 left of the Figure 1.
• the devices 5 are used to connect the ends 7 of the tube 3 and therefore the cross member 1 to the so-called A amounts of the body of the motor vehicle.
• the hollow body 11 comprises an upper shell 23 and a lower shell 25.
• the shells 23 and 25 are for example formed by stamping of sheets.
• the upper shell 23 includes a flared central region 27 to extend forward and backward.
• the left end of the upper shell 23 further includes a reinforcement bracket 29.
• the lower shell 25 has legs extending forward and backward to form a plate 31.
• the left end of the shell lower 25 also includes a reinforcement bracket 33.
• the hollow body 11 is formed by assembling the shells 23 and 25.
• the hollow body 11 that is to say the shells 23 and 25 surround the spacers 15 and the tube 3 in the left section 13.
• the shells 23 and 25 are then for example welded between them as well as on the spacers 15 on which they bear.
• the spacers 15 therefore transversely reinforce the hollow body 11.
• the two central spacers 15 are arranged along the direction D in line with the means 34 for mounting the steering column 35.
• these two spacers 15 can be located at the sight , of screws used to fix the steering column 35 to the mounting means 34.
• the tube 3 extends along the direction D over the entire length of the hollow body 11.
• the reinforcing brackets 29 and 33 of the hollow body 11 are fixed, for example by screws to the connecting device 5 left.
• the strut 9 is attached for example by welding 14 which is fixing member itself and welded / bolted or to the right end of the hollow body '11.
• the lower end of the strut 9 is intended to be fixed, for example by screws, to the tunnel of the floor of the motor vehicle.
• the cross member 1 supports the dashboard (not shown) of the motor vehicle as well as the steering column 35 which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1.
• This steering column 35 is for example mounted by screwing on the mounting means 34.
• the cross member 1 Due to the presence of the hollow body 11 and the spacers 15 on which it rests, the cross member 1 has rigidity and therefore an increased natural frequency in the reinforced section 13, and in particular at the level of the steering column 35.
• the thickness of the hollow body 11 is low, which leads to an overall weight smaller than 'in the prior art. It has thus been found that such a structure could lead to a reduction in mass of between 10% and 20% for a crossmember 1 of the dashboard.
• the mounting means 34 having come integrally with the hollow body 11, the cost of the cross member 1 is reduced. This is all the more true since the hollow body 11 is produced by stamping.
• the number of spacers 15 may be different from that described above.
• the body hollow 11 surrounds only by its right end the left end 7 of the tube 3 which is spaced from the left connecting device 5.
• the spacer 15 left has been removed.
• the spacer 15 right serves to ensure the connection between the hollow body 11 and the tube 3.
• the two central spacers 15 are always arranged longitudinally at the flared region 27 of the upper shell 23 and the plate 31 of the lower shell 25. These two spacers 15 extend transversely from the upper shell 23 to the lower shell 25. These spacers 35 therefore transversely reinforce the hollow body 11 in line with the region intended to receive the steering column 35.
• the cross member 1 of Figure 4 has a satisfactory rigidity.
• the lower shell 25 may have a smaller thickness than that of the upper shell 23, without significantly reducing the mechanical properties of the cross member 1.
• the reinforced section 13 can be used to mount other equipment.
• a steering column, and the cross member 1 may be a cross member used in a motor vehicle at a location other than that of the dashboard.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34196241

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2004
  • 2004-01-22 FR FR0400615A patent/FR2859446B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-09-09 WO PCT/FR2004/002292 patent/WO2005025969A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2004-09-09 EP EP04787341A patent/EP1663763A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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