Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
  • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
  • B60R19/04—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects formed from more than one section in a side-by-side arrangement
  • B60R19/12—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects formed from more than one section in a side-by-side arrangement vertically spaced
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
  • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
  • B60R2019/1806—Structural beams therefor, e.g. shock-absorbing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
  • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
  • B60R2019/186—Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material
  • B60R2019/1866—Cellular structures

Definitions

• the invention relates to the absorption of energy during an impact for a motor vehicle.
• An energy absorbing system must be able to effectively absorb the energy of a shock so as to protect the occupants of the motor vehicle, and this without being too bulky.
• the term "beam” means a longitudinal structure which is supported on at least one, in general two, fixed points. Such a structure can incorporate energy absorption means such as honeycombs, capable of consuming energy to deform, by reducing the amount of residual energy transmitted to the fixed support points. In this case, the beam is called an "absorption beam”.
• cross a rigid structure extending between two points by which it is fixed. It should be noted that a crossbar provides less than 3% of energy absorption in the event of an impact. State of the art
• an energy absorption system for a motor vehicle provided with longitudinal members, the system comprising an upper absorption beam, intended to be arranged. in front of the longitudinal members of the motor vehicle, a lower absorption beam intended to be arranged below the upper absorption beam, and at least two legs providing a rigid connection between the upper and lower absorption beams.
• the assembly constituted by the two beams and the two legs forms an energy absorption frame which is fixed on the end of the side members with the interposition of absorbers working in compression.
• the beams are interconnected only through the absorbers and the upper beam energy absorption.
• the absorbers are generally "crash boxes" each of which is designed to absorb the energy of shocks directed exactly in the axis of the spar that carries it.
• the force printed on the absorber necessarily includes an oblique component which the absorber can not deal with pressing the spar.
• the energy of the shock is likely to be fully reflected on the absorber and spar that are most in the axis of impact.
• the beams are not effectively coupled together, so that in case of shock, the force is not distributed on the two longitudinal members. Moreover, in the case of a shock on the upper absorption beam in a central zone between the side members, this beam tends to work in bending rather than in compression, and therefore does not absorb energy optimally. .
• the invention proposes to reduce the overhang of the vehicle, without reducing the efficiency of the energy absorption system.
• the invention relates to an energy absorption system for a motor vehicle provided with longitudinal members, the system comprising an upper absorption beam intended to be arranged in front of the longitudinal members of the motor vehicle, a lower beam of absorption, intended to be arranged below the upper absorption beam, and at least two legs providing a rigid connection between the upper and lower absorption beams, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid cross member extending between the longitudinal members and being directly attached to these longitudinal members, the upper absorption beam being fixed in abutment against this cross.
• the absorption function is considered to be fulfilled as long as the absorber or the absorption beam absorbs at least 7% of the energy of the impact.
• a simple stiffening consisting for example of providing support for the lower leg of a pedestrian does not constitute an energy absorption.
• the side members are effectively coupled and any effort on the beam is better distributed between the side members.
• the upper absorption beam being in abutment against the rigid beam, it can work in compression against the rigid beam during an impact, and therefore, it can better absorb the impact energy.
• the energy absorption being better ensured by the energy absorption system, it is possible to reduce the cantilever.
• the upper and lower absorption beams are substantially horizontal and the legs are substantially vertical when the system is mounted on the motor vehicle.
• the motor vehicle is provided with a motor cradle, the lower absorption beam is supported on extensions of the engine cradle.
• At least one element selected from the upper absorption beam, the lower absorption beam and one of the legs is made of thermoplastic material.
• the upper absorption beam, the lower absorption beam and jambs form a monobloc piece made in one piece.
• the absorption system comprises at least one front block member of a motor vehicle, for example a calender grille and / or an air deflector to promote the flow of air or heat exchange, a device for horn or a water tank.
• a motor vehicle for example a calender grille and / or an air deflector to promote the flow of air or heat exchange, a device for horn or a water tank.
• At least one element selected from the upper absorption beam, the lower absorption beam and one of the legs comprises a network of ribs forming an energy absorption zone.
• the energy absorbing system is intended to be arranged at the front of the motor vehicle.
• the invention also relates to a front or rear block of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an absorption system as defined above.
• the invention finally relates to a method of mounting an energy absorption system on a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:
• the absorption system 1 is intended to equip a motor vehicle provided with longitudinal members 2, preferably of metal material, and provided with extensions 7 of low structure, for example extensions of engine cradle.
• the absorption system 1 is preferably arranged at the front of this motor vehicle, forming part of the front block of the motor vehicle.
• the energy absorbing system 1 comprises at least one motor vehicle front block member that can easily be replaced if it is destroyed during an impact.
• the absorption system includes a calender grille and / or an air baffle for promoting airflow or heat exchange, a horn device or a water tank.
• the absorption system 1 comprises a rigid cross member 6 fixed to these longitudinal members 2, thus forming a rigid connection between these longitudinal members 2.
• the cross member 6 is made of steel, aluminum or composite material.
• the absorption system 1 also comprises a first beam 3, called the upper absorption beam.
• the upper beam 3 substantially horizontal, is preferably made of thermoplastic material or metal-plastic hybrid. It is provided with a network of ribs 8 forming an energy absorption zone. It will be noted that this network of ribs can be densified to promote the absorption of energy.
• the upper beam 3 is fixed in abutment against the rigid cross member 6, in order to work only in compression during an impact.
• the absorption system 1 further comprises a second beam 4, called the lower absorption beam.
• the lower beam 4 substantially horizontal, is preferably made of thermoplastic material or metal-plastic hybrid. It is also provided with a network of ribs forming an energy absorption zone.
• the lower beam 4 is fixed in support on the extensions 7 of the engine cradle.
• Legs 5, substantially vertical, provide a rigid connection between upper and lower beams 3 and 4.
• these legs 5 are made of thermoplastic material.
• the upper and lower absorption beams 3 and the legs 5 together form a monobloc frame made in one piece.
• the frame constituted by the upper 3 and lower 4 absorption beams and jambs 5 provides a greater shock area, so that two vehicles that collide meet necessarily at the system level. absorption.
• the rigid structures of each vehicle no longer constitute destructive intrusive parts for the other vehicle.
• the frame provides a greater absorption surface, so that a force due to shock is better distributed, which facilitates absorption and reduces aggression.
• the framework improves accounting between vehicles of different types and brands and reduces intrusiveness and therefore aggression.
• the energy absorption system 1 is preferably mounted on the motor vehicle during a mounting process such that:
• the rigid cross member 6 is fixed on longitudinal members 2 of the motor vehicle.
• An energy absorption system according to the invention may be adapted to be arranged at the rear of a motor vehicle, then forming part of the rear block of the motor vehicle.
• the low structure is for example a floor of the motor vehicle.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
• Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=36617168

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (47)

Family Cites Families (16)

• 2005
  • 2005-12-23 FR FR0513290A patent/FR2895341B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-12-21 BR BRPI0620370-1A patent/BRPI0620370B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2006-12-21 CN CN2006800489100A patent/CN101351358B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-12-21 WO PCT/FR2006/051408 patent/WO2007074300A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2006-12-21 EP EP06847198A patent/EP1963139A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-12-22 US US11/644,008 patent/US7681700B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events