Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D27/00—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units
  • B62D27/02—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units rigid
• • 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
  • B62D25/02—Side panels
• • 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
  • B62D25/04—Door pillars ; windshield pillars

Definitions

• TITLE Body structure for a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention
• the invention relates to a body structure for a motor vehicle, 3 comprising a structural member and a liner of the structural member welded to the structural member.
• the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a body structure.
• the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a body structure.
• Motor vehicles include a body forming a robust structure.
• the body can include a structural element, such as for example a sheet metal element, to which a liner is attached.
• the assembly formed by the structural element and its lining increases the robustness of the body of the motor vehicle, and in particular its resistance in the event of an impact.
• the structural element and its liner must be securely attached to each other. In fact, in the event of an impact against the vehicle, the connection between the structural element and its liner can be highly stressed. If the mechanical connection between these two parts gives way or deteriorates, the body becomes more deformed and its capacity to absorb the energy of the impact decreases.
• the structural element and its lining can extend to an opening intended to accommodate a door of the motor vehicle.
• a gasket can be attached along a common edge of the structural member and the liner.
• This fixing interface can be in the form a relief in the form of crenellations. The seal is then fitted, or in other words fitted, around the slots. The seal deforms around the crenellations which puts it in tension and ensures its good hold.
• the aim of the invention is to provide a body structure for a motor vehicle overcoming the above drawbacks and improving the body structures known from the prior art.
• a first object of the invention is a body structure in which a structural element and its liner are sturdily attached to each other.
• a second object of the invention is a body structure which is simple to manufacture.
• a third object of the invention is a body structure on which one can simply fix a seal.
• the invention relates to a body structure for a motor vehicle, the body structure comprising a structural element and a lining of the structural element, the lining of the structural element extending generally parallel to the structural element, the lining of the structural member being welded directly to the structural member by means of first weld points, at least one of the structural element or the lining of the structural element comprising a relief forming a spacing between the lining of the structural element and the structural element, the spacing being located between the first weld points, the body structure including a spacer extending into the gap, the spacer being welded directly to the structural member, and the spacer being welded directly to the liner of the structural member.
• the structural member may comprise a first edge, and the liner of the structural member may include a second edge, the second edge extending along the first edge, said spacing between the liner of the structural member and the member structural being formed at least in part between the first edge and the second edge.
• the first edge and / or the second edge can comprise a fixing interface for a gasket of a motor vehicle, the gasket being intended to cover the first edge and / or the second edge, the gasket of sealing being intended to be fixed to the structural element and / or to the lining of the structural element by cooperation with said relief.
• Said relief can comprise a succession of crenellations.
• the spacer may include a body and a plurality of teeth connected to the body, each tooth of the spacer extending opposite a slot.
• the spacer may be welded to the structural member and to the structural member liner by at least one second electrical weld point passing through a thickness of the structural member, the spacer, and the liner of the structural member.
• the structural member may be a first sheet member, and / or the liner of the structural member may be a second sheet member, and / or the spacer may be a third sheet member.
• the structural element may be a bodywork element of a motor vehicle, in particular an element of a rear wing or of a rear wing of a motor vehicle, the structural element comprising a generally smooth outer surface, and the lining of the structural element may comprise said relief.
• the spacer can be riveted to the structural member or to the liner of the structural member.
• the body structure may comprise a seal fixed to the structural element and / or to the lining of the structural element by cooperation with said relief.
• the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body structure as defined above.
• the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a body structure as defined above, the method comprising:
• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 is an isometric side view of a liner of a structural element of the motor vehicle.
• Figure 3 is a side isometric view of the structural member liner assembled to a spacer.
• Figure 4 is a perspective isometric view of the structural member, assembled to the structural member liner and assembled to the spacer.
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the vehicle 1 can be of any kind. In particular, it can be for example a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus.
• the vehicle 1 comprises a body 2.
• the body 2 is a rigid structure of the vehicle capable of supporting various components of the vehicle 1 and of protecting the passengers of the vehicle in the event of an impact against the vehicle.
• the box 2 comprises a box structure 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the body structure 3 is part of the body 2 of the vehicle 1.
• the X axis denotes the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. In forward gear and in a straight line, the vehicle advances from rear to front in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis.
• the X axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, that is to say in the direction of reverse.
• the Y axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle.
• the Y axis is oriented left to right, with left and right defined from the perspective of a driver of the vehicle.
• the Z axis denotes the axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis.
• the Z axis is a vertical axis when the vehicle is resting on horizontal ground.
• the Z axis is oriented from bottom to top.
• the X, Y and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.
• the body structure 3 comprises a structural element 4 and a lining of the structural element 5.
• the structural element 4 is a body element of the motor vehicle, in particular a rear wing or a rear wing. custode.
• the rear wing or quarter panel is a part of the body extending to the rear of a lateral side of the vehicle 1.
• the structural element 4 can be delimited at the front by an opening 6 intended to receive a door of the vehicle.
• the opening 6 allows in particular the passengers of the vehicle 1 to enter and exit the vehicle.
• the structural element 4 can in particular be delimited downwards by a wheel arch and upwards by a roof of the vehicle. Finally, it can be delimited at the rear by a trunk of the vehicle.
• the structural element could be any other part of the body of the vehicle, for example a front fender, part of a floor of the vehicle or even an upright of the vehicle.
• the structural element may include an exterior surface that is generally smooth, visible from the outside, and painted or intended to be painted.
• the lining of the structural element 5 extends generally along the structural element 4. In other words, it extends generally parallel to the structural element 4. According to the embodiment presented, the lining of the element structural 5 and structural element 4 extend generally in a longitudinal and vertical plane of the vehicle but as a variant this plane could be oriented differently.
• the lining of the structural element 5 can have a dimension close to the structural element 4 and cover it completely, or alternatively a smaller dimension and only partially cover it. It can be positioned towards the interior of the vehicle with respect to the structural element 4.
• the lining of the structural element 5 may be concealed inside the vehicle by trim components or trim covering it.
• the liner of the structural member 5 is firmly attached to the structural member
• the structural element 4 and the liner of the structural element 5 can both be a sheet element, i.e. an element produced by deformation of an initially flat sheet or strip, for example. by stamping.
• the lining of the structural element 5 may include various reliefs or openings 56 distributed over its surface.
• the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5 respectively comprise a first edge 41 and a second edge 51.
• the first edge 41 and the second edge 51 form the rear contour of the opening 6 intended to receive the vehicle door.
• the second edge 51 extends along the first edge 41.
• the shape of the second edge 51 is therefore generally identical to the shape of the first edge 41 or otherwise very close to this shape.
• the two edges 41, 51 are offset with respect to each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle. They can extend generally vertically and include curvatures matching the curvatures of said door.
• the lining of structural element 5 comprises a ply 52 extending parallel to edge 51 and at a substantially constant distance from edge 51. Between the line formed by ply 52 and edge 51, the lining of structural element 5 is closer to the structural element 4, and even locally in contact with the structural element 4. At the rear of this fold 52 (i.e. on the other side of the ply 52 from the edge 51), a greater distance may exist between the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5, which may allow house certain vehicle equipment.
• the lining of the structural element 5 comprises a relief formed by a succession of crenellations 54.
• the crenellations 54 are recesses with a generally flat bottom.
• the relief is thus formed in the transverse direction, that is to say in the direction perpendicular to that in which the lining of the structural element 5 extends.
• the crenellations 54 can be obtained by locally deforming the sheet constituting the lining. of the structural element 5, for example by stamping. Between the crenellations 54, that is to say between the recesses, the lining of the structural element comprises projecting faces 55 in contact with the structural element 4. A spacing 53 is therefore formed between the lining of the element. structural element 5 and the structural element 4 at the height of the crenellations 54. On the other hand, the structural element 5 and the structural element 4 are in contact at the height of the projecting faces 55.
• the terms "projecting” and “hollow” is here to be interpreted from the point of view of an observer of the lining of structural element 5 positioned on the side of structural element 4.
• the spacing 53 may for example be of the order of magnitude of a few millimeters.
• the slots 54 may have a generally rectangular shape and be found in any number. They can be repeated along the edge 51 in a regular pattern, or on the contrary in an irregular manner.
• the projecting faces 55 between the crenellations 54 may also have a generally rectangular shape and a size close to that of the crenellations.
• the projecting faces 55 are connected to the crenellations 54 by fillets or rounded.
• the slots 54 are formed at the edge 51 of the lining of the structural element.
• the spacing 53 is therefore formed at least in part between the first edge and the second edge.
• the relief formed by the series of crenellations 54 serves as a fixing interface for a seal 7 of the motor vehicle.
• the seal represented by dotted lines in FIG. 2, may for example comprise a U-shaped frame which fits around the two edges 41, 51. One of the branches of the U is then resting against the structural element 4 and the other branch of the U is then resting against the lining of the structural element 5. The presence of relief puts the reinforcement of the seal. locally in tension, which allows the seal to be held in place. The seal 7 is therefore fixed to the structural element and to the lining of the structural element by cooperation with said relief.
• the first edge 41 and the second edge 51 therefore include a fixing interface for the seal 7.
• the seal 7 serves to seal the interface between the vehicle door and the body structure 3. It can be sealed. in particular for this purpose include an elastomeric part.
• the seal is fixed to the structural element 4 and to the lining of the structural element 5. It covers the first edge 41 and the second edge 51.
• the lining of the structural member is welded directly to the structural member at each protruding face 55 by first weld points 61.
• the spaces 53 therefore extend between the first weld points 61. In other words, they are located between the first weld points 61.
• the spaces 53 each comprise a straight segment connecting two consecutive weld points 61.
• the welds 61 can be produced for example by an electric welding means, by applying a first electrode on the lining of the structural element 5, at a projecting face 55 and a second electrode on the structural element 4 opposite the first electrode. The weld point 61 is then formed at the interface between the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5, between the two electrodes. As shown in Figure 1, the structural member 4 and the liner of the structural member 5 are welded directly to each other by four first spot welds 61, however, this number could be different, for example example one spot weld, two spot welds, three spot welds, or even any number of spot welds greater than or equal to five.
• the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5 are welded directly to each other insofar as they are in contact at these first weld points. Molten material (in this case steel) from the structural element 4 has therefore fused with the molten material from the lining of the structural element 5.
• the body structure further includes a strut 8 extending into the space 53 formed between the structural member and the liner of the structural member.
• the spacer is also a sheet element. It may have, at least locally, a thickness substantially equal to the spacing between the structural element and the lining of the structural element.
• the spacer comprises a first face in contact with the structural element 4 and a second face, opposite the first face, in contact with the lining of the structural element 5. It is therefore sandwiched between the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5.
• the spacer 8 according to the embodiment of the invention is in particular clearly visible in FIG. 3. It comprises a body 81 and a plurality of teeth 82 connected to the body 81, in l 'species three teeth connected to the body 81.
• Each tooth 82 of the spacer extends vis-à-vis a slot 54.
• the teeth 82 therefore occupy the spaces 53 between the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5 generated by the reliefs.
• the first face of each tooth 82 of the spacer extends generally to the same height as the protruding faces 55 of the lining of the element structural 5.
• the structural element 4, of generally planar shape, can therefore bear both against the projecting faces of the lining of the structural element 5 and against the teeth 82 of the spacer 8.
• the body 81 of the The spacer may be shaped to match the shape of the structural member liner 5. Body 81 may contact the structural member liner over most of its surface.
• It can also include a ply 84 matching the ply 52 and stiffening ribs 85 to stiffen the spacer at the ply 84. It may also include a cutout 86 matching the various reliefs and openings 56 formed on the surface of the lining of the structural element. It can also include openings 87 coinciding with openings made in the lining of the structural element 5.
• the spacer 8 is welded directly to the structural element 4, and welded directly to the lining of the structural element 5.
• the spacer can be welded to the structural element and to the lining of the structural element by at least a second electrical weld point 62 extending through a thickness of the structural member, the spacer, and the liner of the structural member.
• the second welding points 62 can be produced, for example, by an electrical welding means, by applying a first electrode to the lining of the structural element 5, at the level of a slot. 54 and a second electrode on the structural element 4 opposite the first electrode.
• the second weld point 62 can therefore be broken down into two elementary weld points formed simultaneously: the first 62a is formed between the structural element 4 and the spacer 8, the second 62b is formed between the lining of the structural element 5 and the spacer 8
• a weld by elementary double attachment point is particularly resistant. It is even more resistant than fixing by a simple fixing point as is the case with the first welding points 61.
• structural member 4 and the liner of structural member 5 are welded directly to each other by three second spot welds 62, however, this number could be different, for example example one spot weld, two spot welds, or even any number of spot welds greater than or equal to four.
• the structural member 4 and the liner of the structural member 5 are not welded directly to each other through the second weld points as the spacer 8 is interposed between the structural member 4 and the lining of the structural element 5 at the level of the second welds.
• the spacer can also be riveted to the liner of the structural member.
• the spacer 8 may include two circular holes 83 capable of accommodating rivets. Riveting the spacer to the structural member liner immobilizes the spacer relative to the structural member liner before it is permanently welded. Indeed, the spacer being inserted between the structural element 4 and the lining of the structural element 5, it is difficult to access once the structural element 4 and its lining 5 are in place. In particular, it could be very complicated to keep the spacer 8 in position with a holding tool while waiting for the realization of the second welding points.
• the spacer could not be simply inserted between the structural element and its liner by a translational movement parallel to the plane in which they extend.
• the spacer could be attached to the structural member instead of being attached to its liner.
• the spacer can then be riveted by two rivets to the lining of the structural element 5.
• the pre-assembly of the spacer 8 with the liner of the structural element 5 could be obtained differently. It could for example be obtained by screwing, by another welding, or even by gluing.
• the purpose of pre-assembly is to provide temporary support for the spacer, the time to make the first and second welds.
• the use of two fixing points to achieve this pre-assembly prevents the spacer from rotating relative to the lining of the structural element 5.
• the lining of the structural element can be brought against the structural element so that the edges 41, 51 are aligned.
• the first and second electrical welding points can then be produced. For example, it is possible to make first of all the first electrical welding points then the second electrical welding points, or conversely, first of all the second electrical welding points and then the first electrical welding points. It is also possible to alternate the production of the first electrical welding points and of the second electrical welding points, for example by progressing along the edges 41, 51 upwards or downwards. Taking into account the fact that the welding parameters are different depending on the thickness of the sheets to be welded, the same welding clamp can be used to make the first and second electrical welding points.
• the operating parameters of the welding gun are adapted to the thickness of the weld, in particular by modifying the electrical intensity flowing through of the clamp.
• a compressive force of the structural element can be applied against the lining of the structural element to ensure good contact between the different surfaces. This pressure can be released as soon as the molten material has cooled and solidified.
• a structural element 4 is thus obtained welded to the lining of the structural element 5 by seven welding points, but as a variant this number could be different.
• the seal 7 can be fitted or in other words fitted around the two edges 41, 51 respectively of the structural element 4 and of the lining of the structural element 5. Thanks to the presence of reliefs along the edge.
• the seal 7 is put under tension which makes it possible to obtain a good holding of the seal 7. Thanks to the invention, there is therefore a structure of body offering at the same time a very great robustness since the structural element is welded to the lining of the structural element by the first and the second welding points. These weld spots are formed as close as possible to the edges 41, 51 despite the presence of reliefs, and without disturbing the sealing interface of the seal. It is easy to assemble the seal and its hold against the structural element and its lining is also optimal.
• the invention may be suitable for fixing by welding any structural element with its lining, since the structural element or its lining have a relief reducing their surfaces in contact.

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=68343078

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2019
  • 2019-07-05 FR FR1907529A patent/FR3098182B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-06-05 EP EP20730274.6A patent/EP3994051A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-06-05 WO PCT/EP2020/065603 patent/WO2021004707A1/fr unknown

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