FR2614256A1 - Rolling vehicle structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Rolling vehicle structure composed, at its lower part, of at least two longitudinal longerons made of the box structure 1, connected at their front part by a transverse beam 7, and at the back by the transverse beam 8, at its upper part by at least two hoops 2 and 3 fixed rigidly at their lower part onto the longerons, these hoops 1 and 2 being connected longitudinally at their upper part by at least one hollow box structure 6.

Description

ROLLING VEHICLE STRUCTURE
It is classic and almost constant to produce rolling vehicles, in particular automobiles, using a chassis carrying the engine and the wheels with the suspension surmounted by an attached bodywork.

This added bodywork, generally made of sheet metal, has, by its mandatory dimensions, a stiffness much greater than that of the chassis. As a result, it ultimately supports the forces which arrive punctually on the chassis.

This inevitability means that the bodywork must be made of resistant elements in addition to its role as an envelope.

 Hence an increase in the mass of the vehicle and its price.

The invention which is the subject of this patent overcomes these drawbacks.

It is characterized in that the bodywork has a structure integral with the chassis, independently of its coating, which can then be made of plastic.

The whole chassis-body structure is characterized in that the lower part replacing the chassis consists mainly of two longitudinal hollow boxes located at the lower part and laterally connected together at the front and at the rear by two integral crosspieces so-called caissons.

The upper part forming the body structure is characterized in that it is formed by at least two arches in a hollow box or tube rigidly fixed to their lower part on the longitudinal beams and making with them the desired angle to allow correct arrangement of the vehicle.

According to the invention, the two arches forming the body structure are connected to each other at their upper part by at least one hollow box or tube on which it is rigidly fixed, this longitudinal box preferably having a structure similar to that of the arches.

The term rigidly fixed means that the resistance of the assembly is substantially the same as that of the fixed member.

The characteristics of the invention are specified in the description which follows, given as an example of embodiment.

Single board
Figure 1 is the side view of a motor car represented by its silhouette comprising a structure produced according to the invention.

Figure 2 is the plan view and Figure 3 the front view.

Figure 4 is a partial front view on a larger scale of the side members and the floor, the front cross member being removed.

The structure of the vehicle according to the invention comprises two longitudinal beams (1) at the bottom at the outer edge or not.

On these beams are rigidly fixed hoops (2) and (3) suitably inclined to allow optimum layout.

In the drawing, they consist of bent tubes with an outside diameter substantially equal to the width of the side members (1), which allows them to be rigidly fixed by the welded gussets (4) for the front arch (2) and ( 5) for the rear arch (3).

According to the invention, the arches (2) and (3) are connected at their upper part by the hollow box (6) preferably of construction similar to that of the arches, that is to say in the representation by a tube of the same diameter on which it is welded.

According to the invention the longitudinal beams (1) are interconnected at the front by the transverse hollow beam (7) and at the rear by the transverse hollow beam (8).

It is preferable but not compulsory to place an axial longitudinal box (9) rigidly connected to the transverse boxes (7) and (8).

This axial box (9) allows with the box (1) to have eight possible fixing points such as (10) at the front.

The choice of some of these points makes it possible to rigidly link the cradle of the engine, the suspension and the bumper with the structure of the vehicle.

Likewise at the rear, eight possible fixing points such as (11) allows, attempt to fix the rear part comprising the suspension and the pre-assembled bumper, if necessary with the rear bodywork.

The elements (12) of the floor are placed on the fallen edges of the beams (7) and (9) on which they can be glued or welded.

The connections with a homogeneous resistance module of all the elements constituting the structure of the vehicle according to the invention give it an exceptionally high resistance while allowing significant gains in mass and price.

The structure thus produced can withstand shocks and reversals, even passing over the back, without deformation, hence a significant increase in safety.

Claims (7)

Claims 1. Structure of a rolling vehicle characterized in that the bodywork has a structure integral with the chassis regardless of its coating. 2. Rolling vehicle structure according to claim 1 çaractérisée in that it comprises at the bottom and laterally two longitudinal hollow boxes. 3. Rolling vehicle structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal beams are interconnected at the front and at the rear by transverse beams. 4. Structure of a rolling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body structure is formed by at least two hollow arches rigidly connected at their free ends to the longitudinal beams. 5. Rolling vehicle structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hoops forming the body structure are connected to their upper part by at least one longitudinal beam rigidly fixed on them. 6. Structure of a rolling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal and axial hollow beam is rigidly fixed on the two transverse beams. 7. Rolling vehicle structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor elements are placed and fixed on the inner edges of the various longitudinal beams.