FR3006288A1 - BODY STRUCTURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SIDE DOOR PANEL. - Google Patents

Abstract

The body structure (10) according to the invention of a motor vehicle comprises at least two body sides at which is arranged at least one side door (14), each side door (14) of the vehicle comprising at least one box base (15) adapted to receive an associated side door panel (16). The structure is characterized in that said base box (15) of each side door (14) is a common structural interface, on which are fixed different versions of interchangeable side door panels (16).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the body structure of a motor vehicle, more particularly the side door panels, also called skins or body skins. side doors. The invention relates more particularly to a body structure of a motor vehicle having at least two body sides at which at least one side door is arranged, each side door of the vehicle comprising at least one base box adapted to receive a panel associated side door.

State of the art Traditionally, the automobile industry is characterized by a model of the type to manufacture very large volumes of ultra-standardized parts, most of which are stamped with capital investments and significant capacity. On the other hand, the evolution of the automotive markets towards an increasingly fine segmentation with a constant multiplication of body types and types of products (and therefore a reduction in volumes per product) as well as the increasing trend of personalization also contribute to make the economic equation for the design and manufacture of a motor vehicle more and more difficult.

For such a design of a motor vehicle, the car manufacturers can be brought today to make a choice between two very different worlds: - the universe of products with very large volumes and with the affordable price, exclusively built on structures of self-supporting box in stamped sheet metal; - products from small to very small volumes that open to other means of manufacture with much higher selling prices, because intended especially for high-end or for a specific professional use (for example of the commercial vehicle type) . To this day, and for the most part, body skins type side door panels are made of metal, namely steel or aluminum, and are generally manufactured for large production in order to make investments profitable. However, such side door panels are generally assembled by crimping and / or welding to the common base boxes forming the framework of the side doors. It is thus difficult to dismantle and then go back to the equivalent of a new set of side door panels, in particular in order to modify the external shapes. Moreover, such side door panels are not customizable, otherwise to diversify the tools and molds for stamping, which involves very heavy investments.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks and is aimed at producing a body structure of a motor vehicle, which can offer a possibility of customization at its doors. side, while being simple to achieve, inexpensive and without heavy investment in complete re-design of a vehicle.

The object of the invention is characterized, more particularly, by the fact that said base box of each side door is a common structural interface, on which are fixed different versions of interchangeable side door panels.

Such a body structure and allows to set up a personalization system, that is to say, stylistic changes on the shapes and color including the side doors of the vehicle, making the side door panels mountable, dismountable and reassemblable and without impact on the basic body structure, and therefore the structure of the side door. Such a body structure with large production volume allows to imagine parts of a motor vehicle "variables" to change part of the type of body, use of the vehicle according to the wishes of the customer, the purchase see even in the product's lifetime, so with much smaller parts volumes, but at an acceptable cost. Other advantages and features of the invention may be considered singly or in combination: said side door panel may be fixed to the base box by removable fixing means, which may be of the positive-fastening type, for example of the type screw-nut system. - Said removable fastening means can cooperate with sliding fastening means. - Said side door panel may be a plastic part made by thermoforming. Said thermoformed panel can be fixed on said base box by means of an adapter, the shape and dimensions of which make it possible to manage interface differences with the body structure. - Said thermoformed panel can be made of polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. - Said side door panel may be a plastic part made by injection. - Positioning means, for example of the type of centering pins and / or fixing clips and / or boss and / or ribs, can be arranged between said base box and said injected panel. - Said injected panel may be made of polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. - Rigging and / or sealing means, for example of the mastic or foam type, may be arranged between said base box and said side door panel. - Each side door may comprise at least one side cover, fixed on the base box, each side cover may include a flexible connecting lip, intended to join with said side door panel associated, fixed on the base box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. partial perspective view of a particular embodiment of a body structure according to the invention, illustrating the desired personalization area. FIG. 2 represents a view of a rear side door of the body structure according to FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows the basic box common to all versions of side door panels for attachment to the rear side door according to Figure 2.

FIG. 4 represents the principle of fixing a first embodiment of a side door panel to the base box according to FIG.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively an exploded view and an assembled view of a second variant embodiment of a side door panel intended to be fixed on the base box according to FIG.

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically represent two sectional views of the body structure according to the invention, equipped with the particular embodiment of the side door panel according to FIG. 4. FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically represent two sectional views of the body structure according to the invention, equipped with the particular embodiment of the side door panel according to Figures 5 and 6. Figures 11 and 12 show schematically two sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the body structure according to the invention. invention, respectively equipped with the embodiment of the side door panel according to Figure 4 and the embodiment of the side door panel according to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a body structure according to the invention. FIGS. 14 and 15 schematically represent two sectional views of the alternative embodiment of the body structure according to FIG. 13, respectively equipped with the embodiment of the side door panel according to FIG. 4 and the door panel embodiment. lateral arrangement according to Figures 5 and 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS In the following description, identical or similar elements will bear the same numbers and reference numbers. Expressions such as "back" and "front", "left" and "right", "upper" and "lower" and "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" orientations will be defined with reference to X, Y triad , Z shown in Figure 1 and the definitions given in the description. In particular, the longitudinal direction X corresponds to the direction of travel in the forward direction of a motor vehicle (not shown completely in the figures for the sake of clarity). With reference to FIGS. 1 to 15, the body structure 10 according to the invention aims to propose a new method of manufacturing / assembling the lateral doors of the motor vehicle, in order to allow a stronger personalization for the customer at a level of acceptable cost / selling price (see reducing the diversity of the non-personalized part in order to improve its economic performance). In particular, the principle is to have a body structure and side door that allows interchangeability between side door panels made by injection or thermoforming. In Figure 1, the body structure 10 according to the invention conventionally comprises two body sides 11, 12, at which are arranged two side doors 13, 14, namely a front left side door 13 and a left rear side door 14. In Figures 1 to 15, the principle of the invention will be described in relation to the left rear side door 14, with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, but the invention applies in the same way to all the side doors of the vehicle, ie only the front doors in the case of a vehicle with only two front doors or the front and rear side doors in the case of a vehicle having four side doors (Figure 1).

According to the invention, and as shown more particularly in Figure 2, each side door 14 comprises a base box 15 forming a common structural interface, on which are fixed different versions of panels 16 interchangeable side door. In other words, with such a common base box 15 (Figure 3), it is possible to install different versions of side door panels 16, to customize the vehicle according to the wishes of the customer. For this purpose, the side door panel 16 is fixed on the base box by removable fixing means 17 (FIGS. 7 to 10), preferably positive fastening type fixing means, for example of the screw system type. nut 17 (FIGS. 7 to 10). For example, the side door panel 16 is fixed on the base box 15 by a plurality of screw-nut systems arranged more particularly on the contour of the side door panel 16.

Thus, it is possible to provide a disassembly of the side door panel 16 during the life of the vehicle, in particular to change the color or shape of the panel 16 in a simple, fast and inexpensive way. Furthermore, it should be noted that the number of fastening means 17 provided depends in particular on the size of the panel 16 to be fixed, and the vehicle in general, aspects to be guaranteed at the side doors and games to be controlled. In particular, slidable fastening means, for example of the oblong-shaped orifice type, are provided to cooperate with the fastening means 17 at the level of the side door panel 16, thus making it possible to release the stresses during sunshine or even during in-line painting factory (in order to withstand very high temperatures and be able to undergo large expansions of the side door panel made of plastic). As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the base box 15 common to all the versions of the side door panels 16 is associated with the conventional elements of a side door, namely in particular hinge reinforcements 18, an anti-rotation reinforcement. intrusion 19, lock reinforcements 20, frame reinforcements 30, etc. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the different versions of panels 16 side door are preferably made of plastic for reasons of cost and ease of customization (colors, stickers, etc.). In Figure 4, the first embodiment of a side door panel 16a intended to be fixed on the common base box 15 (according to the arrows F) is a plastic part made by injection.

Such an injection principle is particularly dedicated to versions of panels 16a of high volume side door (especially because the parts are from expensive molds), that is to say that can include more complex forms, of the type undercuts, reinforcement , clips, etc.

For example, the injected panel 16a is made of plastic, preferably polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. In general, the material used must be in line with the specifications in force in terms of safety, quality, etc. However, other composite materials could be envisaged, in particular of the NORYL GTX type or a polyamide. By way of example, the injected panel 16 has a thickness of between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, for example of the order of 3 mm. Moreover, in the case of an injected panel 16a, a centering stud or boss 21 principle is advantageously used in order to better position the injected side door panel 16a before it is fastened to the base box 15. 7, the boss 21 is advantageously integral with the injected plastic door panel 16a and cooperates advantageously with the fastening means 17 associated for fixing the panel 16a on the base box 15. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, a rib 22, through which the screw-nut system of the associated fastening means 17 passes, is integral with the injected panel 16a for cooperating with the base box 15. In FIGS. 5 and 6 , the variant embodiment of the side door panel 16b is made of plastic material by thermoforming. Such a thermoforming principle is particularly dedicated to versions of panels 16b side door very low volume (and therefore low investment), namely with not too complex shapes, especially without undercuts. In the case of a fastening of a panel 16b thermoformed side door, it is advantageously fixed on the base box 15 (Figure 3) via an adapter 23, the shape and dimensions allow in particular, to manage the interface deviations with the body structure 10, more particularly the base box 15 (the interfaces of the thermoformed panel 16b being different from the interfaces of the injected panel 16a, in particular by their manufacturing method). As shown more particularly in Figure 5, for attachment to the base box 15, the thermoformed panel 16b is first attached to the adapter 23 according to the arrows F, preferably by gluing, which adapter 23 forms substantially a frame completely surrounding the contour of the thermoformed panel 16b. In general, an adapter 23 is provided for each version of panel 16b thermoformed side door. By way of example, such an adapter 23 is made of polypropylene and has a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably 2.5 mm.

The adapter 23 may be made of other composite materials, for example of the ABS / PC or ABS / PMMA or NORYL GTX type, or of polyamide. For example, such a panel 16b thermoformed side door and such an adapter 23 together comprise a thickness of between 1.5mm and 5mm, preferably 2.5mm, in particular according to the respect of the various specifications in force, namely stiffness, blistering and marking, and depending on the material used. The thermoformed panel 16b is preferably made of polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. Other composite materials may be envisaged for the thermoformed panel 16b, for example of the ABS / PC or ABS / PMMA or NORYL GTX type, or of the polyamide.

Furthermore, as shown more particularly in Figures 9 and 10, the adapter 23 is shaped so as to cooperate with the fastening means 17, for example screw-nut type, on the base box 15. In Figure 9 , the adapter 23 may comprise a stamped section 24. In FIG. 10, the adapter 23 may comprise ribs 25. In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, whether for a version of the injected panel 16a side door (Figure 11) or for a version of the panel 16b thermoformed side door (Figure 12), the body structure 10 according to the invention may include means 26 for wedging and / or sealing, arranged between the box base 15 and the side door panel 16a, 16b, intended in particular to facilitate the positioning of the side door panel 16a, 16b before its attachment and to allow airtightness and water at the side doors.

For example, the wedging and / or sealing means 26 may be pads or mastic lines or may be foam bars of different materials, for example of the PU, EPPE, PE type. As shown more particularly in FIG. 11, a putty pad 26 is arranged between the base box 15 and the side door injected panel 16a. Similarly, as shown more particularly in FIG. 12, a putty pad 26 is arranged between the adapter 23, fixed on the thermoformed side door panel 16b, and the base box 15.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the body structure 10 according to the invention advantageously comprises a lateral covering 27 intended to be fixed against the base box 15 (according to the arrows F in FIG. 13). Such a covering 27 is in particular arranged on the base box 15 in order to make the side door entry areas acceptable in terms of vision (view of the fasteners). Furthermore, such a covering 27 is advantageously used, whatever the version of the side door panel 16 used, namely an injected panel 16a (FIG. 14) or a thermoformed panel 16b (FIG. 15), the interfaces with the housing of FIG. base 15 being identical. As shown more particularly in FIG. 14, the lateral covering 27 is fixed on the base box 15, for example by means of one or more clipping members 28, so as to conceal the fastening means 17 arranged between the rib 22 of the side door injected panel 16a and the base box 15. The cladding 27 also includes a flexible connecting lip 29, intended to join with said associated side door injected panel 16a.

Similarly, as shown more particularly in FIG. 15, the lateral covering 27 is fixed on the base box 15, for example by means of one or more clipping members 28, so as to hide the fixing means 17 arranged between the adapter 23, fixed to the panel 16b thermoformed side door, and the base box 15. The covering 27 also comprises the flexible lip 29 connecting arranged at the end of the covering 27, in particular to take into account the extra thickness of the adapter 23 fixed against the panel 16b thermoformed side door.

A method of mounting such a side door panel 16, irrespective of the version of the panel 16 used, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15, may consist first of placing the panel 16 in position. side door along a transverse kinematics, namely along the transverse axis Y (Figure 1). A steering system is possible to stabilize this position. Then, a screwing of the various fastening means 17 may be performed, for example front and rear fixing means and finally those located below.

Thus, whatever the embodiment of the body structure 10 according to the invention, it has many advantages: - The base box 15 is transverse to all solutions of side door panels 16, whatever the stylistic forms, the stiffness of reception being in particular provided by the hinge reinforcements present on the common base box. - Such panels 16 side door are interchangeable in the course of life or after-sales. Such a solution thus provides flexibility in the method of repairing the side doors of the vehicle. In known solutions, a steel side door must be fully re-equipped (in addition to cataphoresis for after-sales) and all interior and exterior equipment (from the old side door) must be reassembled. Thanks to the invention, the plastic side door panels 16 are easily dismountable, which therefore implies a considerable gain in terms of workshop time. The diversity of materials and processes for obtaining panels 16 (injection or thermoforming) makes it possible to optimize the costs according to the volumes of parts considered. - The presence of an adapter 23 makes it possible to use different forms of panels 16 on a single base box 15. - Such dissociation panel 16 of side door / base box 15 allows customization on shapes and colors. - The overall weight of the vehicle is not impacted and even greatly reduced, the density of plastic being six times lower than that of steel. - The fastening means 17 are adaptable according to the zones and geometric constraints of the vehicle, and more particularly the side doors. - Any type of painting process may be used, namely factory line painting, off-line painting and reworking or in preparation, or even no painting process is necessary, in the case of composite materials tinted mass ( dyes or dyes included in the resin). The front and rear side door panels 16 may be of different materials and shapes and may be manufactured by different methods (injection or thermoforming), the interfaces with the base box remaining the same. The invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above. In particular, the side door panels 16 may be of different materials, shapes, and dimensions and may be manufactured by any type of different process, as long as the body structure 10 comprises a common base box 15 at its doors. side, adapted to receive different versions of panels 16 side door (maintained interchangeability principle). In particular, the side door panels 16 may be made of thermoset or thermoplastic material by a process of RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) type or by a method of SMC (Sheet Molding Component) or by any other type of process derived from two aforementioned methods. The number and type of fastening means 17 of the side door panel 16 on the base box 15 may be different. In general, the fastening means 17 depend on the size of the panels 16, aspects and games to be respected, etc., and must correspond to a disassembly / reassembly solution for the interchangeability of the panels. For example, such fastening means could be used, namely sheet metal screws with sheet metal nut, self punching screw, rivet type "plasti-rivet" (principle of a nail spreading legs), retaining clip on sheet metal and screw, metal rivet.

In other embodiments not shown, the removable fixing means may be replaced by a gluing principle, as long as the glue allows the principle of interchangeability of the panel versions 16 on the base box 15.

The invention applies to any type of motor vehicle, with two or four side doors. More particularly, the invention applies to any type of motor vehicle with a large production volume and whose body structure seeks to imagine parts of the vehicle "variables" to change part of the body type, use of the vehicle. vehicle according to the desires of the customer, with the purchase even see in the course of the life of the product, thus with volumes of rooms much weaker, but with an acceptable cost.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Body structure (10) of a motor vehicle having at least two body sides (11, 12) at which at least one side door (13, 14) is arranged, each side door (14) of the vehicle comprising at least a base box (15) adapted to receive a panel (16) of associated side door, characterized in that said base box (15) of each side door (14) is a common structural interface, on which are fixed different versions of interchangeable side door panels (16). 2. Structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said panel (16) side door is fixed on the base box (15) by means (17) for removable attachment. 3. Structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means (17) removable fastening are positive fastening type, for example of the type screw-nut system. 4. Structure (10) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said means (17) for removable fastening cooperate with sliding fastening means. 5. Structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said panel (16b) side door is a plastic part made by thermoforming. 6. Structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said panel (16b) thermoformed is fixed on said base box (15) via an adapter (23), the shape and dimensions allow to manage interface deviations with the cash structure (10). 7. Structure (10) according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said panel (16b) thermoformed is made of polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. 8. Structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said panel (16a) side door is a plastic part made by injection. 9. Structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that positioning means, for example of the type centering pins and / or fixing clips and / or boss (21) and / or ribs (22), are arranged between said base box (15) and said injected panel (16a). 10. Structure (10) according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said panel (16a) injected is made of polypropylene without reinforcement and / or talc. 11.Structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means (26) for wedging and / or sealing, for example of the mastic or foam type, are arranged between said base box (15). ) and said side door panel (16). 12.Structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each side door (14) comprises at least one side panel (27), fixed on the base box (15). 13.Structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each lateral covering (27) comprises a flexible lip (29) for connecting, intended to join with said panel (16) associated side door, fixed on the basic box (15) .35