FR3055277B1 - VEHICLE WALL PROTECTED BY GONFLE ELEMENTS BY A GAS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle wall composed by the combination of an internal rigid partition (1) made of composite panels possessing high characteristics of rigidity and lightness, and secondly by external elements (2) inflated by a gas, whose function is to distribute in time and surface the effect of a shock following an accident to prevent this partition (1) is damaged. The provisions according to the invention make it possible to build ultra-light vehicles with impact resistance capabilities comparable to the standards of modern vehicles.

Description

This invention relates to the construction of land vehicles, particularly in the field of passive safety and that of relief of structures. The concept of gas-filled bodywork has already been the subject of several publications, but these do not meet the protection and lightening objectives of the structure proposed by this invention.

In CN102307775, there is a rigid frame (fig3) composed of frames (20), inside which are fixed flat inflated cushions (21). In addition to these frames themselves remain highly exposed to shocks and this therefore requires to achieve them with additional strength compensating for the absence of continuous rigid wall, it is then necessary to take into account for this solution the resultant tensions (23 '). flexible envelopes of the cushions which subjects these frames to a force multiplied compared to an impact force (23).

In the reference US8465086 describes a use of inflatable elements to replace conventional bodywork elements, without any details on the shaping and fixing of these elements.

In reference CN102795269 describes an almost exclusive use of the inflatable element as a bodywork of a quadricycle muscle propulsion, but without specifying neither how it is manufactured nor how it is attached to the assembly. Given the large and unpredictable forces involved in a collision, this type of cushion is not a real protection for the occupants of this vehicle.

The purpose of protection of this type of side wall which is the subject of the invention is achieved thanks to the combination on the one hand of an external element (2) inflated by a pressurized gas and made, for example and in a non-exhaustive manner. in textile material that is not very extensible, or in a laminate reinforced with fibers, leakproof by nature or by adding internal bladders, and on the other hand an internal rigid partition (1).

This internal rigid partition (1) is part of a set called interior cabin cell of the vehicle (1 '). The partitioned structure of these external elements (2) inflated by a gas under pressure gives them a shape that matches that of the partition (1) and the particular positioning of their links with the internal cockpit cell (1 ') allows, during a possible shock, to avoid the internal cockpit cell (1 '), made of a very rigid composite material, significant stresses then induced by a sudden rise in tension on the envelope of these external elements (2 ). Thus arranged this assembly is able to withstand more than a conventional rigid steel structure, for a weight several times lower.

These external elements (2) inflated by a gas form a perimeter (2 ') around the internal cockpit cell (1') and are structured by a large number of partitioning membranes (7) (fig4), solidly connecting the inner membrane (3) to the outer membrane (4). The inner membrane (3) conforms to the shape of the rigid internal partition (l) made of composite materials forming the cabin cell (1 '), and the outer membrane (4) delimits the external shape of the vehicle. The spacing (8) of these partitioning membrane (7) is less than half the thickness (9) of the outer member (2) inflated by a gas. The cavities defined by these different membranes are either sealed in one embodiment, or in another embodiment, doubled by internal bladders ensuring this seal. The gas present between each cavity communicates with other cavities only through very small orifices required by a collective system of pressure adjustment. In some parts of the vehicle, there are groups of cavities whose internal pressure is different from that existing in other parts of the vehicle.

So that the external elements (2) inflated by a gas can in case of shock undergo deformation without transmitting stresses other than the overpressure of the gas caused by the shock, their attachment points (10), meet specific rules.

The external elements (2) inflated by a gas are fixed to the rigid body (1) by fasteners (10) positioned at about half the height of the rigid body (1).

They are further defined as opening (11) the interruption zones in the continuity of the wall of the cabin cell (the) (Figure 2). It is avoided to place on each side of these openings (11) fixing points (10), and there is therefore placed a fixation in a central area (14) of these wall portions overhung by openings.

These fasteners sufficiently strong in normal service are likely to break if a significant shock produces pronounced camber in part of the flexible element (2).

To avoid the forces of clasping of the cell by the inflated portions (2), the latter have an extensible inner perimeter through notches of angles (16) over their entire height (fig2).

In addition to the fasteners (10), the inflated portions are stabilized by reliefs (15) on the rigid body, which prevents them from sliding vertically.

For the sake of aesthetics and protection of external aggressions, these inflated portions (2) receive outer finishes (19); for example and non-exhaustively thin polycarbonate shells or textile coatings coated and extensible. Again, there is no direct stress on the cockpit cell (1 '), these coatings (19) are attached only to the elements (2).

Figure 1 shows the rigid wall (1) lined with the inflatable element (2).

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cockpit cell (1 ') and its inflatable periphery (2'). The location of the fastenings of the inflatable perimeter is shown as well as the opening area (11).

Figure 3 shows the stresses created by an airbag on a tubular frame in the case of patents that propose to achieve a vehicle according to this technique.

Figure 4 shows the detail of a fragment of the structure of these inflatable element (2) and their coating (19).

In one embodiment, a lightweight electric tricycle was constructed based on a honeycomb and carbon-epoxy composite body frame. The inflatable dressing is made of dacron of 500g / m2. The thickness (9) of this inflatable perimeter (2 ') is 22cm in the lateral and frontal parts, it incorporates 14 partitioning membranes (7) per meter, vertical and flanking shaped bladders adapted HDPE welded.

These bladders have dimensions slightly greater than those of the cavities delimited by the partitions. By fine tubes they are connected to a distributor supplied by a small pump which provides a supplement to compensate for possible pressure losses. The inflation pressure varies depending on the location from 2bar to 0.8 bar.

An angle (15) avoids any vertical sliding down the elements (2) .The fasteners (10) are in this embodiment, constituted by polyamide bonds coming from the internal rigid partition (1) and connected to collar placed behind the inner membrane (3). The links allow a firm and durable maintenance but they stretch and break easily under the effect of excessive effort.

All other elements come from known and proven techniques.

The vehicle thus built combines the energy sobriety afforded by its lightness with good impact resistance during a possible accident.

Claims (6)

1) Lightweight and resistant vehicle wall composed of rigid composite panels (1), constituting the internal cockpit cell (1 '), and whose surfaces are doubled by external elements (2), inflated by a gas, and made of non-stretchable textile material, or of laminates reinforced with fibers, leakproof by nature or by addition of internal bladders, characterized in that the elements (2) consist of an inner membrane (3) conforming to the outer shape of the cell cockpit (Γ), an outer membrane (4) delimiting the outer shape of the vehicle and that these membrane (3) and (4), are securely interconnected by internal partitioning membranes (7) with each other a spacing (8) less than half the thickness (9) of these elements (2). 2) Wall according to claim 1 characterized in that the external elements (2) inflated by a gas, are fixed punctually to the internal cabin cell of the vehicle (Γ) by links (10) located at mid-height of this cell (Γ) and without framing the openings (11). 3) Wall according to claim 3 characterized in that the links (10) are made of polyamide and can break in the case of a violent shock. 4) Wall according to claim 1 characterized in that the outside of the vehicle receives a finishing envelope (19) fixed only to the elements (2). 5) Wall according to claim 1 characterized in that the perimeter (2 ') of the outer members (2) comprise in the inner corners and over their entire height of the notches (16) in order not to create a constraint of squeezing on the internal cell of the vehicle (Γ) by the inflated parts (2). 6) Vehicle comprising a wall according to any one of claims 1) to 5).