FR3099744A1 - SHIM WALL DEFLECTOR, FOR A VEHICLE UNDERBODY STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

A deflector (DA) is fitted to a vehicle comprising a base comprising a first lower face to which a structure (SB) housing an item of equipment and comprising a lower end defined by a first transverse edge (BT1) is fixedly secured. This deflector (DA) comprises a second transverse edge (BT2) comprising N holes (T1), traversed by N screws securing it fixedly to the first transverse edge (BT1), at least one wedging wall (PC) erected upwards and surrounding at least partially one of the holes (T1) and a nut (EC) fixedly secured to a second lower face (FI2) of the first transverse edge (BT1) in order to allow longitudinal wedging and / or transverse wedging of the second transverse edge (BT2) with respect to the first transverse edge (BT1) when positioning the deflector (DA) with respect to the structure (SB). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 5

Description

DEFLECTOR WITH WEDGES, FOR A VEHICLE UNDERBODY STRUCTURE

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to wheeled vehicles comprising a structure comprising a base, and more specifically certain deflectors to be secured to these bases.

State of the art

Certain wheeled vehicles, generally of the automotive type, comprise a structure (or body) comprising a base extending in longitudinal and transverse directions and comprising an underside to which is fixedly secured at least one structure housing equipment, such as for example a rechargeable battery supplying electrical energy to a powertrain (or GMP), possibly of the all-electric type.

This structure is generally masked by a deflector which is fixedly attached to its lower face and which is generally responsible for reducing aerodynamic drag and therefore energy consumption, and therefore frequently referred to as "aeraulic". This fixed connection is made by screwing screws on nuts which for at least some of them are previously welded or glued, above holes, on an upper (or internal) face of a first transverse edge defined at a lower end of the structure and to which must be fixedly attached a second transverse edge of the deflector.

Currently, before proceeding with this screwing, a technician must start by grabbing a deflector, a screwdriver and screws, then must pass this deflector over his head with his arms in order to place it precisely at the place where he must be screwed to the underside of the structure so that the holes of its second transverse edge are all placed opposite the corresponding holes of the first transverse edge of the structure, then it must introduce the screws through the holes which correspond before fixing them screw with the screwdriver. This phase of assembling the deflector to the structure is therefore particularly difficult to carry out due to the difficulty of matching the aforementioned holes, taking into account not only the size and weight of the deflector, but also the fact that it is carried out above the head of the technician. It should be noted that this assembly phase is not only tiring and not very ergonomic, but also often requires the technician to repeat it at least twice, which wastes time on the assembly line.

In addition, the welding or gluing of the nuts on the upper (or internal) face of the first transverse edge of the structure is not easy due to the difficulty of access to the interior of the structure.

The aim of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose a deflector, on the one hand, intended to equip a wheeled vehicle comprising a base extending in longitudinal and transverse directions and comprising a first lower face to which is fixedly secured a structure intended to house a equipment and comprising a lower end defined by a first transverse edge, and, on the other hand, comprising a second transverse edge comprising N holes intended to be traversed by N screws suitable for fixing the second transverse edge fixedly to the first transverse edge, with N ≥ 1.

This deflector is characterized in that its second transverse edge comprises on an upper face at least one wedging wall erected upwards, at least partially surrounding one of the holes, and intended to at least partially surround a nut fixedly secured to a second lower face of the first transverse edge in order to allow longitudinal wedging and/or transverse wedging of the second transverse edge relative to the first transverse edge when positioning the deflector relative to the structure.

Thanks to the invention, when a technician has positioned each wedging wall around the corresponding nut, it is certain that the second transverse edge is correctly positioned longitudinally and/or transversely with respect to the first transverse edge, and therefore that he will be able to introduce each screw into the hole of the second transverse edge to proceed with its screwing on the corresponding nut.

The deflector according to the invention may comprise other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- It may comprise N wedging walls surrounding at least partially and respectively the N holes, and intended to surround at least partially and respectively N nuts secured fixedly to the second lower face of the first transverse edge;

- Each wedging wall can completely surround a hole in the second transverse edge in order to allow longitudinal wedging and transverse wedging of the second transverse edge with respect to the first transverse edge;

- each wedging wall can be defined at a distance from a contour of the associated hole which is between 4 mm and 8 mm;

- the number N can be equal to four (4).

The invention also proposes a wheeled vehicle, optionally of the automotive type, and comprising, on the one hand, a base extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions and comprising a first lower face to which is fixedly attached a structure intended to house a piece of equipment and comprising a lower end defined by a first transverse edge comprising a second lower face to which are fixedly fixed N nuts, and, on the other hand, at least one deflector of the type of that presented above and fixedly fixed to the structure.

For example, this equipment can be a rechargeable battery supplying electrical energy to a powertrain, possibly of the all-electric type.

Also, for example, the structure can be fixedly attached to a rear part of the base.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings, in which:

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the underside, part of an example of the base of a motor vehicle structure, after the fixed attachment to its underside of a structure but before the fixed attachment of a deflector according to the invention,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the lower face, part of the base of Figure 1 after the positioning of a deflector according to the invention on the lower face of the structure,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the upper face, part of the deflector of FIG. 2 before its fixed connection to the lower face of the structure,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the side of the upper face, a wedging wall erected on the upper face of the deflector of FIG. 3, and

schematically illustrates, in a partly cross-sectional and partly perspective view from the rear side, part of the structure and the deflector of Figure 2.

Detailed description of the invention

The aim of the invention is in particular to propose a deflector DA intended to equip a base SS of a structure of a wheeled vehicle to which another structure SB intended to receive equipment has already been fixedly fixed, and facilitating its assembly.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the (aeraulic) deflector DA is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of wheeled vehicle. It concerns in fact any wheeled vehicle comprising a structure (or body) comprising a base equipped with another structure comprising equipment and which must be equipped with a deflector. Thus, it also concerns commercial vehicles, minibuses, coaches, trucks, and road construction machinery, in particular.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle comprises an all-electric powertrain (or GMP) and therefore comprising at least one rechargeable battery intended to supply it with electrical energy (in particular to cause movement). But the GMP could be hybrid (for example thermal and electric) or purely thermal, for example.

Finally, it is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the equipment which is housed in the other structure SB is a rechargeable battery supplying the GMP with electrical energy. But other equipment could be housed in this other SB structure.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal (or lateral) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the X direction, and the Z direction is a so-called vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

There is schematically shown in Figure 1 a part of an example of basement SS of a structure (or body) of a vehicle (here of the automobile type), before the fixed attachment of a deflector DA according to the invention.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the base SS extends along the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions and comprises a first lower face FI1 intended to be oriented towards the rolling surface on which the vehicle is traveling and bordered by two side members LS right and left which extend along the longitudinal direction X.

This SS base comprises first P1 and second P2 parts placed (here) under the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A structure SB, intended to house equipment (here a rechargeable battery), is already secured fixedly to the first lower face FI1 of the first part P1 of the base SS, for example by screwing or welding. This structure SB comprises in particular a lower end defined by a first transverse edge BT1 and comprising a second lower face FI2 to which a deflector DA according to the invention is intended to be fixedly secured, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the first part P1 is the rear part of the base SS and therefore the deflector DA is a rear deflector, and the second part P2 is a front part of the base SS. But the reverse arrangement is also possible. It will be noted that another deflector similar to, or different from, the DA deflector could be fixedly secured to the first lower face FI1 of the second part P2 of the base or to the second lower face FI1 of another equipment structure.

The fixed attachment by screwing the deflector DA to the second lower face FI2 of the structure SB is easily achieved by a technician thanks to the invention, as explained below.

As partially illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the deflector DA comprises a second transverse edge BT2 comprising N holes T1 intended to be crossed by N screws capable of securing it fixedly to the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1 of the structure SB , with N ≥ 1.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second transverse edge BT2 of the deflector DA comprises four (N=4) holes T1. But the number N of holes T1 can take any value greater than or equal to one (1).

As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the second transverse edge BT2 comprises on an upper face FS, intended to be placed opposite the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1 of the structure SB, at least one wedging wall PC erected upwards (and therefore towards the second lower face FI2) and at least partially surrounding one of the N holes T1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this (each) wedging wall PC is intended to at least partially surround a nut EC which has previously been fixedly fastened to the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1. This advantageously allows longitudinal wedging and/or transverse wedging of the second transverse edge BT2 relative to the first transverse edge BT1 when positioning the deflector DA relative to the structure SB by the technician, even though the structure of the vehicle is suspended above the ground on an assembly line.

It will be understood that the direction of the wedging depends on the shape of the wedging wall PC. Thus, when the wedging wall PC extends only over at least one longitudinal side (along X), that is to say to the right and/or to the left, it only allows transverse wedging (along Y) . Similarly, when the wedging wall PC extends only over at least one transverse side (along Y), that is to say in front and/or behind, it only allows longitudinal wedging (along X). Finally, when the wedging wall PC extends not only over at least one longitudinal side (along X), but also over at least one transverse side (along Y), it allows transverse wedging (along Y) and longitudinal wedging (following X).

Here, the term "longitudinal side" means a side which is parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and the term "transverse side" means a side which is parallel to the transverse direction.

Thus, when a technician has entered a deflector DA he can easily and precisely position it longitudinally and/or transversely by approaching the upper face FS of the second transverse edge BT2 until each zone delimited (at least partially) by a wall of wedging PC surrounds the corresponding nut EC of the first transverse edge BT1. Then, the technician can introduce a screw into each hole T1 of the second transverse edge BT2 in order to proceed, using a screwdriver, to screw it into the nut EC which is housed in the delimited zone (at least partially) by the wedging wall PC surrounding this nut EC and comprising this hole T1. Then, the technician can introduce other screws in other holes of the deflector DA, to finalize the fixed attachment of the latter (DA) to the structure SB.

This therefore notably facilitates the assembly of the deflector DA, but also the fixed attachment of the nuts EC to the first transverse edge BT1 (since this is now done on the second lower face FI2 of the latter (BT1) and not on its internal face In addition, this avoids having to define in the first transverse edge BT1 holes (through) allowing the screws to join the nuts.

This fixed attachment of the nuts EC to the first transverse edge BT1 depends on the material in which the structure SB is made. For example, if this material is a metal, the nuts EC can, for example, be welded or glued or crimped onto the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1. On the other hand, if this material is a plastic material, the nuts EC can be glued, or can form an integral part of the first transverse edge BT1 by being molded, on the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1.

The invention is already particularly useful for the technician when the deflector DA extends over part of the (transverse) width of the basement SS. But it is even more useful for the technician when the DA deflector extends almost over the entire (transverse) width of the basement SS, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, because the weight and the size of the DA deflector are then much more important. This illustrated example of embodiment is particularly well suited, although not limitingly, to the case where the equipment housed in the structure SB is a rechargeable battery supplying the GMP of the vehicle.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 3, the second transverse edge BT2 comprises N wedging walls PC surrounding at least partially and respectively the N holes T1 and intended to surround at least partially and respectively N fixedly secured nuts EC to the second lower face FI2 of the first transverse edge BT1. But we are not obliged to define as many PC wedging walls as there are (N) T1 holes (and therefore EC nuts). In fact, the number of wedging walls PC can take any value between 1 and N. The larger this number (close to N), the better is the wedging of the deflector DA with respect to the structure SB. However, it is preferable that there is at least one wedging wall PC (and the associated hole T1) to block the deflector DA in translation and another wedging wall PC (and the associated hole T1) to block the deflector DA in spin.

It is important to note that the wedging walls PC surrounding the different holes T1 are not necessarily identical. Thus, it is possible to envisage that at least one hole T1 be partially surrounded by a wedging wall PC providing transverse wedging, and that at least one hole T1 be partially surrounded by another wedging wall PC providing longitudinal wedging .

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, each wedging wall PC completely surrounds a hole T1 of the second transverse edge BT2 in order to allow longitudinal wedging and transverse wedging of the second transverse edge BT2 with respect to to the first transverse edge BT1. This creates a kind of cylindrical barrel (not necessarily circular). But as explained above, this is not mandatory. Indeed, a wedging wall PC may only partially surround a hole T1.

Preferably, each wedging wall PC is defined at a distance from a contour of the associated hole T1 which is between 4 mm and 8 mm.

in order to take into account the dimensional variations of the second transverse edge BT2 and of the first transverse edge BT1, but also of the position variations relative to reference positions of the nuts EC on the first transverse edge BT1.

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, each wedging wall PC is also, itself, entirely surrounded by another wedging wall PC′ to which it is additionally attached by links "radials". This creates a kind of double-walled barrel (PC, PC’) completely surrounding a hole T1. This option makes it possible to reinforce the solidity of the barrel so that it resists better in the event of impact against the corresponding EC nut when positioning the second transverse edge BT2 in relation to the first transverse edge BT1. But this is not mandatory.

It will also be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 to 5, the height (in the vertical direction Z) of each wedging wall PC is substantially equal to the height of the nut EC. But the height of the PC wedging wall can be higher or lower than the height of the EC nut.

Claims (10)

Deflector (DA) for a wheeled vehicle comprising a base (SS) extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions and comprising a first lower face (FI1) to which is fixedly attached a structure (SB) intended to house equipment and comprising a lower end defined by a first transverse edge (BT1), said deflector (DA) comprising a second transverse edge (BT2) comprising N holes (T1) intended to be traversed by N screws capable of securing fixedly said second transverse edge (BT2) said first transverse edge (BT1), with N ≥ 1, characterized in that said second transverse edge (BT2) comprises on an upper face (FS) at least one wedging wall (PC) erected upwards, at least partially surrounding one of said holes (T1), and intended to at least partially surround a nut (EC) fixedly secured to a second lower face (FI2) of said first transverse edge (BT1) in order to allow longitudinal wedging and/or transverse wedging said second transverse edge (BT2) relative to said first transverse edge (BT1) when positioning said deflector (DA) relative to said structure (SB). Deflector according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises N wedging walls (PC) surrounding at least partially and respectively the said N holes (T1), and intended to surround at least partially and respectively N nuts (EC) fixedly secured to said second lower face (FI2) of the first transverse edge (BT1). Deflector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each wedging wall (PC) completely surrounds a hole (T1) of said second transverse edge (BT2) in order to allow longitudinal wedging and transverse wedging of said second transverse edge (BT2) relative to said first transverse edge (BT1). Deflector according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each wedging wall (PC) is defined at a distance from a contour of the associated hole (T1) of between 4 mm and 8 mm. Deflector according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that N is equal to four. Wheeled vehicle comprising a base (SS) extending in longitudinal and transverse directions and comprising a first lower face (FI1) to which is fixedly secured a structure (SB) intended to house equipment and comprising a lower end defined by a first transverse edge (BT1), characterized in that said structure (SB) comprises a second lower face (FI2) on which N nuts are fixedly secured, and in that it further comprises at least one deflector (DA) along the one of the preceding claims, fixedly secured to said structure (SB). Vehicle according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said equipment is a rechargeable battery supplying electrical energy to a powertrain. Vehicle according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said powertrain is all-electric. Vehicle according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the said structure (SB) is fixedly secured to a rear part of the said base (SS). Vehicle according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.