FR3100754A1 - Arrangement of a vehicle body comprising a tank and a filling line. - Google Patents

Abstract

[The invention relates to an arrangement of a body (1) of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at least one opening (11) through which is arranged a pipe (31) for filling a tank (30 ) with a liquid, in particular intended for the treatment of exhaust gases, the body (1) comprising a rear ring (2) partly delimited by lateral gutters (6), each of the lateral gutters connecting a side of the body (3) , in particular a lining (12) of the rear quarter panel (4), to a rear floor (7), in particular a trunk floor. The arrangement is characterized by the fact that the opening (11) is arranged at the level of one of the side gutters (6). The invention also relates to a vehicle having such an arrangement. Figure for abstract: Figure 2.]

Description

Arrangement of a vehicle body comprising a tank and a filling line.

The present invention is in the field of vehicles, in particular automobiles, more particularly vehicles of the diesel engine type requiring urea to reduce pollutant emissions.

The object of the invention is an arrangement of a vehicle body comprising a tank and a filling line.

More particularly, the object of the invention consists of an arrangement of a body of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at least one opening through which is arranged a pipe for filling a tank with a liquid in particular intended for the treatment of exhaust gases, the body comprising a rear ring partly delimited by side gutters, each of the side gutters connecting a side body lining, in particular a rear quarter panel lining, to a rear floor, in particular a chest.

In known vehicles, the filler opening is located at the level of the boot floor, which very often requires removal of the boot floor trim, of the separation flap if applicable and/or of the wheel rescue. Apart from these constraints of access to the filling hole, any overflow of liquid is directly poured into the boot compartment with all the inconveniences that this entails, in particular at the olfactory level. In order to avoid a strong recurrence in the filling of the tank, the latter is of sufficient size to avoid any addition of liquid between two maintenance visits. Consequently, the size of the tank limits its location, or even complicates its location under the body of the vehicle.

To overcome all or part of these drawbacks, some manufacturers install the depollution fluid filling hole directly at the level of the fuel flap bowl, which leads to an increase in the size of the flap when closing the bowl. Such a design is because of its aesthetically unsightly size as it aims to hide a fuel door bowl having two adjacent ports.

Another drawback resides in the very geometry of the tank which is strongly subject to the location of the filling orifice, the aim being in particular for reasons of architecture and reduction of the masses to limit the length of the conduit connecting the orifice of tank filling.

The invention aims to solve the drawbacks mentioned above by having as its object an arrangement of a body of a vehicle according to which the opening is arranged at the level of one of the side gutters.

According to other characteristics, the arrangement may comprise any one of the following characteristics taken separately or in combination with each other:
- the body comprises an opening hinged between open and closed positions around the rear ring, the opening being in the closed position arranged to overlap the opening through which the filling pipe extends;
- the rear ring comprises at least one seal extending over all or part of the rear ring, the seal being partly arranged on a rabbet of the rear gutter so that the opening receiving the filling pipe is located at the level of a wet zone;
- the gutter comprises a bottom wall provided with the opening through which the filling pipe extends;
- the bottom wall of the gutter is extended by side walls approximately parallel to each other, one of the side walls of the gutter receiving the seal;
- the tank is arranged under the rear floor;
- the tank is placed in a recess in the body defined by the rear quarter panel lining and a rear wheel arch delimited by the rear floor;
- the body lining, in particular the rear quarter lining, comprises a passage substantially coaxial with the opening made at the level of the gutter;
- the end of the filling line is connected to the rear gutter by a sealing means, in particular a sealing washer;
- The filling pipe comprises a flange of diameter greater than that of the opening made at the level of the side gutter, which makes it possible to position and easily pre-maintain the end of the pipe on the body;
- the opening for the filling pipe is vertically located at the level of a substantially median zone of the lateral gutter;
- it comprises a closing cap extending projecting out of the bottom of the lateral gutter in order to be made manually accessible for a tank filling operation;
- the bottom of the side gutter comprises an internal boss creating a rapprochement of the side gutter to the rear quarter lining, so that the cap is arranged substantially flush with the bottom of the side gutter outside the boss.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising an arrangement having at least any one of the preceding characteristics.

Some aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings.

shows a partial perspective view of the rear of a body of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

shows in a sectional view along the longitudinal axis an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention.

shows in a longitudinal axis sectional view an alternative embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention.

Throughout the description, the front and rear are defined according to the direction of travel of a motor vehicle. In forward gear and in a straight line, the vehicle progresses from rear to front, in a direction opposite to the X axis. On the other hand, it is considered that the vehicle is resting on horizontal ground with a Y axis. The terms "lower" and "upper" refer to a vertical Z axis.

A vehicle 1, in particular an automobile, comprises a rear part, the right rear part of which is only made visible in FIG. 1. The vehicle 1 comprises a base on which side and transverse body elements are assembled. The side body elements comprise a body side 3 which is a body part visible from the outside which can define a rear wing 5, a rear quarter panel 4 and/or roof side rails.

The transverse body elements connect the side body elements to each other in order to create the body volume. Among the transverse body elements delimit in particular a rear ring 2 which delimits an access opening to the interior of the vehicle. Such a rear ring 2 is in particular delimited by lateral rear gutters 6 which extend substantially vertically between the roof and the underbody comprising a floor, in particular the rear floor 7.

The body side elements include an opening 10 intended to receive a fuel trap bowl.

The side elements as well as the rear ring are partially covered with a shield 9.

A support 20 for the rear light 21 connects one of the side gutters to the side body elements in such a way that the rear light 21 is arranged at the level of the side body elements, above the rear shield 9. The body side 3 comprises for this purpose a housing intended to receive the rear light 21.

The rear ring 2 contributes to the dynamic behavior of the vehicle in that its rigidity influences the resistance to deformation of the body.

The side gutters 6 have a cross section which is substantially U-shaped, in the sense that each gutter 6 comprises a bottom wall 60 whose edges are extended by the perpendicular outer 61 and inner 62 branches.

The inner branch 62 is a rabbet of the gutter 6 on which can be assembled a seal 22 which preferably extends in one piece along the rear ring 2. The seal can be of tubular profile so that it compensates for any manufacturing defect of the opening and/or assembly play of the opening 40 at the body 1.

Due to its rigidity, the hinge means of an opening are directly fixed on the rear ring 2, in particular at the level of an upper gutter (not shown). The sash is then hinged between open and closed positions. In the open position, the opening allows access to the interior of the vehicle through the opening 12 delimited by the rear ring 2. In the closed position, the opening comes to cover the rear ring 2 , the opening facing the side 6 and transverse gutters but also partially of the support 20 of the rear light 21, and of the rear shield 9.

The vehicle comprises a tank, in particular a tank of an exhaust gas treatment liquid, in particular urea. This tank is positioned in the rear part of the vehicle body, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The filling of the tank takes place via a filling pipe which opens at the level of the gutter 6. For this purpose, the gutter 6 comprises an opening 11.

The gutter 6 is a structural part connecting the side of the body 3 to the rear floor 7. The side of the body 3 is assembled to a quarter panel lining 12 which is also connected to the side gutter 6. The mechanical connection of the structural parts is made by via welds, in particular electric welding points, and/or by gluing, in particular a bead of structuring adhesive.

The rear ring 2 consists of at least side gutters 6, an upper gutter (not shown) and a lower crosspiece (not shown). Each of these parts comprises a rebate on which is mounted a seal 22, in particular a tubular seal against which the opening 40 in the closed position is able to come to rest, thus making it watertight and dustproof. inside the rear opening 12 for access to the interior of the vehicle.

According to the embodiment of the arrangement shown in Figure 2, the tank 30 is positioned in the dry part, isolated from the outside. The tank 30 rests on the rear floor 7. The quarter panel lining 12 and the rear floor 7 define an alcove in which the tank 30 can be positioned. vehicle, is delimited by the wheel arch 71 formed in part by the quarter panel lining 12. In order to optimize the space allocated to the installation of the tank 30 in the rear compartment, the curve of the , in particular the front wall 34, is secured to the profile of the wheel arch. This makes it possible to place the tank 30 as close as possible to the wheel arch, at the very least leaving a constant predetermined gap along the front wall 34. The rear wall 35 of the tank can also be subject to the shape of the rear part of the body, in particular of the quarter panel lining 12 and/or of a rear lower cross member connecting two side gutters 6 to the rear floor 7.

According to the alternative embodiment of the arrangement as shown in Figure 3, the tank 30 is positioned in the wet part of the body, in particular under the rear floor 7, between the wheel 50 and the rear bumper 9. In In this case, the rear floor 7 comprises an opening 13 through which the pipe 31 extends. A sealing means 37 is arranged at the level of the opening 13 of the rear floor. Said sealing means 37 of the pipe 31 at the level of the rear floor 7 can be of the type of a ring comprising a peripheral groove in which the cutting edge of the rear board 7 is positioned in order to ensure a holding of the ring .

In FIG. 3, the pipe 31 thus extends partly in a dry area, preferably along the quarter panel lining 12, and partly in a wet area via its free end receiving the closure cap 32, as well as via its end opposite connected to the tank 30.

A fixing means 38 allows the pipe to be mounted on the quarter panel lining 12 in order to avoid any vibration of the pipe against the body of the vehicle, thus reducing the risk of noise generated by the vibration of the pipe 31. The fixing means 38 may comprise an intermediate piece made directly from the material of the pipe 31. It may be a bearing extending radially projecting from the pipe 31, shaped according to the quarter panel lining 12 against which it is intended to come into support.

For assembly reasons, the pipe 31 can be made in several parts, in particular two parts fitted into one another. By way of example, the fitting zone can be located at the level of the rear floor opening 13, more precisely at the level of the sealing means 37 surrounding the pipe 31.

Whatever the embodiment, the opening 11 is made at the bottom 60 of the gutter, preferably in a middle part of the gutter so that access to the reservoir filling pipe is facilitated. When the opening 40 is in the open position, the filler cap 32 is located within easy reach of a person wishing to fill the tank 30 with a liquid.

In the context of treatment of polluting emissions from a diesel engine, the use of an exhaust gas post-treatment liquid, for example urea, is made possible by filling the tank 30. Given the ease of filling, the size of the tank 30 can be reduced compared to the known solution which required the call to a seasoned professional during a periodic maintenance review of the vehicle.

In Figure 2 and in Figure 3, the opening 40 is shown in the closed position so that it extends to the right of the gutter 6. Due to the fixing of the rear shield 9 to the gutter 6, the opening 40 in the closed position partially overlaps the opening 11 through which the filling pipe 31 extends.

The end of the pipe 31 includes a flange 33 which is attached to rest against the outer face of the gutter bottom. Such a collar 33 makes it possible to retain the pipe 31 in position on the gutter.

In order to locally increase the rigidity of the gutter at the level of the opening 11, a boss 63 obtained by a stamping operation is produced. It is an internal boss, that is to say that it locally distances the bottom 60 of the gutter from the opening 40, in particular from a box 41 which delimits the internal part of the opening 40.

The free end of pipe 31 includes a flange 33 which forms an axial retaining means for the pipe on the gutter. The collar 33 is positioned against the outer face of the bottom 60 of the gutter. A seal 23 is interposed between, in order to ensure a seal making it possible to avoid a dispersion of the liquid inside the box. In case of projection or overflow of liquid, the latter follows the bottom 60 of the gutter to be evacuated from the vehicle.

The bottom 60 of the gutter extending opposite the lining 12 of the rear quarter panel 4, the lining 12 comprises a passage 14 substantially coaxial with the opening 11 such that the filling pipe 31 extends both through of the opening 11 and the passage 14 as made visible in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

The bottom 60 of the gutter is located in a wet zone of the box, in the sense that this zone is intended for the flow of any fluid, whether it is rainwater or even the liquid used for filling. of the reservoir. Advantageously, in the event of overflow, it becomes possible to easily remove the excess liquid present at the bottom of the gutter. In addition, due to the location of the duct in a humid zone communicating with the outside of the vehicle, there is no unpleasant effect, in particular from an olfactory point of view, inside the vehicle.

Claims (11)

Arrangement of a body (1) of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at least one opening (11) through which is arranged a line (31) for filling a tank (30) with a liquid, in particular intended for the treatment of exhaust gases, the body (1) comprising a rear ring (2) partly delimited by lateral gutters (6), each of the lateral gutters connecting a side of the body (3), in particular a lining (12 ) rear quarter panel (4), to a rear floor (7), in particular a trunk floor, characterized in that the opening (11) is arranged at one of the side gutters (6). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the body (1) comprises an opening (40) hinged between open and closed positions around the rear ring, the opening being in the closed position disposed overlapping the opening (11) through which the fill line (31) extends. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear ring (2) comprises at least one seal (22) extending over all or part of the rear ring (2), the seal sealing being partly disposed on a rabbet of the rear gutter (6) such that the opening (11) receiving the filling pipe (31) is located at the level of a wet zone. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gutter (6) comprises a bottom wall (60) provided with the opening (11) through which the filling pipe extends. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (30) arranged under the rear floor (7). Arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tank (30) is arranged in a recess in the body (1) defined by the lining (12) of the rear quarter panel (4) and a passage (71) rear wheel (50) delimited by the rear floor (7). Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end of the filling pipe (31) is connected to the rear gutter (6) by a sealing means (23), in particular a sealing washer . Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (11) for the filling pipe (31) is vertically located at the level of a substantially median zone of the lateral gutter (6). Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closure plug (32) projecting from the bottom (60) of the lateral gutter (6) in order to be made manually accessible for an operation. filling the tank. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bottom (60) of the lateral gutter (6) comprises an interior boss (63) creating a rapprochement of the lateral gutter (6) to the lining (12) of the rear quarter panel (4) , so that the cap (32) is arranged substantially flush with the bottom (60) of the lateral gutter (6) outside the boss (63). Vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising an arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.