FR3125260A1 - REAR UNDER-RIDE PROTECTION DEVICE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Rear underrun protection device and vehicle fitted with such a deviceRear underrun protection device (1) intended to be fixed to a chassis (2) of a vehicle (V), for example a dump truck, said device rear underrun protection (1) comprising an underrun bar (6) comprising a tubular body (8), characterized in that the underrun bar (6) comprises, towards each of the ends (80) of the tubular body (8), separate attachment members (12, 14) permanently fixed to the ends (80) of the tubular body (8), making it possible to secure to the underride protection bar (6) one or more auxiliary equipment items (13 , 20) of the rear underrun protection device (1). Figure for the summary: Figure 1

Description

REAR UNDER-RIDE PROTECTION DEVICE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE

The present invention relates to the general technical field of automobile construction, and more specifically to the field of bodywork for road vehicles having a loading space for the transport of goods or materials, such as trucks or trailers.

The present invention relates to a rear underrun protection device intended to be fixed to a vehicle chassis, for example a dump truck, said rear underrun protection device comprising an underrun bar comprising a tubular body.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a dump truck, comprising a chassis as well as a rear underrun protection device which is fixed to said chassis.

It is known to equip industrial road vehicles, such as goods transport trucks or dump trucks, with rear underrun protection devices to prevent, in the event of a rear impact with a passenger vehicle, that the latter does not come to be embedded under the body or the tipper of the truck, with the catastrophic consequences which could ensue from it.

Such rear underrun protection devices are also made mandatory in many countries by local regulations.

Known rear underrun protection devices are generally of simple and robust construction, since they consist of a metal bar fixed by arms to the side members of the truck chassis.

A conventional underride bar is usually a simple smooth steel tube, closed at its open ends, and devoid of any other function due to its shape.

If these known hinged rear underrun protection devices are generally satisfactory, they are nevertheless likely to be improved.

The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose a new rear underrun protection device usable on tipper trucks, the design of which makes it possible to fulfill auxiliary functions.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new rear underrun protection device which allows a tipper truck driver to visualize the position of the underrun bar.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new rear underrun protection device which makes it possible to reduce the risk of dirt being projected onto the rear mud flaps of a tipper truck on a construction site.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved with the aid of a rear underrun protection device intended to be fixed to a vehicle chassis, for example a dump truck, said rear underrun protection device comprising an underride bar comprising a tubular body, characterized in that the underride bar comprises, towards each of the ends of the tubular body, separate attachment members fixed permanently to the ends of the tubular body, making it possible to secure to the underride bar one or more auxiliary equipment of the rear underrun protection device.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of a vehicle, for example a dump truck, comprising a chassis as well as a rear underrun protection device which is in accordance with the invention and is attached to said frame.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the following detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

is a side and top perspective view of the rear of a chassis of a dump truck equipped with a rear underrun protection device according to the invention with its underrun bar in the low position safety (road configuration).

is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the underride bar of the showing attachment organs.

is a perspective view of the underride bar of the showing a blank closing a tubular body of the underride bar carrying the attachment members.

schematically illustrates in side view the rear of a dump truck equipped with the rear underrun protection device of the in the low safety position, with connecting means connecting the anti-underrun bar to the rear flaps of the dump truck.

schematically illustrates in side view the dump truck of the with the rear underrun protection device in the unsafe high position (site or off-road configuration), and the rear mudflaps raised.

The invention relates to a rear underrun protection device 1 intended to be fitted to a vehicle. Said vehicle is preferably a road vehicle, which may for example be a road motor vehicle, for example a truck, and in particular a tipper truck capable of transporting bulk materials (aggregates, earth, sand, rubble, etc.) . Said road vehicle may also not be motorized and in this case forms, for example, a trailer intended to be towed by a truck. Said trailer can for example carry a tipper capable of transporting bulk materials. The rear underrun protection device 1 is intended to form a protective obstacle at the rear of the vehicle which it equips, in order to prevent the front bonnet of a passenger vehicle from being able to fit under the truck body or bed.

The rear underrun protection device 1 according to the invention advantageously meets the various standards, directives and regulations applicable in Europe and in particular in France, such as for example European Directive 70/221/EEC and its modifications 81/333/EEC. , 97/19/EC and 2000/8/EC. Particularly advantageously, the rear underrun protection device 1 according to the invention meets the requirements of Regulation No. 58 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UNECE) with the 03 series of amendments including the date of entry into force is June 18, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as “UNECE R58.03 ” ) .

As will emerge in more detail from the following description, the rear underrun protection device 1 is a folding or lifting device which is more specifically intended to equip an all-terrain or all-road road vehicle V, or even and above all a vehicle equipped with a skip B, in particular a tipper, said vehicle V being able to be motorized (truck for example) or not (trailer for example).

Advantageously, the rear underrun protection device 1 is intended to be fixed to a chassis 2 of said vehicle V which it equips. More specifically, the rear underrun protection device 1 is designed to be fixed at the rear end of the frame 2, as illustrated in the figures. The frame 2 comprises for example a right beam 2A and a left beam 2B, arranged symmetrically with respect to a median vertical plane of symmetry of the frame 2. The right and left beams 2A, 2B are for example formed by metal beams, which are advantageously interconnected by metal crosspieces. The section of the beams is for example a "C" section, an "I" section or any other appropriate shape.

As illustrated in the figures, the rear underrun protection device 1 also has a symmetrical character with respect to said median vertical plane of the chassis 2.

The rear underrun protection device 1 comprises at least a first plate 3 designed to be attached to the frame 2, and more specifically to be fixed permanently (but advantageously removable) to the frame 2, so as to be immobilized with respect to this last.

Preferably, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rear underrun protection device 1 also comprises a second plate 4, said first plate 3 being designed to be attached to the right spar 2A while the second plate 4 is designed to be attached to the left spar 2B. Preferably, the first plate 3 and second plate 4 have a symmetrical shape with respect to a median vertical plane, or even an identical shape.

Advantageously, the rear underrun protection device 1 comprises at least a first arm 5 connected on the one hand to an underrun bar 6 and on the other hand to said first plate 3. The underrun bar 6, which forms advantageously part of the rear underrun protection device 1, is in the form of an elongated metal part, for example of round section as illustrated in the figures, but which can also be of polygonal section. The anti-underrun bar 6 is intended to form an obstacle preventing, in the event of a rear impact, a passenger vehicle from coming to be embedded from behind in the road vehicle (of the truck or trailer type) equipped with the device rear underride protection 1.

The underride bar 6 comprises a tubular body 8 oriented along a longitudinal axis X8 between two ends 80 which have open faces 82. The tubular body 8 of the underride bar 6 has an outer peripheral surface S8, which is in this example of a cylindrical shape with a circular base centered on the X8 axis. The tubular body 8 is inserted and fixed, in particular by welding, in two interface parts 7 in the form of a sheath comprising lugs fixed to the arms 5, for example by bolting.

According to the invention, towards each of the ends 80 of the tubular body 8, the anti-underrun bar 6 comprises attachment members, separate from said tubular body 8, and permanently fixed to the ends 80 of the tubular body 8, allowing securing to the underride protection bar 6 one or more auxiliary equipment items of the rear underride protection device 1. These attachment members preferably comprise female shapes intended to cooperate with male shapes of the auxiliary equipment items.

According to a first embodiment, said attachment members include first attachment members formed, for example, by metal blanks 12 closing the open faces 82 of the tubular body 8, these metal blanks 12 being advantageously provided with female shapes for possibly fixing to the underride bar 6 at least one auxiliary equipment 13. Said metal blanks 12 are for example pierced with at least one orifice 120 for fixing said auxiliary equipment 13. The metal blanks 12 are for example metal parts having the shape of 'a disc in the example described, and are fixed to the tubular body 8 preferably in a non-removable way, for example by welding.

Said fixing orifices 120 are preferably through-holes and communicate the interior of the tubular body 8 with the exterior. The fixing holes 12A advantageously form pre-drillings which facilitate the subsequent coupling of ancillary equipment to the anti-underrun bar 6. The fixing holes 120 are five in number in the example illustrated but can be numerous lower or upper, and their arrangement on the blank 12 may be different from that illustrated.

The metal blanks 12 are preferably pierced with at least one notch 122 on their periphery, this notch 122 being oriented towards a lower side of the underride bar 6, that is to say towards the ground. The notch 122 is through, partially uncovers the open face 82 and puts the internal space of the tubular body 8 in communication with the outside, which allows water to enter the internal space of the tubular body 8 through the orifices 120 not to stagnate and to flow out of the hollow interior volume of the underride bar 6.

Advantageously, the rear underrun protection device 1 can be lifted, folded or retracted, by means of two actuators 10 such as cylinders, and is connected to a control interface, not shown, which allows a user to control the actuators 10, to raise or fold the underride bar 6 into a retracted position illustrated in , or on the contrary lower it or unfold it in a deployed position illustrated in figures 1 and 4, depending on the situation (traffic on the road or on impassable ground, site manoeuvres, etc.).

According to one embodiment of the invention, and insofar as the locally applicable legislation authorizes it, the auxiliary equipment of the rear underride protection device 1 comprises a device for visual signaling of the deployed or retracted position of the anti-skid bar. - recess 6, intended to be fixed to the anti-underrun bar 6 by means of said at least one fixing hole 120. This visual signaling device can for example be a flag 13 as illustrated in , or a flag, or an antenna, or even a luminous signaling light. This visual signaling device can advantageously be fixed to the anti-underrun bar 6 for example by means of a male form, such as a screw screwed into one of the fixing holes 120 to secure to the bar 6 a plate carrying said signaling device (for example the flag 13). This pennant or this flag can thus be seen in his mirrors by the driver of the vehicle V, who can know the position of the underride bar 6. The pennant 13, or more generally the visual signaling device, can be fixed to the orifices fixing 120 via any suitable male member.

According to a second embodiment, which can be advantageously combined with the first embodiment (as illustrated in the figures), said attachment members include second attachment members 14 projecting from the peripheral surface S8, preferably in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X8 of the underride bar 6. Said second attachment members 14 are advantageously separate from, and spaced from, said first attachment members 12, and are preferably fixed permanently, so cannot be dismantled (for example by welding) to said peripheral tubular surface S8. Preferably, the second attachment members 14 have an elongated shape, for example a fin shape, and extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis X8 of the underride bar 6.

Advantageously, the second attachment members comprise female forms intended to cooperate with male forms carried by auxiliary equipment of the device 1.

The second attachment members are preferably formed by a flat strip 14 welded to the tubular body 8 of the anti-underrun bar 6. The flat strip 14 is in the form of a metal plate, which is for example of polygonal shape. , an outer edge of which advantageously has a straight part 14a, an inclined part 14b diverging from the longitudinal axis X8, a straight part 14c located on the side of the end 80 and delimiting a wider part of the strip 14, and finally a part 14d converging towards the longitudinal axis X8 in the direction of the end 80. This flat strip 14 is provided with at least one fixing configuration, preferably female, of auxiliary equipment, such as a reception hole 140 pierced through said strip 14 according to the example shown, or a hook formed for example by a tab cut in the flat strip 14 and optionally bent. According to an optional aspect, the fixing conformation can also comprise a magnetic zone.

In the example illustrated, the female conformations for fixing the flat strip 14 comprise four aligned reception holes 140 located along the part 14a, and four smaller reception holes 140 organized in a square in an area of the strip 14 bounded by parts 14c and 14d. The number and arrangement of the reception holes 140 may vary.

Advantageously, the rear underrun device 1 comprises connecting members intended to be fixed to the second attachment members of the underrun bar 6 and intended to be fixed to the rear mudflaps 18 of the vehicle V, that is to that is, plates, in particular of rubber or plastic, covering the rear of the wheels R of the vehicle V to protect the bodywork from splashes of dirt or gravel. The connection between the anti-underrun bar 6 and the rear flaps 18 makes the flaps 18 integral with the folding movement of the anti-underrun bar 6 upwards, represented by the arrow F1 at the . Thus, when the vehicle V is on a construction site and the rear underride protection device 1 can be put in an unsafe configuration, the flaps 18 are raised according to the arrow F2 at the at the same time as the anti-underrun bar 6 to prevent the flaps 18 from being loaded with dirt and sludge from construction sites and that this dirt is then dumped on the road. Thus when a load C of materials contained in the skip B is dumped on the ground ( ), the flaps 18 are in the raised position and are therefore not in contact with the materials and will not pick up dirt.

According to one example, the connecting members can be chains 20 fixed in the reception holes 140 by any suitable male form, for example hooks.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises, for each end 80 of the anti-underrun bar 6, a protective cap 16 (for example made of plastic material) illustrated in , which is preferably designed to cover said first attachment members 12 in order to hide them.

According to an optional aspect, the flat strip 14 has a notch 142 at its base, oriented on the side of the end 80 of the anti-underrun bar 6. The notch 142 advantageously forms a space for receiving said protective cap 16. The protective cap 16 is intended to removably cover the end 80 and to mask the reception holes 10 and the notch 122, which makes it possible to prevent the intrusion of water or dirt into the internal space of the underride bar 6 when the fixing holes 120 are not used.

The invention also relates, according to a complementary aspect, to a vehicle V, which is preferably a road vehicle, with a motor (for example a dump truck) or without a motor (for example a dump trailer), comprising a chassis 2 which preferably conforms to the preceding description, as well as a rear underrun protection device 1 which conforms to the preceding description and which is fixed to said frame 2 as explained previously.

Claims (9)

Rear underrun protection device (1) intended to be fixed to a chassis (2) of a vehicle (V), for example a tipper truck, said rear underrun protection device (1) comprising an anti- recess (6) comprising a tubular body (8), characterized in that the anti-underrun bar (6) comprises, towards each of the ends (80) of the tubular body (8), attachment members (12, 14) distinct fixed permanently on the ends (80) of the tubular body (8), making it possible to secure to the underride protection bar (6) one or more auxiliary equipment items (13, 20) of the rear underride protection device (1) . Rear underrun protection device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (8) has two open faces (82) at its ends (80), and in that the said attachment members include first attachment formed by metal blanks (12) closing the open faces (82) of the tubular body (8), these metal blanks (12) being pierced with at least one orifice (120) for fixing auxiliary equipment (13 ). Rear underride protection device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the auxiliary equipment of the rear underrun protection device (1) comprises a device (13) for visual signaling of the position of the underride bar (6 ), intended to be fixed to said underride bar (6) by means of said fixing hole (120). Rear underrun protection device according to one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the metal blanks (12) are pierced with at least one through notch (122) on their periphery, this through notch (122) being oriented towards a lower side of the underride bar (6). Rear underride protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (8) of the underride bar (6) has an outer peripheral surface (S8), and in that the said attachment include second attachment members (14) projecting from the peripheral surface (S8). Rear underrun protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second attachment members are formed by a flat strip (14) welded to the tubular body (8) of the underrun bar (6), this strip plate (14) being provided with at least one mounting configuration (140) of auxiliary equipment (20). Rear underrun protection device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the flat strip (14) has a notch (142) at its base, oriented towards the end (80) of the underrun bar (6 ), and in that the rear underrun protection device (1) comprises, for each end (80) of the underrun bar (6), a protective cap (16) intended to removably cover this end (80), said notch (142) forming a space for receiving said protective cap (16). Rear underride protection device according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the underride protection bar (6) is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and in that the rear underrun protection device -underrun (1) comprises connecting members (20) intended to be fixed to the second attachment members (14) of the anti-underrun bar (6) and intended to be fixed to the rear mudflaps (18) of the vehicle ( V). Vehicle (V), for example a tipper truck (B), comprising a chassis (2) as well as a rear underrun protection device (1) which conforms to any one of the preceding claims and is fixed to said chassis (2).