FR3132691A1 - INTERCONNECTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF A FORCE IN A STRUCTURE OF A LAND VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

An interconnection device (DI) equips a land vehicle comprising a structure comprising a base, comprising a spar (LS), and a front stretcher (BV), comprising a rear part (PR) descending towards the base to a place offset transversely and longitudinally with respect to the spar (LS). This interconnection device (DI) interconnects the rear end (ER1) of this rear part (PR) to the spar (LS), and is arranged to transmit to the spar (LS) part of a force collected by the front stretcher (BV) in the event of an impact suffered by the front end of the latter. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 2

Description

INTERCONNECTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF A FORCE IN A STRUCTURE OF A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

The invention concerns land vehicles, and more specifically the structures which are part of such vehicles.

State of the art

Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a structure comprising a base comprising two right and left side members, and, in a front part, two right and left front stretchers which participate in particular in supporting the powertrain (or GMP) generally with two right and left upper arms, placed above them, and right and left cradle extensions, placed below them.

In what precedes and follows the notion of “front” is defined in relation to the front end of the vehicle, and the notion of “rear” is defined in relation to the rear end of the vehicle (opposite to the front end). Therefore, the front part of an element is (intended to be) oriented towards the front end of the vehicle, while the rear part of that element is (intended to be) oriented towards the rear end of the vehicle.

Some of the front stretchers include a rear portion that descends toward the underbody to a location that is offset transversely and longitudinally relative to the side member of the corresponding side. In vehicles which do not include a main (or traction) battery installed in the underbody, the rear part of each front stretcher is extended rearwardly by at least one central stretcher (called “underfloor”) which is installed in a central part between the two spars and contributes to the reinforcement of the base. Thus, when the front end of one of the front stretchers undergoes an at least partially frontal impact, part of the force absorbed by this front stretcher is transmitted to each central stretcher to which it is secured, which allows the base to participate in efforts to maintain a good level of passive safety, including when the vehicle is traveling at high speed.

When the vehicle has an all-electric or hybrid GMP (thermal and electric), it includes a main (or traction) battery which supplies electrical energy to at least one electric driving machine of the GMP and is generally installed in the underbody, which prevents the latter to include central stretchers under the floor. Consequently, when the front end of one of the front stretchers suffers an at least partially frontal impact, part of the force absorbed by this front stretcher is transmitted to the main battery which can damage it and cause a leak. chemical product and/or a short circuit which could cause overheating, or even a fire, and/or the electrocution of a user. This problem is all the more worrying in an all-electric or hybrid GMP vehicle because its weight is greater than that of a thermal GMP vehicle and therefore the energy it absorbs during an impact at least partially frontal. is more significant and therefore likely to cause more damage to the base.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

For this purpose, it offers in particular an interconnection device suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising:

- a structure comprising a base comprising a spar, and

- a front stretcher comprising a rear part descending towards this base to a location which is offset transversely and longitudinally relative to the spar.

This interconnection device is characterized in that it is intended to interconnect a rear end of the rear part of the front stretcher to the spar, and arranged so as to transmit to the spar part of a force absorbed by the front stretcher in case of impact suffered by a front end of the latter.

Thanks to the invention, part of the force absorbed by a front stretcher is now deflected towards the spar on the corresponding side, which allows the base to participate in withstanding the forces to maintain a good level of passive safety.

The interconnection device according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- it may be intended to interconnect the rear end of the rear part of the front stretcher to an internal side face of the spar;

- it may comprise a first part comprising front and rear ends intended to be fixedly secured and respectively to the rear end of the rear part of the front stretcher and to the spar;

- the first part can be made of a metallic material;

- the first part may be hollow and may comprise, on the one hand, a curved lower wall, and, on the other hand, a curved side wall, extending upwards from the lower wall, ending in a first upper edge and delimiting a internal housing with bottom wall;

- it may comprise a second part fixedly installed in the internal housing of the first part on the lower wall, and arranged so as to subdivide the internal housing into first and second sub-parts;

- it may include a third part fixedly installed in the first sub-part while being suspended on the first upper edge of the first part and a second upper edge of the second part;

- the first and second sub-parts can end respectively in front of a portion of the side wall of the first part intended to be oriented towards a rear end of the vehicle and in front of an open face of the front end of the first part intended to be placed in front of the spar. In this case, the third part may have a front end open and located opposite the portion of the side wall;

- at least one of the second and third parts can be made of a metallic material.

The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising a structure comprising:

- a base comprising two right and left side members,

- two right and left front stretchers, each comprising a rear part descending towards this base to a location which is offset transversely and longitudinally in relation to the corresponding spar, and

- two interconnection devices of the type presented above and respectively interconnecting the rear part of the right front stretcher to the right spar and the rear part of the left front stretcher to the left spar.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained in CAD/CAD (“Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Drawing”)), on which :

schematically illustrates, in a bottom view, an exemplary embodiment of an interconnection device according to the invention, interconnecting a spar and a front stretcher of a land vehicle,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of an interconnection device according to the invention, interconnecting a spar and a front stretcher of a land vehicle,

schematically illustrates, in another perspective view, the interconnection device of the , before it interconnects a spar and a front stretcher of a land vehicle,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the first part of the interconnection device of Figures 2 and 3,

schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view, the second part of the interconnection device of Figures 2 and 3,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the third part of the interconnection device of Figures 2 and 3,

schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane, the interconnection device of Figures 2 and 3, before its vehicle undergoes a frontal impact, and

schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane, the interconnection device of Figures 2 and 3, after its vehicle has suffered a frontal impact.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention aims in particular to propose a DI interconnection device intended to form part of a structure of a land vehicle in order to allow force transmission during an at least partially frontal impact.

In what follows, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the structure is intended to be part of a land vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It concerns any land vehicle comprising a structure that must withstand shocks.

Furthermore, we consider, by way of non-limiting example, that the land vehicle comprises a powertrain (or GMP) comprising at least one electric driving machine ensuring at least part of its traction and supplied with electrical energy by a main battery (or traction) installed in its base. Consequently, the GMP is of the all-electric or hybrid type (thermal and electric). But the invention also concerns land vehicles with purely thermal GMP, since their base does not include central stretchers under the floor connected to their front stretchers.

In Figures 1 to 8, the direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

We have schematically illustrated on the a left sub-part of a base of a land vehicle structure comprising an exemplary embodiment of a DI interconnection device according to the invention. Although this only appears partially, the base of the structure includes two right and left LS spars (here only the left is represented), and the front part of the structure notably includes two right and left front BV stretchers (here only one small part of the left is shown).

Each front stretcher BV comprises a front part (not shown), generally substantially rectilinear and extended rearwardly by a rear part PR which descends towards the base to a location which is offset at least transversely and longitudinally relative to the spar LS on the corresponding side. Note that the front part of the structure also generally includes two right and left upper arms, placed above the right and left front BV stretchers, and right and left cradle extensions, placed below the right and left front BV stretchers. LEFT. These front BV stretchers, upper arms and cradle extensions participate together, in particular, in supporting the GMP.

It should also be noted that the rear part PR of each front stretcher BV comprises a rear end ER1 which is located at the aforementioned location, which can also be, optionally, slightly offset vertically upwards in relation to the spar LS of the corresponding side.

The structure of the land vehicle also includes two interconnection devices DI, right and left (only the left is shown in Figures 1 and 2), and each intended to interconnect the rear end ER1 of the rear part PR of a stretcher front BV to the LS spar of the corresponding side. It will be understood that the right DI interconnection device interconnects the rear part PR of the right front BV stretcher to the right LS spar, and the left DI interconnection device interconnects the rear part PR of the left BV front stretcher to the left LS spar.

In addition, each DI interconnection device is arranged so as to transmit to the LS spar concerned part of the force which is absorbed by the front BV stretcher concerned in the event of an impact suffered by the front end of the latter (BV) .

Thanks to this interconnection, we can now divert part of the force absorbed by a BV front stretcher towards the LS spar on the corresponding side, which allows the base to participate in withstanding the forces to maintain a good level of passive safety, including when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. It will be understood that the LS spar, initially designed to allow the underbody to absorb side impacts, is now also used to absorb frontal impacts. This is particularly advantageous when the underbody includes a main (or traction) battery, because this makes it possible to very significantly reduce the damage that can be caused to this main battery during a frontal impact since it only takes a very small part of the effort.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, each interconnection device DI can be intended to interconnect the rear end ER1 of the rear part PR of the front stretcher BV concerned to an internal side face FLI of the spar LS concerned. But in a variant embodiment not illustrated, each interconnection device DI could be intended to interconnect the rear end ER1 of the rear part PR of the front stretcher BV on the side corresponding to the front end EV3 of the spar LS on this same side .

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 to 4, 7 and 8, each interconnection device DI can comprise a first part P1 comprising a front end EV2 intended to be fixedly secured to the rear end ER1 of the rear part PR of the front stretcher BV on the corresponding side, and a rear end ER2 intended to be fixedly attached to the spar LS (here to its internal side face FLI).

Each first part P1 can, for example, be made of a metallic material, preferably very resistant so that it is capable of transmitting to the spar LS to which its rear end ER2 is fixedly secured part of the force which is absorbed by the front stretcher BV to which its front end EV2 is fixedly attached.

For example, each first part P1 can be made of steel. Thus, this steel can be of type HD380LA.

Also for example, each first part P1 can have a thickness of between 2.5 mm and 3 mm. As an illustrative example, this thickness can be equal to 2.8 mm.

Also for example, each first part P1 can be fixedly joined by welding to the rear part PR of the front stretcher BV concerned and to the spar LS concerned.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, 7 and 8, each first part P1 can be hollow and can comprise a curved lower wall PF1 and extended upwards by a curved side wall PL1. In this case, each lower wall PF1 and the associated side wall PL1 can together delimit an internal housing LI. In addition, each side wall PL1 can be terminated by a first upper edge BS1 which is preferably folded, for example at approximately 90°, in particular with the aim of increasing its resistance to stress.

It will be noted that when the part of the force that an interconnection device DI must transmit to the LS spar concerned requires a first part P1 that is too complex to produce in terms of thickness and/or in terms of conformation and /or too expensive, it can be combined with a second part P2, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8.

In this case, each second part P2 is fixedly installed in the internal housing LI of the first part P1 on the lower wall PF1, and is arranged so as to subdivide this internal housing LI into first SP1 and second SP2 sub-parts, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8.

Each second part P2 is preferably curved, although with a general curvature different from that of the lower wall PF1 or the side wall PL1 of the first associated part P1.

Furthermore, each second part P2 can, for example, be made of a metallic material, preferably very resistant so that it is capable of participating in the transmission of the absorbed force to the spar LS to which the first associated part P1 is secured. fixedly.

For example, each second part P2 can be made of steel. Thus, this steel can be CP800 type.

Also for example, each second part P2 can have a thickness of between 2.2 mm and 2.8 mm. As an illustrative example, this thickness can be equal to 2.4 mm.

Also for example, each second part P2 can be fixedly joined by welding to the first associated part P1. This welding is done at least on the lower wall PF1, as well as possibly on another side wall PL2 which comprises the first part P1 and which also extends upwards this lower wall PF1 by being at least partly located opposite the side wall PL1. This other side wall PL2 preferably has other shapes and curvature than those of the side wall PL1.

It will also be noted that when the part of the force that a DI interconnection device must transmit to the LS spar concerned requires first P1 and second P2 parts that are too complex to produce in terms of thickness and/or in terms of thickness. of the conformation and/or too expensive, they can be associated with a third part P3, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2, 3 and 6 to 8.

In this case, each third part P3 can be fixedly installed in the first sub-part SP1 of the internal housing LI of a first part P1 while being suspended on the first upper edge BS1 of the first part P1 and a second upper edge BS2 of the second piece P2. By connecting the first BS1 and second BS2 upper edges together via a third part P3, the rigidity of each interconnection device DI is notably reinforced in its upper part and therefore its capacity to transmit part of the force to the LS spar concerned. which is absorbed by the front BV stretcher concerned in the event of an impact suffered by the front end of the latter (BV).

As can be seen by comparing Figures 7 (before an impact) and 8 (after an impact), the deformations undergone by a DI interconnection device during an impact are very low, which attests to the fact that the device interconnection DI transmitted almost entirely to the LS spar concerned the impact force which was transmitted to it by the front BV stretcher concerned. It will be understood that, if the DI interconnection device only transmitted a small part of this impact force to the LS spar concerned, it would present significant deformation.

In order to allow the support of each third part P3 on the first BS1 and second BS2 upper edges concerned, it is possible, for example, to provide each third part P3 with fixing lugs. It is also possible to define in the first BS1 and second BS2 upper edges flats or holes intended to at least partially accommodate the corresponding fixing lugs.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 3, that the first sub-part SP1 of each internal housing LI can end in front of a portion PP of the side wall PL1 of the first part P1 which is intended to be oriented towards the rear end of the vehicle, and the second sub-part SP2 of each internal housing LI can end in front of an open face FO of the front end EV2 of the first part P1 intended to be placed in front of the spar LS. In this case, the third part P3 has a front end EV4 open and located opposite the portion PP of the side wall PL1. This makes it possible in particular to simplify the production of the third part P3.

For example, each third part P3 can be fixedly secured to the first upper edge BS1 of the first part P1 of its interconnection device DI and to the second upper edge BS2 of the second part P2 of its interconnection device DI by welding.

Furthermore, each third part P3 can, for example, be made of a metallic material, preferably very resistant so that it is capable of participating in the transmission of the absorbed force to the spar LS to which the first associated part P1 is secured. fixedly.

For example, each third part P3 can be made of steel. Thus, this steel can be CP800 type.

Also for example, each third part P3 can have a thickness of between 2.2 mm and 2.8 mm. As an illustrative example, this thickness can be equal to 2.4 mm.

It should also be noted that the particular conformation of each of the first P1, second P2 and third P3 parts may result from stamping and/or folding.

Claims (10)

Interconnection device (DI) suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising a structure comprising a base, comprising a spar (LS), and a front stretcher (BV), comprising a rear part (PR) descending towards said base to a location offset transversely and longitudinally relative to said spar (LS), characterized in that it is intended to interconnect a rear end (ER1) of said rear part (PR) to said spar (LS), and arranged so as to transmit to said spar (LS) part of a force absorbed by said front stretcher (BV) in the event of an impact suffered by a front end of the latter (BV). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is intended to interconnect said rear end (ER1) of the rear part (PR) of the front stretcher (BV) to an internal side face (FLI) of said spar (LS). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a first part (P1) comprising front (EV2) and rear (ER2) ends intended to be fixedly secured and respectively to said rear end (ER1) of the part rear (PR) of the front stretcher (BV) and said spar (LS). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first part (P1) is made of a metallic material. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said first part (P1) is hollow and comprises i) a curved lower wall (PF1), and ii) a curved side wall (PL1), extending upwards from said lower wall ( PF1), terminated by a first upper edge (BS1) and delimiting an internal housing (LI) with said lower wall (PF1). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a second part (P2) fixedly installed in said internal housing (LI) of the first part (P1) on said lower wall (PF1), and arranged so as to subdivide said internal housing (LI) in first (SP1) and second (SP2) sub-parts. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a third part (P3) fixedly installed in said first sub-part (SP1) while being suspended on said first upper edge (BS1) of the first part (P1) and a second upper edge (BS2) of said second part (P2). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said first (SP1) and second (SP2) sub-parts end respectively in front of a portion (PP) of said side wall (PL1) of the first part (P1) intended to be oriented towards a rear end of said vehicle and in front of an open face (FO) of said front end (EV2) of the first part (P1) intended to be placed in front of said longitudinal member (LS), and in that said third part (P3) has a front end (EV4) open and located opposite said portion (PP) of the side wall (PL1). Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one of said second (P2) and third (P3) parts is made of a metallic material. Land vehicle comprising a structure comprising i) a base comprising two spars (LS) right and left, and ii) two front stretchers (BV) right and left and each comprising a rear part (PR) descending towards said base to a location offset transversely and longitudinally relative to the corresponding spar (LS), characterized in that said structure further comprises two interconnection devices (DI) according to one of the preceding claims, respectively interconnecting said rear part (PR) of the front stretcher ( BV) right to said right spar (LS) and said rear part (PR) of the left front stretcher (BV) to said left spar (LS).