WO1998028180A1

WO1998028180A1 - Motor vehicle body structure comprising improved assembly means

Info

Publication number: WO1998028180A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/002363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Cappellotti; Pascal Hubert; Lucien Martelloni
Original assignee: Renault
Priority date: 1996-12-23
Filing date: 1997-12-19
Publication date: 1998-07-02
Also published as: FR2757473B1; FR2757473A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a motor vehicle body structure comprising a crosspiece (10) fixed by its opposite ends (16) on two substantially vertically adjusted elements (50) in the form of a hollow stand, and comprising means (34, 44, 70) for fixing each of the ends on the associated stand (50) by at least two screw-bolt assemblies (38, 44) the locking axes of which extend along perpendicular directions, transverse (Y-Y) and longitudinal (X-X), characterised in that the fixing means comprise a bottom flange (70) including a body which is run through by the threaded rods (32, 42) of the two screw-bolt assemblies and which constitutes a brace (86) arranged between two opposite walls of the hollow stand (58, 60)

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE COMPRISING ASSEMBLY MEANS

PERFECTION NES

The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure.

The invention relates more particularly to a body structure of a motor vehicle of the type comprising a cross member fixed by its opposite ends on two elements of substantially vertical orientation in the form of hollow feet, and of the type comprising means for fixing each of its ends. on the associated foot by at least two sets of the screw nut type whose clamping axes extend in perpendicular, transverse and longitudinal directions.

An example of such a structure is described and represented in document EP-A-0.694.465. In this document, it is proposed to use, for tightening in the transverse direction, a set of the screw-nut type comprising several components screwed together and comprising in particular a rod with two inverted threads, a screw-nut and a spacer. tapped.

In addition to the complexity of this set of components and the need to carry out screw-tightening operations in both directions of rotation, it can be seen that this design is not reliable over time because it presents significant risks of loosening. In addition, this design offers no possibility of adjusting the assembly after tightening the screw assembly forming a spacer.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention provides a structure of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a fixing flange comprising a body which is crossed by the threaded rods of the two screw-nut assemblies and which constitutes a spacer arranged between two opposite walls of the hollow base.

According to other characteristics of the invention: - the flange body is a part in the general shape of

U made up of two parallel wings which are interposed between the two opposite walls of the hollow foot and which are crossed by a first of the two threaded rods, and made up of a central connecting plate, this design making it possible to stiffen the front foot and at the same time time to reinforce the fixing of the door hinge associated with the foot;

- The first threaded rod passes through adjustment lights which are formed in the wings of the flange body and which are parallel to the clamping axis of the second threaded rod;

- The central plate extends parallel to the axis of the second threaded rod, and it has in its middle part a clearance for the passage of the second threaded rod; - The clearance is a fold formed in the central connection plate and which overlaps the second threaded rod;

- The flange comprises a spacer interposed between the internal faces opposite the opposite wings of the flange body; - The spacer is a hollow element which overlaps the first threaded rod and part of which is crossed by the first second threaded;

- According to a variant, the flange body comprises a first tube forming a spacer, the opposite axial ends of which are received between the two opposite walls of the hollow base and which is crossed by a first of the two threaded rods; - The body of the flange comprises a second tube perpendicular to the first tube to which it is fixed, in particular by welding, and which is crossed by the second of the two threaded rods; - The first tube has an oblong section whose largest dimension extends parallel to the clamping axis of the second of the two threaded rods so as to allow adjustment of the position of the first threaded rod inside the first tube; - The threaded body of the second threaded rod passes through a cutout formed in a plate of the hollow foot;

- The second tube passes through the cut with the interposition of an annular sealing gasket mounted in said cut; - Before tightening, the flange body is slidably mounted relative to the associated hollow foot, in a direction parallel to the tightening direction of the second threaded rod;

- The axis of the first threaded rod is the longitudinal tightening axis; - Each end of the cross is a T-shaped angle whose wings extend substantially vertically and each of which is crossed by one of the two threaded rods.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view which i llustrates a cross member of a motor vehicle intended to be assembled and fixed by its ends on two vertical feet of a body structure of a motor vehicle according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates one of the ends of the cross member in association with its fixing flange and a reinforcing element of the associated hollow foot; - Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view which illustrates, with partial cutaway, the fixing flange and the reinforcing element illustrated in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flange body; - Figure 5 is a view, in section along line 5-5 of Figure 7, which i illustrates in detail the assembly of Figure 2;

- Figures 6 to 9 are sectional views along lines 6-6 to 9-9 of Figure 5; - Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view similar to that of Figure 2 which illustrates a second embodiment of the reinforcement and fixing flange associated with the hollow foot;

- Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the flange according to the second embodiment;

- Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 which illustrates the second embodiment before tightening the second bolt;

- Figure 1 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, after tightening the second bolt and in a relative position of the components corresponding to a reduced mounting clearance between the hollow foot and the cross;

- Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figure

12 which illustrates the different components after tightening and in a position corresponding to maximum mounting clearance; and

- Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure

13 which illustrates the various components in a position corresponding to a maximum mounting clearance. There is shown in Figure 1 a cross member 10 belonging to the body structure of a motor vehicle, not shown in detail, which is for example the cross member of the vehicle dashboard support and which is essentially constituted by an element tubular 12 with transverse orientation T.

Each of the two opposite transverse ends 14 of the tubular cross member 12 is equipped with an angle iron 16 for its attachment to a hollow vertical foot 18 belonging to the body structure of a motor vehicle.

The angle iron 16 is a T-section angle iron, the two perpendicular wings 20 and 22 of which extend in parallel vertical planes which are respectively parallel to the transverse axes T and longitudinal L of the body structure of a motor vehicle.

The wing 22 has on its upper edge 24 a tab 26 for fixing along a tightening axis Z-Z parallel to the vertical axis V of the body structure of a motor vehicle. The wing 20 of the angle 16 has two holes, 28 and

30, of axis X-X substantially parallel to the transverse axis T of the body structure of a motor vehicle, for the passage of tightening means of the screw-nut type. The upper hole 28 allows the passage of the threaded rod 32 of the screw of a bolt 34. If necessary, for increased tightening, the flange could use two parallel bolts passing through the holes 28 and 30.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the head 36 of the screw is arranged opposite the external face 21 of the wing 20 of the angle iron 16, while its threaded free end is designed to be screwed into a nut 38 which is welded to a component of the hollow base 18. The wing 22 of the angle 16 has a hole 40, of axis

Y-Y substantially parallel to the transverse axis T of the body structure of a motor vehicle, for the passage of tightening means of the screw-nut type. The hole 40 allows the passage of the threaded rod 42 of the screw of a bolt 44.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the threaded end of the threaded rod 42 is screwed into a nut 46 which is welded to the external face 25 of the wing 22 of the angle 16.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the hollow foot 18 has an internal reinforcement 50 which is essentially constituted by a plate 52 of horizontal orientation. The internal reinforcement further comprises two welded nuts 53 for fixing the upper hinge of the associated front door. The plate is reinforced by an edge folded vertically upward 54 which extends around the periphery of the plate 52, except along the end section 56 of this periphery which i extends longitudinally opposite the internal face 23 of the longitudinal flange 22 of the angle iron 16. The folded edge 54 delimits two parallel and opposite vertical cheeks 58 and 60, of transverse orientation, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal tightening axis XX of the bolt 34. The cheeks 58 and 60 each have a hole for the passage of the threaded rod 32 of the bolt 34, the two holes being aligned substantially in the longitudinal direction L so that the clamping axis XX is substantially parallel to the axis L of the body structure of motor vehicle.

The reinforcement 50 is fixed by welding inside the hollow foot 1 8, the latter being delimited by various elements in the form of plates in sheet metal of vertical orientation among which a plate has been represented schematically in the figures transverse 62 interposed between the cheek 58 and the wing 20 and which is crossed by the threaded rod 32 of the bolt 34.

The foot also includes a longitudinal plate 64 disposed between the section 56 of the periphery of the plate 52 of the reinforcement 50 and the internal face 23 of the wing 22 of the angle iron 16. The plate 64 has a cutout 66 for the passage of the bolt 44 and of the spacer of the fixing flange, which will now be described in detail, but it will be noted that there is no tightening of the plate 64 against the wing 22 of the angle 16.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the assembly and the fixing of each angle 16 on the associated hollow foot are ensured by means of a flange 70.

The flange 70 is a part in the general form of a plate, the cross section of which in a longitudinal plane is a U.

The plate can be made in the form of a thick folded sheet or be a forged part.

The flange 70 comprises two parallel and opposite vertical wings 74 and 76 which extend in transverse planes and each of which comprises a light or adjustment buttonhole 78, 80. The lights 78 and 80 are aligned, they are substantially of transverse orientation and horizontal, and they are intended to be crossed by the threaded rod 32 of the bolt 34 which can slide transversely in the slots, that is to say perpendicular to the clamping axis XX.

The two vertical wings 74 and 76 are connected together by a lower central connecting plate 82 to form a flange body 71 with which is associated an attached spacer 86 which reinforces the flange body 71 in the longitudinal tightening direction X-X.

The connecting plate extends in a horizontal plane and its central part is deformed vertically upwards under the shape of a rounded pleat which constitutes a tunnel 88 for the passage of the body of the threaded rod 42 of the bolt 44.

The central plate 82 is delimited transversely by two parallel edges 90 and 92 whose inner edge 90 is turned opposite the wing 22 of the angle iron 16. The tunnel 88 extends transversely inwards beyond the inner edge 90 of so that its free end edge 94 can come to bear against the internal face 23 of the wing 22, the tunnel extending through the cutout 66 of the plate 64 of the hollow foot 18.

The portion of the outer edge 92 of the central plate 82 located between the wing 74 and the tunnel 88 serves as a guide portion and for holding the flange body 70 relative to the reinforcement 50 before assembly and complete tightening. To this end, the section 56 of the periphery of the plate 52 of the reinforcement 50 comprises a lug 98 cut and folded so as to constitute a slide in which the outer edge 92 is received.

In position in the hollow foot 58, the flange body 71, held by the lug 96, is arranged so that its wings 74 and 76 are received between the cheeks 58 and 60 of the reinforcement 50 for, during tightening and after that -this, constitute an internal spacer of the hollow foot 18 in the longitudinal direction L. The bracing function provided by the flange 70 is reinforced by an attached spacer 86 which is notably illustrated in perspective in Figures 2 and 3

Like the flange body 71, the spacer 86 is a part constituted by a thick folded or forged plate which, in section through a transverse plane, has substantially the shape of an inverted U.

Thus, the spacer comprises an inner vertical wing 100 which extends longitudinally to the right of the inner edge 90 of the central plate 82 of the flange body 71 and facing the wing 22 of the angle iron 16, and which has a central cutout 10 which overlaps the tunnel 88.

The spacer 86 also includes another vertical outer wing 104, parallel to the inner wing 100, which i extends substantially to the right of the outer edge 92 of the plate 82. The wing 1 04 has a hole 106 for the passage of the threaded rod 42 of the bolt 44, the head 48 of the latter ensuring the transverse tightening of the outer wing 104 between the head 48 and the end edge opposite 95 of the tunnel 88 of the flange body 71.

The edge 95 of the tunnel 88 is set back with respect to the outer edge of the plate 82, in line with a recess 83 formed in the latter and which receives a tab 108 for positioning the wing 104.

The assembly and fixing of each end 14, 16 of the crosspiece 10 on the hollow feet 18 is carried out as follows.

After having set up the flange bodies 71 and the spacers on the reinforcements 50, the operator, or a robot, introduces the bolts 34 and 44 and then proceeds to transversely tighten the bolt 44 by screwing.

After this transverse tightening, it remains possible to adjust the assembly in the transverse direction thanks to the adjustment lights 78 and 80. After adjustment, it only remains to carry out the final longitudinal tightening operation by screwing and tightening the bolt 34, operation which blocks all the components in the three directions of the "L, T, V" trihedron. The assembly according to the invention reliably prevents the tearing of the foot 18 in the transverse direction T in the event of an impact, while increasing the resistance of the foot and reinforcement 50 in the longitudinal direction L thanks to the bracing effect provided by the flange 70-86.

We will now describe the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 0 to 15 in which components identical, similar or analogous to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this second embodiment, the flange 70 is formed as a whole by two elements of generally tubular shape 86 and 88 which are welded together.

The body of the flange 70 thus comprises a first tube 86 of longitudinal orientation, that is to say corresponding to the first clamping axis XX, which forms a spacer between the parallel and opposite vertical cheeks 58 and 60 between which it is interposed by its annular transverse faces of axial end 74 and 76.

The first tube 86 forming a spacer is produced by welding along a longitudinal axis of two identical pieces of deep drawn sheet metal. The curved, substantially semi-cylindrical upper part of each of the two parts constitutes half of the tube 86 proper and it extends at its lower part by a portion in the form of a vertical orientation plate 120 which itself extends by a horizontal orientation tab, that is to say parallel to the two clamping axes XX and YY, which extends along the second clamping axis.

Thus, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 11, the first tube 86 forming a spacer belonging to the flange 70 has at its lower part two inner 90 and outer 92 tabs.

This two-legged design only aims to use symmetrical components and to allow have these same components for the realization of an identical reinforcement flange for the left and right feet.

From a functional point of view, only one of the two tabs 90, 92 (here the outer tab 92) is used for guiding and maintaining the flange 70 relative to the reinforcement 50 before assembly and complete tightening, this is that is to say that this tab performs a function equivalent to that of the outer edge 92 in the case of the first embodiment, by being received in sliding under the lug 98 cut in the plate 52 of the reinforcement 50, while the inner tab 90 is supported on the upper face of the plate 52 (see FIG. 8).

As can be seen in the figures, the first tube 86 is an oblong section tube, of generally substantially oval shape, and it therefore has a larger dimension D which is oriented parallel to the second clamping axis YY, this dimension D being much greater than the outside diameter of the threaded body 32 of the first clamping bolt 34 which passes through the first tube 86.

Thus, as will be explained later, there is a possibility of adjustment in the transverse direction of the position of the threaded body 32 inside the tube 86, this adjustment position being equivalent to that resulting from the presence of the lights 78 and 80 in the case of the first embodiment described above. In the second embodiment, the tunnel for the passage of the threaded body 42 of the second bolt 44, for tightening along the second axis YY of the assembly, is constituted by a second tube of circular section whose inner axial end 94 is intended to come into abutment, after tightening, against the internal face 23 of the wing 22 of the angle iron 16 and the internal axial end 95 of which is intended to constitute an annular surface for bearing against the bearing face in screws opposite the head 48 of the second bolt 44. The second tube 88 is made integral with the first tube 86 of said flange 70 by welding the two parts.

To this end, and as can be seen in FIG. 11, the vertical plate-shaped portions 120 of the two welded parts constituting the first tube 86 have a rounded cutout 122 of profile complementary to that of the cylindrical external surface of the second tube 88, a weld bead being produced in this zone between the two tubular elements 86 and 88. The inner axial end portion of the tube 88 passes through the longitudinal plate 64 through a circular cutout 66 formed therein which, in accordance to a characteristic of the second embodiment, is equipped with an annular sealing gasket 126 whose internal lip cooperates in leaktight manner with the external cylindrical surface of the tube 88, in particular so as to improve the sound insulation of the passenger compartment .

As in the case of the first embodiment, after having set up the flange 70 on the reinforcement 50, the operator, or a robot, introduces the bolts 34 and 44 then it proceeds to the transverse tightening of the bolt 44 by screwing by means a screwdriver, a portion 128 of which is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15.

As can be seen by comparing in particular FIGS. 13 and 15, the possibility of transverse movement of the threaded body 32 inside the first tube 86 makes it possible to mount and tighten the various components whatever the manufacturing tolerances, that is to say that the clearance "j" existing between the plate 64 and the internal plate 23 of the wing 22 of the angle 16 can vary between a minimum clearance illustrated in FIG. 13 and a maximum clearance illustrated in the figure 15. After the transverse tightening, whatever the value of this clearance "j", the sealing gasket 126 cooperates in leaktight manner with the second tube 88 of the flange 70.

The design according to the second embodiment provides advantages similar to those of the design described above while using a flange 70 which is more economical to manufacture and the two elements of which are not movable relative to one another. so as to simplify assembly operations and in particular their automation.

Claims

1. Body structure of a motor vehicle of the type comprising a cross member (10) fixed by its opposite ends (16) on two elements (1 8) of substantially vertical orientation in the form of a hollow foot, and of the type comprising means (34, 44 , 70) for fixing each of its ends to the associated foot (18, 50) by at least two sets of the screw nut type (34, 44) whose clamping axes extend in perpendicular, transverse (YY) directions and longitudinal (XX), characterized in that the fixing means comprise a fixing flange (70) comprising a body which is crossed by the threaded rods (32, 42) of the two screw-nut assemblies and which constitutes a spacer (86 ) arranged between two opposite walls of the hollow base (58,60).

2. body structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange body (71) is a generally U-shaped part consisting of two parallel wings (74, 76) which are interposed between the two opposite walls (58,60) of the hollow foot and which are crossed by a first (32) of the two threaded rods, and consisting of a central connecting plate (82).

3. Motor vehicle body structure according to claim 2 characterized in that the first threaded rod

(32) passes through adjustment lights (78, 80) which are formed in the wings (74, 76) of the flange body (71) and which i are parallel to the clamping axis (YY) of the second threaded rod (42).

4. Motor vehicle body structure according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the central plate (82) extends parallel to the axis (YY) of the second threaded rod, and in that it includes in its part median a clearance (88) for the passage of the second threaded rod (42).

5. Motor vehicle body structure according to claim 4 characterized in that the clearance is a fold formed (88) in the central connecting plate and which overlaps the second threaded rod.

6. body structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the flange (70) comprises a spacer (86) interposed between the internal faces opposite opposite wings (74, 76 ) of the flange body.

7. Motor vehicle body structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the spacer (86) is a hollow element that i overlaps the first threaded rod (32) and part of which is crossed by the second threaded.

8. body structure of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (86, 88) of the flange (70) comprises a first tube (86) forming a spacer whose opposite axial ends (74, 76) are received between the two opposite walls (58, 60) of the hollow foot and which is crossed by a first (32, 34) of the two threaded rods.

9. Motor vehicle body structure according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the body of the flange (70) comprises a second tube (88) perpendicular to the first tube (86) to which it is fixed, in particular by welding, and which is crossed by the second (42, 44) of the two threaded rods.

10. Motor vehicle body structure according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the first tube (86) has an oblong section whose largest dimension (D) extends parallel to the axis YY of tightening of the second (42) of the two threaded rods so to allow adjustment of the position of the first threaded rod inside the first tube (86).

1 1. Motor vehicle body structure according to one of claims 4 or 9, characterized in that the threaded body (42) of the second threaded rod passes through a cutout (66) formed in a plate (64) of the hollow foot.

12. body structure of a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 9, characterized in that the second tube (88) passes through said cutout (66) with the interposition of an annular sealing gasket (126) mounted in said cutout (66).

13. body structure according to one of claims 3 or 10, characterized in that, before tightening, the flange body is slidably mounted relative to the associated hollow foot, in a direction (T) parallel to the tightening direction of the second threaded rod.

14. body structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the axis (X-X) of the first threaded rod (32) is the longitudinal clamping axis (L).

15. body structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that each of the ends of the cross is a bracket (16) in T whose wings (20, 22) extend substantially vertically and each of which is crossed by one of the two threaded rods.