Motor vehicle with a supporting structure of light alloy

• US 6,250,410 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Original Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Repubblica Italiana)
• Inventors: Figura, Giorgio, Ippolito, Luigi, Balestrini, Augusto, Frigo, Guido, Scavino, Gianni, Massone, Angelo, Di Pardo, Massimo
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/875,873
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 280/782, 180/65.6, 180/68.5, 180/216, 180/908, 180/299, 296/205, 296/208, 296/146.7, 296/901, 296/191, 296/65.13, 296/65.14
• US Class Current: 180/65.51
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0427 Arrangement between the seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01 Arrangement of seats relative to one another
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/005 with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like B62D33/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/001 characterised by combining metal and synthetic material
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/004 the metal being over-moulded by the synthetic material, e.g. in a mould
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/008 predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded

Abstract

A motor-vehicle, particularly an electrically-powered car of small size, has a supporting structure in the form of a reticular framework (2) of light alloy. The framework (2) includes two side structures (3) each formed by extruded profile elements (4) which are welded to joining knot elements (5) which have been obtained by casting. The side structures (3) are connected to each other by cross members (6, 7, 8, 9) which also are formed by extruded profile elements having their ends connected to the side structures (3) by mechanical coupling means, such as screws.

Claims

1. Motor-vehicle, comprising:

a supporting structure formed by a reticular framework (2) of light alloy,

said reticular framework (2) including two side structures (3) each formed by extruded profile elements (4) welded to cast connector elements (5),

said side structures (3) being connected to each other by cross members (6, 7, 8, 9) which are also formed by extruded profile elements having their ends connected to said side structures (3) by mechanical coupling means,

wherein said motor-vehicle has an electric power unit and said reticular framework (2) is connected to a floor panel of composite plastic material (10) including a longitudinal central tunnel-shaped portion (11), said tunnel-shaped portion (11) housing hereunder electric batteries (12) for supplying the electric power mit of the motor-vehicle, and

wherein said electric power unit forms part of a preassembled power and suspension unit (18) including;

a supporting cross member (6), formed by an extruded metal profile fixed by mechanical coupling means to the supporting structure (2) of the motor-vehicle,

a pair of longitudinal arms (19) pivotally connected to the cross member (6) around a common axis (21) parallel to a longitudinal direction of said supporting cross member (6), said arms (19) having free ends on which there are rotatably mounted respective wheel supports (23),

said electric power unit (24) supported in a cantilever fashion by the supporting cross member (6) by a supporting beam (28) fixed to the supporting cross member (6) and including two axle shafts (27) connected to said wheel supports (23) to transfer thereto torque generated by the electric power unit (24), and

a pair of suspension members (29) comprising a damping cylinder (30) and a helical spring (31) respectively interposed between the two longitudinal arms (19) and two respective supports (33) fixed to the supporting cross member (6).

2. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric power unit (24) is formed by an electric motor (25) and a gear reducing unit (26).

3. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the supports (22) to which the longitudinal arms (19) are articulated, the beam (28) supporting the electric power unit (24) and the supports (33) for the suspension members (29) are all fixed to the supporting cross member (6) by screws.

4. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting cross member (6) is fixed at its ends to the supporting structure (2) of the motor-vehicle by screws.

5. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting cross member (6) is an extruded profile of aluminium alloy.

6. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting cross member (6) supporting the preassembled unit (18) connects said two side frame structures (3) forming part of the vehicle supporting structure (2) at lower rear connector elements thereof.

7. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said floor of composite plastic material (10) has a plurality of electric wires (42) embedded therein, said electric wires (42) having no insulating sheath and having terminals connected to electric connectors which are also embedded within the structure of the floor panel (10) and project at least partially from the surface of the floor panel.

8. Motor-vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that in said floor panel (10) there are embedded metal inserts (36) each having an axial hole (41) extending throughout the whole thickness of the panel, for engagement of screws for fixing further elements to the floor panel (10).

9. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a substantially vertical side wall (44) of said longitudinal tunnel-shaped portion (11) has guide rails (50, 51) directed along two parallel longitudinal directions which are vertically spaced apart from each other, and a seat frame is supported in a cantilever fashion by said vertical wall (44) through an auxiliary supporting structure (49) which is slidably mounted on said rails (50,51).

10. Motor-vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the seat frame is mounted on said auxiliary supporting structure (49) with the interposition of further guide means which enable the seat (45) to be displaced laterally outwardly of the motor-vehicle, to make it easier for a passenger getting on and off the seat.

11. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a body comprising panels of composite plastic material (14) connected to said reticular structure (2).