Indian Patents. 279352:MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A STRUCTURE WITH A LOADING FLOOR

Title of Invention	MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A STRUCTURE WITH A LOADING FLOOR
Abstract	The invention concerns a motor vehicle comprising a structure with a first floor (10), the first floor (10) including a substantially flat raised first zone (11) and a low zone (12) adjacent the first zone (11). The low zone (12) is surrounded by a raising frame (14), a second floor (15) being mechanically fixed on the frame (14) in a plane aligned with that of the first zone (11).

Full Text	WO 2006/054022 PCT/FR2005/050957 Motor vehicle comprising a structure with a load floor. The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a 5 structure with a load floor. The structure of motor vehicles, or bodywork, comprises a floor in the lower portion. In the rear portion, this floor is designed to be a load area, and it is , 10 preferably given a flat shape to facilitate the loading and the storage of objects. For a vehicle for passenger automobile use, the load area is adjacent to an area for passengers fitted with 15 one or more rows of seats. Usually, this area for passengers has a complex geometry to incorporate the seats in the best way and offer as much space as possible to the passengers. In particular, an area is designed to rest the feet of the passengers, and this 20 area is as low as possible, below the level of the load area. The structure of the vehicle is made by the assembling of metal sheets formed by pressing and assembled 25 together by welding. The floor usually comprises structural elements such as longitudinal members and crossmembers which support a metal sheet forming the upper surface of the floor. The sealing between the metal sheets is provided by sealant where required. 30 After the assembling and the sealing, the structure passes along a surface treatment line to protect it against corrosion and to coat it with paint. In the case of a vehicle called a light truck, designed 35 to transport merchandise, the area for passengers is reduced to a single row of seats and the load area occupies the greater part of the floor surface. - 2 - However, the structures of vehicles for passenger automobile use are not suitable for light truck use and vice-versa. The structures of vehicles must therefore be designed specifically according to these uses, which 5 results in additional design and tooling costs. An objective of the invention is therefore to provide a motor vehicle of which the structure may easily be adapted for passenger automobile use or light truck 10 use. With this objective in view, the subject of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a structure with a first floor, the first floor having a first 15 generally flat raised area and a low area adjacent to the first area. The low area comprises a raising frame, a second floor being mechanically fastened to the frame in a plane aligned with that of the first area. 20 Thus, the same structure designed for a vehicle for passenger automobile use can easily be converted for a vehicle for light truck use by adding the raising frame and the second floor. The tooling does not need to be specific to each of the vehicle types. Also, the 25 structure for light truck use is reinforced, which is particularly advantageous for transporting heavy loads. Moreover, the action of fastening the second floor mechanically makes it possible to treat the space under 30 the second floor on the surface treatment line to obtain good protection of this space against corrosion. Preferably, the first floor comprises in the low area at least one hole for draining the water and channels 35 for channeling the water toward the hole. Since the second floor is fastened mechanically and since sealing of it is not guaranteed, the draining of the water which would enter between the two floors is provided by the channels and the hole. The load area and the second - 3 - floor can thus be hosed without any risk of water stagnation in a portion of the vehicle and without any- associated risk of corrosion. 5 Specifically, the hole is provided with a valve. Thus a return of splashes into the space under the second floor is avoided and the penetration of outside noises is limited, without preventing the outflow of the water via the hole. 10 According to a particular embodiment, the second floor comprises two panels, the frame comprising a central longitudinal member, the panels being fastened to the longitudinal member along their junction. The 15 introduction of the second floor inside the structure is thus facilitated compared with a one-piece floor, each panel being less bulky and less heavy. For the draining of the water, the longitudinal member 20 comprises for example a longitudinal member gutter underlying the junction between the panels. The water which would infiltrate at the junction between the panels is collected in the gutter and channeled. 25 Moreover, the frame comprises at least one opening so that a channel extends on either side of the frame. The water which would flow beyond the boundaries of the second floor to the outside of the frame is collected in the channel and transferred through the opening 30 toward the drainage hole. Specifically, the first floor comprises a gutter which is parallel with the junction with the second floor and underlying the second floor. The water which would 35 infiltrate into the junction between the first and the second floor is collected in the gutter and toward the drainage hole. - 4 - The invention will be better understood and other special features and advantages will emerge from the reading of the description which follows, the description making reference to the attached drawings 5 in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a structural element of the vehicle according to the invention; 10 - Figure 2 is a view of the vehicle in Figure 1 before fitting of the second floor; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the second floor fitted; 15 - Figure 4 is a perspective view from a different angle of the structure in Figure 3; - Figure 5 is a longitudinal section view of a portion 20 of the structure in the preceding figures; and - Figure 6 is a of the detail VI in Figure 5. The structure of a motor vehicle according to the 25 invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6. The structure comprises a first floor 10 in the lower portion, shown in Figure 1. In the rear portion, the first floor 10 comprises a first load area 11 having a 30 flat shape. The first load area 11 is adjacent to a low area 12 for passengers, designed to be fitted with one or more rows of seats, which are not illustrated. The low area 12 is designed to rest the feet of passengers, and is below the level of the first area. The low area 35 comprises an intermediate area 13 adjacent to the first area 11. When this vehicle is configured for passenger automobile use, the intermediate area 13 receives the row of seats. - 5 - The structure of the vehicle is conventionally built by the assembling of metal sheets formed by pressing and assembled together by welding. The floor usually comprises structural elements such as longitudinal 5 members and crossmembers, not illustrated, which support a metal sheet forming the upper surface of the floor. To make a vehicle for light truck use, the low area 12 10 comprises a raising frame 14 which surrounds it, as can be seen in Figure 2. The frame 14 comprises two side partitions 140, near door openings, and a front partition 141 extending vertically and transversely to connect the ends of the side partitions 140. The frame 15 14 also comprises a bracket 142 fastened to the intermediate area 13 near the first area 11. The frame also comprises a central longitudinal member 143 extending longitudinally generally in the middle of the frame 14 between the front partition 141 and the 20 bracket 142. A second floor 15 is mechanically fastened to the frame 14 in a plane aligned with that of the first area 11, as can be seen in Figure 3. Thus a wide load surface is 25 available which extends over the first area 11 and over the second floor 15. The second floor 15 is formed by two panels 150, 151 of which the junction extends above the central longitudinal member 143. 30 To make a vehicle according to the invention, the assembling of the structure incorporating the first floor area 11, the low area 12 and the raising frame 14, but not the second floor 15, is carried out. The structure undergoes the conventional surface treatment, 35 including sealing, cataphoresis and painting. The panels 150, 151 of the second floor 15 undergo the same surface treatment separately. Next, the structure passes along an assembly line, along which the panels - 6 - 150, 151 of the second floor 15 are mechanically fastened to the structure, for example by screwing. Because of this assembly method, the sealing between 5 the second floor and the structure is not guaranteed. That is why provision is made to catch and drain the water which could infiltrate into the space located under the second floor. 10 Provision is made in particular so that the first floor 10 comprises in the low area 12 at least one hole 120 for draining the water and channels for channeling the water toward the hole 120, as illustrated in Figure 5. The hole 120 is located at a point as low as possible. 15 Several holes can possibly be provided, according to the geometry of the low area 12. To avoid or limit the ingress of splashes or feedback of noises from the outside, the hole 120 is provided 20 with a valve 16 made of an elastic material, which can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The valve 16 comprises a cylindrical body 160 which rests on the edge of the hole 120 and a cover disc 161 extending radially in relation to the cylindrical body 160. A partial slit 25 162 separates the cover disc 161 from the cylindrical body 160, in such a way that the cover disc 161 is attached to the cylindrical body 160 and can move away from it elastically, widening the slit 162 to allow water to pass. 30 To channel the water toward the hole 120, the central longitudinal member 143 comprises a longitudinal member gutter 144 underlying the junction between the panels. The gutter 144 is pierced near the front partition 141 35 to allow the water inside the frame to run toward the hole 120. Moreover, the first floor 10 comprises a gutter 110 which is parallel with the junction with the second floor 15 and underlying the second floor 15. The water thus collected flows via the ends of the gutter - 7 - 110 then along the side partitions 140 through the intermediate area 13 and finally through the low area 12 toward the hole 120. 5 To collect the water which would run from the second floor 15 along the side partitions 140 of the frame 14, a channel 145 extends outside the frame 14 to an opening 146 in the side partition 140 and is extended inside the frame 14 toward the hole 120. WO 2006/054022 - 8 - PCT/FR2005/050957 Patent claims 1. A motor vehicle comprising a structure with a 5 first floor (10), the first floor (10) having a first generally flat raised area (11) and a low area (12) adjacent to the first area (11), characterized in that the low area (12) comprises a raising frame (14), a second floor (15) being mechanically fastened to the 10 frame (14) in a plane aligned with that of the first area (11). 2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the first floor (10) comprises in the low area (12) at 15 least one hole (120) for draining the water and channels (145, 144, 110) for channeling the water toward the hole (120) . 3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, in which the 20 hole (120) is provided with a valve (16). 4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the second floor comprises two panels (150, 151), the frame (14) comprising a central longitudinal member (143), 25 the panels (150, 151) being fastened to the longitudinal member (143) along their junction. 5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the longitudinal member (143) comprises a longitudinal 30 member gutter (144) underlying the junction between the panels (150, 151). 6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, in which the frame (14) comprises at least one opening (146) so that 35 a channel (145) extends on either side of the frame (14). - 9 - 7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the first floor (10) comprises a gutter which is parallel (110) with the junction with the second floor (15) and underlying the second floor (15). The invention concerns a motor vehicle comprising a structure with a first floor (10), the first floor (10) including a substantially flat raised first zone (11) and a low zone (12) adjacent the first zone (11). The low zone (12) is surrounded by a raising frame (14), a second floor (15) being mechanically fixed on the frame (14) in a plane aligned with that of the first zone (11).

Full Text

WO 2006/054022 PCT/FR2005/050957
Motor vehicle comprising a structure with a load floor.
The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a
5 structure with a load floor.
The structure of motor vehicles, or bodywork, comprises
a floor in the lower portion. In the rear portion, this
floor is designed to be a load area, and it is ,
10 preferably given a flat shape to facilitate the loading
and the storage of objects.
For a vehicle for passenger automobile use, the load
area is adjacent to an area for passengers fitted with
15 one or more rows of seats. Usually, this area for
passengers has a complex geometry to incorporate the
seats in the best way and offer as much space as
possible to the passengers. In particular, an area is
designed to rest the feet of the passengers, and this
20 area is as low as possible, below the level of the load
area.
The structure of the vehicle is made by the assembling
of metal sheets formed by pressing and assembled
25 together by welding. The floor usually comprises
structural elements such as longitudinal members and
crossmembers which support a metal sheet forming the
upper surface of the floor. The sealing between the
metal sheets is provided by sealant where required.
30 After the assembling and the sealing, the structure
passes along a surface treatment line to protect it
against corrosion and to coat it with paint.
In the case of a vehicle called a light truck, designed
35 to transport merchandise, the area for passengers is
reduced to a single row of seats and the load area
occupies the greater part of the floor surface.

- 2 -
However, the structures of vehicles for passenger
automobile use are not suitable for light truck use and
vice-versa. The structures of vehicles must therefore
be designed specifically according to these uses, which
5 results in additional design and tooling costs.
An objective of the invention is therefore to provide a
motor vehicle of which the structure may easily be
adapted for passenger automobile use or light truck
10 use.
With this objective in view, the subject of the
invention is a motor vehicle comprising a structure
with a first floor, the first floor having a first
15 generally flat raised area and a low area adjacent to
the first area. The low area comprises a raising frame,
a second floor being mechanically fastened to the frame
in a plane aligned with that of the first area.
20 Thus, the same structure designed for a vehicle for
passenger automobile use can easily be converted for a
vehicle for light truck use by adding the raising frame
and the second floor. The tooling does not need to be
specific to each of the vehicle types. Also, the
25 structure for light truck use is reinforced, which is
particularly advantageous for transporting heavy loads.
Moreover, the action of fastening the second floor
mechanically makes it possible to treat the space under
30 the second floor on the surface treatment line to
obtain good protection of this space against corrosion.
Preferably, the first floor comprises in the low area
at least one hole for draining the water and channels
35 for channeling the water toward the hole. Since the
second floor is fastened mechanically and since sealing
of it is not guaranteed, the draining of the water
which would enter between the two floors is provided by
the channels and the hole. The load area and the second

- 3 -
floor can thus be hosed without any risk of water
stagnation in a portion of the vehicle and without any-
associated risk of corrosion.
5 Specifically, the hole is provided with a valve. Thus a
return of splashes into the space under the second
floor is avoided and the penetration of outside noises
is limited, without preventing the outflow of the water
via the hole.
10
According to a particular embodiment, the second floor
comprises two panels, the frame comprising a central
longitudinal member, the panels being fastened to the
longitudinal member along their junction. The
15 introduction of the second floor inside the structure
is thus facilitated compared with a one-piece floor,
each panel being less bulky and less heavy.
For the draining of the water, the longitudinal member
20 comprises for example a longitudinal member gutter
underlying the junction between the panels. The water
which would infiltrate at the junction between the
panels is collected in the gutter and channeled.
25 Moreover, the frame comprises at least one opening so
that a channel extends on either side of the frame. The
water which would flow beyond the boundaries of the
second floor to the outside of the frame is collected
in the channel and transferred through the opening
30 toward the drainage hole.
Specifically, the first floor comprises a gutter which
is parallel with the junction with the second floor and
underlying the second floor. The water which would
35 infiltrate into the junction between the first and the
second floor is collected in the gutter and toward the
drainage hole.

- 4 -
The invention will be better understood and other
special features and advantages will emerge from the
reading of the description which follows, the
description making reference to the attached drawings
5 in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a structural
element of the vehicle according to the invention;
10 - Figure 2 is a view of the vehicle in Figure 1 before
fitting of the second floor;
- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the
second floor fitted;
15
- Figure 4 is a perspective view from a different angle
of the structure in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a longitudinal section view of a portion
20 of the structure in the preceding figures; and
- Figure 6 is a of the detail VI in Figure 5.
The structure of a motor vehicle according to the
25 invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6.
The structure comprises a first floor 10 in the lower
portion, shown in Figure 1. In the rear portion, the
first floor 10 comprises a first load area 11 having a
30 flat shape. The first load area 11 is adjacent to a low
area 12 for passengers, designed to be fitted with one
or more rows of seats, which are not illustrated. The
low area 12 is designed to rest the feet of passengers,
and is below the level of the first area. The low area
35 comprises an intermediate area 13 adjacent to the first
area 11. When this vehicle is configured for passenger
automobile use, the intermediate area 13 receives the
row of seats.

- 5 -
The structure of the vehicle is conventionally built by
the assembling of metal sheets formed by pressing and
assembled together by welding. The floor usually
comprises structural elements such as longitudinal
5 members and crossmembers, not illustrated, which
support a metal sheet forming the upper surface of the
floor.
To make a vehicle for light truck use, the low area 12
10 comprises a raising frame 14 which surrounds it, as can
be seen in Figure 2. The frame 14 comprises two side
partitions 140, near door openings, and a front
partition 141 extending vertically and transversely to
connect the ends of the side partitions 140. The frame
15 14 also comprises a bracket 142 fastened to the
intermediate area 13 near the first area 11. The frame
also comprises a central longitudinal member 143
extending longitudinally generally in the middle of the
frame 14 between the front partition 141 and the
20 bracket 142.
A second floor 15 is mechanically fastened to the frame
14 in a plane aligned with that of the first area 11,
as can be seen in Figure 3. Thus a wide load surface is
25 available which extends over the first area 11 and over
the second floor 15. The second floor 15 is formed by
two panels 150, 151 of which the junction extends above
the central longitudinal member 143.
30 To make a vehicle according to the invention, the
assembling of the structure incorporating the first
floor area 11, the low area 12 and the raising frame
14, but not the second floor 15, is carried out. The
structure undergoes the conventional surface treatment,
35 including sealing, cataphoresis and painting. The
panels 150, 151 of the second floor 15 undergo the same
surface treatment separately. Next, the structure
passes along an assembly line, along which the panels

- 6 -
150, 151 of the second floor 15 are mechanically
fastened to the structure, for example by screwing.
Because of this assembly method, the sealing between
5 the second floor and the structure is not guaranteed.
That is why provision is made to catch and drain the
water which could infiltrate into the space located
under the second floor.
10 Provision is made in particular so that the first floor
10 comprises in the low area 12 at least one hole 120
for draining the water and channels for channeling the
water toward the hole 120, as illustrated in Figure 5.
The hole 120 is located at a point as low as possible.
15 Several holes can possibly be provided, according to
the geometry of the low area 12.
To avoid or limit the ingress of splashes or feedback
of noises from the outside, the hole 120 is provided
20 with a valve 16 made of an elastic material, which can
be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The valve 16 comprises a
cylindrical body 160 which rests on the edge of the
hole 120 and a cover disc 161 extending radially in
relation to the cylindrical body 160. A partial slit
25 162 separates the cover disc 161 from the cylindrical
body 160, in such a way that the cover disc 161 is
attached to the cylindrical body 160 and can move away
from it elastically, widening the slit 162 to allow
water to pass.
30
To channel the water toward the hole 120, the central
longitudinal member 143 comprises a longitudinal member
gutter 144 underlying the junction between the panels.
The gutter 144 is pierced near the front partition 141
35 to allow the water inside the frame to run toward the
hole 120. Moreover, the first floor 10 comprises a
gutter 110 which is parallel with the junction with the
second floor 15 and underlying the second floor 15. The
water thus collected flows via the ends of the gutter

- 7 -
110 then along the side partitions 140 through the
intermediate area 13 and finally through the low area
12 toward the hole 120.
5 To collect the water which would run from the second
floor 15 along the side partitions 140 of the frame 14,
a channel 145 extends outside the frame 14 to an
opening 146 in the side partition 140 and is extended
inside the frame 14 toward the hole 120.

WO 2006/054022 - 8 - PCT/FR2005/050957
Patent claims
1. A motor vehicle comprising a structure with a
5 first floor (10), the first floor (10) having a first
generally flat raised area (11) and a low area (12)
adjacent to the first area (11), characterized in that
the low area (12) comprises a raising frame (14), a
second floor (15) being mechanically fastened to the
10 frame (14) in a plane aligned with that of the first
area (11).
2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the
first floor (10) comprises in the low area (12) at
15 least one hole (120) for draining the water and
channels (145, 144, 110) for channeling the water
toward the hole (120) .
3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, in which the
20 hole (120) is provided with a valve (16).
4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the
second floor comprises two panels (150, 151), the frame
(14) comprising a central longitudinal member (143),
25 the panels (150, 151) being fastened to the
longitudinal member (143) along their junction.
5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the
longitudinal member (143) comprises a longitudinal
30 member gutter (144) underlying the junction between the
panels (150, 151).
6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, in which the
frame (14) comprises at least one opening (146) so that
35 a channel (145) extends on either side of the frame
(14).

- 9 -
7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the
first floor (10) comprises a gutter which is parallel
(110) with the junction with the second floor (15) and underlying the second floor (15).
The invention concerns a motor vehicle comprising a structure with a first floor (10), the first floor (10) including a substantially flat raised first zone (11) and a low zone (12) adjacent the first zone (11). The low zone (12) is surrounded by a raising frame (14), a second floor (15) being mechanically fixed on the frame (14) in a plane aligned with that of the first zone (11).

Documents:

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Patent Number

279352

Indian Patent Application Number

1422/KOLNP/2007

PG Journal Number

03/2017

Publication Date

20-Jan-2017

Grant Date

18-Jan-2017

Date of Filing

20-Apr-2007

Name of Patentee

RENAULT S.A.S.

Applicant Address

13, 15 QUAI ALPHONSE LE GALLO, F-92100, BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	OUMESSAOUD NORDINE	18 RUE ROGER HENRY, F-78210, SAINT CYR L'ECOLE

PCT International Classification Number

B62D 47/00

PCT International Application Number

PCT/FR2005/050957

PCT International Filing date

2005-11-16

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	0412269	2004-11-19	France