The technical scope of one invention is that of vehicles comprising a body which is bonded to a frame, and more particularly that of armored vehicles.

Typically the frame comprises at least two longitudinal members which carry mobility means, such as wheels or tracks.

One or more mechanical members are arranged below the floor of the body and are secured to the chassis. These mechanical components are part of the driveline of the vehicle. Among the members being so disposed under the floor of the body, are encountered: one or more differential, a transfer case connecting the engine to the drive a gearbox ...

Vehicles, especially armored vehicles may have to suffer the effects of the detonation of a mine or an explosive device. The mechanical members arranged under the floor are then violently thrown to the floor and they most often cause breakage or strong deformation of this last.

Is known by the patent WO2015 / 082803 of an armored vehicle structure comprising a body associated with a frame comprising at least two longitudinal members. The connection between the body and the side members is ensured by two rows of a plurality of regularly distributed reinforcement over substantially the entire length of the body. Although this case is partially stiffened by lateral reinforcements, it remains vulnerable to the projection against the floor of the body of mechanical members arranged below the floor. The establishment of surportection shields between the floor and projectable bodies lead to burdening excessively the vehicle.

Also known from the patent US2012 / 049570 a particularly complex floor structure which combines a reinforced central region and the side connecting means ensuring a deflection of the lower part of the side walls associated with the vertical movement of the middle part. This structure is very specific for a particular vehicle and it is not compatible with the binding of a box on longitudinal beams due to bending degrees of freedom that must be provided for the side walls.

Finally, it is known by patent US2013 / 014635 a very complex and cumbersome floor structure combining breath deflector edges and a shock-absorbing structure. The shock absorbing structure has a thickness which decreases from the middle of the floor and the side edges. This very specific structure is not compatible with the setting of a box on longitudinal stringers.

The invention aims to propose an architecture vehicle having a body which is connected to a frame comprising at least two longitudinal beams, architecture for avoiding breakage or excessive deformation of the row floor to the mechanical members arranged projection below the floor.

The architecture proposed by the invention is also simple, inexpensive and compact. It can be easily adapted to the chassis used without the need to modify the fund. This makes it possible to adapt a crate on different types of chassis based on the industrial constraints. Protection can in any event be easily adapted.

Thus, the invention relates to a vehicle having a body which is connected to a frame comprising at least two longitudinal beams bearing mobility means and at least one mechanical member arranged below a floor of the body and fixed to the frame, vehicle characterized in that it comprises at least two abutment means disposed on either side of the mechanical member, each means being disposed along a vehicle transverse direction, between the mechanical member and a longitudinal member, means stop disposed at a distance from the mechanical member which is less than the distance between the mechanical member and the floor.

The stop means may have the form of brackets.

According to one embodiment, the abutment means may be integral with the floor.

In another embodiment, each stop means may be secured to a rail.

In a particular application of the invention, the mechanical member can be a transfer case.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description of specific embodiments, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle 1 comprises a body 2 which is bonded to a chassis 3 comprising at least two longitudinal beams 4 carrying mobility means 5 and at least one mechanical member 6 arranged below a floor 7 of the body 2.

The mechanical member 6 is here a mechanical transfer housing which receives, via a transmission shaft 10, rotary motion from a motor (not shown), and transmits the at least one bridge 8 carrying the wheels 9.

Transfer cases are well-known powertrains that it is not necessary to describe in detail.

In the configuration described herein, the transfer case 6 is fixed to the frame 3 via the bridges or 8 which it is connected and / or through the transmission shaft 10. The particular embodiments of realization of mechanical connections between the transfer housing 6 and the frame may vary from one vehicle to another. These connecting means are not part of the present invention and are therefore not described in detail.

There is shown very schematically in Figure 1 the links 11 of the bridge 8 to the side members 4 of the frame 3. These links 11 are actually constituted by wishbones and dampers which are connected on the one hand to a wheel spindle 12 and on the other hand to a lug 13 secured to a longitudinal member 4.

As seen in Figure 1, the transfer case 6 is located substantially at a central axis 14 of the vehicle, so below a medial portion M of the floor 7. The transfer unit 6 is at a distance D of the floor 7, which is of the order of 10 to 15 millimeters.

The floor 7 is here formed of the bottom 2a of the body and an additional cover plate 15 which protects the bottom box 2a. It is of course possible to define a vehicle having no additional protection plate 15, or comprising a plurality of protective plates, optionally of different structures.

The distance D in question corresponds in each case to the shortest distance between the member 6 and the underside of the floor 7, so here the underside of the cover plate 15.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the floor 7 has at least two abutment means 16 which are arranged either side of the mechanical member 6. Each means 16 is disposed along a vehicle transverse direction (direction perpendicular to the central axis 14), between the mechanical member and a longitudinal member 6 4. Each means 16 here has the shape of a bracket which is fixed to the floor 7 by screws (not shown, only the axes 17 these screws are visible).

The stop means 16 are arranged at a distance d of the mechanical member 6 which is less than the distance D between the mechanical member 6 and the floor 7. The distance d is here of the order of 2 to 3 millimeters.

The operation of the invention is as follows: when an explosive device explodes below the floor 7 of the vehicle 1, the unit 6 is projected violently towards the floor. The element 6 will come to impact the stop means 16 which are closest to him than is the floor 7 itself. Thus the force of impact will be distributed on both sides of the member 6, and at areas of the floor which are closer to the side members 4 which form an embedding zone much stronger than the medial portion M of the floor 7.

This prevents the perforation or significant distortion of the floor 7 by the unit 6 which, without the abutment means 16, would impact the floor 7 the level of its central zone M, which is the most sensitive to bending.

The invention thus reinforces, in a very simple way, the strength of the floor 7 to the effects of the explosion of a mine. The force transmission lines are in fact deflected towards the stiffer lateral zones of the connecting floor with beams.

With the invention one does not seek to reinforce the floor by an additional screen (which would increase the vehicle), but it is sought to optimize the distribution of the shock received subsequent to the projection of a mechanical organ located under the floor. The solution provided by the invention is simple, inexpensive and lightweight.

Furthermore, the vehicle body may be attached to a different frame, associated with different mobility means. The distribution of mechanical components under the floor can be so different. But, by positioning the stop means suitably floor of the protection will be ensured without the need to reinforce the floor or to add shielding.

We have described the invention with reference to the protection of the floor against the projection of a mechanical member 6 which here is a transfer case. It is clear that the invention applies to any type of mechanical member arranged under the floor (e.g., differential or gear box).

It is not necessary to much more accurately describe it or mechanical components against which protection is sought. Even if the dimensions, weights and geometries of the various possible mechanical components may vary, it is clear to the skilled person that they are trying to prevent their direct impact to a middle part of the floor. The invention provides for this means ensuring a deflection of the shock to an area of ​​the nearest floor spars.

Depending on the dimensions and geometries of the organ, the skilled person can easily determine the location of the stop means to ensure the desired effect: the impact of the body on the stop means before impact of this organ on the floor, the stop means being disposed along a vehicle transverse direction, between the mechanical member and a longitudinal member, so that the shock is transmitted to an area of ​​the nearest floor spars.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 2 thus shows a vehicle embodiment of the invention wherein the stop means 16 are integral with the side members 4 and not the floor 7. The stop means 16 are thus of side brackets which are welded to the girders 4 and which come between the mechanical member 6 and floor 7.

The conditions of the distances are again met. The distance d between the unit 6 and each stop means 16 is less than the distance D between the unit 6 and floor 7.

This embodiment ensures rigidity even higher since the shock received from the member 6 is transmitted directly to the beams 4.

WE CLAIM

1- vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) which is linked to a frame (3) comprising at least two longitudinal members (4) longitudinal bearing mobility means (5) and at least one mechanical member (6) disposed below a floor (7) of the body (2) and attached to the frame (3), vehicle characterized in that it comprises at least two abutment means (16) arranged on either side of the mechanical member (6), each means (16) being disposed along a vehicle transverse direction, between the mechanical member (6) and a spar (4), stop means arranged at a distance (d) of the mechanical member ( 6) which is less than the distance (D) between the mechanical member (6) and the floor (7).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means (16) have the form of brackets.

3- vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment means (16) are integral with the floor (7).

4- vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each abutment means (16) is secured to a longitudinal member (4).

5. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanical member (6) is a transfer case.