Fastening arrangement and method for longitudinal fastening of a body profile component and sill for a vehicle body

Abstract

Fastening arrangement for fastening a body profile component (20) to at least one other body component (10), wherein the body profile component (20) is fastened longitudinally at several fastening points on the other body component (10), wherein at least three fastening points are provided at which the body profile component (20) is fastened to the other body component (10), wherein at least one fastening point has a fixed bearing connection and at least two fastening points each have a floating bearing connection, characterized in that the fastening at the fastening points is effected by means of plug-in connection elements which are designed as interlocking bolts (31, 32, 33) and bushings (41, 42, 43), wherein the bushings (41, 43) relating to the floating bearing connections are arranged to float with limited freedom of movement.

Description

[0001] According to claim 1, the invention relates to a fastening arrangement, and according to claim 7, to a method for longitudinally fastening a body profile component to at least one other body component. According to claim 9, the invention further relates to a sill for a vehicle body.

[0002] Vehicle bodies also incorporate prefabricated profile components, such as extruded hollow profiles, for example in the rocker panel (side sill). Longer profile components, in particular, must be fastened lengthwise, i.e., along at least one side or outer surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile component. From a manufacturing perspective, this can sometimes be quite complex.

[0003] DE 10 2013 001 945 A1 describes a sill for a vehicle body. The sill is constructed from two parts: an outer hollow profile section and an inner hollow profile section. Both the outer hollow profile section and the inner hollow profile section are designed with flange areas and are connected to each other at these flange areas, for example, by semi-tubular punch rivets.

[0004] The closest patent, DE 10 2012 007 318 A1, describes the joining of two components of a motor vehicle made of different materials by bonding and using joining aids which, depending on the application, form a fixed bearing or a floating bearing.

[0005] For the state of the art, reference is also made to DE 10 2013 006 031 A1 and DE 10 2006 046 877 A1.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a fastening arrangement for the longitudinal fastening of a body profile component which does not have, or at least only reduces, at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art and which in particular enables simple fastening of the profile component.

[0007] The problem is solved by the fastening arrangement according to the invention with the features of claim 1. By dependent claims, the invention also extends to a method according to the invention and to a sill (body sill) for or on a vehicle body, which has a fastening arrangement according to the invention and / or is manufactured using the method according to the invention. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are described analogously for all subject matter of the invention in the dependent claims, the following description of the invention, and also in the drawings.

[0008] In the fastening arrangement according to the invention for fastening a body profile component (second component) to at least one other body component (first component), wherein the body profile component is or is fastened longitudinally at several fastening points (which can also be referred to as joining points or joining locations) to the other body component, at least three fastening points are provided (longitudinally) at which the body profile component is or is fastened to the other body component by means of plug-in connection elements, wherein at least one of these fastening points formed by means of plug-in connection elements is a fixed bearing connection (fixed bearing) and at at least two of these fastening points formed by means of plug-in connection elements each have or are formed a floating bearing connection (floating bearing).

[0009] The fastening arrangement according to the invention enables simple, quick, and cost-effective fastening (joining) of the body profile component by simply plugging it onto the other body component, with the plug-in connection elements forming a positive-locking connection. Special tools (e.g., riveting tools) and flange areas that provide access for the tools are not required. The fastening concept according to the invention, consisting of fixed and floating bearings, allows for tolerance compensation during fastening and, after fastening, accommodates differing thermal expansion rates between the body profile component and the other body component (delta-alpha problem). The fastening arrangement according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for mixed or hybrid connections (mixed construction), where the body profile component can be made of, for example, aluminum or fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and the other body component of, for example, steel.

[0010] A profile component is understood to be, in particular, an elongated, rod-like component with a defined cross-sectional shape (profile), which may have a straight or curved axial profile. Preferably, it is a hollow profile component (hollow profile) that has at least one closed profile chamber (cavity). The body profile component is preferably made of aluminum (aluminum profile). The body profile component preferably has an (axial) length of at least 1000 mm, more preferably at least 1500 mm, and particularly preferably at least 2000 mm.

[0011] The body profile component can also be shorter (i.e., < 1000 mm). The component thickness (outer wall thickness) of the body profile component can be several millimeters (e.g., 2 mm to 5 mm).

[0012] The other body component can be a sheet metal component, a cast component or a profile component and is preferably made of steel or possibly also of aluminium.

[0013] Plug-in connectors are defined as form-fitting elements arranged on the body profile component to be attached and on the other body component. These elements are designed to be complementary or corresponding and can be positively connected by simply plugging them together. Plug-in connectors enable simple plug-in fastening of the body profile component by inserting the connectors into each other at the fastening points.

[0014] A fixed bearing (or fixed bearing) is a fastening that prevents any relative displacement of the attached body profile component at the fastening point. A floating bearing, on the other hand, is a fastening that allows or enables relative displacement of the attached body profile component at the fastening point. The plug-in connectors can be designed accordingly.

[0015] Preferably, three fastening points are provided along the body profile component, with a fixed bearing connection at the central fastening point and a floating bearing connection at each of the two other (outer) fastening points. The central fastening point can serve as a reference point during fastening. Furthermore, the fastened body profile component can expand (thermally) in both longitudinal directions from the central fastening point. In particular, it is provided that the central fastening point is located approximately midway (e.g., + / - 50 mm) between the component ends (of the body profile component) and that the two other fastening points are located in the area (e.g., within a 50 mm range) of the axial component ends. It is also possible that a fixed bearing connection exists at one of the outer fastening points and floating bearing connections at the other two fastening points.At the central and opposite (outer) mounting points, there are floating bearing connections. Starting from the fixed bearing, which is located particularly in the area of ​​an axial component end, the body profile component can then expand (thermally) in a longitudinal direction.

[0016] According to the invention, the plug-in connection elements are designed as interlocking bolts and bushings. The bolts and bushings are made of suitable materials, e.g., metal or plastic (optionally also fiber-reinforced plastic), and are attached to the body profile component and the other body component in a suitable manner, e.g., welded, riveted, clipped, pressed in, or the like. The bolts and bushings are designed and / or attached such that they form either a fixed bearing connection or a floating bearing connection, depending on the circumstances. According to the invention, the bushings relating to the floating bearing connections are arranged to float with limited play or freedom of movement.

[0017] Preferably, the body profile component is also bonded longitudinally to the other body component. The attachment of the body profile component to the other body component is thus achieved through a combination of positive locking via plug-in connectors and material bonding via adhesive bonding. This allows for high bond strengths and composite stiffness. The adhesive bonding preferably takes place longitudinally between mutually facing surface sections. Preferably, several adhesive points or bonding surfaces are provided along the body profile component to accommodate differential thermal expansion. Adhesive pads are preferably used.

[0018] Preferably, a gap is formed between the body profile component and the other body component. This gap has, for example, a width of up to 6 mm. This gap prevents contact corrosion, particularly in mixed-material construction. The gap can be precisely adjusted using spacers. Preferably, the connector elements are already formed with spacers, especially as a single piece. Adhesive pads or similar materials can be used to bond the components across the gap.

[0019] Preferably, the attachment points where the body profile component is fastened to the other body component by means of plug-in connectors are arranged non-aligned, but offset from an imaginary line of alignment. This prevents the body profile component from tilting, particularly if a gap is provided between the body profile component and the other body component (as shown).

[0020] The inventive method for attaching a body profile component to at least one other body component, wherein the body profile component is attached longitudinally at several attachment points on the other body component, comprises at least the following steps: - Attaching plug-in connectors to the body profile component and / or to the other body component, provided that the plug-in connectors are not already present, wherein the plug-in connectors are designed as pluggable bolts and bushings; - Aligning the body profile component relative to the other body component, which may already be installed in a vehicle body, and attaching it, for which purpose the body profile component is moved in (only) one joining direction and, at the fastening points, the plug-in connection elements interlock, whereby a fixed bearing connection is created at at least one fastening point and a floating bearing connection is created at at least two fastening points, for which purpose the bushings relating to the floating bearing connections are arranged floatingly with limited play or freedom of movement.

[0021] Preferably, bonding is also provided, so that the method according to the invention then comprises at least the following steps: - Attaching plug-in connectors to the body profile component and to the other body component and applying an adhesive to the body profile component and / or to the other body component, optionally by using at least one adhesive pad, wherein the plug-in connectors are designed as interlocking bolts and bushings; - Fixing the body profile component to the other body component, for which purpose the body profile component is aligned relative to the other body component and moved and attached in (only) one joining direction, so that the plug-in connection elements interlock and fixed and floating bearing connections according to the invention are created, such that a fixed bearing connection is created at at least one fastening point and a floating bearing connection is created at at least two fastening points, for which purpose the bushings relating to the floating bearing connections are arranged floatingly with limited play or freedom of movement; - Curing of the adhesive by heating, especially in an oven (preferably at 160°C to 220°C, particularly at 180°C to 200°C), e.g. in a KTL drying oven.

[0022] This procedure is similar to so-called spot welding and bonding, whereby plug-in connection elements are used instead of the welding points that act as fixed bearings, and loose bearing connections are formed at at least two fastening points, so that different thermal expansion is allowed during curing in the oven and damage to the components and connecting elements is prevented.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example and in a non-limiting manner with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the principle of the fastening arrangement according to the invention in two separate illustrations. Fig. Figure 2 shows in two separate illustrations a body profile component which is installed or is installed in the sill of a vehicle body in a manner according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1a shows a shell-shaped body component 10 (first component), which is made, for example, of press-hardened sheet steel. A body profile component 20 (second component), designed as a single-chamber hollow aluminum profile, is to be attached to the body component 10 to form a component assembly 100'. The body profile component 20 has an axial length L of, for example, 1000 mm to 2000 mm or more and is attached longitudinally to the other body component 10 at three attachment points. The body component 10 may already be installed in a vehicle body. The three attachment points are located in the (axial) center and at the outer ends.

[0025] On the body component 10, projecting bolts 31, 32, 33 are fixedly attached at the mounting points. These bolts are made of metal (e.g., steel). The bolts 31, 32, 33 are welded without holes (welded bolts) or, optionally, stamped (punched bolts) and are arranged offset with respect to an alignment line A. On the body profile component 20 to be attached, complementary bushings 41, 42, 43 are attached (at the mounting points). These bushings are preferably made of plastic, and in particular of an elastomer. The middle bushing 42 is fixed (i.e., immovable), whereas the two outer bushings 41 and 43 are arranged to float with limited play or freedom of movement, as indicated by the arrows. The bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings or sleeves 41, 42, 43 are complementary or corresponding plug-in connection elements, which may also be designed differently.

[0026] For fastening, the body profile component 20 is aligned with the body component 10 and then attached in a linear, e.g. horizontal, joining direction F (see Fig. 1b), wherein the bolts 31, 32, 33 engage in the bushings 41, 42, 43. (The bolts and bushings can also be arranged in reverse or alternating directions.) The floating arrangement of the outer bushings 41 and 43, as well as the optionally elastomeric design of these or all bushings, allows for compensation of component and positioning tolerances (e.g., of + / -1.25 mm). The coarse serration (Christmas tree structure) of the bolts 31, 32, 33 results in an undercut locking action with the corresponding internally serrated bushings 41, 42, 43, so that the body profile component 20 is ultimately secured in both the vertical direction v and the horizontal direction h. Non-destructive removal of the bolts 31, 32, 33 from the bushings 41, 42, 43 is not possible. The bushings 41, 42, 43 can be designed such that they are widened by the bolts 31, 32, 33 (dowel effect).To enhance the dowel effect and / or to simplify the installation of the bushings 41, 42, 43, these can be provided with longitudinal slots. Access from one side is sufficient for attaching the body profile component 20 to the body component 10. Neither a tool nor internal access to the fastening points is required. Bonding can also be used as an additional measure (su).

[0027] A fixed bearing connection is formed at the central mounting point, while floating bearing connections are formed at the two outer mounting points, thus allowing for different thermal expansion rates. The bolts 31, 32, 33 and the bushings 41, 42, 43 have ring-shaped spacers 35, 45, creating a defined gap between the body profile component 20 and the body component 10. This gap, in conjunction with the plastic bushings 41, 42, 43, provides electrical separation (insulation) and prevents contact corrosion. This means that the body profile component 20 can be attached to the other body component 10 without metallic contact.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a preferred application of the invention in a sill or side sill 100 of a vehicle body designed as a so-called hybrid or mixed-construction sill (best mode). However, the invention is expressly not limited to this application, but is also suitable for other applications in vehicle body construction. The in Fig. The body profile component 20 (second component) shown in Figure 2a, where only a central section is shown, is designed as an extruded aluminum multi-chamber hollow profile. However, the multi-chamber hollow profile component 20 can also be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic (e.g., CFRP or GFRP) and produced, for example, by pultrusion (so-called pultruded profile). The multi-chamber hollow profile component 20 is, analogous to the preceding explanations regarding the Fig. 1, as outer sill reinforcement attached longitudinally to an inner sill structure 10 (first or other component) made of sheet steel, as in Fig. 2b shown. Reference numeral 15 indicates a reinforcement belonging to the sill assembly 10. Multiple bonding is also provided along the longitudinal side. The adhesive used preferably has elastic properties.

[0029] The body profile component 20 to be fastened is prepared by attaching the plastic bushings 41, 42, 43 (e.g., by pressing them into bores or recesses, which may have an oversize to achieve a floating attachment with defined clearance) and by applying an adhesive or by applying adhesive pads 50. The bolts 31, 32, 33 can already be attached to the other body component 10 during the body shell assembly process by bolt welding or similar methods. The body profile component 20 is then aligned in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle or sill and relative to the inner sill assembly 10 and then fixed to the inner sill assembly 10 by pushing it onto the assembly in a substantially linear horizontal joining direction F, so that the bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings 41, 42, 43 engage with each other.

[0030] By heating in an oven, particularly in a KTL drying oven (during the paint drying of the vehicle body), the adhesive 50 is cured (preferably the adhesive or the adhesive pads 50 are also heat-expanding). The fixed-floating bearing principle allows essentially free thermal expansion of the aluminum profile component 20 (e.g., by +1.5 mm) relative to the steel sill structure 10 in the longitudinal direction x of the sill or vehicle. A gap 60 is formed between the outer body profile component 20 and the inner sill structure 10, so that there is also no electrically conductive connection.

[0031] The bond strength and stiffness are largely determined by the adhesive bond. The number of fastening points formed by the bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings 41, 42, 43 is selected (preferably three fastening points are provided, although more than three fastening points are also possible), and the plug connections made at the fastening points with the bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings 41, 42, 43 are designed such that the body profile component 20 is reliably held until the adhesive 50 has cured and at least its weight is safely supported (loosening is not possible due to the undercut locking mechanism between the bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings 41, 42, 43). Even after the adhesive 50 has hardened, forces can be transmitted via the plug connections between the bolts 31, 32, 33 and bushings 41, 42, 43, e.g. in the event of a crash. Reference symbol list 10 Body component (first component) 15 Reinforcement 20 Body profile component (second component) 31 bolts (plug-in connector element) 32 bolts (plug-in connector element) 33 bolts (plug-in connector element) 35 spacers 41 Socket (connector element) 42 Socket (plug connector) 43 Socket (plug connector) 45 spacers 50 adhesive pads 60 gap 100 sills (composite components) 100' component assembly A flight line F Leading direction L axial length h horizontal direction v vertical direction x x-axis (vehicle coordinate system) y y-axis (vehicle coordinate system) z-axis (vehicle coordinate system)

Claims

[1] Fastening arrangement for fastening a body profile component (20) to at least one other body component (10), wherein the body profile component (20) is fastened longitudinally to the other body component (10) at several fastening points, wherein at least three fastening points are provided at which the body profile component (20) is fastened to the other body component (10), wherein at least one fastening point has a fixed bearing connection and at least two fastening points have a loose bearing connection, characterized by that the fastening at the fastening points is effected by means of plug-in connection elements which are designed as interlocking bolts (31, 32, 33) and bushings (41, 42, 43), the bushings (41, 43) relating to the loose bearing connections being arranged in a floating manner with limited freedom of movement. [2] Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, characterized bythat three fastening points are provided along the body profile component (20), with a fixed bearing connection at the middle fastening point and a loose bearing connection at each of the other two fastening points. [3] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the body profile component (20) is also glued longitudinally to the other body component (10). [4] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a gap (60) is formed between the body profile component (20) and the other body component (10). [5] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the attachment points are not aligned. [6] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the body profile component (20) has a length of at least 1000 mm, preferably of at least 1500 mm and in particular of at least 2000 mm. [7] Method for fastening a body profile component (20) to at least one other body component (10), wherein the body profile component (20) is fastened longitudinally to a plurality of fastening points on the other body component (10), comprising the steps: - Attaching plug-in connection elements to the body profile component (20) and to the other body component (10), wherein the plug-in connection elements are designed as plug-in bolts (31, 32, 33) and bushings (41, 42, 43); - Aligning the body profile component (20) relative to the other body component (10) and plugging it on, for which purpose the body profile component (20) is moved in a joining direction (F) and the plug-in connection elements (31, 32, 33; 41, 42, 43) engage with one another, wherein a fixed bearing connection is created at at least one fastening point and a loose bearing connection is created at at least two fastening points, for which purpose the bushings (41, 43) relating to the loose bearing connections are arranged in a floating manner with limited freedom of movement. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that bonding is also planned. [9] Sill (100) for a vehicle body, with a body profile component (20) extending in the sill longitudinal direction (x), which is fastened longitudinally with a fastening arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or with the method according to claim 7 or 8 to at least one other body component (10) of the vehicle body, which also extends in the sill longitudinal direction (x).

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