A vehicle body structure with a panoramic sunroof

Abstract

This invention discloses a vehicle body structure for a panoramic sunroof, including a roof and a sunroof mounting plate. The roof has a sunroof opening, and the mounting plate is positioned corresponding to this opening. The mounting plate is formed by welding together a set of steel plates and features a ring of raised structures with grooves for adhesive. The edge of the mounting plate is connected to the corresponding side of the vehicle body sheet metal. This panoramic sunroof body structure design is reasonable and effectively solves the problems of low material utilization and different performance requirements in different parts of the sunroof mounting plate. Unlike traditional body structures, it improves the rigidity and modal performance of the sunroof version of the body structure, thereby achieving the goals of weight reduction, cost reduction, and improved passenger safety and comfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive sunroof technology, and in particular to a vehicle body structure for a panoramic sunroof. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements and increased consumer focus on driving experience, sunroofs, especially panoramic sunroofs, are gaining popularity. However, the larger the sunroof opening, the greater the impact on the vehicle's rigidity and other performance characteristics. As the sunroof glass and motor increase in size, the roof also bears a greater load. These factors result in panoramic sunroofs exhibiting defects compared to smaller, conventional sunroofs during installation and use, such as poorer assembly, sealing, and manufacturing processes, and place more stringent demands on vehicle safety and other performance aspects.

[0003] Currently, vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs on the market have two structural issues: First, the sunroof mounting plate structure: Integrated sunroof mounting plates generate more waste during production due to the larger sunroof opening, resulting in lower material utilization and increased per-vehicle costs. Furthermore, using the same material for the mounting plate makes it difficult to meet the different performance requirements of different parts. Separate sunroof mounting plates, welded from multiple parts, have larger manufacturing tolerances. While they may meet performance requirements, the high precision required at the mounting points makes it difficult to ensure consistent manufacturing processes. Second, the vehicle frame structure: Due to welding layer and space constraints, the sunroof mounting plate cannot be directly welded to the side panels. Manufacturers typically use structural adhesive or bolts to connect the mounting plate and side panels, but the weight of the sunroof glass and motor poses a risk of failure in the strength and rigidity of the roof area. Especially in side impacts, pole impacts, and roof crushing conditions, the lack of an effective force transmission path prevents proper force transfer, threatening the safety of the driver and passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a vehicle body structure for a panoramic sunroof, which effectively improves the rigidity and modal characteristics of the structure at the sunroof location, thereby enhancing safety and comfort.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] The vehicle body structure of this panoramic sunroof includes a roof and a sunroof mounting plate. The roof has a sunroof opening, and the sunroof mounting plate is set corresponding to the sunroof opening on the roof. The sunroof mounting plate is formed by welding together a set of steel plates, and a ring of boss structure is provided on the sunroof mounting plate. The boss structure has a glue groove, and the edge of the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the body sheet metal on the corresponding side.

[0007] Further:

[0008] The sunroof mounting plate is formed by laser welding of steel plates of different thicknesses and materials, with the thickness of the steel plates on the front and rear sides being less than that on the left and right sides.

[0009] The gap between the upper surface of the boss structure and the roof of the vehicle body is 2-4mm.

[0010] The sunroof mounting plate and the edge of the sunroof opening on the roof of the vehicle are connected by welding, and a ring of structural adhesive is provided on the inside of the weld.

[0011] The groove of the boss structure is filled with vibration damping adhesive, which is connected to the roof of the vehicle body.

[0012] The sunroof mounting plate is connected to the sheet metal of the front roof crossbeam assembly, the rear roof crossbeam assembly, and the side panel assembly.

[0013] The inner side panel at the B-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the sunroof mounting plate by fasteners.

[0014] The corner area of ​​the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the corresponding overlapping sheet metal by bolts.

[0015] The inner side panel at the A-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the overlapping area of ​​the front roof beam assembly.

[0016] The inward extension area of ​​the inner side panel at the B-pillar has a "W" shaped cross-section structure.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] The panoramic sunroof of this car features a rationally designed body structure that effectively addresses the issues of low material utilization of the sunroof mounting plate and varying performance requirements in different parts. Unlike traditional body structures, it enhances the rigidity and modal performance of the sunroof version, thereby achieving the goals of weight reduction, cost reduction, and improved passenger safety and comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The following is a brief explanation of the contents of each of the accompanying drawings and the markings in the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a laser-welded diagram of the sunroof mounting plate of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the boss on the sunroof mounting plate of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sunroof roof assembly of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4This is a diagram of the vehicle body frame assembly of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a partial view of the B-pillar side panel of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a partial view of the side wall of the A-pillar of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 For along Figure 3 Schematic diagram of section AA.

[0027] Figure 8 For along Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the BB section.

[0028] Figure 9 For along Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the CC section.

[0029] Figure 10 For along Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the DD section.

[0030] Figure 11 For along Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the EE section.

[0031] In the picture:

[0032] 1. Front beam, 2. Rear beam, 3. Left beam, 4. Right beam, 5. Boss structure, 6. Adhesive application tank, 7. Electrophoretic vent, 8. Shielded weld, 9. Structural adhesive I, 10. Vibration damping adhesive, 11. Connecting bolt I, 12. Fastening nut I, 13. Structural adhesive II, 14. B-pillar side panel connecting plate, 15. Connecting bolt II, 16. Fastening nut II, 17. A-pillar side panel connecting plate, 18. Weld point. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through the description of the examples.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the vehicle body structure of the panoramic sunroof includes a roof and a sunroof mounting plate. The roof has a sunroof opening, and the sunroof mounting plate is set corresponding to the sunroof opening on the roof. The sunroof mounting plate is formed by welding together a set of steel plates, and a ring of boss structure 5 is provided on the sunroof mounting plate. The boss structure has an adhesive groove 6. The edge of the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the body sheet metal on the corresponding side.

[0035] The sunroof mounting plate is formed by laser welding of steel plates of different thicknesses and materials. The thickness of the steel plates on the front and rear sides is less than that on the left and right sides. The sunroof mounting plate is made of four steel plates of different materials and thicknesses, which improves the material utilization rate of the parts.

[0036] Furthermore, the groove of the boss structure 5 is provided with vibration damping adhesive 10, which is connected to the roof of the vehicle body; the sunroof mounting plate is equipped with an annular boss structure, and the connection between it and the roof is made of segmented structural adhesive, which improves the modality of the vehicle body.

[0037] The sunroof mounting plate is connected to the sheet metal of the front roof crossbeam assembly, the rear roof crossbeam assembly, and the side panel assembly. Furthermore, the corner areas of the sunroof mounting plate are connected to the corresponding overlapping sheet metal via bolts. The connection between the sunroof mounting plate and the perimeter uses alternating methods of structural adhesive and bolt fastening, flexibly solving the problems of manufacturing precision and space.

[0038] The inner side panel at the B-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the sunroof mounting plate by fasteners; furthermore, the inward extension area of ​​the inner side panel at the B-pillar has a "W" shaped cross-section structure; at the B-pillar, the extended inner side panel is connected to the sunroof mounting plate with double bolts, which solves the problem of the sunroof mounting plate flipping and deforming during a collision.

[0039] The gap between the upper surface of the boss structure and the roof of the vehicle body is 2-4mm; furthermore, the sunroof mounting plate and the edge of the sunroof opening on the roof of the vehicle body are connected by welding, and a ring of structural adhesive is provided on the inner side of the weld; the inner side panel of the A-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the overlapping area of ​​the front roof crossbeam assembly; this not only improves the rigidity and strength of the body frame, but also enhances the collision safety and NVH comfort of the whole vehicle.

[0040] The panoramic sunroof of this invention features a rationally designed vehicle body structure, effectively addressing the issues of low material utilization of the sunroof mounting plate and varying performance requirements in different parts. Unlike traditional vehicle body structures, it enhances the rigidity and modal performance of the sunroof version of the vehicle body structure, thereby achieving the goals of weight reduction, cost reduction, and improved passenger safety and comfort.

[0041] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0042] Firstly, a new sunroof mounting plate structure is described, specifically: to improve material utilization, the sunroof mounting plate is made of steel plates of varying thicknesses and materials, laser-welded together; to enhance the rigidity of individual components and the body's modal characteristics, a raised platform structure is added around the perimeter of the sunroof mounting plate, with multiple adhesive application grooves arranged above the raised platform. This optimized sunroof mounting plate structure avoids the shortcomings of traditional structures. Secondly, a new body structure is introduced, specifically: To enhance the local strength of the roof and the rigidity of the body, a ring of structural adhesive is added to the mating surface between the sunroof opening and the sunroof mounting plate. Multiple strips of vibration-damping adhesive are applied to the top of the sunroof mounting plate protrusion and then bonded to the roof. To improve the body rigidity and modal characteristics of the sunroof panel and ensure the safety of the driver and passengers, the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the surrounding body sheet metal using alternating structural adhesive and bolts. In side impact, pole impact, and roof compression scenarios, to reduce the risk of rollover deformation of the sunroof mounting plate, the inner side panel at the B-pillar is lengthened (or a connecting bracket is added) and forms a cross-sectional structure, connected to the sunroof mounting plate with double bolts. To reduce the intrusion of the side panel during a collision, the front roof crossbeam is connected to the side panel connecting plate with double rows of weld points. Through body structure optimization, an effective force transmission path is provided, and the sunroof load is effectively transferred to the side panel assembly through the roof assembly, avoiding stress concentration on the outer roof panel. This not only improves the rigidity and strength of the body frame but also enhances the overall vehicle's collision safety and NVH comfort.

[0043] The sunroof mounting plate I of this invention consists of four steel plates, which are laser-welded together to form a single unit. Since the front and rear areas have a smaller impact on performance, lower grade and thinner steel plates, such as B170P1 / 1.2, are used on the front and rear sides. Since the left and right areas have a larger impact on performance, higher grade and thicker steel plates, such as B210P1 / 1.5, are used on the left and right sides. Then, through stamping processes such as drawing, four parts are formed: front beam 1, rear beam 2, left beam 3, and right beam 4. This improves the material utilization rate of the parts (by 10%–20%), avoids the large waste material at the sunroof opening and the need for blanking molds required by traditional processes, and also avoids the problems of using multiple welded parts due to insufficient performance, as well as poor sunroof installation accuracy, thus contributing to vehicle weight reduction. Secondly, a raised structure 5 is added around the perimeter of the sunroof mounting plate I. The upper surface of the raised structure maintains a 3mm gap with the outer roof panel. Multiple adhesive grooves 6 with a length of 50mm-70mm and multiple electrophoretic vent holes 7 are arranged on the raised structure, which helps to improve the rigidity of the sunroof mounting plate (solving deformation during transportation) and the rigidity and modal characteristics of the vehicle body. Thirdly, the sunroof mounting plate I and the outer roof panel II are connected at the sunroof opening by multiple sections of protective welding 8. A ring of structural adhesive 19 is applied to the horizontal mating surfaces of the two, forming the roof assembly III, which enhances the strength of the roof assembly and prevents local deformation of the outer roof panel. In addition, multiple sections of vibration damping adhesive 10 are applied to the adhesive groove above the raised structure of the sunroof mounting plate, which improves the torsional modal characteristics of the vehicle body (increasing by 0.5Hz). Fourth, the sunroof mounting plate I overlaps with the surrounding sheet metal of the front roof crossbeam assembly IV, rear roof crossbeam assembly V, and side panel assembly VI. First, multiple φ8 holes are drilled in the sunroof mounting plate I, and projection welding is used to connect bolts I11. Corresponding through holes φ14 are provided in the sheet metal. Then, the bolts on the top of the roof assembly III are placed into the through holes in the surrounding sheet metal. Finally, nuts I12 are tightened from the inside. Bolt connections are necessary, especially in the four corner areas of the sunroof mounting plate, where modal characteristics and stiffness are significantly affected. The overlapping surfaces of the surrounding sheet metal and the sunroof mounting plate I (excluding the bolt connection areas) are bonded with structural adhesive II13, thus forming an integral frame between the sunroof mounting plate and the surrounding sheet metal. This method not only improves the stiffness and modal characteristics of the vehicle frame but also avoids the risk of structural adhesive failure. Fifth, the inner side panel VIII at the B-pillar is lengthened (or a connecting bracket is added), and the overlap joint is made into a "W" shaped cross-section structure to form the B-pillar side panel connecting plate 14. It is connected to the sunroof mounting plate with double fastening bolts II 15, and the side panel reinforcement plate has a loose nut II 16 below it, forming an effective force transmission path. Under conditions such as side impact, pillar impact, and roof pressure, the amount of deformation of the sunroof mounting plate is reduced, ensuring the safety of the passenger space. Sixth, the inner side panel IX at the A-pillar is lengthened (or a connecting bracket is added), and the overlap area with the front roof crossbeam assembly is made into a "U" shaped cross-section structure to form the A-pillar side panel connecting plate 17. Double rows of welding points 18 are arranged between the two, and the overlap area is smoothly transitioned, forming an effective force transmission path.The problem of bending deformation of the front top crossbeam under external force was solved, ensuring driver safety and improving the torsional stiffness of the local modes of the front top crossbeam and the vehicle frame assembly X.

[0044] In summary, this invention provides an effective vehicle body structure that transmits the load on the roof area outward through a ring-shaped force transmission path; it not only improves the rigidity and strength of the vehicle body frame, but also enhances the overall vehicle's collision safety and NVH comfort.

[0045] This invention provides an effective vehicle body structure that transfers the load on the roof area to the side assembly through an efficient path; and through localized reinforcement design, it reduces the risk of sunroof glass breakage due to excessive deformation of the roof outer panel. This vehicle body structure not only solves the problems of low material utilization and low manufacturing precision of the sunroof mounting plate, but also addresses the issues of insufficient body strength and rigidity, ensuring passenger safety and comfort.

[0046] The manufacturing process of the sunroof body structure of this invention is as follows:

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the front beam 1, rear beam 2, left beam 3, and right beam 4, a total of four steel plates, are first processed into laser-welded plates of varying thicknesses and materials using laser welding equipment, which solves the problem of large amounts of waste generated by traditional stamping processes.

[0048] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a ring of bosses 5 is designed above the sunroof mounting plate, and multiple adhesive application grooves 6 and multiple paint vents 7 are arranged on the upper surface of the bosses, such as... Figure 7 Then, through stamping and forming processes, it is processed into sunroof mounting plate I.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the sunroof mounting plate I and the roof outer plate II are matched and connected by multi-segment protective welding 8 at the sunroof opening; and a ring of structural adhesive 9 is applied to the matching surface on the horizontal plane; multiple adhesive grooves are arranged above the boss structure 5, and vibration damping adhesive 10 is applied inside them to improve the NVH of the whole vehicle; thus forming the roof assembly III.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the sunroof mounting plate I overlaps with the peripheral sheet metal of the front roof crossbeam assembly IV, rear roof crossbeam assembly V, and side panel assembly VI. Based on performance analysis, bolt connections are designed at some key locations, such as the four corner areas of the sunroof mounting plate, which significantly affect stiffness and modal performance. First, multiple φ8 holes are drilled in the sunroof mounting plate I, and projection welding is used to connect the bolts. Corresponding φ14 through holes are provided in the sheet metal. Then, the bolts on the top cover assembly III are placed into the through holes in the peripheral sheet metal. Finally, the nuts are tightened from the inside. Figure 8For the overlapping surfaces of the sheet metal around the sunroof mounting plate I (excluding the bolt connection area), structural adhesive II13 is used for bonding. Figure 9 Thus, the sunroof mounting plate and the surrounding sheet metal form an overall frame structure, improving the rigidity and modal performance of the vehicle frame X.

[0051] like Figure 5 and Figure 10 As shown, the inner side panel VIII at the B-pillar is lengthened (or a connecting bracket is added), and the overlap joint is made into a "W" shaped cross-section structure. It is fastened to the sunroof mounting plate I with double bolts, and the side panel reinforcement plate VII has a loose nut, which improves the structure of the B-pillar overlap joint.

[0052] like Figure 11 As shown, the inner side panel IX at the A-pillar is lengthened (or a connecting bracket is added), and the overlap area with the front roof beam assembly is required to have a smooth transition. The overlap joint should be a U-shaped cross-section structure, with double rows of weld points arranged between them, as shown. Figure 6 As shown, this solves the problem of bending deformation of the front top crossbeam when subjected to external forces.

[0053] The above description is merely an illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the above technical features can be arbitrarily combined to form multiple embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the concept and technical solution of the present invention to other occasions without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure for a panoramic sunroof, comprising a roof and a sunroof mounting plate, wherein the roof has a sunroof opening, and the sunroof mounting plate is configured corresponding to the sunroof opening on the roof, characterized in that: The sunroof mounting plate is formed by welding together a set of steel plates, and a ring of boss structure is provided on the sunroof mounting plate. The boss structure is provided with a glue groove, and the edge of the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the body sheet metal on the corresponding side. The sunroof mounting plate is formed by laser welding of steel plates of different thicknesses and materials, with the thickness of the steel plates on the front and rear sides being less than that on the left and right sides. The groove of the boss structure is filled with vibration damping adhesive, which is connected to the roof of the vehicle body; the sunroof mounting plate is equipped with an additional ring-shaped boss structure, and the connection between it and the roof is made of segmented structural adhesive. The gap between the upper surface of the boss structure and the roof of the vehicle body is 2-4mm. The inner side panel at the B-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the sunroof mounting plate by fasteners; the inward extended area of ​​the inner side panel at the B-pillar has a "W" shaped cross-section structure; at the B-pillar, the extended inner side panel is connected to the sunroof mounting plate with double bolts, which solves the problem of the sunroof mounting plate flipping and deforming during a collision. The sunroof mounting plate is connected to the sheet metal of the front roof crossbeam assembly, the rear roof crossbeam assembly, and the side panel assembly; the corner area of ​​the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the corresponding overlapping sheet metal by bolts, and the sunroof mounting plate is connected to the perimeter by alternating structural adhesive and bolt fastening; the inner side panel at the A-pillar of the vehicle body extends inward, and the extended area is connected to the overlapping area of ​​the front roof crossbeam assembly.

2. The vehicle body structure of the panoramic sunroof as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sunroof mounting plate and the edge of the sunroof opening on the roof of the vehicle are connected by welding, and a ring of structural adhesive is provided on the inside of the weld.

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