Strengthening the structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reinforcement structure for the underbody of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has an axle support, in particular a rear axle support, wherein the axle support has a first axle support receiving portion and a second axle support receiving portion, the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion being spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement structure has a transverse connecting strut and a first axle support connecting member and a second axle support connecting member. The transverse connecting strut is connected to both the first axle support connecting member and the second axle support connecting member, and the first axle support receiving portion of the axle support can be connected to the first axle support connecting member, and the second axle support receiving portion of the axle support can be connected to the second axle support connecting member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reinforcement structure for the underbody of a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, comprising such a reinforcement structure. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles with underbody reinforcement structures are known from the prior art. In particular, in vehicles with panoramic roofs and convertibles, torsion struts are installed in the rear underbody area to compensate for functional disadvantages resulting from this type of body design. These torsion struts, forming the reinforcement structure, are typically connected to the side sills in the front area of ​​the vehicle and centrally connected to the body at the axle mounts or the luggage compartment tray via strut mounts in the rear area. For example, EP 3 114 011 A1 shows such a vehicle reinforcement structure in the form of a shear zone.

[0003] Vehicles with electric drives require a high-voltage accumulator and an electric drivetrain. Their integration into a floor assembly designed for internal combustion engines results in a significant jump in stiffness between the central area of ​​the floor and the rearward area of ​​the floor in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the electric drivetrain must be installed in the floor in the form of a large, pressed section, which compromises the functionality of the aforementioned shear zones.

[0004] In addition to the jump in rigidity, further disadvantages of the prior art are, in particular, that the two aforementioned changes to the underbody of the electric vehicle, namely the integration and the embossing of the high-voltage accumulator, lead to a deterioration in driving dynamics and vehicle acoustics. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which is designed, in particular, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The object is therefore achieved by a reinforcement structure for a vehicle floor of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has an axle support, in particular a rear axle support. The axle support has a first axle support receptacle and a second axle support receptacle, the first axle support receptacle and the second axle support receptacle being spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement structure has a transverse connecting strut and a first axle support connecting element and a second axle support connecting element.

[0007] The reinforcement structure is characterized in that the transverse connecting strut is connected not only to the first axle support connection member but also to the second axle support connection member. In addition, the first axle support receiving portion can be connected to the first axle support connection member, and the second axle support receiving portion can be connected to the second axle support connection member.

[0008] In this context, an axle support is understood to mean a support that can be connected to the vehicle body and that extends essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The axle support can be connected to the vehicle body, in particular via rubber mountings. In particular, the wheel suspension of the motor vehicle can be connected to the axle support.

[0009] A transverse connecting strut is understood here to mean a strut, in particular a metal strut designed as a tube, which extends essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0010] Since the transverse connecting strut is connected to the first axle support connection member and the second axle support connection member, a transverse connection can be produced between the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion by connecting the first axle support receiving portion to the first axle support connection member and connecting the second axle support receiving portion to the second axle support connection member.

[0011] This results in an increase in the transverse rigidity of the motor vehicle. This increase in transverse rigidity allows for improved sound insulation and thus also improved vehicle acoustics.

[0012] The reinforcement structure may further include a first support strut and a second support strut, and the first support strut and the second support strut may respectively extend rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first support strut may be connected to the first axle bracket connector, and the second support strut may be connected to the second axle bracket connector. The reinforcement structure may have a first body connector and a second body connector, and the first body connector and the second body connector may respectively be designed to connect the reinforcement structure to the body of the motor vehicle. Here, the first body connector may be spaced apart from the first axle bracket connector in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to the first support strut. The second body connector may be spaced apart from the second axle bracket connector in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to the second support strut.

[0013] A supporting strut is understood here to mean a strut, in particular a metallic strut designed as a tube.

[0014] Because the first support strut can be connected to the first axle bracket connection member and the first body connection member, the first axle bracket connection member can be supported in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the first axle bracket connection member is connected to the first axle bracket receiving portion and when the first body connection member is connected to the vehicle body. The same applies to the connection between the second support strut, the second axle bracket connection member, the second body connection member, the second axle bracket receiving portion, and the vehicle body.

[0015] The transverse connection that can be produced by the transverse connecting struts and the support that can be produced by the supporting struts in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in particular toward the rear, can compensate for any jump in stiffness between the central area of ​​the vehicle floor and the rear area of ​​the vehicle floor, such as occurs, for example, due to the integration of a high-pressure accumulator in the vehicle floor. This can improve the driving dynamics of the motor vehicle.

[0016] The reinforcement structure may further include a shear zone connected to the transverse connecting strut, and a first diagonal strut and a second diagonal strut. The first diagonal strut may be connected to the first body connector and the shear zone. The second diagonal strut may be connected to the second body connector and the shear zone.

[0017] A shear zone is understood here to be a reinforcing element in the form of a reinforced sheet metal profile.

[0018] In this context, an oblique strut is understood to mean a strut, in particular a metallic strut designed as a tube.

[0019] The shearing zone can have a connection for a torsion strut. The torsion strut can be connected to the shearing zone at the connection via one, in particular two, threaded connections. In particular, the connection can be framed by a U-shaped profile.

[0020] A torsion strut is understood here to be a strut which is installed in and / or on the vehicle floor of a motor vehicle, extends obliquely between the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the vehicle and serves to increase the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0021] In this context, a U-shaped profile is to be understood as meaning a profile, in particular a metal profile, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

[0022] By framing the screw connection with a U-shaped profile, a closed profile can be formed together with the shear zone, which can have the necessary rigidity for the connection of the torsion strut.

[0023] The reinforcement structure can have further body connection parts, in particular two further body connection parts. The further body connection parts can be designed accordingly to connect the reinforcement structure to the body of the motor vehicle.

[0024] The first body connection part, the second body connection part, the further body connection part, the first axle support connection part and / or the second axle support connection part can each be designed as a tube part, in particular with a separate base plate connected to the tube part.

[0025] The connection between the tube and the floor panel can in particular be a welded connection.An advantage of the separate connection of the tube and the floor panel is that tolerances can be adjusted in the vehicle height direction.

[0026] The reinforcement structure can have a plastic cover. The plastic cover can be connected to the shearing region in such a way that an air gap is formed between the plastic cover and the shearing region.

[0027] Can realize ventilation between plastic cover and shearing zone by this air gap.Thus, can prevent between metal shearing zone and plastic cover from occurring lasting moisture, and this plays the effect of anti-corrosion protection.

[0028] Furthermore, the plastic cover can be arranged such that it at least partially covers the remaining part of the reinforcement structure in order to achieve the lowest possible drag coefficient.

[0029] The shearing zone can have a groove for collision protection. Here, groove can be understood as a groove-shaped depression in the sheet metal component, which can be used in particular for reinforcement and therefore prevents the shearing zone from deforming.

[0030] The reinforcement structure may be coated with high temperature galvanizing (HTV).

[0031] High-temperature galvanizing is understood here to be a coating method for metal components, in which the metal components are immersed in a liquid zinc bath, in particular. The zinc bath can have a temperature of over 530° C. This coating is used to protect against corrosion.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle, which may be a passenger car, and includes the aforementioned reinforcement structure.

[0033] The motor vehicle may include an axle support, in particular a rear axle support. The axle support may include a first axle support receiving portion and a second axle support receiving portion, the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion being spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement structure may include a transverse connecting strut and a first axle support connecting member and a second axle support connecting member. The transverse connecting strut may be connected both to the first axle support connecting member and to the second axle support connecting member. The first axle support receiving portion may be connected to the first axle support connecting member, and the second axle support receiving portion may be connected to the second axle support connecting member.

[0034] Furthermore, the above description of the reinforcing structure also applies to the motor vehicle, and vice versa.

[0035] The motor vehicle may have an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for electrical energy, in and / or on its vehicle floor. The motor vehicle may be an electric vehicle and / or a hybrid vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Refer to the following Figure 1 and Figure 2An embodiment is described.

[0037] Figure 1 A reinforcement structure for an underbody of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment is schematically shown.

[0038] Figure 2 Schematically shown Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the reinforcement structure shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a reinforcing structure 1 for the underbody of a motor vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, a Cartesian coordinate system is shown, in which X represents the vehicle longitudinal direction, Y represents the vehicle transverse direction, and Z represents the vehicle height direction. The arrow direction of the vehicle longitudinal direction X runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, i.e., opposite to the main driving direction.

[0041] exist Figure 1 Schematically shown in FIG 8 is a rear axle support 8. The rear axle support 8 comprises a first axle support receptacle and a second axle support receptacle 81, 82, which are also schematically shown.

[0042] The reinforcement structure 1 includes a transverse connecting strut 2, two supporting struts 31, 32, two oblique struts 41, 42, a shearing area 5, two axle bracket connectors 61, 62, four body connectors 71, 72, 73, 74 and two connecting struts 91, 92.

[0043] The shearing zone 5 is connected to the transverse connecting rod 2. The shearing zone 5 includes two connecting members 51 and 52, which are respectively used to Figure 1 and four grooves 53. The torsion strut can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle at its other end in the longitudinal direction (the other end in the longitudinal direction is not connected to the shear zone 5).

[0044] More precisely, the shear zone 5 is designed so that one of the two torsion struts can be connected to the connecting piece 51 or the connecting piece 52 via two screw connections. The connecting pieces 51 and 52 are each framed by a U-shaped profile (not shown). The groove 53 serves as a crash protection.

[0045] The transverse connecting strut 2 is connected to the rear axle support 8 of the motor vehicle. To this end, the reinforcement structure 1 has a first axle support connection part and a second axle support connection part 61, 62, which are each connected to the transverse connecting strut 2.

[0046] As described above, the rear axle bracket 8 includes the first and second axle bracket receivers 81, 82, which are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle transverse direction Y and are connected to the first and second axle bracket connectors 61, 62. More specifically, the first axle bracket receiver 81 is connected to the first axle bracket connector 61, and the second axle bracket receiver 82 is connected to the second axle bracket connector 62.

[0047] Furthermore, the first support strut 31 is connected to the first axle bracket connection 61 , and the second support strut 32 is connected to the second axle bracket connection 62 .

[0048] Four body connecting elements 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 are provided for connecting the reinforcement structure 1 to the body of a motor vehicle.

[0049] Here, the first body connection 71 of the four body connections is spaced apart from the first axle support connection 61 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X and is connected to the first support strut 31. The same applies to the second body connection 72 of the four body connections, which is spaced apart from the second axle support connection 62 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X and is connected to the second support strut 32. The other two body connections 73, 74 are arranged at substantially the same height as the two axle support connections 61, 62 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X.

[0050] The first oblique strut 41 is connected not only to the first body connection part 71 but also to the shear zone 5. The same applies to the second oblique strut 42, which is connected not only to the second body connection part 72 but also to the shear zone 5.

[0051] The first connecting strut 91 is connected to the first axle support connector 61. The third body connector 73 of the four body connectors is spaced apart from the first axle support connector 61 in the vehicle transverse direction Y and is connected to the first connecting strut 91. The same applies to the second connecting strut 92, which is connected to the second axle support connector 62. The fourth body connector 74 of the four body connectors is spaced apart from the second axle support connector 62 in the vehicle transverse direction Y and is connected to the second connecting strut 92.

[0052] As from Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG, the reinforcement structure 1 is therefore designed to be axisymmetric relative to an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0053] Figure 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the reinforcement structure 1 .

[0054] Shearing zone 5 Figure 2 The local and Figure 1 In addition, the portion of the shearing area 5 shown in FIG. Figure 2 The second axle support connection 62 is shown in FIG.

[0055] The reinforcement structure 1 comprises a plastic cover 54 , and the second axle support connection 62 comprises a base plate 10 .

[0056] The plastic cover 54 is connected to the shearing zone 5 in such a way that an air gap is formed between the plastic cover 54 and the shearing zone 5 .

[0057] The base plate 10 is connected to the second axle support connection 62. This connection can be a welded connection. Similarly, each base plate 10 is connected to the first axle support connection 61 and the first, second, third and fourth body connection parts 71, 72, 73, 74 (not shown).

[0058] The above-described embodiment of the reinforcement structure 1 produces a transverse connection between the first axle support receiver 81 and the second axle support connector 61 by connecting the first axle support receiver 81 and the second axle support connector 62 .

[0059] Furthermore, the first axle bracket receiving portion 81 is supported in the vehicle longitudinal direction X by means of the first support strut 31 via the connection between the first body connecting member 71 and the body. The second axle bracket receiving portion 82 is supported in the vehicle longitudinal direction X by means of the second support strut 32 via the connection between the second body connecting member 72 and the body. In other words, the two support struts 31 and 32 support the reinforcement structure 1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction X.

[0060] By means of the aforementioned reinforcement structure 1, in particular by means of its support in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle and the transverse connecting struts 2, the disadvantages of the prior art described at the outset can be compensated, in particular the deterioration in driving dynamics and vehicle acoustics which occurs when the high-voltage storage device and the electric drive train are integrated into a floor assembly designed for an internal combustion engine.

[0061] Reference Signs List

[0062] 1 Strengthen the structure

[0063] 2 horizontal connecting rods

[0064] 31 first support rod

[0065] 32 second support rod

[0066] 41 first oblique support rod

[0067] 42 second oblique support rod

[0068] 5 Shearing Zone

[0069] 51, 52 Connectors for torsion struts

[0070] 53 grooves

[0071] 54 plastic covering

[0072] 61 first axle bracket connector

[0073] 62 Second axle bracket connector

[0074] 71 first body connecting piece

[0075] 72 second body connecting piece

[0076] 73 third body connecting piece

[0077] 74 fourth body connecting piece

[0078] 8 rear axle bracket

[0079] 81 first axle bracket receiving portion

[0080] 82 Second axle bracket receiving portion

[0081] 91 first connecting rod

[0082] 92 second connecting rod

[0083] 10 bottom plate

Claims

1. A reinforcing structure for the underbody of a motor vehicle (1), The motor vehicle comprises an axle support (8) which can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle and which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, wherein: The axle support (8) has a first axle support receiving portion (81) and a second axle support receiving portion (82), wherein the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle transverse direction (Y). - the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a transverse connecting strut (2) and a first axle support connecting member (61) and a second axle support connecting member (62), It is characterized in that - the transverse connecting strut (2) is connected not only to the first axle support connection (61) but also to the second axle support connection (62), and - the first axle support receiving portion (81) of the axle support (8) can be connected to the first axle support connecting element (61), and the second axle support receiving portion (82) of the axle support (8) can be connected to the second axle support connecting element (62), so that the reinforcement structure can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle indirectly via the axle support and a transverse connection can be produced between the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion, - the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a first body connection part (71) and a second body connection part (72), the first body connection part and the second body connection part being respectively designed to connect the reinforcement structure (1) to the body of the motor vehicle, - the reinforcing structure (1) comprises a shearing zone (5) connected to the transverse connecting strut (2) and a first oblique strut (41) and a second oblique strut (42), - the first oblique support rod (41) is connected to the first body connection member (71) and the shearing zone (5), - the second oblique support rod (42) is connected to the second body connection member (72) and the shearing zone (5), - the shear zone (5) comprises connections (51, 52) for the torsion struts, and - the torsion strut can be connected to the shear zone at each of the connecting elements (51, 52).

2. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a first support strut (31) and a second support strut (32), the first support strut and the second support strut respectively extending rearward in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle, - the first support strut (31) is connected to the first axle bracket connector (61), and the second support strut (32) is connected to the second axle bracket connector (62), - the first vehicle body connection member (71) is spaced apart from the first axle bracket connection member (61) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and is connected to the first support strut (31), and The second vehicle body connection element (72) is spaced apart from the second axle bracket connection element (62) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and is connected to the second support strut (32).

3. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The reinforcement structure (1) has further body connection parts (73, 74), which are each designed to connect the reinforcement structure (1) to the body of the motor vehicle.

4. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The reinforcement structure (1) has a plastic cover (54) which is connected to the shearing region (5) in such a way that an air gap is formed between the plastic cover (54) and the shearing region (5).

5. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - The shearing zone (5) comprises a groove (53) for impact protection.

6. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - The reinforcement structure (1) is coated with high temperature galvanizing.

7. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The axle support is a rear axle support.

8. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The torsion support rod can be connected to the shear zone via a threaded connection structure at each of the connecting parts (51, 52).

9. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The torsion support rod can be connected to the shear zone via two threaded connection structures at each of the connecting parts (51, 52).

10. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Each of the connecting pieces (51, 52) is framed by a U-shaped profile.

11. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The reinforcement structure (1) has two further body connection parts.

12. The reinforcement structure (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first body connection part (71), the second body connection part (72), the further body connection parts (73, 74), the first axle support connection part (61) and / or the second axle support connection part (62) are designed as pipe parts with a separate base plate (10) connected to the pipe parts.

13. A motor vehicle comprising: - A reinforcement structure (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, - the motor vehicle comprises an axle support (8) which can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle and which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, - the axle support (8) has a first axle support receiving portion (81) and a second axle support receiving portion (82), the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion being spaced apart from each other in the vehicle transverse direction (Y), - the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a transverse connecting strut (2) and a first axle support connecting member (61) and a second axle support connecting member (62), It is characterized in that - the transverse connecting strut (2) is connected not only to the first axle support connection (61) but also to the second axle support connection (62), and - the first axle support receiving portion (81) of the axle support (8) is connected to the first axle support connecting element (61), and the second axle support receiving portion (82) of the axle support (8) is connected to the second axle support connecting element (62), so that the reinforcement structure can be connected indirectly to the body of the motor vehicle via the axle support and a transverse connection can be produced between the first axle support receiving portion and the second axle support receiving portion, - the reinforcement structure (1) comprises a first body connection part (71) and a second body connection part (72), the first body connection part and the second body connection part being respectively designed to connect the reinforcement structure (1) to the body of the motor vehicle, - the reinforcing structure (1) comprises a shearing zone (5) connected to the transverse connecting strut (2) and a first oblique strut (41) and a second oblique strut (42), - the first oblique support rod (41) is connected to the first body connection member (71) and the shearing zone (5), - the second oblique support rod (42) is connected to the second body connection member (72) and the shearing zone (5), - the shear zone (5) comprises connections (51, 52) for the torsion struts, and - the torsion strut can be connected to the shear zone at each of the connecting elements (51, 52).

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, characterized in that The motor vehicle is a passenger car.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that The axle support is a rear axle support.

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