Frame assembly for vehicle

Abstract

A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a body side member disposed in an outward direction of a body floor of the vehicle, extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form an inner space, the body side member including an inner reinforcing portion fixed to the inner space, and a center pillar disposed in the inner reinforcing portion. A center pillar is provided on a side of the vehicle to extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle, and is provided on an outer side of the body side rail to cover the body side rail from the outer side, the center pillar being joined to the body side rail to form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly, to such a frame assembly for a vehicle capable of forming a load path during a side collision of the vehicle through a structure where a body side member and a center pillar are joined. Background Art

[0002] It is preferred that the body side beam, which is one of the members forming the side opening of the vehicle, is formed in an appropriate size while maintaining a cross-sectional area for ensuring rigidity and strength. In order to effectively utilize the internal hollow space formed in the body side beam, it is preferred that the internal hollow space of the body side beam is mainly used to absorb impact applied from the outside of the vehicle and increase deformation strength.

[0003] Will refer to Figure 1 Problems with conventional frame assemblies for vehicles are described.

[0004] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional frame assembly for a vehicle.

[0005] Reference Figure 1 , the body floor 10 is connected to the side sill inner panel 220, and the center pillar 210 and the side sill inner panel 220 surround the body side sills 110 and 120. In this case, the extruded material 300 including aluminum is formed in the inner space formed by the body side sills 110 and 120 to ensure the rigidity of each of the body side sills 110 and 120.

[0006] Meanwhile, since the extruded material 300 is not directly connected to the center pillar 210 , the rigidity of the lower end portion of the center pillar 210 that directly receives a load in the event of a side collision of the vehicle is very weak, and thus the center pillar 210 is torn or excessively deformed.

[0007] Also, since the body side members 110 and 120 are not directly connected to the side member inner panel 220, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, no load path is formed for the load transferred from the center pillar 210. Therefore, there is a problem that the center pillar 210 is torn or excessively deformed because the load may not be distributed and concentrated on a specific point.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a frame assembly for a vehicle having a structure in which a body side rail and a center pillar are joined.

[0009] The information included in this Background of the Invention section is only intended to enhance understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0010] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a frame assembly for a vehicle for forming a load path allowing load distribution in the event of a side collision of the vehicle through a structure in which a body side rail is joined with a center pillar and a side rail inner panel is joined with a body side rail.

[0011] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains through the following description.

[0012] As a means to achieve the purpose, the present invention forms a frame assembly for a vehicle, including a body side beam and a center pillar, wherein the body side beam is arranged in an outward direction of a body floor of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form an internal space, the body side beam includes an inner reinforcement portion fixed to the internal space, the center pillar is arranged on the side of the vehicle to extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle and is arranged on the outer side of the body side beam to cover the body side beam from the outer side, and the center pillar is joined to the body side beam to form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

[0013] For example, the body side beam may include a first outer panel, a second outer panel and a central panel, wherein the first outer panel extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the second outer panel is arranged on the inner side of the first outer panel, and the central panel is configured to divide the internal space of the body side beam between the first outer panel and the second outer panel, and the first outer panel and the second outer panel can be joined to form the internal space.

[0014] For example, the inner reinforcement portion may include a first inner panel and a second inner panel, wherein the first inner panel extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the second inner panel is arranged on the inner side of the first inner panel in the inner space of the vehicle body side beam, and the first inner panel and the second inner panel can be fixed to the inner surfaces of the first outer panel and the second outer panel, respectively.

[0015] For example, the center pillar may be joined to the first outer panel.

[0016] For example, each of the first inner panel and the second inner panel may be configured such that central portions of the first inner panel and the second inner panel are bent and the respective central portions face and contact each other in the inner space of the vehicle body side member.

[0017] For example, a first through hole configured so that the first inner panel and the center pillar are combined by inserting a combining mechanism into the first through hole may be formed in the first outer panel, and a plurality of first through holes may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0018] For example, the body side member and the inner reinforcement portion may be made of steel material.

[0019] For example, the frame assembly may further include a side sill inner panel disposed in an outward direction of the vehicle body floor to be connected to the vehicle body floor in a width direction of the vehicle, the side sill inner panel configured to cover the second outer panel of the vehicle body side sill.

[0020] For example, the side sill inner panel may be joined to the body side sill in the width direction of the vehicle so that the center pillar, the body side sill, and the side sill inner panel form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

[0021] For example, the side sill inner panel may be joined to the vehicle body side sill in a state where the vehicle body side sill and the center pillar are joined.

[0022] For example, the side beam inner panel may cover the vehicle body side beam at a certain distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle body side beam.

[0023] For example, the frame assembly may further include a reinforcement plate connecting the vehicle body floor and the side sill inner panel, wherein one end of the reinforcement plate may support a lower surface of the vehicle body floor, and the other end of the reinforcement plate may support an inner surface of the side sill inner panel.

[0024] For example, the body side rail and the inner reinforcement portion, the center pillar and the body side rail, and the body side rail and the side rail inner panel may be welded and joined.

[0025] For example, a second through hole may be formed in the second outer panel, a third through hole may be formed in the central panel, and the second through hole and the third through hole may be formed laterally at corresponding positions so that a combining mechanism is inserted into the second through hole and the third through hole to combine the second outer panel and the side beam inner panel.

[0026] According to the frame assembly for a vehicle of the present invention, a load path allowing load distribution in the event of a side collision of the vehicle can be formed by a structure in which a body side rail and a center pillar are joined and a side rail inner panel and a body side rail are joined.

[0027] Effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains through the following description.

[0028] By incorporating the accompanying drawings and Figure 1 Other features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the present invention will become more clearly apparent or elucidated with reference to specific embodiments which illustrate certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram exemplarily shows a conventional frame assembly for a vehicle;

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing the construction of a frame assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram exemplarily showing a vehicle body floor connected to a lower end portion of a side member inner panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram exemplarily showing a reinforcing plate connecting a vehicle body floor to an inner panel of a side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a gap formed between a side member inner panel and a vehicle body side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0034] Figure 6 The diagram is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing application of adhesive between a side sill inner panel and a vehicle body side sill according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather show a slightly simplified depiction of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific target application and use environment.

[0036] In the figures, like reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present application throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following will be referred to in detail in various specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are presented in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be appreciated that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments of the present invention. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternative forms, modified forms, equivalent forms and other embodiments that may be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments included in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0039] The component suffixes “module” and “unit” used in the following description are provided or used interchangeably for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have different meanings or functions themselves.

[0040] When describing the exemplary embodiments included in this specification, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may confuse the main points of the exemplary embodiments included in this specification, its detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only used to easily understand the exemplary embodiments included in this specification, and it should be understood that the technical spirit included in this specification is not limited by the drawings, and all modifications, equivalents or replacements included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are included in the drawings. Terms including ordinal numbers such as second or first can be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0041] When a certain component is described as being "connected" or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or joined to another component or other components can be arranged therebetween. On the other hand, when a certain component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly joined" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components therebetween.

[0042] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0043] In the specification, it should be understood that terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the features, values, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0044] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention proposes to integrally manage power of a main battery and power of a replaceable battery by additionally connecting the replaceable battery in an electric vehicle with a main battery electrically connected to a driving motor.

[0045] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing the construction of a frame assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Components relevant to the exemplary embodiment are primarily shown, although fewer or more components may be included when implementing an actual frame assembly for a vehicle.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 , a frame assembly for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle body side member, a center pillar 210 , and a side member inner panel 220 .

[0047] The body side member is disposed in an outward direction of a body floor 10 of the vehicle, extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form an interior space, and includes an inner reinforcement portion fixed to the interior space.

[0048] The body side beam may be formed of a plurality of panels, and may include a first outer panel 110, a second outer panel 120, and a center panel 130. The first outer panel 110 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the second outer panel 120 is disposed at the inner side of the first outer panel 110. In addition, the center panel 130 partitions an inner space of the body side beam between the first outer panel 110 and the second outer panel 120. The inner space of the body side beam may be formed by joining the first outer panel 110 to the second outer panel 120.

[0049] In addition, the inner reinforcement portion is provided in the inner space of the vehicle body side beam to increase the rigidity of the vehicle body side beam. The inner reinforcement portion may be formed of a plurality of panels and may include a first inner panel 111 and a second inner panel 121. The first inner panel 111 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the inner space of the vehicle body side beam, and the second inner panel 121 is provided at the inner side of the first inner panel 111. The first inner panel 111 may be fixed to the inner surface of the first outer panel 110, and the second inner panel 121 may be fixed to the inner surface of the second outer panel 120, thereby increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body side beam.

[0050] In this case, each of the first inner panel 111 and the second inner panel 121 may be formed in a shape in which the central portion is bent. With the current shape, the first inner panel 111 and the second inner panel 121 may be welded and joined in a state in which the respective central portions face and contact each other in the inner space of the body side beam. Therefore, the rigidity of the body side beam may be increased, and the rigidity of the body side beam may be further increased by forming the body side beam and the inner reinforcement portion from a steel material.

[0051] In addition, refer to Figure 2 In the A region, the first through hole 112 is formed in the first outer panel 110. A plurality of first through holes 112 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a coupling mechanism may be inserted into the first through hole 112 so that the first inner panel 111 and the center pillar 210 may be easily coupled.

[0052] Next, the center pillar 210 is provided on the side of the vehicle body and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The center pillar 210 may be provided on the outside of the vehicle body side beam to cover the vehicle body side beam from the outside, and is joined to the vehicle body side beam to form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle. In this case, the center pillar 210 may be joined to the first outer panel 110 to enhance assembly convenience and connectivity of the frame assembly for the vehicle.

[0053] In addition, the second through hole 122 may be formed in the second outer panel 120, and the third through hole 131 may be formed in the center panel 130. In this case, the second through hole 122 and the third through hole 131 may be formed at corresponding positions in a transverse direction so that the coupling mechanism is inserted into the second through hole 122 and the third through hole 131 to couple the second outer panel 120 and the side beam inner panel 220.

[0054] With the current structure, the coupling mechanism can be horizontally inserted from the outside of the vehicle so that a robot or a worker can work easily.

[0055] In addition, refer to Figure 2 In the B region, the side beam inner panel 220 is disposed outside the body floor 10 and connected to the body floor 10 in the width direction of the vehicle. In addition, the side beam inner panel 220 may cover the second outer panel 120 of the body side beam so that one side is joined to the body side beam in the width direction of the vehicle to connect the center pillar 210, the body side beam, and the side beam inner panel 220, and form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

[0056] In this case, the side member inner panel 220 may be coupled to the body side member in a state where the body side member and the center pillar 210 are coupled to enhance assembly convenience and connectivity of a frame assembly for a vehicle.

[0057] The body side rail and the inner reinforcement portion, the center pillar 210 and the body side rail, and the body side rail and the side rail inner panel 220 as described above may be configured to be welded, thereby further increasing the rigidity against a side collision of the vehicle.

[0058] Hereinafter, various embodiments of a frame assembly for a vehicle will be described.

[0059] First, a structure in which the vehicle body floor 10 is connected to the lower end portion of the side member inner panel 220 is provided. Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing that the vehicle body floor 10 is connected to the lower end portion of the side member inner panel 220 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 In the C region, by connecting the vehicle body floor 10 to the lower end of the side member inner panel 220, the rigidity against the side collision of the vehicle can be ensured in the same manner as the above structure while expanding the interior space of the vehicle.

[0060] Second, there is provided a structure in which a reinforcing plate connecting the vehicle body floor 10 to the side member inner panel 220 is formed. Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a reinforcing plate 11 connecting a vehicle body floor 10 to a side member inner panel 220 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4In the D region, one end of the reinforcing plate 11 can support the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 10, and the other end can support the inner surface of the side beam inner plate 220. Through a structure such as the reinforcing plate 11, the rigidity against the side collision of the vehicle can be further increased.

[0061] Thirdly, there is provided a structure in which a gap E is formed between the side member inner panel 220 and the vehicle body side member. Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a gap E formed between the side member inner plate 220 and the vehicle body side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The side beam inner plate 220 can cover the body side beam at a certain distance in the transverse direction of the body side beam. Through the current structure, the second outer plate 120 can be fully guaranteed to deform in the case of a side collision of the vehicle, thereby increasing the rigidity of the entire frame assembly.

[0062] Fourthly, there is provided a structure in which an adhesive 20 is applied between the side sill inner panel 220 and the vehicle body side sill. Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing the application of adhesive 20 between the side beam inner plate 220 and the vehicle body side beam according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown in , by applying an adhesive 20 or attaching a foam tape between the side sill inner panel 220 and the vehicle body side sill, it is possible to ensure rigidity against a side collision of the vehicle and prevent a bonding gap from occurring.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, a load path allowing load distribution in the event of a side collision of a vehicle can be formed by a structure in which a body side rail and a center pillar are joined and a side rail inner panel and a body side rail are joined.

[0064] For convenience of explanation and precise definition of the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inside", "outside", "inwardly", "outwardly", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "exterior", "forward", "rearward" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0065] The term "and / or" may include a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one of a plurality of related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases, such as "A", "B" and "A and B".

[0066] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, a singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of a combination of at least one of A and B”. Furthermore, “one or more of A and B” may refer to “one or more of A or B” or “one or more of a combination of one or more of A and B”.

[0068] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as “including” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, values, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the possibility of adding or existing one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof.

[0069] The foregoing description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many changes and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments are selected and described in order to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that other technicians in the field can realize and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its different selected forms and modified forms. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A frame assembly for a vehicle, the frame assembly include: a body side member disposed in an outward direction of a body floor of the vehicle and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form an inner space, the body side member including an inner reinforcement portion fixed to the inner space; as well as A center pillar is provided at a side of the vehicle to extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle and is provided at an outer side of the body side rail to cover the body side rail from the outer side, and the center pillar is joined to the body side rail to form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

2. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, in, The vehicle body side beam comprises: a first outer panel extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; A second outer plate disposed on an inner side of the first outer plate; and a center panel configured to partition an interior space of the body side rail between the first outer panel and the second outer panel; The first outer panel and the second outer panel are joined to form the inner space.

3. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2, in, The inner reinforcement part comprises: a first inner panel extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a second inner panel disposed inside the first inner panel in the inner space of the vehicle body side beam; The first inner panel and the second inner panel are fixed to inner surfaces of the first outer panel and the second outer panel, respectively.

4. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2, in, The center pillar is joined to the first outer panel.

5. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3, in, Each of the first inner panel and the second inner panel is arranged such that central portions of the first inner panel and the second inner panel are bent, and the respective central portions face and contact each other in an inner space of the vehicle body side member.

6. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3, in, Respective central portions of the first inner panel and the second inner panel are connected to the central panel.

7. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3, in, A first through hole is formed in the first outer panel, the first through hole being configured so that the first inner panel and the center pillar are coupled by inserting a coupling mechanism into the first through hole.

8. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 7, in, The plurality of first through holes are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

9. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, in, The vehicle body side beam and the inner reinforcement portion are made of steel material.

10. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a side sill inner panel provided in an outward direction of the vehicle body floor to be connected to the vehicle body floor in a width direction of the vehicle, the side sill inner panel being configured to cover the second outer panel of the vehicle body side sill.

11. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, in, The side sill inner panel is joined to the body side sill in the width direction of the vehicle so that the center pillar, the body side sill, and the side sill inner panel form a load path for a side collision of the vehicle.

12. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 11, in, The side member inner panel is joined to the vehicle body side member in a state where the vehicle body side member and the center pillar are joined.

13. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, in, The side beam inner plate covers the vehicle body side beam at a certain distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle body side beam.

14. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising a reinforcement plate connecting the vehicle body floor and the side sill inner panel; The first end of the reinforcing plate supports the lower surface of the vehicle body floor, and the second end of the reinforcing plate supports the inner surface of the side beam inner plate.

15. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, in, The body side beam and the inner reinforcement portion, the center pillar and the body side beam, and the body side beam and the side beam inner panel are welded and joined.

16. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, in, A second through hole is formed in the second outer panel, and a third through hole is formed in the central panel. The second through hole and the third through hole are formed laterally at corresponding positions so that a combining mechanism is inserted into the second through hole and the third through hole to combine the second outer panel and the side beam inner panel.

17. The frame assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, in, An adhesive is applied between the side sill inner panel and the body side sill to attach the side sill inner panel and the body side sill.

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