Component composite structure for motor vehicle body and method for producing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a component composite for a motor vehicle body, comprising at least two components (10, 11) which have respective flanges (14, 15) which are connected to surface regions (12, 13) and which are connected to one another in the region of a flange connection (16). In order to achieve a component composite in which a flat sealing and contact surface can be achieved in a simple manner, for example, without sudden changes in height, a groove (18) is formed by means of a flange connection (16), said groove being lowered relative to a surface region (12, 13) adjoining the flange (14, 15), said groove being filled with a filler (19) up to the height of the surface region (12, 13) adjoining the flange (14, 15) of the component (10, 11), the two surface regions (12, 13) and the filler (19) form an at least substantially flat sealing side (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a component assembly for a motor vehicle body according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a component assembly according to the preamble of claim 8. Background Art

[0002] Such a component composite is known, for example, from DE 10 20 20 205 576 A1, in which a body for a passenger car is composed of a plurality of components, currently in the form of sheet metal molded parts. In this case, for example, two sheet metal components are respectively provided in the region of the floor structure of the body, which have respective flanges connected to the surface regions of the sheet metal components and which are connected to one another in the region of the flange connection.

[0003] In such overlapping areas or flange connections of the individual body parts, discontinuities always occur, that is, sudden changes in height usually occur between the sheets. Such sudden changes in height at the sealing gap between the sealing flange on the body side and the corresponding flange on the battery housing side are disadvantageous, for example, when such sheets are to be used as contact surfaces or as sealing flanges, for example, in order to seal the passenger compartment of the body of an electrically driven vehicle against the battery housing of an energy storage device for an electric drive of a passenger car. Such sudden changes in height can, for example, lead to local separation or non-contact of the seal between the sealing flange on the body side and the sealing flange on the battery housing side, wherein undesirable capillary effects can occur, for example, through which water or similar moisture can enter through the sealing arrangement. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a component assembly of the generic type and a method by means of which an improved connection of individual components, in particular vehicle body components, can be achieved.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a component assembly having the features of claim 1 and by a method for producing such a component assembly having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The component assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle body comprises at least two components, in particular body components, which have respective flanges connected to surface areas of the associated components and which are connected to one another in an overlapping manner in the region of the flange connection.

[0007] Here, in order to achieve a component composite structure in which a flat sealing and abutment surface without height changes can be achieved in a simple manner, for example, it is provided according to the invention that a groove which is sunken relative to the surface area of ​​the individual components adjacent to the flange is formed by the flange connection, and the groove is filled with a filler, in particular a plastic, up to the height of the area of ​​the component adjacent to the flange, wherein the two surface areas and the filler form an at least essentially flat sealing side.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, the flange connection is constructed so that a groove is realized by the flange connection, which groove is filled with a filler so that the filler and the surface area of ​​the respective adjacent flange form a preferably at least substantially flat surface or a sealing side, thereby forming a preferably at least substantially continuous surface of the component composite structure on the corresponding side of the component, which surface can, for example, be used as a sealing flange for fixing a battery housing of an energy storage device for supplying electrical energy to an electric drive device of a motor vehicle.

[0009] Therefore, according to the invention, at least one shell flange of the two components, but in particular both shell flanges, is designed to be recessed in the overlap area or the area of ​​the flange connection relative to a sealing plane located outside the flange area, which is formed by the surface area of ​​the adjacent flanges of the components. Accordingly, during the production of the component composite structure or the body or in the subsequent painting process, the corresponding grooves thus produced are backfilled with corresponding fillers (for example, materials applied in a pasty state, such as adhesives or PVC plastics) and then smoothed by manual or automated application. Due to the drying or hardening of the filler, a flat surface, i.e. a sealing surface, remains, which can be used, for example, as a flange for flat sealing contact without sudden changes in component height.

[0010] The at least two components are designed, for example and in particular, as sheet metal components, which are connected to one another, for example, by joining, in particular welding and further in particular by spot welding. However, any other connection technology between the two components is also conceivable. In addition, at least one of the two components can also be designed as an extruded profile, a cast component or the like. Other materials for the components are also conceivable.

[0011] Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous if the two flanges of the respective component are designed to be recessed relative to the respective adjoining surface area of ​​the respective component. This results in a particularly advantageous recessed overlap of the two components, which can be filled in a simple manner with a filler.

[0012] Alternatively, however, it is sufficient if only one of the two flanges of the respective component is designed to be recessed relative to the adjacent surface area, wherein the other of the two flanges extends at the level of the adjacent surface area or forms a plane with it. This also allows a particularly advantageous groove to be achieved, which can be backfilled with a filler material and thus achieves a flat sealing side.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if a flat sealing flange is formed by the component and the groove filled with a filler material. This sealing flange can be sealed particularly easily, for example, to a corresponding flange of a battery housing for an energy storage device of an electrically driven vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous if the flange connection extends transversely to the sealing flange formed by the two components and the groove filled with the filler material. Thus, on the one hand, corresponding design freedom can be achieved when designing and connecting the corresponding components of the vehicle body, and on the other hand, a particularly advantageous contact surface (sealing flange) can be achieved, against which the flange of the battery housing can be sealed, for example, in the manner described above.

[0015] The advantages described for the combined component assembly also apply to the method according to the invention.

[0016] Other features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description of the drawings and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or alone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail according to a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Shown in the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A bottom view of a detail of a vehicle body in the region of a floor structure is shown, wherein a plurality of components form the body and a window-like opening with a sealing flange which surrounds the body side is formed in the region between the respective lateral longitudinal beams and the front and rear cross beams, to which a battery housing for an energy storage device of an electric drive vehicle can be fixed by means of a corresponding surrounding corresponding flange; and three detailed views of the floor structure in the region of the surrounding sealing flange, in which region two components are respectively connected to one another, the two components having respective flanges connected to the surface region of the respective component, the flanges being connected to one another in the region of the flange connection, by means of which a sunken recess is formed, which recess is filled with a filler material up to the height of the surface region of the component adjoining the flange, in order thereby to form a flat sealing flange for fixing the battery housing;

[0019] Figure 2a An enlarged partial sectional view of a component assembly of individual components is shown, which are connected to one another by means of corresponding flange connections, forming a recessed groove, to which a filler is applied in a first method step;

[0020] Figure 2b Shows that according to Figure 2a a partial sectional view of a component assembly of a component assembly, wherein the filler has now been applied accordingly within the recess so that the surface area of ​​the flange to which the filler is connected with the adjacent flange of the respective sheet metal component forms an at least substantially flat sealing surface of the sealing flange, which is connected to the sealing flange on the battery housing side with a seal arranged in between; and

[0021] Figure 3 Shows that according to the alternative Figure 2a sectional view of a component assembly of the design of FIG. 1 with the filler material already applied but not yet applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 A floor structure 1 for a passenger car body is shown in a partial top view, from which the individual lateral longitudinal beams 2 can be seen in essence, which extend between a front wheelhouse 3 and a rear wheelhouse 4. The floor structure 1 also comprises a front cross member 5 as well as a first rear cross member 6 and a second rear cross member 7, at which the floor structure transitions into a rear compartment 8. The lateral longitudinal beams 2, the front cross member 5 and the rear cross member 7 form an opening around which a schematically indicated sealing flange 9 is formed on the outer circumference, at which a battery housing for an energy storage device of an electrically driven vehicle can be fastened to the underside of the floor structure 1 by means of a corresponding flange surrounding the battery housing in a manner that will be described in more detail below.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the battery housing (in particular its upper part) also forms the vehicle floor of the floor structure 1 or the vehicle floor of the passenger compartment arranged above the floor structure 1. For this reason in particular, it is absolutely necessary that the surrounding sealing flange 9 of the floor structure and the sealing flange of the battery housing, which will be explained in more detail below, form a sealed arrangement with the intervention of a seal in order to prevent water or similar moisture from penetrating from the outside into the interior of the vehicle.

[0024] exist Figure 1 , three detailed views of the left bottom view are shown in different directions. The component composite structure of the two components 10, 11 can be seen here, which are designed as sheet metal components in the present embodiment and have respective flanges 14, 15 connected to the surface areas 12, 13 and connected to each other in the area of ​​the flange connection 16.

[0025] These respective component composite structures are local and relative to Figure 1 The enlarged cross-sectional view is Figure 2a . It can be seen here that the two flanges 14, 15 or the flange connection 16 are recessed relative to the surface area 12, 13 of the respective sheet metal component 10, 11 located outside the flange connection 16, which sheet metal component at its upper side or sealing side 17 at least substantially forms a plane. In other words, at the overlapping area forming the flange area 16, a recess 18 (such as Figure 2a ) is backfilled with a filler 19, which is particularly a plastic, such as an adhesive or a PVC sealing material. Here, this filler 19 is particularly a material that can be applied in a paste form, which is preferably a plastic, such as an adhesive or a PVC sealing material. Figure 2a First, for example, it is applied in a corresponding weld bead in the region of the groove 18 .

[0026] Before applying the filler 19, the two sheet metal components 10, 11 are connected to each other in the region of their flanges 14, 15, for example by joining, in particular by welding and in particular by spot welding. After joining, the current sheet metal components 10, 11 are coated within the scope of painting (for example cathodic dip painting and / or other types of painting). Therefore, the filler 19 is preferably applied to the already painted sheet metal components 10, 11. However, it is also possible to apply the filler 19 to the still untreated sheets 10, 11 and then provide these sheets with a coating, for example painting or the like.

[0027] According to the diagram similar to Figure 2a A cross-sectional view of Figure 2b In a subsequent method step, the material applied in pasty form (i.e. filler material 19) is smoothed by manual or automatic spreading, so that the two surface areas 12, 13 of the sheet metal components 10, 11 and the filler material 19 form a flat, at least substantially flat surface on the sealing side 17 of the component composite. The curing of the pasty material can be achieved, for example, in an oven process or at room temperature. If necessary, the curing can also be achieved within the scope of cathodic dip varnishing.

[0028] according to Figure 2b , a flat flange region 16 without height changes remains, i.e. a uniformly flat sealing side 17 of the component composite structure, which in turn is partially formed in Figure 1 The individual sealing flanges 9 can be seen in FIG.

[0029] If it can also be Figure 2a and 2b Seen in Figure 2bWith the intervention of the seal 21 which can be seen in FIG, the sealing flange 20 of the battery housing for the energy storage device of the electrically driven vehicle extends at a distance from the sealing flange 9 with the sealing side 17. Since there is a constant gap without a sudden change in height in the area of ​​the flange connection 16 between the sealing side 17 of the component composite or the sealing flange 9 and the flange 20 of the battery housing, a flat sealing contact for the seal 21 is obtained on both sides, in particular on the sealing side 17 of the component composite 10, so that the seal cannot be separated locally or local non-contact of the seal 21 is effectively avoided.

[0030] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2a as well as Figure 2b It can be seen more clearly that in the present case the flange connection 16 extends essentially transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the sealing flange 9 which, together with the flange 20 , surrounds the seal 21 .

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 2a Similarly, a cross-sectional view of a component assembly of two sheet metal components 10, 11 according to another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, only the flange 14 of the left sheet metal component 10 is correspondingly recessed by modification or the like, while the other flange 15 of the other sheet metal component 11 is flat with the associated surface area 13 of the corresponding sheet metal component 11. Figure 2a In the embodiment, in order to form the groove 18, the two flanges 14, 15 are sunken or modified relative to the corresponding surface areas 12, 13, and according to Figure 3 , only one flange 14 is accordingly modified and recessed. Here, the flange 14 is recessed substantially downward by the wall thickness of the flange 15 or the wall thickness of the surface region 13 of the sheet metal component 11, so that after forming the flange connection 16, a component composite is obtained in which the two surface regions 12, 13 of the two sheet metal components 10, 11 and the flange 15 of the sheet metal component 11 are at least substantially located in one plane or form one plane on its sealing side 17.

[0032] Here again a groove 18 is obtained between the free end of the flange 15 and the deformation of the flange 14, which groove is similar to Figure 2a The backfilling is performed by the filler material 19. After the backfilling shown here, the filling material 19 is again applied manually or automatically so that the filler material 19 forms a flat surface 22 on its sealing side 17, which forms a congruent plane with the surface areas 12, 13 and the flange 15 on the sealing side 17.

[0033] Overall, therefore, a flat sealing flange 9 can also be realized with the described component assembly in order to achieve the advantages already described.

[0034] Reference numerals list

[0035] 1 Bottom plate structure

[0036] 2 Stringer

[0037] 3Front wheel housing

[0038] 4Rear wheel cover

[0039] 5Front beam

[0040] 6 Rear beam

[0041] 7 Second rear crossbeam

[0042] 8 rear compartment

[0043] 9 Sealing flange

[0044] 10 Plate components

[0045] 11 Plate components

[0046] 12 Surface area

[0047] 13 Surface area

[0048] 14 Flange

[0049] 15 Flange

[0050] 16 Flange connection

[0051] 17 Sealing side

[0052] 18 Grooves

[0053] 19 Filling

[0054] 20 Sealing flange

[0055] 21 Seals

[0056] 22 Flat Surface

Claims

1. A component composite for a vehicle body, comprising at least two components (10, 11), which have respective flanges (14, 15) connected to surface areas (12, 13), the flanges being connected to one another in the region of a flange connection (16), characterized in that The flange connection (16) forms a recess (18) which is sunken relative to the surface area (12, 13) adjoining the flanges (14, 15), which recess is filled with a filler (19) up to the height of the surface area (12, 13) of the component (10, 11) adjoining the flanges (14, 15), the two surface areas (12, 13) and the filler (19) forming an at least substantially flat sealing side (17).

2. The component composite structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two flanges (14, 15) are designed to be recessed relative to respectively adjacent surface areas (12, 13) of the components (10, 11).

3. The component composite structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the flanges (14, 15) is designed to be recessed relative to the adjacent surface area (12, 13), and the other of the flanges (14, 15) is at the same height as the adjacent surface area (12, 13).

4. The component assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that Plastic, in particular PVC plastic, is provided as filler (19).

5. The component assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A flat sealing flange (9, 20) is formed by the components (10, 11) and the groove (18) filled with a filler (19).

6. The component assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flange connection (16) extends transversely to the sealing flanges (9, 20).

7. The component assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The components (10, 11) are designed as sheet metal components.

8. A method for producing a component composite for a vehicle body, in which at least two components (10, 11) have respective flanges (14, 15) connected to surface areas (12, 13), the at least two components being connected to one another in the region of the flange connection (16), characterized in that: The flange connection (16) forms a recess (18) which is sunken relative to the surface area (12, 13) adjoining the flanges (14, 15), which recess is filled with a filler (19) up to the height of the surface area (12, 13) of the component (10, 11) adjoining the flanges (14, 15), wherein an at least substantially flat sealing side (17) is formed by means of the two surface areas (12, 13) and the filler (19).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The groove (18) is filled with the filler (19) after application of at least one layer of paint.

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