Threshold assembly for motor vehicle and motor vehicle having two threshold assemblies

Abstract

The invention relates to a sill assembly (200) for a motor vehicle, comprising: an outer hollow profile (210); an inner hollow profile (220) which is designed to be smaller in cross section than the outer hollow profile (210) and which is arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile (210); -at least one plastic element (230) arranged adjacent to the inner hollow profile (220) in the cavity of the outer hollow profile (210) in order to thereby support and fix the position of the inner hollow profile (220). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having two such sill assemblies (200) which are arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door sill assembly for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having two such door sill assemblies. Background Art

[0002] So-called sills or side skirts are components of the vehicle body which extend on the longitudinal side of the vehicle in the lower region of the body side wall, typically below the door cutout / door frame or door cutouts in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the front wheel arch and the rear wheel arch. The sill is usually composed of a plurality of components which form a so-called sill assembly. The sill or sill assembly is a component that is highly relevant to the crash.

[0003] DE 10 2005 043 698 A1, DE 10 2011 115 040 A1 and DE 10 2014 206 002 A1 are cited as the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved sill assembly which also offers advantages in particular with regard to production technology.

[0005] This object is achieved by a sill assembly according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a sill structure, according to claim 1. A further independent claim of the invention also relates to a motor vehicle having two sill assemblies according to the invention. Preferred embodiments and configurations of the invention are similarly derived for both inventive subjects from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (which also explicitly includes the features described as optional and exemplary) and the drawings.

[0006] The door sill assembly according to the present invention comprises at least the following components or parts:

[0007] -External hollow profiles;

[0008] - an inner hollow profile which is designed to be smaller in cross section than the outer hollow profile and is arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile; and

[0009] At least one plastic element is arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile adjacent to the inner hollow profile and is provided for supporting the inner hollow profile and fixing the position of the inner hollow profile.

[0010] Hollow profiles are elongated, hollow components that extend substantially in a straight line in the axial direction. Preferably, the outer hollow profile and / or the inner hollow profile have a closed hollow cross section. The outer hollow profile is preferably implemented in the form of a shell structure and preferably has two joined sheet shells, especially steel sheet shells (double shell structure). Preferably, the outer hollow profile is constructed with a cavity (single cavity profile). The inner hollow profile is preferably an extruded profile (multi-chamber extruded profile) that especially has a plurality of cavities. Preferably, it is an extruded aluminum profile or a multi-chamber extruded aluminum profile. The inner hollow profile can be at least partially additionally strengthened or reinforced, for example by foam filling or by at least one inserted, especially bonded reinforcement or reinforcement body, which is preferably formed of plastic, especially fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, and can at least partially have a honeycomb structure.

[0011] The threshold assembly according to the invention comprises an outer hollow profile with a larger cross-sectional dimension and an inner hollow profile with a smaller cross-sectional dimension, the outer hollow profile substantially forming the outer threshold and the inner hollow profile substantially forming the inner threshold. The inner hollow profile is arranged inside the outer hollow profile, wherein it is preferably provided that the inner hollow profile extends over almost the entire axial length of the outer hollow profile. The construction according to the invention formed by two hollow profiles, namely the outer hollow profile and the inner hollow profile arranged inside the outer hollow profile, improves the load-bearing capacity of the threshold assembly and in particular improves the bending stiffness of the threshold assembly. In addition, the inner hollow profile with a smaller cross-sectional dimension makes it possible to purposefully reinforce the threshold assembly in the cross-sectional area that is closely related to the load. In addition, the cavity or free space present in the outer hollow profile can be used as a deformation space.

[0012] In order to support the inner hollow profile in the outer hollow profile and also to maintain or fix the predetermined position of the inner hollow profile, in particular also under load, at least one plastic element is provided, which for this purpose is arranged adjacent to the inner hollow profile in the cavity of the outer hollow profile. The plastic element is arranged completely in the outer hollow profile without penetrating the wall of the outer hollow profile. "Adjacent" means, in particular, that the plastic element rests directly on the inner hollow profile and preferably a planar contact is achieved between the plastic element and the inner hollow profile, to which contact bonding can also be performed (see below). Preferably, the plastic element is arranged in such a way that at least one surface section of the inner hollow profile is spaced apart from the opposite inner side or inner surface of the outer hollow profile.

[0013] It is preferably proposed that the plastic element is formed only over a part of the length in the longitudinal direction of the door sill component, thereby achieving local support or retention of the inner hollow profile. The inner hollow profile is thus supported or retained in a specific area or at a specific location, and a plurality of plastic elements can also be provided here (see below).

[0014] The plastic element is a plastic body which, in addition to the supporting or retaining function, can also locally reinforce and / or strengthen the door sill assembly, in particular also improve the bending stiffness. The bending stiffness is particularly advantageous in the case of so-called small overlapping loads. Preferably, the plastic element is constructed and arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile in such a way that the plastic element can dissipate or transmit force in the event of a side impact. The plastic element preferably also has the property of absorbing collision energy. Preferably, the plastic element is formed of a thermoplastic, preferably a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, in particular a thermoplastic reinforced with long glass fibers. The plastic element is preferably an injection molded (structural) part. Preferably, the plastic element at least partially has a honeycomb structure, which extends in particular in the transverse direction, that is, the honeycomb is oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle. For this purpose, it is particularly provided that the honeycomb is constructed with a variable wall thickness, in particular so that when the honeycomb is oriented in the transverse direction, the wall thickness increases inwards (ie, toward the center of the vehicle) or decreases outwards, thereby achieving favorable force conduction and / or energy absorption characteristics.

[0015] Preferably, the inner hollow profile is arranged in the upper cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile and the at least one plastic element is arranged in the lower cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile so that the plastic element is located below the inner hollow profile and supports it approximately vertically.

[0016] It is preferably provided that the plastic element bears, in particular bears flatly, against the side wall of the outer hollow profile on the vehicle interior, that is, toward the center of the vehicle (to be precise, the inner side or inner surface of the side wall) and / or is spaced apart (in the transverse direction) from the opposite side wall of the outer hollow profile on the vehicle exterior. Thus, there is a gap or free space between the plastic element and the side wall on the vehicle exterior, which gap or free space can be used as deformation space.

[0017] Preferably, the plastic element is bonded to the inner hollow profile and / or the outer hollow profile, in particular to the surface. Preferably, a heat-activatable adhesive, that is to say one that can be activated by the action of heat (e.g. >140° C.) is used. The adhesive is preferably an expanding adhesive or an expanding adhesive, which expands, in particular under the action of heat, so as to fill existing gaps and in particular also achieve a force-locking and form-locking fastening between the outer hollow profile, the inner hollow profile and the plastic element. In the injection molding of the plastic element, the adhesive can be injection molded together as an additional component. The plastic element can first be temporarily fixed to the inner hollow profile and then inserted, in particular pushed, into the outer hollow profile together with the inner hollow profile. The curing and, if necessary, the expansion of the adhesive can be carried out during the cathodic dip painting process of the vehicle body, that is, in the KTL process.

[0018] A separate plastic element can be provided, which is preferably arranged approximately centrally in the longitudinal direction (of the sill assembly), thereby preventing the inner hollow profile from tilting. Preferably, a plurality of plastic elements are provided which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (of the sill assembly) and which can be designed identically or differently. The above and the following descriptions apply analogously. Preferably, provision is made for a plastic element to be provided in each case in the axially front region and in the axially rear region of the sill assembly, preferably spaced apart from the end faces of the outer hollow profile and / or the inner hollow profile, and for a further (third) plastic element to be arranged approximately centrally in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The motor vehicle according to the parallel independent claims has two sill assemblies according to the invention, which are arranged on or along opposite longitudinal sides of the motor vehicle. The sill assemblies are spaced apart in a transverse direction, i.e. in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and are in particular designed essentially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle. The motor vehicle is preferably a passenger car or a light truck. The motor vehicle preferably also has at least one driving battery or power battery (for an electric drive of the vehicle), which is arranged between the opposite sill assemblies and is protected by the sill assemblies.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, not only the features described above but also the features to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified feature combination but also in other feature combinations or individually. This also applies to the features shown in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is explained in detail below in a non-restrictive manner with reference to the drawings. The features shown in the drawings and / or explained below may also be general features of the invention regardless of a specific feature combination and improve the invention accordingly.

[0022] Figure 1 The right side of a motor vehicle is shown with a rocker assembly according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional diagram is shown according to Figure 1 The door sill assembly is cut along the cutting line (AA) shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] exist Figure 1 The motor vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a sill assembly 200 extending between the front wheel arch and the rear wheel arch in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x axis) on the longitudinal side of the vehicle. A second sill assembly is located on the opposite vehicle (left) side, which is designed essentially mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle.

[0025] As in Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the sill assembly 200 has an outer hollow profile 210 with a larger cross-sectional dimension and an inner hollow profile 220 with a smaller cross-sectional dimension. The outer hollow profile 210 is composed of two joined steel sheet (half) shells. The inner hollow profile 220 is a multi-chamber extruded aluminum profile. The inner hollow profile 220 is arranged in the upper cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile in the cavity of the outer hollow profile 210. In order to support the hollow profile or the inner hollow profile 220 located inside and fix it in position, a plastic element 230 adjacent to the inner hollow profile 220 is provided. The plastic element 230 is arranged in the cavity or inside the outer hollow profile 210 in the lower cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile, that is, the plastic element 230 is located below the inner hollow profile 220 with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle (z axis). The plastic element 230 has a honeycomb structure 231 oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle (y axis).

[0026] The upper side of the plastic element 230 is in contact with the lower side of the inner hollow profile 220 and the lower side of the plastic element is in contact with the lower inner side or inner surface of the outer hollow profile 210. In the vertical direction, the inner hollow profile 220 is supported on the outer hollow profile 220 to a certain extent by means of the plastic element 230. In addition, the plastic element 230 is surface-bonded to both the inner hollow profile 220 and the outer hollow profile 210 at the aforementioned contact surface by means of an adhesive K. When using an expanding adhesive K or an expanding adhesive (see above), a non-positive and positive fastening can be produced between the inner hollow profile 220, the plastic element 230 and the outer hollow profile 210 at least in the vertical direction.

[0027] As Figure 2 It can be seen that the plastic element 230 is in contact with the side wall 211 of the outer hollow profile 210 on the vehicle interior (left side according to the figure), wherein bonding can also be achieved here, and is spaced apart from the opposite side wall 212 of the outer hollow profile 210 on the vehicle exterior (right side according to the figure). In the event of a lateral force introduction F (side impact), the plastic element 230 below the inner hollow profile 220 forms an additional local load path to dissipate or transfer the force F and also serves as an energy absorption element at the latest when the gap or free space 240 is exhausted due to the deformation of the outer hollow profile 210. The crash behavior of the plastic element 230 can be adjusted in a targeted manner by means of the wall thickness or a change in the wall thickness.

[0028] Therefore, the plastic element 230 has multiple functions, namely, on the one hand, a supporting and retaining function for the inner hollow profile 220, and on the other hand, a reinforcing function, a force transmission function and / or an energy absorption function in the event of a collision. This can in particular achieve very good protection for the power battery 300 arranged between the opposite door sill components 200 of the motor vehicle 100, such as in Figure 2 As indicated in .

[0029] Preferably, the outer hollow profile 210 is designed to be continuous, and the inner hollow profile 220 extends approximately over the entire axial length of the outer hollow profile 210. For local support, a plurality of plastic elements 230 are preferably provided which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (x direction), i.e. centrally and in the end regions, such as in Figure 1 The plastic element 230 can have a length of a few millimeters up to several hundred millimeters in the longitudinal direction. Between the locally acting plastic elements 230, the inner hollow profile 220 can be largely freely deformed under load, wherein energy is dissipated or absorbed. Other features and implementation possibilities of the invention have already been described above.

Claims

1. A threshold assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100), the threshold assembly comprising: - an outer hollow profile (210); - an inner hollow profile (220) which is designed to be smaller in cross section than the outer hollow profile (210) and is arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile (210); - at least one plastic element (230) arranged in the cavity of the outer hollow profile (210) adjacent to the inner hollow profile (220) so as to thereby support the inner hollow profile (220) and fix the position of the inner hollow profile; in, The inner hollow profile (220) is arranged in the upper cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile (210), and the plastic element (230) is arranged in the lower cross-sectional area of ​​the outer hollow profile (210), so that the plastic element (230) is located below the inner hollow profile (220) and vertically supports the inner hollow profile (220), It is characterized in that The plastic element (230) has a honeycomb structure (231), wherein the plastic element (230) with the honeycomb structure is in contact with a side wall (211) of the outer hollow profile (210) on the inner side of the vehicle and is spaced apart from a side wall (212) of the outer hollow profile (210) on the outer side of the vehicle, so that a free space (240) is present between the plastic element (230) and the side wall (212) on the outer side of the vehicle, so that when a lateral force (F) is introduced, the plastic element (230) below the inner hollow profile (220) forms an additional local load path to eliminate or transfer the force (F) and also serves as an energy absorption element when the free space (240) is exhausted due to deformation of the outer hollow profile (210).

2. The door sill assembly (200) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The plastic element (230) is bonded to the inner hollow profile (220) and / or to the outer hollow profile (210).

3. The door sill assembly (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The plastic element (230) is an injection-molded part.

4. The door sill assembly (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A plurality of plastic elements (230) are provided spaced apart in a longitudinal direction (x).

5. The door sill assembly (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The outer hollow profile (210) is designed as a shell structure and / or the inner hollow profile (220) is an extruded profile.

6. A motor vehicle (100) having two rocker panels (200), which are arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle and are designed according to one of the preceding claims.

7. The motor vehicle (100) according to claim 6, comprising at least one power battery (300), which is arranged between opposite rocker elements (200).

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