Vehicle lower simill with reinforcement member

Abstract

The invention provides a lower side member of a vehicle. The lower side member comprises a lower side member outer part with a first convex cross section facing the outer side of the vehicle; a side sill inner member coupled to an inner side of the side sill outer member and having a second convex cross-section toward an inner side of the vehicle; and a reinforcing member disposed in a space between the lower side member outer member and the lower side member inner member, the reinforcing member including a plurality of thin plates made of the same material as the lower side member and joined to the lower side member by welding, the plurality of thin plates being joined to each other to form a closed cross section therebetween and disposed in the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle side member having a reinforcing member. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, a side sill is mounted on a lateral lower portion of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form a lateral lower structure of the vehicle.

[0003] See also Figure 1 The side beam 100 is formed by joining the upper end and the lower end of the side beam outer member 110 and the side beam inner member 120. The side beam outer member 110 has a convex cross section toward the outer side of the vehicle, and the side beam inner member 120 has a convex cross section toward the inner side of the vehicle.

[0004] The side sill 100 is connected to side end portions of members constituting the lower portion of the vehicle interior compartment, such as a seat cross member 142 , a center floor 143 , and the like.

[0005] The reinforcement member 130 may be applied to the inner side of the side sill 100 to improve the rigidity of the side sill 100. For example, by installing the reinforcement member 130 of an aluminum extrusion material between the side sill outer 110 and the side sill inner 120, the rigidity of the side sill 100 may be improved.

[0006] However, in recent years, the popularity of electric vehicles has been expanding, and a battery B of the electric vehicle is generally provided under a floor panel of the vehicle, and the battery B is mounted using mounting bolts 151. For this reason, the space of the side sill 100 is reduced, and thus the size of the reinforcement member 130 is reduced.

[0007] As described above, since the size of the reinforcement member 130 is reduced, when a side collision occurs, the load supported by the side sill 100 is reduced, and thus there is a problem that the side sill 100 intrudes into the vehicle compartment due to the side collision.

[0008] In addition, since the reinforcement member 130 is an aluminum material extrusion member, which is different from the side sill outer member 110 and the side sill inner member 120 made of a steel material, the reinforcement member 130 cannot be joined to the side sill outer member 110 and the side sill inner member 120 by welding. Accordingly, since an additional bracket is applied to install the reinforcement member 130 using methods such as bolting and drill screws (FDS), there is a problem of increased processes. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a vehicle side member with a reinforcement member. The specific embodiment relates to a vehicle side member with a reinforcement member, wherein the reinforcement member is installed inside the vehicle side member to support the collision load in case of a side collision and prevent the side member from intruding into the interior compartment of the vehicle.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle side sill having a reinforcing member of the same material as the side sill, which can be easily joined to the side sill and can support the collision load inside the side sill in a limited space to prevent the side sill from intruding into the interior compartment of the vehicle in a side collision.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a side beam of a vehicle having a reinforcing member may include: a side beam outer member having a convex cross-section toward the outside of the vehicle; a side beam inner member having a convex cross-section toward the inside of the vehicle and coupled to the inner side of the side beam outer member; and a reinforcing member disposed in a space between the side beam outer member and the side beam inner member, wherein the reinforcing member may include a plurality of thin plates made of the same material as the side beam to be joined together by welding, and wherein the plurality of thin plates are joined to each other to form a closed cross-section therebetween and are installed in the space.

[0012] The plurality of thin plates may include: an outer member formed to have a convex cross-section toward the outer side of the vehicle; an inner member disposed in the outer member on the inner side of the vehicle and forming a closed cross-section with the outer member; and a middle member disposed between the outer member and the inner member and dividing the closed cross-section formed by the outer member and the inner member, wherein the outer member, the inner member, and the middle member are joined to form a closed cross-section in a vehicle length direction.

[0013] A plurality of step portions may be formed on surfaces of the outer member, the inner member, and the middle member parallel to the ground, and the step portions may change the height of the surface in the length direction of the vehicle.

[0014] A plurality of step portions may be repeatedly formed on the surface at regular intervals along the length direction of the vehicle.

[0015] The plurality of step portions may alternately lower or raise the height of the surface parallel to the ground.

[0016] The outer member may include an upper surface extending toward the outside of the vehicle, a vertical surface extending downward from an outer end of the upper surface, and a lower surface extending toward the inside of the vehicle from a lower end of the vertical surface, wherein upper step portions and lower step portions having varying heights may be repeatedly formed on the upper surface and the lower surface at certain intervals along the length direction of the vehicle, respectively.

[0017] The inner member may include a horizontal surface extending inside the vehicle, and a step portion having a varying height may be formed on the horizontal surface.

[0018] The middle member may include an upper surface extending toward the outside of the vehicle, a vertical surface extending downward from an outer end of the upper surface, and a lower surface extending toward the inside of the vehicle from a lower end of the vertical surface and overlapping with a lower surface of an outer member to be joined, wherein upper step portions and lower step portions having varying heights may be repeatedly formed on the upper surface and the lower surface, respectively, at certain intervals along the length direction of the vehicle.

[0019] Upper and lower coupling portions may be formed at upper and lower ends of the outer, inner, and middle members and may be joined such that the outer, inner, and middle members may be integrated with each other.

[0020] The lower joint portion may be located closer to the vehicle inner side than the upper joint portion.

[0021] The upper joint portion and the lower joint portion may be joined to a front pillar inner lower part of the vehicle within a predetermined length from a front end portion of the reinforcement member.

[0022] An upper surface of the middle member may be formed within a predetermined length from a front end portion of the reinforcement member.

[0023] The upper coupling portion of the middle member may be directly connected to the vertical surface of the middle member at a position in the middle member exceeding a predetermined length from the front end portion of the reinforcement member.

[0024] The upper joint portion and the lower joint portion may be joined to the side sill inner member at a position exceeding a predetermined length from a front end portion of the reinforcement member.

[0025] In the outer member, an upper coupling portion may be formed to extend upward from an inner end portion of the upper surface, and a lower coupling portion may be formed to extend downward from an inner end portion of the lower surface.

[0026] In the inner member, an upper coupling portion may be formed to extend upward from an outer end portion of the horizontal surface, and a lower coupling portion may be formed to extend downward from an inner end portion of the horizontal surface.

[0027] In the outer member, an upper coupling portion may be formed to extend upward from an inner end portion of the upper surface, and a lower coupling portion may be formed to extend downward from an inner end portion of the lower surface.

[0028] A lower surface of the outer member may be located at the same height as a lower end portion of a seat cross member, a side end portion of the seat cross member being located inside the lower side sill inner member in the vehicle.

[0029] The outer member, the inner member and the middle member can be manufactured by cold stamping process of steel plates.

[0030] The thickness of the outer member may be greater than the thickness of the inner member, and the thickness of the inner member may be greater than the thickness of the middle member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lower longitudinal beam according to the prior art.

[0032] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member in a vehicle side sill having the reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a reinforcing member in a vehicle side sill having the reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 1 is a front view showing a state in which a reinforcing member is removed in a vehicle side sill having a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a reinforcing member of a vehicle side sill having a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention is joined to a side of a vehicle.

[0036] Figure 6 is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view taken along line II.

[0037] Figure 7 is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0038] Figure 8 2 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill to which a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, a vehicle side beam having a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] like Figure 8 As shown, a side sill 1 of a vehicle with a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a side sill outer member 10 having a convex cross-section toward the vehicle outer side, a side sill inner member 20 having a convex cross-section toward the vehicle inner side and joined to the inner side of the side sill outer member 10 , and a reinforcing member 30 installed between the side sill outer member 10 and the side sill inner member 20 .

[0041] The side sill inner 20 may be combined with the inner side of the side sill outer 10 , and the side sill 1 may become a lateral lower structural body of the vehicle having a hollow structure formed between the side sill outer 10 and the side sill inner 20 .

[0042] The side sill inner 20 may be adjacent to a side end portion of a seat cross member 42 disposed inside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and a bottom surface of the seat cross member 42 and the side sill inner 20 may be connected via a center floor 43 so that the seat cross member 42 and the side sill inner 20 may be connected.

[0043] The side sill outer member 10 may be joined to a lower portion of a center pillar of the vehicle.

[0044] The reinforcing member 30 may include a plurality of thin plates made of the same material as the side sill 1 to be joined by welding. The plurality of thin plates are joined to each other to form a closed section therebetween, and may be installed in a space formed by the side sill outer member 10 and the side sill inner member 20 to improve the rigidity of the side sill 1.

[0045] The cross section of the reinforcing member 30 may be formed in a closed cross section shape, and the reinforcing member 30 may be formed in the vehicle length direction. Since the reinforcing member 30 is installed inside the space formed by the side sill outer member 10 and the side sill inner member 20, the reinforcing member 30 may additionally support the collision load in the event of a side collision, thereby improving the rigidity of the side sill 1.

[0046] refer to Figures 2 to 4 The cross section of the reinforcing member 30 may be formed to have a closed cross section shape. The reinforcing member 30 may include an outer member 31, an inner member 32, and a middle member 33 processed from a metal plate, and the outer member 31, the inner member 32, and the middle member 33 may be joined to form a closed cross section in the vehicle length direction.

[0047] The outer member 31 may be formed to have a cross section convex to the vehicle outer side, and the inner member 32 may be disposed inside the vehicle from the outer member 31 and form a closed cross section with the outer member 31. The middle member 33 may be disposed between the outer member 31 and the inner member 32, and may divide the closed cross section formed by the outer member 31 and the inner member 32. Therefore, since the reinforcement member 30 has a plurality of closed cross sections, the rigidity of the side sill 1 may be increased.

[0048] In particular, a plurality of step portions 31c, 31f, 32c, 33c, and 33f whose heights vary in the length direction of the vehicle may be formed on respective surfaces parallel to the ground of the outer member 31, the inner member 32, and the middle member 33. The plurality of step portions 31c, 31f, 32c, 33c, and 33f may be formed in the length direction of the vehicle to alternately lower or raise the heights of the surfaces parallel to the ground, so that the rigidity of the outer member 31, the inner member 32, and the middle member 33 may be increased, respectively.

[0049] The outer member 31 , the inner member 32 , and the middle member 33 are described in detail below.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the outer member 31 may include an upper joint portion 31a perpendicular to the ground, an upper surface 31b extending from the lower end of the upper joint portion 31a to the vehicle outer side, a vertical surface 31d extending downward from the outer end of the upper surface 31b, a lower surface 31e extending from the lower end of the vertical surface 31d to the vehicle inner side, and a lower joint portion 31g extending downward from the inner end of the lower surface 31e. The outer member 31 may be formed into a "U"-shaped member cross-sectional structure similar to that formed by the upper surface 31b, the vertical surface 31d, and the lower surface 31e, which is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise.

[0051] In the outer member 31, an upper step portion 31c and a lower step portion 31f may be formed on the upper surface 31b and the lower surface 31e, respectively. Since in the outer member 31, the upper surface 31b and the lower surface 31e are substantially parallel to the ground, the upper step portion 31c and the lower step portion 31f may be formed on the upper surface 31b and the lower surface 31e. The upper step portion 31c may be formed in the vehicle width direction and may be repeatedly formed in the vehicle length direction. Therefore, the upper step portion 31c may alternately raise or lower the height "h" of the upper surface 31b in the vehicle length direction. For example, the upper surface 31b may be lowered in height by the upper step portion 31c, and then raised in height by the upper step portion 31c, so that the curved cross-sectional structure may be repeated by repeating the above-mentioned manner, thereby increasing the rigidity of the upper surface 31b. In the same manner, the lower step portion 31f may alternately raise or lower the height of the lower surface 31e in the vehicle length direction to increase the rigidity of the lower surface 31e.

[0052] The inner member 32 may include an upper joint portion 32a perpendicular to the ground, a horizontal surface 32b extending from a lower end of the upper joint portion 32a toward the vehicle interior, and a lower joint portion 32d extending downward from an end of the horizontal surface 32b. The inner member 32 may have a cross-sectional shape similar to an "L"-shaped member rotated 180 degrees formed by the horizontal surface 32b and the lower joint portion 32d.

[0053] Since the horizontal surface 32b is parallel to the ground in the inner member 32, the step portion 32c may be formed on the horizontal surface 32b. In the inner member 32, the step portion 32c may be formed on the horizontal surface 32b. Since the horizontal surface 32b repeatedly rises or decreases in height in the vehicle length direction by the step portion 32c, the rigidity of the horizontal surface 32b may be improved.

[0054] The middle member 33 may include an upper joint 33a perpendicular to the ground, an upper surface 33b extending from the lower end of the upper joint 33a to the vehicle outer side, a vertical surface 33d extending downward from the outer end of the upper surface 33b, a lower surface 33e extending from the lower end of the vertical surface 33d to the vehicle interior, and a lower joint 33g extending downward from the inner end of the lower surface 33e. The middle member 33 may have a cross section similar to a rotational "U"-shaped member formed by the upper surface 33b, the vertical surface 33d, and the lower surface 33e in a partial section, and may have a cross section similar to a rotational "L"-shaped member in a partial section.

[0055] Since the upper surface 33b and the lower surface 33e are parallel to the ground of the middle member 33, the upper step portion 33c and the lower step portion 33f can be formed on the upper surface 33b and the lower surface 33e, respectively. Since the upper surface 33b and the lower surface 33e in the middle member 33 are alternately raised or lowered in height along the vehicle length direction by the upper step portion 33c and the lower step portion 33f, the rigidity can be improved.

[0056] The outer member 31, the inner member 32, and the middle member 33 may form an integral structure of the reinforcing member 30 through the upper joints 31a, 32a, and 33a and the lower joints 31g, 32d, and 33g. The outer member 31, the inner member 32, and the middle member 33 may form the reinforcing member 30 by joining the upper joints 31a, 32a, and 33a with the lower joints 31g, 32d, and 33g by welding, brazing, bonding, or the like.

[0057] The reinforcement member 30 may be divided into the inner and outer sides of the vehicle based on the vertical surface 33d of the middle member 33 to form a first deformation section S1 and a second deformation section S2. Figure 7 As shown, in the portion where the reinforcement member 30 is joined to the side sill inner 20 , the first deformation section S1 and the second deformation section S2 may be formed based on the vertical surface 33 d of the center member 33 so that the reinforcement member 30 may support the vehicle width direction under the side collision load.

[0058] The lower joint portions 31 g , 32 d , and 33 g may be located closer to the vehicle inner side than the upper joint portions 31 a , 32 a , and 33 a .

[0059] The outer member 31 , the inner member 32 and the middle member 33 may be manufactured by cold stamping of steel plates.

[0060] In addition, among the outer member 31, the inner member 32 and the middle member 33, the outer member 31 may be formed as the thickest member, and the middle member 33 may be formed as the thinnest member. For example, the outer member 31 may be formed with a thickness of 1.4 mm, the inner member 32 may be formed with a thickness of 1.2 mm, and the middle member 33 may be formed with a thickness of 1.0 mm.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the outer member 31 , the inner member 32 , and the middle member 33 may be assembled in the vehicle width direction, and then the upper joint portions 31 a , 32 a , and 33 a and the lower joint portions 31 g , 32 d , and 33 g may be joined by welding to form the reinforcement member 30 .

[0062] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the outer member 31 and the middle member 33 are joined by welding in a state where the lower surface 33 e of the middle member 33 overlaps the lower surface 31 e of the outer member 31 .

[0063] When the reinforcement member 30 is obtained by joining the outer member 31 , the inner member 32 , and the middle member 33 to each other, the reinforcement member 30 may be assembled to the lateral lower portion of the vehicle.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the reinforcing member 30 may be joined to the side lower portion of the vehicle. For example, the reinforcing member 30 may be joined to the outer side of the assembly of the front pillar inner lower part 41 and the side sill inner part 20. The front side of the reinforcing member 30, that is, within a predetermined length from the front end of the reinforcing member 30, may be joined to the front pillar inner lower part 41, and the portion other than the front side of the reinforcing member 30, that is, the portion exceeding the predetermined length from the front end of the reinforcing member 30, may be joined to the side sill inner part 20. The reinforcing member 30 may be joined to the front pillar inner lower part 41 and the side sill inner part 20 using the upper joint parts 31a, 32a and 33a and the lower joint parts 31g, 32d and 33g.

[0065] Meanwhile, since the front pillar inner lower part 41 is located closer to the vehicle interior than the side sill inner part 20 , the upper joints 31 a , 32 a and 33 a can be located within a predetermined length from the front end of the reinforcement member 30 in the vehicle interior, rather than exceeding the predetermined length.

[0066] Therefore, the upper surface 33 b of the middle member 33 may be formed within a predetermined length from the front end of the reinforcing member 30 , and beyond the predetermined length, the upper coupling portion 33 a of the middle member 33 may be directly connected to the vertical surface 33 d of the middle member 33 .

[0067] Thereafter, the side sill outer member 10 may be joined to the outer side of the reinforcement member 30 .

[0068] Figure 8 1 shows a cross section of the side lower portion of the vehicle. The lower end of the reinforcement member 30, that is, the lower end of the outer member 31, may be located at the same height as the lower end of the seat cross member 42. Figure 8, it can be noted that the lower end of the outer member 31 and the lower end of the seat cross member 42 can be located on the LL line and thus can be located at the same height. In this way, a load path can be formed in the event of a side collision, through which the collision load is transmitted to the interior of the vehicle, thereby providing an effective structure for absorbing the collision load.

[0069] According to the vehicle side sill with the reinforcing member having the above-described configuration, since the outer member, the inner member and the middle member of the reinforcing member can be made of the same material as the side sill outer member and the side sill inner member, the reinforcing member can be joined by welding, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and shortening the manufacturing time.

[0070] Furthermore, since the outer member, the inner member and the middle member constituting the reinforcing member can be made of thin plates and joined to each other, the weight of the reinforcing member can be maintained at the same level as a reinforcing member having an extruded material, thereby not affecting the vehicle weight.

[0071] In addition, since the lower surface of the outer member coincides with the lower end portion of the seat cross member, and a step portion is formed in the outer member, the inner member and the center member in the vehicle width direction, the collision load input in the event of a side collision can be supported, thereby preventing the lower side member from intruding into the vehicle interior in the event of a side collision.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be noted that such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lower longitudinal beam of a vehicle, the lower longitudinal beam comprising: a side sill outer member having a first convex cross-section toward an outer side of the vehicle; a side sill inner member joined to an inner side of the side sill outer member and having a second convex cross-section toward an inner side of the vehicle; as well as A reinforcing member is provided in a space between the side sill outer member and the side sill inner member, the reinforcing member including a plurality of thin plates made of the same material as the side sill and capable of being joined to the side sill by welding, the plurality of thin plates being joined to each other to form a closed cross section therebetween and being provided in the space.

2. The side sill according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of thin plates include: an outer member having a third convex cross-section toward an outer side of the vehicle; an inner member disposed on the inner side of the vehicle in the outer member and forming a second closed cross section together with the outer member; and A middle member is provided between the outer member and the inner member and divides the second closed section formed by the outer member and the inner member, wherein the outer member, the inner member and the middle member are joined in the length direction of the vehicle to form the closed section. 3 . The side sill according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of step portions provided on surfaces of the outer member, the inner member and the middle member parallel to the ground, the step portions changing the height of the surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. The side sill according to claim 3, wherein: The step portions are repeatedly provided on the surface at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

5. The side sill according to claim 4, wherein: The step portion is provided to alternately lower or raise the height of the surface parallel to the ground.

6. The side sill according to claim 2, wherein: The first thickness of the outer member is greater than the second thickness of the inner member, and wherein the second thickness of the inner member is greater than the third thickness of the middle member.

7. A lower longitudinal beam of a vehicle, the lower longitudinal beam comprising: a side sill outer member having a first convex cross-section toward an outer side of the vehicle; a side sill inner member joined to an inner side of the side sill outer member and having a second convex cross-section toward an inner side of the vehicle; as well as a reinforcing member disposed in a space between the side sill outer member and the side sill inner member, the reinforcing member comprising a plurality of thin plates made of the same material as the side sill and capable of being joined to the side sill by welding, the plurality of thin plates being joined to each other to form a closed cross section therebetween and disposed in the space, and the plurality of thin plates comprising: an outer member having a third convex cross-section toward the outer side of the vehicle, the outer member comprising: an upper surface extending toward an outer side of the vehicle; a vertical surface extending downwardly from an outer end of the upper surface; a lower surface extending from a lower end portion of the vertical surface toward an inner side of the vehicle; and An upper step portion and a lower step portion having varying heights, the upper step portion and the lower step portion being repeatedly provided on the upper surface and the lower surface at regular intervals along the length direction of the vehicle, respectively; an inner member disposed on the inner side of the vehicle in the outer member and forming a second closed cross section together with the outer member; and A middle member is provided between the outer member and the inner member and divides the second closed section formed by the outer member and the inner member, wherein the outer member, the inner member and the middle member are joined in the length direction of the vehicle to form the closed section.

8. The side member according to claim 7, wherein: The inner member includes a horizontal surface extending inside the vehicle; and The horizontal surface has stepped portions having varying heights formed thereon.

9. The side sill according to claim 8, wherein: The middle member comprises: a second upper surface extending toward an outer side of the vehicle; a second vertical surface extending downwardly from an outer end of the second upper surface; a second lower surface extending from a lower end portion of the second vertical surface toward an inner side of the vehicle and overlapping with a lower surface of the outer member to be engaged therewith; and A second upper step portion and a second lower step portion having varying heights are provided on the second upper surface and the second lower surface at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively.

10. The lower side member according to claim 9, wherein: An upper joint portion and a lower joint portion are provided at the upper and lower ends of the outer member, the inner member and the middle member; and The upper joint portion and the lower joint portion are joined so that the outer member, the inner member, and the middle member are formed as one body.

11. The side sill according to claim 10, wherein: The lower joint portion is disposed closer to the inner side of the vehicle than the upper joint portion.

12. The side sill according to claim 10, wherein: The upper joint portion and the lower joint portion are joined to a front pillar inner lower member of the vehicle within a predetermined length from a front end portion of the reinforcement member.

13. The side sill according to claim 12, wherein: The second upper surface of the middle member is disposed within the predetermined length from the front end portion of the reinforcing member.

14. The side sill according to claim 12, wherein: The upper joint portion of the middle member is directly connected to the second vertical surface of the middle member at a position in the middle member beyond the predetermined length from the front end portion of the reinforcement member.

15. The side sill according to claim 10, wherein: The upper joint portion and the lower joint portion are joined to the side sill inner member at positions exceeding a predetermined length from a front end portion of the reinforcement member.

16. The side sill according to claim 7, wherein: The lower surface of the outer member is disposed at the same height as a lower end portion of a seat cross member whose side end is located on an inner side of the side sill inner member in the vehicle.

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