Seat cross-member arrangement of motor vehicle and motor vehicle having seat cross-member arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat cross-member arrangement of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a one-piece or multi-piece seat cross-member (22) which extends at least from a vehicle outer cross-member section (24) via a seat connection section (26) to a vehicle inner cross-member section (28), the seat connection section (26) extending at least over the width of a connection element (30) of a seat (32), the vehicle outer cross-member section (24) and the vehicle inner cross-member section (28) are each connected to the seat connection section (26) in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction), and wherein the vehicle inner cross-member section (28) is designed to have a moderate deformation force level for loads in the vehicle transverse direction, and wherein the vehicle outer cross-member section (24) and the vehicle inner cross-member section (28) are connected to the seat connection section (26) in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction). The moderate deformation force level is higher than the deformation force level in the vehicle outside cross member section (24) and lower than the deformation force level in the seat connection section (26).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat crossmember arrangement of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle having such a seat crossmember. In particular, the invention relates to a seat crossmember arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a seat crossmember extends in particular through or below the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0002] From patent document EP 3 190 033 A1 a motor vehicle floor structure of a motor vehicle is known, which is at least partially made of fiber-reinforced plastic in order to reduce the weight. The motor vehicle floor structure is combined with metal frame elements and metal crossmembers. The metal crossmembers serve to connect the vehicle seats to the vehicle body. No specific constructional form of the motor vehicle floor structure, the metal frame elements or the metal crossmembers in combination with the vehicle seats is described or shown.

[0003] From patent document US 2022 / 0144063 A1 a vehicle floor structure of a motor vehicle is known, which relates to a design for protecting a battery housing arranged below the passenger compartment. No constructional design of the vehicle floor structure in combination with the vehicle seats is described or shown for force effects from the outside in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0004] From patent document US 2017 / 0217297 A1 a protection structure of a motor vehicle is known, which extends from a side rocker panel arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle via two load paths to the central tunnel of the motor vehicle. One of the load paths leads past a seat crossmember, the other load path past the floor. The battery housing of the vehicle battery is arranged between the floor and the seat crossmember in the vehicle height direction, protected. No constructional design of the vehicle floor structure itself in combination with the vehicle seats is described or shown for force effects from the outside in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0005] The invention solves the technical problem of providing a seat crossmember arrangement of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having such a seat crossmember arrangement, which on the one hand has a light weight and on the other hand provides a high level of protection for a person sitting on a vehicle seat fixedly connected to the seat crossmember.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical problems are solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained in connection with the dependent claims.

[0007] The seat crossmember arrangement of a motor vehicle according to the application has a seat crossmember which is manufactured in one piece or in multiple pieces, which extends at least from a vehicle-outer-side crossmember section via a seat connection section to a vehicle-inner-side crossmember section, wherein the seat connection section extends at least over the width of a connection element of the seat. Furthermore, the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section and the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section are each connected to the seat connection section in the vehicle transverse direction. Here, the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section is designed in terms of construction to have a medium level of deformation force for loads in the vehicle transverse direction, which is higher than the level of deformation force in the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section and lower than the level of deformation force in the seat connection section. In other words, the application has a seat crossmember arrangement with a two-stage level of force. This makes it possible on the one hand to realize the seat crossmember with only a small component weight by lightweight design measures. On the other hand, due to this design, it is possible to improve the safety for persons being transported in the respective motor vehicle, since, after the energy has been absorbed in the vehicle-outer-side region, the seat connection section can be displaced in the direction of the vehicle center, in such a way that the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section is additionally at least partially compressed as well. The vehicle seat, which is fixedly connected to the seat crossmember, can thus be further displaced in the direction of the vehicle center, viewed in the vehicle transverse direction, and thus realize an additional survival space for persons sitting in the vehicle seat.

[0008] In a practical embodiment of the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application, the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is formed by the side sills, and / or the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is formed on the vehicle inner side of the side sills, viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. Depending on the spatial conditions in the respective motor vehicle in the vehicle transverse direction, the crossmember section with the lower level of deformation force can be formed at least partially or completely on the side sills themselves accordingly. Alternatively, or in addition, if the spatial conditions permit, the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is formed as a part of the crossmember which adjoins the side sills on the vehicle inner side.

[0009] Regardless of which of the above-mentioned variants is implemented, the crossmember is preferably fixedly connected to the side sills and extends over the entire vehicle width between the respective side sills in the vehicle transverse direction (y direction). A particularly torsion-resistant arrangement is thereby created between the side sills and the seat crossmember.

[0010] In another practical embodiment of the seat crossmember arrangement, in order to adjust the level of deformation forces in the vehicle inner crossmember section and / or in the vehicle outer crossmember section, constructional measures are provided. This refers in particular to a constructional adjustment of the crossmember, which either extends integrally with a constant cross-sectional profile from the right-hand side rocker to the left-hand side rocker. This can be achieved, for example, by forming suitable weak points in those regions which have a medium and a lower level of deformation forces. A lower level of deformation forces can be achieved, for example, by forming a hole pattern with larger through-holes, by larger recesses and / or by more intensive and / or larger embossings, and a medium level of deformation forces by forming medium-sized through-holes, medium-sized recesses and / or by a medium degree and / or medium size of embossings. Particularly preferred is a hole pattern with circular through-holes, wherein, in order to vary the level of force, the diameter size of the through-holes and / or the mutual spacing of the through-holes is preferably varied. Preferably, the through-holes have the same mutual spacing within the crossmember section, respectively.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the seat connection section, the vehicle inner crossmember section and / or the vehicle outer crossmember section can also be formed from separate elements, which have different cross-sectional geometries and / or different cross-sectional dimensions and / or different material thicknesses and / or are made of different materials, respectively. Thus, in order to adjust the level of deformation forces in the vehicle inner crossmember section and / or in the vehicle outer crossmember section, at least one separate element can also be arranged, respectively.

[0012] The separate elements are not only understood as those which absorb energy by plastic deformation, but also include relatively movable elements, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or other devices, which can be compressed when a certain, vehicle-lateral acting deformation force is exceeded and thus likewise allow a deformation. The advantage of such cylinders or other devices is that they can be moved back into the original position by applying a counterforce, so that the deformation caused by the collision is reversible and can be recovered. Thus, it is not necessarily necessary to replace the element after an accident. It can be sufficient to reset the relatively movable element to its original state.

[0013] In another practical embodiment of the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application, in order to adjust the level of deformation forces in the vehicle inner crossmember section and / or in the vehicle outer crossmember section, at least one tailor-welded blank is formed or arranged. In this respect, reference is made in particular to tailor-welded blanks (Tailored Welded Blanks), tailor-rolled blanks (Tailored Rolled Blanks), tailor-strips (Tailored Strips), tailor-tubes (Tailored Tubes) and tailor-orbitals (Tailored Orbitals), which are suitable in particular for the design and constructional design of the crossmember sections, either individually or in combination.

[0014] If in the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application the seat crossmember has the same profile height in the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section, the seat connection section and / or the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section, respectively, in particular when this applies in all of the mentioned sections, a constructionally preferred variant results, since in this way a compact design with a flat vehicle floor surface can be achieved. The same advantages also result if the individual crossmember sections have a reduced cross section which does not protrude upwards relative to the upper side of the adjacent section.

[0015] In another practical embodiment of the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application, in order to adjust the level of deformation forces in the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section and / or in the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section, the cross section of the at least one profile is variably configured in at least one dimension. In this way, in particular a stepless transition between the individual elements of a multipart formed seat crossmember can be produced, for example a transition in the vehicle height direction from the side sill via the outer-side crossmember section to the seat connection section, or a transition from the seat connection section via the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section to the intermediate section of the crossmember connected more inwardly in the vehicle.

[0016] The application relates in particular to a seat crossmember arrangement, wherein a battery housing with a traction battery is arranged below the seat crossmember. It is preferred here that the battery housing is designed in such a way that the battery cells arranged therein are not damaged when the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is deformed, or at least there is no risk of the battery cells catching fire as a result of the action of external forces.

[0017] In another practical embodiment of the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application, the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is designed relative to the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section in such a way that, under the action of forces acting on the seat crossmember from the outside in the vehicle transverse direction, compression of the vehicle-outer-side crossmember section is caused in a first deformation phase, and compression of the vehicle-inner-side crossmember section is caused only in a second deformation phase when there is still more energy to be dissipated.

[0018] For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the application also relates to a motor vehicle having a seat crossmember arrangement as described above. In this regard, reference is made in particular to a motor vehicle having two, three or four seat crossmember arrangements as described above, which extend parallel to one another for each vehicle seat or vehicle seat row. In this regard, reference is also made to a motor vehicle having one or more vehicle seats or vehicle seat rows, wherein one vehicle seat or a plurality of vehicle seats or vehicle seat rows is / are fixedly connected to the respective seat connection section.

[0019] Further practical embodiments of the application are explained below with reference to the drawings. In which:

[0020] Figure 1 a side view of a motor vehicle is shown, in which the area in which the seat crossmember arrangement according to the application can be located within the motor vehicle is marked with a dashed line,

[0021] Figure 2 schematic cross-sectional view in the motor vehicle y-z plane,

[0022] Figure 3 schematic diagram showing the deformation force level F Def schematic diagram showing the deformation path s of the cross member arrangement with varying cross member arrangement in the outer vehicle side cross member section, the seat connection section and the inner vehicle side cross member section,

[0023] Figure 4 schematic cross-sectional view in the motor vehicle y-z plane,

[0024] Figure 5 schematic cross-sectional view in the motor vehicle y-z plane,

[0025] Figure 6 schematic cross-sectional view in the motor vehicle y-z plane.

[0026] In Figures 1 to 6 In the coordinate system shown, the vehicle longitudinal direction (x direction) is indicated by x, the vehicle transverse direction (y direction) is indicated by y and the vehicle height direction (z direction) is indicated by z.

[0027] Figure 1 A side view of the motor vehicle 10 is shown. In particular, the front left wheel 12, the rear left wheel 14, the left side sill 16 extending from the front wheel 12 to the rear wheel 14, the front left door 18 and the rear left door 20 can be seen. Within the area V of the front door 18, which is indicated by a dashed line, and within the area H of the rear door 20, which is indicated by a dashed line, two cross member arrangements according to the application are arranged (not shown in Figure 1 ), which will be described in the following in connection with Figure 2 .

[0028] Figure 2 The cross member arrangement according to the application shown comprises a multi-piece manufactured cross member 22, which extends from a vehicle outer side cross member section 24 via a seat connection section 26 to a vehicle inner side cross member section 28. Here, the seat connection section 26 in the embodiment shown extends over a greater width than the distance over which the connection element 30 of the seat 32 extends in the vehicle transverse direction (y direction). In the embodiment shown, the width of the seat connection section 26 is also chosen to be greater than the maximum width of the seat 32.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle-outer-side beam section 24 and the vehicle-inner-side beam section 28 are each connected directly to the seat connection section 26 in the vehicle transverse direction. In the illustrated embodiment, a beam intermediate section 40 is connected more inwardly of the vehicle-inner-side beam section 28. A battery housing 42 is arranged below the seat beam 22 and the side sill 16. The battery housing is an optional element here, i.e. the seat beam arrangement can also be implemented in a motor vehicle independently of the battery housing 42.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle-outer-side beam section 24 is considered to extend beyond the side sill 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the side sill 16 is formed by two half-shells 34, 36 which are connected to one another by a flange. The connection is configured in particular as a welded connection. A crash energy-absorbing element 38 is arranged inside the side sill 16.

[0031] In the case of a pile 44 or other obstacle acting from the outside on the seat beam arrangement in the direction of the arrow F, the vehicle-inner-side beam section 28 is designed structurally for a medium level of deformation force, which is higher than the level of deformation force of the vehicle-outer-side beam section 24 and lower than the level of deformation force of the seat connection section 26. This design is intended to make it so that the kinetic energy input into the beam arrangement by the action of the pile 44 is first of all absorbed only by the deformation of the vehicle-outer-side beam section 24. This is preferably achieved in a first deformation phase by plastic deformation of the vehicle-outer-side beam section 24, preferably by a crumple buckling or other deformation, until the block size is reached. If the block size is reached and there is still kinetic energy to be dissipated, then in a second deformation phase the vehicle-inner-side beam section 28 is compressed completely or partially in order to dissipate further kinetic energy. Here, the seat 32 is displaced further in the direction of the vehicle centre as a result of this compression, thereby further protecting the person sitting on the seat 32 from the intrusion of the pile 44. By means of the seat beam arrangement according to the application, from the second deformation phase onwards, the living space for the person is displaced in the direction of the vehicle centre, thereby further improving the safety and survival probability for the person sitting on the seat 32.

[0032] In Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the level of deformation force in the entire vehicle-outer-side beam section 24, which in this embodiment also includes the side sill 16, is a relatively low force level LI, for example in the range from 100 kN to 1000 kN.

[0033] In the vehicle-inner-side beam section 28, the level of deformation force is designed as a medium force level L2, which is higher than the force level LI, for example in the range from 1000 kN to 2000 kN.

[0034] In the seat connection section 26, the deformation force level is designed to be a high force level L3, which is higher than the force level L2. In the middle section 40 of the crossbeam, the deformation force level is also preferably higher than the force level L2, for example, L3.

[0035] These force levels L1, L2, and L3 are... Figure 3 The visualization is shown in the chart.

[0036] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, force levels L1, L2, and L3 are formed by suitable hole patterns 46 in the respective beam sections 28, 24. These are in Figure 2 The image is shown only schematically.

[0037] exist Figures 4 to 6 Further embodiments of the seat beam assembly according to the invention are shown, wherein for the same or at least functionally identical elements, the same as those shown are used. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a cylinder 48 is arranged in the inner seat crossbeam section 28 of the vehicle, the cylinder being configured with a force level L2 higher than the force level L1 required for plastic deformation in the outer seat crossbeam section 24 of the vehicle. This cylinder 48 can be, in particular, a hydraulic or pneumatic damper.

[0039] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, a welded plate 50 (shown schematically only) is arranged in the inner seat crossbeam section 28 of the vehicle, which is set to a force level L2 higher than the force level L1 required for plastic deformation in the outer seat crossbeam section 24 of the vehicle. A welded plate 52 is also arranged in the outer seat crossbeam section 24 of the vehicle.

[0040] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, a profile with a cross-section A2 (shown only schematically) is arranged in the inner seat crossbeam section 28, which is larger than the cross-section A1 in the outer seat crossbeam section 24. The cross-section A3 in the seat connection section 26 is also larger than cross-section A2. Cross-sections A1, A2, and A3 are selected such that the force level for plastic deformation is L1 in the outer seat crossbeam section 24, L2 in the inner seat crossbeam section 28, and L3 in the seat connection section 26, respectively, resulting in plastic deformation.

[0041] The features of the invention disclosed in this specification, the accompanying drawings, and the claims can be used individually and in any combination as the basis for implementing the invention in different embodiments. The invention can be varied according to the claims, taking into account the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0042] In particular, it is noted in this regard that the design solutions mentioned in the embodiments, which are described by separate elements, can be combined with one another at will and can also be applied individually to other seat crossmember sections as required.

[0043] List of reference signs

[0044] 10 motor vehicle

[0045] 12 front wheels

[0046] 14 rear wheels

[0047] 16 side sills

[0048] 18 front doors

[0049] 20 rear doors

[0050] 22 seat crossmember

[0051] 24 vehicle-outer-side crossmember section

[0052] 26 seat connection section

[0053] 28 vehicle-inner-side crossmember section

[0054] 30 connection element

[0055] 32 seat

[0056] 34 half-shell

[0057] 36 half-shell

[0058] 38 crash energy-absorbing element

[0059] 40 crossmember intermediate section

[0060] 42 battery housing

[0061] 44 column

[0062] 46 hole pattern

[0063] 48 cylinder (in particular hydraulic or pneumatic damper)

[0064] 50 spot-welded panel

[0065] 52 spot-welded panel

Claims

1. A seat crossmember arrangement of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a seat crossmember (22) manufactured in one piece or in multiple pieces, which extends at least from a vehicle-outer side crossmember section (24) via a seat connection section (26) to a vehicle-inner side crossmember section (28), wherein The seat connection section (26) extends at least over the width of the connection element (30) of the seat (32), and wherein the vehicle outer cross member section (24) and the vehicle inner cross member section (28) are each connected to the seat connection section (26) in the vehicle transverse direction (y direction), characterized in that the vehicle inner cross member section (28) is designed in its construction to have a medium level of deformation force for a load in the vehicle transverse direction, which is higher than the level of deformation force in the vehicle outer cross member section (24) and lower than the level of deformation force in the seat connection section (26).

2. A seat track arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The vehicle outer cross member section (24) is formed by the side sill (16) and / or on the vehicle inner side of the side sill (16) viewed in the vehicle transverse direction.

3. A seat track arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to adjust the level of deformation force in the vehicle inner cross member section (28) and / or in the vehicle outer cross member section (24), a constructional measure is provided.

4. Seat beam arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to adjust the level of deformation force in the vehicle inner cross member section (28) and / or in the vehicle outer cross member section (24), at least one separate element is arranged.

5. A seat track arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to adjust the level of deformation force in the vehicle inner cross member section (28) and / or in the vehicle outer cross member section (24), at least one tailor-welded blank (50, 52) is provided or arranged.

6. A seat track arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The seat cross member (22) has the same profile height in the vehicle outer cross member section (24), the seat connection section (26) and / or the vehicle inner cross member section (28), respectively.

7. A seat track arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to adjust the level of deformation force in the vehicle inner cross member section (28) and / or in the vehicle outer cross member section (24), at least one profile cross section is variably designed in at least one dimension.

8. Seat beam arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A battery housing (42) of a traction battery is arranged below the seat cross member (22).

9. Seat beam arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The vehicle outer cross member section (24) is designed relative to the vehicle inner cross member section (28) such that, in the event of a force acting from the outside on the seat cross member (22) in the vehicle transverse direction, a compression of the vehicle outer cross member section (24) is caused in a first deformation phase and a compression of the vehicle inner cross member section (28) is caused only in a second deformation phase when there is still more energy to be dissipated.

10. Motor vehicle with a seat cross member arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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