Threshold structure for vehicle and vehicle
By introducing hook features into the vehicle sill structure, the problem of severe sill structure deformation during side collisions is solved, achieving better collision energy absorption and structural strength, and protecting the safety of the passenger compartment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VOLVO CAR CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
In existing vehicles, the front doors, rear doors, and B-pillars related to the sill structure deform severely in side-impact tests and real-world side-impact events, failing to effectively protect the passenger compartment.
Design a vehicle door sill structure including an inner part, an outer part, and a reinforcing part. The outer part and the inner part form a cavity. A hook feature is provided below the reinforcing part to push the reinforcing part to turn when the outer part deforms, thereby improving the collision buffering capacity.
The design of the hook feature significantly reduces the deformation of the front door, rear door, and B-pillar during a side collision, improves the collision energy absorption capacity and the strength of the outer components, and protects the passenger compartment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224159328U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a sill structure for a vehicle and a vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] According to the law, in different countries or regions, all new vehicles must pass some kind of safety test and certification process before they are sold, such as the IIHS 2.0 side impact test, which ensures that the new vehicles exhibit excellent crashworthiness in side impact events during real-world use. Utility Model Content
[0003] One objective of this invention is to provide an improved sill structure and vehicle that can significantly reduce the deformation of the front door, rear door, and B-pillar associated with the sill structure, both in side-impact tests and in real-world side-impact events, thereby preventing intrusion into the vehicle's passenger compartment.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a door sill structure for a vehicle is provided, comprising an inner part, an outer part, and a reinforcing part, the reinforcing part being suspended in a cavity formed by the outer part and the inner part, the outer part having a hook feature located below the reinforcing part, the hook feature being close to the reinforcing part below the reinforcing part, so as to push the reinforcing part to turn in accordance with the deformation of the outer part when the outer part is deformed due to a lateral impact and contacts the reinforcing part.
[0005] Optionally, the hook feature is configured as one or more additional profiles that are connected in the cavity to the portion of the outer component and each additional profile has a raised shape pointing from below the reinforcing component toward the reinforcing component.
[0006] Optionally, the hook feature is configured as a plurality of additional profiles distributed along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure on the portion of the outer component.
[0007] Optionally, the hook feature is configured to be formed by said portion of the outer member and have one or more raised shapes pointing from below the reinforcing member toward the reinforcing member.
[0008] Optionally, the hook feature is configured to have a plurality of raised shapes, which are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure on the portion of the outer member.
[0009] Optionally, the reinforcing member includes a tubular member having opposing first and second sides, the first side being close to or in contact with the outer member and the second side being close to the inner member, and the tubular member also including a third and fourth side extending laterally and located between the first and second sides, the third side being above the fourth side and the hook feature being below the fourth side and close to the fourth side.
[0010] Optionally, the tubular component has an inner cavity, and the tubular component further includes a first support and / or a second support located in the inner cavity, the first support extending between a first side and a second side, and the second support extending between a third side and a fourth side.
[0011] Optionally, the sill structure for a vehicle also includes a plurality of brackets distributed along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure. Each bracket includes a first tab and a second tab extending at an angle relative to the first tab. The first tab is attached to an inner member below a reinforcing member in a cavity, and the second tab is attached to a portion of a fourth side of the reinforcing member near the second side in a cavity.
[0012] Optionally, the reinforcing component is located in the upper part of the cavity.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided which includes the above-described sill structure for a vehicle.
[0014] The sill structure and vehicle provided by this utility model, by incorporating a hook feature, allows the outer component to "hook" and push the reinforcing component to conform to the deformation of the outer component when it is subjected to a lateral collision and deforms and comes into contact with the reinforcing component. This improves the collision buffering capacity or collision energy absorption capacity of the sill structure, especially the reinforcing component, and reduces the deformation of the front door, rear door, and B-pillar associated with the sill structure. Simultaneously, the hook feature also increases the strength of the outer component.
[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a side view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 It can be used Figure 1A schematic diagram of a cross-section taken along line AA of a sill structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 3 It can be used Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cross-section taken along line AA of another sill structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An exploded three-dimensional diagram of the threshold structure. Detailed Implementation
[0021] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0022] Technologies and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0023] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0024] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.
[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 10 may include a sill structure 12 forming part of vehicle 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, the L-axis in an orthogonal coordinate system represents the longitudinal direction of vehicle 10 or sill structure 12, pointing forward along the L-axis towards the forward direction of vehicle 10 and backward along the L-axis away from the forward direction of vehicle 10; the T-axis represents the lateral direction of vehicle 10 or sill structure 12, pointing inward along the T-axis towards the longitudinal section of the centerline of vehicle 10 and outward along the T-axis away from the longitudinal section of the centerline of vehicle 10; the V-axis represents the vertical direction of vehicle 10 or sill structure 12, pointing upward along the V-axis towards the roof and downward along the V-axis away from the roof. Although Figure 1 Only one lateral side is visible, but sill structures 12 are usually provided on both lateral sides of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the sill structures 12 are located below the front door opening 14 and the rear door opening 16, and are associated with the front door for opening and closing the front door opening 14 and the rear door for opening and closing the rear door opening 16, as well as the B-pillar located between the front door opening 14 and the rear door opening 16.
[0026] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the sill structure 12 mainly includes an outer component 18, an inner component 20, and a reinforcing component 22. The inner component 20 is positioned inward relative to the outer component 18 and is attached to the vehicle floor and / or seat crossbeams in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The outer component 18 points outward and can be attached to additional outer panel components (not shown). The reinforcing component 22 is positioned between the outer component 18 and the inner component 20, specifically, the reinforcing component 22 is suspended in a cavity 21 formed by the outer component 18 and the inner component 20. The outer component 18, the inner component 20, and the reinforcing component 22 extend longitudinally for a portion, a major portion, or the entire length of the sill structure 12.
[0027] The outer component 18 may include an outer first flange 18a, an outer shoulder 18b, an outer body 18c, an outer leg 18d, and an outer second flange 18e connected in sequence. The inner component 20 may include an inner first flange 20a, an inner shoulder 20b, an inner body 20c, an inner leg 20d, and an inner second flange 20e connected in sequence.
[0028] As in Figure 2 As seen in the cross-section of the threshold structure 12 shown, each of the outer first flange 18a and the inner first flange 20a extends substantially vertically or has a substantially vertically extending first engagement surface, and can be joined together, for example by spot welding or laser welding, to join the outer first flange 18a and the inner first flange 20a, or to join the first engagement surface of the outer first flange 18a and the first engagement surface of the inner first flange 20a together.
[0029] Then, one end of the outer shoulder 18b connects to the lower end of the outer first flange 18a, and the outer shoulder 18b extends substantially laterally from the lower end of the outer first flange 18a, or extends outward at a slight downward angle relative to the lateral direction. One end of the inner shoulder 20b connects to the lower end of the inner first flange 20a, and the inner shoulder 20b extends inward at a slight downward angle relative to the lateral direction from the lower end of the inner first flange 20a, so that the outer shoulder 18b and the inner shoulder 20b gradually diverge from said end of the outer shoulder 18b or the inner shoulder 20b. The inner shoulder 20b may be attached to the seat crossbeam on the side opposite to the cavity 21 or on the inner side, but this is not necessary.
[0030] Then, the upper end of the outer body 18c is connected to the other end of the outer shoulder 18b away from the outer first flange 18a, and the outer body 18c extends substantially vertically from the other end of the outer shoulder 18b away from the outer first flange 18a, or extends slightly outward and / or inward relative to the vertical direction. The upper end of the inner body 20c is connected to the other end of the inner shoulder 20b away from the inner first flange 20a, and the inner body 20c extends substantially vertically from the other end of the inner shoulder 20b away from the inner first flange 20a, or extends slightly inward and / or outward relative to the vertical direction. Thus, the outer body 18c and the inner body 20c substantially define most of the volume of the cavity 21. The outer body 18c may be attached to the vehicle floor on the side opposite to the cavity 21, or on its outer side, but this is not mandatory. Then, one end of the outer leg 18d is connected to the lower end of the outer body 18c away from the outer shoulder 18b, and the outer leg 18d extends inward from the lower end of the outer body 18c away from the outer shoulder 18b with a slight downward inclination relative to the lateral direction. One end of the inner leg 20d is connected to the lower end of the inner body 20c away from the inner shoulder 20b, and the inner leg 20d extends outward from the lower end of the inner body 20c away from the inner shoulder 20b with a slight downward inclination relative to the lateral direction, so that the outer leg 18d and the inner leg 20d gradually converge from the said end of the outer leg 18d or the said end of the inner leg 20d.
[0031] Then, the upper end of the outer second flange 18e is connected to the other end of the outer leg 18d away from the outer body 18c, and the outer second flange 18e extends substantially vertically from the other end of the outer leg 18d away from the outer body 18c, or in other words, the outer second flange 18e has a substantially vertically extending second mating surface. The upper end of the inner second flange 20e is connected to the other end of the inner leg 20d away from the inner body 20c, and the inner second flange 20e extends substantially vertically from the other end of the inner leg 20d away from the inner body 20c, or in other words, the inner second flange 20e has a substantially vertically extending second mating surface. The outer second flange 18e and the inner second flange 20e, or the second mating surface of the outer second flange 18e and the second mating surface of the inner first flange 20a, can be joined together, for example, by spot welding or laser welding.
[0032] The reinforcing member 22 may include a tubular member having an inner cavity 23, particularly as in Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the threshold structure 12, the reinforcing member 22 may include opposing first side 22a and second side 22b, the first side 22a being close to or in contact with the outer member 18, and the second side 22b being close to the inner member 20. For example, the first side 22a may extend substantially vertically and / or extend slightly outward and / or inward from its upper end relative to the vertical direction, and the second side 22b may extend substantially vertically and / or extend slightly inward and / or outward from its upper end relative to the vertical direction. The tubular component may also include a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d located between the first side 22a and the second side 22b, with the third side 22c facing each other and the third side 22c above the fourth side 22d. For example, one end of the third side 22c may be connected to the upper end of the second side 22b, and the third side 22c extends substantially laterally, or extends slightly upward or downward relative to the lateral direction from the upper end of the second side 22b, so that the other end of the third side 22c is connected to the upper end of the first side 22a. Similarly, one end of the fourth side 22d may be connected to the lower end of the second side 22b, and the fourth side 22d extends substantially laterally, or extends slightly upward or downward relative to the lateral direction from the lower end of the second side 22b, so that the other end of the fourth side 22d is connected to the lower end of the first side 22a. In practice, the shape of the tubular component is not limited; it may conform to the shape of a portion of the cavity 21 (e.g., the upper portion), or it may have its own specific shape where conditions permit.
[0033] Here, “slightly” modifying “tilt” can indicate that the degree of “tilt” is between 0° and 20°.
[0034] Optionally, the tubular component may further include a first support 25a and / or a second support 25b located in the inner cavity 23, wherein the first support 25a extends between a first side 22a and a second side 22b, and the second support 25b extends between a third side 22c and a fourth side 22d. Here, the number, direction of extension, and shape of the first support 25a and / or the second support 25b are not limited, but the function of the first support 25a and / or the second support 25b is to increase the strength of the reinforcing component 22.
[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the reinforcing member 22 is basically suspended in the upper part of the cavity 21. That is to say, compared with the distance between the third side 22c of the reinforcing member 22 and the virtual lateral line L1 passing through the upper end of the outer body 18c and / or the upper end of the inner body 20c (which may be negative, i.e., the reinforcing member 22 crosses the virtual line L1), the distance between the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 and the virtual lateral line L2 passing through the lower end of the outer body 18c and / or the lower end of the inner body 20c is significantly longer.
[0036] The outer component 18, inner component 20, and reinforcing component 22 can be extruded profiles. For example, the reinforcing component 22 can be an extruded aluminum profile to reduce the weight of the sill structure 12. Generally, the strength of the outer component 18 can be lower than that of the inner component 20. When the outer component 18 is subjected to a side impact directly or indirectly (e.g., in a side impact test or in a side impact event during actual use), the outer component 18 deforms, and the outer body 18c remains in contact with or becomes in contact with the first side 22a of the reinforcing component 22. Thus, the impact energy is converted into deformation energy and is therefore mainly buffered or absorbed by the outer component 18 and the reinforcing component 22. Meanwhile, the inner component 20, due to its higher strength, can inhibit buckling of the sill structure 12 or inhibit objects such as pillars or rods from piercing the sill structure 12.
[0037] Although the outer body 18c remains in contact with or becomes in contact with the first side 22a of the reinforcing member 22 when the outer member 18 is subjected to a lateral impact, the distance between the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 and the virtual lateral line L2 passing through the lower end of the outer body 18c and / or passing through the lower end of the inner body 20c is so long that the distance between the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 and the outer leg 18d is only longer. Therefore, the reinforcing member 22 is only subjected to the normal compression force on the first side 22a caused by the deformation of the outer member 18. Under such force, the reinforcing member 22 mainly buffers the impact or absorbs the impact energy by deforming.
[0038] Here, the threshold structure 12 provided by this utility model also includes a hook feature, which can be connected to the outer body 18c in the cavity 21 as an additional profile 24a, or connected to the outer body 18c and the outer leg 18d respectively, so that the hook feature is disposed on a portion of the outer member 18 located below the reinforcing member 22 (i.e., the portion of the outer member 18 includes a portion of the outer body 18c, or includes a portion of the outer body 18c and a portion of the outer leg 18d), and the hook feature is close to the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22, especially the lower end of the fourth side 22d close to the first side 22a. When the hook feature includes an additional profile 24a, the additional profile 24a can have the same length as the portion of the outer member 18 in the longitudinal direction. When the hook feature includes multiple additional profiles 24a, the multiple additional profiles 24a can be distributed longitudinally on the portion of the outer member 18. Optionally, the multiple additional profiles 24a can be evenly distributed on the portion of the outer member 18 with their own longitudinal length as the interval length. In this way, when the outer member 18 is subjected to a lateral impact, the outer body 18c remains in contact with or becomes in contact with the first side 22a of the reinforcing member 22, while the hook feature deforms to contact the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 from below. Thus, the hook feature can "hook" and push the reinforcing member 22 to turn in accordance with the deformation of the outer member 18 (in Figure 2 and Figure 3 (The direction of the turn is counterclockwise), thereby further improving the collision buffering capacity or collision energy absorption capacity of the reinforced component 22, thus reducing the deformation of the front door, rear door, and B-pillar of the vehicle 10 associated with the sill structure 12. Figure 2 In this design, the hook feature has a raised shape pointing from below the reinforcing member 22 towards the reinforcing member 22. The highest (upper) point of the raised shape in the vertical direction is significantly closer to the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 than the outer leg 18d, so as to deform in time and contact the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 from below when the outer member 18 is subjected to a lateral impact. It can be understood that the hook feature can also have other specific shapes as long as it can "hook" and push the reinforcing member 22 by deformation.
[0039] Alternatively, with Figure 2 The threshold structure 12 shown is different from the one shown. Figure 3The hook feature of the sill structure 12 shown is formed by a portion 24b of the outer member 18 located below the reinforcing member 22. That is, the portion 24b of the outer member 18 is located between the lower end of the outer body 18c and one end of the outer leg 18d. Alternatively, the portion 24b of the outer member 18 may replace the outer leg 18d and connect to the outer body 18c and the outer second flange 18e respectively. The portion 24b of the outer member 18 can be formed, for example, by stamping one or more raised shapes pointing from below the reinforcing member 22 towards the reinforcing member 22, with the highest (upper) point of the raised shapes in the vertical direction close to the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22, to reduce the manufacturing cost of the hook feature. Figure 3 As shown, the reinforcing member 22 is basically suspended in the upper part of the cavity 21. That is, compared to the distance between the third side 22c of the reinforcing member 22 and the virtual lateral line L1 passing through the upper end of the outer body 18c and / or the upper end of the inner body 20c, the distance between the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 and the virtual lateral line L3 passing through the lower end of the inner body 20c is significantly longer. Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of raised shapes are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction on the portion 24b of the outer member 18. Optionally, the plurality of raised shapes are formed at uniform intervals along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure 12 on the portion 24b of the outer member 18. It can be understood that the strength of the outer member 18 can also be increased by, for example, forming the plurality of raised shapes by stamping.
[0040] Return to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Optionally, the sill structure 12 may also include a plurality of supports 26 distributed along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure 12 to attach the reinforcing member 22 to the inner member 20.
[0041] For example, each support 26 includes a first tab 26a and a second tab 26b extending at an angle relative to the first tab 26a. The first tab 26a is attached in the cavity 21 below the reinforcing member 22 to the inner member 20, such as the inner body 20c of the inner member 20. The second tab 26b is attached in the cavity 21 to a portion of the fourth side 22d of the reinforcing member 22 near the lower end of the second side 22b. The angle between the first tab 26a and the second tab 26b can be varied so that the reinforcing member 22 adapts to the cavity 21, particularly the upper portion of the cavity 21. It is understood that the presence of the angle helps the reinforcing member 22 to align with the deformation of the outer member 18.
[0042] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A door sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising an inner component (20), an outer component (18), and a reinforcing component (22), characterized in that, The reinforcing member (22) is suspended in the cavity (21) formed by the outer member (18) and the inner member (20). A portion of the outer member (18) located below the reinforcing member (22) is provided with a hook feature. The hook feature is located below the reinforcing member (22) and close to the reinforcing member (22) so as to push the reinforcing member (22) to turn in accordance with the deformation of the outer member (18) when the outer member (18) is deformed due to a lateral impact and contacts the reinforcing member (22).
2. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hook feature is configured as one or more additional profiles (24a) that are connected in the cavity (21) to the portion of the outer member (18) and each additional profile (24a) has a raised shape pointing from below the reinforcing member (22) toward the reinforcing member (22).
3. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hook features are configured as a plurality of additional profiles (24a) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure (12) on said portion of the outer part (18).
4. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hook feature is configured to be formed by said portion (24b) of the outer member (18) and have one or more raised shapes pointing from below the reinforcing member (22) toward the reinforcing member (22).
5. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hook feature is configured to have a plurality of raised shapes, which are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure (12) on said portion of the outer member (18).
6. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing member (22) includes a tubular member comprising a first side (22a) and a second side (22b) opposite to each other, the first side (22a) being close to or in contact with the outer member (18) and the second side (22b) being close to the inner member (20), and the tubular member further comprising a third side (22c) and a fourth side (22d) extending laterally and located between the first side (22a) and the second side (22b), the third side (22c) being above the fourth side (22d), and a hook feature being below the fourth side (22d) and close to the fourth side (22d).
7. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The tubular component has an inner cavity (23) and further includes a first support (25a) and / or a second support (25b) located in the inner cavity (23), the first support (25a) extending between a first side (22a) and a second side (22b), and the second support (25b) extending between a third side (22c) and a fourth side (22d).
8. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a plurality of supports (26) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the sill structure (12), each support (26) including a first tab (26a) and a second tab (26b) extending at an angle relative to the first tab (26a), the first tab (26a) being attached to the inner member (20) below the reinforcing member (22) in the cavity (21), and the second tab (26b) being attached to a portion of the fourth side (22d) of the reinforcing member (22) near the second side (22b) in the cavity (21).
9. The sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing component (22) is located in the upper part of the cavity (21).
10. A vehicle (10), characterized in that, It includes a sill structure (12) for a vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.