Vehicle body of a convertible

Abstract

Vehicle body of a convertible with a transversely arranged rollover protection device that is supported on the vehicle body, wherein the rollover protection device (2) is connected on both sides to stiffening elements (A and A1), wherein first stiffening elements (A1) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the rear (R) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two diagonally opposed struts (6, 7) which extend from an edge side (S) of the rollover protection device (2) obliquely inwards and rearwards in a V-shape towards a longitudinal center axis (L) of the vehicle, wherein second stiffening elements (A) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - consist of at least two lateral supports (4, 5) arranged diverging from each other at the front (V) of the rollover protection device (2), which extend obliquely outwards and forwards from the edge (S) of the rollover protection device (2) to a B-pillar (20) of the vehicle body, wherein the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) are connected to the vehicle body (1) in a supported manner, wherein free ends (4a, 5a) of the lateral supports (4, 5) are each held by a fitting (8, 9) on both the rollover protection device (2) and the B-pillar (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle body of a convertible vehicle.

[0002] In convertible vehicles, the lack of a roof as a stiffening component means that the torsional rigidity of the body is usually achieved through a reinforced floor assembly. Additional stiffening elements are required to ensure optimal torsional rigidity.

[0003] From EP 1 203 679 B1 a convertible vehicle is known in which a roll bar with a cross member and a convertible top storage compartment forms a coherent, firmly connected assembly that is integrated into the vehicle body and which improves the rigidity of the convertible vehicle.

[0004] Furthermore, EP 1 084 914 B1 discloses a component group for a convertible vehicle which includes a retractable rollover protection device that forms a load-bearing and torsion-reducing part of the body.

[0005] From DE 10 2004 016 362 A1, a further vehicle body design for a convertible is known, featuring a transversely arranged rollover protection device supported by the vehicle body. The rollover protection device is connected to stiffening elements on both sides. Stiffening elements arranged at the front and rear of the rollover protection device extend transversely to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle in a vertical direction and diverge from top to bottom.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a vehicle body for a convertible vehicle in which additional stiffeners can be integrated into an existing convertible concept for targeted torsional stiffness of the body, at least in the area of ​​a rollover protection device.

[0007] This problem is solved according to a first aspect of the invention by a vehicle body according to claim 1.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a vehicle body according to claim 9.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a vehicle body according to claim 10.

[0010] The main advantages achieved with the invention are that increased torsional stiffness of the body is achieved through the simple mounting of stiffening elements on the front and rear of the rollover protection device.

[0011] This is achieved in particular by connecting the rollover protection device to stiffening elements on both sides. These stiffening elements—viewed with respect to the direction of travel—consist of at least two diagonally opposed struts at the rear of the rollover protection device and at least two lateral supports at the front of the rollover protection device, with the diagonal struts and lateral supports being connected and braced to the vehicle body. Because the diagonal struts and lateral supports run in approximately the same direction in vertical inclined planes, oriented from the outside of the vehicle towards the longitudinal center axis, a force distribution transversely through the vehicle to the opposite side is achieved.

[0012] The lateral supports are arranged in a V-shape, diagonally outwards from the rollover protection device to the B-pillar of the vehicle body, with the free ends of the lateral supports each being held by a fitting on both the rollover protection device and the B-pillar.

[0013] Furthermore, the lateral supports extend diagonally downwards from the attachment in the fitting on the rollover protection device to the base of the B-pillar of the vehicle body.

[0014] Furthermore, the fitting for attaching the side supports to the rollover protection device is located at half the height of the device and at the side edge. The angled orientation of the rollover protection device up to the base of the B-pillar of the vehicle body provides optimal stiffening with regard to torsional rigidity prevention, as the forces occurring are transferred directly from the base of the B-pillar into the vehicle body on the other side.

[0015] The diagonal struts arranged at the rear of the rollover protection device extend from the side section or side edge of the rollover protection device in a V-shape obliquely to the vehicle's longitudinal center axis, and the free ends of the diagonal struts are arranged at a distance to both sides of the vehicle's longitudinal center axis.

[0016] To further stiffen the body, the free ends of the diagonal braces are fastened to a crossmember, which is mounted on a convertible top platform of the vehicle body, using screws. The crossmember transfers forces introduced via the diagonal braces from one side of the vehicle to the opposite side, resulting in significantly improved torsional rigidity of the body.

[0017] According to the invention, the ends of the diagonal braces facing away from the free ends are held in a fitting on the rollover protection device by means of screws, and the fitting on the rollover protection device for connecting the diagonal braces is arranged above the fitting for connecting the side supports to the rollover protection device. The diagonal braces and the side supports can thus be easily connected to the rollover protection device and to the vehicle body.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1. A partial top view of a convertible vehicle with integrated rollover protection device and diagonal braces and side supports, Fig. 2. An oblique view of the rollover protection device with diagonal struts and lateral supports, Fig. 3 a top view of the rollover protection device acc. Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a side view of the rollover protection device acc. Fig. 3, Fig. 5 an oblique view of a screw connection of the diagonal brace on a cross member of the vehicle body, Fig. 6 a section through the screw connection along line VI-VI of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 7 an oblique view of the B-pillar with connected lateral supports.

[0020] The body 1 of a convertible vehicle has a rear section with a rollover protection device 2, which is arranged transversely in the vehicle and connected to the body. Support within the vehicle is provided by support struts 3 arranged on each side of the vehicle at the outer edges S of the rollover protection device 2 – viewed in relation to the direction of travel F.

[0021] The rollover protection device 2 has stiffening elements A and A1 on each outer side, at the front V and at the rear R – viewed in relation to the direction of travel F. The stiffening elements A at the front V of the rollover protection device 2 consist of two lateral supports 4, 5, and the further stiffening elements A1 at the rear R of the rollover protection device 2 consist of two diagonal braces 6, 7. The lateral supports 4, 5 and the diagonal braces 6, 7 are each connected to the rollover protection device 2 and their free, outward ends are supported on the vehicle body 1.

[0022] The lateral supports 4, 5 of the stiffening elements A extend from an edge S of the rollover protection device 2 obliquely towards the outside of the vehicle to the base 21 of a B-pillar 20 of the vehicle body 1. Overall, the two lateral supports 4, 5 form a V-shaped arrangement, viewed from the rollover protection device 2 in the direction of travel F.

[0023] The free ends 4a and 5a of the lateral supports 4, 5 are each connected via fittings 8 and 9 to both the B-pillar 20 and the rollover protection device 2 via screws 10, 11.

[0024] The lateral supports 4, 5 are held in the fitting 9 on the rollover protection device 2 at approximately half the height h on the edge side S. From this fitting 9, the lateral supports 4, 5 extend obliquely downwards at an angle of approximately 45° towards the base 21 of the B-pillar 20 and are held in place by the B-pillar via the fitting 8.

[0025] The diagonal struts 6, 7 of the stiffening elements A 1 on the rear R of the rollover protection device 2 extend obliquely from the edge S of the rollover protection device 2 towards a longitudinal center axis L of the vehicle. The free ends 6a and 7a of the diagonal struts 6, 7 are connected to a cross member 14 via screws 16, which is held on a convertible top shelf 15.

[0026] The diagonal braces 6, 7 extend in a V-shape from the cross member 14 to the rollover protection device 2 and are connected to it via fittings 17 using screws 18. The diagonal braces 6, 7 are positioned at an angle of approximately 45° to the rollover protection device 2, and the free ends 6a and 7a are arranged on both sides of the vehicle's longitudinal center axis L at a distance b.

[0027] The diagonal braces 6, 7 run approximately horizontally from the fitting 17 on the rollover protection device 2 to the crossbeam 14, and the fitting 17 is arranged above the fitting 9 for the lateral supports 4, 5. These are arranged in a vertical inclined plane xx, which transitions directionally into another vertical inclined plane zz in which the diagonal braces 6, 7 are arranged, so that as in Fig. 1 is indicated by arrows, the force flow via the lateral supports 4, 5 and via the rollover protection device 2 into the diagonal struts 6, 7 and from here into the cross member 14 to the respective other side of the vehicle body and a torsional support is provided.

[0028] The diagonal struts 4, 5 and the lateral supports 6, 7 consist of metallic tubes which are partially flattened for connection with the fittings.

Claims

[1] Vehicle body of a convertible vehicle with a transversely arranged rollover protection device that is supported on the vehicle body, wherein the rollover protection device (2) is connected on both sides to stiffening elements (A and A1), wherein first stiffening elements (A1) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the rear (R) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two diagonally opposed struts (6, 7) which extend from an edge side (S) of the rollover protection device (2) obliquely inwards and rearwards in a V-shape towards a longitudinal center axis (L) of the vehicle, wherein second stiffening elements (A) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - consist of at least two lateral supports (4, 5) arranged diverging from each other at the front (V) of the rollover protection device (2), which extend obliquely outwards and forwards from the edge (S) of the rollover protection device (2) to a B-pillar (20) of the vehicle body, wherein the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) are connected to the vehicle body (1) in a supported manner, wherein free ends (4a, 5a) of the lateral supports (4, 5) are each held by a fitting (8, 9) on both the rollover protection device (2) and the B-pillar (20). [2] Vehicle body according to claim 1, characterized by, that the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) are arranged in the same direction in vertical inclined planes (xx and zz) running obliquely from the outside of the vehicle to the longitudinal center axis (L) of the vehicle. [3] Vehicle body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the lateral supports (4, 5) extend diagonally downwards from the attachment in the fitting (9) on the rollover protection device (2) to a foot (21) of the B-pillar (20) of the vehicle body. [4] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fitting (9) for attaching the lateral supports (4, 5) to the rollover protection device (2) is arranged at half the height (h) of the rollover protection device (2) and the edge side (S) of the rollover protection device (2). [5] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by, that free ends (6a, 7a) of the diagonal struts (6, 7) are arranged at a distance (b) to both sides of the vehicle longitudinal center axis (L). [6] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by , that free ends (6a, 7a) of the diagonal struts (6, 7) are fastened in a cross member (14) held on a convertible top shelf (15) of the vehicle body by means of screws (16). [7] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the free ends (6a, 7a) of the diagonal struts (6, 7) are held in a fitting (17) on the rollover protection device (2) by means of screws (18). [8] Vehicle body according to claim 7, characterized by , that the fitting (17) on the rollover protection device (2) is arranged above the fitting (9) for connecting the lateral supports (4, 5) to the rollover protection device (2) for connection with the diagonal struts (6, 7). [9] Vehicle body of a convertible vehicle with a transversely arranged rollover protection device that is supported on the vehicle body, wherein the rollover protection device (2) is connected on both sides to stiffening elements (A and A1), wherein first stiffening elements (A1) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the rear (R) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two diagonal struts (6, 7) facing each other, wherein second stiffening elements (A) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the front (V) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two lateral supports (4, 5) arranged diverging from each other, wherein the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) are connected to the vehicle body (1) in a supported manner, wherein free ends (6a, 7a) of the diagonal struts (6, 7) are fastened in a cross member (14) held on a convertible top shelf (15) of the vehicle body by means of screws (16). [10] Vehicle body of a convertible vehicle with a transversely arranged rollover protection device that is supported on the vehicle body, wherein the rollover protection device (2) is connected on both sides to stiffening elements (A and A1), wherein first stiffening elements (A1) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the rear (R) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two diagonal struts (6, 7) facing each other, wherein second stiffening elements (A) - viewed in relation to the direction of travel (F) - on the front (V) of the rollover protection device (2) consist of at least two lateral supports (4, 5) arranged diverging from each other, wherein the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) are connected to the vehicle body (1) in a supported manner, wherein free ends (6a, 7a) are the ends turned away from the diagonal struts (6, 7) and are held in a fitting (17) on the rollover protection device (2) by means of screws (18). wherein the fitting (17) on the rollover protection device (2) for connection with the diagonal struts (6, 7) is arranged above the fitting (9) for connection of the lateral supports (4, 5) to the rollover protection device (2). [11] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by , that stiffening of the vehicle body (1) under torsional loads can be carried out by initiating via the front lateral supports (4, 5) and the subsequent rear diagonal struts (6, 7) as well as via the cross member (14) as a diagonal force path to the respective opposite side of the vehicle body (1). [12] Vehicle body according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the diagonal struts (6, 7) and the lateral supports (4, 5) consist of metallic tube elements and have partial flattening at the ends for fastening.

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