Arrangement with a support strut for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement with a support strut (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the support strut (1) is arranged in an underfloor area of the motor vehicle and is made of metallic material, characterized in that the support strut (1) is made in one piece and from the same material from an extruded light metal profile which has a hollow chamber in cross section and has a semi-circular U-shaped course in the longitudinal direction (2) of which, with a hollow chamber (3) and flanges (4) arranged in sections to the side of the hollow chamber (3), wherein the support strut (1) encloses part of a fuel tank or energy storage device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement with a support strut for a motor vehicle according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Today, motor vehicles are manufactured with a self-supporting body. Such a body is usually constructed as a welded assembly from individual structural components. Attachments such as axle components, axle subframes, wheel suspensions, and even a fuel tank or, in the case of electric vehicles, energy storage units, are then coupled to the vehicle body.

[0003] In order to achieve the required rigidity of the motor vehicle and / or to meet crash requirements in the event of a collision, it may be necessary to couple the body and its attachments with additional support struts.

[0004] For example, such an arrangement in the underfloor area of ​​a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2011 107 214 A1. Here, axle components are coupled to the vehicle body or a fuel tank via individual diagonal struts.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 218 688 A1 discloses a support strut arrangement in the area of ​​a motor vehicle body. Individual tubular components made of steel or CFRP material are arranged in a motor vehicle body according to the principle of a strut brace.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide such an arrangement with a support strut which enables easier assembly with low weight and at the same time high rigidity.

[0007] The above-mentioned object is achieved in an arrangement with a support strut for a motor vehicle with the features in claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The present invention relates to an arrangement with a support strut for a motor vehicle. Consequently, the invention can also be referred to as a support strut arrangement or a motor vehicle with a support strut. The support strut itself is arranged in the mounted position in an underfloor area of ​​the motor vehicle. Particularly preferably, the support strut is mounted to the motor vehicle from below. The support strut itself is made of metallic material.

[0010] According to the invention, the support strut is characterized by being manufactured in one piece from an extruded light metal profile made of a uniform material. An aluminum alloy is preferably used. The support strut has a semi-circular shape in its longitudinal direction. The semi-circular shape does not have to be an exact 180° semi-circular shape, but can also be just a semi-circular section. The radius of the semi-circular shape can vary along the length of the semi-circular shape.

[0011] In cross-section, the support strut has a hollow chamber and a flange arranged in sections along the side of the hollow chamber in the longitudinal direction. The flange is also formed integrally and made of the same material on the support strut. However, the flange is only formed in sections along the length.

[0012] The inventive design variant of the support strut makes it possible for the support strut to extend across a large portion of the width, in particular more than 50% of the width, of the motor vehicle. This eliminates the need to assemble individual support struts or a support strut as an assembly component made up of several individual parts. Instead, the assembly process for just one support strut can be completed once. This particularly facilitates initial assembly. Furthermore, the one-piece construction and the semi-circular shape significantly improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body. At the same time, crash performance is enhanced, as improved rigidity against deformation is achieved in the event of a crash, particularly due to the hollow chamber profile.

[0013] For production, a profile can first be produced from a light metal alloy by extrusion, also known as a slug. This can then be machined using cutting technology. For example, the flange can be cut out lengthwise in sections. This is followed by a forming process, particularly preferably bending, so that a profile that initially runs straight in the longitudinal direction takes on a semi-circular shape in sections along the longitudinal direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the support strut particularly preferably has embossings or impressions. For this purpose, the end sections, in particular, are embossed; particularly preferably, the hollow chamber profile is indented or flattened here. Likewise, intermediate sections are particularly preferably formed in the longitudinal direction of the support strut. The hollow profile is particularly preferably also embossed in the region of the respective intermediate section. Particularly preferably, an upper side and a lower side of the chamber of the hollow profile engage in a form-fitting manner. The same applies to the end sections.

[0015] Furthermore, a particularly preferred embodiment can also include a stamped portion in the flange. Openings in the form of holes, through-holes, and / or elongated holes are also particularly preferred in the intermediate sections and the end sections and / or the respective flange. These openings can be used as mounting openings for the passage of a screw bolt.

[0016] In particular, the support strut according to the invention extends over a width greater than (>) 50, in particular greater than (>) 60%, but less than (<) 90, in particular less than 80% of the width of the motor vehicle. Thus, a left-side wheel connection can be connected to a right-side wheel connection in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle. At the same time, the support strut according to the invention is particularly preferably arranged below or above a fuel tank and / or an energy storage unit of an electric vehicle. The support strut can also be arranged next to the fuel tank or energy source. The U-shaped support strut thus preferably encloses part of the fuel tank.

[0017] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are illustrated in the schematic figure. This serves to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0018] The figure shows a schematic plan view of the support strut 1 according to the invention with various sectional views along the section lines AA, BB, and CC. The support strut 1 according to the invention is shown, which has a substantially semi-circular, U-shaped profile in its longitudinal direction 2. The support strut 1 is made of a profile or light metal profile and, for this purpose, has a hollow chamber 3 and, at certain lengthwise sections, a flange 4 projecting laterally from the hollow chamber 3. This flange 4 is formed on two end sections 5 and on two intermediate sections 6.

[0019] The end section 5 then transitions into a transition or bending section 7. Here, the end section 5 is offset downwards over the bending section 7 relative to the image plane, as it were, relative to the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0020] In the end section 5, the hollow profile is further flattened or has an indentation 10. This can be implemented analogously to the section line CC of the intermediate section 6. An upper wall 8 of the hollow profile abuts a lower wall 9. Thus, a corresponding indentation 10 is provided. A hole 11 can then be formed in the indentation 10 itself, for example, in particular as a mounting hole for the passage of a screw bolt.

[0021] Mounting openings in the form of holes 11 and elongated holes 12 are also provided in the end sections 5. Here, too, screw bolts (not shown in detail) can be inserted to connect to the vehicle body and / or axle components.

[0022] An indentation 10 is also formed in the flange 4 of the respective intermediate section 6 itself. Holes 11 can also be present here, so that the support strut 1, for example, rests against the underbody of a motor vehicle or other underbody and can be coupled to it via a screw bolt (not shown in detail). In particular, the indentations 10 are produced by stamping or pressing operations.

[0023] The support strut 1 has a width B that preferably corresponds to between 90% and 50% of the width of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, a motor vehicle coordinate system is shown with the tires X, Y, Z. Reference symbol: 1 support strut 2 Longitudinal direction to 1 3 hollow chamber 4 Flange 5 Final section 6 Intermediate section 7 Bending section 8 Upper wall 9 Lower wall 10 Imprint 11 holes 12 slotted holes B Width

Claims

[1] Arrangement with a support strut (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the support strut (1) is arranged in an underfloor area of ​​the motor vehicle and is made of metallic material, characterized by that the support strut (1) is made in one piece and from a uniform material from an extruded light metal profile which has a hollow chamber in cross section and a semi-circular U-shaped course in the longitudinal direction (2), with a hollow chamber (3) and flanges (4) arranged laterally from the hollow chamber (3) in sections, wherein the support strut (1) encloses part of a fuel tank or energy storage device. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the support strut (1) is arranged in the installation position below or above a fuel tank. [3] Arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the hollow chamber (3) is at least partially, preferably completely, flattened or indented in end sections (5). [4] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the hollow chamber (3) is flattened or indented lengthwise in intermediate sections (6). [5] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 4, characterized by that in each of the end sections (5) a flange (4) is formed projecting laterally from the hollow chamber (3). [6] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by that in two intermediate sections (6) has a flange (4) projecting laterally from the hollow chamber (3). [7] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the hollow chamber (3) is a closed hollow chamber (3) in cross-section. [8] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the flanges (4) have an indentation (10). [9] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat holes (11), in particular mounting holes, are provided in the intermediate sections (6) and / or the flanges (4). [10] Arrangement according to claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the support strut (1) with its width (B) extends over a part of more than 50% of the width of the motor vehicle.

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