Connection between a baffle plate and a longitudinal beam

Abstract

Connection (10) between a baffle plate (14) and a longitudinal beam (12) designed as a hollow profile, wherein the baffle plate (14) comprises a longitudinal beam receptacle (16) onto which an end region (12A) of the longitudinal beam (12) is at least partially pushed and connected, characterized in that the baffle plate (14) has a projecting support flange (14.1) which extends parallel to an outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal beam receptacle (16) and to an outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal beam (12), wherein the support flange (14.1) is positively and materially connected to the outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal beam receptacle (16) and the outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal beam (12) and acts as a tension lug in a central pile front crash and transfers and distributes an acting tensile load to the affected longitudinal beam (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection between an impact plate and a longitudinal member according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a crash structure for a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 7 with at least one such connection.

[0002] Connections between an impact plate and a longitudinal member, as well as corresponding crash structures for vehicles with at least one such connection, are known in numerous variations. Such a crash structure for a vehicle typically comprises a cross member, which is connected to corresponding longitudinal members at each end via an impact absorber. The impact absorbers each have a first impact plate at the ends facing the longitudinal members, each of which is bolted to a second impact plate of a corresponding longitudinal member. In a central frontal crash, particularly a pole crash, the cross member is used as impact protection to dissipate energy and brake the vehicle.

[0003] DE 10 2012 221 629 A1 discloses a method and a device for determining an impact magnitude for a vehicle, which are used in conjunction with a generic crash structure. The crash structure on a front side of the vehicle comprises a cross member arranged transversely to the direction of travel. A longitudinal member is arranged on each of the sides of the vehicle, on the right and left in the direction of travel. Each longitudinal member is connected to the cross member via an impact absorber. The longitudinal member has a first impact plate on the side facing the impact absorber. The impact absorber has a second impact plate on the side facing the longitudinal member. The impact absorber is connected to the longitudinal member by four fastening means. The fastening means can be, for example, screw connections.

[0004] From DE 10 2008 041 373 A1 an absorber element for absorbing energy occurring in the event of an impact is known, which is to be arranged between an object to be protected and an impact element and consists of at least a flange plate and a deformation body.

[0005] From DE 101 35 158 A1 a method for mounting bulkhead plates on longitudinal members of a vehicle is known, in which a bulkhead plate designed as an impact absorber plate is connected to one end of the longitudinal members on each of the longitudinal members located on one side of the vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2013 000 269 A1 discloses a bumper system for a motor vehicle, comprising a crash box for integration between a bumper cross member and a flange plate on the side of the longitudinal member. The crash box is formed from a tubular longitudinal profile comprising two U-shaped shell bodies, and the flange plate is provided with an opening on the longitudinal profile. An outwardly formed collar is provided at the side-member end of the longitudinal profile, and the collar rests against the flange plate and is joined to the flange plate. A reinforcing profile is assigned to the longitudinal profile, which at least partially encloses the longitudinal profile on its outer side, and the reinforcing profile is supported at least in sections on the flange plate.

[0007] From DE 10 2009 014 822 A1 a connecting structure with tolerance compensation is known, which consists of a baffle plate with a longitudinal member designed as a hollow profile member in a vehicle structure, in which the baffle plate as an extruded profile has a connecting flange on the side facing the longitudinal member, which flange rests on inner surfaces or outer surfaces of the longitudinal member.

[0008] DE 10 2009 049 872 A1 discloses an impact absorber mount for a body structure of a motor vehicle, comprising a generic connection between an impact plate and a longitudinal member configured as a hollow profile. The impact absorber mount consists of the impact plate, which is connected to a hollow-profile longitudinal member of the body structure via a longitudinal member mount configured as a flange. At least one adapter part is provided as a flange, which is L-shaped with a first and second adapter surface, wherein the adapter surfaces bear against two outer surfaces of the longitudinal member. For connection to the impact plate, the two adapter surfaces of the adapter part each have a flange surface formed at a right angle. Alternatively, the first adapter surface is connected integrally to the impact plate, and the second adapter surface has a flange surface formed substantially at a right angle for connection to the impact plate.Preferably, two adapter parts are provided which form a circumferential collar open at two corners.

[0009] A disadvantage of the known connections between a longitudinal member and an impact plate can be that in the case of a central pole front crash, in which a participating longitudinal member is supposed to bend inwards around a vehicle vertical axis in the vehicle transverse direction, very large tensile forces can arise on the outer side of the longitudinal member, which can lead to failure of the highly loaded connection.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing a connection between an impact plate and a longitudinal member as well as a crash structure for a vehicle with at least one such connection, which at least reduces or completely eliminates the risk of failure of the connection in the event of a central pole front crash in which a longitudinal member involved is intended to bend inwards around a vehicle vertical axis in the vehicle transverse direction, and which is simple and cost-effective to implement.

[0011] This object is achieved by a connection between an impact plate and a longitudinal member having the features of patent claim 1 and by a crash structure for a vehicle having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0012] In order to provide a connection between an impact plate and a longitudinal member which at least reduces or completely eliminates the risk of connection failure in the event of a central pole front crash, in which a participating longitudinal member is expected to buckle inwards around a vehicle's vertical axis in the vehicle's transverse direction, and which is simple and cost-effective to implement, the impact plate comprises a longitudinal member receptacle onto which an end region of the longitudinal member is at least partially pushed and connected. The impact plate has a protruding support flange which runs parallel to an outer side wall of the longitudinal member receptacle and to an outer side wall of the longitudinal member. In addition, the support flange is positively and materially connected to the outer side wall of the longitudinal member receptacle and the outer side wall of the longitudinal member and acts as a tension tab in the event of a central pole front crash.

[0013] Furthermore, a crash structure for a vehicle is disclosed, comprising a cross member configured as a hollow profile, which is connected at each end region via an impact absorber to corresponding longitudinal members configured as hollow profiles. The impact absorbers each have a first impact plate at the ends facing the longitudinal members, which is screwed to a second impact plate of a corresponding longitudinal member. The second impact plates and the longitudinal members are each connected to one another via connections according to the invention.

[0014] The support flanges, which act as tension straps in the event of a central pile frontal crash and are each connected in a form-fitting and material-to-material manner to the outer sidewall of the affected longitudinal member support and the outer sidewall of the affected longitudinal member, allow the acting tensile load to be more effectively transferred and distributed among the longitudinal members. This allows the longitudinal members to be included in the crash energy absorption process in the event of a central pile frontal crash and to deform or retract in the transverse direction, thus advantageously preserving the integrity of the connection between the longitudinal member and the impact plate, as well as the connection between the longitudinal member and the cross member.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the connection, the longitudinal beam support can be designed as a circumferential collar. The front edges of a base, an inner side wall, and a cover of the longitudinal beam support can each be welded to the impact plate, with the weld seams preferably being applied using a metal active gas welding process. This enables simple and cost-effective mass production of the impact plate with the longitudinal beam support.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the connection, an outer surface of the outer side wall of the longitudinal member holder can rest against the support flange, and the longitudinal member can be pushed onto the longitudinal member holder in such a way that the outer side wall of the longitudinal member can rest against an inner surface of the outer side wall of the longitudinal member holder in the end region. The support flange can be welded to the outer side wall of the longitudinal member holder and the outer side wall of the longitudinal member using triple spot welds. This creates a positive and integral connection between the support flange, the longitudinal member holder, and the longitudinal member, allowing for better distribution and transmission of tensile loads.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the connection, the longitudinal member can have a first longitudinal slot in the end region, which partially separates a base of the longitudinal member from the outer side wall, and a second longitudinal slot, which partially separates a cover of the longitudinal member from the outer side wall. As a result, inner surfaces of the base, the cover, and an inner side wall in the end region of the longitudinal member can each rest on corresponding outer surfaces of the base, the cover, and the inner side wall of the longitudinal member receptacle. In addition, the base, the cover, and the inner side wall in the end region of the longitudinal member can each be welded to the base, the cover, and the inner side wall of the longitudinal member receptacle by means of double spot welds. This can further improve the connection between the longitudinal member receptacle or the impact plate and the longitudinal member.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the crash structure, the first impact plates of the impact absorbers and the second impact plates of the longitudinal members can each have a continuous fastening opening in the four corner areas, through which a fastening element can be guided and screwed. This allows for a simple and cost-effective connection between the impact absorbers and the longitudinal members.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the crash structure, in the event of a central pole-frontal crash, the cross member can be deformed and the longitudinal members can be deformed and retracted in the transverse direction, with the support flanges of the second impact plates of the longitudinal members each acting as tension straps and transferring the acting tensile load. Furthermore, at least one additional through-hole can be arranged in the area of ​​the support flange of the second impact plate, through which at least one additional fastening element can be guided and screwed, resulting in a more homogeneous tensile load distribution. Furthermore, the at least one additional fastening element prevents a gap between the two impact plates.

[0020] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the connection according to the invention between an impact plate and a longitudinal member also apply to the crash structure according to the invention for a vehicle.

[0021] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate components or elements that perform the same or similar functions. Herein: Fig. 1 a schematic plan view of a section of a crash structure according to the invention, which comprises an embodiment of a connection according to the invention between an impact plate and a longitudinal member; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a baffle plate and a longitudinal beam holder during the production of the connection according to the invention between a baffle plate and a longitudinal beam from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a baffle plate with connected longitudinal beam holder and a longitudinal beam during the production of the connection according to the invention between a baffle plate and a longitudinal beam from Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the connection according to the invention between a baffle plate and a longitudinal member of Fig. 1.

[0023] As from Fig. 1 to 4, the illustrated embodiment of the crash structure 1 for a vehicle comprises a cross member 3 designed as a hollow profile, which is connected at both end regions via an impact absorber 5 to corresponding longitudinal members 12 designed as hollow profiles. The crash structure 1 is designed mirror-symmetrically to a vehicle center longitudinal axis, wherein in Fig. 1 only the components arranged on the left in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x are shown. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the illustrated impact damper 5 has a first impact plate 7 at its end facing the longitudinal member 12, which is screwed to a second impact plate 14 of the corresponding longitudinal member 12.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of the connection 10 according to the invention between the second impact plate 14 and the longitudinal member 12 designed as a hollow profile, the impact plate 14 comprises a longitudinal member receptacle 16, onto which an end region 12A of the longitudinal member 12 is at least partially pushed and connected. Fig. As can be further seen in Figures 2 to 4, the impact plate 14 has a protruding support flange 14.1, which runs parallel to an outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal beam receptacle 16 and to an outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal beam 12. The support flange 14.1 is positively and materially connected to the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal beam receptacle 16 and the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal beam 12 and acts as a tension strap in the event of a central pile front crash.

[0025] As from Fig. 1 to 4, the first impact plate 7 of the impact absorber 5 and the second impact plate 14 of the longitudinal member 12 each have a continuous fastening opening 14.2 in the four corner areas, through which a fastening element 9 is guided and screwed.

[0026] As from Fig. 1, in the event of a central pile front crash, the cross member 3 is deformed, and the illustrated longitudinal member 12 is deformed and retracted in the transverse direction y, with the support flange 14.1 of the second impact plate 14 of the longitudinal member 12 acting as a tension strap and transferring the acting tensile load. In the area of ​​the support flange 14.1 of the second impact plate 14, an additional through-hole fastening opening 14.2A is provided in the illustrated embodiment. In the assembled state, an additional fastening element 9 is guided and screwed through this opening, which ensures a more homogeneous tensile load distribution.

[0027] As from Fig. 2 to 4, the longitudinal beam holder 16 in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a circumferential collar 16A. In this case, the front edges of a base 16.2, an inner side wall 16.3 and a cover 16.4 of the longitudinal beam holder 16 are each welded to the impact plate 14. The continuous weld seams 17, of which Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, one each visible on the cover 16.4, are preferably applied by a metal active gas welding process. Fig. 2 the impact plate 14 and the longitudinal beam holder 16 before the welding process and Fig. 3 shows the impact plate 14 with the longitudinal member holder 16 after the welding process before sliding on the longitudinal member 12. Fig. 4 shows the finished connection 10 according to the invention between a baffle plate 14 and a longitudinal member 12.

[0028] As from Fig. 3, an outer surface of the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal member holder 16 rests against the support flange 14.1. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the longitudinal member 12 is pushed onto the longitudinal member receptacle 16 in such a way that the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal member 12 rests in the end region 12A on an inner surface of the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16.

[0029] As from Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 4, the longitudinal member 12 in the illustrated embodiment has a first longitudinal slot 13.1 in the end region 12A, which partially separates a base 12.2 of the longitudinal member 12 from the outer side wall 12.1. Furthermore, the longitudinal member 12 has a second longitudinal slot 13.2 in the end region 12A, which partially separates a cover 12.4 of the longitudinal member 12 from the outer side wall 12.1. This makes it possible for inner surfaces of the base 12.2, the cover 12.4 and an inner side wall 12.3 in the end region 12A of the longitudinal member 12 to each rest on corresponding outer surfaces of the base 16.2, the cover 16.4 and the inner side wall 16.3 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16, while the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal member 12 rests on the inner surface of the outer side wall of the longitudinal member receptacle 16.

[0030] As from Fig. 4, the base 12.2, the cover 12.4 and the inner side wall 12.3 in the end region 12A of the longitudinal member 12 are each welded to the base 16.2, the cover 16.4 and the inner side wall 16.3 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 by means of double spot welds 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12.2 of the longitudinal member 12 is welded to the base 16.2 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 by means of four double spot welds 18. Similarly, the cover 12.4 of the longitudinal member 12 is welded to the cover 16.4 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 by means of four double spot welds 18. In addition, the inner side wall 12.3 of the longitudinal member 12 is welded to the inner side wall 16.3 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 by means of eight double spot welds 18. In Fig. 4, however, only the four double weld points 18 in the cover 12.4 of the longitudinal member 12 are visible. Of course, more or fewer double weld points 18 or an arrangement other than the two-row arrangement shown can also be used to weld the longitudinal member 12 to the longitudinal member holder 16.

[0031] As from Fig.4, the support flange 14.1 is welded to the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 and the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal member 12 by means of triple weld spots 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the support flange 14.1 is welded to the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 and the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal member 12 by means of eight triple weld spots 19. Of course, more or fewer triple weld spots 19 or an arrangement other than the two-row arrangement shown can also be used to weld the support flange 14.1 to the outer side wall 16.1 of the longitudinal member receptacle 16 and the outer side wall 12.1 of the longitudinal member 12 by means of triple weld spots 19. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Crash structure 2 posts 3 cross members 3A bumper cross member 5 impact absorbers 7 impact plate 9 Fastening element 10 Connection 12 longitudinal members 12.1 outer side wall 12.2 Soil 12.3 inner side wall 12.4 Lid 12A end area 13.1, 13.2 Longitudinal slot 14 baffle plate 14.1 Support flange 14.2 Mounting opening 16 Longitudinal member holder 16.1 outer side wall 16.2 Soil 16.3 inner side wall 16.4 Lid 16A collar 17 Weld seam 18 double welding spot 19 triple weld spot x Vehicle longitudinal direction y vehicle transverse direction z Vehicle vertical direction

Claims

[1] Connection (10) between a baffle plate (14) and a longitudinal member (12) designed as a hollow profile, wherein the baffle plate (14) comprises a longitudinal member receptacle (16) onto which an end region (12A) of the longitudinal member (12) is at least partially pushed and connected, characterized by in that the impact plate (14) has a protruding support flange (14.1) which runs parallel to an outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16) and to an outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal member (12), wherein the support flange (14.1) is positively and materially connected to the outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16) and to the outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal member (12) and acts as a tension strap in the event of a central pile front crash and transfers and distributes an acting tensile load to the affected longitudinal member (12). [2] Connection (10) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the longitudinal member receptacle (16) is designed as a circumferential collar (16A), wherein front edges of a base (16.2), an inner side wall (16.3) and a cover (16.4) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16) are each welded to the impact plate (14), wherein the weld seams (17) are applied by a metal active gas welding process. [3] Connection (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that an outer surface of the outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16) rests on the support flange (14.1) and the longitudinal member (12) is pushed onto the longitudinal member receptacle (16) in such a way that the outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal member (12) rests in the end region (12A) on an inner surface of the outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16). [4] Connection (10) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the support flange (14.1) is welded by triple welding points (19) to the outer side wall (16.1) of the longitudinal member holder (16) and the outer side wall (12.1) of the longitudinal member (12). [5] Connection (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by in that the longitudinal member (12) has, in the end region (12A), a first longitudinal slot (13.1) which partially separates a base (12.2) of the longitudinal member (12) from the outer side wall (12.1), and a second longitudinal slot (13.2) which partially separates a cover (12.4) of the longitudinal member (12) from the outer side wall (12.1), wherein inner surfaces of the base (12.2), the cover (12.4) and an inner side wall (12.3) in the end region (12A) of the longitudinal member (12) each rest on corresponding outer surfaces of the base (16.2), the cover (16.4) and the inner side wall (16.3) of the longitudinal member receptacle (16). [6] Connection (10) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the base (12.2), the cover (12.4) and the inner side wall (12.3) in the end region (12A) of the longitudinal member (12) are each welded by double spot welds (18) to the base (16.2), the cover (16.4) and the inner side wall (16.3) of the longitudinal member holder (16). [7] Crash structure (1) for a vehicle, with a cross member (3) designed as a hollow profile, which is connected at both end regions via an impact absorber (5) to corresponding longitudinal members (12) designed as hollow profiles, wherein the impact absorbers (5) each have a first impact plate (7) at the ends facing the longitudinal members (12), which is screwed to a second impact plate (14) of a corresponding longitudinal member (12), characterized by that the connections (20) between the second impact plates (14) and the longitudinal members (12) are each designed according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Crash structure (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the first impact plates (7) of the impact absorbers (5) and the second impact plates (14) of the longitudinal members (12) each have a continuous fastening opening (14.2) in the four corner areas, through which a fastening element (9) is guided and screwed. [9] Crash structure (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by in the event of a central pile front crash, the cross member (3) is deformed and the longitudinal members (12) are deformed and retracted in the transverse direction, wherein the support flanges (14.1) of the second impact plates (14) of the longitudinal members (12) each act as tension straps and transmit the acting tensile load. [10] Crash structure (1) according to claim 9, characterized bythat in the region of the support flange (14.1) of the second impact plate (14) at least one additional, continuous fastening opening (14.2A) is provided, through which an additional fastening element (9) is guided and screwed, which brings about a more homogeneous tensile load distribution.

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