Front pillar structure for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Front pillar structure (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a base body (3) which has a first connection point (4) for connecting a side sill (5) of the motor vehicle (1) and a second connection point (6) for connecting an A-pillar part (8) of the motor vehicle (1) laterally adjacent to a windscreen (7) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), wherein the base body (3) is formed in one piece, wherein the base body (3) has a third attachment point (10) for connecting a front longitudinal member (11) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), characterized by the fact that by means of the base body (3) a container (42) for receiving a washing liquid intended for washing at least one window (7) of the motor vehicle (1) is provided.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a front pillar structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body which has a first connection point for connecting a side sill of the motor vehicle to the base body, and which has a second connection point for connecting an A-pillar section of the motor vehicle, laterally adjacent to a windshield of the motor vehicle, to the base body. The base body is formed in one piece. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a front pillar structure.

[0002] DE 198 08 392 A1 describes a load-bearing structure for a motor vehicle with four one-piece base node elements, two of which are arranged laterally opposite each other in the area of ​​the front end. The four base node elements are joined and connected to form a basic frame via molded-on connecting parts with light alloy extrusion profiles or plastic profiles as connecting beams.

[0003] DE 10 2013 214 763 A1 describes a vehicle body made of fiber-reinforced plastic with a wheel arch and a strut mount located therein, in which a one-piece support bracket is provided that supports the strut mount and is itself bonded to the wheel arch. The support bracket also serves as a holder for the vehicle's windshield washer fluid reservoir.

[0004] WO 99 / 57002 A1 describes a motor vehicle body structure comprising a front pillar with a longitudinally extending, open profile. The profile has a U-shaped cross-section and internal ribs for stiffening. At its lower end, the front pillar has a recess for a sill, and at its upper end, another recess for a roof rail, which, together with other roof rails, supports the vehicle's roof. A cantilever arm is integrally formed with the front pillar. This cantilever arm has a channel-shaped profile with lateral angles for stiffening. The cantilever arm is also stiffened by internal ribbing arranged in the channel-shaped recess. A longitudinal member of the vehicle is inserted into a receiving element that is integrally formed with a firewall of the vehicle.The loads introduced into the longitudinal beam are to be transferred to the front column via the cantilever arm connected to the mounting element. To transform the open U-profile of the front column into a closed and load-bearing hollow profile, additional components can be attached to the U-profile.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a shell-type front column is that good use of installation space cannot be achieved and that the front column entails increased assembly effort.

[0006] Furthermore, in automotive engineering, it may be necessary to use cast components in the area of ​​a front pillar or A-pillar. However, this has a negative impact on the associated assembly effort, particularly if additional functions are to be integrated into the front pillar via such cast components.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a front pillar structure of the type mentioned above which offers favorable use of installation space with reduced assembly effort, and to provide a motor vehicle with such a front pillar structure.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a front pillar structure with the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] A front pillar structure according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a base body which has a first connection point for connecting a side sill of the motor vehicle to the base body. Furthermore, the base body has a second connection point for connecting an A-pillar section of the motor vehicle, which is laterally adjacent to a windshield of the motor vehicle, to the base body. The one-piece base body has a third connection point for connecting a front longitudinal member of the motor vehicle to the base body.

[0010] Due to the one-piece construction of the base body, the connection points for the side sill, the A-pillar section, and the front longitudinal member (extending towards the front of the vehicle) are particularly easy to create. Unlike a front pillar structure manufactured using a shell construction method, there is no need to join sheet metal components to create these connection points. Instead, the one-piece base body already features these connection points or joints, where the structural components are connected to the base body in a load-bearing manner.

[0011] Due to the one-piece construction of the base body, the front column structure also offers favorable use of installation space. In particular, the base body and its connection points can be provided in a topology-optimized manner.

[0012] This is particularly true because loads introduced into the front longitudinal beam of the motor vehicle can be advantageously absorbed by the base body via the third attachment point and, in particular, transferred into the side sill.

[0013] Due to the formation of the various connection points for the aforementioned structural components of the motor vehicle in one piece with the basic body, an integral A-pillar node is realized through the front pillar structure.

[0014] The base body incorporates a container for holding a washing fluid intended for cleaning at least one window of the vehicle. This design makes particularly advantageous use of the cavity within the base body, as it eliminates the need for a separate container for the washing fluid. This is also advantageous because such a separate container does not require additional installation space within the vehicle.

[0015] The front column structure can be provided with particularly little effort if the base body is provided in a casting process or in an additive manufacturing process or 3D printing process.

[0016] Furthermore, processes combining additive manufacturing and casting can be used to form the base body of the front pillar structure. For example, at least one core of a cast component, which provides the base body, can be produced using an additive manufacturing process. This core can consist of a mixture of a granular substrate, such as sand, and a binder, such as resin. During casting, the hot, liquid melt causes the binder to burn, resulting in the granular substrate being ejected from the at least one cavity.

[0017] Consequently, such a process, in which additive manufacturing or 3D printing is combined with casting, is also advantageously usable for providing the base body.

[0018] Preferably, the strut mount of the front pillar structure is formed integrally with the base body. The strut mount is designed for attaching a vehicle strut to the base body. This integral base body is particularly well-suited to absorbing forces transmitted via the vehicle's strut. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the strut mount is not required as a separate component mounted to the base body of the front pillar structure, but rather is an integral part of the base body, which also provides at least the first, second, and third attachment points.

[0019] Preferably, a support structure is arranged in the area of ​​the strut mount and formed integrally with the base body of the front pillar structure. The support structure has a connection point for securing or attaching a strut brace of the vehicle to the support structure. Thus, the strut brace can be connected to the support structure at the connection point to increase the lateral stiffness of the vehicle. Due to the integral formation of the support structure with the base body, the assembly effort is particularly low. This is because there is no need to attach a separate support structure to a component of the front pillar structure when the support structure is formed integrally with the base body.

[0020] In particular, the support device can have multiple support arms and / or support feet extending from the attachment point for the strut brace of the vehicle to the strut mount. This gives the support device high robustness and rigidity at a low weight.

[0021] Preferably, the base body has a further connection point at which a lower crossmember of the vehicle can be connected to the base body. In the vehicle, this lower crossmember extends along an end wall of the vehicle in the area of ​​the vehicle floor, specifically towards a front pillar structure opposite the front pillar structure in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, the lower crossmember of the vehicle can also be referred to as the lower end wall crossmember.

[0022] The connection of the lower crossmember to the base of the front pillar structure enables, in particular, the effective absorption and transfer of loads introduced into the lower crossmember into the side sill of the vehicle. In this way, it can be largely prevented that, in the event of a load from the front of the vehicle, such as in a frontal impact or frontal crash, the bulkhead or parts thereof intrude into the passenger compartment, or that at least part of the bulkhead is displaced into the passenger compartment.

[0023] Furthermore, such a lower bulkhead crossmember ensures the transfer of loads acting laterally on the vehicle, such as those that can occur in a side impact with an obstacle or in a collision with another vehicle approaching from the side. This is because such lateral loads can be effectively transferred via the lower crossmember or lower bulkhead crossmember into the opposite front pillar structure of the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, such a lower cross member or lower front wall cross member can advantageously provide protection for an electrical energy storage device of the motor vehicle, which may in particular be arranged below the floor of the motor vehicle and is preferably designed as a high-voltage storage device.

[0025] Preferably, the base body has an additional connection point for attaching an upper crossmember of the vehicle to the base body. In the vehicle, the upper crossmember extends along a lower edge of the windshield towards a front pillar structure opposite the front pillar structure in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The possibility of connecting such an upper crossmember to the base body via this additional connection point creates a further path for load absorption and transfer, which also helps to prevent, particularly in the event of a frontal impact or a load acting from the front of the vehicle, displacement of the bulkhead into the passenger compartment or intrusion of at least a portion of the bulkhead into the passenger compartment.

[0026] Furthermore, the upper crossmember or upper front wall crossmember allows for the advantageous transfer of forces or loads occurring in the transverse direction of the vehicle to the opposite front pillar structure. Because the additional connection point is formed by the base of the front pillar structure, the connection of the upper crossmember to the front pillar structure can also be implemented very simply and with minimal effort.

[0027] Preferably, a further connection point is formed integrally with the base body, to which a central cross member of the vehicle can be connected. In the vehicle, the central cross member is arranged vertically in the front pillar structure above the lower cross member and below the upper cross member. By providing such a central cross member, an additional transverse connection between the front pillar structures is created, which can particularly help to prevent the bulkhead from being displaced into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision. Furthermore, because the additional connection point for the central cross member is formed integrally with the base body, the central cross member can also be connected to the front pillar structures with minimal assembly effort.

[0028] The connection point for attaching the central cross member to the base body can be smaller than the respective connection points for the lower and upper cross members. This is because, due to the advantageous load absorption and transfer achievable through the front pillar structure, the central cross member, which extends along the front wall of the vehicle, does not need to bear or, at most, bear loads to a very minor extent.

[0029] Therefore, it is sufficient to design the connection point for joining the base body to the central cross member—that is, the connection point which can have smaller dimensions—to be relatively delicate. In contrast, the connection point for the lower cross member or lower end wall cross member and the connection point for the upper cross member or upper end wall cross member preferably have larger dimensions and are thus designed to be more robust.

[0030] Furthermore, the load transfer is primarily via the lower front wall crossbeam and additionally via the upper front wall crossbeam, with the advantage that intrusions into the passenger compartment in the middle area of ​​the front wall can be largely avoided.

[0031] The central cross brace can advantageously serve, in particular, to enable simplified routing of lines such as electrical lines and / or data lines and / or media lines in the area of ​​the end wall.

[0032] Preferably, the base body has a further connection point arranged vertically above the third connection point of the front pillar structure, which is provided for connecting an upper longitudinal member of the vehicle to the base body. A load introduced into the front longitudinal member from one end of the vehicle's front longitudinal member can be transferred to an upper region of the base body by means of the upper longitudinal member. The assembly effort can also be minimized by forming this further connection point for the upper longitudinal member with the base body of the front pillar structure in one piece. This is because the base body, which is formed in one piece or as a single component, preferably also includes this connection point for the upper longitudinal member of the vehicle.

[0033] Preferably, the front pillar structure forms a lateral section of the vehicle's front wall. This lateral section of the front wall is integrally formed with the main body. This ensures a particularly robust integration of this lateral section of the front wall into the front pillar structure. Furthermore, the front pillar structure allows for functions within this lateral section of the front wall that would otherwise require the installation of additional components. This also reduces assembly effort.

[0034] Additionally, a mounting bracket for a pump unit can be integrally formed with the base body. The pump unit is designed to pump the washing fluid, which is intended for washing at least one window of the motor vehicle.

[0035] Integrating the pump mounting bracket into the front pillar structure results in advantageous functional integration. This eliminates the need for a separate mounting bracket for the pump on the front pillar structure. Instead, the bracket is already integrated into the main body of the front pillar structure. This reduces assembly effort and also optimizes the use of available installation space.

[0036] The washer fluid can be used, in particular, to clean the windshield of the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation. Furthermore, the washer fluid can be designed to clean a rear window and / or the lens of at least one headlight and / or taillight of the vehicle.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning fluid stored in the container can be used to clean a specific window or similar cover of at least one sensor and / or at least one camera of the vehicle. Particularly if the vehicle is designed for autonomous driving, it may have a large number of such sensors and / or cameras. Accordingly, it proves advantageous to ensure, by spraying the respective window with the cleaning fluid, that the sensors and / or cameras can detect the vehicle's surroundings as unimpeded as possible through the window or similar cover. Due to the use of the container formed by the base unit, a comparatively large quantity of cleaning fluid can be stored in it.Therefore, the washing fluid can also be used to clean the covers or lenses of a large number of sensors and / or cameras.

[0038] A motor vehicle according to the invention has at least one front pillar structure according to the invention. This allows, in particular, the load-bearing and / or load-transmitting structural components of the motor vehicle to be connected to the front pillar structure easily and reliably via the respective connection point.

[0039] This applies in particular if the motor vehicle has a front pillar structure according to the invention on both the left and right sides (when traveling forwards). These front pillar structures form an integral or one-piece node in the area of ​​the respective A-pillar of the motor vehicle, which provides the respective connection points for the corresponding structural components of the motor vehicle.

[0040] Preferably, the motor vehicle has an electrical energy storage device by means of which electrical energy can be provided for a drive unit of the motor vehicle designed to move the motor vehicle.

[0041] For example, the motor vehicle can thus be designed as an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle with a high-voltage storage system, i.e., with an electrical energy storage system capable of providing a nominal voltage of more than 60 volts and, in particular, up to several hundred volts.

[0042] In such a vehicle, the front pillar structure can advantageously contribute to ensuring that the electrical energy storage device is well protected from damage.

[0043] This applies in particular if the electrical energy storage device, preferably designed as a high-voltage storage device, is arranged below a floor or floor panel of the motor vehicle, which borders a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle from below.

[0044] Because of the way loads are transferred into the side sill via the front pillar structure, the electrical energy storage unit located below the floor panel at the height of the side sill is particularly well protected against damage.

[0045] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the front pillar structure according to the invention also apply to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

[0046] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0047] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective view a front column structure for a motor vehicle, in which a plurality of connection points for support parts of the motor vehicle are formed by a basic body formed in one piece; Fig. Figure 2 highly schematically depicts the motor vehicle designed as an electric vehicle, which has the front pillar structure according to Fig. 1 has; Fig. 3 schematically and in part a section of a car body structure according to Fig. 2, wherein individual support components of the shell structure are shown in a state connected to the front column structure; Fig. 4 another schematic perspective view of a section of the shell structure with the front column structure according to Fig. 1 and with an opposing, similarly designed front column structure; Fig. 5 schematically and perspectivally the connection of a shear field structure, which includes a strut, to the two opposing front column structures according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 in a further schematic perspective view a section of the front column structure according to Fig. 1 with support parts fixed to this; Fig. 7 a side view of the front pillar structure according to Fig. 1 in the transverse direction of the vehicle; Fig. 8 a top view of the front pillar structure according to Fig. 1 in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis; and Fig. 9 another perspective view of the front column structure according to Fig. 1.

[0048] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a structural component for a motor vehicle 1, which is in Fig. Figure 2 is shown in a highly schematic form. The structural component is located in the area of ​​a front pillar or A-pillar of the motor vehicle 1. Accordingly, the structural component is designed as a front pillar structure 2 or A-pillar structure or A-pillar node.

[0049] The front pillar structure 2 is designed as a single, integrated component, manufactured, for example, using a casting process and / or a 3D printing or additive manufacturing process. Accordingly, the front pillar structure 2 comprises a single-piece or monolithic base body 3, into which a multitude of functions are integrated and which serves to connect a multitude of other structural components of the vehicle 1.

[0050] The basic body 3 has a first connection point 4 in the exemplary front pillar structure 2, at which a side sill 5 of the motor vehicle 1 is attached (compare Fig. 3) is connected to the base body 3. For example, the connection point 4 can be designed as a receptacle or in the manner of an insertion area into which a front end of the side sill 5 can be inserted. In a manner known per se and not shown in detail here, the side sill 5 extends from this front end to one of the rear wheels 53 (compare Fig. 2) of the motor vehicle 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the base body 3 of the front column structure 2 has a second connection point 6, which is designed as a column-like extension of the base body 3. The column-like extension extends according to Fig. 3 along a lateral edge of a windshield 7 (compare Fig. 2) of motor vehicle 1, which is in Fig. 3 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0052] Extending from this extension is an A-pillar section 8 (compare Fig. 3) of the motor vehicle 1 towards a roof 9 of the motor vehicle 1, wherein the A-pillar part 8 in Fig. 3 is only schematically indicated. For example, the A-pillar section 8 can be attached to the extension-shaped connection point 6 to provide an upper area of ​​the A-pillar in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis z. The base of the A-pillar, on the other hand, is formed by the front pillar structure 2. In this case, the A-pillar section 8 abuts the windshield 7 of the vehicle 1 laterally in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis y.

[0053] The vehicle's vertical axis z and transverse axis y, as well as the vehicle's longitudinal axis x, are, for example, in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 illustrated by a respective coordinate system.

[0054] The front column structure 2 or the base body 3 of the front column structure 2 has a third connection point 10, via which a front longitudinal member 11 (compare Fig. 3) of the motor vehicle 1 can be connected to the base body 3. In this case, this third connection point 10 is designed as an insertion area into which a rear end of the longitudinal beam 11 can be inserted. Since the longitudinal beam 11 extends from the engine compartment of the motor vehicle 1 towards the front of the motor vehicle 1 and can be used to support a drive motor of the motor vehicle 1, this longitudinal beam 11 can also be referred to as the engine longitudinal beam.

[0055] Out of Fig. 1 It is further evident that the base body 3 has a further connection point 12 at the level of the connection point 4 for the side sill 5, in this case designed in the manner of a box-shaped profile, over which a lower cross member 13 (compare in particular Fig. 4) can be connected to the base body 3. According to Fig. 4 this lower cross member 13 extends in the area of ​​a floor or floor plate 14 of the motor vehicle 1 along an end wall 15 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0056] The front wall 15 defines a passenger compartment 16 of the motor vehicle 1 in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis x, which is bounded on the underside by the floor panel 14. Because the lower cross member 13 extends along the front wall 15, it can also be referred to as the lower front wall cross member. Following the insertion of the lower cross member 13 into the box-shaped profile, which forms the connection point 12 in the exemplary front pillar structure 2 shown, the connection between the lower cross member 13 and the base body 3 can be established in the area of ​​the connection point 12.

[0057] The base body 3 of the front pillar structure 2 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and is to be connected at least at one of the connection points 4, 6, 10, 12 to one of the structural components of the motor vehicle 1 described above as examples. Such a structural component or support element may be made of steel. In such a case, the connection to the base body 3 can be realized in various ways. For example, the base body 3 of the front pillar structure 2 can be connected to the respective structural component by bolting.

[0058] Furthermore, it is possible to connect the base body 3, which is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, to the structural component made of steel by welding, in particular by friction stir welding. However, other methods of connecting such structural components to the base body 3 are also possible, for example, adhesive bonds or the like.

[0059] From the in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, an inside view of the front pillar structure 2 shows, a strut mount 17 can be formed integrally with the base body 3. A strut (not shown) of the vehicle 1 can be connected to the front pillar structure 2 at the strut mount 17.

[0060] In the area of ​​the strut mount 17, a support device 18 is further arranged, which in Fig. Figure 6 is shown enlarged in another perspective view. In particular, from Fig. Figure 6 shows that the support device 18 can have a contact surface 19 with a screw opening 20.

[0061] A strut brace 21 of the motor vehicle 1, which is located in, can be attached via at least one such screw opening 20. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the strut is fixed to the support device 18. The strut brace 21 extends in a manner known per se in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis y towards a further front pillar structure 22, which is analogous to the one shown in Figure 5. Fig. The strut brace 21 is constructed as shown in Figure 1 of the front pillar structure 2. Accordingly, the strut brace 21 is connected to a corresponding support device 23 of the opposite front pillar structure 22, wherein the support device 23 is arranged in the area of ​​a strut mount 24 of the opposite front pillar structure 22.

[0062] According to Fig. In section 5, the strut brace 21 is part of a shear panel or shear panel structure, which in particular comprises two further support struts 25, 26. The first support strut 25, which extends from the strut brace 21, is connected to an upper surface of the longitudinal member 11. Similarly, the second support strut 26 is connected to an upper surface of a front longitudinal member 27 opposite the front longitudinal member 11 in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis y.

[0063] In particular, from a synthesis of Fig. 1 with Fig. Figure 3 further shows that the base body 3 of the front pillar structure 2 has a further connection point 28, at which the base body 3 is connected to an upper cross member 29 of the motor vehicle 1, which extends along a lower edge of the windscreen 7. This upper cross member 29 runs in the same way as the lower cross member 13 (compare Figure 3). Fig. 4) along the end wall 15 and can therefore also be referred to as the upper end wall crossbeam.

[0064] Especially from Fig. 3 and out Fig. Figure 4 shows that the lower cross member 13 is larger and more robust, or rather, more load-bearing overall, than the upper cross member 29. This is due to the fact that, in the case of the vehicle 1, loads are to be transferred into the respective side sills 5 via the lower cross member 13, which are then introduced into the structure of the vehicle 1 via the longitudinal members 11, 27. A load absorption or transfer can also occur to a lesser extent via the upper cross member 29, via which the two front pillar structures 2, 22, which are opposite each other in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis y, are coupled to one another.

[0065] In contrast, a middle crossbar 30 (compare Fig. 4), which is located in the vertical direction of the front pillar structure 2, i.e., when the front pillar structure 2 is installed in the motor vehicle 1 in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis z, below the upper cross member 29 and above the lower cross member 13, is not designed, or at most only to a subordinate extent, for load bearing or load transmission.

[0066] The middle crossbar 30 is in Fig. 4 shown in a perspective view and extends from a connection point 31 (compare Fig. 1) of the basic body 3 of the in Fig. 1 front pillar structure 2 shown towards a corresponding connection point 32, which is formed on the side of the front pillar structure 22 opposite in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1 (compare Fig. 4).

[0067] Especially from Fig. In this respect, it is evident that this connection point 31 for the middle cross member 30 can be smaller or significantly more delicate in its dimensions than the connection point 12 for the lower cross member 13 and the connection point 28 for the upper cross member 29. The middle cross member 30, which can also be referred to as the middle end wall cross member, serves, among other things, for the routing of cables such as electrical cables and / or data cables and / or media cables in the area of ​​the end wall 15.

[0068] In variants of the motor vehicle 1 not shown here, it may be provided that the central cross member 30 is also designed to be more robust or more resilient than, for example, in Fig. 4 shown. Then the connection points 31, 32 of the respective front column structures 2, 22 are also correspondingly more robust and larger in dimensions, so that the middle cross member 30 can be used to a greater extent than shown here as an example for load bearing or load transfer.

[0069] In the present case, the basic body 3 of the respective front pillar structure 2, 22 provides further connection points for additional components of the motor vehicle 1. For example, according to Fig. 1 a bracket 95 is formed integrally with the base body 3 of the front column structure 2, by means of which a (not shown) foot lever assembly of the motor vehicle 1 can be fixed to the front column structure 2.

[0070] Furthermore, the base body 3 of the front pillar structure 2 includes a connection area 96 in which a (not shown) brake unit or brake booster can be connected to the front pillar structure 2, in particular by screwing the brake unit to the front pillar structure 2 in the connection area 96. Corresponding screw openings 98 provided in the connection area 96 are also shown in Fig. 6 to recognize.

[0071] The brake device can be installed in a receiving space 99 formed by the base body 3 of the front column structure 2 (compare Fig. 1) are accommodated, which is bounded towards the passenger compartment 16 of the motor vehicle 1 by a wall encompassing the connection area 96. This wall forms a partial area 40 of the front wall 15 (compare Fig. 6).

[0072] In addition, a further bracket 97 is formed in one piece with the basic body 3 of the respective front pillar structure 2, 22, which serves to connect or fix a (not shown) support or support tube of a cockpit of the motor vehicle 1.

[0073] Especially from Fig. Figure 4 shows that further support struts 33, 34, 35 adjoin the central cross strut 30, which are connected at their respective end sections to the front column structure 2 or the opposite front column structure 22. For example, the Fig. 4 upper support strut 33 from the in Fig. 4 left front pillar structure 22 towards the middle cross member 30 and from there further towards the one in Fig. 4 right front pillar structure 2, namely at the height of the two longitudinal members 11, 27.

[0074] Furthermore, the process runs in Fig. 4 lower support strut 35 from the in Fig. 4 left front column structure 22 upwards to the central cross member 30, and the analogously designed support member 34 extends from the in Fig. 4. The right front column structure 2 extends upwards towards the central cross member 30. Two further support struts 36, 37, which also extend from the central cross member 30, are, in contrast, supported at their ends by means of connecting pieces 38, 39 on the lower cross member 13. The connecting pieces 38, 39 abut an upper wall and a front wall of the lower cross member 13.

[0075] A support structure comprising the support struts 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 allows loads introduced at the front into the longitudinal beams 11, 27 to be transferred into the lower crossbeam 13. The lower crossbeam 13 then ensures the transfer or transmission of the loads into the side sills of the vehicle 1, from which in Fig. 3 the left side sill in the direction of travel 5 is shown in section.

[0076] For example, from Fig. Figure 6 shows that the base body 3 forms the lateral sub-section 40 of the front wall 15 of the motor vehicle 1, which includes the connection area 96. In this sub-section 40, the front wall 15 can also have a socket-shaped holder 41 into which the respective plug parts of a (not shown) connector can be inserted, and in which the plug parts are then held.

[0077] For example, a connector part routed from the engine compartment of motor vehicle 1 can be connected to the one in Fig. The connector part shown on the side of section 40 of the front wall 15 is inserted into the holder 41. A corresponding connector part of the connecting plug can be inserted into the holder 41 from the passenger compartment 16 side. In this way, for example, electrical cables and / or data cables can be connected to each other in the area of ​​the front wall 15 without having to push such cables through the front wall 15.

[0078] Furthermore, it is particularly evident from Fig. It is clearly evident that the base body 3 of the front pillar structure 2 can form a container 42, which is designed to hold washing fluid or washer fluid. The washing fluid introduced into the container 42 via a filling opening 43 can then be used to wash the windows of the motor vehicle 1, such as the windshield 7.

[0079] In this context, Fig. Figure 6 further shows a pumping device or pump 44 schematically, which can pump the washing liquid to the disc to be washed. A corresponding holder 45 for the pump 44 is shown in Fig. 6 shown, wherein the bracket 45 without pump 44 held in the bracket 45 additionally in particular in Fig. 1 can be seen. The bracket 45 is also formed integrally with the base body 3 of the front column structure 2.

[0080] Out of Fig. Figure 6 further shows that, at the level of the container 42 for the washing liquid, a further connection point 46 is formed integrally with the base body 3, which serves to secure an upper longitudinal beam 47 of the motor vehicle 1. This connection point 46 for the upper longitudinal beam 47 is also visible in the perspective views in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 4 clearly visible.

[0081] Approximately Fig. Figure 3 shows that the upper longitudinal beam 47 has a downward curve extending from the connection point 46 to the front longitudinal beam 11. In particular, the upper longitudinal beam 47, which is inserted into the front column structure 2, for example in the area of ​​the connection point 46, can be connected to the upper side of the longitudinal beam 11 via a connecting piece 48. Loads can be transferred via the upper longitudinal beam 47 into an upper area of ​​the base body 3, which are introduced into the front longitudinal beam 11 from a front face.

[0082] Similarly, this applies to another upper longitudinal beam 49, which is separated from the one in Fig. 5 left front longitudinal member 27 curved in an arc towards an upper connection point 50, which is formed in the area of ​​the opposite front column structure 22 corresponding to the connection point 46 of the front column structure 2.

[0083] Out of Fig. 7 is particularly relevant in conjunction with Fig. 3 It is clearly evident that the side sill 5 laterally limits a receiving space in the motor vehicle 1, in which an electrical energy storage device 51 is located below the floor plate 14 (compare Fig. 2) of the motor vehicle 1. Towards the front of the motor vehicle 1, the receiving space is limited by the lower cross member 13.

[0084] The electrical energy storage device 51 can provide electrical energy for a drive unit, for example in the form of at least one electric motor 52, which is used to move the object in Fig. The vehicle 1 is schematically depicted in Figure 2. For example, at least one of the wheels 53 of the vehicle 1 can be driven by means of the at least one electric motor 52.

[0085] In Fig. 2 The electrical energy storage device 51 and the electric motor 52 are shown only schematically and not with regard to their actual spatial arrangement in the motor vehicle 1. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 front pillar structure 3 basic shapes 4 Connection point 5 side skirts 6 Connection point 7 Windscreen 8 A-pillar section 9 Roof 10 Connection point 11 longitudinal beams 12 Connection point 13 crossbeams 14 Floor plate 15 Front wall 16 passenger compartment 17 Strut mount 18 Support device 19 Plant area 20 screw opening 21 Domstrebe 22 Front pillar structure 23 Support device 24 Strut mount 25 support strut 26 Support strut 27 longitudinal beams 28 Connection point 29 crossbeams 30 Cross brace 31 Connection point 32 Connection point 33 Support strut 34 Support strut 35 Support strut 36 Support strut 37 Support strut 38 Connecting piece 39 Connecting piece 40 sub-area 41 bracket 42 containers 43 Filling opening 44 Pump 45 bracket 46 Connection point 47 longitudinal beams 48 Connecting piece 49 longitudinal beams 50 connection point 51 Energy storage 52 Electric motor 53 wheel 95 bracket 96 Connection area 97 bracket 98 screw opening 99 Recording Room x Vehicle longitudinal axis y vehicle transverse axis z Vehicle vertical axis

Claims

Front pillar structure (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a base body (3) which has a first connection point (4) for connecting a side sill (5) of the motor vehicle (1) and a second connection point (6) for connecting an A-pillar part (8) of the motor vehicle (1) laterally adjacent to a windscreen (7) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), wherein the base body (3) is formed in one piece, wherein the base body (3) has a third connection point (10) for connecting a front longitudinal member (11) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), characterized in that the base body (3) provides a container (42) for receiving a washing liquid intended for washing at least one window (7) of the motor vehicle (1). Front pillar structure (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that a strut mount (17), which is designed for attaching a strut of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), is formed integrally with the base body (3). Front pillar structure (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that a support device (18) which has a connection point (19) for fixing a strut brace (21) of the motor vehicle (1) to the support device (18) is arranged in the area of ​​the strut mount (17) and is formed integrally with the base body (3). Front pillar structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (3) has a further connection point (12) for connecting a lower cross member (13) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), which extends in the area of ​​a floor (14) of the motor vehicle (1) along an end wall (15) of the motor vehicle (1) towards a front pillar structure (22) opposite the front pillar structure (2) in the transverse direction (y) of the motor vehicle (1). Front pillar structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (3) has a further connection point (28) for connecting an upper cross member (29) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), which extends along a lower edge of the windscreen (7) towards a front pillar structure (22) opposite the front pillar structure (2) in the transverse direction (y) of the motor vehicle (1). Front column structure (2) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that a further connection point (31) is formed integrally with the base body (3), at which a central cross member (30) of the motor vehicle (1) can be connected to the base body (3), which is arranged in the vertical direction (z) of the front column structure (2) above the lower cross member (13) and below the upper cross member (29). Front column structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (3) has a further connection point (46) arranged in the vertical direction (z) of the front column structure (2) above the third connection point (10) for connecting an upper longitudinal member (47) of the motor vehicle (1) to the base body (3), by means of which a load introduced into the front longitudinal member (11) from a front side of the front longitudinal member (11) can be introduced into an upper area of ​​the base body (3). Front pillar structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front pillar structure (2) forms a lateral part (40) of an end wall (15) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the lateral part (40) of the end wall (15) is formed integrally with the base body (3). Front pillar structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holder (45) for a pump device (44) is formed integrally with the base body (3), which is designed to pump the washing liquid provided for washing the at least one disc (7) of the motor vehicle (1). Motor vehicle (1) with at least one front pillar structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (1) has an electrical energy storage device (51) by means of which electrical energy can be provided for a drive unit (52) of the motor vehicle (1) designed to move the motor vehicle (1).

Images