vehicle body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle body (100) comprising a vehicle pillar (1) with a door flange (1.1) and a support angle (2) which is arranged adjacent to the door flange (1.1) on an inner side of the vehicle pillar (1) and which has a support leg (2.1) running substantially parallel to the door flange (1.1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body comprising a vehicle pillar with a door flange.

[0002] Such a vehicle body is known, for example, from DE 10 2016 203 339 A1 or DE 10 2019 200 798 A1.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 018 407 A1 a vehicle body according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of realizing a vehicle body with good side crash properties.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle body having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The vehicle body according to the invention comprises a vehicle pillar with a door flange that defines an entry opening in the vehicle body that can be closed by a vehicle door, and that cooperates with the vehicle door to close the entry opening. Typically, a door seal is attached to the door flange. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle pillar is a B-pillar.

[0007] The vehicle body according to the invention further comprises a support bracket arranged adjacent to the door flange on an inner side of the vehicle pillar, i.e., a side facing an interior of the vehicle body. The support bracket comprises two legs arranged at an angle to one another, preferably plate-shaped, which are firmly connected to one another. The support bracket is preferably formed in one piece and preferably consists of a metal, particularly preferably aluminum. The support bracket is attached directly or indirectly to the vehicle pillar.

[0008] According to the invention, the support bracket is arranged on the vehicle pillar such that one of the two legs of the support bracket forms a support leg that runs essentially parallel to the door flange of the vehicle pillar, so that in the event of a side impact, the door flange is supported by the support leg of the support bracket, thereby preventing or at least reducing the risk of the vehicle door penetrating the interior of the vehicle body. "Essentially parallel" here means that the support leg does not have to run perfectly parallel to the door flange, but can also run slightly angled, i.e., at an angle of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°, to the door flange.

[0009] Because the support angle according to the invention prevents or at least reduces the penetration of the vehicle door into the interior in the event of a side crash, the vehicle body according to the invention has good side crash properties.

[0010] The vehicle body according to the invention is the body of a convertible, i.e., a vehicle with a convertible top that can be opened or closed as desired. A convertible top support device for supporting the convertible top is arranged adjacent to the vehicle pillar, specifically on a B-pillar, and is preferably attached directly to the vehicle pillar. According to the invention, the support bracket is attached to the convertible top support device, for example, to a supporting structure or to a housing of the convertible top support device, so that no additional attachment device is required to attach the support bracket.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the support bracket comprises a fastening leg arranged at an angle to the support leg, via which the support bracket is attached. The support bracket is therefore not attached via the support leg, but rather via the other leg, which is angled to the support leg, so that no structurally weakening openings for fastening devices need to be provided in the support leg.

[0012] For stiffening purposes, the support angle preferably comprises a stiffening web, preferably in the form of a plate, which connects the support leg to the fastening leg.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the support bracket additionally comprises an additional stiffening web that connects the stiffening web to the support leg and / or the fastening leg, preferably to the support leg. Preferably, the additional stiffening web runs perpendicular to the stiffening web. This allows for the realization of a particularly rigid support bracket.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the support bracket is designed as an extruded profile, i.e., manufactured using an extrusion process. This allows for cost-effective production of the support bracket. However, it is also conceivable for the support bracket to be designed as a stamped and bent part or to be formed from welded metal plates.

[0015] Preferably, the support angle is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane, i.e. with respect to a transverse plane running through the center of the support angle and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the support angle, so that the support angle can be installed by inverted installation on both a driver-side vehicle pillar and a passenger-side vehicle pillar.

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 schematically shows a part of a vehicle body according to the invention in perspective view, and Fig. 2 schematically shows a part of the vehicle body according to the invention in a partially sectioned representation.

[0017] The figures each show a vehicle pillar 1, a support angle 2 and a convertible top bearing device 3 of a vehicle body 100 according to the invention.

[0018] Fig. 2 additionally shows a vehicle door 4 of the vehicle body 100.

[0019] In the present exemplary embodiment, the vehicle pillar 1 is a B-pillar and comprises a door flange 1.1 that interacts with the vehicle door 4.

[0020] The convertible top storage device 3 is arranged adjacent to the vehicle pillar 1 on an inner side of the vehicle pillar 1 and serves to support a convertible top (not shown here).

[0021] In the present embodiment, the support angle 2 is designed as an extruded profile made of aluminum.

[0022] The support angle 2 comprises a support leg 2.1, a fastening leg 2.2 arranged at an angle to the support leg 2.1, a stiffening web 2.3 which connects the support leg 2.1 to the fastening leg 2.2, and a further stiffening web 2.4 which runs perpendicular to the stiffening web 2.3 and connects the stiffening web 2.3 to the support leg 2.1.

[0023] The support angle 2 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane M, so that the support angle 2 can be installed on both the driver's side and the passenger's side.

[0024] The support bracket 2 is fastened to a supporting structure 3.1 of the convertible top bearing device 3 via the fastening leg 2.2 by means of two screws 5, wherein two openings 2.5 are formed in each of the stiffening web 2.3 and the further stiffening web 2.4 in order to enable easy tightening / loosening of the screws 5.

[0025] The support bracket 2 is fastened to the convertible top bearing device 3 in such a way that the support bracket 2 is arranged adjacent to the door flange 1.1 and that the support leg 2.1 runs substantially parallel to the door flange 1.1, so that the support bracket 2 can support the door flange 1.1 via the support leg 2.1 in the event of a side crash, in order to prevent or at least reduce the penetration of the vehicle door 4 into an interior space.

Claims

[1] Vehicle body (100) comprising a vehicle pillar (1) with a door flange (1.1) and a support bracket (2) which is arranged adjacent to the door flange (1.1) on an inner side of the vehicle pillar (1) and which has a support leg (2.1) running substantially parallel to the door flange (1.1), characterized by that a convertible top bearing device (3) arranged adjacent to the vehicle pillar (1) is provided for supporting a convertible top, wherein the support angle (2) is fastened to the convertible top bearing device (3). [2] Vehicle body (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support angle (2) has a fastening leg (2.2) arranged at an angle to the support leg (2.1), via which the support angle (2) is fastened. [3] Vehicle body (100) according to claim 2, wherein the support angle (2) has a stiffening web (2.3) which connects the support leg (2.1) to the fastening leg (2.2). [4] Vehicle body (100) according to claim 3, wherein the support angle (2) has a further stiffening web (2.4) which connects the stiffening web (2.3) to the support leg (2.1) and / or the fastening leg (2.2). [5] Vehicle body (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support angle (2) is designed as an extruded profile. [6] Vehicle body (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support angle (2) is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (M).

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