Integrally reinforced sill structure for a vehicle as well as vehicle

Abstract

Sill structure for a vehicle, comprising a hollow body extending in an x-direction of the vehicle as intended, consisting of a first sheet steel shell and a second sheet steel shell, and a U-shaped reinforcing element arranged in the hollow body and extending continuously in the x-direction over a length of the hollow body, which is connected to an inner surface of the first sheet steel shell, as well as a vehicle with a sill structure.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sill structure for a vehicle, comprising a hollow body extending in the x-direction of the vehicle, consisting of a first sheet steel shell and a second sheet steel shell, and a U-shaped reinforcing element arranged in the hollow body and extending continuously in the x-direction over the length of the hollow body, which is connected to an inner surface of the first sheet steel shell. The invention further relates to a vehicle with a sill structure.

[0002] Sill structures of the type mentioned above, in various configurations, represent the state of the art and serve to ensure the structural stability of the vehicle's passenger compartment and to protect the vehicle against side collisions. In an electric vehicle, the sill structures primarily protect the high-voltage (HV) traction battery, which is typically located in the vehicle's floor area between the two sill structures.

[0003] WO 2019 / 059 821 A1 discloses a sill structure for a vehicle, comprising a hollow body extending in an x-direction of the vehicle as intended, consisting of two shells, and a wave-shaped reinforcing element arranged in the hollow body, which is arranged in a region of a B-pillar of the vehicle with respect to an x-direction of the vehicle and is in contact with each shell of the hollow body.

[0004] From DE 10 2019 217 259 A1 and DE 10 2012 206 032, a similar sill structure for a vehicle is known, comprising a one-piece U-profile extending in the x-direction of the vehicle as a reinforcing element, which is connected exclusively to a shell of the hollow body. The subsequently published patent specification DE 10 2024 000 478 B3 also teaches the design of the reinforcing element as a two-part structure.

[0005] DE 10 2015 207 376 A1 discloses a sill structure for a vehicle, which is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and comprises a hollow body extending in an x-direction of the vehicle as intended, consisting of two shells, and a reinforcing element arranged in the hollow body, which is connected to each shell over a surface.

[0006] One object of the invention is to provide an alternative sill structure for a vehicle that is cost-effective to manufacture, easy to assemble, and meets future requirements regarding the forces it must absorb. A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle with a sill structure.

[0007] An object of the invention is a sill structure for a vehicle, comprising a hollow body extending in the x-direction of the vehicle, consisting of a first sheet steel shell and a second sheet steel shell, and a U-shaped reinforcing element arranged within the hollow body and extending continuously in the x-direction over the length of the hollow body, which is connected to an inner surface of the first sheet steel shell. The hollow body has the simplest possible structure. It consists of the two sheet steel shells; that is, a cross-sectional surface of the sheet steel shells extending perpendicular to the x-direction is topologically an annulus. In other words, the two sheet steel shells completely enclose a cavity within the hollow body without any further modification. The hollow body has an elongated shape and defines a longitudinal direction of the hollow body that extends at least substantially parallel to the x-direction.

[0008] Due to the connection of the U-shaped reinforcing element with the first steel sheet shell, a free path between the reinforcing element and the first steel sheet shell is avoided, i.e., force transmission occurs without delay in the event of an impact.

[0009] The reinforcing element enables the sill structure to withstand greater forces than the hollow body alone. With respect to the vehicle's y-direction, the two steel sheet shells can be referred to as an inner shell and an outer shell, with the first steel sheet shell being either the inner or the outer shell.

[0010] The U-shape of the reinforcing element means that a cross-section of the reinforcing element is U-shaped perpendicular to the x-direction. Due to the U-shape, the reinforcing element is open on one side. Together with the connected first steel sheet shell, the U-shaped reinforcing element forms a completely enclosed cavity within the cavity formed by the two steel sheet shells.

[0011] According to the invention, the reinforcing element is arranged at a distance from an inner surface of the second steel sheet shell. The second steel sheet shell is accordingly either the outer shell or the inner shell, i.e., the remaining shell in each case. The distance between the reinforcing element and the second steel sheet shell means that the reinforcing element is not connected to the second steel sheet shell, thus simplifying the assembly of the sill structure.

[0012] The smaller the distance between the reinforcing element and the second sheet steel shell, the shorter the corresponding free path.

[0013] The reinforcing element can have two flange sections extending continuously along its length in the x-direction, which are in contact with the inner surface of the first steel sheet shell. These two flange sections allow for a continuous connection of the reinforcing element to the first steel sheet shell, resulting in a stable connection between the first steel sheet shell and the reinforcing element.

[0014] In a non-inventive embodiment, the reinforcing element is formed in one piece. In the case of the one-piece design, the sill structure consists of only three parts, resulting in a high degree of structural simplicity.

[0015] According to the invention, the reinforcing element comprises two separate parts extending continuously in the x-direction, with overlapping sections of the two parts in contact with each other. While the sill structure in this case consists of four parts and is structurally somewhat more complex than the three-part embodiment, this is offset by greater flexibility in the design of the reinforcing element.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, the two parts of the reinforcing element have different wall thicknesses and / or comprise different materials. For example, the two parts of the reinforcing element can differ in wall thickness, i.e., one part can be thicker than the other. Likewise, the respective materials of the two parts can differ. Appropriately selected wall thicknesses and / or materials can optimize the ability of the reinforcing element to absorb or dissipate forces or reduce the costs of the sill structure.

[0017] The reinforcing element can comprise a deep-drawn part and / or be designed as a tailored blank and / or be made of or consisting of a high-strength steel and / or be at least partially heat-treated. Deep drawing a sheet metal blank is an economical and proven method for forming the reinforcing element. A tailored blank is, for example, designed as a tailor-welded blank (TWB), a tailor-rolled blank (TRB), or a patchwork blank.

[0018] Examples of high-strength steels include dual-phase (DP) steels, complex-phase (CP) steels, TRIP steels (RA) steels (residual austenite), and martensitic (MS) steels. A quenched and tempered steel is a steel that achieves high tensile and fatigue strength as a result of quenching and tempering, i.e., hardening and tempering.

[0019] Furthermore, the reinforcing element may have a bulge at its front end (relative to the x-direction) and / or its width (measured relative to the y-direction of the vehicle) may vary in the x-direction. The bulge is a widening of the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity formed by the reinforcing element together with the first steel sheet shell.

[0020] Preferably, the reinforcing element comprises a plurality of stiffening elements arranged one behind the other with respect to the x-direction, and / or the reinforcing element includes a plurality of local doublers and / or a plurality of local bulkheads. The stiffening elements can include waves, beads, embossments, local tufts, and the like.

[0021] Each steel sheet shell can have two flange sections extending continuously in the x-direction of the vehicle, with corresponding flange sections abutting each other. The two steel sheet shells can be easily connected by means of the flange sections. The two flange sections of each steel sheet shell project from edges of the respective steel sheet shell extending in the x-direction and, in particular, extend in at least substantially opposite directions.

[0022] The flange sections of the steel sheet shells advantageously extend parallel to an xz-plane of the vehicle. In particular, the flange sections can extend in the same plane.

[0023] Ideally, sections and / or surfaces of the sill structure are joined by multiple spot welds in an alternating pattern. These spot welds are created, for example, using resistance welding, which is cost-effective, requires no additional parts, and can be implemented within a production line with short cycle times. Furthermore, all sections and / or surfaces to be welded are accessible from two sides, thus facilitating the simple manufacturing of the sill structure.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention is a vehicle comprising two sill structures arranged on opposite lateral outer sides of the vehicle. The sill structures are typically arranged in a floor area of ​​the vehicle and can, in particular, protect a high-voltage traction battery of an electric vehicle arranged between the sill structures.

[0025] According to the invention, each sill structure is designed according to one embodiment of the invention. Thanks to the sill structure according to the invention, the safety of the vehicle is improved, particularly in a side collision.

[0026] A key advantage of the sill structure according to the invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, and meets future requirements regarding forces to be absorbed.

[0027] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings with reference to one embodiment and is further described with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a side view of a sill structure according to an embodiment of the invention for a vehicle; Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 sill structure shown; Fig. 3 a perspective side view of the in Fig. 1 shown sill structure.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a sill structure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for a vehicle. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1. Sill structure shown 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of the in Fig. 1. Sill structure shown 1.

[0029] A vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention can comprise two sill structures 1 which are arranged on opposite lateral outer sides of the vehicle.

[0030] The sill structure 1 comprises a hollow body 10 extending in an x-direction 2 of the vehicle, consisting of a first steel sheet shell 100 and a second steel sheet shell 101, which are in Fig.1 is omitted. Each steel sheet shell 100, 101 can have two flange sections 102, 103 extending continuously in the x-direction 2 of the vehicle, with corresponding flange sections 102, 103 being in contact with each other. The flange sections 102, 103 of the steel sheet shells 100, 101 advantageously extend parallel to an xz-plane of the vehicle.

[0031] Furthermore, the sill structure 1 includes a U-shaped reinforcing element 11 arranged in the hollow body 10, which extends continuously in the x-direction 2 over a length of the hollow body 10.

[0032] The reinforcing element 11 is connected to an inner surface of the first steel sheet shell 100. The reinforcing element 11 can have two flange sections 110, 111 which extend continuously in the x-direction 2 over a length of the reinforcing element 11 and are in contact with the inner surface of the first steel sheet shell 100.

[0033] The reinforcing element 11 is arranged at a distance from an inner surface of the second steel sheet shell 101.

[0034] The reinforcing element 11 preferably comprises two separate parts 112, 113 extending continuously in the x-direction 2. Overlapping sections of the two parts 112, 113 are in contact with each other. The two parts 112, 113 of the reinforcing element 11 can then have different wall thicknesses and / or comprise different materials.

[0035] The reinforcing element 11 can comprise a deep-drawn part and / or be designed as a tailored blank. Furthermore, the reinforcing element 11 can comprise or consist of a high-strength steel and / or be at least partially heat-treated.

[0036] For example, the reinforcing element 11 has a bulge 114 at its front end, relative to the x-direction 2. Furthermore, the width of the reinforcing element 11, measured relative to the y-direction 3 of the vehicle, can vary in the x-direction 2.

[0037] Additionally, the reinforcing element 11 can have a plurality of stiffening elements 115 arranged one behind the other with respect to the x-direction 2. Alternatively or additionally, the reinforcing element can include a plurality of local doublers and / or a plurality of local bulkheads.

[0038] Sections and / or surfaces of the sill structure 1, which are in mutual arrangement, can each be joined by means of a plurality of welding points 12 in a materially bonded manner. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 Sill structure 10 hollow bodies 100 first steel sheet tray 101 second steel sheet shell 102 Flange section 103 Flange section 11 Reinforcing element 110 Flange section 111 Flange section Part 112 Part 113 114 Tulling 115 Stiffening element 12 welding points 2 x-direction 3 y-direction

Claims

[1] Sill structure (1) for a vehicle, comprising a hollow body (10) extending in an x-direction (2) of the vehicle as intended, made of a first sheet steel shell (100) and a second sheet steel shell (101), and a U-shaped reinforcing element (11) arranged in the hollow body (10) and extending continuously in the x-direction (2) over a length of the hollow body (10), which is connected to an inner surface of the first sheet steel shell (100) and spaced apart from an inner surface of the second sheet steel shell (101), characterized by , that the reinforcing element (11) comprises two separate parts (112, 113) extending continuously in the x-direction (2) and overlapping sections of the two parts (112, 113) are in contact with each other and the two parts (112, 113) of the reinforcing element (11) have different wall thicknesses and / or comprise different materials. [2] Sill structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element (11) has two flange sections (110, 111) extending continuously in the x-direction (2) over a length of the reinforcing element (11) which are in contact with the inner surface of the first sheet steel shell (100). [3] Sill structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing element (11) comprises a deep-drawn part and / or is designed as a tailored blank, and / or comprises or consists of a high-strength steel and / or is at least partially tempered. [4] Sill structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing element (11) has a tuft (114) in a front end region with respect to the x-direction (2) and / or varies the width of the reinforcing element (11) in the x-direction (2) as measured with respect to a y-direction (3) of the vehicle. [5] Sill structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing element (11) comprises a plurality of stiffening elements (115) arranged one behind the other with respect to the x-direction (2), and / or comprises a plurality of local doublers and / or a plurality of local bulkheads. [6] Sill structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each steel sheet shell (100, 101) has two flange sections (102, 103) extending continuously in the x-direction (2) of the vehicle, wherein corresponding flange sections (102, 103) are in contact with each other. [7] Sill structure according to claim 6, wherein the flange sections (102, 103) of the steel sheet shells (100, 101) extend parallel to an xz-plane of the vehicle as intended. [8] Sill structure according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein sections and / or surfaces of the sill structure (1) are joined in mutual arrangement by means of a plurality of welding points (12) in a materially bonded manner. [9] Vehicle comprising two sill structures (1) arranged on opposite lateral outer sides of the vehicle, each according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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