Vehicle body element and motor vehicle with such

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle body element (64, 66) for connecting a rear axle (26) to a motor vehicle (10), preferably driven by an electric drive motor (80). The vehicle body element (64, 66) comprises a longitudinal member structure (36) forming a first plane (54) and an axle fastening (30) forming a second plane (56). Two spacer elements (68, 70) are arranged between the longitudinal member structure (36) and the axle fastening (30), wherein the connection points (46, 48) for the rear axle (26) are formed on the spacer elements (68, 70). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (10) with two such vehicle body elements (64, 66) for connecting a preferably driven rear axle (26) to the motor vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle body element for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such a vehicle body element according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.

[0002] Numerous solutions are known for connecting drive and chassis components to the underbody of a motor vehicle. Connecting driven rear axles in battery-electric vehicles presents a further challenge, as the installation space is limited, particularly due to the vehicle battery, and connections for drive components and / or axle components familiar from vehicles with combustion engines cannot be adopted. Both the location where such connections can be implemented and the limited installation space present a particular challenge.

[0003] US 2002 / 0 008 409 A1 discloses a cross member as part of a motor vehicle floor assembly. It has a fastening area on both sides for bolting on a rear axle assembly and a spring support area. The fastening area borders the spring support area. In order to specifically absorb the compressive and bending stresses introduced into the fastening area, the cross member is provided with a stiffening structure made of additional metal sheets, which provide local stiffening and strength in these areas.

[0004] US 2013 / 0 093 217 A1 describes an underbody structure for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle comprises a floor and two spaced-apart longitudinal members, which are connected to a cross member at least in the front and rear regions. The motor vehicle comprises spring plates for accommodating coil springs. At least the cross member arranged in the rear region of the underbody structure is designed as a hollow profile, the top wall of which is formed from at least two individual, interconnected support profiles.

[0005] Furthermore, US 5,580,121 A discloses a rear cross member for the body of an open vehicle, in particular a convertible. The vehicle has a passenger compartment formed in part by a front floor pan, which is located in a raised rear floor panel together with right and left rear inner wheel arch panels.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of enabling a compact rear axle connection in a motor vehicle and at least partially overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by a vehicle body element for connecting a rear axle to a motor vehicle. The vehicle body element comprises a longitudinal member structure forming a first plane, an axle attachment forming a second plane, and two spacer elements arranged between the longitudinal member structure and the axle attachment, with connection points for the rear axle being formed on the spacer elements. The motor vehicle according to the invention enables a load-path-independent and very compact connection of a rear axle to a motor vehicle. This achieves high crash safety with a very compact design, and minimizes the risk of damage to a battery pack of a high-voltage battery of an electrically powered motor vehicle arranged between the axles of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The additional features mentioned in the dependent claims enable advantageous embodiments and improvements of the vehicle body element listed in the independent claim.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer elements are designed as threaded tubes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two threaded tubes are provided on each side to fasten the axles on the body side. These are spot welded on two levels, namely on an upper level to the longitudinal member structure and on a lower level to the axle attachment. The compact design of the threaded tubes and a cutout in the axle attachment make it easy to provide the necessary installation space for attaching the rear axle. The height of the installation space is defined by the distance between the plane running through the longitudinal member structure and the plane through the axle attachment. The threaded tubes bridge the distance between the two levels and thus serve as supporting elements of the vehicle body element according to the invention.The counterbearing for the threaded tubes is additionally supported by the longitudinal member structure, with a strut on the inner threaded tube and a support member on the outer threaded tube. To accommodate the lateral space requirements of the axle and the supporting effect of the support member, the latter has a profile that tapers towards the rear. This provides the installation space required for the rear axle.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first connection tab is arranged at a first end of the spacer element, and a second connection tab is arranged at a second end of the spacer element opposite the first end. This allows for simplified connection of the spacer elements, in particular the threaded tubes. In particular, the connection tabs allow for simple welding of the spacer element to the longitudinal member structure and the axle attachment.

[0011] It is preferred if the first connecting bracket is connected to the longitudinal member structure and the second connecting bracket is connected to the axle mount. This allows for simplified connection of the spacer elements, in particular the threaded tubes. In particular, the connecting brackets allow for simple welding of the spacer element to the longitudinal member structure and the axle mount.

[0012] It is particularly preferred if the axle attachment has a recess and the connecting tabs of the first spacer element and the second spacer element are each oriented in the direction of the recess. The special design of the threaded tubes, in which a connecting tab is formed or arranged at each end of the threaded tubes, has the great advantage over a known solution in which only one connecting tab is provided on a threaded tube that a simple connection of the spacer element is possible at both levels, i.e. both at the upper level defined by the longitudinal member structure and at the lower level defined by the axle attachment. This enables a very stable overall structure with minimal installation space requirements. The thread diameter of the threaded tubes can be designed in the common metric thread increments.A further advantage of this design lies in the design of the connecting plates. Since the space between the upper and lower levels is insufficient to allow welding guns to grip the profile, the connecting plates are arranged offset. This allows the lower connecting plate to be welded to the axle mount in a first weld, and then, as the joining process continues, the upper plate can be welded to the longitudinal member structure past the lower connecting plate. This also contributes to a compact design, as the threaded tubes do not need to be made longer than necessary and do not need to be extended to improve weldability.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the axle mount is connected by means of a connecting element to a cross member arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal support structure. This allows for increased rigidity while maintaining a very compact design.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle body element, the vehicle body element comprises a support part, wherein the support part has a joining flange in the area of an axle connection to connect the support part to the longitudinal member structure and the axle attachment. To accommodate the lateral space requirement of the axle and the supporting effect of the support part, the support part has a profile that tapers in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with two such vehicle body elements, wherein a rear axle of the motor vehicle is attached to the motor vehicle by means of the vehicle body elements. Each of the vehicle body elements can accommodate an axle section to enable a compact connection of the axle to the chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle is designed as a battery-electric vehicle, with a battery pack of a high-voltage battery arranged between the first vehicle body element and the second vehicle body element. Due to the battery, the available installation space in electrically powered vehicles is particularly critical. Furthermore, it must be ensured that in the event of a minor accident, the connection of the rear axle does not lead to damage to the battery, in order to minimize consequential damage.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle, the rear axle is connected to an electric drive motor and is designed as a driven rear axle. Particularly in the case of electrically driven rear axles with an electric drive motor, which is connected to each of the two wheels of the rear axle via an axle section, a compact connection is particularly challenging. The vehicle body elements according to the invention enable a compact connection with stable, rigid connections and favorable crash characteristics.

[0018] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in the individual case.

[0019] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle according to the invention with two vehicle body elements according to the invention, via which a rear axle is attached to the motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a vehicle body element according to the invention for connecting a rear axle to a motor vehicle in a view from below, Fig. 3 a vehicle body element according to the invention for connecting a rear axle to a motor vehicle in a view from behind, Fig. 4 a detailed view of a support part of a vehicle body element according to the invention, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a vehicle body element according to the invention for connecting a rear axle to a motor vehicle, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a threaded tube of a vehicle body element according to the invention, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the connection of a longitudinal member structure and an axle fastening to the threaded tube, Fig. 8 a connection of a rear axle of a motor vehicle with a vehicle body element according to the invention, and Fig. 9 a further illustration for connecting a rear axle of a motor vehicle to a vehicle body element according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 10 is preferably designed as an electrically powered motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 has a body 12, which comprises a front section 14, a rear section 16, a roof 18, and an underbody structure 20. The motor vehicle 10 further has at least one door 22 to enable entry into a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 has a front axle 24 and a rear axle 26. A high-voltage battery 28 is arranged between the front axle 24 and the rear axle 26. To drive the motor vehicle 10, an electric drive motor 80 is provided, which is arranged at the level of the rear axle 26 and drives the rear axle 26.

[0021] In Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention for connecting a rear axle 26 to a motor vehicle 10 in a view from below. The vehicle body element 64, 66 comprises a longitudinal member structure 36, which forms a first plane 54, which is also referred to below as the upper plane 54. The vehicle body element 64, 66 further comprises an axle fastening 30, which forms a second plane 56, which is also referred to below as the lower plane 56. The vehicle body element 64, 66 is located on the rear end 16 of the motor vehicle 10. Due to a modified rear axle connection, the screw connection on the body is designed accordingly. Two spacer elements 68, 70 are provided for each side of the motor vehicle 10. The spacer elements 68, 70 are preferably designed as threaded tubes 32, 34.A first connection bracket 60 is provided on the first spacer element 68, and a second connection bracket 62 is provided on the second spacer element 70. The connection is made in a planar XY plane and rotated by an angle of 5° to 25° around the Z axis. The position is primarily defined by the rear axle 26. The installation space of the axle body is also used between the connection points 46, 48 of the axle. This requires a correspondingly compact connection and design of the area surrounding the rear axle 26.

[0022] In addition to the longitudinal member structure 36 and the axle fastening 30, the vehicle body element 64, 66 comprises a cross member 40 which is connected to the axle fastening 30 via a connecting element 38.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a rear view of the vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention. For fastening an axle 24, 26, in particular a rear axle 26 of a motor vehicle 10, two spacer elements 68, 70, in particular two threaded tubes 32, 34, are provided on each side of the body. The threaded tubes 32, 34 are welded to the longitudinal member structure 36 of the vehicle body element 64, 66 at the upper level 54 and to the axle fastening 30 at the lower level 56. The compact design of the threaded tubes 32, 34 and a recess 76 in the axle fastening 30 allows the required installation space for the rear axle 26 to be provided. At height h, the installation space of the rear axle 26 is defined by the upper level 54. The threaded tubes 32, 34 bridge the distance between the lower level 56 and the upper level 54 and thus serve as supporting elements of the vehicle body elements 64, 66.A counter bearing for the threaded tubes 32, 34 is formed by the longitudinal support structure 36 and / or on a strut 42 connected to the longitudinal support structure 36 on the inside of the two threaded tubes 32 and by the support part 44 on the outer of the two threaded tubes 34.

[0024] In order to accommodate the lateral space requirements of the rear axle 26 and the supporting effect of the support member 44, the support member 44 has a profile that tapers in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] In Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the support part 44. The support part 44 has a joining flange 58 for connecting the support part 44 to the longitudinal support structure 36 and the axle attachment 30. The tapering of the support part 44 in the longitudinal direction creates additional installation space for accommodating the rear axle 26. The joining flange 58 and the connection to the longitudinal support structure 36 and the axle attachment increase the flexural rigidity and torsional strength of the vehicle body element 64, 66 in order to enable the most efficient power transmission to the rear axle 26.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention for connecting a rear axle 26 to a motor vehicle 10. The design of the spacer elements 68, 70, in particular of the threaded tubes 32, 34, plays a significant role in implementing a compact, crash-proof axle connection. The threaded tubes 32, 34 each have a connecting tab 60, 62 at their two ends 72, 74. At a first end 72, which borders the upper plane 54 of the longitudinal member structure 36, a first connecting tab 60 is formed or connected to the threaded tube 32, 34. At a second end 74 of the threaded tube 32, 34 opposite the first end 72, a second connecting tab 62 is formed or connected to the threaded tube 32, 34. The first connecting tab 60 serves to connect the threaded tube 32, 34 to the longitudinal member structure 36 of the vehicle body element 64, 66.The second connecting bracket 62 serves to connect the threaded tube 32, 34 to the axle mount 30. The connections between the connecting brackets 60, 62 and the longitudinal member structure 36 or the axle mount are preferably designed as welded connections. The thread diameter of the threaded tubes 32, 34 can be implemented in the standard metric thread increments. A further advantage of this design lies in the design of the connecting brackets 60, 62. Since the installation space between the upper level 54 and the lower level 56 is insufficient to engage the profile with welding tongs, the connecting brackets 60, 62 are arranged offset. In this way, the lower connection tab 62 can be welded to the axle fastening 30 in a first weld and, in the further joining process, the upper connection tab 60 can be welded to the longitudinal member structure 36 past the lower connection tab 62.This also contributes to a compact design, since the threaded pipes 32, 34 do not have to be made longer than necessary.

[0027] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a threaded tube 32, 34 of a vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention. The threaded tube 32, 34 has a first end 72, at which a first connecting tab 60 is connected to the first end 72 of the threaded tube 32, 34. The threaded tube 32, 34 further has a second end 74, which is connectable to the lower level 56, wherein a second connecting tab 62 is arranged at the second end 74 and is connected to the second end 74 of the threaded tube 32, 34.

[0028] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of the connection of a longitudinal member structure 36 and an axle attachment 30 to the threaded tube 32, 34. Two welding electrodes 78, 79 can be seen, which weld the first connecting tab 60 to the longitudinal member structure 36 and the second connecting tab 62 to the axle attachment. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first connecting tab 60 and the second connecting tab 62 are geometrically designed and / or arranged such that the second welding electrode 79 can be guided past the second connecting tab 62 in order to weld the first connecting tab 60 to the longitudinal member structure 36.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 8 shows a connection of a rear axle 26 of a motor vehicle 10 with a vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention in a view from below. Around the actual connection of the rear axle 26, a toothing with additional structurally supporting peripheries is taken into account in the design of the vehicle body elements 64, 66. Despite the large installation space required by the rear axle 26, a transition in the form of a connecting element 38 is provided adjacent to the axle attachment 30, which connects the axle attachment 30 to a cross member 40 that supports the high-voltage battery 28. The connecting element 38 is constructed as a multi-part U-profile and is provided with side supports. These enable a lateral connection as well as a connection in the vertical direction. This enables a flexurally and torsionally rigid connection between the axle attachment 30 and the longitudinal member structure 36.Since this interface is also designed longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal member structure 36, it also provides the possibility of tolerance compensation in this direction. The resulting compact design is a decisive advantage in this area, as this area is required by the high-voltage battery 28.

[0030] Fig. 9 shows a connection of a rear axle 26 of a motor vehicle 10 with a vehicle body element 64, 66 according to the invention in a further perspective. List of reference symbols 10 motor vehicle 12 Body 14 front end 16 rear carriage 18 Roof 20 Underbody structure 22 Door 24 front axle 26 Rear axle 28 high-voltage battery 30 Axle mounting 32 first threaded pipe 34 second threaded pipe 36 Longitudinal member structure 38 connecting element 40 cross members 42 Strut 44 Carrier part 46 first axle connection point 48 second axle connection point 50 first support element 52 second support element 54 first level / upper level 56 second level / lower level 58 joining flange 60 first connection tab 62 second connection tab 64 first vehicle body element 66 second vehicle body element 68 first spacer element 70 second spacer element 72 first end 74 second end 76 recess 80 electric drive motor QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2002 / 0 008 409 A1

[0003] US 2013 / 0 093 217 A1

[0004] US 5,580,121 A

[0005]

Claims

[1] Vehicle body element (64, 66) for connecting a rear axle (26) to a motor vehicle (10), comprising - a longitudinal support structure (36) forming a first plane (54), - an axle fastening (30) which forms a second plane (56), and - two spacer elements (68, 70) arranged between the longitudinal member structure (36) and the axle fastening (30), wherein connection points (46, 48) for the rear axle (26) are formed on the spacer elements (68, 70). [2] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to claim 1, wherein the spacer elements (68, 70) are designed as threaded tubes (32, 34). [3] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first connection tab (60) is arranged at a first end (72) of the spacer element (68, 70) and a second connection tab (62) is arranged at a second end (74) of the spacer element (68, 70) opposite the first end (72). [4] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to claim 3, wherein the first connection tab (60) is connected to the longitudinal member structure (36) and the second connection tab (62) is connected to the axle attachment (30). [5] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to claim 4, wherein the axle fastening (30) has a recess (76) and the connecting tabs (60, 62) of the first connecting element (68) and the second connecting element (70) are each oriented in the direction of the recess (76). [6] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the axle fastening (30) is connected by means of a connecting element (38) to a cross member (40) which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal member structure (36). [7] Vehicle body element (64, 66) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vehicle body element (64, 66) comprises a support part (44), wherein the support part (44) has a joining flange (58) in the region of an axle connection in order to connect the support part (44) to the longitudinal support structure (36) and the axle fastening (30). [8] Motor vehicle (10) with two vehicle body elements (64, 66) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a rear axle (26) is fastened to the motor vehicle (10) by means of the vehicle body elements (64, 66). [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 8, wherein the motor vehicle is designed as a battery-electric motor vehicle (10), wherein a high-voltage battery (28) is arranged between the first vehicle body element (64) and the second vehicle body element (66). [10] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the rear axle (26) is connected to an electric drive motor (80) and is designed as a driven rear axle (26).

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