Crossbeams for receiving or supporting a windshield of a motor vehicle, and methods

Abstract

The invention relates to a cross member (10) for receiving or supporting a windshield of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower shell (12), an upper shell (14), and at least one structural rib (16) arranged between the lower shell and the upper shell, which extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cross member (10), wherein a sealing component (18) is arranged between the at least one structural rib (16) and the upper shell (14), the sealing component resting on an upper edge (16a) of the structural rib (16) and bearing against an inner surface (14a) of the upper shell (14). The invention further relates to a method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cross member for receiving or supporting a windshield of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a cross member.

[0002] Such cross members are intended for the structural design in the area of ​​the lower windscreen frame, typically performing a load-bearing and sealing function between the body structure and the windscreen, while also being designed to accommodate components such as ventilation ducts or sensor units.

[0003] In DE 10 2007 006 031 A1, a front-end structure of a motor vehicle with a stiffening part extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is disclosed, in which the stiffening part is designed as a flat cast part and is firmly connected at each longitudinal end to a strut tower of the motor vehicle and on its longitudinal side to a cowl.

[0004] EP 1 824 722 B1 describes a crossbeam in which a frame made of plastic is connected to the inside of a box-shaped component by means of an intumescent sealing element, serving as a stiffener and at the same time allowing air passage.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 3 840 214 A1 and DE 10 2021 100 924 A1 disclose further crossbeams worthy of mention in the prior art for the present invention.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an improved seal by means of a crossbeam.

[0007] This problem is solved by means of a crossbeam having the features of claim 1, and by means of a method according to the invention for manufacturing such a crossbeam. Advantageous embodiments of the crossbeam according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, wherein the means of the crossbeam and of the method can be used to carry out the respective method steps. In particular, the crossbeam and the method can be combined with one another, thereby providing an integrated and expandable solution. Furthermore, advantageous developments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a crossmember for receiving or supporting a motor vehicle windshield, comprising a lower shell, an upper shell, and at least one structural rib arranged between the lower and upper shells and extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the crossmember. The crossmember constitutes a structural unit in which the lower and upper shells together form a closed or semi-open profile. Within this profile, at least one structural rib is arranged, acting as a transverse wall element and providing a connection between the shells, thereby increasing structural stiffness and enabling additional functions, such as airflow guidance or the mechanical separation of areas.

[0009] To solve the problem of the invention and thus provide an improved seal, the invention provides that a sealing component is arranged between the at least one structural rib and the upper shell. This sealing component rests on an upper edge of the structural rib and abuts an inner surface of the upper shell. The sealing component is designed such that it forms a linear contact on the structural rib and also provides a planar seal against the upper shell. This dual contact zone achieves a defined seal within the cross member, thereby preventing, in particular, the ingress of moisture or particles between the component layers.

[0010] According to the invention, the sealing component is designed in a cap shape and is fitted, at least partially, over the rib, thereby enabling secure mounting and an additional sealing effect on the side surfaces of the rib. The cap shape serves as a self-retaining mechanism, as the sealing component can be clipped onto the rib or stretched into place. Simultaneously, the contact area is increased, resulting in improved sealing against surrounding areas.

[0011] According to the invention, the structural rib is also formed integrally with the lower shell, which reduces the number of components and increases structural integrity. This integral manufacturing can be achieved, for example, by injection molding, deep drawing, or extrusion, and avoids additional joining points. This reduces assembly effort and eliminates the risk of leaks along joints. Furthermore, it results in higher component stiffness in the transition area between the structural rib and the lower shell.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing component rests exclusively on the upper edge of the structural rib, thereby achieving a targeted linear seal. The sealing component can be placed on the upper edge of the structural rib as a prefabricated profile and held in position by the subsequent assembly of the upper shell.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing component is made of an elastomeric material, in particular a closed-cell polyurethane or EPDM sealing foam. Alternatively, other rubber-like materials such as EPDM, butyl rubber (IIR), or combinations of bituminous and foam-like layers in the form of so-called sandwich solutions (e.g., bitumen + foam) are also suitable. These materials exhibit, in particular, a high restoring force and good adaptability to irregular contact surfaces, thereby compensating for tolerances between the body shell rib and the upper shell. Furthermore, the aforementioned materials enable an airtight and / or liquid-tight seal, as is particularly required in the area of ​​the windshield or in engine compartment applications.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing component is positively inserted into a recess in the upper shell, which enables repeatable positioning of the sealing component and secure fixation during assembly of the components. Such recesses can be designed as circumferential or segmental troughs and serve to receive the sealing contour.

[0015] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a crossbeam according to the previous aspect, in which the lower shell is first provided, then at least one structural rib is positioned or attached to the lower shell, a sealing component is then applied to an upper edge of the structural rib, and finally the upper shell is placed on top and connected to the lower shell so that the sealing component rests against an inner surface of the upper shell. This method enables a step-by-step and controlled assembly of the component structure. The sealing components introduced before the upper shell can be inspected tactilely or applied automatically. The sequence of steps ensures that the sealing component is correctly positioned between the structural rib and the upper shell, thereby achieving a functional seal without subsequent adjustments.

[0016] In other words, the crossbeam is designed to comprise not only a lower shell, an upper shell, and at least one structural rib, but also a sealing component that rests on the upper edge of the structural rib and abuts the inner surface of the upper shell. Additionally, the structural rib can be rigidly connected to the lower shell or formed as a single piece, while the sealing component is designed as a cap-shaped or linear sealing element. The combination of these features results in a robust, media-resistant, and easy-to-assemble structure, thereby improving the functionality of the crossbeam compared to the prior art, particularly with regard to sealing and ease of assembly.

[0017] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] This shows: Fig. 1 An exploded view of a possible design of a crossbeam; Fig. 2 Two perspective views of a sealing component for the crossbeam

[0019] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a possible embodiment of a crossbeam 10, comprising a lower shell 12, an upper shell 14, and at least one structural rib 16 arranged between them. A sealing component 18 is provided on the upper edge 16a of the structural rib 16, which, in the assembled state, is positioned between the structural rib 16 and the inner surface of the upper shell 14. The illustration shows the relative arrangement and functional integration of the individual components within the crossbeam 10.

[0021] Fig.Figure 2 shows two perspective views of a sealing component 18 together with a structural rib 16 and an upper shell 14. In the left-hand view, the sealing component 18 is not yet mounted, so the upper edge 16a of the structural rib 16 is visible. In the right-hand view, the sealing component 18, in a cap-like configuration, is fitted over the structural rib 16, thus resting positively on the upper edge 16a and simultaneously abutting the inside of the upper shell 14. The sealing component 18 encloses at least part of the structural rib 16, thereby achieving a defined position and improved sealing in the joint area.

[0022] The two illustrations demonstrate the position of the sealing component 18 immediately before and after its insertion into the crossbeam structure.

[0023] In summary, the invention proposes a sealing component for multi-layered structural components.

Claims

[1] Crossbeam (10) for receiving or supporting a windshield of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower shell (12), an upper shell (14), at least one structural rib (16) which is arranged between the lower shell and the upper shell and extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of extension of the crossbeam (10), wherein a sealing component (18) is arranged between the at least one structural rib (16) and the upper shell (14), which rests on an upper edge (16a) of the structural rib (16) and abuts an inner side of the upper shell (14), characterized by , that the sealing component (18) is cap-shaped and is at least partially fitted over the raw rib (16) which is formed in one piece with the lower shell (12). [2] Crossbeam (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sealing component (18) rests exclusively on the upper edge (16a) of the rough construction rib (16). [3] Crossbeam (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing component (18) is made of an elastomeric material. [4] Crossbeam (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing component (18) is positively inserted into a recess in the upper shell. [5] Method for manufacturing a crossbeam (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that - the structural rib (16) formed in one piece with the lower shell (12) is provided, - a sealing component (18) is applied to an upper edge (16a) of the rough rib (16), and - the upper shell (14) is placed on top and connected to the lower shell (12) so that the sealing component (18) rests against an inner side (14a) of the upper shell (14).

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