Method for manufacturing a sports car

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sports car (1; 7; 8), comprising the following steps: - Assembling a cage of the sports car, wherein the cage comprises several struts (2; 6; 9; 10); - Assembling a main module of the sports car (1; 7; 8); - Installing the assembled cage into the assembled main module; wherein an electronic functional element (4; 5; 12; 14; 16) and / or a mechanical functional element (11; 12; 13; 15) is arranged in or on at least one of the struts (2; 6; 9; 10).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sports car according to the preamble of claim 1. For the purposes of this description, a sports car is understood to be a passenger car whose design prioritizes higher performance and better handling compared to regular passenger cars. A sports car can be characterized, in particular, by a low power-to-weight ratio, above-average braking systems, and a stiff suspension. Sports cars with a roll cage are known from the prior art. In this description, a roll cage specifically refers to a roll cage. This cage comprises several struts and increases the mechanical stability of the sports car compared to an identical sports car without a roll cage when a force is applied to the roof, such as can occur in an accident when the sports car rolls over. In particular, the roll cage can also generally increase the rigidity of the passenger cell. Roll bars are known from US 2009 / 0 273 170 A1, US 2019 / 0 291 675 A1 and DE 196 29 128 A1. Lighting elements are also known from US 2009 / 0 273 170 A1 and DE 196 29 128 A1, and fastening elements ("cargo rack") are known from US 2019 / 0 291 675 A1. From EP 1 199 238 A2 it is known to assemble a cage outside the vehicle as a unit and then integrate it into the vehicle as a pre-assembled cage. In contrast, the present invention is based on the objective of creating an improved method and an improved sports car. This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and a sports car according to claim 8. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The process comprises the assembly of a roll cage for the sports car and the assembly of a main module for the sports car. The roll cage includes several struts. For the purposes of this description, the main module is understood to be, in particular, an assembly that comprises part of a substructure of the vehicle's body. Specifically, it is possible that the main module, together with one or two other modules, comprises the entire substructure of the vehicle. The assembled cage is then installed into the assembled main module. This has the advantage that the cage is easily accessible from all sides during assembly, making the process particularly convenient and simple. An electronic and / or mechanical functional element is arranged in or on at least one of the cage struts. In particular, it is possible that the electronic and / or mechanical functional element is already arranged in or on the at least one strut before the cage is installed in the main module. For the purposes of this description, a functional element is understood to be, in particular, an element that adds a function to the cage that would not exist without the element. It is possible that the functional element does not explicitly increase the mechanical stability of the cage. On the contrary, it is even possible that the functional element reduces the mechanical stability of the cage. Providing the functional element in or on the strut before the cage is installed in the main module is particularly advantageous because the struts are especially accessible at this point. Access is not obstructed by components of the main module. Therefore, it is particularly easy to arrange the functional element in or on the struts before the cage is installed in the main module. The electronic functional element includes a sensor, a communication system, an antenna, a control unit, a control element of an infotainment system, a display unit, a battery, a socket and / or a plug. The sensor could be, for example, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a vibration sensor. It could also be an air quality and / or CO2 sensor. In particular, the sensor may be designed to transmit measurement data to a vehicle control system. The communication system could, for example, provide a connection to an internal or external vehicle network. It could be, in particular, an emergency communication system that automatically calls for help and / or transmits the vehicle's location in the event of an accident. The control unit of the infotainment system can, for example, be or include a control element through which user input can be made. This user input can then control the infotainment system. The display unit can, for example, include a screen or a display. It could be a touchscreen, for instance. It is also possible that the display unit includes a projection unit for a head-up display. The projection unit can be designed to project an image onto a reflective surface, such as a window, which can then be perceived by the driver. The socket and / or plug can, for example, be designed as a charging port and be configured to supply electrical energy to a device being charged. It could, for example, be a USB port. The mechanical functional element includes an airbag, a bracket and / or an air conditioning element. The airbag can, for example, provide additional protection in a sports car accident and reduce the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. The mount can be adjustable. The mount is a bracket for a seat, steering wheel, or control element of the sports car. The mount can be adjusted to adapt the seat, steering wheel, or control element to the height and seating position of a vehicle occupant. The air conditioning element can, for example, include an outlet opening of a ventilation system. The air conditioning element can be specifically designed to raise or lower the interior temperature of the sports car. According to one embodiment of the invention, the struts in the area of ​​the electronic and / or mechanical functional element can have reinforcement that increases the mechanical stability of the struts. This is particularly advantageous if the functional element reduces the mechanical stability of the struts. The reinforcement can then ensure the reliable function of the cage. In particular, the reinforcement can be arranged directly adjacent to the functional element. The reinforcement can, in particular, comprise a thickening of the strut material and / or a bead. According to one embodiment of the invention, the roll cage can increase the mechanical stability of the sports car, particularly when a force is applied to the roof. This is especially true when compared to an identical sports car without a roll cage. This improves crash protection for vehicle occupants, especially the driver, as the passenger compartment is additionally protected. This is particularly relevant in a rollover accident. According to one embodiment of the invention, the struts can be installed behind the driver's seat of the sports car when the cage is integrated into the main module. The driver's seat can, in particular, be a component of the main module. It is also possible for the cage to be installed behind a mounting bracket for the driver's seat if the driver's seat is not part of the main module. In both cases, the struts are located behind the driver's seat in the finished sports car. This is particularly advantageous for increasing the stability of the passenger cell and thus for improving crash safety. In this description, the term "rear" refers in particular to the horizontal direction that extends in the opposite direction to the usual direction of travel when the sports car is used as intended. According to one embodiment of the invention, the struts can be installed next to the driver's seat of the sports car when the cage is integrated into the main module. The driver's seat can, in particular, be a component of the main module. It is also possible for the cage to be installed next to a mounting bracket for the driver's seat if the driver's seat is not part of the main module. In both cases, the struts are located next to the driver's seat in the finished sports car. This is particularly advantageous for increasing the stability of the passenger cell and thus for improving crash safety. In this description, the direction "next to" refers in particular to the horizontal direction that extends perpendicular to the usual direction of travel when the sports car is used as intended. According to one embodiment of the invention, the struts can be installed in front of the driver's seat of the sports car when the cage is integrated into the main module. The driver's seat can, in particular, be a component of the main module. It is also possible for the cage to be installed in front of a mounting for the driver's seat if the driver's seat is not part of the main module. In both cases, the struts are located in front of the driver's seat in the finished sports car. This is particularly advantageous for increasing the stability of the passenger cell and thus for improving crash safety. It is also possible, in particular, for the cage to be installed behind, beside and in front of the driver's seat or the mounting for the driver's seat. According to one embodiment of the invention, the main module can be connected to a front module and / or a roof module after the cage has been installed in the main module. The front module is understood to be, in particular, a module comprising a front part of the sports car's substructure. The roof module is understood to be, in particular, a module comprising the roof of the sports car. The sports car according to claim 8 was manufactured using a method according to an embodiment of the invention. Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components and for components with identical or similar functions. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective, partially transparent view of a sports car manufactured using a method according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective interior view of a sports car manufactured using a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective interior view of a sports car manufactured using a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In the sports car 1 shown in Fig. 1, the cage struts 2 are located behind the driver's seat 3. The sports car 1 is manufactured by first assembling a main module, a front module, a roof module, and the cage separately. The main module can include the driver's seat 3 or a mounting for the driver's seat 3. The main module and the front module comprise the complete substructure of the sports car's body. The roof module comprises the roof of the sports car. The front module comprises the front end of the sports car. Because the cage is fully assembled before being installed in the main module, ample space is available during construction, making it particularly easy to integrate additional electronic and / or mechanical functional elements. These are therefore positioned on or within the struts before the cage is installed in the main module. Since so much space is available during assembly, the cage's installation location does not restrict the type, size, or position of the functional element(s). The sports car 7 in Fig. 2 is manufactured in the same way as the sports car 1 from Fig. 1. The cage struts 6 arranged behind the driver's seat 3 have a light element 4 and a battery 5 as electronic functional elements. These electronic functional elements 4 and 5 were arranged on or in the struts 6 before the cage was installed in the main module. The sports car 8 in Fig. 3 is manufactured in the same way as the sports cars 1 and 7 from Figs. 1 and 2. However, the roll cage includes struts 9 arranged in front of the driver's seat 3 and struts 10 arranged beside the driver's seat 3. A display element 14 and a control element 16 for an infotainment system are arranged on the struts 9. The display element 14 and the control element 16 are within the field of vision of the person sitting in the driver's seat 3. An airbag 15, which increases crash safety, and an air outlet 13 for climate control of the interior are also arranged on the struts 9. An air outlet 13 for climate control of the interior is also arranged on the struts 10. Furthermore, another functional element 12 is arranged on the struts 10. This could be, for example, a storage surface, a storage compartment, a socket, or a plug. Furthermore, 10 adjustable brackets 11 for one or more control elements are arranged on the struts.The position of the brackets 11 can be adjusted to the position of the seat and the height of the driver due to their adjustability.

Claims

Method for manufacturing a sports car (1; 7; 8), comprising the following steps: - Assembling a cage of the sports car, wherein the cage comprises several struts (2; 6; 9; 10); - Assembling a main module of the sports car (1; 7; 8); - Installing the assembled cage into the assembled main module; characterized in that an electronic functional element (4; 5; 12; 14; 16) and / or a mechanical functional element (11; 12; 13;15) is arranged, wherein the electronic functional element comprises a sensor, a communication system, an antenna, a control unit, a control element (16) of an infotainment system, a display unit (14), a battery (5), a socket (5) and / or a plug (5), wherein the mechanical functional element comprises an airbag (15), a bracket and / or an air conditioning element (13), wherein the bracket is a bracket for a seat, a steering wheel or a control element of the sports car.; Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the struts (2; 6; 9; 10) in the area of ​​the electronic functional element (4; 5; 12; 14; 16) and / or the mechanical functional element (11; 12; 13; 15) have a reinforcement that increases the mechanical stability of the struts (2; 6; 9; 10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cage increases the mechanical stability of the sports car (1; 7; 8), in particular when a force is applied to the roof of the sports car (1; 7; 8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the struts (2; 6; 9; 10) are installed behind a driver's seat (3) of the sports car (1; 7; 8) or behind a bracket for the driver's seat (3) when installing the cage in the main module. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the struts (2; 6; 9; 10) are installed next to the driver's seat (3) of the sports car (1; 7; 8) or next to a bracket for the driver's seat (3) when installing the cage in the main module. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the struts (2; 6; 9; 10) are installed in front of the driver's seat (3) of the sports car (1; 7; 8) or in front of a bracket for the driver's seat (3) when installing the cage in the main module. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main module is connected to a front module and / or a roof module after the cage has been installed in the main module. Sports car (1; 7; 8), manufactured by a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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