Strut bridge

Abstract

Strut bridge (1) for stiffening a vehicle body, wherein the strut bridge (1) is connected in a predetermined position with a first end region to a first strut tower of a motor vehicle and with a second end region to a second strut tower of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the strut bridge (1) is a stamped part made of sheet metal or of a preferably fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein the stamped part has a base surface (4) and edges (5) raised from the base surface (4) and is shaped in the manner of a trough or bowl.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a strut bridge for stiffening a vehicle body, wherein the strut bridge is connected in a predetermined position with a first end region to a first strut tower of a motor vehicle and with a second end region to a second strut tower of the motor vehicle.

[0002] Strut braces, also known as strut tower braces, are used to stiffen the vehicle body, particularly to increase the torsional rigidity of a unibody construction. In the prior art, the strut brace is typically attached to the two front, opposing strut towers.

[0003] In order to provide a strut bridge with the lowest possible weight, which is cost-effective to manufacture and at the same time ensures sufficient stiffening of the body in the front area of ​​a vehicle, such strut bridges usually consist of a tube, to the first and second end of which an adapter plate is welded, with which the corresponding end is attached to a strut tower.

[0004] There are also strut towers that are manufactured as cast parts (e.g., from magnesium). While such strut towers have a very low weight, they are not used in production vehicles due to their high cost.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a strut bridge that can be manufactured cost-effectively and that can be used in series production in particular, while at the same time ensuring sufficient stiffening of the body.

[0006] To solve this problem, the invention proposes that the strut bridge is a stamped sheet metal part, wherein the stamped part has a base and edges raised from the base and is shaped in the manner of a tub or bowl.

[0007] The strut bridge has an elongated, flat base body from which the outer edges project approximately perpendicularly, giving the strut bridge a trough-like or bowl-like shape. An elongated base body is defined as one whose length, viewed from above, is a multiple of its width. A flat base body is defined as one with a thin profile of only a few millimeters, for example, 0.5–7 mm.

[0008] Such a stamped part is particularly cost-effective and flexible to manufacture. Furthermore, the flat design typical of stamped parts results in a very low weight for the stamped strut bridge. The raised edges stiffen the otherwise flat or even stamped part. The higher the edges, the greater the stiffness of the strut bridge. The edges can be raised all the way around or only in certain areas of the strut bridge. Preferably, the edges protrude approximately perpendicularly from the surface. Thus, the strut bridge has a kind of trough or shell shape.

[0009] In addition to the improved driving characteristics resulting from the stiffening via a strut bridge and the associated increased safety, the use of such a strut bridge also reduces vibrations and thus also noise.

[0010] Preferably, the base surface of the stamped part has perforations, with the edges of the perforations being raised from the base surface.

[0011] The perforations save material, and therefore weight and costs. The raised edges of the perforations provide additional stiffening.

[0012] It is also preferred that the strut bridge has a third connection area, which is positioned approximately midway between the first end area and the second end area, and with which the strut bridge is or can be attached in its intended position to a frame part of a vehicle.

[0013] The third mounting point is preferably attached to the frame section on the side opposite the third mounting point where the vehicle's dashboard is mounted. By fixing the strut tower to an additional third mounting point on the body, the stiffening effect is increased and vibrations within the strut tower are reduced.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferably intended that the strut bridge be made of steel, aluminium, plastic, possibly fiber reinforced or magnesium.

[0015] A strut bridge made of steel, aluminium or magnesium can also be coated with a plastic.

[0016] Preferably, the spring bridge has a first connection area for attaching the strut bridge to the first strut tower and a second connection area for attaching the strut bridge to the second strut tower, preferably being manufactured in one piece with the first connection area and the second connection area and preferably the third connection area by hot or cold forming.

[0017] The connection areas are formed integrally with the base and the edges extending from the base during the stamping process of the strut bridge. This eliminates the need for complex and expensive welding, which was previously required under the prior art. If holes are provided in the base, these are also formed during stamping, and their edges are integrated into the stamping process. This method enables cost-effective production of the strut bridge, including the connection areas, without requiring any post-processing.

[0018] An embodiment of a strut bridge according to the invention is shown in the figure and described in more detail below: The figure shows a strut brace 1, which is mounted in the front section of a vehicle to stiffen its body. The strut brace 1 is in a predetermined position with one end connected to a first strut tower of the vehicle and its other end connected to a second strut tower. By connecting the two strut towers, the body is stiffened, and the vehicle's handling, safety, and comfort are improved by reducing vibrations and corresponding noise.

[0019] The strut bridge 1 is a stamped part made from a sheet of steel. Such stamped parts can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0020] The stamped part has a trough-like or bowl-like shape with edges 5 that extend upwards from a base surface 4 of the stamped part. Due to its flat design, the strut bridge 1 is very lightweight. The edges 5, extending upwards from the base surface 4, project perpendicularly from the base surface 4 and increase the rigidity and performance of the strut bridge 1. The rigidity of the strut bridge 1 can be adjusted by changing the height of the edges 5. The higher the edges 5 are, the greater the rigidity of the strut bridge 1.

[0021] In addition to the improved driving characteristics resulting from the increased stiffening, the use of the present strut bridge 1 has a vibration-reducing and noise-reducing effect.

[0022] The base 4 of the stamped part features large perforations 6, the edges 7 of which also project vertically upwards from the base 4, thus providing additional stiffening. The perforations 6 serve to save material, and therefore weight and costs.

[0023] Approximately midway between the first end area and the second end area, a third connection area 8 is provided, which is formed in the form of a folded-over tab on the base surface 4 of the strut bridge 1 and with which the strut bridge 1 can be attached in the intended position to a frame part of a vehicle.

[0024] The spring bridge 1 has a first connection area 2 for attaching the strut bridge to the first strut tower and a second connection area 3 for attaching the strut bridge to the second strut tower. The strut bridge 1 is manufactured in one piece with the first connection area 2, the second connection area 3, and the third connection area 8 by cold forming. The perforations 6 are also introduced into the base 4 during cold forming, so that the entire strut bridge 1 is manufactured by stamping in a single process step. This eliminates any post-processing work that would otherwise be required, for example, by subsequently welding the connection areas to a tube.

[0025] The strut brace 1 shown is made from a cold-formed steel sheet. It weighs only 1.56 kg and has a wall thickness of 1.7 mm. Depending on requirements, an alternative material can be used or other wall thicknesses can be achieved. The strut brace 1 is extremely flexible in its manufacturing, application, and performance.

[0026] To further stiffen the strut bridge 1, grooves 9 are incorporated into the base surface 4. Additionally or alternatively, the material thickness can be varied, either by the design of the pressing tool or by subsequently attaching sheets or other material reinforcements to the strut bridge 1, for example by welding or bonding such reinforcements to the strut bridge 1.

Claims

[1] Strut bridge (1) for stiffening a vehicle body, wherein the strut bridge (1) is connected in a predetermined position with a first end region to a first strut tower of a motor vehicle and with a second end region to a second strut tower of the motor vehicle, characterized by , that the strut bridge (1) is a stamped part made of metal sheet or of a preferably fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein the stamped part has a base surface (4) and edges (5) raised from the base surface (4) and is shaped in the manner of a tub or bowl. [2] Strut bridge according to claim 1, characterized by , that the base (4) of the stamped part has perforations (6), wherein the perforation edges (7) of the perforations (6) are raised from the base (4). [3] Strut bridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the strut bridge (1) has a third connection area (8) which is positioned approximately midway between the first end area (2) and the second end area (3) and with which the strut bridge (1) is attached in its intended position to a frame part of a vehicle. [4] Strut bridge according to claim 3, characterized by that the frame part is preferably connected or connectable to a dashboard. [5] Strut bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the strut bridge (1) is made of steel, aluminium, plastic or magnesium. [6] Strut bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the strut bridge (1) has a first connection area (2) for attaching the strut bridge (1) to the first strut tower and a second connection area (3) for attaching the strut bridge (1) to the second strut tower. [7] Strut bridge according to one of the claims, characterized by, that the strut bridge (1) is manufactured in one piece with the first connection area (2) and the second connection area (3) and preferably the third connection area (8) by hot or cold forming.

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