ARRANGEMENT FOR LOAD DISTRIBUTION IN A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a load distribution arrangement in a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a load distribution arrangement.

[0002] Arrangements for load distribution in a vehicle, particularly in the front end of the vehicle, are known in numerous variations. In order for a longitudinal member of the vehicle's front end to dissipate energy in the event of an impact with a deformable obstacle, even if it is not directly in the area of ​​impact, such as in a laterally offset impact with a deformable obstacle or a front pole impact, the longitudinal member should be and remain connected to the impacted components. This allows the load to be distributed across more components and the load on the impacted components to be reduced. Since the longitudinal member is not directly impacted in such an impact, it initially remains undeformed. Since the longitudinal member is not initially deformed, the tensile load on the connection between the undeformed longitudinal member and the components impacted by the impact increases.This can cause the conventional joining technology to fail, meaning the component assembly cannot be held together.

[0003] DE 10 2012 022 876 A1 discloses a reinforcing element for reinforcing a hollow profile formed from longitudinal and lateral surfaces. The reinforcing element has a bolt portion and a head portion. The bolt portion comprises at least one pair of axially offset, protruding arm portions located opposite one another with respect to the bolt portion, each of which has a contact surface at its end. The bolt portion with the arm portions is designed for insertion into the hollow profile interior via an insertion opening arranged on a lateral surface of the hollow profile, such that, when the head portion bears against this lateral surface, the contact surfaces of the arm portions at their ends can be brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the longitudinal surfaces of the hollow profile by a rotational movement into an assembly position. Furthermore, a hollow profile with such a reinforcing element is disclosed.

[0004] DE 10 2019 131 552 A1 discloses a motor vehicle comprising a body with two longitudinal members, each of whose front ends, as seen in the direction of travel, has a baffle plate attached to it, and a cross member attached to the baffle plates. A subframe connecting the baffle plates is attached to the baffle plates.

[0005] JP 2007 269123 A discloses a fastening flange made of a flat base portion and an extruded material having a pi shape, forming a pair of support portions extending in a vertical direction relative to the base portion. The base portion of the fastening element is connected to a side surface of a side frame having a hollow structure with a closed cross-sectional structure. An end portion of a cross member configured as a hollow structure with a closed cross-sectional structure is clamped between the pair of support portions. The cross member and the support portions are welded at a welding portion, whereby the side frame and the cross member are fastened by the fastening element.

[0006] From US 2,883,232 A and GB 2 109 433 A, sleeve designs are known which pass through two opposite openings and achieve positive locking and contact with the walls of the openings by means of shoulders and / or wedge elements.

[0007] EP 3 424 803 A1 discloses an arrangement for load distribution in a vehicle, comprising a longitudinal member configured as a hollow profile and a cross member having at least one fastening flange. The at least one fastening flange of the cross member runs parallel to the longitudinal member, at least in sections, and is connected to a screw, which is inserted into the longitudinal member and positively connected to the longitudinal member in such a way that the screw runs parallel to the cross member 54 and transmits tensile loads to the longitudinal member.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing an arrangement for load distribution in a vehicle and a vehicle with such an arrangement which, in the event of a crash, improves the cohesion of a connection technology between a longitudinal member designed as a hollow profile and a cross member.

[0009] This object is achieved by an arrangement for load distribution in a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0010] In order to provide an arrangement for load distribution in a vehicle which improves the cohesion of a connection technology between a longitudinal member designed as a hollow profile and a cross member in the event of a crash, the cross member has at least one fastening flange which runs parallel to the longitudinal member at least in sections. In addition, a fastening sleeve is provided to which the fastening flange is connected. The fastening sleeve is inserted into the longitudinal member and positively connected to the longitudinal member in such a way that the fastening sleeve runs parallel to the cross member and introduces effective tensile loads into the longitudinal member. The at least one fastening flange comprises a fastening tab. The fastening tab is screwed to the fastening sleeve at one end. This can strengthen the positive connection between the fastening sleeve and the longitudinal member.At the other end, the fastening tab can preferably be welded to the cross member.

[0011] In addition, a vehicle is proposed with a longitudinal member designed as a hollow profile and a cross member, which are connected to each other via such an arrangement for load distribution.

[0012] A load distribution arrangement in a vehicle is understood below to mean an arrangement with a longitudinal member and a cross member connected to the longitudinal member, in which the connection technology between the cross member and the longitudinal member is relieved by the fastening sleeve being inserted into the longitudinal member and the components impacted in the event of a frontal impact being additionally connected to the fastening sleeve. To ensure that not all of the energy has to be dissipated via this connection, the fastening sleeve is inserted into the longitudinal member in the direction of tension and is connected to it in a form-fitting manner. The form-fitting connection distributes the energy to the walls of the longitudinal member for optimal energy dissipation.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement, the fastening sleeve can pass through a first opening in an inner wall of the longitudinal member and a second opening in an outer wall of the longitudinal member. For this purpose, the fastening sleeve can have a support plate at one end, which rests on the edge of the first opening and can form a first positive connection with the inner wall of the longitudinal member. Due to the first positive connection, the tensile load can be distributed across the inner wall of the longitudinal member in the event of a crash. The inner wall is formed on a side of the longitudinal member facing the vehicle interior. In addition, the fastening sleeve can have a shoulder at the other end, which rests on the edge of the second opening and can form a second positive connection with the outer wall of the longitudinal member. Due to the second positive connection, the tensile load can also be distributed across the outer wall of the longitudinal member in the event of a crash.Here, the outer wall is formed on a side of the longitudinal member facing away from the vehicle interior. Since the fastening sleeve is inserted into the longitudinal member in the direction of tension, the fastening sleeve is first inserted into the first opening of the inner wall and then into the second opening of the outer wall. This enables a secure positive fit between the fastening sleeve and the longitudinal member.

[0014] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Herein: Fig. 1 is a schematic and partial representation of a vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention for load distribution in a vehicle; and Fig. 2 is a detailed representation II from Fig. 1 .

[0016] As from Fig. 1 and 2 As can be seen, the illustrated embodiment of a vehicle 2 according to the invention has, in the section shown, a longitudinal member 3 designed as a hollow profile and a cross member 5, which are connected to one another via an arrangement 1 according to the invention for load distribution.

[0017] As from Fig. 1 and 2As can also be seen, the illustrated embodiment of the arrangement 1 according to the invention for load distribution in a vehicle 2 comprises the longitudinal member 3 designed as a hollow profile, a fastening sleeve 10 and the cross member 5, which has at least one fastening flange 18. The at least one fastening flange 18 of the cross member 5 runs at least partially parallel to the longitudinal member 3 and is connected to the fastening sleeve 10. The fastening sleeve 10 is inserted into the longitudinal member 3 and positively connected to the longitudinal member 3 in such a way that the fastening sleeve 10 runs parallel to the cross member 5 and introduces effective tensile loads into the longitudinal member 3.

[0018] As from Fig. 1 and 2As can also be seen, the fastening sleeve 10 extends through a first opening 3.2 in an inner wall 3.1 of the longitudinal member 3 and a second opening 3.4 in an outer wall 3.3 of the longitudinal member 3. The fastening sleeve 10 is inserted into the longitudinal member 3 in the insertion direction SR, wherein the fastening sleeve 10 is first inserted into the first opening 3.2 of the inner wall 3.1 and then into the second opening 3.4 of the outer wall 3.3. The fastening sleeve 10 comprises a base body 12 which has a support plate 14 at one end and a shoulder 16 at the other end. In the fully inserted state shown, the support plate 14 rests on the edge of the first opening 3.2 and forms a first positive connection FS1 with the inner wall 3.1 of the longitudinal member 3. The shoulder 16 of the fastening sleeve 10 rests on the edge of the second opening 3.4 and forms a second positive connection FS2 with the outer wall 3.2 of the longitudinal member 3.

[0019] As from Fig. 1 and 2As can also be seen, the at least one fastening flange 18 comprises a fastening tab 18A, which is connected at one end to the fastening sleeve 10 via suitable fastening means 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the base body 12 of the fastening sleeve 10 has an internal thread 12.1 and the fastening means 19 is designed as a screw 19A. Therefore, the fastening tab 18A is screwed to the fastening sleeve 10 in the illustrated embodiment. For this purpose, a threaded shaft 19.2 of the screw 19A is guided through an opening 18.1 in the fastening tab 18A and screwed into the internal thread 12.1 of the fastening sleeve 10 until a screw head 19.1 rests on an edge of the opening 18.1 with a predeterminable torque. At the other end, the fastening tab 18A is welded to the cross member 5 in the illustrated embodiment.Of course, other suitable connection techniques can also be used to connect the fastening tab 18A to the cross member 5.

[0020] As from Fig. 1As can be seen further, in the event of a head-on collision with a deformable obstacle 7 shown, the longitudinal member 3 is not directly hit and initially remains undeformed. However, the impact of the cross member 5 on the obstacle causes a tensile load on the fastening sleeve 10 in the tensile direction ZR via the fastening tab 18A and the screw 19A, which corresponds to the insertion direction SR of the fastening sleeve 10. The tensile load is introduced and distributed into the inner wall 3.1 of the longitudinal member 3 via the first positive connection FS1, and introduced and distributed into the outer wall 3.2 of the longitudinal member 3 via the second positive connection FS2. By means of the fastening sleeve 10, which is inserted into the longitudinal member 3 in a form-fitting manner, the components subjected to the impact are additionally screwed to the longitudinal member 3. This distributes the load across more components and reduces the load on the components subjected to the load.The positive locking distributes the impact energy to the inner wall 3.1 and the outer wall 3.2 for optimal energy dissipation, whereby the longitudinal member 3 can be deformed or shaped to dissipate the energy. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0021] 1Load distribution arrangement 2Vehicle 3Longitudinal member 3.1Inner wall 3.2First opening 3.3Outer wall 3.4Second opening 5Cross member 7Obstacle 10Fastening sleeve 12Base body 12.1Internal thread 14Support plate 16Shoulder 18Fastening flange 18AFastening tab 18.1Opening 19Fastener 19AScrew 19.1Screw head 19.2Threaded shaft SRConnection direction ZRPull direction FS1First positive connection FS2Second positive connection

Claims

1. Assembly (1) for load distribution in a vehicle (2), having a longitudinal member (3) in the form of a hollow profiled element, a fastening sleeve (10) and a cross-member (5), which has at least one fastening flange (18), wherein at least portions of the at least one fastening flange (18) of the cross-member (5) run parallel to the longitudinal member (3), and the at least one fastening flange of the cross-member is connected to the fastening sleeve (10), wherein the fastening sleeve (10) is inserted into the longitudinal member (3) in such a way and form-fittingly connected to the longitudinal member (3) in such a way that the fastening sleeve (10) runs parallel to the cross-member (5) and introduces acting tensile loads into the longitudinal member (3), wherein the at least one fastening flange (18) has a fastening tab (18A) which is screwed to the fastening sleeve (10) at one end.

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening sleeve (10) passes through a first opening (3.2) in an inner wall (3.1) of the longitudinal member (3) and a second opening (3.4) in an outer wall (3.3) of the longitudinal member (3).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening sleeve (10) has a support plate (14) at one end, which support plate rests on the edge of the first opening (3.2) and forms a first form fit (FS1) with the inner wall (3.1) of the longitudinal member (3).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fastening sleeve (10) has a shoulder (16) at the other end, which shoulder rests on the edge of the second opening (3.4) and forms a second form fit (FS2) with the outer wall (3.2) of the longitudinal member (3).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fastening tab (18A) is welded to the cross-member (5) at the other end.

6. Vehicle (2) having a longitudinal member (3) in the form of a hollow profiled element and a cross-member (5), which are connected to one another via an assembly (1) for load distribution according to any one of claims 1 to 5.