A vehicle body

Abstract

A vehicle body comprises: an elongate side sill (12L, 12R) comprising a first, lower cavity 90, a second, upper cavity 56 located above the lower cavity and a common wall 74 between the lower and upper cavities; a drain opening 92 in a wall of the lower cavity, connecting the lower cavity to the exterior of the sill. A vehicle body panel (44) sealingly secured to a laterally outer wall of the sill and defining a further cavity (120) between the vehicle body panel and the sill; an opening in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill. An aperture 95 in the common wall 74 between the lower and upper cavities 90, 56 and a one-way valve 94 located in the aperture in the common wall and configured to allow liquid flow from the second, upper cavity to the first, lower cavity of the sill.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body of the invention. BACKGROUND A vehicle body typically includes a sill on each of its two opposite lateral lower sides extending in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle. In an extreme event, e.g. if a window is inadvertently left open during heavy rain or if a significant amount of liquid is spilled inside the car, liquid can collect in cavities within the sill and may not be able to drain. This can cause slosh noises which are audible to the vehicle occupants and can also have a potentially detrimental impact on corrosion of the sill. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle body and a vehicle comprising a vehicle body as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body comprising a sill fitted with a one-way valve configured to allow liquid to flow from an upper sill cavity to a lower sill cavity. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body comprising: an elongate side sill comprising a first, lower cavity, a second, upper cavity located above the lower cavity and a common wall between the lower and upper cavities; a drain opening in a wall of the lower cavity, connecting the lower cavity to the exterior of the sill; a vehicle body panel sealingly secured to a laterally outer wall of the sill and defining a further cavity between the vehicle body panel and the sill; an opening in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill; an aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities; and a one-way valve located in the aperture in the common wall and configured to allow liquid flow from the second, upper cavity to the first, lower cavity of the sill. In the event that liquid enters the region between the vehicle body panel and the sill (for example if a window is inadvertently left open during heavy rain, if water enters when the vehicle is wading through wateror if liquid is spilled inside the vehicle), the liquid flows from that region through the opening in the outer wall of the upper cavity and into the upper cavity. The liquid then flows through the one-way valve into the lower cavity, from where it drains to the exterior. The liquid is therefore not retained within the region between the vehicle body panel and the sill, which could otherwise produce unwanted noise from liquid trapped within that region. In addition, if the sill becomes submerged in water, the water is allowed to enter - and dram from - the lower sill cavity, but is prevented by the one-way valve from flowing from the lower sill cavity to the upper sill cavity. Consequently, it is only necessary for the upper cavity and the vehicle body panel to be resistant to the effects of occasional liquid contact, ratherthan repeated liquid contact, and reduces the amount of corrosion mitigation required forthose components. Optionally, the vehicle panel is secured to the laterally outer wall of the sill below and adjacent to the opening in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill. By securing the vehicle panel to the sill immediately below the opening, all liquid within the further cavity between the vehicle body panel and the sill will be able to drain through the opening and into the upper sill cavity. Optionally, the one-way valve comprises a valve housing and a valve mounting means extending from the valve housing, the valve mounting means being received in the aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities and the valve housing being located in the first, lower cavity of the sill. Mounting the one-way valve body in the lower cavity removes the requirement for access to the upper cavity in order to mount the valve and therefore facilitates assembly. Optionally, the vehicle body panel is sealingly secured to a laterally outer wall of the upper cavity. If the walls of the lower and upper cavities are formed as a one-piece extrusion, the wall of the upper cavity will form part of the laterally outer wall of the sill, and the vehicle body panel will be sealed to the laterally outer wall of the upper cavity to facilitate draining of any liquid from the region between the panel and the sill. Optionally, the sill comprises a first sill portion which includes the second, upper cavity and a second sill portion secured to the first sill portion and which at least partially defines the first, lower cavity. This allows the valve to be fitted into the aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper sill cavities before the second sill portion is secured in position, which improves access and facilitates assembly. Optionally, the second sill portion extends at least partially over, and is secured to, the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion and forms part of a laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity. Extending the second sill portion partially over the outer wall of the first sill portion and securing it to the first sill portion improves the strength and rigidity of the sill. Optionally, the vehicle body panel is sealingly secured to an exterior face of the second sill portion. This ensures that any liquid in the region between the vehicle body panel and the sill can only drain into the upper sill cavity and also prevents liquid from entering the region from below. Optionally, the vehicle body comprises an opening in a laterally outer wall of the first sill portion which connects the second, upper cavity with the further cavity between the vehicle body panel and the sill, and wherein the second sill portion extends above the level of the opening in the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion and comprises an opening aligned with the opening in the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion. This ensures that liquid with the region between the vehicle body panel and the sill drains into the upper sill cavity. Optionally, the aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities is located at the lowermost level of the second cavity. This ensures that all liquid within the upper sill cavity can drain through the one-way valve into the lower sill cavity and minimises the likelihood of liquid being retained within the upper cavity. Optionally, the vehicle body comprises a plurality of apertures in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities and a one-way valve located in each aperture, each one-way valve being configured to allow liquid flow from the second, upper cavity to the first, lower cavity of the sill. A plurality of apertures improves the drainage of fluid from the upper sill cavity to the lower sill cavity and also provides a degree of redundancy if a one-way valve malfunctions in its closed condition. Optionally, the vehicle body comprises a plurality of said openings in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill. A plurality of openings improves the drainage of liquid from the region between the vehicle body panel and the sill into the upper sill cavity. Optionally, the sill comprises a barrier configured to restrict movement of liquid in the longitudinal direction of the sill. This limits the portion of the sill in which unwanted water may flow and potentially limits the portion of the sill from which drainage might be required. Optionally, the sill comprises a barrier configured to restrict movement of liquid along the second, upper cavity in the longitudinal direction of the sill. Optionally, the vehicle body panel comprises an external body panel. According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprises a vehicle body in accordance with the invention. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of the right-hand side frame portion of a vehicle body in accordance with the present invention, which also shows a sill assembly of the opposite side frame portion (which is omitted for clarity); Figure 2 shows a vertical cross-section through a portion of a B-pillar which forms part of the right-hand side frame portion of Figure 1, looking in the direction of arrows II - II of Figure 1, which also shows a portion of an exterior bodyside panel); Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of a sill assembly which forms part of the side frame portion of Figure 1, showing the laterally outer face of the sill assembly; Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of a sill assembly which forms part of the side frame portion of Figure 1, showing the laterally inner face of the sill assembly; Figure 5 shows an exploded rear perspective view of the sill assembly of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from above of the front end of the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 5; Figure 7 shows a perspective view from below of the rear end of the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rear baffle which is fitted to the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 5; Figure 9 is a rear view of the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 5, fitted with the baffle of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a front view of the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 5, fitted with a front baffle which is a mirror image of the baffle of Figure 8; Figure 11 shows a perspective view from above of a one-way valve which forms part of the sill assembly of Figures 3 to 7; Figure 12 is a perspective view from below, partly cut away, of the one-way valve of Figure 11; and Figure 13 is a plan view of the one-way valve of Figure 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates the right-hand side frame portion 10 of a vehicle body in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle body also comprises a left-hand side frame portion which is a mirror image of the righthand side vehicle frame portion 10, but most of it has been omitted from the drawing and only the left-hand sill assembly 12L of the left-hand side frame portion is shown. In practice, the vehicle body will also comprise a roof portion and a floor pan (not shown) which interconnect the upper and lower edges respectively of the two vehicle side frame portions. The following description will concentrate on the right-hand side frame portion 10, but the description also applies to the left-hand side frame portion. The illustrated right-hand side frame portion 10 is for the fra me of a four-door hatchback vehicle and comprises so-called A-, B- and C-pillars 18, 20, 22 at the front, centre and rear respectively of a passenger compartment indicated generally at 24. The A-, B- and C-pillars 18, 20, 22 extend between a lower sill assembly 12R and an upper roof rail assembly 32 extending in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle frame portion 10 and define front and rear door openings 34, 36. In this particular embodiment, a so-called D-pillar 38 is also located rearwardly of the C-pillar 22 and extends between the rear of the roof rail assembly 32 and a frame member 40 extending rearwardly from the C-pillar in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle frame portion 10, and defines a rear window opening 42. In use, the vehicle frame comprises other components such as a roof portion and a floor pan (not shown) which interconnect the upper rail roof assemblies 32 and the lower sill assemblies 12L, 12R respectively of the left- and right-hand vehicle frame portions. The sill assembly 12R is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 6 and comprises an elongate laterally inner extruded metal sill member 50 and an elongate laterally outer pressed metal sill member 52 secured to the outer face of the laterally inner sill member 50, as will be explained. As best seen in Figure 2, a bodyside panel 44 is also secured to the laterally outer face of the sill assembly 12R, as will be explained. The laterally inner extruded metal sill member 50 comprises an enclosed uppermost cavity 54 and an enclosed central cavity 56, having a common wall 58. The cavities 54, 56 are “enclosed” in that the material forming the cavities extends continuously when viewed in vertical cross-section, as in Figures 5 to 7. As shown schematically in Figure 1, vertical baffles shown at 60, 62 are also provided adjacent to the A-pillar 18 and to the rear of the C-pillar 22 respectively, to seal the uppermost and central cavities 54, 56 to prevent or reduce any longitudinal ingress of liquid into the regions of the cavities 54, 56 between the barriers 60, 62, and to limit and / or reduce the displacement of liquid along the cavities 54, 56 which might otherwise cause unwanted noise. The rear baffle 62 is shown in more detail in Figure 8 and comprises a moulded body having portions 62a, 62b which are shaped complementarily with the uppermost and central cavities 54, 56 respectively, and is pressed into position on the rear end of the sill member 50 as shown in Figure 9, which is rearview of the sill assembly 12R. The front baffle 60 is a mirror image of the rear baffle 62 and is pressed onto the front end of the sill member 50 as shown in Figure 10. The sill member 50 also comprises an elongate laterally inner planar metal wall 64 which forms the laterally inner wall of the cavities 54, 56 and extends above the upper edge of the uppermost cavity 54 and below the lower edge of the central cavity 56, forming upper and lower sill flanges 66, 68. The upper sill flange 66 is provided with a plurality of cutout portions 69a, 69b, 69c for accommodating the A-, B-and C-pillars. The sill member 50 also has an elongate laterally outer planar metal wall 70 which extends parallel to the inner wall 64 and forms the laterally outer wall of the cavities 54, 56. The upper edge of the outer planar wall 70 is contiguous with an inwardly and upwardly inclined upper wall portion 72 which merges with the outer face of the upper sill flange 66, whereby the uppermost cavity 54 has the shape of a trapezium in vertical cross-section. The common wall 58 between the uppermost and central cavities 54, 56 forms the lowermost wall of the uppermost cavity 54 and the uppermost wall of the central cavity 56 and extends perpendicularly to the inner and outer walls 64, 70. A lower wall portion 74 extends perpendicularly inwardly from the lowermost edge of the outer planar wall 70 and joins the outer face of the laterally inner planar wall 64 of the extruded metal sill member 50 perpendicularly, whereby the central cavity 56 is rectangular in vertical cross-section. The outer pressed metal sill member 52 comprises a main elongate planar body portion 80 having two planar attachment tabs 82 located at opposite ends of its uppermost edge, both inclined inwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the main body portion 80 at the same angle as the upper wall portion 72 of the extruded metal sill member 50. As will be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the lower edge of the main body portion 80 extends below the lower edge of the lower sill flange 68 of the extruded sill member 50 and a planar base wall portion 84 extends laterally inwardly and slightly downwardly from the lower edge of the main body portion 80 to the same lateral extent as the inner planar wall 64 of the extruded metal sill member 50, where it joins a vertically and downwardly extending planar inner wall portion 85 which is aligned with the inner planar wall 64 of the extruded sill member 50. A lower flange 86 extends laterally outwardly and perpendicularly from the lower edge of the inner wall portion 85. The pressed outer sill member 52 is positioned laterally outwardly of the extruded metal sill member 50 with the inner faces of the main body portion 80 and the attachment tabs 82 abutting the outer faces of the outer planar wall 70 and inclined upper wall portion 72 respectively of the extruded metal sill member 50. A plurality of screws 86 pass sealingly through aligned apertures in the outer pressed sill member 52 and the extruded metal sill member 50 to secure the two sill members 50, 52 together. As best seen in Figure 5, the outer planar wall 70 of the extruded inner sill member 50 is provided with a plurality of drain apertures 88 which are aligned with corresponding apertures 89 in the pressed outer sill member 52 and which, as will be explained, allow liquid which has collected between the bodyside panel 44 and the sill assembly 12R to drain into the central cavity 56 of the sill assembly 12R, as will be explained. As best seen in Figures 2, 6 and 7, when the extruded inner sill member 50 and outer pressed sill member 52 are assembled and secured together, a further, lower cavity 90 is defined between the two members, with the lower wall portion 74 of the extruded sill member 50 forming a common wall between the central cavity 56 and the lower cavity 90. As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the upper face of the planar base wall portion 84 of the outer pressed metal sill member 52 is spaced from the lower edge of the lower sill flange 68 by a gap 92, which allows fluid, particularly water, to flow freely into and out of the lower cavity 90. Prior to the extruded metal sill member 50 and outer pressed sill member 52 being secured together, two identical one-way valves 94 are located within the lower cavity 90 and are sealingly mounted in respective apertures 95 in the lower wall portion 74 of the extruded metal sill member 50, as will be explained. As an overview, the valve 94 is configured to be normally open and consequently normally allows liquid to drain from the central cavity 56 to the lower cavity 90, whereafter it exits the sill assembly 50 via the gap 92 between the upper face of the planar base wall portion 84 of the outer pressed metal sill member 52and the lower edge of the lower sill flange 68. However, in the event that water enters the lower cavity 90 via the gap 92 (for example if the vehicle of which the sill assembly 30 forms part is submerged in water), the valve 94 is arranged to close to prevent the passage of liquid from the lower cavity 90 into the central cavity 56. The one-way valve 94 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 11 to 13 and comprises a tubular housing 96 within which a hollow tubular float member 98 is displaceably mounted coaxially with the housing 96 and constrained to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the housing 96 by means of an annular collar 100 through which a cylindrical shank 102 extending from the upper face of the float member passes. The annular collar 100 is supported by three equally angularly spaced mounting arms 104 extending radially inwardly from the interior face of the tubular housing and the downward displacement of the shank 102 (and therefore the lowermost position of the float member) is limited by an enlarged head 106 on the end of the shank. The float member 98 also comprises an upper annular shoulder 108 which is sealingly engageable with a downwardly facing annular valve seat 110 which forms part of the tubular housing 96. The valve 96 is mounted in the aperture 95 in the lower wall 74 of the extruded inner sill member 50 by means of three resiliently mounted projections 112 which extend upwardly from the inner face of the housing 96 and are configured to be a snap fit into the aperture 95. In this position, an annular seal 114 on the upper end of the housing 96 sealingly engages the lower face of the lower wall portion 74. When no water is present in the lower cavity 90, the float member is weighted to its open position, with its upper shoulder 108 disengaged from the valve seat 106, thereby allowing liquid to drain from the central cavity 56 to the lower cavity 90, and then out of the sill assembly 30 via the drain apertures 92. However, when liquid enters the lower cavity 90, the float member 98 is displaced upwardly which causes its upper shoulder 106 to be sealingly engaged with the valve seat 108, thereby closing the valve 94 and preventing the flow of liquid from the lower chamber 92 the central chamber 56. After the sill assembly 12R has been assembled, it is incorporated into the right-hand side frame portion 10 of the vehicle body which is in turn incorporated into the vehicle frame. Bodyside panels such as bodyside panel 44 are then attached to the frame and are welded to the sill assemblies 12L, 12R. As best seen in Figure 2, a cavity 120 is formed between the inner face of the bodyside panel 44 and the sill assembly 12R. If a significant amount of liquid enters the cavity between the vehicle body panel 44 and the sill assembly 12R (for example if a window is inadvertently left open during heavy rain), it is allowed to drain through the aligned apertures 88, 89 in the inner and outer sill members 50, 52 and into the central aperture 56 of the sill assembly. From there, the liquid drains through the normally-open one-way valves 94 into the lower cavity 90 and then through the gap 92 to the exterior. This prevents liquid from being retained within the cavity 120 between the vehicle body panel 44 and the sill assembly 12R, which could otherwise produce unwanted “sloshing” noises as the vehicle moves. However, if water enters the lower cavity 90 via the gap 92 between the upper face of the planar base wall 5 portion 84 of the outer pressed metal sill member 52 and the lower edge of the lower sill flange 68 (for example if the vehicle of which the sill assembly 50 forms part is submerged in water), the valves 94 are arranged to close to prevent the passage of liquid from the lower cavity 90 into the central cavity 56, as described above, and therefore prevents the liquid from entering the cavity between the vehicle body panel 44 and the sill assembly 12R. This avoids the requirement to provide additional corrosion mitigation in the central cavity 56. 10 It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. 15

Claims

1. A vehicle body comprising:an elongate side sill comprising a first, lower cavity, a second, upper cavity located above the lower cavity and a common wall between the lower and upper cavities;a drain opening in a wall of the lower cavity, connecting the lower cavity to the exterior of the sill;a vehicle body panel sealingly secured to a laterally outer wall of the sill and defining a further cavity between the vehicle body panel and the sill;an opening in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill;an aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities; anda one-way valve located in the aperture in the common wall and configured to allow liquid flow from the second, upper cavity to the first, lower cavity of the sill.

2. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle panel is secured to the laterally outer wall of the sill below and adjacent to the opening in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill.

3. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one-way valve comprises a valve housing and a valve mounting extending from the valve housing, the valve mounting being received in the aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities and the valve housing being located in the first, lower cavity of the sill.

4. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle body panel is sealingly secured to a laterally outer wall of the upper cavity.

5. A vehicle body as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sill comprises a first sill portion which includes the second, upper cavity and a second sill portion secured to the first sill portion and which at least partially defines the first, lower cavity.

6. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second sill portion extends at least partially over, and is secured to, the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion and forms part of a laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity.

7. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle body panel is sealingly secured to an exterior face of the second sill portion.

8. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 7, comprising an opening in a laterally outer wall of the first sill portion which connects the second, upper cavity with the further cavity between the vehicle body panel and the sill, and wherein the second sill portion extends above the level of the opening in the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion and comprises an opening aligned with the opening in the laterally outer wall of the first sill portion.

9. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities is located at the lowermost level of the upper cavity.

10. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of apertures in the common wall between the lower and upper cavities and a one-way valve located in each aperture, each oneway valve being configured to allow liquid flow from the second, upper cavity to the first, lower cavity of the sill.

11. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said openings in the laterally outer wall of the second, upper cavity interconnecting the further cavity and the upper cavity of the sill.

12. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the sill comprises a barrier configured to restrict movement of liquid in the longitudinal direction of the sill.

13. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sill comprises a barrier configured to restrict movement of liquid along the second, upper cavity in the longitudinal direction of the sill.

14. A vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle body panel comprises an external body panel.

15. A vehicle comprising a vehicle body as claimed in any of the preceding claims.Application No: GB2404895.1Examiner: Barry MeachamClaims searched: 1-15Date of search: 27 August 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance A - US 8746786 B2 (POHL et al.) see whole document A - CN 208498623 U (FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC) see whole document A - CN 115320717 A (ZHEJIANG ZEEKR INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD) see whole document A - US 8485594 B2 (STANIK et al.) see whole document A - JP 3754533 B2 (MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP) see whole documentCategories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention. same category. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From B62D 0025 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006 B62D 0021 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006

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