Structure constitution member

Abstract

To provide a structure constitution member and a relating method thereof, capable of reducing a manufacturing time and logistic labor and time and requiring the minimum hand work step.SOLUTION: A vehicular structure constitution member 1 has a structure part, which extends horizontally to the vehicle direction and is used as a partition between a passenger compartment and a front chamber, desirably an engine compartment. The structure constitution member includes: an injection molding wall 2, two A pillars 3 disposed at the respective sides of the injection molding wall and a lateral reinforcement part 4 extending along the upper side of the injection molding wall. The structure constitution member is formed as one piece or integrated light metal die-casting component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structural component of an automobile and a method for manufacturing the same. The structural component extends in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle direction and is used as a partition between a passenger compartment and a front compartment, preferably an engine room. The structural component has an injection-molded wall, two A-pillars respectively arranged on the sides of the injection-molded wall, and a lateral reinforcing part extending along the upper side of the injection-molded wall.

Background Art

[0002] The bulkhead disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102008062007 is formed from a plurality of parts, namely a lower cross member, a bulkhead member, and an upper reinforcing support. In this case, the lower cross member is formed as a light metal die-cast component, and the bulkhead member and the upper reinforcing support are formed from light metal thin plates. Each member is joined to each other, for example, by welding, screw fastening, adhesion or caulking. The disadvantage in this case is that the labor for joining the individual components to each other is large.

[0003] In the vehicle body structure disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102008062004, the bulkhead has a flange and is joined to a cross member having a flange as well. In this case, the bulkhead is formed from a light metal thin plate and is preferably welded or adhered to the cross member. Also in this case, there is a disadvantage that it takes a lot of time to join the individual members to each other before the vehicle body structure part can be attached to the vehicle body.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to propose structural components and related methods that shorten manufacturing time, reduce logistical effort, and require minimal manual steps, thereby improving the economic efficiency of the components and resulting in components with minimal weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by forming the structural components as one-piece or integrated light metal die-cast parts, according to the present invention.

[0006] The structural component of an automobile according to the present invention extends laterally with respect to the vehicle direction and is used as a partition between the passenger compartment and the front compartment, preferably the engine compartment. It comprises an injection-molded wall, two A-pillars positioned laterally to the injection-molded wall, and a lateral reinforcing portion extending along the upper side of the injection-molded wall. The structural component according to the present invention is formed as a one-piece or integrally. That is, the components such as the injection-molded wall, A-pillars, and lateral reinforcing portion do not require any joining process to connect to each other, and the structural component according to the present invention is formed as a single complete unit. The structural component according to the present invention is further formed as a light metal die-cast part, which achieves the desired stability despite enabling a thin-walled structure.

[0007] It has been found to be advantageous for the injection-molded wall to have a pedal support integrated into the injection-molded wall. "Integrated into the injection-molded wall" means that the pedal support is directly incorporated into the injection-molded wall or structural component, and similarly in the die-cast component according to the present invention. In other words, the structural component according to the present invention is formed as a single piece or integrally with the integrated pedal support.

[0008] Of course, additional or other tongues and holders may be integrated and positioned in the structural components according to the present invention as needed, and depending on the vehicle type, even more additional tongues and holders can be integrated together in the light metal die-cast components.

[0009] Preferably, the structural components are formed to be thin-walled, in which case the component walls are 1 to 8 mm thick, preferably 2 to 5 mm thick. Preferably, the component walls have different thicknesses corresponding to their positions in the structural components. Based on the different thicknesses of the component walls, the flow characteristics in the structural components are optimized or filling optimization is achieved. On the one hand, individual component walls may have different thicknesses corresponding to their arrangement, and on the other hand, a single component wall itself may have different thicknesses. That is, a single component wall may be tapered or widened in order to achieve filling optimization as described above.

[0010] It has been found that having ribbed sections for reinforcement of the A-pillar constitutes one preferred embodiment. Preferably, the ribbed sections are located on one side of the A-pillar and extend either across the entire width and height or only over a portion of the area.

[0011] It was found to be advantageous for the lateral reinforcement to have a ribbed section as a reinforcement. Preferably, the ribbed section is located between the injection-molded wall and the lateral reinforcement. In this case, preferably, the ribbed section is formed by regularly arranging ribs along the upper side of the injection-molded wall.

[0012] Preferably, the rib section is located in the transition region between the injection-molded wall and the A-pillar. This placement of the rib section increases the rigidity between the individual components of the structural members.

[0013] According to one preferred embodiment, the structural component according to the present invention is manufactured from an Al alloy or an Mg alloy.

[0014] The above problems are solved by manufacturing the structural components according to the present invention using a die-casting method.

[0015] By manufacturing the structural components according to the present invention using a die-casting method, it is possible to impart a stable shape despite its complex and thin-walled nature. Furthermore, various mounting parts can be directly integrated into the one-piece structural component, thereby avoiding additional mounting steps.

[0016] It has been found that heat treatment of the structural components according to the present invention is advantageous after casting. This further improves desired properties, such as the strength of the structural components. The heat treatment may be performed on the entire structure or only on a part of it.

[0017] All components can be freely combined with one another.

[0018] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a three-dimensional view showing the structural components according to the present invention as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a three-dimensional view showing the structural components according to the present invention as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the structural components according to the present invention as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the A-pillar. [Figure 5] This is a three-dimensional view showing the structural components according to the present invention as seen from the anteroom. [Figure 6] This is a three-dimensional view showing the structural components according to the present invention as seen from the anteroom. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] In the drawing shown in FIG. 1, a structural component 1 according to the present invention for an automobile is shown. In the mounted state, the structural component extends in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle direction and separates the passenger compartment and the front compartment, preferably the engine compartment, from each other. The structural component 1 includes an injection-molded wall 2 and A-pillars 3 integrally formed on the sides of the injection-molded wall 2, respectively. The two A-pillars 3 located on opposite sides are preferably formed mirror-image. Further, the structural component 1 according to the present invention includes a lateral reinforcement 4 extending along the upper side of the injection-molded wall 2. The structural component 1 according to the present invention, which includes a plurality of members, namely the A-pillar 3, the injection-molded wall 2, and the lateral reinforcement 4, is formed in one piece or integrally. That is, the structural component 1 has no joint portions or coupling members at all. The structural component 1 according to the present invention is formed as a light metal die-cast part, whereby it can be manufactured in one working step. By forming it as a die-cast component, a thinner structure is possible, and the necessary stability is formed by possible ribbing. As can be seen in each drawing, it is also advantageous for the pedal support 5 to be directly integrated into the structural component 1 or for this member to be integrally formed with the injection-molded wall 2, thereby avoiding an additional joining process.

[0021] It can be well recognized in each drawing that it is advantageous for the A-pillar 3 to have a ribbing portion 6 that enhances stability. Preferably, the ribbing portion 6 extends on the outer surface of the A-pillar 3. Further, it is preferable that the ribbing portions 6 are arranged at regular intervals.

[0022] It can also be recognized from each drawing that it is advantageous for a ribbing portion 7 to be arranged between the lateral reinforcement 4 and the upper side of the injection-molded wall 2. This ribbing portion 7 enhances the stability of the lateral reinforcement 4. Further, the structural component 1 according to the present invention preferably has a ribbing portion 8 between the injection-molded wall 2 and each A-pillar 3.

[0023] Furthermore, the structural component 1 according to the present invention preferably has a connecting member 9 for the sill at the A-pillar 3.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the injection-molded wall 2 has an integral through-hole 10 for the piping of the air-conditioning device. Similarly, it has been found to be even more advantageous if through-holes 11, 12 for the plungers of the brake pedal and / or the steering column are provided directly in the injection-molded wall 2. Similarly, it is advantageous if a service opening 13 for the air-conditioning device is integrated in the injection-molded wall 2. Similarly, it is also advantageous if connection points for the cockpit cross member and / or the roof pillar are integrated in the A-pillar 3.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1 Structural component 2 Injection-molded wall 3 A-pillar 4 Lateral reinforcement 5 Pedal support 6 Ribbed part A-pillar 7 Ribbed part Lateral reinforcement 8 Ribbed part A-pillar / Injection-molded wall 9 Connecting member Sill 10 Through-hole Air-conditioning 11 Through-hole Plunger Brake pedal 12 Through-hole Steering column 13 Service opening Air-conditioning device 14 Connection point

Claims

1. A structural component (1) of an automobile, wherein the structural component (1) extends laterally with respect to the vehicle direction and is used as a partition between the passenger compartment and the front compartment, preferably the engine compartment, and the structural component (1) has a bulkhead (2), two A-pillars (3) arranged laterally to the bulkhead (2), and a lateral reinforcing portion (4) extending along the upper side of the bulkhead (2), The structural component (1) is characterized in that it is formed as a one-piece or integral light metal die-cast part.

2. The structural component (1) according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall (2) has a pedal support (5) integrated and disposed within the partition wall (2).

3. The structural component (1) is formed to be thin, and the wall of the component is 1 to 8 mm, preferably 2 to 5 mm thick, according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The structural component (1) according to claim 1, wherein the A-pillar (3) has a rib attachment portion (6) for reinforcement.

5. The structural component (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lateral reinforcing portion (4) has a rib attachment portion (7) for reinforcement.

6. The structural component (1) according to claim 1, wherein a rib attachment portion (8) is arranged in the transition region between the partition wall (2) and the A pillar (3).

7. The structural component (1) is manufactured from an Al alloy or an Mg alloy, as described in claim 1.

8. A method for manufacturing a structural component (1) according to claim 1, A method characterized by manufacturing the structural component (1) by die casting.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the structural component (1) is heat-treated after casting.

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