Vehicle structure

Abstract

A vehicle structure (100; 200) including a portion (102; 202) extending in a longitudinal direction (106), the portion (102; 202) including a first member (122) extending in the longitudinal direction (106) and a second member (124) extending in the longitudinal direction (106). The first member (122) is configured to face an interior side (126) of the vehicle, and the second member (124) is configured to face an exterior side (128) of the vehicle. The first member (122) and the second member (124) are attached to each other to form a substantially closed space (138) therebetween. The portion (102; 202) includes a reinforcing member (104) having a wave shape and disposed within the substantially closed space (138). A substantially closed space (138) is formed when the first member (122) and the second member (124) are attached to one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle structure including a longitudinally extending portion, the portion including a first member extending longitudinally and a second member extending longitudinally. The first member is configured to face the inside of the vehicle, and the second member is configured to face the outside of the vehicle. The first member and the second member are attached to each other to form a substantially closed space.

Background Art

[0002] In the design of the underframe portion of an automobile, there is a compromise between weight and strength. As an advantageous way to achieve a good compromise, the underframe portion may be manufactured from one or more metal plates or metal alloy plates formed into a required shape, for example, a hat-shaped profile.

[0003] Generally, the underframe portion of an automobile is formed to have a certain rigidity because it may be subjected to various impacts from the outside. At the same time, the underframe portion should be able to deform to absorb impacts when overloaded, for example, due to a collision with an external object, such as another vehicle, or a stationary object, such as a tree. An example of a vehicle underframe portion that should be able to deform to absorb impacts while being rigid is a vehicle side sill structure.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have found that the vehicle structure can be further improved.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to improve the vehicle structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above object and further objects are a vehicle structure including a longitudinally extending portion, the portion being A first member extending in the longitudinal direction, A second member extending in the longitudinal direction, comprising, the first member is configured to face the inside of the vehicle, the second member is configured to face the outside of the vehicle, each of the first member and the second member has a longitudinally extending compartment, and each compartment has a bottom surface configured to face one of the inside and outside of the vehicle, the first member and the second member are attached to each other such that the compartments, and the first member and the second member form a substantially closed space, this portion includes one or more reinforcing members installed within the substantially closed space, the reinforcing members extending in the longitudinal direction, the reinforcing member has a first leg portion extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, the reinforcing member has a second leg portion extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, each leg portion has a foot portion extending in the longitudinal direction, the foot portion of the first leg portion and the foot portion of the second leg portion are spaced apart from each other, the first leg portion and the second leg portion are joined within the head region, the first leg portion is installed between the second leg portion and the bottom surface of one of the compartments of the first member and the second member, and the second leg portion is installed between the first leg portion and the bottom surface of the other compartment of the first member and the second member, the head region is wavy and includes the wave form, the wave form includes ridges and grooves, each of the ridges extends between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, each of the grooves extends between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, is achieved by providing a vehicle structure.

[0007] The advantages of the innovative reinforcing member of the vehicle structure are that, in order to prevent penetration during a side or lateral collision, while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure, an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure for absorbing impact is provided. By the innovative reinforcing member, it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle structure while still maintaining or even improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure. By the innovative reinforcing member, the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is improved. The advantage of the vehicle structure including the innovative reinforcing member is that an improved vehicle structure is provided. The vehicle structure may be, for example, a vehicle structure for an automobile equipped with an internal combustion engine, an electric vehicle having one or more batteries, or a hybrid vehicle, such as a car or a truck.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the foot of the first leg and the foot of the second leg substantially point in the same first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, an even more improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0009] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, at least one of the first leg and the second leg is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of one of the sections of the first member and the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, an even more improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, at least one of the first leg and the second leg abuts against the bottom surface of one of the sections of the first member and the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, an even more improved vehicle structure is provided. In some embodiments, each of the first leg and the second leg abuts against the bottom surface of one of the sections of the first member and the second member. The reinforcing member may be immovable with respect to the first member and the second member when there is no collision, for example, by one or more abuts against one or more of the bottom surfaces of the sections of the first member and the second member described above.

[0011] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the first leg portion is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the section of one of the first member and the second member that is closer to the first leg portion with respect to the other of the first member and the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, a further improved vehicle structure is provided. On the other hand, in some embodiments, the first leg portion may be oriented in a different manner than being substantially parallel to the bottom surface of a section of one of the first member and the second member.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, one or more of the first leg portion and the second leg portion are attached to the bottom surface of a section of one of the first member and the second member. The reinforcing member may be immobile with respect to the first member and the second member when there is no collision, for example, by one or more attachments to one or more of the bottom surfaces of the sections of the first member and the second member described above. On the other hand, in some embodiments, neither the first leg portion nor the second leg portion is attached to the bottom surface of a section of one of the first member and the second member, that is, each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion may be separated from the bottom surface of the section of the first member and the second member. In some embodiments, one or more of the first leg portion and the second leg portion are attached to one of the first member and the second member, for example, to another portion of one of the first or second members that is different from the bottom surface of the section. In some embodiments, one or more of the first leg portion and the second leg portion are separated from the first member and the second member.

[0013] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the first leg portion is attached to the bottom surface of a section of one of the first member and the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure for absorbing impact is provided while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure. Accordingly, the advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the reinforcing member has a surface that is substantially concave and a surface that is substantially convex. On the surface that is substantially convex, each ridge in the head region has a depression at a location that is central with respect to the first leg portion and the second leg portion. The advantage of this embodiment is that, while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure, an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure for absorbing impact is provided. Therefore, the advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the depressions are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that, while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure, an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure for absorbing impact is provided. Therefore, the advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, the first leg portion is longer than the second leg portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0017] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the first leg portion is substantially flat. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0018] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the second leg portion is wavy and includes the waveform. The waveform of the second leg portion includes ridges and grooves. Each ridge of the second leg portion extends between the foot portion and the head region of the second leg portion. Each groove of the second leg portion extends between the foot portion and the head region of the second leg portion. The advantage of this embodiment is that while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure, an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure for absorbing impacts is provided. Therefore, the advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, each of the first member and the second member has a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall is installed on one side of the bottom surface, and the second side wall is installed on the opposite side of the bottom surface. The first wall and the second wall of the first member and the bottom surface of the compartment of the first member define the compartment of the first member. The first wall and the second wall of the second member and the bottom surface of the compartment of the second member define the compartment of the second member. The first side wall of the first member is attached to the first side wall of the second member, and the second side wall of the first member is attached to the second side wall of the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, each of the first member and the second member has a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall is installed on one side of the bottom surface, and the second side wall is installed on the opposite side of the bottom surface. The first wall and the second wall of the first member and the bottom surface of the compartment of the first member define the compartment of the first member. The first wall and the second wall of the second member and the bottom surface of the compartment of the second member define the compartment of the second member. Each of the first member and the second member has a first flange attached to the first side wall, and each of the first member and the second member has a second flange attached to the second side wall. The first flange of the first member is attached to the first flange of the second member, and the second flange of the first member is attached to the second flange of the second member. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Therefore, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, the head region faces the first side wall. More specifically, according to this embodiment, the convex surface of the head region faces the first side wall. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0022] According to another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, the feet of the first leg and the feet of the second leg substantially point towards or face the second side wall. The advantage of this embodiment is that the performance of the vehicle structure during a collision is further improved. Accordingly, a further improved vehicle structure is provided.

[0023] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, the reinforcing member is formed from a plate, for example a metal alloy plate. This is an efficient way of manufacturing the reinforcing member.

[0024] According to still another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, the reinforcing member comprises or consists of a metal or a metal alloy. This is an efficient way of manufacturing the reinforcing member.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, each of the first and second members is formed from a plate, for example a metal plate or a metal alloy plate. This is an efficient way of manufacturing the reinforcing member.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, each of the first and second members comprises or consists of a metal or a metal alloy. This is an efficient way of manufacturing the reinforcing member.

[0027] According to another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the invention, the profile of each of the first and second members is one of a hat-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile. This is an efficient way of manufacturing the first and second members.

[0028] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the vehicle structure is a vehicle side structure, and the part is a side part. The vehicle structure is suitable for application as the vehicle side structure of a vehicle, thereby improving the performance of the vehicle side structure during a collision. Accordingly, an improved vehicle side structure is provided. On the other hand, in an alternative embodiment, the vehicle structure may be applied and mounted at other locations of the vehicle, for example, at the front of the vehicle, and may be part of a bumper at the rear of the vehicle or at other locations within the vehicle. The vehicle structure may be used, for example, in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, but of course, it may also be used in a conventional vehicle equipped with only an internal combustion engine. The vehicle structure may be configured to protect the battery of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle structure may be installed on one or more sides of the battery installed in the vehicle.

[0029] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the part is a side rail part, and the side rail part extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and is provided on the side of the vehicle body. The advantage of this embodiment is that while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structure, an advantageous deformation of the vehicle structure having a side rail part for absorbing impact is provided. This innovative reinforcing member is particularly advantageous for the side rail part of the vehicle structure where impact should be absorbed during a specific collision. On the other hand, in an alternative embodiment, the part or the side part may not be a side rail part, but a side beam part, a bumper part, or a beam part configured to be installed at other locations within the vehicle.

[0030] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the vehicle structure according to the present invention, the side rail part is attached to one or more cross beams of the vehicle body. This may further improve the rigidity of the vehicle structure.

[0031] The features and embodiments of the vehicle structure described above may be combined in various ways that may provide further advantageous embodiments.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments of the vehicle structure according to the invention, and further advantages according to embodiments of the invention, will become apparent from the dependent claims and the detailed description of the embodiments.

[0033] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail for illustrative purposes, through embodiments, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 6, the portion 102 of the vehicle structure 100 by the first embedding includes a reinforcing member 104. The reinforcing member 104 extends in the longitudinal direction 106. The reinforcing member 104 may include or may be made of a metal or a metal alloy. The reinforcing member 104 may be formed from a plate, for example, a metal plate or a metal alloy plate, for example, an aluminum plate, or any other suitable material. This plate may be processed by hot stamping. The reinforcing member 104 has a smooth wave shape in the longitudinal direction 106.

[0036] The reinforcing member 104 has a first leg portion 108 extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction 106. The reinforcing member 104 has a second leg portion 110 extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction 106. Each of the first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110, i.e., the leg portions 108, 110, has foot portions 112, 114 extending in the longitudinal direction 106. In some embodiments, it may be defined that the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 is installed at the end of the first leg portion 108, or that the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 forms the end of the first leg portion 108. In some embodiments, it may be defined that the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 is installed at the end of the second leg portion 110, or that the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 forms the end of the second leg portion 110. The foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 are spaced apart from each other. The first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110 are joined within the head region 116. In some embodiments, it may be defined that the head region 116 is installed at the ends of the first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110, which are different from or opposed to the ends of the first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110 that include or form the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110. In the illustrated embodiment, in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction 106, the first leg portion 108 is longer than the second leg portion 110 in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg portion 108 is substantially flat.

[0037] The head region 116 is wavy in the longitudinal direction 106, forming a smooth wave shape. The head region 116 encompasses the wave shape. The head region 116 may be wavy along substantially the entire longitudinal extent or the entire length portion thereof. The wave shape of the head region 116 includes ridges 118 and grooves 120. The head region 116 may include a plurality of ridges 118, such as five or ten or more ridges 118, and a plurality of grooves 120, such as five or ten or more grooves 120. Each ridge 118 extends between the first leg 108 and the second leg 110. Each groove 120 extends between the first leg 108 and the second leg 110. These innovative wave shapes achieve advantageous deformation of the vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) for absorbing impacts while maintaining or improving the rigidity and reinforcement of the vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 (see FIGS. 12 to 14).

[0038] The head region 116 of the reinforcing member 104, the first leg 108, and the second leg 110 can be described as forming a W shape or a U shape with feet 112, 114 at each end of this W shape or U shape. Accordingly, the reinforcing member 104 may have a U-shaped or W-shaped cross section. On the other hand, other shapes, such as a V-shaped cross section, are possible.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the reinforcing member 104 has a surface 119 that is substantially concave and a surface 121 that is substantially convex. At the substantially convex surface 121, each ridge 118 of the head region 116 has a depression 123 at a location that is central with respect to the first leg 108 and the second leg 110. The depressions 123 may be aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction 106.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the second leg portion 110 is wavy and includes the wave form. The wave form of the second leg portion 110 includes ridges 125 and grooves 127. Each ridge 125 of the second leg portion 110 extends between the foot portion 114 and the head region 116 of the second leg portion 110. Each groove 127 of the second leg portion 110 extends between the foot portion 114 and the head region 116 of the second leg portion 110. In an alternative embodiment, the second leg portion 110 may be substantially flat.

[0041] The vehicle structure 100 may be a vehicle structure 100 for an automobile, for example, a car or a truck. Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the vehicle structure 100 includes a portion 102 extending in the longitudinal direction 106. The portion 102 has a first member 122 extending in the longitudinal direction 106. The portion 102 has a second member 124 extending in the longitudinal direction 106. The first member 122 is configured to face the inside 126 of a vehicle, such as an automobile like a car. The second member 124 is configured to face the outside 128 of the same vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed, the first member 122 may face the inside 126 of the vehicle, and the second member 124 may face the outside 128 of the same vehicle. Each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, 124 has compartments 130, 132 extending in the longitudinal direction 106. Each compartment 130, 132 has a bottom surface 134, 136 configured to face one of the inside 126 and the outside 128 of the vehicle, 126, 128. More specifically, it may be defined that the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122 is configured to face the outside 128 of the vehicle. More specifically, it may be defined that the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124 is configured to face the inside 126 of the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed, the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122 may face the outside 128 of the vehicle, and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124 may face the inside 126 of the same vehicle. In some embodiments, it may be defined that the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122 and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124 are configured to face each other. In some embodiments, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed in a vehicle and the vehicle's wheels lean against the ground or a certain surface, each of the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122 and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124 may be configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the ground or this surface against which the vehicle's wheels lean.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 12, in some embodiments, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed in the vehicle while the vehicle wheels bear on the ground or on a surface, it may be defined that each of the first leg 108 and the second leg 110, i.e., legs 108, 110, is configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the ground or the surface on which the vehicle wheels bear. In some embodiments, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed in the vehicle, it may be defined that the space formed between the first leg 108 and the second leg 110 is open at least upward or at least downward.

[0043] The first member 122 and the second member 124 are attached to each other such that the compartments 130, 132 and the first member 122 and the second member 124 form or define a substantially closed space 138. The first member 122 and the second member 124 may be attached to each other by, for example, welding, adhesives, mechanical locking structures such as rivets, or any other suitable fastening means. Each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, i.e., 122, 124, may include or may be made of a metal or a metal alloy. Each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, i.e., 122, 124, may be formed of a plate, for example, a metal plate or a metal alloy plate, for example, an aluminum plate. This plate may be processed by press hardening.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the profiles of each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122 and 124, are hat-shaped profiles. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122 and 124, has a first side wall 140, 142 and a second side wall 144, 146. The first side walls 140, 142 are installed on one side of the bottom surfaces 134, 136, and the second side walls 144, 146 are installed on the opposite side of the bottom surfaces 134, 136. The first wall 140 and the second wall 144 of the first member 122 and the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122 define or form the compartment 130 of the first member 122. In a corresponding manner, the first wall 142 and the second wall 146 of the second member 124 and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124 define or form the compartment 132 of the second member 124. Each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122 and 124, has a first flange 148, 150 that is attached to the first side wall 140, 142, for example, formed integrally with this first side wall. Each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122 and 124, has a second flange 152, 154 that is attached to the second side wall 144, 146, for example, formed integrally with this second side wall. The first flange 148 of the first member 122 is attached to the first flange 150 of the second member 124, for example, by welding or an adhesive. The second flange 152 of the first member 122 is attached to the second flange 154 of the second member 124, for example, by welding or an adhesive. On the other hand, other attachment means, such as those described above, are possible.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the profiles of each of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122 and 124, could be U-shaped profiles. In that case, the first side wall 140 of the first member 122 could be attached to the first side wall 142 of the second member 124, for example, by welding. And the second side wall 144 of the first member 122 could be attached to the second side wall 146 of the second member 124, for example, by welding. On the other hand, other attachment means, such as those described above, are possible.

[0046] As described above, the portion 102 includes one or more reinforcing members 104 installed within a substantially closed space 138, as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, for example. The reinforcing members 104 extend in the longitudinal direction 106. Referring to FIG. 8, the first leg portion 108 is installed between the second leg portion 110 and the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, and the second leg portion 110 is installed between the first leg portion 108 and the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of the other of the first member 122 and the second member 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg portion 108 is installed between the second leg portion 110 and the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122, and the second leg portion 110 is installed between the first leg portion 108 and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124. On the other hand, in an alternative embodiment, the first leg portion 108 could be installed between the second leg portion 110 and the bottom surface 136 of the compartment 132 of the second member 124. On the one hand, the second leg portion 110 could be installed between the first leg portion 108 and the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122. Each of the first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110 may be installed within the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg portion 108 is installed within the compartment 130 of the first member 122, and the second leg portion 110 is installed within the compartment 132 of the second member 124.

[0047] It should be understood that one or more additional regions or one or more additional members may be positioned between the first leg portion 108 and the second leg portion 110. It should be understood that one or more additional regions or one or more additional members may be positioned between the first leg portion 108 and the bottom surface 134 of the section 130 of the nearest member 122 of the first member 122 and the second member 124. It should be understood that one or more additional regions or one or more additional members may be positioned between the second leg portion 110 and the bottom surface 136 of the section 132 of the nearest member 124 of the first member 122 and the second member 124. In particular when the vehicle is assembled, it should be understood that one or more additional regions or one or more additional members may be positioned between the first member 122 or the second member 124 and the inner side 126 or the outer side 128 of the vehicle.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 of the reinforcing member 104 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 of the same reinforcing member 104 substantially point in the same first direction 156. The first direction 156 intersects the longitudinal direction 106. For example, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed, the first direction 156 may be upward. The foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 of the reinforcing member 104 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 of the same reinforcing member 104 substantially point towards or face the second side walls 144, 146 of the first member 122 and the second member 124. Referring to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the head region 116 faces the first side walls 140, 142 of the first member 122 and the second member 124. The fact that the head region 116 faces the first side walls 140, 142 of the first member 122 and the second member 124 does not necessarily mean that there is a free space between the head region 116 and the first side walls 140, 142. Instead, in an alternative embodiment, there may be other members or units therebetween.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, at least one of the first leg 108 and the second leg 110, for example, the first leg 108, is substantially parallel to the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, 124, for example, the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122. At least one of the first leg 108 and the second leg 110, 108, 110, for example, the first leg 108, abuts against the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, 124, for example, the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 108 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, which is closer to the first leg 108 with respect to the other of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 108 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 108 is attached to the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 108 is attached to the bottom surface 134 of the compartment 130 of the first member 122. The first leg 108 may be attached to the bottom surfaces 134, 136 by, for example, a mechanical locking structure such as welding, an adhesive or a rivet, or any other suitable fastening means. The first leg 108 may be attached to the bottom surface 134 basically along the entire length portion of the first leg 108. As an alternative to this or in addition to this, in an alternative embodiment, the second leg 110 may be attached to the bottom surfaces 134, 136 of the compartments 130, 132 of one of the first member 122 and the second member 124, 122, 124 by, for example, a mechanical locking structure such as welding, an adhesive or a rivet, or any other suitable fastening means.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, a second embodiment of the vehicle structure 200 according to the present invention will be schematically illustrated. The only difference from the first embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8 is that the reinforcing member 104 of the portion 202 is rotated 180° with respect to the reinforcing member 104 of the portion 102 of FIGS. 5 to 8. Therefore, referring to FIG. 12, the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 substantially point to or face the first side walls 140 and 142 of the first member 122 and the second member 124, and the head portion area 116 faces the second side walls 144 and 146 of the first member 122 and the second member 124. Therefore, referring to FIG. 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the foot portion 112 of the first leg portion 108 of the reinforcing member 104 and the foot portion 114 of the second leg portion 110 of the same reinforcing member 104 substantially point in the same second direction 157. The second direction 157 intersects the longitudinal direction 106. For example, when the vehicle structure 100 is installed, the second direction 157 may be downward. In other respects, the second embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 12 may correspond to the first embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8, so the second embodiment will not be described in more detail here.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the portions 302 and 402 of the vehicle structure embodiments 300 and 400 may include two or more reinforcing members 104 arranged as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively. Each reinforcing member 104 may correspond to the embodiment 104 of the reinforcing member disclosed above, so it will not be described in more detail here. In an alternative embodiment, the first leg portion 108 of one of these reinforcing members 104 and the first leg portion 108 of another one of these reinforcing members 104 may abut or be attached to different members 122 and 124 of the first member 122 and the second member 124.

[0053] Each of the vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 described above may be a vehicle side structure 100, 200, 300, 400, and each of the respective portions 102, 202, 302, 402 may be a side portion 102, 202, 302, 402. On the other hand, the vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 may be applied and mounted in other locations of the vehicle, for example, at the front of the vehicle, and may be a part of the bumper at the rear of the vehicle or at other locations within the vehicle. The vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 may be used, for example, in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, but of course, may also be used in a conventional vehicle equipped with only an internal combustion engine. The vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 may be configured to protect one or more batteries of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle structures 100, 200, 300, 400 may be installed on one or more sides of the battery.

[0054] Each of the portions 102, 202, 302, 402 described is advantageously used as a side portion 102, 202, 302, 402. Accordingly, each of the disclosed embodiments of the portion 102, 202, 302, 402 may be a side portion 102, 202, 302, 402. The side portions 102, 202, 302, 402 are configured to extend in the longitudinal direction 106 of the vehicle body and are configured to be provided on the side of the vehicle body. Advantageously, the side portions 102, 202, 302, 402 are configured to be attached to one or more cross beams 162, 164 of the vehicle body, for example, two cross beams 162, 164. On the other hand, in an alternative embodiment, the portion or side portion may be a side beam portion, a bumper portion, or a beam portion configured to be installed at other locations within the vehicle, rather than a side portion.

[0055] The features of the different embodiments of the vehicle structure disclosed above may be combined in various ways that are possible to provide further advantageous embodiments.

[0056] The present invention should not be regarded as being limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be modified and changed in many ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle structure (100; 200) including a portion (102; 202) extending in a longitudinal direction (106), wherein the portion (102; 202) comprises a first member (122) extending in the longitudinal direction (106), a second member (124) extending in the longitudinal direction (106) and includes, the first member (122) is configured to face the inside (126) of the vehicle, the second member (124) is configured to face the outside (128) of the vehicle, each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) has a section (130, 132) extending in the longitudinal direction (106), and each section (130, 132) has a bottom surface (134, 136) configured to face one (126, 128) of the inside (126) and the outside (128) of the vehicle, the first member (122) and the second member (124) are attached to each other such that the sections (130, 132), and the first member (122) and the second member (124) form a substantially closed space (138), the portion (102; 202) includes one or more reinforcing members (104) installed in the substantially closed space (138), the reinforcing members (104) extending in the longitudinal direction (106), the reinforcing member (104) has a first leg portion (108) extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (106), the reinforcing member (104) has a second leg portion (110) extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (106), each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion (108, 110) has a foot portion (112, 114) extending in the longitudinal direction (106), the foot portion (112) of the first leg portion (108) and the foot portion (114) of the second leg portion (110) are spaced apart from each other, the first leg portion (108) and the second leg portion (110) are continuous within a head region (116), the first leg portion (108) is installed between the second leg portion (110) and the bottom surface (134, 136) of the section (130, 132) of one (122, 124) of the first member (122) and the second member (124), and the second leg portion (110) is installed between the first leg portion (108) and the bottom surface (134, 136) of the section (130, 132) of the other (122, 124) of the first member (122) and the second member (124), the head region (116) is wavy and includes a waveform The waveform includes ridges (118) and grooves (120), each of the ridges (118) extends between the first leg portion (108) and the second leg portion (110), each of the grooves (120) extends between the first leg portion (108) and the second leg portion (110), a vehicle structure.

2. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to claim 1, wherein the foot portion (112) of the first leg portion (108) and the foot portion (114) of the second leg portion (110) substantially point in the same first direction (156) intersecting the longitudinal direction (106), a vehicle structure.

3. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first leg portion (108) and the second leg portion (110) (108, 110) is substantially parallel to the bottom surface (134, 136) of the partition (130, 132) of one of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124), a vehicle structure.

4. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first leg portion (108) and the second leg portion (110) (108, 110) abuts against the bottom surface (134, 136) of the partition (130, 132) of one of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124), a vehicle structure.

5. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first leg portion (108) is substantially parallel to the bottom surface (134, 136) of the partition (130, 132) of one of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) that is closer to the first leg portion (108) with respect to the other of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124), a vehicle structure.

6. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first leg portion (108) is attached to the bottom surface (134, 136) of the partition (130, 132) of one of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124), a vehicle structure.

7. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcing member (104) has a surface (119) that is substantially concave and a surface (121) that is substantially convex, and on the surface (121) that is substantially convex, each of the ridges (118) in the head region (116) has a depression (123) at a location that is central with respect to the first leg (108) and the second leg (110).

8. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to claim 7, wherein the depressions (123) are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction (106).

9. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first leg (108) is longer than the second leg (110) in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (106).

10. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first leg (108) is substantially flat.

11. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second leg (110) is corrugated and includes corrugations, the corrugations of the second leg (110) include ridges (125) and grooves (127), each of the ridges (125) of the second leg (110) extends between the foot (114) and the head region (116) of the second leg (110), and each of the grooves (127) of the second leg (110) extends between the foot (114) and the head region (116) of the second leg (110).

12. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) has a first side wall (140, 142) and a second side wall (144, 146), the first side wall (140, 142) is installed on one side of the bottom surface (134, 136), the second side wall (144, 146) is installed on the side opposite to the one side of the bottom surface (134, 136), the first side wall (140) and the second side wall (144) of the first member (122) and the bottom surface (134) of the compartment (130) of the first member (122) define the compartment (130) of the first member (122), the first side wall (142) and the second side wall (146) of the second member (124) and the bottom surface (136) of the compartment (132) of the second member (124) define the compartment (132) of the second member (124), the first side wall (140) of the first member (122) is attached to the first side wall (142) of the second member (124), and the second side wall (144) of the first member (122) is attached to the second side wall (146) of the second member (124).

13. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) has a first side wall (140, 142) and a second side wall (144, 146), the first side wall (140, 142) is installed on one side of the bottom surface (134, 136), the second side wall (144, 146) is installed on the side opposite to the one side of the bottom surface (134, 136), the first side wall (140) and the second side wall (144) of the first member (122) and the bottom surface (134) of the section (130) of the first member (122) define the section (130) of the first member (122), the first side wall (142) and the second side wall (146) of the second member (124) and the bottom surface (136) of the section (132) of the second member (124) define the section (132) of the second member (124), each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) has a first flange (148, 150) attached to the first side wall (140, 142), each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) has a second flange (152, 154) attached to the second side wall (144, 146), the first flange (148) of the first member (122) is attached to the first flange (150) of the second member (124), and the second flange (152) of the first member (122) is attached to the second flange (154) of the second member (124).

14. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the head region (116) faces the first side wall (140, 142).

15. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the foot portion (112) of the first leg portion (108) and the foot portion (114) of the second leg portion (110) substantially point toward the second side wall (144, 146) or face the second side wall (144, 146).

16. The vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the reinforcing member (104) is formed of a plate.

17. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the reinforcing member (104) comprises a metal or a metal alloy, or consists of a metal or a metal alloy.

18. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) is formed of a plate.

19. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) comprises a metal or a metal alloy, or consists of a metal or a metal alloy.

20. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the profile of each of the first member (122) and the second member (124) (122, 124) is one of a hat-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile.

21. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the vehicle structure (100; 200) is a vehicle side structure (100; 200), and the portion (102; 202) is a side portion (102; 202).

22. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the portion (102; 202) is a side sill portion (102; 202), and the side sill portion (102; 202) is configured to extend in the longitudinal direction (106) of the vehicle body and is configured to be provided on a side of the vehicle body.

23. A vehicle structure (100; 200) according to claim 22, wherein the side sill portion (102; 202) is configured to be attached to one or more cross members (162, 164) of the vehicle body.

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