Motor vehicle body with a passenger compartment made of an armored base compartment and a rear vehicle section adjoining the base compartment to the rear

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle body comprising a passenger compartment (1), which is made of an armored base compartment (2) and a serial floor structure (22) which is connected to the lower face of the base compartment and which has an armored rear wall (15) of the base compartment (2), said rear wall being adjoined by a rear vehicle section (37) to the rear. In order to provide a motor vehicle body with which the production complexity and the production costs can be reduced, the rear vehicle section (37) comprises a support structure (38), which is secured to the base compartment (2), and a rear serial rear vehicle section part (39) which is connected to the base compartment (2) by means of the support structure (38).

Description

[0001] Motor vehicle body with a passenger cell consisting of an armoured basic cell and a rear section

[0002] The invention relates to a motor vehicle body with a passenger cell comprising an armoured basic cell, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] Armored special-protection vehicles are particularly difficult to manufacture because they must meet a multitude of constraints. On the one hand, the most important goal is by far to equip the bodies of such special-protection vehicles with armor that provides particularly reliable protection for the vehicle occupants in the event of a bombing, shelling, or similar attack. On the other hand, such vehicle bodies should visually resemble, as closely as possible, the corresponding production vehicles without armor, for example, so as not to attract excessive attention in traffic, and should be manufactured with reasonable effort and limited costs.

[0004] Until now, such armored vehicle bodies were typically manufactured by fitting a production vehicle body with armored parts such as steel plates or aramid fiber components. The steel plates were typically attached to the inside of the structural components, particularly the passenger compartment, or within the cavities of the structural components, particularly using mechanical fasteners. This is not only extremely complex but also involves considerable additional weight.

[0005] For this reason, an armored basic cell for the passenger compartment is already known from DE 10 2004 053 198 A1, so that in this area of ​​the vehicle body, the standard passenger compartment is replaced by the armored basic cell. This results in a significant weight saving. This basic cell is covered with paneling parts that, for example, correspond to the body of the vehicle. On the underside, the armored basic cell is connected to an otherwise unarmored standard floor structure. The basic cell comprises an armored rear wall, to which a rear section is attached. The object of the invention is to create a vehicle body that allows for reduced manufacturing effort and costs.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a motor vehicle body having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0007] The motor vehicle body according to the invention comprises a passenger cell which is formed from an armoured basic cell and a series floor structure connected to the underside thereof and which has an armoured rear wall of the basic cell, to which a rear body is connected at the rear.

[0008] In order to create a motor vehicle body that reduces manufacturing effort and costs, the invention provides for the rear end to be formed by a support structure attached to the base cell and a rear series rear end section, which is connected to the base cell via the support structure. The support structure thus makes it possible to advantageously connect the corresponding series rear end section of the production vehicle to the armored base cell of the passenger compartment without armor plating.

[0009] The support structure is made, for example, from a steel material with a wall thickness that lies between the wall thickness of the rear wall / C-pillars or the basic cell and the wall thickness of the adjoining structural components of the series rear end. This makes it easy, for example, to weld the components of the support structure to the components of the basic cell made of armored steel, for example by SG welding. It is also particularly easy to attach the structural components of the rear series rear end section to the support structure. This is also done, for example, by welding, in particular SG welding. Of course, other joining technologies can also be used to connect the support structure to the basic cell and the rear series rear end section.Overall, the use of the support structure provides a simple and stable way to transfer correspondingly high forces between the base cell / passenger cell and the standard rear section due to the high vehicle weight. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support structure has respective external support boxes, which are connected to each other at the bottom via a cross member. The support boxes create a particularly rigid and stable connection between the support structure and the base cell. The cross member enables a particularly rigid and stable connection between the support structure and the rear standard rear section.

[0010] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the support boxes are connected to each other at the top via a cross member. This also results in a particularly favorable connection between the support boxes at the top, which benefits, for example, the torsional rigidity of the vehicle.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support structure has a central opening, which is closed at the front by one wall in the area of ​​the rear wall and at the rear by a flap, forming a receiving space accessible from a trunk. This allows a particularly secure receiving space to be created in a particularly advantageous manner, in which sensitive components can be housed particularly reliably.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the hatch and the respective side panels of the compartment are made of armor-resistant steel. This provides particularly effective protection for the interior of the basic cell, for example, from fire via the compartment.

[0013] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the wall defining the storage space in the area of ​​the rear wall is made of a steel material with a thinner wall thickness than the steel material of the rear wall. This allows for significant weight savings, which, for example, benefits the vehicle's range with one charge of the energy storage unit.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective rear longitudinal members are supported on the support structure. The longitudinal members can be attached, for example, via respective adapters or directly to the support structure.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support structure is formed from a steel material with a wall thickness that lies between the wall thickness of the rear wall and the wall thickness of the adjoining structural components of the series rear end. Thus, the sufficiently thick individual components of the support structure can be connected, for example, to the armored steel parts of the basic cell, such as the rear wall or the respective C-pillars, without these components being impaired during welding, particularly during SG welding, for example due to excessive heat input, which is necessary to a certain extent for joining the armored steel components. Likewise, for the same reasons, the components of the support structure can be connected particularly favorably to the structural components of the rear series rear end section.Overall, the gradation of the material thicknesses of the basic cell, the support structure and the series rear end can be adjusted so that as many or all components as possible can be joined together by welding.

[0016] Finally, it has proven advantageous if each rear spring strut of the vehicle is supported on the support structure. This results in particularly favorable torque and force transmission between the chassis and the body, as well as particularly favorable fatigue strength and durability of the components involved, given the vehicle's high weight.

[0017] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a partial side perspective view of a

[0020] Motor vehicle body for a special protection vehicle with a passenger cell, which is formed from an armoured base cell and an unarmoured series floor structure connected to the underside thereof, and which has an armoured front bulkhead of the base cell, to which a front end is connected at the front, which is designed as a series front end with structural components in the lower area of ​​the series front end, which are directly connected to the series floor structure, and with structural components in the upper area of ​​the series front end, which are connected to the armoured front bulkhead,

[0021] Fig. 2 is a partial side perspective view of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, showing a side wall part of the series passenger compartment with which the armored basic cell is covered,

[0022] Fig. 3 a partial perspective view of the passenger compartment of the

[0023] Motor vehicle, which is formed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction in the upper area by the armored bulkhead and underside by the series floor structure, which has a transverse yoke at which the armored bulkhead merges into the floor structure,

[0024] Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and enlarged view of Fig. 3.

[0025] Perspective view of the armored front wall of the basic cell and floor structure with the cross yoke,

[0026] Fig. 5 is a partial and perspective sectional view in

[0027] In the vertical direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through the vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger cell formed by the armoured basic cell and the floor structure into the front of the vehicle,

[0028] Fig. 6 is a further partial and perspective sectional view in

[0029] In the vertical direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through the vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger cell into the front of the vehicle,

[0030] Fig. 7 is a further partial and perspective sectional view in

[0031] In the vertical direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through the vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger compartment into the front of the vehicle, whereby in particular the transition of the upper bulkhead into the transverse yoke is illustrated,

[0032] Fig. 8 is a further enlarged fragmentary and perspective sectional view in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger cell formed by the armored basic cell and the floor structure into the front of the vehicle, with the transition of the upper end wall into the transverse yoke being again illustrated,

[0033] Fig. 9 a partial and cut perspective view of the

[0034] Motor vehicle body in the area of ​​a supporting structure adjoining the basic cell of the passenger cell towards the rear, which forms a front part of a rear section of the vehicle, through which a rear series rear section is connected to the basic cell,

[0035] Fig. 10 a partial perspective view into the trunk of the

[0036] Motor vehicle body, at the front end of which the support structure is arranged,

[0037] Fig. 11 a partial side sectional view in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the vehicle body in the area of ​​the support structure at the rear end of the basic cell,

[0038] Fig. 12 a partial and cut perspective view of the

[0039] Motor vehicle body in the area of ​​the support box of the support structure arranged inside a wheel house for a rear wheel of the motor vehicle,

[0040] Fig. 13 a partial and perspective sectional view in

[0041] In the transverse direction of the vehicle and in the vertical direction of the vehicle through the vehicle body in the area behind the support structure, which has a central opening which is closed at the rear by a flap, forming a receiving space accessible from a trunk,

[0042] Fig. 14 a partial and perspective sectional view in

[0043] In the transverse direction and vertical direction through the vehicle body, analogous to Fig. 13, in the area in front of the support structure, revealing the rear wall of the basic cell. Fig. 1 shows a partial side perspective view of a vehicle body for an armored special protection vehicle. In this case, it is a sedan passenger car (notchback), which is also offered as a production vehicle without armor.

[0044] The motor vehicle body comprises a passenger cell 1, which is formed on the upper side from an armored basic cell 2. The armored basic cell 2 is made of a plurality of armor plates that are appropriately formed and welded together. The armor plates are made of a steel material and have, for example, a wall thickness or material thickness of 4 to 15 mm, although these values ​​can vary depending on the resistance class and other boundary conditions. In contrast to generally conventional armored passenger cells, in which respective armor plates are attached to the inside of the unarmored longitudinal components or in their hollow space, a basic cell 2 is created in the present case, which is itself formed from armor plates made of steel or the like. Accordingly, this basic cell 2 differs from the upper part of the safety passenger cell used in unarmored series vehicles.

[0045] In the present case, the respective side wall sections 3 of the armored basic cell 2 with associated door pillars, the respective A-pillar 4, the respective B-pillar 5 and the respective C-pillar 6, as well as the respective side sill sections 7 and the respective roof frame 8 are made of armored steel. Parts of a vehicle roof 9 with associated roof cross members 10 and roof panels 11 are also made of armored steel. A front bulkhead 12 of the basic cell 2 with an associated upper bulkhead cross member 13 is also made of armored steel. Finally, in the rear area, a structure 14 made of armored steel is formed, which, for example, has a rear wall 15 and a plate 16 at the level below a rear window opening 18. Overall, it can be seen that the basic cell 2 also has respective openings 19, 20 for front and rear side doors (not shown) as well as an opening 21 for a windshield.

[0046] The armored base cell 2 is open at the bottom and is essentially closed by, or connected to, an essentially unarmored production floor structure 22, which is used in the production vehicle without armor. The production floor structure 22 is also armored, for example, by armor plates or the like attached to the outside or inside of the passenger compartment. As a result, the passenger cell 1 is formed from the basic cell 1, designed as an armored cell, and the production floor structure 22, which are connected to one another.

[0047] In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, towards the front, a standard front end 23, as used in the standard vehicle without armor plating, adjoins the passenger cell 1 in a manner described below. Towards the rear, a standard rear end adjoins the passenger cell 1.

[0048] According to Fig. 2, the passenger compartment 1 of the motor vehicle body is shown again in a partial side perspective view, wherein a paneling part in the form of a side wall part 24 of the standard passenger compartment of the production vehicle without armor can be seen, with which the armored basic cell 2 is covered. Accordingly, in the present case, the armored passenger compartment 1 is covered by standard parts of the vehicle outer skin of the production vehicle without armor, so that the armored vehicle's appearance corresponds at least substantially to that of the production vehicle without armor.

[0049] According to Fig. 3 and 4, which show a partial perspective view of the passenger cell 1 of the motor vehicle and a partial and enlarged perspective view of the passenger cell 1 compared to Fig. 3, it can be seen that the latter is formed at its front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the upper area by the armored front wall 12 and on the underside by the series floor structure 22.

[0050] Of the standard floor structure 22, a transverse yoke 25 can be seen in particular, which extends in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal direction and overlaps the bulkhead 12. This transverse yoke forms a cross member and extends between respective side sills 26, which are formed on the one hand by side sill parts 7 of the basic cell 2 and side sill parts 27 of the standard floor structure 22. In the area of ​​the vehicle center, the transverse yoke 25 rises in an arc to bridge a center tunnel 17 of the standard floor structure 22.

[0051] 3 and 4, the transverse yoke 25 forms the front upper end of the series floor structure 22, to which the armored front wall 12 of the basic cell 2 is connected at the top. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which each show a partial and perspective sectional view in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the motor vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger cell 1 formed by the armored basic cell 2 and the floor structure 22 into the series front end 23, a vehicle floor 28 with respective series floor panels 29 and cross members 30, which extend between the side sill parts 27 of the floor structure 22, adjoins the transverse yoke 25 downwards in the vehicle vertical direction and rearwards in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0052] Towards the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the respective engine longitudinal members 31, for example, are structural components in the lower region of the series front end 23, which are directly connected to the series floor structure 22 at the level of a main longitudinal member plane of the series front end 23. In particular, Fig. 3 shows the respective fastening or transition points 32 at which the two engine longitudinal members 31 merge into the transverse yoke 25 of the floor structure 22. Furthermore, the engine longitudinal members are supported and fastened to the floor structure 22 via a support structure 33, which can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6. It is thus clear that the respective structural components in the lower region of the series front end 23 are directly and immediately connected to the floor structure 22 or its transverse yoke 25.

[0053] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 5 in conjunction with Fig. 7, which shows a further partial and perspective sectional view in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the motor vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger compartment into the front end 23, in the upper area of ​​the series front end 22 respective structural components such as respective longitudinal members / support members 34 are provided at the level of respective spring strut mounts 35, which are connected to the armored front bulkhead 12.

[0054] Depending on the material or sheet thickness, the structural components in the upper area of ​​the series front end 22 are connected directly to the bulkhead 12, in particular by gas-shielded arc welding (GAW) or another type of one-sided weld, or indirectly via the respective adapter parts. This is due in particular to the fact that the armored bulkhead 12 has a material thickness of, for example, 4 to 15 mm, so that only structural components with a sheet thickness of, for example, 1.2 to 1.5 mm or more can be welded to it. In contrast, structural components with sheet thicknesses of, for example, approximately 0.8 mm cannot usually be joined to the bulkhead 12 by welding, as they would be subject to excessive thermal input during welding.

[0055] For this reason, in the present case, the armored basic cell 2, in particular the front wall 12, is welded via respective adapter parts to correspondingly thinner structural components of the front end 22 and / or the floor structure 22, wherein the adapter parts have a sheet thickness which, at 1.5 to 4 mm, lies between the material thickness of the correspondingly thin structural component and the material thickness of the armored front wall 12.

[0056] Instead of or in addition to the connections described, it is theoretically also conceivable to connect structural components of the front end 22 to components of the basic cell 2, in particular the front wall 12, via mechanical connecting means.

[0057] Fig. 8 shows a further partial and perspective sectional view, enlarged compared to Fig. 7, in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the motor vehicle body in the transition area of ​​the passenger cell 1 formed by the armoured basic cell 2 and the floor structure 22 into the front section 23, wherein the transition of the upper, armoured front wall 12 into the transverse yoke 25 is again illustrated.

[0058] At least in one longitudinal region, but in this case across at least almost the entire vehicle width, the armored bulkhead 12 is limited at the bottom by the transverse yoke 25. The transverse yoke 25 is open at the top, so that the armored bulkhead 12 protrudes into a cavity 36 of the transverse yoke 25. The transverse yoke 25 is connected to the bulkhead 12 from both sides via corresponding SG welds.

[0059] Fig. 9 shows a partial and sectional perspective view of the motor vehicle body in the region of a support structure 38 which adjoins the basic cell of the passenger cell towards the rear and forms a front part of a rear section 37 adjoining the passenger cell 1. The rear section 37 comprises the support structure 37 in the front part and a rear series rear section 39 in the rear part which is connected to the basic cell 2 via the support structure 38. The support structure 38 comprises respective external support boxes 40, 41 which are connected to one another in a frame-like manner on the underside via a cross member 42 and on the upper side via a cross element 43 running in the region of a parcel shelf.

[0060] As can be seen in conjunction with Fig. 10 in a partial perspective view of the motor vehicle body, the support structure 38 accordingly has a central opening 44 which is closed at the front by a wall 45 in the region of the rear wall 15 and at the rear by a flap 47, whereby a receiving space 49 accessible from a trunk 48 is formed.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 11 in a partial lateral sectional view in the vehicle's vertical direction and in the vehicle's longitudinal direction through the motor vehicle body in the region of the support structure 38 at the rear end of the basic cell 2, and Fig. 12 in a partial and sectional perspective view of the motor vehicle body in the area on the inside of a wheel house 50 for a rear wheel of the motor vehicle, each support box 40, 41 of the support structure 38 is fastened at the front to the rear wall 15 or the C-pillar 6 associated therewith. The rear wall 15 and the C-pillars 6 are formed as parts of the basic cell 2 from respective steel plates or similar armored steel parts, which are joined together by welding.

[0062] The support boxes 40, 41 and the cross member 42 or the cross element 43 are in this case designed in a beam-like, box-like or similar manner, for example with respective cavities enclosed, in order to be able to transmit sufficient moments and forces. All of the components of the support structure 38 are made of steel sheets with a sufficient sheet thickness of, for example, 1.5 mm to 4 mm, in order to be able to absorb the introduced moments and forces on the one hand, and to be able to be welded well to the armored steel parts of the basic cell 2, in particular the rear wall 15 and the C-pillars 6, which, for example, have a wall thickness of 4 to 15 mm, in particular by means of respective SG welds. A sufficient wall thickness of the components of the support structure 38 compensates in particular for an increased heat input which is necessary for the connection to the armored steel parts of the basic cell 2, in particular the rear wall 15 and the C-pillars 6.

[0063] A laterally assigned respective rear spring strut 51 of the motor vehicle is - as is clear from Figs. 11 and 12 - supported on the upper cross member 43 on the support structure 38. When Figs. 9 and 12 are viewed together with Fig. 13, it is clear that respective rear longitudinal members 52 of the rear series rear end section 39 are supported and fastened to the support structure 38. These are shoed onto respective fastening shoes 53 and connected to them by welding, in particular SG welding, as described above. Other structural components of the series rear end section 39, which in this case are made of a steel material with a sheet thickness of, for example, 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, are also connected to the support structure 38 by welding, in particular SG welding.Overall, it is thus clear that by interposing the support structure 38, the series rear section 39, which forms the trunk 48, is attached to the passenger cell 1 or the basic cell 2.

[0064] Fig. 14, like Fig. 10, shows a partial and perspective sectional view in the transverse direction of the vehicle and in the vertical direction of the vehicle through the motor vehicle body analogous to Fig. 13 in the area in front of the support structure 38, wherein in this case the flap 47 closing the receiving space 49 has been omitted. This shows the wall 45 in the area of ​​the rear wall 15 of the basic cell 2, which delimits the receiving space 49 to the front. For weight reasons, this wall 45 is formed from a steel sheet similar to that used in the support structure 38. The flap 47 and respective side parts 54, 55 of the receiving space 49 are therefore formed from an armor steel material in order to reliably protect the interior of the basic cell 2 from fire, explosions, or the like.

[0065] The flap 47 can be folded down from the upright position shown in Figs. 9, 12, and 13 by means of hinges 56 toward the floor of the trunk 48. A retaining element is provided by means of which the relatively heavy flap 47 can be held in an intermediate position to prevent it from folding down abruptly. The open position of the flap 47 can be detected, for example, by means of a sensor, since the flap 47 must always be closed during use to ensure the safety of the vehicle occupants. Components of the vehicle, such as parts of an extinguishing system, are housed within the receiving space. Furthermore, weapons or other safety-relevant parts can be safely stored and transported within the receiving space 47. List of Reference Symbols

[0066] Passenger cell Basic cell Side wall parts A-pillar B-pillar C-pillar Side sill parts Roof frame Vehicle roof Roof cross member Roof panels Bulkhead

[0067] Bulkhead cross member structure

[0068] Rear wall panels center tunnel rear window opening opening opening opening series floor structure series front end side wall section cross yoke side skirts side skirt parts

[0069] Vehicle floor Standard floor panels Cross member Engine longitudinal member Transition points Support structure Longitudinal member / Support beam Spring strut mounts Cavity rear section Support structure Standard rear section Support box Support box Cross member Cross element Opening Wall Flap Trunk Accommodating space Wheel house Spring strut Longitudinal member Fastening shoe Side section Side section

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle body with a passenger cell (1), which is formed from an armoured basic cell (2) and a series floor structure (22) connected to the underside thereof and which has an armoured rear wall (15) of the basic cell (2), to which a rear body (37) is connected towards the rear, characterized in that the rear body (37) comprises a support structure (38) fastened to the basic cell (2) and a rear series rear body part (39) which is connected to the basic cell (2) by means of the support structure (38).

2. Motor vehicle body according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure (38) has respective outer support boxes (40, 41) which are connected to one another on the underside via a cross member (42).

3. Motor vehicle body according to claim 2, characterized in that the support boxes (40, 41) are connected to one another at the top via a transverse element (43).

4. Motor vehicle body according to claim 3, characterized in that the support structure (38) has a central opening (44) which is closed at the front by one wall (45) in the region of the rear wall (15) and at the rear by a flap (47), whereby a receiving space (49) accessible from a trunk (48) is formed.

5. Motor vehicle body according to claim 4, characterized in that the flap (47) and respective side parts (54, 55) of the receiving space (49) are formed from an armor steel material.

6. Motor vehicle body according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the wall (45) delimiting the receiving space (49) in the region of the rear wall (15) is formed from a steel material with a smaller wall thickness than the steel material of the rear wall (15).

7. Motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective rear longitudinal members (52) are supported on the support structure (38).

8. Motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (38) is formed from a steel material with a wall thickness which lies between the wall thickness of the rear wall (15) and the wall thickness of the adjoining structural components of the series rear body (39).

9. Motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective rear spring strut (51) of the motor vehicle is supported on the support structure (38).

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