DE102005017980B4 - Pillar of a body of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Column (1, 2, 3, 4) of a body of a motor vehicle, in particular a B-pillar (2) comprising a casting (5) having the shape of an open profile, with a base part (8) and two legs (9), wherein at the ends the leg (9) to the outside angled arranged side flanges (11) are provided, characterized characterized in that facing away from the motor vehicle interior side Side of the casting (5) is provided a closing part (19), which at least partially surrounds the casting (5), wherein the ends of the closing part (19) on the legs (9) or the side flanges (11) of the casting (5) are attached.

Description

The Invention relates to a column the body of a motor vehicle, in particular a B-pillar, comprising a casting, which has the shape of an open profile, with a Base part and two legs with the legs angled outwards at the ends arranged side flanges are provided.

ever in the manner of the motor vehicle, a motor vehicle has different columns on, which form parts of the body of the motor vehicle. A limousine For example, typically has an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar and partly a D-pillar on. The columns serve on the one hand to improve the stability of the body of the motor vehicle, for others serve as side impact protection to ensure the safety of To ensure persons inside the vehicle. A B-pillar runs here from the door sill to the side roof frame. In particular, the B-pillar is of great importance in the side impact protection too.

Known pillars, especially B-pillars, in motor vehicles have a U-shaped or a hat-shaped profile, wherein the open side of the profile faces the vehicle interior. From the EP 1 329 374 A1 is a column with a hollow profile-shaped casting known. This hollow profile-shaped casting has on the side facing the motor vehicle interior side ribs or projections which reinforce the hollow profile-shaped casting. In a side impact of an object, in particular another motor vehicle, on the pillar of the body of the motor vehicle, it comes to tensile stresses on the ribs and projections due to the bending of the U-shaped profile. Since these reinforcements are made of cast material, there is a risk that they break when bending the U-profile and it comes despite the reinforcements to a quick buckling of the B-pillar in a side impact.

Of the Invention is based on the object in a simple and cost-effective manner the stability the column To increase a body of a motor vehicle and thus the safety to increase the occupants of the motor vehicle.

Of the Invention is based on the finding that this task by a reinforcement the casting on the outside solved can be.

These Task is therefore by a pillar of a Body of a motor vehicle, in particular a B-pillar, with the features of claim 1.

The column according to the invention, in particular a B-pillar, comprising a casting having the shape of an open profile, with a base part and two legs, with the legs at the ends after Outside angled arranged side flanges are provided, draws characterized in that facing away from the inside of the motor vehicle Side of the casting a closing part is provided, which encloses the casting at least partially, wherein the ends of the closing part attached to the thighs or side flanges of the casting are.

When the side facing away from the motor vehicle inside is in the sense of Invention refers to the side in the mounted state of the pillar of the motor vehicle interior turned away.

The inventive column has the advantage that these in a side impact of an object on the pillar, higher personnel can record, that is longer stable than the known prior art columns. The closing part according to the invention, which the outside of the At least partially encapsulating casting part takes part in the a collision occurring energy and thus acts already as a buffer for the casting.

moreover can the closing part, since this at least partially includes the casting, a bending Counteract the casting. In case of a crash it comes with a column an open profile namely usually on the one hand for bending the profile, that is the thighs of the profile move away from each other. This bending apart or bending of the casting, the closing part, at least up to a prevent certain force.

hereby will safety for Persons within the motor vehicle increased significantly.

The Ends of the closing part can optionally on the thighs or side flanges of the casting be attached. When fixing to the legs, the closing part can already by its own stability or the applied by the closing part on the casting Clamping effect counteract a bending. At a connection of the closing part on the side flanges of the casting, however, is compared gained an additional cross-sectional area to the first mounting variant, which increases the stabilization of the casting against bending.

The closing part is preferably a sheet metal part. By choosing a sufficient Thickness of the sheet, the closing force of the closing part can be increased.

According to an embodiment of the invention Forming are on the side facing away from the motor vehicle interior side of the base part of the casting ribs and provided on the closing part grooves for positive reception of the ribs of the base part.

By The ribs are in case of an impact of an object on the pillar Body of the motor vehicle the kinetic energy evenly the casting is distributed so that it stays stable longer. Thereby, that on the closing part Grooves are provided they pick up the ribs of the casting. This is especially for one Side impact advantageous in which the vehicle of another Object not at an angle of 90 °, that is from the side, but is hit at a different angle. In such an impact can by the, created by the ribs and the grooves, locking device a slipping of the closing part in terms of of the casting are avoided. Also a deformation of the closing part, this is possible without the locking device would be and the closing function impair can, can be avoided. The cross section of the column, consisting of Casting and closing part, stays longer in a crash receive, so that the column can absorb more kinetic energy in a collision.

in the Normal state, that is before a crash, is the closing part at least in the region of the base part of the casting in a small Distance to the casting arranged. In a collision, this first takes closing part the impacting kinetic energy. The closing part becomes shifted in the direction of the casting, so that the grooves of the closing part be further engaged with the ribs of the casting and the positive connection between the two parts is improved.

The Grooves can especially with a closing part, which is made of sheet metal, introduced by embossing or beads in the closing part become. This leaves on the one hand the material thickness of closing part also in the area of the grooves obtained, on the other hand, the stability of the closing part itself by such misrepresentations or beads to be improved.

In an embodiment The ribs of the base part and the grooves of the closing part of the side roof frame to the door sill of the motor vehicle. This can be ensured that the pillar over her total height, this means from the door sill to the side roof frame, remains stable. It is advantageous Further, when a plurality of juxtaposed ribs on the outside the casting are provided, which engage in corresponding grooves of the closing part.

The Can ribs across, at an angle and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casting. The longitudinal axis of the casting runs from the floor assembly or the door sill to the side Roof frame of the body of the motor vehicle. But is preferred an embodiment at the longitudinal axes the ribs of the base part and the grooves of the closing part in parallel to the longitudinal axis of Castings run. As a result, the incident in a collision Kinetic energy to be distributed to the entire casting. It comes to a more even Deformation of the column, which provides security for in the damaged one Motor vehicle seated persons is increased. In addition to parallel to the longitudinal axis The casting extending ribs may also alternatively or additionally diagonally or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis the casting extending ribs may be provided. This can the stability the column additionally be increased. Are such additional ribs provided? These have either a lower height than the vertical Rip on or there are provided in the closing part additional grooves, the Recording the additional Can serve ribs.

It is possible, too, that in addition to the closing part a side part is provided, which encloses the casting and the closing part. One such side part covers the casting and sets the outside the B-pillar According to a Embodiment can the side part grooves for receiving projections on the outside of the closing part exhibit. These projections can in particular by the introduction of the grooves in the closing part to be formed from this. The grooves in the closing part, for example introduced by beads, so arise on the outside of the closing part projections. By the provision of grooves also in the side part are closing part, side part and casting nested, thereby further enhancing the stability of the column can be increased.

It but it is also possible the side part, even with a closing part with projections, without grooves embody. In this case, the distance between the outside of the closing part and the inside of the side member chosen so that the projections of the closing part Do not touch the inside of the side panel. Only in the event of a crash comes it in this embodiment to a touch of the side part and optionally to deformation by the projections of the closing part.

A further advantageous embodiment of the pillar of a body of a motor vehicle provides that the ribs of the casting have a frustoconical cross-section, wherein the frustoconical cross-section tapers to the outside of the motor vehicle. Due to the outwardly tapering design of the ribs, These can easily interfere with the collision in the grooves of the closing part. The frusto-conical cross section ensures sufficient retention of the closing part on the ribs. Another advantage is a pillar of a body of a motor vehicle, in which the grooves of the closing part have a frusto-conical cross-section, wherein the frusto-conical cross-section tapers to the outside of the motor vehicle. This allows the positive connection of the projections formed by the grooves of the closing part in the grooves of the side part of the column.

The Can ribs subsequently, for example, by gluing or welding, on the casting be attached. However, a pillar of a body is preferred Motor vehicle, wherein the ribs formed integrally with the casting are. one-piece Castings with ribs are easy to produce and therefore inexpensive. moreover will be the reliable Connection of the ribs to the base part of the casting, even in the event of a crash guaranteed.

The Attachment of the closing part on the casting, for example, by an adhesive bond, a rivet connection, a screw connection and / or a welded connection respectively. It is particularly advantageous to the connection between the closing part and to create the casting at the areas of the casting which have a small impact on the casting in a crash. This means Ideally, the closing part at the height of Bend line of the casting attached to this. The bending line runs approximately halfway up the pillar and thus just above half the height the leg parallel to the base part of the casting. At the height of the bend line No or only slight tensile stresses act on the casting. In a fastening of the closing part of the casting in the Near the Bending line can be avoided that has large tensile stresses on the attachment area Act.

to additional Securing against a bending of the casting can be a strike plate be provided on the inside of the angled portions extending over the opening of the Profile extends and ends at a distance to the side flanges. When open side or opening of the profile is in the context of this invention, the distance between the ends of the two legs of the casting, facing away from the base part are designated. This striking plate is essentially a flat plate and is in the embodiment of the casting with outwardly offset Side flanges in the area of the largest occurring tensile stresses. As a result, the sheet metal can relieve the casting in this area. By The connection with the angled areas can also make the striker counteract a bending.

The striking plate preferably has notches, which from the plane of the strike plate are bent in the direction of the casting and on the inside of the Abut the legs of the casting. Through these Einklinkungen can a fastening part to be created, which is an attachment of the strike plate additionally or alternatively to the attachment to the angled regions, allowed. The connection between the strike plate and the casting over the Mounting part is advantageous because it is located in one position, the outside the area of greatest tension lies. Thus, you can thermal and / or mechanical types of connection at this point, like welding or screws are selected be feared without a failure of the casting at this point have to.

The Fastening areas of the striking plate can optionally in the same position as the legs of a Outside lying closing part with be connected to the legs of the casting.

The Casting of the column can according to the invention of aluminum, Aluminum alloys, steel, magnesium, plastic, a fiber composite material and / or a composite of these materials. As a material for the closing part and the strike plate Aluminum, aluminum alloys and / or are particularly suitable Steel on.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 a schematic side view of a part of the body of a motor vehicle;

2 a schematic sectional view through a casting with closing part and side part of a B-pillar in 1 along the section line AA according to an embodiment of the invention;

3 a schematic sectional view through a casting with closing part and side part of a B-pillar in 1 along the section line AA according to another embodiment of the invention; and

4 a schematic sectional view through a casting with closing part and side part of a B-pillar in 1 along the section line AA according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the 1 is the side view of a part of the body 14 a vehicle shown schematically. In this view are the A-pillar 1 , the B-pillar 2 , the C-pillar 3 , the D-pillar 4 as well as the door sill 7 the body 14 to recognize. From the roof area of the body 14 is the side roof frame 6 shown.

2 shows a horizontal section along the section line AA through the B-pillar. This includes a casting 5 and the closing part according to the invention 18 , The casting 5 comprises a substantially planar base part 8th , at the ends of each leg 9 followed. The thigh 9 extend in the illustrated embodiment angled from the base portion at an angle of less than 90 °. Thus receives the casting 5 a conical shape, which tapers to the outside of the motor vehicle.

At the inside of the motor vehicle facing ends of the legs 9 are angled areas arranged 10 intended. These areas 10 ideally run parallel to the base part 8th of the casting 5 , At the ends 12 the areas 10 are offset to these areas 10 , Side flanges 11 educated. The side flanges 11 are with the areas 10 connected via an angled intermediate piece, wherein the side flanges 11 ideally parallel to the areas 10 run. In particular, the plane in which the side flanges 11 run closer to the plane in which the base part 8th runs, arranged, as the plane in which the areas 10 run. The casting 5 is designed in one piece and the shape of the described areas or parts can be generated for example by the mold used.

In 2 is also the bending line 13 represented along which there are no stresses in a lateral impact of an object or other motor vehicle with respect to the deflection of the column. The further the elements of the casting 5 from the bend line 13 in the in 3 are shown removed downwards, that is, the further the elements are offset to the bending line in the direction of the motor vehicle inner side, the more tensile stresses act on them in a crash. That means the greatest tension affects the areas 10 of the casting 5 , On the other hand, in the event of a crash, the legs in the direction in the 2 through the on the line 13 shown arrows, bent apart. This load is created on the underside of the base part 8th and the inner sides of the legs high tensile stresses.

The closing part 19 has a contour that is at the top of the contour of the casting 5 equivalent. Also the closing part 19 owns one in the 3 hori zontal extending area with adjoining legs, the width of the horizontal area of the closing part 19 greater than the width of the base part 8th of the casting 5 is. The closing part 19 is executed in a hat shape, with the legs of the closing part 19 from its horizontal area to the side flanges 11 of the casting 5 extend. At the ends of the legs of the closing part 19 Flanges are provided on which the closing part 19 on the side flanges 11 the casting is attached.

On the outside of the base part 8th that is, the side facing away from the motor vehicle interior, the casting 5 , are in the in 2 and 3 shown embodiments ribs 22 provided in the longitudinal direction of the casting 5 extend. Ribs 22 are with the casting 5 designed in one piece, that is through the mold into the casting 5 been integrated.

The closing part 19 has grooves in the illustrated embodiment, whereby on the inside of the closing part grooves 23 and on the outside projections 24 are formed.

Ribs 22 of the casting 5 grab into the grooves 23 of the closing part 19 one. If a collision with another vehicle occurs at an angle that is not perpendicular to the base 8th is directed, so may be due to the ribs 22 and grooves 23 created fixation a displacement of the closing part 19 to the casting 5 be avoided. By the joining of the closing part 19 and the casting 5 remains the B-pillar of the body 14 of the motor vehicle longer stable than is the case with the known columns.

Furthermore, in 2 a side part 20 intended. This side part 20 has a substantially U-shape with attached flanges. The flanges of the side part 20 are with the side flange 11 of the casting 5 connected.

In 3 a further embodiment of the column according to the invention is shown. This has essentially the same structure as in 2 shown column. However, at the extend in 3 embodiment shown, the legs of the closing part 19 only over most of the thighs 9 of the casting 5 and do not reach to the side flanges 11 , The ends of the legs of the closing part 19 are on the thighs 9 of the casting 5 attached. For this purpose, the legs of the closing part 19 to be bent inwards. By passing through such a closing part 19 achieved clamping effect can also in a side crash, a bending of the casting 5 be prevented as far as possible.

Compared to the fastening of the closing part, the in 2 is shown, however, a smaller cross-sectional area is covered in the attachment to the legs. In 3 is with the hatched area 27 the at a fixing of the closing part 19 on the side flanges 11 obtained cross-sectional area indicated schematically.

In the in 3 illustrated embodiment form are at the horizontal area of the side part 20 also grooves 25 provided with protrusions 27 on the outside of the side part 20 correspond and intervene in this. The grooves 25 in the side part 20 can take up the projections 24 of the closing part 20 serve. It is also possible the grooves 23 only on the inside of the side part 20 provided so that it receives a flat appearance on the outside. Since the side part 20 usually consists of a thin sheet and thus only a small contribution to the stabilization of the column 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 can afford is the side panel 20 but preferably designed flat at its horizontal area and has no grooves 25 or protrusions 26 on. This improves the appearance of the column and simplifies manufacture.

In 4 is a horizontal section along the section line AA through the B-pillar in FIG 1 shown according to another embodiment. The column also includes a casting in this embodiment 5 the above-described form as well as a closure member attached to the outside 19 , In addition, at the angled areas 10 a strike plate 28 attached. The strike plate extends between the ends 12 the areas 10 and thus covers the opening of the profile of the casting 5 that is the distance between the ends of the legs 9 , and the areas 10 from. At the contact surface to the areas 10 can the strike plate 28 with the casting 5 be glued.

In the sectional view of 4 is still a latch 29 to recognize. In the strike plate 28 are preferably several Einklingungen 29 intended. About the height of the strike plate 28 are the notches 29 staggered to each other. By bending a partial punching in the surface of the striking plate 28 becomes the attachment part 30 educated. This lies on the inside of the thigh 9 at. In this contact area between the angle's 9 and the fastening part 30 can be made a screw or welded joint, since this compound is not generated in the region of the largest tensile stresses occurring in 4 bordered by the dashed line. But it can also be used an adhesive.

The The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Especially may be the cross section of the casting, the closing part and the side part have a different shape than that shown. For example, can the base part of the casting have a curvature.

With the present invention, the possibility is created, in a simple and inexpensive way, the column 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 , in particular the B-pillar 2 , the body 14 of a motor vehicle, so that in a side impact of an object on the column 2 the pillar 2 can absorb larger forces, that is longer stays stable. Such a column 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 is easy to manufacture and has a relatively low weight.

1

A column

2

B-pillar

3

C-pillar

4

D-pillar

5

casting

6

lateral roof frame

7

doorsill

8th

base

9

leg

10

Area

11

side flange

12

The End of the area

13

elastic line

14

body

19

closing part

20

side panel

22

ribs

23

groove on the closing part

24

Projections on the closing part

25

groove on the side panel

26

Projections on the side part

27

additional Cross sectional area

28

striking plate

29

snap-fastening

30

attachment portion

Claims (8)

Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) a body of a motor vehicle, in particular a B-pillar ( 2 ), comprising a casting ( 5 ), which has the shape of an open profile, with a base part ( 8th ) and two thighs ( 9 ), wherein at the ends of the legs ( 9 ) angled outwardly disposed side flanges ( 11 ) are provided, characterized in that on the side facing away from the motor vehicle interior side of the casting ( 5 ) a closing part ( 19 ) is provided, which the casting ( 5 ) at least partially surrounds, wherein the ends of the closing part ( 19 ) on the thighs ( 9 ) or the side flanges ( 11 ) of the casting ( 5 ) are attached. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) a body of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that on the side facing away from the motor vehicle interior side of the base part ( 8th ) of the casting ( 5 ) Ribs ( 22 ) and in the closing part ( 19 ) Grooves ( 23 ) for receiving at least part of the ribs ( 22 ) of the base part ( 8th ) are provided. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) a body of a force Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the ribs ( 22 ) of the base part ( 8th ) and the grooves ( 23 ) of the closing part ( 19 ) from the side roof frame ( 6 ) to the door sill ( 7 ) of the motor vehicle. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) of a motor vehicle body according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the ribs ( 22 ) of the base part ( 8th ) and the grooves ( 23 ) of the closing part ( 19 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casting ( 5 ). Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) a body of a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in addition a side part ( 20 ) is provided, which the casting ( 5 ) and the closing part ( 19 ), wherein the side part ( 20 ) Grooves ( 25 ) for receiving projections on the outside of the closing part ( 24 ) having. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) of a motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the ribs ( 22 ) of the casting ( 5 ) have a frusto-conical cross-section, wherein the frusto-conical cross-section tapers towards the motor vehicle outside. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) of a motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the grooves ( 23 ) of the closing part ( 19 ) have a frusto-conical cross-section, wherein the frusto-conical cross-section tapers towards the motor vehicle outside. Pillar ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) of a motor vehicle body according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the ribs ( 22 ) in one piece with the casting ( 5 ) are formed.