DE102010008615A1 - Structure node e.g. left and right front structure node, for body of passenger car, has wall structure comprising terminals for carriers of body, where node is cast with core tool for forming cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure node (K) has a strut dome (9) provided with a support (10) for a strut of a wheel suspension of a car, where the structure node is made of metal or plastic as a hollow structure and cast with a core tool for forming primary and secondary cavities. The strut dome forms a wall structure (8) that surrounds cavities, which is sleekly-curved in reward. The wall structure comprises hollow terminals (11-15) for carriers (1-5) of a body. The terminals include a hollow cross section, and the cavities are connected with the hollow cross section of the terminals. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a structure node.

Description

The invention relates to a structural node for a body of a vehicle. The structural node can be installed in a rear carriage or preferably a front of the body or provided for installation. The invention relates to the structural nodes as such, prior to installation, and also in the installed state as part of the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a vehicle body with one or more structural nodes according to the invention, for example a left and a right rear structural node or preferably a left and a right front structural node. Preferred bodies have a so-called space-frame structure as a supporting structure which can be planked with light outer skin parts such as plastic or already planked, the invention is not limited to such bodies, but is also advantageous for bodies in shell construction.

The DE 10 2007 018 474 A1 discloses a support structure having load-bearing vehicle pillars extending from a floor of the vehicle toward a roof area. The columns are connected by longitudinal and transverse beams with each other and in the area of the front end via front side members and on this supported support beams with a left and a right strut dome firmly. The beams and strut towers are each connected in pairs. Thus, for example, the A-pillar via a reinforcing tube which extends out of the A-pillar, supported on an upper side member, which at one end also on the A-pillar and at its end facing away from the A-pillar at the end of the carrier Strut dome is attached.

One from the EP 0 900 716 B1 known support structure comprises casting nodes which are interconnected via columns and longitudinal and transverse beams of the vehicle. The cast nodes in the front of each have an integrated lower longitudinal beam piece, a strut tower and holding points for the front axle and in each case an integrated curved support connection from the lower side rail piece to a molded sill connection. The molded from a light metal or plastic cast nodes are correspondingly large volume. For the connection with the straps, they have molded connection parts. By means of the multifunctional large-volume light metal or plastic knot, a dimensionally stable base frame can be constructed quickly and easily with few components, which can be supplemented with other body components and functional elements. However, such structural nodes require considerable space. Given the large volume of the individual structural node this must be formed to ensure the necessary rigidity with correspondingly large wall thickness and reinforcing elements.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structural node with integrated Federbeindom, which despite high strength and rigidity has a low volume and weight.

The invention relates to a structural node for a body of a vehicle having a spring strut with a support for a strut of a suspension of the vehicle and a spring leg forming wall structure surrounding a cavity of the structural node. The wall structure thus forms an enveloping structure. It extends around a central line through the cavity. The structure node furthermore has at least one connection for at least one carrier, preferably a plurality of connections for a plurality of carriers of the body. Preferably, at least one of the terminals is a lateral terminal, that is, a terminal facing in a direction transverse to said line, to connect the associated carrier laterally branching from the structure node firmly to the structure node. Preferably, the port or at least one of a plurality of ports is formed as a hollow cross-section. Preferably, the structure node comprises more than two terminals, wherein further preferably two or more of the terminals are each formed as a hollow cross-section. The structural node is cast from metal or plastic as a hollow structure in one piece. Federbeindom, hollow wall structure and the at least one connection are integral components of the one-piece in the original formation as a cast component, preferably diecast component manufactured Strukturknotens.

According to the invention, the cavity is curved undercut and cast the hollow structure for forming the cavity with lost tool. Casting with lost tool, in particular lost core shape, opens up extensive design freedom with regard to the cavity. The cavity can be formed in a complex manner, not simply demoldable, and the structural node can therefore be adapted better to the loads occurring during vehicle operation than conventional structural nodes, but can nevertheless be manufactured with low weight. The cavity may have a variable cross section or curved in different spatial directions, for example, be curved multi-dimensionally. Thus, the hollow structure may for example form a columnar arc or a toroidal hollow ring or part ring, which curves around a ring axis and form a closed, oval ring in cross sections perpendicular to the circumferential direction about the ring axis or another closed in the respective cross section Have cross-sectional shape. The cavity may in particular form one or more lateral extensions or even one or more folds. The cavity may be substantially closed and may have one or more apertures only for positioning a core tool or for weight reduction or in the form of a hollow terminal or a plurality of hollow terminals. It can run open in an alternative embodiment but also at one end or at several ends open, in particular leak into the connection or in several connections for different carriers.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one connection with a hollow cross section, preferably as a whole, is shaped as a hollow cross section, and the cavity continues hollow, preferably laterally into the connection. The shaped as a hollow cross-section port forms an extension of the cavity. Preferably, it branches off the cavity from the side. The hollow structure goes hollow, with undercut into the hollow connection, so that a single, cohesive cavity is formed. The wall structure may, in particular, continue in the form of a stub in the at least one connection shaped as a hollow cross section, so that a hollow connecting stub or connecting piece projecting outwards or optionally inwardly into the cavity is produced. If, as preferred, the structural node has a plurality of lateral connections each formed as a hollow cross section, the above explanations apply to each of these connections. The structural node is in such embodiments, a total of a shell with inner cavity and thereof hollow branching (n) port or terminals. The wall structure can pass continuously and fluently into the respective hollow connection cross section on the outside and inside.

The cavity surrounded by the wall structure, through which the hollow structure and as a result of the structural nodes as a whole obtains increased strength and rigidity, is also referred to below as the primary cavity. Lost tool casting, particularly lost core shape, allows the formation of the hollow undercut inner structure in the hollow port and primary cavity transition region, but also allows for optimization of the shape of the structural node in terms of stiffness, particularly torsional stiffness, unlike conventional casting nodes is achievable. The shaping conventionally only by means of permanent tool due to the need of demolding only allows the production of hollow structures with at most easily demoldable cavity and molded terminals, but not a hollow structure whose wall structure on the one hand surrounds the primary cavity and on the other hand also integrally into one with the primary Cavity contiguous hollow connector merges. By means of a lost tool, the wall structure can also be adapted to the shape and wall thickness over its entire surface area surrounding the primary cavity, the load to be expected during the driving operation of the vehicle, and likewise optimized in this sense. Due to the new possibilities of optimizability, for example the formation of the at least one hollow connection leading from the primary cavity, the volume and the wall thickness of the multifunctional structure node and thus the mass of the casting material and consequently the weight of the structure node can advantageously be low. It is also advantageous that with reduced volume, an increased rigidity of the knot as a whole is associated. In comparison to integrally formed connections, the structural node according to the invention has a higher strength in the region of the hollow connection formed directly by the wall structure if the same casting material is cast and the same amount of material is cast in the region of the connection.

Although the at least one port shaped as a hollow cross-section may be closed at an end remote from the primary cavity, it is preferred that the hollow cross-section continues outwardly into the vicinity of the structural node and the port accordingly opens outwardly for the primary cavity. An outwardly open terminal contributes to the weight reduction and allows to insert the carrier to be connected in the terminal and preferably also a little way into the primary cavity, so that this in the firmly joined state in the hollow cross section of the terminal and possibly even in the primary cavity protrudes. In this way, several carriers of the body can be interconnected by means of the structure node in a small space. By means of the connection open to the outside, the carrier to be connected there can therefore be inserted close to or even at the height of the wall structure surrounding the primary cavity or even into the cavity, so that the forces acting on the carrier in the vehicle, for example a bending force, are more direct than received by molded connections from the structural nodes, namely introduced into the wall structure and can be distributed over the primary cavity, while the same forces are introduced at only molded terminals in the root area of the respective terminal, ie in the area in the structural nodes, in which the molded connection attaches to the outside surrounding the cavity wall structure.

It is advantageous for the strength of the body comprising the structural nodes and the supports connected therewith if at least one of the connections is shaped in such a way that the assigned carrier to be connected can be pushed onto or preferably into this connection and circumferentially applied to this connection. The said connection forms in such embodiments, a socket for the associated carrier, preferably an outer sleeve, so that the associated carrier rests with its outer circumference on the inner circumference of serving as a connector socket. The cross-section of the terminal is advantageously shaped adapted to the cross-section of the carrier to be connected in such a way that the carrier can be plugged onto or into the terminal.

As far as there is talk of one or at least one hollow connection, the structure node can actually have only one such connection. More preferably, however, the structural node has a plurality of hollow ports with one, several, or all of the features described with respect to the at least one port. In particular, a front side member may be fixedly connected to the structure node by means of such a hollow connection. The same applies alternatively or preferably in addition to a cross member or a rear side member or a connecting, extended in the vehicle longitudinal direction connection carrier or for an A-pillar or an upper or lower part of an A-pillar or in principle for a column in the rear of the vehicle, in In the case of a passenger car, either a B-pillar or C-pillar. The word "or" is always used in the sense of the invention as "inclusive or", ie includes the meaning of "either ... or" and also the meaning of "and", as far as the respective concrete context is not exclusively only one can give these two meanings. In terms of the type of support to be connected to the structural node or already connected inside the body in the installed state, this means that in first embodiments the structural nodes only with a single, in second embodiments only with two of the exemplified carrier, in preferred alternative embodiments with three or more of said carrier can be connected at the same time or in the installed state is also firmly connected. As a solid compound is in particular in each case a material connection, such as welding, in question.

The structural node may be a plastic casting, preferably formed with embedded reinforcing elements such as in particular reinforcing fibers, or as a metal casting. Although as a metal casting it may in principle be cast from a light metal, but in preferred embodiments, it is a cast steel component. A cast steel node can be made very compact, ie with low volume, and low wall thickness and, accordingly, with low weight and material consumption. The wall thickness can advantageously be less than 2 mm. In advantageous embodiments, the structural node, in particular a thin-walled structural node embodied as a cast steel component, has a wall thickness of at most 3 mm, preferably at most 2 mm, in at least a major part of its entire wall surface, the wall structure. The so-called general wall thickness can thus be for example 3 mm or 2 mm or even smaller.

In order to increase the strength or torsional stiffness in the region of the spring strut support or to dampen vibrations, the spring strut in the region of the support may have a hollow annular space which extends around an axis of action of the strut and preferably around the support. Preferably, the annular or partial annular space surrounds a radially outer edge of the support, but itself forms no axial support for the shock absorber, but it surrounds this support on which the strut is axially supported in the installed state. The hollow annular space preferably extends circumferentially about the axis of action, ie over the full angular range of 360 °. But also advantageous is already a partial annulus, so a cavity that does not extend completely circumferentially around the axis of action. When designed as a completely encircling annular space, it is further preferred if the annular space is completely encircling hollow, ie running back in itself. The term "ring" here refers to the top view. Seen in three dimensions, the annular or partial annular space is torus-shaped, with the cross-section varying in the circumferential direction about the effective axis of the shock absorber, but in principle may also be constant. The ring or partial annulus is in preferred embodiments in cross section not circular, although a circular cross section should not be ruled out, but shaped in terms of a high torsional stiffness and sufficient vibration damping. Thus, the cross section in particular oval, for example, be elliptical, wherein the oval is preferably stretched parallel to the axis of action of the shock absorber.

The annular or partial annular space of the spring leg dome can form the primary cavity formed by the hollow structure and surrounded by the wall structure alone. In preferred embodiments, however, the annular or partial annular space of the spring leg dome is only a partial space of the total hollow space formed by the hollow structure, that is, it hangs together with it. The ring or partial annular space is closed at least over a larger, preferably the predominant angular range of its circumferentially measured extent in cross-sections perpendicular to the circumferential direction. Preferably, it opens only to the primary cavity or optionally has only one or more local, smaller openings.

The connection or at least one of optionally a plurality of connections can branch off as a hollow cross section in front of the annular or partial annular space of the spring leg dome. In preferred embodiments with a plurality of terminals, a hollow connection from the ring or partial annulus of the spring leg and another connection on the spring leg formed or branched off in another node region of the structural node or preferably further hollow port from the primary cavity.

The spring leg is ribbed in preferred embodiments, wherein the ribbing is designed so that this increases the strength or a stiffening or vibration damping effect is or will be achieved. Advantageously, ribs are formed in the region of the support or in a wall region extending around the support. In embodiments in which the spring strut around the axis of action has the hollow annular or partial annular space, the ribbing and the design of the annular or partial annular space are advantageously coordinated with each other to improve the stiffening or damping. The ribs may be designed, for example, fin-shaped. Ribs can be shaped distributed around the axis of the strut, for example in the form of radially pointing to the axis of action ribs. If the strut tower has a ring or partial annular space extended around the axis of action of the spring strut, the ribs or only a part of the ribs can be formed in this hollow space. When forming ribs in the annular or partial annular space, these inner ribs can be extended outside of the ring or partial annular space in the direction of the axis of action, that is to say in the direction of a center of the suspension strut support, so that in the cross section of the annular or partial annular space the respective one Rib, so to speak, extends out of the ring or partial annular space in the direction of the center of the support.

The port or at least one of a plurality of ports may be a lower port for a lower carrier of the body spaced from the strut tower. In such embodiments, the wall structure extends from the strut tower to this lower connection, surrounding the primary cavity, preferably adjacent to the effective axis of the strut. Preferably, the wall structure surrounds the cavity in a tubular or columnar shape adjacent the strut. The strut tower protrudes from the tubular or columnar portion of the structural knot transversely to the longitudinal extent of that portion such that the support for the strut is offset laterally from the tubular or columnar portion as seen in plan view of the structural node. In embodiments in which the strut tower has the hollow annular or partial annular space, the cavity adjacent to the active axis of the shock absorber and the annular or partial annular space of the shock absorber preferably hang together and together form the cavity of the structural node or at least a substantial part of this cavity. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to form mutually separate cavities. Casting with lost tool also allows such a design.

The structure node preferably has a connection for a connection directly to an A pillar of the body. In such embodiments, the A-pillar extends as far as the structural node or the connection assigned to it. The structural node accordingly has at least one connection, preferably as an upper connection, either for a top part which enters from above or a lower part of the A-pillar which enters from below. The structural node may have a connection for a top part which enters from above and a further connection for a bottom part of the A-pillar that enters from below. The structural node is in all three alternative variants, namely the first variant with only the incoming from the top A-pillar upper part, the second variant with only the incoming from below A-pillar base and the preferred third variant with both from the top incoming top and with integrated below bottom part in the A-pillar. An A-pillar upper part is preferably supported on an upper side of the spring leg dome, a connection provided for this purpose is accordingly preferably provided on the upper side of the spring leg dome or branches off there. In the preferred third variant, the lower part and the upper part of the A-pillar are each connected directly to the structural node and rigidly and firmly connected to one another via the structural node or connected in the installed state. It is advantageous if the connection, which is assigned to the A-pillar, is arranged either on the A-pillar upper part or on the A-pillar bottom part, in the area of the spring leg dome or close to the spring leg dome. If the connection for an upper part or a lower part of the A-pillar is formed as a hollow cross-section, this hollow cross-section advantageously branches off from said hollow ring or partial annular space of the spring leg dome in order to form a connection bushing for the relevant pillar part.

If the structural node is installed in the rear of the body or provided for such an installation, the above statements on the A-pillar apply in the same way for the interaction of a rear structural node with a next rear pillar, in the case of a passenger car of a B or C Pillar.

In a development, the structure node is provided as a connection node of a longitudinal member and a pillar of the body, preferably as a connection node of a front longitudinal member an A-pillar or A-pillar part or a rear side member with a rear pillar or a rear pillar part. In a further development, a cross member of the body occurs in place of the respective longitudinal member. The structural node can in particular also have connections for direct connections to a side member, a cross member and a column or a column part, optimally also one or more further members.

The preferred field of application of the invention is the automotive industry. Inventive structural nodes are for passenger cars and for commercial vehicles advantage. In principle, however, the invention can also be used in rail vehicles, aircraft and any other type of vehicles.

The subject matter of the invention is not only the structural node as such or the vehicle body having the structural node, but also a method for producing the structural node. In the method, the structure node of metal or plastic is cast as a hollow structure in one piece, preferably by die casting, wherein the cavity surrounded by the wall structure is formed in this casting for forming at least one inner undercut with lost core tool. In order to form an undercut or a plurality of undercuts in the outer region, one or more shell (s) lining the permanent tool can or may additionally be used in the same casting as a lost tool, wherein the respective shell mold can completely or partially line the permanent tool. As a lost form, core shape or shell, preferably a mineral form is used, for example a ceramic mold. The mold may be soluble in a solvent, especially water or an acid, in order to be able to remove it after forming the hollow structure. In alternative process guides, the lost tool is removed mechanically, for example by means of ultrasound, or in particular thermally.

A spring strut with a cavity extended around the axis of action of the suspension strut, also referred to above as a ring or partial annulus space, is particularly advantageous in combination with the feature of the primary cavity of the structure node guided hollowly into the at least one connection, but is also advantageous on its own. to increase the strength and torsional stiffness of the spring dome and to improve its vibration damping properties. Furthermore, a Federbeindom with hollow ring or hollow part ring as such is advantageous. Likewise, it is already advantageous on its own, even without the integration of the spring strut dome or the design as a hollow structure, to use a structural node for forming a vehicle pillar, namely for connecting a column top part to a pillar base part. The connection of a column, for example, an upper part or a lower part, directly to the structural nodes, preferably with a Federbeindom is independent advantage. The Applicant reserves the right to make independent claims in respect of these aspects of a structural node or strut dome in the context of one or more divisional applications.

Advantageous features are also described in the subclaims and their combinations.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to figures. The features disclosed in the exemplary embodiment advantageously each individually and in each combination of features form the subject matter of the claims and also the embodiments explained above. Show it:

1 a part of a vehicle body with a structural node according to the invention,

2 the structure node in a first view,

3 the structure node in a second view,

4 the tree node in a third view,

5 the structural node in section AA the 4 .

6 the tree node in a fourth view and

7 the structural node in section CC the 6 ,

1 shows a part of a front end of a vehicle body. By way of example, the body of a passenger car is chosen. The front end comprises a front side member 1 , a shell 2 an A-pillar, an at least substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction X facing rear connection carrier 3 , an upper cross member 4 and an at least substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction X and vertical direction Z extending further connection carrier 5 , which forms a lower part of the A-pillar. A lower cross member 6 and a connection node 7 are part of a vehicle floor. The connection node 7 connects the lower cross member 6 and the connection carrier or the A-pillar base 5 with a side skirts side rail, not shown. The carriers 1 to 6 are high-strength hollow profiles, for example extruded profiles. The connection node 7 is a metal casting node, preferably a hollow cast steel nodule. The connection carrier or the A-pillar base 5 is in high-strength profile construction with load-optimized, in the course of the carrier 5 shaped variable cross section. The carrier 5 may be partially or fully cured.

The carriers 1 to 5 are interconnected by means of a structure node K. The structural node K comprises several connections as integral components 11 to 15 , one connection per connected carrier 1 to 5 , At the connections 11 to 15 it is a lower front connection 11 for the front side member 1 , an upper connection 12 for the A-pillar top 2 , a lower rear port 13 for the connection carrier 3 , an upper connection 14 for the upper cross member 4 and an upper port 15 for the connection carrier or the A-pillar base 5 , The carriers 1 . 3 . 4 and 5 are in the respectively assigned connection 11 . 13 . 14 and 15 plugged. The connections 11 . 13 . 14 and 15 make up for the porters 1 . 3 . 4 and 5 one outer bush each, surround the respective carrier 1 . 3 . 4 and 5 so at the end on the outer circumference. The connection 12 on the other hand, it is shaped only as a partial bushing on which the carrier 2 , the A-pillar top, rests with its front end. Beyond the said form-fitting connections, each of the carriers 1 to 5 cohesively in the region of the respectively assigned connection 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 or 5 permanently connected to the structural node K, preferably by means of welded connection.

An integral part of the structural node K is also a spring leg 9 , at which an unillustrated strut is supported in the region of its upper end in the installed state. The strut dome 9 forms a support for the strut in a central dome area 10 ,

The structural node K is cast in one piece from a steel alloy in a hollow structure. It is a thin-walled cast steel component with a one-piece cast wall structure 8th that surrounds a primary cavity of the texture node K. The wall structure 8th Forms in a homogeneous way also the spring leg 9 ,

2 shows the structural node K as such, before installation, in a perspective view from the left front, based on the installed state. 3 also shows in a perspective view, but from the right rear, the not yet built-in structural node K. The on-board coordinate system is shown with the longitudinal direction X facing the direction of travel next to the structural node K. The 4 and 6 show the structure node K in each case in a view. The 5 and 7 show the in the 4 and 6 Registered sections AA and CC.

As already mentioned, the structural node K is shaped overall as a thin-walled hollow structure in cast steel, preferably in diecasting, wherein the wall thickness of the wall structure 8th at least in subareas only about 1.5 mm. The wall structure 8th surrounds a primary cavity 17 that extends from the two lower terminals 11 and 13 towards the strut dome 9 extends. The structure node K is in the one of the ports 11 and 13 to the spring dome 9 extended portion extends columnar and substantially vertically in the Z direction. The connections 11 and 13 are each hollow, ie shaped as hollow cross-sections and set the primary cavity 17 outward. They are outer openings of the cavity 17 , The wall structure 8th has in her the cavity 17 surrounding column section via the connections 11 and 13 In addition, one or more further openings, of which an opening in relation to the installed state is shown, which the inner cavity 17 lets recognize. These openings facilitate casting, but also contribute to material reduction and thus weight reduction of the structural knot K at.

The structural node K is at an upper end of the column section in the spring leg 9 over, by way of example as preferred continuously in fluid transition. The strut dome 9 protrudes outward from the column section with respect to the installed state. In the installed state, the strut is supported in the at least substantially vertically pointing direction of action A on the support 10 of the strut dome 9 from.

The wall structure 8th not only surrounds the primary cavity 17 but especially in the 5 and 7 it can also be seen a secondary cavity 18 , This cavity extends torus-shaped as a hollow annulus 18 about the axis of action A, by way of example as preferred to the support 10 thus radially inside of the annulus 18 surrounding hollow ring is located. In a central region of the support A, a flat elevation is formed, which in the direction of action A slightly above the hollow ring 18 protrudes and the strut dome 9 inside the hollow ring 18 stiffened. Between the hollow ring 18 and the support 10 extends around the axis of action A circumferentially further a reinforcing bead. The hollow annulus 18 , more precisely, the hollow ring, ensures a high torsional rigidity of the strut dome 9 and effectively dampens vibrations that occur during driving.

The hollow annulus 18 hangs with the primary cavity 17 together. The cavities 17 and 18 go in the transition area of strut dome 9 and column portion of the structural node K with their full cross sections flowing into each other. Likewise, the wall structure goes 8th continuous, flowing from the column section into the strut tower 9 and its hollow ring over. The wall structure 8th is also in the transition region seen in comparison with the size of the structural node K as a whole only thin wall. The the annulus 18 forming hollow ring is exemplified in its radially inner wall area provided with openings that also positively influence the vibration behavior. The annulus 18 and the surrounding hollow ring are in cross-section oval, elliptical in a good approximation, wherein the long major axis is at least substantially parallel to the direction of action A.

The connections 11 and 13 branches from the primary cavity 17 and the connections 14 and 15 from the secondary cavity or hollow annulus 18 from. The lower connections 11 and 13 each go with at least substantially its full hollow cross-section in the primary cavity 17 and the upper connections 14 and 15 each go with at least also substantially full hollow cross-section in the hollow annulus 18 above. The connection 2 on the other hand, only an external connection of the structural node K, ie with its inner cavity 17 . 18 not connected. The connection 2 was in the uniform casting process at the strut dome 9 formed. He is so arranged and aligned that on the A-pillar top 2 acting loads from above, for example, obliquely from above, directly into the structural node K and as preferred directly in the Federbeindom 9 and thus be initiated near the axis of action A.

• – Abstützung des A-Säulenoberteils 2 unmittelbar am Strukturknoten K, bevorzugt am Federbeindom 9,
• – Abstützung des Verbindungsträgers bzw. A-Säulenunterteils 5 unmittelbar am Strukturknoten K, bevorzugt am Federbeindom 9,
• – Abstützung des oberen Querträgers 4 unmittelbar am Strukturknoten K, bevorzugt am Federbeindom 9,
• – Abstützung des A-Säulenoberteils 2, des Verbindungsträgers bzw. A-Säulenunterteils 5 oder des oberen Querträgers 4 mit nur geringem Versatz zu den unteren vorderen Anschluss 11 oder unteren hinteren Anschluss 13

ist für sich und mehr noch in Kombination mit jeweils einem oder mehreren der anderen vorstehend aufgezählten Merkmale von Vorteil. Vorteilhaft ist eine große räumliche Nähe der Krafteinleitungsstellen, nicht zuletzt um auf den Knoten K wirkende Drehmomente zu verringern. Als noch ein Vorteil ist zu erwähnen, dass die als Hohlquerschnitte geformten, für den Strukturknoten K integralen Anschlüsse 11, 13, 14 und 15 außen und innen kontinuierlich, fließend in diejenigen Wandbereiche der Wandstruktur 8 übergehen, mit denen die Wandstruktur 8 die Hohlräume 17 und 18 umgibt.With regard to an optimal distribution of forces is also advantageous that the connection 15 for the connection carrier or the A-pillar base 5 next to the terminal 12 for the top 2 is arranged, by way of example as preferred almost or directly under the terminal 12 for the top 2 , Another advantage is that the connection 14 for the upper cross member 4 in the area of the spring leg dome 9 is arranged. Each of the following features:

• - Support of the A-pillar upper part 2 directly on the structural node K, preferably on Federbeindom 9 .
• - Support of the connection carrier or A-pillar base 5 directly on the structural node K, preferably on Federbeindom 9 .
• - Support of the upper cross member 4 directly on the structural node K, preferably on Federbeindom 9 .
• - Support of the A-pillar upper part 2 , the connecting carrier or A-pillar lower part 5 or the upper cross member 4 with only slight misalignment to the lower front connector 11 or lower rear port 13

is in itself and more in combination with each one or more of the other listed features advantageous. Advantageously, a large spatial proximity of the force introduction points, not least to reduce acting on the node K torques. As a further advantage, it should be mentioned that the connections formed as hollow cross-sections and integral for the structural node K 11 . 13 . 14 and 15 continuous inside and outside, flowing into those wall areas of the wall structure 8th pass over, with which the wall structure 8th the cavities 17 and 18 surrounds.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

front side member

2

A column top

3

connection support

4

crossbeam

5

Connecting support, A-pillar base

6

crossbeam

7

tree node

8th

wall structure

9

strut tower

10

Strut support

11

connection

12

connection

13

connection

14

connection

15

connection

16

17

cavity

18

hollow annulus

A

Active axis of the strut

K

tree node

X

vehicle longitudinal axis

Y

Vehicle transverse axis

Z

Vehicle axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007018474 A1 [0002]
• EP 0900716 B1 [0003]

Claims (20)

Structural node for a body of a vehicle, which is a) cast from metal or plastic as a hollow structure in one piece and b) a spring leg ( 9 ) with a support ( 10 ) for a suspension strut of the vehicle, c) a suspension strut ( 9 ) forming wall structure ( 8th ), which has a cavity ( 17 . 18 ), d) and a connection ( 11 - 15 ) for a carrier ( 1 - 5 ) of the body, characterized in that e) the cavity ( 17 . 18 curved undercut f) and the structural node (K) for forming the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) is poured with lost tool. Structure node according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) has a hollow cross-section and the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) with undercut hollow in the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ), the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) preferably branches off laterally from the cavity. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) an opening of the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) forms to the outside. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) is shaped so that the carrier ( 1 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) in or on the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) is slidable, wherein the connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) preferably as an outer bushing for the carrier ( 1 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) is shaped. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural node (K) is a cast steel component or a plastic casting with embedded reinforcing elements, preferably reinforcing fibers. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural node (K) is thin-walled and in a predominant part of its entire wall surface has a wall thickness of at most 3 mm, preferably at most 2 mm. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 12 . 14 . 15 ) on the spring leg ( 9 ), preferably at least substantially at the height of the support ( 10 ) branches off. Structural node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring leg ( 9 ) in the area of support ( 10 ) one about an axis of action (A) of the strut, preferably to the support ( 10 ) extended hollow ring or partial ring space ( 18 ), which is closed over a larger part of its circumferentially measured extension in the circumferential direction perpendicular cross-sections. Structure node according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ring or partial ring space ( 18 ) forms the cavity or only a partial space of the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) and with another subspace ( 17 ) of the cavity ( 17 . 18 ). Structure node according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 14 . 15 ) has a hollow cross section and the annular or partial annular space ( 18 ) hollow, preferably with undercut, into the connection ( 14 . 15 ) and the connection ( 14 . 15 ) preferably an opening of the annular or partial annular space ( 18 ) forms to the outside. Structural node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring leg ( 9 ) is ribbed, preferably in the ring or partial ring space ( 18 ) of claims 8 to 10. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 11 . 13 ) one of the spring leg ( 9 ) spaced lower terminal ( 11 . 13 ) for a lower carrier ( 1 . 3 ) is the body and the wall structure ( 8th ) from the strut dome ( 10 ) to the lower connection ( 11 . 13 ) the cavity ( 17 ) adjacent to an axis of action (A) of the strut and thus extends in the installed state next to the shock absorber. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 12 . 15 ) an upper, preferably at the Federbeindom ( 9 ) branching connection ( 12 . 15 ) either for a top part coming in from above ( 2 ) or a lower part ( 5 ) of an A-pillar ( 2 . 5 ) of the body is. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 14 ) a connection ( 14 ) for a cross member ( 4 ) is the body and preferably on the strut dome ( 9 ) branches off. Structure node according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the connection ( 11 . 13 ) disposed on a front side of the structural node (K) front Connection ( 11 ) for a front side member ( 1 ) of the body or on a rear side of the structural node (K) arranged rear terminal ( 13 ) for a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle facing connection carrier ( 3 ) or rear side member of the body is. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure node (K) at least one further connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) for another carrier ( 1 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) and the further connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ) is also formed with a hollow cross section, so that the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) with undercut hollow in the further connection ( 11 . 13 . 14 . 15 ), this further connection preferably also corresponding to at least one of claims 3, 4, 7, 10, 12 and 13. Structure node according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure node (K) at least one further connection ( 12 ) for another carrier ( 2 ) and the further connection ( 12 ) on the wall structure ( 8th ), preferably on the spring leg ( 9 ) is formed. Structure node according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the connections ( 11 - 15 ) a front terminal (K) located at a front side of the structural node (K) 11 ) for a front side member ( 1 ) of the body or on a rear side of the structural node (K) arranged rear terminal ( 13 ) for a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle facing connection carrier ( 3 ) or rear side member of the body and at least one other of the terminals ( 11 - 15 ) the connection ( 12 . 15 ) forms according to claim 13. Method for producing a structure node according to one of the preceding claims, in which the structural node (K) made of metal or plastic is cast as a hollow structure in one piece and the cavity ( 17 . 18 ) is molded in this casting with lost core tool. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for forming the structural knot (K) with an outer undercut in the same casting, one or more lost shell (s) lining a permanent tool is or will be used.

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