DE102010026707A1 - Device, particularly at front end of motor vehicle, has connecting element, which is connected with carrier, where recess outer edge area of bulkhead plate-recess and bulkhead plate-recess are dimensioned - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a connecting element, which is connected with a carrier. A recess outer edge area of a bulkhead plate-recess and the bulkhead plate-recess are dimensioned and formed such that the recess outer edge area protrudes radially inwards into the hollow profile area of the carrier connection area.

Description

The present invention relates to a device, in particular on the stem of a motor vehicle, for connecting the end region of a first carrier, in particular a longitudinal carrier, by means of a bulkhead plate with corresponding connection regions of a second carrier, in particular a cross member, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a device describes the DE 10 2005 054 250 A1 in which the partition plate is connected in each case via a connecting part with the longitudinal members. The connecting part is composed of two angle brackets enclosing a right angle, one of which is butt welded to the bulkhead plate and the other to the end portion of the longitudinal member and the quasi form a square tube in the mounted state, which projects telescopically into the side member. After dimensional alignment of the bulkhead plate in the vehicle longitudinal direction welded to the bulkhead plate metal bracket is welded to the side rail and already welded to the side rail metal bracket with the partition plate. In addition to the increased assembly costs with welding work on the bulkhead plate and on the longitudinal members, the strength of this, in particular under crash conditions highly loaded connection between the cross member and the longitudinal members may not satisfy. For example, it is not ensured whether the sheet-metal angle which is to be connected secondarily to the partition plate actually abuts against the partition plate or whether a gap remains which may be disadvantageous for the welded connection.

Next is from the DE 101 35 158 A1 a method for mounting bulkheads and longitudinal members of a motor vehicle, in which flanges are arranged on the bulkhead plate, which are connected by means of spot welding with the longitudinal carrier formed as a hollow profile carrier.

From the DE 103 46 893 A1 is a structure with a bulkhead known, in which the bulkhead plate is arranged frontally at the free end of a longitudinal member and connectable to a deformation element of the bumper. For adjustability of the front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction a receiving and fastening element is provided per longitudinal beam, which is fixed to the one on the bulkhead plate of the respective longitudinal member or already integrated in the same and on the other with the front end is connectable. This receiving and fastening element may be formed as a separate component and fixed to the bulkhead of the longitudinal member.

The object of the invention is to propose a device of the generic type, which is simple in terms of manufacturing and assembly costs and allows a high strength of the connection process reliable.

The solution to this problem is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous and particularly useful developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, a device for connecting the end portion of a first, having a hollow profile carrier by means of a bulkhead plate with a connection region of a second, a hollow profile having carrier proposed, in particular to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, between the first carrier and the bulkhead one with a End face is at least partially provided around a recess in the bulkhead plate around arranged connecting element, which connecting element is further connected to the first carrier. According to the invention, a recessed edge edge region of the bulkhead recess and thus the bulkhead recess itself are dimensioned or formed such that a frontal cross-sectional wall region of the second support adjoining the connection region, which is formed in particular by a connecting flange of the second support, within a defined tolerance range is indirectly or directly supported by the bulkhead plate. For appropriate dimensioning and design of the bulkhead recess, it is particularly advantageous to allow a recess edge edge region to protrude radially inward into the hollow profile region of the carrier connection region at least in regions such that the support function of the bulkhead plate desired according to the invention is made available.

With such a solution according to the invention, it is also possible for those installation cases in which an end-side cross-sectional wall area of the second support due to manufacturing and / or production manufacturing tolerances is offset so far inward in the direction of the hollow profile area that it is aligned at a substantially perpendicular to the bulkhead plate Applying force to the second carrier per se without support in the hollow profile region of the first carrier could achieve a reliable support of the second carrier, without an additional cost of materials by higher wall thicknesses of the second carrier.

This is for example particularly advantageous in connection with a side member cross member arrangement on a stem of a motor vehicle, in which the longitudinal member forms the first carrier and the Cross member the second, kraftbeaufschlagten carrier. The application of force to the carrier with a force component perpendicular to the bulkhead plate plane can take place, for example, as a result of the crash.

The inventive design of the recess edge edge region and thus the bulkhead recess is particularly advantageous in connection with a multi-part, constructed bulkhead in which the bulkhead as such represents a component on which at least partially around a bulkhead recess around a connecting element is arranged, as here then unlike one-piece bulkhead fastener embodiments no complex additional bending and forming measures are required to the formation and dimensioning of the bulkhead recess in the invention desired manner within a defined tolerance range, based on the connection of the frontal cross-sectional wall portion of the second carrier, make and thus provide the invention desired support function of the bulkhead in the recessed area available.

In principle, the connecting element can be produced in many different ways, for example by a one-piece or multi-part or open or closed hollow profile, which is fixed to the bulkhead plate in a manner which will be described in more detail below.

According to a first embodiment, it can be provided that the hollow profile is formed by a material-uniform and / or one-piece, in particular closed-profile profile part. Such a profile part can be produced for example by extrusion or the like. Alternatively, however, the hollow profile may also be formed by a material strip formed into an open or closed profile part. Such a material strip is preferably a sheet metal strip. Further alternatively, the hollow profile may also be composed of a plurality of pre-formed and / or formed profile parts. Optionally, the individual, just described manufacturing methods can also be combined with each other, where this is technically feasible.

Particularly preferred is a production of the hollow profile by a strip of material, which is optionally composed of several strips of material, wherein the adjoining profile parts or profile sections to form a defined hollow profile geometry, in particular for forming a closed hollow profile geometry, by means of a locking teeth zipper-like or can be connected behind the handle.

Alternatively or additionally, the individual profile parts or profile sections for forming a defined hollow profile geometry but also cohesively blunt and / or material or form-fitting overlapping connected to each other. This allows easy handling of a hollow profile connecting element with a simple production engineering adaptation to the particular desired geometry.

Further, it is proposed according to a preferred embodiment that the connecting element is butt welded to the bulkhead and that, in particular after a dimensionally stable alignment of the bulkhead in for example a direction perpendicular to the bulkhead plate plane or in the longitudinal direction (X-direction), connectable to the first carrier , is preferably weldable. This initially results in production engineering simple components that are resistant to tolerances produced and aligned before joining each other in the bulkhead plane or relative to a longitudinal beam cross member arrangement such as a vehicle in the transverse and in the vertical axis direction (Y and Z direction) dimensionally accurate can, while the alignment in the longitudinal direction or perpendicular to the bulkhead plate plane (X-direction) takes place during assembly to the first carrier. An optionally one-piece design of the connecting elements used for example in the hollow profile of the longitudinal members also results in a high strength and a rigid connection to the connected cross member of the stem (or a rear structure) of the motor vehicle. Although the present invention idea is described in more detail here by way of example in connection with a stem of a motor vehicle, expressly also a possible shoring in connection with a rear structure to be included. In the following, therefore, for reasons of clarity and simplicity, only the preferred use in connection with a front structure or a stem of a motor vehicle will be considered.

The geometrically simple design of the bulkhead plate and the pipe section also makes it possible to produce these from a high-strength, deformation-resistant material or from a high-strength or very high-strength steel material, in particular sheet steel, preferably for example CPW800 or HX420. This makes it possible to reduce the material thicknesses in the region of the connection between the two carriers, for example, between the cross member and side member, and associated with the stem weight when meeting the required strength.

The bulkhead plate and the connecting element can by laser beam welding particularly low distortion or alternatively by gas-shielded welding, in particular MAG welding, firmly connected be, wherein both the laser beam joining with fillet welds in the connection region of the connecting element to the bulkhead plate and the inert gas welding, the fillet welds can be applied inside and / or outside of the connecting element along the peripheral wall. Both proposed welding methods ensure an easily manufactured connection and a high strength of the connection.

In a particularly expedient manner, the bulkhead plate can be provided with its recess lying within the configuration of the connecting element with a preferably marginal edge projection or passage formed on the recess edge edge region, which edge protrusion or passage into the connecting element for aligning Schottplatte required circumferential play projects or this surrounds or encloses alternatively from the outside. The recess results in festigkeitsunkritischen areas a weight reduction of the bulkhead with simultaneous stiffening of the flange. Furthermore, if necessary, welding tools for welding the connecting element to the carrier can be introduced through the recess.

Finally, the connecting element connected to the bulkhead tube piece with the respective associated carriers positively and / or non-positively and / or cohesively, in particular by electrical resistance welding or spot welding, be firmly connected.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, provision can further be made for the connecting element, in the assembled state, to abut against a wall region of the first carrier at least in regions in a planar contact connection. This results in a simple and good Abstützmöglichkeit together with a good power dissipation or force into the respective component. Furthermore, this results in a sufficiently wide Abstützmöglichkeit to weld the connecting element with the associated carrier. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the connecting element engages in the mounted state telescopically in the first carrier, in particular substantially positively caught, and thus rests on the inside of the carrier wall region. Alternatively or possibly also in addition thereto, however, provision can also be made for the tube piece, in an equivalent embodiment, to embrace the first carrier from the outside, for example in a form-fitting manner, and thus to bear against the carrier wall region from the outside.

Preferably, the first carrier is a longitudinal member of a motor vehicle and the second carrier is a cross member of the motor vehicle.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with further details. The schematic drawing shows in:

1 a device for connecting a longitudinal member via a partition plate with a cross member of a not shown stem of a motor vehicle;

2 the partition plate and the connecting element of the device in an exploded view;

3 a vertical longitudinal section along the line III-III of 1 through the longitudinal beam, the bulkhead plate with connecting element and through the cross member;

4 the bulkhead with welded fastener in a view obliquely from behind;

5 the bulkhead plate with connecting element in a sectional view along line VV of 4 showing two alternative welding methods;

6 schematically the connection of the connecting element on the longitudinal member; and

7 to 12 schematically different embodiments of the connecting element.

In the 1 is the front end portion of a hollow profile having a longitudinal member 1 and a cross member attached thereto 2 a front end of a motor vehicle, not shown further, with two longitudinal members running parallel to one another and in the vehicle longitudinal direction (X direction) 1 and this connecting cross member 2 shown. The crossbeam 2 carries in a conventional manner front module components of the body of the motor vehicle, which connect dimensionally accurate to adjacent body parts. This requires an accurate, dimensional assignment in the Y direction (transverse direction), Z direction (vertical direction) and X direction of the cross member 2 to the side rails 1 ,

The crossbeam 2 has a front deformation element 3 and lateral, aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a hollow profile having deformation elements 4 on. To the deformation elements 4 (it is only the left side in the direction of travel) close welded, vertically aligned connection flanges 5 to the corresponding, with the side members 1 firmly connected, flange-like bulkhead plates 6 screwed as bulkhead plates are. Which by drilling 7 ( 2 ) extending fastening screws and nuts are not shown.

The connection of the rubble plate 6 with the side member 1 takes place in each case by means of a hollow profile serving as a connecting element 8th (see. 2 ) defined length, with its external configuration to the inner configuration or to the hollow profile of the longitudinal member 1 adapted in its end region; among other things, the hollow profile 8th for example, with beads 9 be provided as interlocking elements, which in with the side rail 1 embossed beads 1a ( 1 ) cooperate as form-fitting counter-elements, that is, in the mounted state substantially intermesh positively.

The partition plate 6 is with an approximately central recess 10 with a at the Ausnehmungsrandkantenbereich 10a molded passage 11 provided, with the passage 11 in the mounted state in the hollow profile 8th protrudes. The recess 10 essentially corresponds to a recess 5a in the connection flanges 5 of the crossbeam 2 ,

As the 3 to 5 show is the recess 10 with the passage 11 smaller in diameter than the inner contour of the hollow profile 8th , So that a sufficient circumferential clearance is given, the orientation of the hollow profile 8th in the Y and Z directions and thus in a direction parallel to the bulkhead plate plane relative to the partition plate 6 during the joining process.

At the outer edge areas is the partition plate 6 furthermore with a peripheral fold 12 Mistake. Both the passages 11 as well as the bends 12 serve to stiffen the debris 6 in the mounting plane with the connection flanges 5 of the crossbeam 2 ,

As this particular from the 3 can be further seen, is the Ausnehmungsrandkantenbereich 10a the rubble plate recess 10 and thus the rubble plate recess 10 itself dimensioned and formed, in particular the Ausnehmungsrandkantenbereich 10a so radially inwardly formed in the hollow profile region of the carrier connection area projecting that a to the connection flange 5 subsequent frontal cross-sectional wall area 4a of the deformation element 4 and thus the second carrier 2 within a defined tolerance range, shown in dashed lines with respect to the Z and Y directions, indirectly from the debris plate 6 is supported. Like this in particular the dashed lines, inner tolerance position 4 'a can thus, by the corresponding internal drawing of the marginal edge region 10a be ensured in a simple manner that even with such, for example, production-related tolerance deviation, as shown by the dashed line frontal cross-sectional wall area 4 'a is shown to ensure that when a force applied to the cross member 2 in the direction of arrow F of 3 it is ensured that the bulkhead plate 6 here the frontal cross-sectional wall area 4 'a engages and thus supports, so that the deformation element 4 with its frontal cross-sectional wall area 4 'a Even with the occurrence of tolerances and an associated offset of the carrier profiles in the event of a crash or load nothing into the void "pushes", resulting in a telescoping buckling of the deformation element 4 in the hollow carrier region of the longitudinal member 1 leads, but is positively supported. As a result, there is thus a invagination or Einkrempeln or retraction of the deformation element 4 avoided in the side rail profile, without additionally increasing the material thickness and thus the weight of the cross member, so that a total of a higher longitudinal beam force level can be realized with the same weight. The above is in the 3 merely exemplified for the Z direction. It goes without saying that the same applies analogously to the Y direction.

In the event that even larger tolerance deviations can possibly be expected, the Ausnehmungsrandkantenbereich 10a Of course, be further retracted radially inward into the hollow profile region of the carrier composite.

Furthermore, the partition plate 6 and the hollow profile 8th preferably made of a high-strength steel sheet, in particular CPW800 or HX420 defined sheet thickness.

For joining the hollow profiles 8th at the bulkhead plates 6 (please refer 4 and 5 ) These are firmly connected to each other by dimensionally accurate assignment in the Y and Z directions by laser beam welding, for example by means of, for example, a CO ₂ laser, not shown.

This is the hollow profile 8th with its one end face on the bulkhead plate in the connection area 6 put on and dull with the partition plate by means of the laser beam energy 6 welded. The laser beams are doing as at 13 in the cutting plane 5 indicated above by the hollow profile 8th facing away from the bulkhead plate 6 and targeted to the front side of the hollow profile 8th directed. The laser welds can be applied at intervals or circumferentially.

Alternatively, the hollow profile but also by laser beam welding as fillet weld (so-called I-seam in the T-joint) are executed, such as this in the 5 with the reference number 13 ' is shown. This fillet weld 13 ' can be both inside and outside, based on the hollow profile 8th be provided circumferentially or in sections.

Next alternatively, the hollow profile 8th through the back of the partition plate 6 applied fillet welds 14 in the inert gas welding process, in particular by MAG welding, are fastened together. The welds 14 can thereby outside and / or within the peripheral wall of the hollow profile 8th be applied and run at intervals or continuously. The welds 14 are in the 5 indicated in the section plane below.

After this pre-assembly, the bulkhead plates are each 6 with the hollow profiles 8th preferably telescopic (cf. 3 ) in the side members 1 inserted and dimensionally aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction or X-direction.

Then the hollow sections 8th in the example spot welding process with the side members 1 welded, with the welds 15 over the entire peripheral area of the walls of the longitudinal member 1 adjacent peripheral walls of the pipe sections 8th are applied, which in particular also from the 6 is apparent.

After thus aligned in all coordinate directions Y-Z and X fastening the bulkhead plates 6 on the side rails 1 becomes the crossbeam 2 with its connecting flanges 5 with the bulkhead plates 6 firmly screwed.

Due to the components made of high-strength steel sheet or hollow profiles 8th and bulkhead plates 6 can at a sufficient strength of the described connection, the wall thickness of the partition plates 6 and optionally the connecting flanges 5 be reduced. If necessary, the connecting flanges could 5 be made of high strength steel sheet.

In the 7 to 12 Finally, different embodiments of the hollow profile 8th all of which may be used in conjunction with the structure described in more detail above.

In the 7 is an embodiment of the hollow profile 8th represented, in which the hollow profile is formed by a uniform material and one-piece profile part, which is made for example by extrusion.

As an alternative to such a one-piece design, the hollow profile 8th but also from, for example, two half-shells 8a and 8b be constructed, as in the 8th is shown only schematically, adjoin one another along the parting plane A and an open hollow profile 8th form. Instead of the parting plane A, however, the two half-shells can also be separated, for example, along the diagonal parting plane B, which in the 8th is shown in dashed lines or else be separated from each other at right angles to the separation plane A, which is shown by the dash-dotted line dividing plane C. An open hollow profile is understood to mean a profile in which the half shells are not connected to one another in the region of the parting planes and, for example, a gap distance 17 have, of course, can also be provided that the half-shells are connected to each other in the region of the respective parting planes, for example, are connected as hereinafter with reference to FIG 9 . 11 and 12 will be explained in more detail.

In the 9 Finally, an embodiment is shown in which the hollow profile 8th is formed by a one-piece strip of material, for example a sheet metal strip, in the region of the beads 9 is correspondingly bent or molded. There, where the two Blechstreifenenden 8c . 8d adjacent to each other, is the hollow profile with a toothed connection or with a zipper-like omega or Puzzleverschluss 16 provided so that the two metal strip ends 8c . 8d meshed with each other and connected and thus the hollow profile is connected to a closed profile part.

In the 10 is one to 9 shown analogous embodiment of a correspondingly shaped or molded hollow profile, but this hollow profile here in the region of the adjacent sheet metal strip ends 8c . 8d not closed, leaving an open hollow profile 8th is trained. That is, the metal strip ends 8c . 8d here each other with a defined gap distance 17 are opposite.

In the 11 is a construction corresponding to 10 shown, but with the difference that the metal strip ends 8c . 8d in the adjoining area cohesively with a weld shown here only dash-dotted lines 18 are connected, so that an overall closed hollow profile is formed.

In the 12 is finally an embodiment of a hollow profile 8th represented in which the Blechstreifenenden 8c and 8d overlap each other in the adjoining area, in particular overlap positively and by means of a not shown here in detail or only schematically indicated weld 19 connected to each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

longitudinal beams

1a

beading

2

crossbeam

3

deformation element

4

deformation element

4a

frontal cross-sectional wall area

4b

frontal cross-sectional wall area

5

flange

5a

recess

6

Schott sheet

7

drilling

8th

hollow profile

8a

half shell

8b

half shell

8c

Metal strip end

8c

Metal strip end

9

beading

10

recess

11

by trains

12, 13 '

bends

13

laser application

14

Fillet welds

15

welds

16

shutter connection

17

gap distance

18

Weld

19

Weld

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 102005054250 A1 [0002]
• DE 10135158 A1 [0003]
• DE 10346893 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Device, in particular on the stem of a motor vehicle, for connecting the end region of a first carrier having a hollow profile ( 1 ) by means of a bulkhead plate ( 6 ) with a connection area ( 5 ), in particular a connecting flange, of a second carrier having a hollow profile ( 2 ), in particular to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, between the first carrier ( 1 ) and the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) with a front side at least partially around a recess ( 10 ) in the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) around arranged connecting element ( 8th ), which connecting element ( 8th ) continue with the first carrier ( 1 ), characterized in that a recess edge edge region ( 10a ) of the bulkhead recess ( 10 ) and thus the bulkhead recess ( 10 ) is dimensioned and formed, in particular a recess edge edge region ( 10a ) protrudes radially inward into the hollow profile region of the carrier connection region, so that it extends to the connection region ( 5 ), in particular connecting flange, of the second carrier ( 2 ) subsequent, frontal cross-sectional wall area ( 4a . 4a ) of the second carrier ( 2 ) within a defined tolerance range directly or indirectly from the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) is supported. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element ( 8th ) is formed by a one-piece or multi-part, open or closed hollow profile. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the hollow profile ( 8th ) is formed by a uniform material and / or one-piece, in particular closed-profile profile part, preferably an extruded profile part. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the hollow profile ( 8th ) Is formed by a formed into an open or closed profile part strip of material, preferably a metal strip. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the hollow profile ( 8th ) of several pre-formed and / or formed profile parts ( 8a . 8b ) is composed. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the adjoining profile parts ( 8a . 8b ) or profile sections ( 8c . 8d ) for forming a defined hollow profile geometry, in particular for a closed hollow profile geometry, by means of a latching toothing ( 16 ) and / or cohesively blunt and / or material or form-fitting overlapping interconnected. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element ( 8th ) butt against the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) is welded, wherein it is preferably provided that the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) and / or the pipe section ( 8th ) is made of a thermoformed and / or high-strength steel sheet is or are, in particular made of CPW800 or MX420, is or are. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) with the connecting element ( 8th ) is firmly connected by laser beam joining, in particular by laser steel welding, preferably by means of laser beam insertion through the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) on the front side of the connecting element ( 8th ) is applied and / or by means of laser beam insertion as a fillet weld in the connection region of the connecting element ( 8th ) on the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) inside and / or outside of the connecting element ( 8th ) is applied along the peripheral wall. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) with the connecting element ( 8th ) by gas-shielded welding, in particular MAG welding, is firmly connected, wherein it is preferably provided that at least one fillet weld ( 14 ) in the connection region of the connecting element ( 8th ) on the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) is applied, in particular at least one fillet weld ( 14 ) inside and / or outside of the connecting element ( 8th ) is applied along the peripheral wall. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Ausnehmungsrandkantenbereich ( 10a ) of the recess ( 10 ) with a protruding from the bulkhead plate edge projection ( 11 ) or passage, which edge projection ( 11 ) in the connecting element ( 8th ) with for aligning the partition plates ( 6 ) protrudes in the bulkhead plate level required circumferential clearance or this at least partially surrounds or encloses from the outside with such a scope game. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the with the bulkhead plate ( 6 ) connected connection element ( 8th ) with the first carrier ( 1 ) is positively connected and / or non-positively and / or materially bonded, in particular by electrical resistance welding or spot welding, is firmly connected. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element ( 8th ) in the mounted state at least in regions in a planar Attachment to a wall portion of the first carrier ( 1 ) is present. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting element ( 8th ) in the mounted state in the first carrier ( 1 ) engages and bears against the carrier wall region from the inside and / or the first carrier ( 1 ) engages from the outside and thus rests against the carrier wall region from the outside, wherein it is preferably provided that a connecting element formed like a piece of pipe ( 8th ) at least one positive-locking element ( 9 ), in particular a latching recess or latching nose, which, with a carrier-side form-fitting counter-element ( 1a ) interacts with a given game, in particular with a zero game. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first carrier ( 1 ) by a longitudinal member and / or the second carrier ( 2 ) is formed by a cross member of a vehicle. Partitioned bulkhead for use in a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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