GB2130153A - Vehicle bodywork unit - Google Patents

Vehicle bodywork unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2130153A
GB2130153A GB08315069A GB8315069A GB2130153A GB 2130153 A GB2130153 A GB 2130153A GB 08315069 A GB08315069 A GB 08315069A GB 8315069 A GB8315069 A GB 8315069A GB 2130153 A GB2130153 A GB 2130153A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
wheel
wheel arches
box
bodywork
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08315069A
Other versions
GB8315069D0 (en
GB2130153B (en
Inventor
Axel Rauthmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ford Motor Co
Original Assignee
Ford Motor Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ford Motor Co filed Critical Ford Motor Co
Publication of GB8315069D0 publication Critical patent/GB8315069D0/en
Publication of GB2130153A publication Critical patent/GB2130153A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2130153B publication Critical patent/GB2130153B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
    • B62D25/088—Details of structures as upper supports for springs or dampers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A box-section member 6 extending between the rear wheel arches 2 is formed by welding an angled plate over a step 3 in the floor plate 1 of the vehicle; the member 6 is U-shaped when viewed in the direction of the axis of the vehicle and its upright limbs 7 are secured to the wheel arches 2 and form wheel suspension mountings 8 at their upper ends. The member 6 crosses and overlies a longitudinal structural element 5 formed by welding an angled plate to the underside of the floor plate adjacent the wheel arches. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle bodywork unit The invention relates to a vehicle bodywork unit.
In a vehicle bodywork base unit disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift o. 26 10 299, flanges of two overlapping floor plate portions form a transverse reinforcement whose lateral ends are connected to structural components extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent the wheel arches.
Although this known base unit may therefore provide a suitable connection between the rear transverse supports and the longitudinal member components, it provides a completely inadequate connection to the wheel housings.
In the conventional three-box vehicle design a boot crosspiece provides transverse reinforcement in the area of the rear wheel arches which is essential with respect to the crash behaviour of the bodywork in a rear-end collision.
At present however vehicle bodywork is increasingly being designed with a fastback or hatchback shape, with large rear flap doors, and no division between the passenger compartment and the rear luggage space. Consequently there is no transverse reinforcement of the bodywork between the rear wheel arches because it is necessary to fold the rear seat down.
According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle bodywork unit including a box section member connecting the rear wheel arches of the vehicle, wherein the box section member is generally U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having raised limbs attached to the wheel arches and is formed by attaching a flanged plate disposed within the vehicle to a floor plate and to the wheel arches of the vehicle.
Preferably, a step is formed in the floor plate between the wheel arches and is covered by a flanged trough so as to form the box-section member, the upper ends of the raised limbs of the box-section member, which fit closely to the wheel arches and are connected thereto, forming mountings for shock absorbers of the wheel suspension.
By employing a flanged trough whose raised limbs closely fit the wheel arches and are connected with these and forming at their upper ends mountings for shock absorbers for wheel suspension, the desired transverse reinforcement between the wheel arches is achieved with a simple stamped sheet component which simultaneously provides the reinforcement required in this area of the wheel arches for the mounting of shock absorbers. As a result of the longitudinal member components extending adjacent wheel housings in this area there is provided an intersection which conveys the shock absorber forces coming from the wheel suspension in an extremely satisfactory manner into the support area of the base unit. This intersection in the area of the rear wheel housings contributes to a substantial improvement of the torsional strength of the bodywork.
The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a perspective view of one side of the area of the bodywork unit of the invention.
In Fig. 1 a floor plate 1 of a vehicle bodywork is provided in the area between the wheel arches 2 with a ramp or step 3. The edges 4 of the floor plate 1 fit closely to the wheel arches 2 and, in combination with sheets components 5 having an L-shaped profile, form structural components which extend longitudinally adjacent the wheel arches 2.
A box-section member 6 is formed in this embodiment by spot-welding a flange trough to the floot plate 1, such that the trough overlies the step 3. The flange trough may advantageously be formed by stamping from a sheet.
The box section member 6 has a U-shaped configuration when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a trough-like profile in cross section.
The raised limbs 7 of the U-shaped box-section member 6 also have a profile which is trough-like in cross-section and are formed such that they fit closely to the contour of the wheel arches 2.
These raised limbs 7 are formed by connecting the flanges of a flanged trough to the wheel housing 2 by spot welds.
The upper ends of the raised limbs 7 are advantageously formed as mountings 8 for shock absorbers for the wheel suspension. A corresponding area of the wheel arches 2 is provided with an aperture for the passage of the shock absorbers.
The raised limbs 7 of the box-section member 6 limit the loading capacity of the boot to no greater extent than is known with other shock absorber mountings superimposed on the wheel housings in other constructions. These mountings have the drawback that they are not part of a one piece stamped sheet component and consequently do not provide an improvement of the transverse strength of the bodywork in this area.
Claims
1. A vehicle bodywork unit including a box section member connecting the rear wheel arches of the vehicle, wherein the box section member is generally U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having raised limbs attached to the wheel arches and is formed by attaching to a floor plate and to the wheel arches of the vehicle a flanged plate disposed within the vehicle.
2. A vehicle bodywork unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a step is formed in the floor plate between the wheel arches and is covered by a flange trough so as to form the box-section member, the upper ends of the raised limbs of the box-section member, which fit closely to the wheel arches and are connected thereto, forming
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vehicle bodywork unit The invention relates to a vehicle bodywork unit. In a vehicle bodywork base unit disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift o. 26 10 299, flanges of two overlapping floor plate portions form a transverse reinforcement whose lateral ends are connected to structural components extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent the wheel arches. Although this known base unit may therefore provide a suitable connection between the rear transverse supports and the longitudinal member components, it provides a completely inadequate connection to the wheel housings. In the conventional three-box vehicle design a boot crosspiece provides transverse reinforcement in the area of the rear wheel arches which is essential with respect to the crash behaviour of the bodywork in a rear-end collision. At present however vehicle bodywork is increasingly being designed with a fastback or hatchback shape, with large rear flap doors, and no division between the passenger compartment and the rear luggage space. Consequently there is no transverse reinforcement of the bodywork between the rear wheel arches because it is necessary to fold the rear seat down. According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle bodywork unit including a box section member connecting the rear wheel arches of the vehicle, wherein the box section member is generally U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having raised limbs attached to the wheel arches and is formed by attaching a flanged plate disposed within the vehicle to a floor plate and to the wheel arches of the vehicle. Preferably, a step is formed in the floor plate between the wheel arches and is covered by a flanged trough so as to form the box-section member, the upper ends of the raised limbs of the box-section member, which fit closely to the wheel arches and are connected thereto, forming mountings for shock absorbers of the wheel suspension. By employing a flanged trough whose raised limbs closely fit the wheel arches and are connected with these and forming at their upper ends mountings for shock absorbers for wheel suspension, the desired transverse reinforcement between the wheel arches is achieved with a simple stamped sheet component which simultaneously provides the reinforcement required in this area of the wheel arches for the mounting of shock absorbers. As a result of the longitudinal member components extending adjacent wheel housings in this area there is provided an intersection which conveys the shock absorber forces coming from the wheel suspension in an extremely satisfactory manner into the support area of the base unit. This intersection in the area of the rear wheel housings contributes to a substantial improvement of the torsional strength of the bodywork. The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a perspective view of one side of the area of the bodywork unit of the invention. In Fig. 1 a floor plate 1 of a vehicle bodywork is provided in the area between the wheel arches 2 with a ramp or step 3. The edges 4 of the floor plate 1 fit closely to the wheel arches 2 and, in combination with sheets components 5 having an L-shaped profile, form structural components which extend longitudinally adjacent the wheel arches 2. A box-section member 6 is formed in this embodiment by spot-welding a flange trough to the floot plate 1, such that the trough overlies the step 3. The flange trough may advantageously be formed by stamping from a sheet. The box section member 6 has a U-shaped configuration when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a trough-like profile in cross section. The raised limbs 7 of the U-shaped box-section member 6 also have a profile which is trough-like in cross-section and are formed such that they fit closely to the contour of the wheel arches 2. These raised limbs 7 are formed by connecting the flanges of a flanged trough to the wheel housing 2 by spot welds. The upper ends of the raised limbs 7 are advantageously formed as mountings 8 for shock absorbers for the wheel suspension. A corresponding area of the wheel arches 2 is provided with an aperture for the passage of the shock absorbers. The raised limbs 7 of the box-section member 6 limit the loading capacity of the boot to no greater extent than is known with other shock absorber mountings superimposed on the wheel housings in other constructions. These mountings have the drawback that they are not part of a one piece stamped sheet component and consequently do not provide an improvement of the transverse strength of the bodywork in this area. Claims
1. A vehicle bodywork unit including a box section member connecting the rear wheel arches of the vehicle, wherein the box section member is generally U-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having raised limbs attached to the wheel arches and is formed by attaching to a floor plate and to the wheel arches of the vehicle a flanged plate disposed within the vehicle.
2. A vehicle bodywork unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a step is formed in the floor plate between the wheel arches and is covered by a flange trough so as to form the box-section member, the upper ends of the raised limbs of the box-section member, which fit closely to the wheel arches and are connected thereto, forming mountings for shock absorbers of the wheel suspension.
3. A vehicle bodywork unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
GB08315069A 1982-11-15 1983-06-01 Vehicle bodywork unit Expired GB2130153B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19823242247 DE3242247A1 (en) 1982-11-15 1982-11-15 MOTOR VEHICLE BODY GROUPSET

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8315069D0 GB8315069D0 (en) 1983-07-06
GB2130153A true GB2130153A (en) 1984-05-31
GB2130153B GB2130153B (en) 1986-04-09

Family

ID=6178195

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08315069A Expired GB2130153B (en) 1982-11-15 1983-06-01 Vehicle bodywork unit

Country Status (3)

Country Link
DE (1) DE3242247A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2536032B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2130153B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5853215A (en) * 1995-03-22 1998-12-29 Lowery; Robert S. Mobile spraybooth workstation
GB2382055A (en) * 2001-11-15 2003-05-21 Honda Motor Co Ltd Structure for mounting a box for containing high-voltage electrical equipment on a vehicle
GB2492434A (en) * 2011-03-30 2013-01-02 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc Bulkhead structure

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4110553A1 (en) * 1991-03-30 1992-10-01 Audi Ag Motor vehicle bodywork - has cross-member which also serves for attachment of front suspension
JP3194261B2 (en) * 1993-12-14 2001-07-30 スズキ株式会社 Car floor side structure
DE4445327C1 (en) * 1994-12-19 1996-04-11 Daimler Benz Ag Self=supporting body for vehicle
DE19860007A1 (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-06-29 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Structure for motor vehicle has closed box-form square or wedge shaped structural element located in rear bottom section and extending over substantial part of vehicle's width
DE10109784B4 (en) 2001-02-28 2006-09-28 Daimlerchrysler Ag Self-supporting body for a passenger car
DE10348354B4 (en) 2003-10-17 2020-01-02 Volkswagen Ag Body structure for a motor vehicle
FR2897333B1 (en) 2006-02-15 2009-03-06 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa REAR CHASSIS STRUCTURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A STRUCTURE

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE976824C (en) * 1940-08-02 1964-05-21 Budd Co Floor structure for a vehicle body for unified vehicle body and chassis structures
US2386280A (en) * 1941-07-17 1945-10-09 Budd Edward G Mfg Co Vehicle body
DE972739C (en) * 1941-11-21 1959-09-17 Auto Union A G Car bodies, especially for motor vehicles
GB552667A (en) * 1942-04-27 1943-04-19 Everett Elroy Lundberg Improvements in and relating to vehicle bodies
US2896997A (en) * 1957-07-03 1959-07-28 Gen Motors Corp Automotive vehicle body
US3323608A (en) * 1965-08-31 1967-06-06 Budd Co Light weight utility vehicle
DE2610299A1 (en) * 1976-03-12 1977-09-15 Audi Nsu Auto Union Ag Motor vehicle floor pan - has hollow bearer allowing use in vehicles of differing wheel base and track measurements

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5853215A (en) * 1995-03-22 1998-12-29 Lowery; Robert S. Mobile spraybooth workstation
GB2382055A (en) * 2001-11-15 2003-05-21 Honda Motor Co Ltd Structure for mounting a box for containing high-voltage electrical equipment on a vehicle
GB2382055B (en) * 2001-11-15 2004-01-28 Honda Motor Co Ltd Structure for mounting box for containing high-voltage electrical equipment on vehicle
US7021412B2 (en) 2001-11-15 2006-04-04 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Structure for mounting box for containing high-voltage electrical equipment on vehicle
GB2492434A (en) * 2011-03-30 2013-01-02 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc Bulkhead structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2536032B1 (en) 1986-09-19
DE3242247A1 (en) 1984-05-17
GB8315069D0 (en) 1983-07-06
FR2536032A1 (en) 1984-05-18
GB2130153B (en) 1986-04-09
DE3242247C2 (en) 1987-06-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
746 Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19970601