CN112805191B

CN112805191B - Body structure for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112805191B
Application number: CN201980059413.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·格劳尔; J·科德斯; W·加斯曼
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2018-09-11
Filing date: 2019-06-25
Publication date: 2023-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-25
Also published as: EP3849852A1; DE102018215364A1; WO2020052825A1; CN112805191A; DE102018215364B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a body structure for a vehicle, comprising a body pillar (3), in particular a B-pillar, which is formed from a sheet metal inner part (9) in the interior of the vehicle and from a sheet metal outer part (11) on the exterior of the vehicle, which form a hollow support (12) with a hollow profile (13) which extends in the vehicle vertical direction (z) and is closed in cross section, wherein a functional element (20,21,23) of a safety belt system (19) can be fitted to the sheet metal inner part (9) of the body pillar (3). According to the invention, the sheet metal inner part (9) is part of a preassembled unit (VW) which is separate from the vehicle body (50) and at which the functional element (20,21,23,24) and/or the column lining (17) of the safety belt system (19) are preassembled. The preassembly unit (VW) can be joined to the sheet metal outer part (11) at least one post-side joining point (S) in an assembly process step (ZSB).

Description

Body structure for vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a body structure for a vehicle according to the invention and to a method according to the invention for assembling such a body structure.

Background

The B-pillar of a motor vehicle extends in the vertical direction between the roof structure of the vehicle and the side sill. The B-pillar serves on the one hand to reinforce the side structure of the vehicle body. On the other hand, an attachment (Anbauteil) such as a belt reactor (Gurteaktor) or the like is fitted in the B column. In addition, the B-pillar restricts the front door loading (Einstieg) and, if necessary, the rear door loading of the motor vehicle. In order to increase the side impact strength in the event of a side impact, a reinforcement plate is integrated into the hollow profile of the B-pillar, which resists the deformation of the B-pillar into the vehicle interior space caused by the accident.

Body pillars of this type, in particular B pillars, are constructed from sheet metal inner parts (blechnhennteil) inside the vehicle and from sheet metal outer parts (Blechaussenteil) outside the vehicle, whereby hollow brackets with hollow profiles extending in the vehicle vertical direction and closed in cross section are formed. The functional elements of the seat belt system and/or the column lining (Saeulenverkleidung) can be fitted to the panel inner part of the body column.

In a conventional assembly sequence, the sheet inner part of the vehicle interior is welded via laser and/or spot welding to the joining flange of the sheet outer part of the vehicle exterior which has been installed in the vehicle body. The assembled vehicle body is fed to a painting process step. After the painting process step, the vehicle body is fed to an assembly line, which has stations arranged one after the other in the production direction, in which components of the safety belt system (for example, belt reactors, belt steering (Gurtumlenkung), belt height adjustment, belt end buckles (Gurtendbeschlag), etc.) are correspondingly assembled. The assembly of the belt components is carried out with manual installation (Handeinbau). For manual installation, the worker is in a vehicle interior space of the vehicle body in an ergonomically unfavourable body position. This assembly is therefore associated with increased work effort for the worker and is ergonomically disadvantageous.

From WO 01/70557 A1, a structural element for assembly at a vehicle structure is known, in which the B-pillar has a carrier element, in which a lining and a functional element of a seat belt system can be assembled. A structural element for assembly to a vehicle structure is known from EP 1 265 777 B1. Further body structures for vehicles are known from EP 1 316 484 A1 and from EP 0 730 536 B1. A processing or production plant is known from DE 10 2007 045 143 A1. A method for producing a vehicle body is known from DE 101 60 885 A1.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a body structure for a vehicle and a method for producing such a body structure, which are realized with reduced production times compared to the prior art and which are ergonomically more advantageous for the workers in the vehicle manufacturing plant.

This object is achieved by the present invention. Preferred developments of the invention are disclosed in the description.

According to the invention, the functional elements of the seat belt system and the assembly of the column lining are no longer carried out in the assembled body pillar. Instead, the panel inner part is maintained according to the invention as a preassembled unit separate from the vehicle body, where the components of the seat belt system and/or the column lining have been preassembled. The sheet metal inner part with the components and/or the column lining already preassembled there is attached in the assembly process step at the column-side joining point of the sheet metal outer part which is already installed in the vehicle body structure and is outside the vehicle.

The process chain (Prozesskette) for assembling the vehicle body structure is described below: the first painting process step is correspondingly carried out in a process technology-related manner before the above-described assembly process step, in which the vehicle body is painted, wherein the sheet metal interior is not yet assembled there. Independently of this, a second painting process step is carried out in which the sheet inner part is painted as a separate component. The painted sheet inner part is then provided with components of the safety belt system and/or with a column lining in a preassembly process step. The sheet inner part with the parts or column spacers preassembled there forms a preassembled unit which is joined to the body side panel outer part of the body column in an assembly process step.

In order to avoid damage to the paint layer of the inner sheet part or the outer sheet part on the body side during the joining process, it is preferable if the joining process is not carried out by a welded connection, but rather by a form-fitting connection, more precisely in particular a screw connection, in which the inner sheet part is screwed onto the outer sheet part on the body side.

The component geometry of the sheet outer part can be implemented as follows: the outer sheet part can thus have a profile base (profilboten) on the outside of the vehicle in the transverse direction of the vehicle, which transitions into the front profile flank (Profilflanke) and into the rear profile flank at the profile edge (Profilkante) extending in the vehicle vertical direction. Edge flanges (randfansch) towards the front of the vehicle and/or towards the rear of the vehicle can correspondingly protrude from the two profile flanks. The inner sheet part can have a profile base for the interior of the vehicle, which covers the hollow profile of the outer sheet part and is extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle forward and rearward of the vehicle by at least one screwing flange (Anschraub flange) which can be screwed with the outer sheet part.

In order to achieve a screw connection, the screw flange of the inner sheet part and one of the profile flanks of the outer sheet part can be aligned with their screw holes (Schraubloch) one above the other. A bolt (schraubblzen) may be guided through the two helical bores. The screw axis thereof may preferably be oriented approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that the screw process is advantageously carried out in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in terms of production technology. In contrast, the edge flange of the outer sheet part can be uncoupled from the inner sheet part and, if necessary, take on other functions. In order to achieve the above-mentioned screw connection, weld nuts may be welded at the screw flanges of the inner parts of the plates, with which the bolts can be screwed. In this case, the sheet outer part profile flanks and the sheet inner part screw flanges can be tensioned between the heads of the bolts and the weld nuts. Such screw connections can be provided in each case (independently of one another) at the front panel outer part profile flanks and at the rear panel outer part profile flanks.

In the event of a side collision, forces are transmitted into the collision-oriented body pillar, in which the profile flanks of the front part of the vehicle are acted upon by a tensile force acting toward the front part of the vehicle and the profile flanks of the rear part of the vehicle are acted upon by a tensile force acting toward the rear part of the vehicle. In the event of a side collision, there is therefore the risk that the body pillar collapses, that is to say that the hollow profile of the body pillar expands forward and rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as a result of which the structural integrity of the body pillar can be impaired during the collision.

In the case of the above-described side collision, the sheet inner member of the vehicle body pillar functions as a pulling belt (Zugband) in the vehicle longitudinal direction, whereby the structural integrity of the vehicle body pillar can be maintained during the collision. For further reinforcement, the body pillar may have additional reinforcement panels extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, which are arranged in the closed hollow profile of the body pillar. Furthermore, the body pillar may have at least one reinforcing bolt, at least the profile flank of the vehicle front part and the profile flank of the vehicle rear part of the vehicle-side sheet metal outer part being braced against one another by means of the reinforcing bolt. The reinforcement bolt can also function as a tension strap in the event of a side impact and preferably extends with its longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this case, screw holes can be formed at the front profile flanks and at the rear profile flanks of the outer sheet part and, if appropriate, at the inner sheet part-screwing flanges, which are aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement bolt can be guided through these two helical bores and tensioned with the nut outside the profile flank.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a double track vehicle in a side view with a partial cutaway,

figure 2 shows an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the B-pillar in the viewing direction from the vehicle interior space,

fig. 3a shows the hollow stent of the B-pillar in isolation, that is to say with the preassembled unit removed,

fig. 3B shows the preassembled unit of the B-pillar, i.e. the hollow stent without the B-pillar,

figures 4 and 5 show a cross-section through the B-pillar respectively,

fig. 6 to 9 show diagrams, respectively, according to which an assembling sequence for assembling the B-pillar is described,

figure 10 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a view corresponding to figure 5,

fig. 11 shows a view corresponding to fig. 3, in which the different joint areas of the B-pillar are highlighted,

fig. 12 and 13 show views according to which positioning assistance is explained, and

fig. 14 shows a further embodiment in a view corresponding to fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle in which a side wall assembly of a vehicle body protrudes in a partial section in a vehicle region in the middle in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. The vehicle body has side sills 1. The B-pillar 3 of the side wall assembly is arranged behind the a-pillar 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and connects the rocker 1 with the roof structure 7 of the vehicle body in the vehicle vertical direction z. The B-pillar 3 is used on the one hand for reinforcing the vehicle body and on the other hand for accommodating an attachment, such as a tape reel (gurtaufoller) or the like.

In fig. 2, a column stop 17 and a seat belt system 19 are fitted to the sheet metal hollow carrier 12 shown in dashed lines of the B-pillar 3. The seat belt system 19 has in fig. 2 a belt end buckle (endbuschlag) 21 for the bottom side of the seat belt 25, a belt deflector (Gurtumlenker) 24 (fig. 3 b), a belt retractor 23 and a height-adjustable deflector buckle (umlenkbesschlag) 23.

The core of the invention is that the sheet inner part 9 of the hollow bracket 12 of the B-pillar 3 is a component of a preassembled unit VM separate from the vehicle body 50 (fig. 1 or 9), as shown in fig. 3B. The

functional element

20,21,23,24 and the column spacer 17 can be preassembled in the preassembled unit VM. The preassembled unit VM thus formed is joined in an assembly process step ZSB (fig. 9) to the sheet metal outer part 11 mounted in the vehicle body 50.

The construction of the B-pillar 3 is explained next with reference to fig. 2 to 5. The B-pillar thus has the hollow stent 12 already mentioned in fig. 2 or fig. 3. Which is constructed from a sheet inner part 9 of the vehicle interior and a sheet outer part 11 of the vehicle exterior according to fig. 4 or 5. The hollow carrier 12 formed by the inner sheet part 9 and the outer sheet part 11 delimits a hollow profile 13 extending in the vehicle vertical direction z and being substantially closed in cross section. Within the hollow profile 13, a reinforcement plate 15 extends in the vehicle vertical direction z. In the sheet inner part 9, according to fig. 3,

assembly openings

6,8 are formed, in which a belt retractor (Gurtretrakter) 20 and a belt deflector 24 can be positioned in each case. Furthermore, the sheet metal inner part 9 has a mounting surface 10 in fig. 3a for mounting a height-adjustable belt deflector 23.

As can be further seen from fig. 4 or 5, the sheet metal outer part 11 of the B-pillar 3 is formed with a profile base 27 on the vehicle exterior in the vehicle transverse direction y, which transitions into the front profile flank 31 and into the rear profile flank 33 at the profile edge 29, respectively, toward the vehicle interior. Edge flanges 35 project from the two

profile flanks

31,33 respectively towards the front and towards the rear of the vehicle. The sheet inner part 9 has a profile base 39 of the vehicle interior, which covers the hollow profile 13 and which is extended in the vehicle longitudinal direction x toward the front and the vehicle rear by a screw flange 41. Which in fig. 4 or 5 is screwed to the outer sheet part 11 at the screw connection S. Each of the screw connections S is implemented as a double screw (doppleversschrauung).

In order to achieve such a screw connection S, the corresponding screw flange 41 of the inner sheet part 9 and one of the profile flanks 31,33 of the outer sheet part 11 are aligned with their screw holes 43 one above the other, i.e. with the reinforcement plate 15 in between. Thereby forming a three-layer structure (Dreilagenaufbau) through which the bolts 45 are led through the helical holes 43. The screwing axis of the bolt 45 is oriented approximately in the vehicle longitudinal direction x in fig. 4 or 5. The screwing flange 41 of the inner sheet part 9 is joined in fig. 4 or 5 with the reinforcement plate 15 in between at the inner sides of the two outer sheet part profile flanks 31, 33. In contrast, the edge flange 35 of the outer sheet member 11 is not connected to the inner sheet member 9.

For the screw connection S, weld nuts 47 are welded on the inside at the corresponding screw flanges 41 of the sheet metal inner part 9, with which the bolts 45 are screwed. Thus, in fig. 4 or fig. 5 the sheet outer part-profile flank 31, the sheet inner part-screwing flange 41 and the reinforcement plate 15 are tensioned with each other in a three-layer structure between the weld nut 47 and the head (Bolzenkopf) of the bolt 45.

In fig. 5, the profile bottom 39 of the vehicle interior of the sheet metal inner part 9 is offset laterally by Δy from the two edge flanges 35 of the sheet metal outer part 11 into the vehicle. In this way, an increased installation space is provided in the hollow profile 13 for positioning the belt retractor 20 therein, as is shown in fig. 8.

Next, an assembling sequence for assembling the vehicle body structure shown in fig. 2 is described with reference to fig. 6 to 9: therefore, in fig. 9, the vehicle body 50 (the sheet inner member 9 is not yet attached) is provided first. The vehicle body 50 is painted in a first painting process step L1. Separately therefrom, a second painting process step L2 is carried out, in which the as yet unassigned sheet inner part 9 is painted as a separate component. In fig. 9, a preassembly process step V is performed after the second painting process step L2. In a preassembly process step V, the functional elements of the safety belt system 19 are preassembled together with the column lining 17 on the painted sheet inner part 9, i.e. in the case of the preassembled unit VM shown in fig. 3 b. After preassembly, the sheet metal inner part 9 is joined to the vehicle body 50 in an assembly process step ZSB. The joining process is not carried out by a welded connection, but rather by means of a screw connection S (i.e. double screwing) as shown in fig. 4 and 5, so that damage to the painted sheet surface is avoided.

In fig. 10, a B-pillar 3 according to a second embodiment is shown. For reinforcement in the event of a side collision, the B-pillar 3 therefore has additional reinforcing bolts 49, by means of which the profile flanks 31 of the front part of the vehicle and the profile flanks 33 of the rear part of the vehicle of the sheet metal outer part 11 are tensioned against one another. The reinforcement bolt 49 extends with its longitudinal axis aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. Screw holes 51 are formed in each case at the front and rear profile flanks 31,33 of the outer sheet part 11, through which reinforcement bolts 49 are guided. According to fig. 9, the head of the reinforcement bolt 49 is positioned on the outside in the region of the open edge of the rear profile flank 33. Furthermore, the reinforcement bolts 49 are tensioned with nuts 53, which are placed on the outside on the open edge region of the rear profile flank 33. The reinforcement bolts 49 are in fig. 10 part of a screw connection S by means of which the sheet metal inner part 9 is screwed to the sheet metal outer part 11. In this connection, the reinforcement bolts 49 extend with their longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle and also pass through the screw bores 51 of the sheet metal inner part, the screw flange 41.

The connection of the inner sheet part 9 to the outer sheet part 11 can be varied in the vehicle vertical direction z according to the crash requirements, as can be seen from fig. 11. In fig. 11, the hollow bracket 12 of the B-pillar 3 is divided into a head section B1, a middle section B2, and a foot section B3. The joining of the sheet inner part 9 at the sheet outer part 11 varies in the three sections B1 to B3 as follows: the connection at the head section B1 is thus designed to be particularly strong in order to be able to withstand the load caused by the impact. The middle section B2 should be subjected to as little Intrusion (Intrusion) into the vehicle interior in the event of a side collision as possible. A particularly strong bond strength is thus provided underneath in the middle region B2, which decreases in the upward direction. The lower foot section B3 should be designed such that in the event of a side collision, deformation takes place in the region below the seating surface of the vehicle occupant with the impact energy removed. Accordingly, the connection strength is intentionally weakened in the foot region B3. Such reduced joint strength in the foot region B3 is preferably obtained by fixation with through bolts 49, as shown in fig. 10. Which in the event of a side impact acts like a hinge (Scharnier) with a theoretical breaking point (sollbruchshelle).

In fig. 12 and 13, a further embodiment is shown in which the sheet inner part 9 and the sheet outer part 11 have a positioning aid P. The sheet material inner part 9 is correctly positionally pre-positioned in the screwing position SP by means of the positioning aid P (fig. 13), in which the sheet material inner part 9 can be screwed onto the sheet material outer part 11 with the formation of the aforementioned screw connection S.

The positioning aid P has a positioning pin 55 in fig. 12 or 13 at the profile flank 33 of the sheet metal outer part 11, which projects from the base surface of the profile flank 33 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and has a widened pin head 57. Which is spaced apart from the base surface of the outer sheet part-profile flank 33 by a clear annular gap r. The detent pin 55 interacts with a detent groove (positioning detent) 49 formed in the screw flange 41. The positioning slide 49 has an insertion section 52 in fig. 12 which is open in the engagement direction F (oriented in the vehicle transverse direction y) and which, counter to the engagement direction, transitions at a bend into a vertical slide track 53 which protrudes from the insertion section 52 toward the vehicle upper part by a height offset Δz. In the pre-positioning process, the sheet metal inner part 9 is first inserted with its insertion section 52 into the annular gap r between the pin 57 and the inner surface of the sheet metal outer part profile flank 33. The sheet metal inner part 9 is then displaced toward the lower part of the vehicle by gravity (fig. 13) until the upper edge 59 of the slotted track 53 rests on the locating peg 55. The annular gap r is dimensioned here to be greater than the plate thickness of the inner part screw flange 41.

In fig. 14, a further embodiment for the screwed connection of the sheet metal inner part 9 at the B-pillar 3 is shown in a view corresponding to fig. 5. Thus, in fig. 14 the belt retractor 20 is fitted in the fitting opening 6 of the sheet inner part 9. On both sides of the height-adjustable belt deflector 23, screw connections S are provided, respectively. Each of these screw connections S has a bolt 45 which is oriented in the vehicle transverse direction y and which is guided through a screw hole in the sheet metal inner part 9 and is screwed with a weld nut 47 fixed at the reinforcement plate 15. Thus, in fig. 14, the panel inner member 9 is directly screwed with the reinforcement panel 15 via the bolts 47. The reinforcement plate 15 is in turn fixedly attached at the inner side of the outer panel member 11.

List of reference numerals

1. Threshold (threshold)

3B column

5A column

6. Fitting opening for a belt deflector

7. Roof structure

8. Fitting opening for belt retractor

9. Inner plate member

10. Assembly surface

11. Plate outer member

13. Hollow section bar

15. Reinforced plate

17. Column baffle lining

19. Safety belt system

20. Belt retractor

21. End buckle

23. Height-adjustable steering buckle

24. Belt steering gear

25. Safety belt

27. Bottom section bar

29. Edge of section bar

31. Front profile flank

33. Rear profile flank

35. Edge flange

39. Profile bottom of inner part of plate

41. Screw flange

43. Screw hole

45. Bolt

47. Welded nut

49. Reinforced bolt

49. Positioning chute

50. Vehicle body

51. Screw hole

52. Insertion region

53. Chute track

55. Positioning bolt

57. Bolt head

59. Upper edge

r-ring shaped gap

P positioning assistance

S-helix connection

C clamping connection

L1, L2 painting Process step

ZSB assembly process steps

V Pre-Assembly procedure step

FR direction of travel

Sections of B1, B2, B3B columns

VM preassembly unit

F the direction of engagement.

Claims

1. A body structure for a vehicle, with a body pillar (3) which is constructed from a sheet inner part (9) in the vehicle interior and from a sheet outer part (11) in the vehicle exterior, which form a hollow carrier (12) with a hollow profile (13) which is approximately closed in cross section and extends in the vehicle vertical direction (z), wherein a functional element of a seat belt system (19) can be assembled at the sheet inner part (9) of the body pillar (3), characterized in that the sheet inner part (9) is a component of a preassembled unit (VW) which is separate from the vehicle body (50) as a module carrier, at which functional element and/or a pillar lining (17) of the seat belt system (19) is preassembled, and which preassembled unit (VW) can be joined to at least one pillar-side joining site (S) of the sheet outer part (11) in an assembly process step (ZSB), wherein the pillar-side joining site (S) is a screw connection, wherein the sheet inner part (9) has a screw-on to the side profile (33) in the vehicle interior and the sheet outer part (11) at the side of the vehicle body (11) is screwed to the side (outer part (29) of the vehicle body (33), an edge flange (35) protrudes from the interior of the vehicle and/or from the rear of the vehicle, and the sheet metal inner part (9) has a profile base (39) of the vehicle interior, which in the longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle extends toward the front of the vehicle and toward the rear of the vehicle and has at least one screw flange (41) for screwing with the sheet metal outer part (11), wherein, for the screw connection, one of the screw flange (41) of the sheet metal inner part (9) and the profile flank of the sheet metal outer part (11) is aligned with its screw hole (43) one above the other, and a screw bolt (45) is guided through the screw hole (43) and/or the screw axis is oriented approximately in the longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle body pillar (3) is a B pillar.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that a first painting process step (L1) is carried out process-technically before the assembly process step (ZSB), in which the vehicle body (50) is painted, wherein an inner sheet part (9) is not yet assembled, and a second painting process step (L2) is carried out separately therefrom, in which the inner sheet part (9) is painted separately from the vehicle body (50), and a preassembling process step (V) is carried out after the second painting process step (L2), in which the functional element and/or the post spacer (17) can be preassembled at the inner sheet part (9) with the formation of the preassembled unit (VW), and in that the inner sheet part (9) is subsequently joined to the vehicle body (50) in the assembly process step (ZSB).

4. A vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the edge flange (35) of the outer sheet part (11) is uncoupled with respect to the inner sheet part (9) and/or the screw connection has a weld nut (47) welded at the screwing flange (41) of the inner sheet part (9) with which the bolt (45) can be screwed.

5. A vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, for reinforcement in the event of a side collision, the vehicle body pillar (3) has a reinforcement bolt (49) by means of which the profile flanks (33) of the vehicle rear part and the profile flanks (31) of the vehicle front part of the sheet outer part (11) are tensioned against one another.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the reinforcement bolt (49) is an integral part of the screw connection by means of which the sheet inner part (9) can be screwed with the sheet outer part (11).

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the reinforcement bolt (49) extends with its longitudinal axis in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and is configured with screw holes (51) at the front and rear profile flanks of the sheet metal outer part (11), the reinforcement bolt (49) being guided through the screw holes (51) and being tensioned on the outside with nuts (53).

8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 7, characterized in that a screw hole is formed at the screw flange (41) of the sheet inner part, through which screw hole the reinforcing bolt (49) is guided and is tensioned on the outside with a nut (53).

9. A vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sheet inner part (9) and the sheet outer part (11) have a positioning aid (P) and by means of the positioning aid (P) the sheet inner part (9) can be positioned positionally correctly in a Screwing Position (SP), in which the sheet inner part (9) can be screwed at the sheet outer part (11).