US-12617476-B2 - Reinforcement of a vehicle structure where a gear box is connected

US12617476B2US 12617476 B2US12617476 B2US 12617476B2US-12617476-B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle with a structure, which comprises connection-means and a reinforcement member.

Inventors

Nuria Ignes I Mullol
Robert I Baertl
Frederic Jung

Assignees

ZEPHYROS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20210226
Priority Date: 20200302

Claims (15)

1 . A vehicle with a structure, which comprises: a connector; a reinforcement member comprising a carrier and having at least one recess on the carrier which takes the connector up and/or which fits onto the connector; and a foamable layer comprising a structural foam in contact with the reinforcement member, the foamable layer being located on a first and opposing second surface of the reinforcement member in an alternating sequence; wherein the reinforcement member is located at or in the structure where a gearbox is fixed to the structure; and wherein the connector receives a fastener; and wherein the recess of the carrier can provide a closure on an averted side of the connector to ensure that the cross-section of the connector is unblocked prior to, during, and/or after the expansion of the foamable layer.
2 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member and/or the foamable layer comprises at least one recess, wherein the at least one recess takes up the connector.
3 . The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein there is a form- and/or force-fit between the connector and the carrier and/or the foamable layer.
4 . The vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the connector is a tube, preferably with a flange.
5 . The vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the carrier comprises in its recess attachment means, preferably protrusions, which are in contact with an outer circumference of the connector.
6 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein a cross-section of the tube is unblocked prior to, during, and/or after expansion of the foamable layer.
7 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is provided in a cavity.
8 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein an inner circumference of the tube is polygonal.
9 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein a shape of the inner cross section of the tube corresponds to the outer circumferential shape of a nut, which is utilized to attach a gearbox to the structure.
10 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the shape and size of an inner circumference of the recess corresponds to the shape and size of an outer circumference of the tube.
11 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein after the reinforcement member has been attached to a cavity of the vehicle and after the fastener has been inserted into the connector, the foamable layer is expanded under the influence of heat.
12 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the fastener is inserted into the tube.
13 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the fastener is a bolt.
14 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , including more than two recesses.
15 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member includes a plurality of longitudinal and/or transverse ribs.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle with a structure, which comprises connection-means and a reinforcement member. Such vehicle structures are well known, for example from automotive applications, the so-called body in whites. To this structure, parts like the motor, the gearbox etc. are connected, so that connection-means at the structure have to be provided The structures according to the state in the art have the deficiency, that in some cases, particularly in the region in which the gear box is attached, the vibrations of the structure in the region in which the part is attached are too high and/or the stiffness of the structure in the region in which the part is attached is too low. It was therefore the problem of the present invention to provide a vehicle that does not have the deficiencies according to the state in the art. The problem is attained with a vehicle with a structure, which comprises connection-means and a reinforcement member, wherein the reinforcement member comprises at least one recess which takes the connection means up and/or which fits onto the connection means. The disclosure regarding this embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiment and vice versa. Subject matters disclosed regarding this subject matter can be incorporated into the other subject matter and vice versa. The present invention relates to a vehicle with a structure. The structure can be the so-called body in white. To this structure a part can be connected. In the case of an automotive, such a part is for example the motor, a battery-case, but preferably a gearbox. For the connection of the part to the structure of the vehicle, connection means is provided. The connection means is preferably hollow, more preferably tube-like. The connection means is attached to the structure, preferably by gluing or welding. In case the connection means is a tube, at one end of this tube, a flange may be provided, which is preferably attached to the structure. Preferably, the tube has a round or polygonal cross section. More preferably, the shape of the cross section of the tube corresponds to the outer circumferential shape of a nut, that may be inserted into the tube. The vehicle further comprises a reinforcement member, which reinforces the structure of the vehicle. This reinforcement member preferably comprises a carrier and a foamable-layer, which is foamed and thereby expands. According to the present invention, the reinforcement member comprises one of more recesses, which each take a connection means up. Preferably, the shape of the inner cross section of each recess corresponds at least essentially with the outer circumference of the connection means. Preferably, there is a form-fit, preferably a press-fit between the inner circumference of the recess and the outer circumference of the connection means. In case there is a multitude of connection means, preferably only some, preferably two or three, but preferably not all connection means are press-fitted into the recesses of the reinforcement member. The part, preferably the gear box, is, for example, attached to the structure of the vehicle by a screw with or without a nut or a rivet and/or by a bolt, preferably a tap and die bolt. The nut is, for example, inserted into the connection means, particularly in case the connection means being a tube. According to another inventive or preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement member is located at or in the structure where a gearbox is fixed to the structure. The disclosure regarding this embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiment and vice versa. Subject matters disclosed regarding this subject matter can be incorporated into the other subject matter and vice versa. According to this subject matter of the present invention, a reinforcement member is located at the location at which the gear-box is connected to the structure of the vehicle, preferably inside the cavity of the structure. Preferably, the reinforcement member comprises a carrier and a foamable-layer. The carrier improves the stiffness of the structure of the vehicle, particularly the region in which the gearbox is located. The foamable layer, after its expansion, can be an adhesive- and/or a structural foam and can also improve the stiffness of the structure of the vehicle, particularly in the region, in which the gearbox is located. Preferably, the foamable layer is provided on the surface of the carrier. Preferably, the foamable layer is provided on two opposing surfaces. The foamable can be a continuous layer. Preferably, the foamable layer, at least on one of the opposing surfaces are at least locally intermittent. More preferably, the foamable layer is provided on the opposing surfaces as an alternating sequence. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier and/or the foamable-layer comprise each a recess, wherein at least one recess takes up the