Abstract
A method for producing a motor vehicle component from a lightweight metal alloy is disclosed including extruding a profile having at least two wall thicknesses that are mutually dissimilar in the cross section, rolling the extruded profile in portions in the extrusion direction. The rollers in the roller spacing thereof are variable. Cutting-to-length the extruded and in portions rolled profile so as to form a semi-finished product, and forming the semi-finished product so as to form the motor vehicle component.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A method for producing a motor vehicle component from a lightweight metal alloy, wherein a profile having at least two dissimilar wall thicknesses in the cross section is extruded, comprising: providing rollers having variable spacing; rolling the extruded profile in portions between the rollers; cutting the extruded cross section to length and in portions of the rolled profile so as to form a semi-finished product; and, forming the semi-finished product so as to form the motor vehicle component.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising trimming and/or perforating the semi-finished product prior to or during press-forming, and/or performing the rolling in portions in the extrusion direction.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the two mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses (w1, w2) differ by at least 10%.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising extruding the profile in a manner to have an undulating cross section.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising widening a portion of the cross section of the profile in the longitudinal direction by rolling.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising widening by rolling the cross section across the entire length of the extruded profile.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein at least some portions of the semi-finished product in the longitudinal direction has a width larger than a diameter of an envelope circle which frames the cross section of the extruded profile.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the rolling is performed directly after extruding, and wherein the material when being rolled still has a residual heat from extruding.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein the extruded profile comprises an aluminum wrought alloy 5000, 6000, or 7000 as per DIN ENT 573-3.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein the profile after extruding has a residual heat between 350 C. and 550 C.
25. The method of claim 15, further comprising rolling and/or forming in a state of residual heat between 400 C. and 500 C., or rolling and/or forming upon cooling of the semi-finished product at 20 C. to 100 C.
26. The method of claim 15, wherein the motor vehicle component is a pillar having an upper roof connection region and a lower sill connection region, and a pillar portion extending therebetween, further comprising: configuring at least two mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses in the cross section in the pillar portion, and configuring a homogeneous wall thickness in each case in the cross section of the roof connection region and in the cross section of the sill connection region.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the wall thickness of the sill connection region and the wall thickness of the roof connection region are mutually dissimilar.
28. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming comprises press-forming.
29. The method of claim 15, further comprising extruding the profile so as to have a hat-shaped cross section.
30. The method of claim 15, further comprising setting by rolling a wall thickness (w18) which is smaller than or equal to the smaller wall thickness of the extruded profile.
31. The method of claim 18, further comprising setting by rolling a wall thickness (w18) which is smaller than or equal to the smaller wall thickness of the extruded profile.
32. The method of claim 29, further comprising producing a wall thickness in the cross section in the radii regions of the motor vehicle, and wherein the wall thickness is larger in relation to the web or to the legs.
33. The method of claim 24, wherein the residual heat between 350 C. and 550 C. comprises residual heat between 400 C. and 500 C.
34. The method of claim 25, wherein the cooling of 20 C. to 100 C. comprises cooling at 30 C. to 70 C.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0115] For an understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0116] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic overview of the method according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0117] FIG. 2 is an extruded profile;
[0118] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the extruded profile after rolling;
[0119] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3;
[0120] FIG. 5 illustrates a motor vehicle pillar produced by the method according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0121] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the motor vehicle pillar taken along the line B-B in FIG. 5;
[0122] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a motor vehicle pillar produced by the method according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0123] FIGS. 8a to 8e illustrate a cross member produced in accordance with an exemplary embodiment having dissimilar cross sections, including a longitudinal section;
[0124] FIGS. 9a to 9f are perspective, side, and various cross sectional views of a sill produced in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0125] FIGS. 10 to 10d are side and various cross sectional views of a roof spar produced in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and,
[0126] FIGS. 11a to 11g are plan, perspective, and side views of a cross member produced in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0127] In the Figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0128] Some embodiments will be now described with reference to the Figures. FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of the method according to the invention. To this end, an extrusion device 1 is provided from which a profile 2 is initially extruded. A rolling device 3 having a roller pair 4 is disposed directly after the extrusion device 1. The spacing 5 of the roller pair 4 is adjustable in a variable manner, that is to say can be enlarged or reduced. To this end, actuators (not illustrated in more detail) are provided on the rollers. The roller pair 4 is followed by a trimming device 6 for singularizing the extruded and rolled profile 2 so as to form semi-finished products 7. The semi-finished products 7 are then fed to a forming press 8 and herein are press-formed so as to form a motor vehicle component 9. The semi-finished product 7, or the formed motor vehicle component 9, respectively, can be trimmed and/or perforated prior to, during, or after the forming press 8. The process cycles of extruding and of rolling as well as of press-forming can be decoupled. This cycle decoupling is preferably performed after singularizing.
[0129] FIG. 2 shows the extruded profile 2 in a perspective detailed view. The mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w1 and w2 can be seen. The wall thickness w2 herein is configured so as to be larger than the wall thickness w1. The extruded profile 2 in the cross section has a hat shape, having a web 10 and having legs 11 that extend from the web 10, and having flanges 12 which in turn project from said legs 11. An envelope circle 13 which frames the cross section of the hat profile has a diameter 14, wherein the diameter 14 is smaller than a width 15 of the rolled profile 2 that is illustrated in FIG. 3. It is further illustrated in FIG. 2 that a wall thickness w2 that in the cross section is larger than in the web 10 as well as in the region of the legs 11 is configured in the radii regions 24. Transition regions extend in each case therebetween. The wall thickness w2 herein is 1.5 to 3 times larger than the wall thickness w1.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 3a, the extruded profile 2 has been rolled. To this end, said profile 2 has been completely rolled in the longitudinal direction 16 of the profile 2, wherein the longitudinal direction 16 quasi corresponds to the extrusion direction 17, said profile 2 having thus been lengthened but also widened. However, the profile 2 in a defined longitudinal portion 18 has been rolled more intensively such that the cross-sectional configuration is once more modified in the longitudinal direction 16. According to the front-end view of FIG. 3a, the mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w1 and w2 remain so as to be configured in the less intensively rolled longitudinal portions 25.
[0131] Referring to FIG. 4 illustrating a side view according to the section line A-A, the blank in the longitudinal portion 18 has been rolled in such a manner that said blank has been lengthened and widened and such that the wall thicknesses have also been modified to a homogeneous wall thickness w18. The homogeneous wall thickness w18 corresponds to the smaller wall thickness w1 of the extruded profile 2, or is configured so as to be smaller than the wall thickness w1 of the extruded profile 2. The width B18 is larger than the width 15.
[0132] Furthermore, the blank contours 19 which are used for the preform of the motor vehicle component 9 to be produced later are illustrated with a dashed line in FIG. 3b. It can readily be seen that respective peripheral regions 20 are removed by machining by cutting.
[0133] As seen in FIG. 4, the profile 2 in the longitudinal portion 18 has not been completely rolled flat or rolled out, respectively. Said profile 2 in the cross section still has a hat-shaped configuration. However, on account of the rolling procedure, the wall thickness has been rolled to a homogeneous wall thickness w18.
[0134] Alternatively, however, it would also be imaginable for the longitudinal portion 18 to be completely rolled such that the wall thickness w1, w2, is reduced to w18, on the one hand, but that a flat cross section is also obtained, on the other hand.
[0135] FIG. 5 now shows a motor vehicle component 9 produced in the form of a B-pillar. The latter has a roof connection region 21, a sill connection region 22, and a pillar portion 23 that extends therebetween. The motor vehicle component 9, having mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w1, w2 according to the section line B-B illustrated in FIG. 6, is likewise configured in a hat shape in the pillar portion 23. The cross-sectional line B-B differs from that from FIG. 2, since the extruded and rolled profile 2 has been press-formed. A respective motor vehicle component 9 in the roof connection region 21 and the sill connection region 22 is rather configured so as to be flattened, having a homogeneous wall thickness w1 or smaller, for example w18, but in particular so as to be smaller than the larger wall thickness w2 according to the section line B-B. The motor vehicle component 9 can thus be configured so as to be optimized for a crash and optimized for weight, above all because the larger wall thickness w2 by way of the production of the preform by means of extrusion again can also be disposed in a targeted manner in crash-relevant regions which represent a higher degree of rigidity in use. The wall thickness w2 herein is preferably 1.5 to 2.5 times, in particular 1.8 to 2.2 times, preferably 2 times larger than the wall thickness w1. A closing panel S which in particular is coupled to the flanges 28 can optionally be provided.
[0136] FIG. 7 shows an alternative variant of the design embodiment of FIG. 5. The motor vehicle pillar 27 likewise has a roof connection region 21, a sill connection region 22, and a pillar portion 23 that extends therebetween. By contrast to FIG. 5, however, the sill connection region 22 is yet again divided into two. Said sill connection region 22 has a lower portion 25 having a wall thickness w1 which is smaller than a wall thickness w2 that lies above the former and is part of an upper portion 26. The wall thickness differentials w1, w2 are achieved by dissimilar rolling in the longitudinal direction 16. The wall thickness is in each case homogeneous across the cross section, as can be seen according to section line A-A and B-B. In the roof connection region 21, a wall thickness w3 that is mutually dissimilar can also be set so as to be homogeneous in the cross section, said wall thickness w3 again being produced by rolling in the longitudinal direction 16. The wall thickness w3 herein is not equal to the wall thickness w2 and also not equal to the wall thickness w1. The wall thickness w3 can be larger than the wall thickness w1 but smaller than the wall thickness w2.
[0137] The pillar region 23 that extends therebetween has a configuration that is hat-shaped in the cross section. Mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w4, w5 in the cross section are produced by the extrusion method here. The wall thickness w4 in a respective radii region 24 of the cross-sectional profile to be produced herein is larger than or equal to the wall thickness w2. The hat-shaped cross section furthermore has a wall thickness w5 that is dissimilar to said wall thickness w4. The wall thickness w5 is smaller than the wall thickness w4; the wall thickness w5 is preferably larger than or equal to the wall thickness w2. The motor vehicle pillar 27 in the longitudinal direction 16 has an overall height h4. By contrast, the roof connection region 21 extends by a height h3. An entire deformation region in the lower part of the motor vehicle pillar has a height h2 which extends across approx. one third of the height h4. Furthermore, the lower sill connection region 22 is configured in two parts, wherein the homogeneous wall thickness w1 is configured in a lower portion 25 at a height h1, and the wall thickness w2 is then configured on the upper portion 26 lying thereabove.
[0138] The hat-shaped cross sectional profile, in each case in the transition from the roof connection region 21 to the pillar portion 23 and from the pillar portion 23 to the sill connection region 22, then transitions into a flat profile that has been produced by rolling. However, it is preferably possible for roof connection region 21 and/or the sill connection region 22, initially produced by rolling, to be once again formed in a three-dimensional manner In this case, a semi-finished product or a blank, respectively, which subsequently is placed into a forming press (not illustrated in more detail) according to FIG. 7 such that three-dimensional shaping takes place once again. In particular, the connection regions 21 and 22 in each case have a 3-D contour which is adapted to the roof frame and the sills and which is configured in a downstream shape-imparting step, for example. In particular, an uppermost or lowermost part in relation to the installed position can once again be bent such that the roof spar or the roof frame is partially encompassed, for example. The same applies additionally or alternatively to a sill.
[0139] According to the section line E-E, an optional default deformation region is furthermore illustrated. Said default deformation region can extend in particular at a height hE in the longitudinal direction 16 of the motor vehicle pillar 27, wherein the height hE is configured so as to be at least 20 mm, preferably at least 30 mm, and most particularly preferably smaller than one third of the height h4. The default deformation zone according to the section line E-E furthermore preferably has a wall thickness w6 in a web region 29 that lies between the two radii regions. The wall thickness w6 of the web region according to the section C-C is preferably also configured in the remaining pillar portion in the portion 23. The wall thickness w7e in a leg 30 is preferably configured so as to be smaller than the wall thickness w7c in the remaining pillar portion. The wall thickness w4E in the respective radii region can also be configured so as to be smaller than the wall thickness w4 in the remaining pillar region, for example according to the section line C-C. On account thereof, a default buckling point can be configured in the default deformation region in a transition on the lower third of the motor vehicle pillar on account of the smaller wall thickness w7e and w4e. The default deformation region is thus disposed in the transition region between the lower third and the upper two thirds of the entire motor vehicle pillar.
[0140] In a further variant of the design embodiment, the wall thickness of the flanges w5, the wall thickness w1, and the wall thickness w3 are particularly preferably configured so as to be identical. This in particular offers the advantage that the same joining technology, for example rivet welding, punch riveting, resistance spot welding, or else laser welding or another joining technology, can be applied in an encircling manner A joining method that in each case is individually adapted to the entire layer thickness does not have to be employed. The wall thickness is preferably configured so as to be between 1 and 3 mm such that an entire thickness of the layers to be joined to other components is configured so as to be smaller than or equal to 8 mm, in particular smaller than or equal to 7 mm. The wall thickness w4 can furthermore preferably be configured so as to have a thickness between 3 and 6 mm, so as to achieve a correspondingly high flexural rigidity. The wall thickness w7 of a respective leg 30 in this instance is preferably configured so as to be between the wall thicknesses w4 and w1. Furthermore, the wall thickness w2 is particularly preferably smaller than the wall thickness w4. FIGS. 8a to e show a cross member 100 according to the invention in a front view, various cross-sectional views, and a longitudinal sectional view. The cross member 100 herein, in the longitudinal direction 101 thereof, has a substantially identical cross-sectional height 102. The cross member 100 furthermore has a central region 103 and end regions 104 which in each case adjoin the central region 103.
[0141] FIG. 8e herein shows a longitudinal section according to the section line E-E from FIG. 8a. It can be seen that the cross member 100 in the longitudinal direction 101 has a curved profile. This means that said cross member 100 is configured so as to be curved along the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein an arc of the curvature in the installed position is directed toward the front in relation to the travel direction 105. It can be seen that the cross member 100 has a wall thickness w104, w103 that is variable in the longitudinal direction 101. A wall thickness w103 is configured in a central region 103, whereas a wall thickness w104 is configured in each case in the end regions 104, and the wall thickness w104 is smaller than the wall thickness w103.
[0142] Furthermore illustrated are three cross-sectional views along the section lines B-B, C-C, and D-D. It can be readily seen that in each case at least two mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses are configured in the cross sections. The wall thicknesses in the end regions 104 according to the section line B-B and D-D are configured so as to be smaller than the wall thicknesses in the central region 103 according to the section line C-C.
[0143] The cross member 100 according to the invention in the cross section has a hat profile having a centrally disposed web 106. A leg 107 extends in each case from the web 106 at an angle to the latter, and flanges 108 which protrude outward are in turn disposed on the ends of the legs 107, wherein the two flanges 108 are preferably oriented in opposite directions. The angle at which the legs 107 project from the web 106 can be variable in the longitudinal direction 101, such that the angle in the central region 103 is configured so as to be smaller than the angle in the end regions 104. In particular, a higher resistance momentum to bending is configured on account thereof by virtue of the legs 107 that are disposed in a rather perpendicular manner, having the web 106 in the central region 103.
[0144] The legs 107 in the central region 103 have a wall thickness w107, as opposed to a wall thickness w1077 in the end regions 104. The flanges 108 in the central region 103 also have a wall thickness w108 which is configured so as to be larger in relation to a wall thickness w1088. The respective wall thickness in the case of this variant of embodiment thus decreases from the central region 103 toward the end regions 104. One radii region 109 is configured in each case between the web 106 and the legs 107, and a radii region 110 is in turn configured between the legs 107 and the flanges 108. The wall thickness w109 and w110 of the radii region 109, 110 according to FIG. 8c is in each case larger than the wall thickness w106, w107, w108 of the web 106 and/or the leg 107 and/or the flange 108. Radii regions 109, 110 which likewise have a wall thickness w1099 and w1100 that is configured so as to be larger in relation to the wall thickness w104, w1077, and w1088 are likewise configured in the end regions 104. The wall thicknesses w1100 and w1099 of the radii regions 109, 110 in the end regions 104 is however configured so as to be smaller than the wall thickness w109, w110 of the radii regions 109, 110 in the central regions 103.
[0145] The cross member 100 furthermore has clearances 111 in the end regions 104 on the flanges 108. Crash boxes can be disposed here, for example.
[0146] Furthermore, an assembly bore 112 through which a tow eyelet (not illustrated in more detail) can be fitted is optionally provided. It can furthermore be seen according to the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 8b to d that the cross member 100 has an external side 113 and an internal side 114. The respective thickness step by way of which mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses in a cross section are configured herein is illustrated here on the external side 113. The internal side 114 is thus formed in a three-dimensional manner, but is inherently smooth. Consequently, there is also no thickness step configured on the internal side 114. A reversed or symmetrical arrangement of the thickness steps is possible.
[0147] FIGS. 9e and 9f show a sill 200 according to the invention in a perspective view and in a side view. The sill 200 herein in the longitudinal direction 201 thereof has a variable cross section, wherein various cross-sectional views are illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 9d. It can be seen in FIGS. 9b and d the sill 200 in the longitudinal direction 201 at least in portions has a hat-shaped cross-sectional profile. This cross-sectional profile has a web 202, legs 203 that extend from the web 202, and again flanges 204 that project from the legs 203. One transitional region in the form of a radii region 205 is configured in each case between the flange 204 and the leg 203, and between the leg 203 and the web 202. It can be readily seen in the case of the cross section according to FIG. 9d that at least two mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w202, w203, and w204, are configured in the cross section, and again a wall thickness w205 that is dissimilar to the former wall thicknesses w202, w203, and w204, is configured in the radii regions 205. In particular, the wall thickness w205 in the radii regions 205 herein is configured so as to be larger than all other wall thicknesses. The wall thicknesses w204, w203, and w202 of the flange 204, of the leg 203, and of web 202 can be configured in the same manner, but can also be mutually dissimilar.
[0148] According to the section line of FIGS. 9a and 9b, a homogeneous wall thickness which corresponds to the wall thickness w202, for example, is in each case configured. This is implemented in that the mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses that are present after extruding are at least partially flattened in the longitudinal direction by the rolling procedure. The wall thickness w202a and w202b according to the cross section in FIG. 9a or FIG. 9b can in this instance be smaller than or equal to the wall thickness w202 of the web. The cross-sectional view according to FIG. 9c also has mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses which correspond substantially to the various wall thicknesses of FIG. 9d; however, another cross-sectional configuration has been chosen here. The mutually dissimilar cross-sectional configurations are set by a three-dimensional press-forming procedure that is downstream of extruding and rolling. The outwardly oriented thickness steps can also be inboard. Furthermore preferably, w202a is smaller than w202b, in particular smaller by a factor of 1.5 to 3.
[0149] FIGS. 10a to 10d show a roof spar 300 produced according to the invention in a side view and three different cross-sectional views. The roof spar 300 herein in the longitudinal direction 301 thereof has a variable cross section. Overall, the roof spar 300 in the longitudinal direction 301 has a profile that is curved in an arcuate manner. According to FIG. 10b which illustrates a cross section in a central region, it can be readily seen that the roof spar 300 has mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses on a web 302, a leg 303, and flanges 304 that project from the web 302 and the leg 303. The wall thicknesses w302, w303, w304 can all be equal, but can also all be mutually dissimilar. One respective transitional region in the form of a radii region 305 is configured in each case between the flange 304 and the web 302, and between the web 302 and the leg 303, and again between the leg 303 and the flange 304. The radii region 305 has an enlarged wall thickness w305. In turn, all radii regions 305 in the cross section can have the same wall thickness w305. However, in relation to the image plane, the upper radii region and the right radii region can also have a wall thickness that is dissimilar to that of the central radii region. An external side 306 in relation to the installed position is configured so as to be smooth, wherein the respective thickness step 307, consequently the variation of the wall thickness, is configured on an internal side 307. According to the section line A-A and C-C, the end regions in relation to the longitudinal direction 301 in each case have a homogeneous wall thickness w302a, w302c which is smaller than or equal to the wall thickness w302. Consequently, the end regions of the roof spar 300 in the longitudinal direction 301 are partially rolled such that the mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses are configured so as to be homogeneous.
[0150] A closing panel S which extends across the entire roof spar and is coupled to the flanges in terms of joining technology can furthermore be provided. The closing panel has a wall thickness ws which is preferably constant across the entire closing panel. Furthermore, the wall thickness w302a is homogeneous or constant, respectively, as is the wall thickness w302c. In particular, w302a w302c can also be configured in the same manner The wall thickness w305 preferably has a thickness of 1.5 to 4 mm. The wall thickness w304 preferably has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm. In particular, the wall thicknesses w302 and w303 are in particular smaller than the wall thickness w305. Said wall thicknesses w302 and w303 can be equal in size to the wall thickness w304, consequently from 1 to 3 mm.
[0151] FIG. 11 shows an alternative cross member 400. The latter in the longitudinal direction 401 thereof, according to the longitudinal sectional view, has a constant wall thickness w402. The cross member 400 in the cross section thereof, according to FIG. 11a, has a hat-shaped profile having a web 402, legs 403 that extend from the latter, and again projecting flanges 404. The cross section has a plurality of mutually dissimilar wall thicknesses w402, w403, w404. A wall thickness w402 is thus configured in the web 402. Said wall thickness w402 transitions into a wall thickness w402R, having a radii region 405 and being larger than said wall thickness w402, and into the leg 403. A wall thickness w403 which is smaller than the wall thickness w402 and also smaller than the wall thickness w402R is again configured in the leg 402. Said wall thickness w403 in the direction of the flange 404 transitions into the wall thickness w403F which is configured so as to be smaller than the wall thickness w403, said wall thickness w403F in turn transitioning into a wall thickness w404 of the flange 404.
[0152] Overall, the cross member according to FIG. 11b has a curvature and end regions 408 that are yet again bent. Clearances 406 are furthermore present in the upper flange and in the lower flange. Likewise, a large recess 407 is optionally configured on the lower flange 404.
[0153] A crash box is connected in the region of the section line B-B. The larger wall thickness in the radii regions w405 and w402 is rather not configured. Forthwith however, the wall thickness in the region of the web w402 is configured in the same manner The wall thickness in the region of the flanges w404 in relation to the section line A-A is likewise configured in the same manner However, the wall thickness in the region of the leg w403b can be smaller than the wall thickness w403 in the region of the section line A-A such that a weaker configuration is established for connecting the crash box. In turn, a larger wall thickness is configured in the region of the section lines C-C, so as to provide a small overlap end portion for the event of a crash. According to the section line C-C, said small overlap end portion in turn has a larger wall thickness w405 in the radii region 405. The wall thickness w402 in the region of the web, but also the wall thickness w404 in the region of the flange, are however again configured in the same manner as the wall thickness w402 and w404 according to the section line A-A, but also according to the section line B-B.
[0154] The thickness step established in extruding is preferably possible both on the inside as well as on the outside. The wall thickness in the radii region w405 is preferably 1.5 to 3 times larger in relation to the wall thickness in the radii region w405, in particular larger in relation to the wall thickness w402 by a factor of 1.5 to 3.
[0155] Furthermore, as is illustrated in FIG. 11f, section line illustration according to the section line F-F in the longitudinal section of FIG. 11c, an enlarged wall thickness w402r is configured here in a central portion when viewed in the longitudinal direction 401. This can also be seen in FIG. 11a. The wall thickness w402r is configured according to FIG. 11a and decreases toward the ends. According to the section line G-G in FIG. 11g, only one wall thickness w402 which is smaller than the wall thickness w402r is configured here. The wall thickness w402r and w405 in the radii region in turn can optionally increase, as is illustrated in FIG. 11e, according to the section line H-H from FIG. 11c. However, since this is possible only as an option, this is not illustrated in FIG. 11f. In particular, according to the section line G-G, a correspondingly thinner wall thickness w402 is thus configured in the connection region of a crash box. An identical wall thickness w404 can again be configured overall in the flange regions 404, in order for an identical joining technology to be applied across the entire longitudinal extent of the cross member for all having a closing panel, for example.
[0156] The foregoing description of some embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. Further, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.
