Abstract
The present invention relates to a vehicle with a structure, which comprises connection-means and a reinforcement member.
Claims
1: A vehicle with a structure, which comprises a connector and a reinforcement member, characterized in, that the reinforcement member comprises at least one recess which takes the connector up and/or which fits onto the connector.
2: The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement member is located at or the structure where a gearbox is fixed to the structure.
3: The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a carrier and a foamable-layer.
4: The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the foamable-layer is provided on two opposing surfaces each at least partially in an alternating sequence.
5: The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the carrier and/or the foamable-layer comprises a recess, wherein at least one recess takes up the connector.
6: The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein there is a form- and/or force-fit between the connector and the carrier and/or the foamable-layer.
7: The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the connector is a tube, preferably with a flange.
8: The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the carrier comprises in its recess attachment means, preferably protrusions, which are in contact with the outer circumference of the connector.
9: The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a cross-section of the tube is unblocked prior during and/or after to expansion of the foamable-layer.
10: The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the recess of the carrier can provide a closure on the averted side of the connector to ensure that the cross-section of the connector is unblocked prior during and/or after the expansion of the foamable-layer.
11: The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement member is provided in a cavity.
12: The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein an inner circumference of the tube is polygonal.
13: The vehicle according to claim 7, 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.
14: The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cross-section of the tube is unblocked prior to, during, and/or after the expansion of the foamable-layer.
15: The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the shape and size of an inner circumference of the recess corresponds as much as manufacturing and assembly tolerances allow to the outer circumference of the tube.
16: The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein after the reinforcement member has been attached to the cavity of the vehicle and after a fastener has been inserted into the connector, the foamable material is expanded under the influence of heat.
17: The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a fastener is inserted into the tube.
18: The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the fastener is a bolt.
19: The vehicle according to claim 1, including more than two recesses.
20: The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the carrier includes a plurality of longitudinal and/or transverse ribs.
Description
[0026] The invention is now explained according to the figures. These explanations are only exemplary and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The explanations apply to all embodiments of the present invention likewise.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the reinforcement member 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the vehicle.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the inventive vehicle.
[0030] FIGS. 5-7 show details of the reinforcement member 1.
[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 show details of the reinforcement member 1, wherein, in FIG. 2 only the carrier without the foam layer is depicted. The reinforcement layer comprises a carrier 2 and a layer of unexpanded foam 3. Furthermore, the carrier 1 comprises a multitude, preferably more than two recesses 4. The carrier may also comprise longitudinal and/or transverse ribs 5, 6. As can also be seen from the figures, the reinforcement member 1 comprises a longitudinal extension, depicted by the double-arrow 7, and the recesses are preferably arranged in along in this longitudinal extension, preferably in one straight line. The recesses are spaced apart, preferably equidistantly. Between two adjacent recesses 4, preferably a hollow section is provided. According to a preferred embodiment, the recesses 4 have a hollow inner cross-section. The sidewall of the recesses is preferably tube-shaped. The recesses may have a round cross-section or a polygonal cross section. The foamable-layer 3 is preferably applied to the surface of the carrier and more preferably not as a continuous, but as an intermittent layer. The foamable-layer can be adhered to the carrier 2 by overmoulding. The carrier is preferably made from a plastic material. The foamable-layer preferably expands, more preferably under the influence of heat. The foamable-layer is, after expansion, preferably a structural foam, which provides rigidity to the structure of the vehicle.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows the structure of a vehicle, here particularly the region, in which a gearbox 8 of the vehicle is attached to the structure. In the present case, the vehicle structure comprises two plates 10, 11, which define a cavity 12. In this cavity, connection means 9, here tubes, jackets 9, which are here provided equidistantly, are connected to the plate 10. The connection is preferably executed by gluing or welding. According to a preferred embodiment, the tube-like connection means, the jackets, have a flange at their end, which is adjacent to the plate 10, to improve the attachment between the connection means 9 and the plate 10. The flange and the plate 10 each a recess through which a fastening means, for example a screw, a tap and/or a die bolt can be extended into the jacket.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows the inventive vehicle. Regarding the structure of the vehicle and the part 8, preferably the gearbox, reference can be made to the explanations according to FIG. 3. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the reinforcement member 1 is now connected to the structure of the vehicle by inserting the connection means, here the jackets 9, into the recesses 4 of the carrier 2 and/or the unexpanded foam layer 3. After attaching the reinforcement member 1 to the structure of the vehicle, the cavity 12 is closed by means of plate 11. The cavity delimits the expansion of the foamable material.
[0034] Details of this connection between the connection means 9 and the reinforcement member 1 can also be seen in FIG. 5. The recesses 4 in the carrier 2 take up the here tube-like connection means, the jackets, 9. Preferably, the shape and the size of the inner cross-section of the recess 4 corresponds to the shape and the size of the outer circumference of the connection means 9. Preferably, the size of the inner cross-section of the recess is dimensioned such that at least some connection means 9, there is a form- and/or force-fit between the connection means 9 and the carrier and/or the foamable-layer. Particularly from FIG. 5, it can be seen that prior to expansion, the cross-section of the recess 4 is not reduced by the foamable layer 3.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows details of the reinforcement member 1. As can be seen from this figure, the foamable-layer is provided on two opposing surfaces 14, 15 of carrier 2. On each surface 14, 15, the foamable-layer is preferably not continuous, but intermittent and the foamable-layer is more preferably provided on the two surfaces 14, 15 in an alternating fashion.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows details of a form- and/or force-fit between the connection means 9 and the reinforcement member 1. In the present case, at the inner circumference of here two, preferably non-adjacent, recesses 4 attachments means 16, here protrusions, particularly three protrusions 16, are provided, which, after the connection means 9 have been inserted into the recess, provide a friction-fit between the protrusion 16 and the connection means 9, so that the reinforcement member 1 is fixed to the structure of the vehicle at least prior to the extension of the foamable-layer.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows the closure 17 of recess 4 of the carrier 2 on the side which is pointing away from the connection means 9. By means of this, it can be achieved that the cross-section of the connection means 9 remains unblocked prior and after expansion of the foamable-layer 3.
[0038] As can be particularly seen from FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the recess is not only in the carrier 2, but also in the foamable-layer. The recess in the foamable-layer has the reference sign 13. Preferably, the recesses 4 and 13 have the same shape and size. More preferably, the recess 13 is larger than the recess 4. It is preferred, that the cross-section of recess 4 and/or connection means 9 is not blocked by the foamable-layer, so that attachment means e.g. a nut and 7 or fastening means, e.g. a tap or a die bolt can be inserted into the connection means 9.
[0039] As can be particularly seen from FIG. 5, the inner cross-section of tube-like connection means 9 is polygonal, so that it may provide anti-rotation means for an attachment means, e.g. a nut, which is inserted into this connection means. The attachment means are preferably also press-fitted into the connection means 9, preferably the jackets.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0040] 1 reinforcement member [0041] 2 carrier [0042] 3 unexpanded foam [0043] 4 recess in the carrier [0044] 5 transverse rib [0045] 6 longitudinal rib [0046] 7 longitudinal extension [0047] 8 vehicle part, gearbox [0048] 9 connection-means, jacket [0049] 10 plate, lower plate [0050] 11 plate, upper plate [0051] 12 cavity [0052] 13 recess in the unexpanded foam [0053] 14 first surface of the carrier [0054] 15 second surface of the carrier [0055] 16 attachment means, protrusions [0056] 17 closure of recess in the carrier
