Frame structure with at least one console for connecting further components, method for producing and motor vehicle body

Abstract

A frame structure for a motor vehicle body includes at least two profile components and a connecting node, which connects the profile components with each other. At least one of the profile components has at least one console which is made of fiber reinforced plastic and on which other components can be fastened or supported.

Claims

1. A frame structure for a motor vehicle body, said frame structure comprising: at least two profile components; and a connecting node which connects the at least two profile components with each other, wherein at least one of the at least two profile components has at least one console made of fiber reinforced plastic, said at least one console being adapted for fastening or supporting other components thereon.

2. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the console has at least one of a connecting section and at an integrated load introduction element.

3. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the console is made of a plastic that is reinforced with short fibers.

4. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the console is formed about the profile component in the manner of a sleeve.

5. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the console is arranged on a free end of the one of the at least two profile components and forms and end piece of the one of the at least two profile components profile components.

6. The frame structure of claim 1, wherein the at least two profile components are made of a fiber reinforced plastic composite material.

7. A method for producing a console on a profile component for a frame structure, said method comprising the steps of: positioning the profile component in a pressing tool that produces the console; performing a pressing procedure in the presence of a fiber containing plastic mass in the pressing tool for generating the console; opening the pressing tool and removing the profile component with the console formed thereon.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fiber-containing plastic mass is SMC or BMC.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the profile component is a hollow profile component and the console is molded onto a free end of the hollow profile component, the method further comprising closing an open profile end of the hollow profile component with a closing element which during the pressing procedure prevents entering of the fiber-containing plastic mass into the hollow profile component.

10. A motor vehicle, comprising: a frame structure, said frame structure comprising at least two profile components and a connecting node which connects the at least two profile components with each other, wherein at least one of the at least two profile components has at least one console made of fiber reinforced plastic, said at least one console being adapted for fastening or supporting other components thereon.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the frame structure is produced with the following method steps: positioning the profile component in a pressing tool; performing a pressing procedure in the presence of a fiber containing plastic mass in the pressing tool for generating the console; and opening the pressing tool and removing the profile component with the console formed thereon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a frame structure of a vehicle body made of hollow profile components.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a section through a profile end part on the frame structure of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates in multiple sectional views the production of a console on the frame structure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a rear frame structure or vehicle rear section structure 100, which is a part of a greater frame structure (Space-Frame) of a passenger car vehicle body. The frame structure 100 includes multiple separately pre-manufactured hollow profile components 120, 120a, 130, 130a, 140, 140a and 150, which are made of fiber plastic composite material and which are fixedly connected with each other via connection nodes 160 and 160a. A connecting node 160 or 160a is thus a connecting element which connects multiple profile components with each other at their node-side profile ends. The connecting nodes 160 and 160a are made of fiber reinforced plastic K. The frame profile parts 130 and 130a that function as longitudinal member are in addition provided with profile end parts 170 and 170a at their free profile ends that face away from the connecting nodes 160 and 160a. The profile end parts 170 and 180a are also made of fiber reinforced plastic K.

[0023] The hollow profile components 120, 120a, 130, 130a, 140, 140a and 150, are for example produced by means of pultrusion (fiber plastic composite-pultrusion profiles), braiding or coiling. The hollow profile parts 120, 120a, 130, 130a, 140, 140a and 150, can be configured differently depending on the loads and can therefore have different cross sections and/or wall thicknesses and/or be made of different fiber plastic composite materials. The hollow profile components 120, 120a, 130, 130a, 140, 140a and 150, can also have varying cross sections over their longitudinal extent.

[0024] The frame structure 100 can further have open profile components (for example U-profiles) and/or full profile components, and also profile components that are made of other materials (for example also metal), wherein such profile components can also be integrated in the frame structure 100 via the connecting nodes 160 or 160a. In spite of its low weight the frame structure 100 has excellent strength, stiffness and crash stability.

[0025] The frame profile parts 120 and 120a, which also function as a longitudinal member, are configured with sleeve-like consoles 180 and 180a, which for example serve as motor bearing and/or for fastening chassis components. The consoles 180 and 180a are also made of a fiber reinforced plastic K. Reference numeral 185 designates a flat connecting section on the consoles 180 or 180a, which for example serves for connecting or supporting a motor bearing or the like.

[0026] In the following the production or manufacturing of such a console 180 is explained with reference to FIG. 3. For producing the console 180 the hollow profile component 120 is inserted with its corresponding section into a pressing tool 200 that produces the console 180, as shown in FIG. 3a. The multi-part pressing tool 200 is configured so as to enable a positionally accurate fixing of the hollow profile component 120.

[0027] In the tool cavity 230 of the lower tool 210 a short fiber or short fiber containing plastic mass K, in particular with thermoset matrix (resin), is present that was introduced already prior to positioning the hollow profile component 120. After the position of the hollow profile component 120 a further short fiber containing plastic mass K is applied to the hollow profile component 120 at the corresponding site or is molded on with the shown spray device 300.

[0028] Subsequently the pressing tool 200 is closed by lowering the upper tool 220 as shown in FIG. 3 and a pressing process is performed. During this pressing process the defined mass of the short fiber containing plastic mass K is distributed in the cavity 230 abut the hollow profile component 120, i.e., the hollow profile component 120 is surrounded by the short fiber containing plastic mass K at the corresponding site, wherein as the case may be also a materially bonding connection between the short fiber containing plastic mass K and the hollow profile component 120 can form. During the pressing process the sealing of the tool cavity 230 is brought about by means of sealings 241 and 242.

[0029] The fiber containing plastic mass K can for example be SMC or BMC mass. An alternative method variant provides that the fiber containing plastic mass K is only injected into the cavity 230 during the pressing process or shortly before the pressing process which is also referred to as transfer molding, similar to the RTM method.

[0030] In order for the hollow profile walling 122 of the hollow profile component 120 having a sufficient stability during the pressing process it is provided that this walling has a wall thickness or wall strength of 0.6 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 8 mm and in particular 3 mm to 7 mm. Furthermore, analogous to the illustration in FIG. 2 (see below), an inner support 125 can be provide by means of a foam material or the like introduced into the profile chamber. The latter is for example also advantageous with regard to the crash stability.

[0031] After the plastic mass K is cured under influence of pressure and temperature (hot pressing) the pressing tool 200 can be opened and the hollow profile component 120 can be removed with the console 180 formed thereon as shown in FIG. 3c.

[0032] During production of the console 180 metallic inserts 190 are simultaneously embedded in the plastic material K at the bottom side of the console, which metallic inserts later also serve for example as screw-on points for chassis components.

[0033] The console 180 which serves for fastening or support of further components is formed in one piece with the hollow profile component 120 and made of a fiber reinforced plastic material K. a significant advantage of the invention is that the structure of the hollow profile component 120 is not adversely affected. In particular no disadvantageous damage to the obtained reinforcement fibers occurs (typically long fibers or endless fibers). The sleeve like console 180 can also cause a local reinforcement of the hollow profile component 120. A further advantage is that the console 180, including at least one connecting section 185, can be produced with end geometry and thus does not require post processing.

[0034] The production of a profile end piece 170, which also serves as console, is performed analogous to the approach illustrated in FIG. 3. However the open profile end is first closed by a stopper or plug-like closing element 135 as shown in FIG. 2. The closing element 135 is made of a plastic foam material, in particular of a temperature and pressure resistant hard foam and is for example glued in. the adhesive is designated 136. During the pressing procedure the closing element 135 acts as a barrier and prevents the fiber containing plastic mass K from entering into the interior or the profile chambers of the hollow profile component 130. The axial length or closure depth of the closing element 135 is preferably dimensioned so that the closing element reaches at least into a tool sealing region of the pressing tool 200 which sealing region is formed by the tool sealings 241 and 242, so that the closing element 135 during the pressing process can cause a stabilization of the hollow profile walling and improve the cavity sealing.

[0035] The console 180 and/or the end piece 170 can be produced prior to the connection of the corresponding profile component 120 or 130 with the other profile components or subsequent thereto, i.e., after the formation of the connecting node 160. With the described approach a console 180 or an end piece 170 can also subsequently be produced.

[0036] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: