A DEVICE AT HOLLOW BEAMS FORMING A PART OF A CAR BODY

Abstract: Device preferably superficially situated hollow beams (11), e.g. sill beams, contained in a car body (10). The beams are in transverse direction stiffened by means of cross frames (14). The cross frame (14) is constituted by a tubular member (24) arranged transversely to the length axis, which at one end is provided with to this at least partially formed side flanges (30), which are firmly attached to the beam. The length of the tubular member (24) is at least slightly shorter than the distance between the opposite longitudinal sides forming a free space between the other end of the tubular member and one of the longitudinal sides of the beam.

Description: A DEVICE AT HOLLOW BEAMS FORMING A PART OF A CAR BODY The present invention concerns a device at especially super¬ ficially situated hollow beams, eg. sill beams, contained in a car body, which beams in the lateral direction are made rigid by means of transverse frames. Background of the invention At lateral collisions the sill of a car is exposed to large stress, since they are often exposed to direct collision forces from the colliding vehicle. Since the forces also influences parts of the car body higher up, a torsional moment is generated, which makes the sill beam and the lateral beam to twist upwards, inwards. The car body there¬ fore does not constitute the protection against lateral collisions as would be desireable. The problem has been observed in many quarters and now there is detailed legislation relating to how large forces the car body should be able to absorb from the side. In order to counteract the above mentioned torsional tendencies, there have been attempts to among others inject isocyanates in the sill beam. This however gives problem with moisture and thereby corrosion in the long run. It is previously known by self-supporting car bodies to arrange hollow beams, which are made rigid by transverse frames and/or diagonal frames inside the hollow beam. These beams in fact are effective, but increases the weight of the vehicle with quite a number of kilos, which cannot be accep¬ ted today. The division of hollow beams into a number of smaller cells also leads to an increasing risk for corro¬ sion. The object of the invention and most important features The object of the present invention is to provide a stiffe¬ ning device of the kind mentioned by way of introduction, which stiffens the car body against lateral forces at late¬ ral collisions, but also gives an improved stiffening at pitching and rolling movements. An other object of the invention is that the stiffening device should have low weight, permit free passage of venti¬ lating air and corrosion preventive means through the beam. Moreover the structure should be simple and be suitable for mass production and be designed such that it can be handled by a robot. These objects have been solved by each cross frame being formed by a tubular piece transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beam, said tubular piece at one end being provided with side flanges, which are firmly joined to the beam, and that the length of the tubular piece is at least somewhat shorter than the distance between opposite longitudinal sides, forming a free space between the other end of the tubular piece and one of the longitudinal sides of the beam. Description of the drawings The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings, which show an embodi¬ ment. Fig. 1 shows in perspective a passenger car body provided with hollow beams reinforced with cross frames according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows in larger scale a section through the sill beam to the car body shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective a cross frame according to the invention. Description of embodiments In fig. 1 is illustrated a passenger car body provided with hollow sill beams 11 below the doors 12 and 13, and in which sill beam a number of cross frames 14 are provided, the position of which is indicated with the reference designa¬ tions 15. The sill beam 11 in the embodiment shown in fig.l and 2 has a section form, which is essentially constant, and which sill beam in cross section has the form of an irregular polyeder adapted to the local conditions. The sill beam 11 consists of two halves 16 and 17, each provided with moun¬ ting flanges 18 and 19, which by means of spot welding are joined to each other forming a hollow beam. The vertical parting planes of the beam at the top and at the bottom are displaced with respect to each other. To one half 16 of the sillbeam is connected a cross beam 20 and to this mounted a floor 21. 22 designates a sill panel and 23 a number of cables hidden under the panel. The cross frames inside the sill beam 11 are formed by tubu¬ lar members 24 arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis of the beam, which tubular members in cross section are polygon shaped, in the shown embodiment in the form of an octagonal. Even the tubular member 24 is composed of two halves 25 and 26, the parting plane of which is diagonally oriented versus the longitudinal direction of the tube. In the parting plane each half 25 and 26 is provided with connection flanges 27 and 28 which are connected to each other by means of spot weldings 29. one of the bevelled ends of the tubular member 24 is pro¬ vided with two thick side flanges 30 which have the same inclination as the part of the inside of the beam against which the side flanges is connected to by means of spot weldings. The tubular member 24 has been given a somewhat shorter length than the distance between the opposite longitudinal sides of the sill beam 11, so that between the free end of the tubular member and one of the longitudinal sides of the sill beam there is formed a free space. The mounting of the the other end of the tubular member 24 has been provided by means of a downfolded or upfolded sheet lug 31, which is an extension of the bottom part 32 or the top part 35 of the tubular member. The sheet lug 31 is inserted between the lower connection flanges 18 and 19 of the sill beam, and fixedly connected with these by spot "welding. In the connec¬ tion flange 18 and/or 19 are provided, eg pressed pockets in which the sheet lug may be inserted during mounting. In order to better transmit the deformation forces from the outside of the sill beam to the inside of the same, the free end of the tubular member is provided with pressure dis¬ tributing flanges 33, which transmit the collision forces to the inner sill beam half 16 and further to the crossbeam 20 and the floor 21. In order to further stiffen the tubular member this is preferably provided with a number of ridge shaped embossings 34, which are preferably placed in the foldings. As can be seen from fig. 2 the tubular member is designed somewhat smaller than the internal cross section of the sill .beam so that air or a fluid can freely flow past the tubular members. The special mounting of the tubular member results in that vibrations of the car body does not give rise to rattling noise. Despite their small weight, the tubular members are very strong cross frames, which effec¬ tively stiffen the sill beam as well as the entire bottom structure of the car body.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device at preferably superficially situated hollow beams (11), eg. sill beams, contained in a car body (10) which beams in the lateral direction are made rigid by means of transverse frames (14) c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that each transverse frame (14) is formed by a tubular member (24) arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis. 2. Device according to patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the tubular member (24) at one of its ends is provided with side flanges (30), which are fixedly connected to the beam and that the length of the tubular member (24) is at least slightly shorter than the distance between opposite longitudinal sides, forming a free space between the other end of the tubular member and one of the longitudinal sides of the beam. 3. Device according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the other end portion of the tubular member is provided with at least one upward and/or downward lug (31) firmly attached with the bottom and /or top part (32,35). 4. Device according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the tubular member (24) in cross section is a polygon, preferably an octogon. 5. Device according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the tubular member (24) consists of two parts (25,26), the parting plane of which is diagonally oriented towards the length direction ofthe tube and the connection means is constituted longitudinal flanges (27,28) which are firmly connected to each other. 6. Device according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the beam (11) is two parted in at least one vertical plane, that both halves (16,17) are conected to each other by each halve formed longitudinal flanges (18,19), and that the downward and/or upward lug (31) of the tubular member is mounted between the connection flanges of the beam (11).

Inventors: HELLSTROEM MIKAEL, HELLSTROEM, MIKAEL
Applicants: VOLVO AB, AB VOLVO
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B62D23
IPC codes: B62D21, B62D25