Patent ID: 12187110

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG.1, a body structure of a two-track vehicle is shown that is described below to the extent necessary for understanding the invention. Accordingly, the body structure has two lateral rocker panels1extending in the longitudinal vehicle direction x, of which only one is shown inFIG.1. The rocker panel1extends in the longitudinal vehicle direction x between a front A-pillar3and a rear C-pillar5, and delimits side-door openings7on the floor side. A crash-sensitive traction battery9(FIG.2) is installed in the vehicle floor of the body structure. This battery is positioned beneath a floor pan part10(FIG.3) in an installation space8(FIG.3). The installation space8extends in the transverse vehicle direction y between the two rocker panels1. In the longitudinal vehicle direction x, the installation space8extends between a front battery cross member11and a rear battery cross member13. InFIG.2, the traction battery9has a circumferential housing flange12, which can be screwed to the underside of the rocker panels1as well as the battery cross members11,13via screw points A.

As is evident fromFIG.3, a front body longitudinal member15that transitions into the respective rocker panel1toward the rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal vehicle direction x, with the interposition of a hollow profile corner joint16, extends on each vehicle side in the front-end region of the body structure. In the further course toward the rear of the vehicle, each rocker panel1is adjoined by a rear corner joint18, which transitions into a rear body longitudinal member23.

InFIG.3, the rocker panel1is constructed in multiple parts in the longitudinal vehicle direction x, namely with a front connecting element17, a center section19, and a rear connecting element21, which is adjoined by the rear corner joint18. Moreover, only an inner part of the rocker panel1is shown in the figures, while an outer rocker panel part is omitted. InFIG.3, the front and rear battery cross members11,13are not designed to be completely continuous in the transverse vehicle direction y, but rather are at least partially interrupted in the vehicle center with a supply access25, through which supply lines can be installed.

With regard to an enlargement of the installation space for the traction battery9, according toFIG.7the respective rocker panel1is offset toward the exterior of the vehicle with respect to the rear body longitudinal member23by a lateral offset Δy in the vehicle transverse direction y. This lateral offset Δy is bridged toward the front of the vehicle with the aid of the interposed rear corner joint18. This means that the rear corner joint18widens in the transverse vehicle direction y toward the vehicle front, taking up the lateral offset Δy, by which means a rigid, force-transmitting rocker panel connecting point20of the rear body longitudinal member23is achieved at the rocker panel1.

As is evident fromFIG.4or5, the rear body longitudinal member23is a steel profile part that is U-shaped in cross-section with a longitudinal member floor27as well as inner side wall29and outer side wall31raised therefrom. The U-profile of the rear body longitudinal member23, which is open toward the top, is closed in the assembled state by a rear floor pan part10(FIG.3). As is further evident fromFIG.5, the outer side wall31of the rear body longitudinal member23delimits a wheel space33of the rear-end wheel well toward the interior of the vehicle in the transverse vehicle direction y.

For the purpose of forming a rigid rocker panel connecting point20, inFIG.5the outer side wall31of the rear body longitudinal member23is lengthened toward the front of the vehicle at a transition edge35with a rocker panel end piece37. The rocker panel end piece37is angled toward the exterior of the vehicle at the transition edge35. At the rocker panel end piece37, the rocker panel1terminates in a force-transmitting manner. Moreover, the rocker panel end piece37delimits the wheel space33of the rear-end wheel well toward the front of the vehicle.

For a rigid design of the rocker panel connecting point20, the longitudinal member floor27of the rear body longitudinal member23is lengthened toward the front of the vehicle with a joining section39(FIG.6). This section engages under the rocker panel1and is connected to the rocker panel underside in a force-transmitting manner (by weld joint, for example).

Below, the connection of the rear body longitudinal member23to the rear battery cross member13is explained on the basis ofFIG.5. Accordingly, the longitudinal member floor27of the rear body longitudinal member23is lengthened toward the front of the vehicle with a floor segment41. The floor segment41engages under the rear battery cross member13and is connected to it in a force-transmitting manner, creating a double-wall structure. According toFIG.6, the joining section39provided for connecting the rocker panel projects forward in the longitudinal vehicle direction x from the floor segment41, which is provided for connecting the battery cross member.

InFIG.5, the rear battery cross member13is a U-shaped steel profile part with a cross member floor43as well as front side wall45and rear side wall47raised therefrom. The cross member profile, which is open toward the top, is closed in the assembled state by the rear floor pan part10. With regard to a rigid longitudinal member connection, inFIG.6the floor segment41of the rear body longitudinal member23and the cross member floor43are connected to one another, creating a double-wall structure as a rigid assembly (by weld joint, for example).

InFIG.5, the front side wall45of the battery cross member13directly delimits the battery installation space8. In addition, the front side wall45of the battery cross member13is carried in the transverse vehicle direction y until it is in force-transmitting contact with the rocker panel1, namely while forming an interior corner region6, which encloses a corner of the traction battery9in the assembled state.

The rear side wall47of the rear battery cross member13has, inFIG.5, an assembly cutout49through which a rocker panel partition part51and a battery partition part53extend. The rocker panel partition part51lengthens the outer side wall31of the rear body longitudinal member23until it is in force-transmitting contact with the front side wall45of the battery cross member13. In the same manner, the battery partition part53lengthens the inner side wall29of the rear body longitudinal member23through the assembly cutout49until it is in force-transmitting contact with the front side wall45of the battery cross member13.

In the event of a rear-end collision, a rocker panel load path S (FIG.5) is produced that incorporates the outer side wall31as well as the longitudinal member floor27of the rear body longitudinal member23, the rocker panel partition part51, and the rocker panel1. Parallel to the rocker panel load path S, a battery load path B is formed inFIG.5. The inner side wall29as well as the longitudinal member floor27of the rear body longitudinal member23, the battery partition part53, and the front side wall45of the rear battery cross member13are incorporated into the battery load path B.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.