Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Patent
1993-04-20
1994-12-13
Pape, Joseph
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
296209, 296 29, B62D 2500
Patent
active
053724003
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
From European patent document EP-PS 0 146 716 it is known how to construct the supporting structure of a vehicle body by using node connectors to join together a plurality of extruded aluminum frame sections. The node connectors are formed as cast light metal pieces. Depending upon the node connection location, the ends of the extruded aluminum sections are secured to the cast node elements by mounting on a specially molded support surface or are received within a shell enclosure and are then welded in place. For certain connecting regions, such as for example where two extruded aluminum sections are in a substantially, mutually perpendicular abutment with one other, it is advisable and more economical to make a direct connection without using the cast node connectors.
In the case of heat treatable aluminum alloys, it is well known that thermal welding produces a considerable decrease in the strength of the welded aluminum piece immediately adjacent the weld seam in the so-called "zone of thermal influence." In particular, a welded joint oriented in a transverse direction with respect to an extruded aluminum section is particularly critical since the weld weakens the extruded aluminum section in the transverse plane passing through it. Such joints may fail and be torn off at heavily loaded connection points, especially during an impact to the vehicle where extremely high load conditions are present.
It is also known from European patent document EP-PS 0 146 716 how to join the B post or B pillar directly to the sill of the vehicle where both frame elements are formed as extruded aluminum sections. A surrounding weld seam applied in the usual manner is not desirable here since this joint is particularly vulnerable to a side impact and the resulting strength reduction presents a danger that the B post will be torn off at the joint connection with the sill. Accordingly, in order to avoid weakness in the transverse direction of the B post, a surrounding transverse weld seam should be avoided. However, a weld seam joining the B post to the sill in the interior of the vehicle is essential for reasons of rigidity and for increasing fatigue strength since this area of the joint is subjected to extremely high load conditions.
German patent document DE 21 28 281 discloses a welded joint between two extruded aluminum sections which are fitted together at an angle whereby one or more substantially triangular side pieces are fitted to the corner regions formed by the two extruded aluminum sections. The triangular piece is butt-welded in place along adjacent lengthwise edges of the two extruded aluminum sections. Moreover, the outer bearing edges of the flush-mounted triangular pieces are also butt-welded to each of the two extruded aluminum sections. Such a welded joint, while adequate for support in a vertical plane, is of limited use for the extremely heavy loads associated with a side impact at the joint between the sill and the B post since it does not surround the piece in the transverse direction.
Accordingly, there is a definite need in the art for a T-shaped welded joint connection between two mutually perpendicular extruded aluminum hollow section members, such as a longitudinal sill member and an upstanding B post, which is capable of withstanding heavy side loads.
THE INVENTION
DRAWINGS
The invention is best understood by reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prior art joint connection showing a surrounding transverse weld seam between two aluminum bearers; and
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a welded joint connection between two mutually perpendicular aluminum bearers constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
SUMMARY
According to the invention, a generally upright aluminum bearer such as a B post of a vehicle body is inserted within an opening in the top wall of the lengthwise aluminum frame member or sill. The B post extends through the hollow interior of the sill and terminates in abutment with an inner bottom sill wa
REFERENCES:
patent: 2389907 (1945-11-01), Helmuth
patent: 3292969 (1966-12-01), Eggert, Jr.
patent: 3347175 (1967-10-01), Butcher
patent: 4462629 (1984-07-01), Todori et al.
patent: 4618163 (1986-10-01), Hasler et al.
patent: 5094504 (1992-03-01), Wurl
patent: 5201566 (1993-04-01), Mori
(E1) Ruge, J., "Handbuch der Schweisstechnik", Springer-Verlag, 1985, pp. 215, 216, 219, 222-226, 314-315.
(E2) Suppus, H., "Der Fahrzeugaufbau aus Leicht metall", Verlag der Aluminium-Zentrale e.v., Dusseldorf, 1953, Tafel 15.
(E3) Klock, H., Schoer, H., "Schweissen und Loten von Aluminium-Werkstoffen", Deutscher Verlag fur Schweisstechnik GmbH, Dusseldorf, 1977, p. 139.
Schweizer Aluminium Runderschau (SAR), "Erfahrungen mit dem neuen Autobussystem M5438", 1983, pp. 196-201.
(E4) Pippert, H., "Karosserietechnik", Vogel Buchverlag, Wurzburg, 1989, p. 139.
Enning Norbert
Timm Heinrich
Audi AG
Dulin Jacques M.
Pape Joseph
LandOfFree
Welded joint between substantially mutually perpendicular suppor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Welded joint between substantially mutually perpendicular suppor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Welded joint between substantially mutually perpendicular suppor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1189025