WO2018191919A1

WO2018191919A1 - Body structure of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018191919A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/081280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric GUILLO; Ye Wang; Zhanhua WEN; Zhongxiang Zhou; Sebastien Saric; Xiaoxi Zhang
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobile Sa
Priority date: 2017-04-20
Filing date: 2017-04-20
Publication date: 2018-10-25
Also published as: CN111278671A

Abstract

A body structure of a motor vehicle, the structure comprising: a roof panel (1) comprising an inner edge (1.2) which defines an opening (4) for receiving a sun roof; a reinforcement frame (2) for supporting the sunroof, having an inner edge (2.2) which defines an opening (4) which substantially matches the opening of the roof panel (1); wherein the outer edge (2.1) of the reinforcement frame (2) is provided with a U-shape recess (2.3) in the fixation area (3), the U-shape having two lateral portions (2.31, 2.33) and a central portion (2.32), wherein the reinforcement frame (2) is welded to the roof panel (1) in the central portion (2.32) of the U-shape recess (2.3). A vehicle with such a body structure and a method of manufacturing such a body structure is also provided.

Description

BODY STRUCTURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a body structure of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle with such a body structure and to a process of manufacturing such a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The document JP 50 40 525 B2 discloses a body structure of a motor vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with a sunroof. To limit the deformations of the vehicle body in case of an accident, namely when the vehicle rolls over, a longitudinal reinforcement (34) is provided. The longitudinal roof rails (40) are attached to tongues (50) extending from the longitudinal reinforcements. The tongues are less rigid and they can absorb the energy of an impact through their deformation, thereby maintaining the shape of the inner space of the vehicle and the health of its occupants.

The document FR 3 013 281 A1 discloses a body structure of a motor vehicle. The roof (22) is equipped with a sunroof (30) . A reinforcement frame (24) aims at reinforcing the rigidity of the roof. As shown on fig. 14 of this document, the reinforcement frame has openings (40) positioned at the mounting points (21) of the longitudinal roof rails. In this area, the reinforcement frame (24) is not in contact with the roof (22) . There is therefore a high risk of deformation of the roof during the assembling steps of the roof rail on the roof.

SUMMARY

The present invention aims at providing a body structure of a motor vehicle wherein the steps of assembling the longitudinal roof rail on the roof do not generate any deformation of the roof.

The invention achieves this goal by providing a body structure of a motor vehicle, the structure comprising a roof panel comprising an outer edge which delimits the outer dimensions of the roof panel and an inner edge which defines an opening for receiving a sun roof； a reinforcement frame for supporting the sunroof, having an outer edge which delimits the outer dimensions of the reinforcement frame and an inner edge which defines an opening which substantially matches the opening of the roof panel； at least fixation area where a longitudinal roof rail can be fixed to the roof panel, wherein the outer edge of the reinforcement frame is provided with a U-shape recess in the fixation area, wherein in the central portion of the U-shape recess, the reinforcement frame is welded to the roof panel.

According to a preferred embodiment, the roof panel and the reinforcement frame are welded by cold metal transfer technique (CMT) .

According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement frame is welded to the roof panel at least in some parts of their respective inner edges.

According to a preferred embodiment, the roof panel (1) comprises an opening (1.3) for receiving the attachment of the longitudinal roof rails, wherein the size of said opening (1.3) substantially matches the size of the U-shape recess (2.3) of the reinforcement frame (2) .

According to a preferred embodiment, the body structure comprises a body side and a longitudinal roof rail, and the longitudinal roof rail is fixed to the roof panel by means of a bolt that extends through the opening of the roof panel, through the U-shape recess of the reinforcement frame, and through a recess in the body side.

According to a preferred embodiment, the body structure comprises a body side, wherein outside of the fixation areas, the outer edge of the reinforcement frame is not in contact with the roof panel and is discretely or continuously glued to the body sides.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a sunroof and a body structure according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising a body structure according to the invention, wherein the reinforcement frame is assembled to the roof panel in the welding line of the manufacturing line, and the longitudinal roof rail is assembled to the roof panel in the assembling line, that is to say downstream in the manufacturing line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features or advantages of the present invention are presented in the light of the drawings which represent:

Figure 1: a bottom view of the body structure of the invention；

Figure 2: cross sections of the body structure of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a body structure according to the invention seen from below (in the orientation of the body structure when mounted in a motor vehicle) . The roof panel 1 has an outer edge 1.1 in a general rectangular shape. The roof panel 1 has an opening 4 for receiving the sunroof delimited by its inner edge 1.2. The roof panel can be made of metal and is pressed and cut to the desired dimensions. On the left side of fig. 1, the roof panel has a rounded shape that aims at matching the design of the windshield of the motor vehicle. The roof panel also has cut-offs to allow the attachment with the sides of the body.

The body structure of the invention is also provided with a reinforcement frame 2 that aims at reinforcing the structure. The frame 2 has a generally rectangular outer edge 2.1 and an inner edge 2.2 defining an opening 4 substantially similar to the opening of the roof panel. Similar to the roof panel 1, the frame can be made of metal and is pressed and cut at the desired dimensions to fit the mechanical requirements. According to a preferred embodiment, the inner edge 2.2 of the reinforcement frame 2 is welded to the inner edge 1.2 of the roof panel 1.

In the example shown, the body structure has four fixation areas 3. In these areas 3, the longitudinal roof rails can be fixed to the structure. As can be seen on a zoomed-in drawing of the fixation area, the frame is provided with U-shape recesses 2.3. The U-shape has two lateral portions 2.31 and 2.33 and a central portion 2.32. The bolts (6on figure 2D) fixing the longitudinal roof rail 5 are received in an opening 1.3 of the panel 1. This opening can be centered in the recess 2.3 of the frame 2 and their respective size substantially matches each other’s.

According to the invention, the roof panel 1 and the reinforcement frame 2 are welded to each other at the central portion 2.32. This feature makes sure that while the longitudinal roof rails 5 are being attached to the roof panel 1, the panel 1 is rigid enough not to be deformed.

Figure 2 shows various cross sections of the body structure of the invention, both in the fixation area 3 and outside of the fixation area. The left side of each cross-section is the outer edge, while the right side of each section is the inner edge or opening 4.

Figure 2A shows the roof panel 1 and the reinforcement frame 2 in the fixation area 3. The cross-section is in the section A: A, defined on figure 1. On this example, from left to right, we can see the outer edge 1.1 of the roof which is bent back on itself, the opening 1.3, a welding point W between the frame and the roof panel in the central portion 2.32 of the U-shape recess 2.3, and a welding point W in the inner edges of the panel and the frame.

Figure 2B shows a cross-section according to A: A defined on figure 1 and corresponds to figure 2A, with part of the side of the body in white (BIW) or body-side 7. The body-side has a hole 7.3 that is aligned with the opening 1.3 of the panel and with the U-shape recess 2.3 of the frame. The hole 7.3 aims at receiving the bolt 6 for the fixation of the longitudinal roof rails. The roof panel can be, but is not necessarily welded to the body-side in the fixation area.

Figure 2C shows a cross-section along line B: B defined on figure 1. This section is outside of the fixation area 3. Here also, the outer edge 1.1 of the roof panel can be welded to the body-side 7, preferably by laser welding (noted W on this figure) . The inner edges of the panel and the frame can also be welded together. However, the outer edge of the reinforcement frame is not in contact with the roof panel. The shape of the reinforcement frame 2 is such that there is a gap between the roof panel and the outer edge of the frame. The frame can be suspended or can be glued or welded to the body-side. The point G on figure 2C indicates the glue between the reinforcement frame 2 and the body-side 7. The area outside of the fixation area is not solicited when the longitudinal roof rail5 is mounted on the roof panel and there is therefore no need to design the reinforcement frame such that it contacts the roof panel 1 here.

Figure 2D shows the fixation area 3 in a cross-section A: A. This figure corresponds to figure 2B after the mounting of the longitudinal roof rail 5. We can see here a longitudinal roof rail 5 with the bolt 6 that aims at fixing the rail on the roof panel. The bolt goes through the opening 1.3 of the roof panel, through the U-shape recess 2.3 and through the hole 7.3. The bolt 6 may be made of a screw that engages a nut in the rail. This kind of attachment and the corresponding water seals that protect the inner side of the vehicle from rain are known to the person skilled in the art. The longitudinal roof rail is an elongated profile which can contain internal reinforcement and can be provided with feet that contain a bolt to attach the rail to the roof in the fixation area. Needless to say that the roof rail and the attachment can take any suitable form, shape or size without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is particularly apparent on figure 2D, that the welding between the roof panel 1 and the frame 2 plays a role during the step of screwing the bolt 6. The forces that are generated when screwing the bolt 6 and which would deteriorate the shape of the roof panel 1 are countered by the presence of the reinforcement frame 2.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (not shown) equipped with a body structure according to the invention. The motor vehicle is provided with a sunroof mounted on the body structure. The sunroof can be of any type, i. e. fixed, pivotable and/or slideable, panoramic, transparent or opaque, made of textile or glass…The vehicle is not necessarily equipped with the roof rail but comprises the features that allow roof rails to be mounted, and specifically those of the body structure of the invention. The recess/holes can be covered by appropriate lids and the roof rails can be mounted as an aftermarket sale.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising a body structure according to the invention. In the method of the invention, the roof panel is assembled to the reinforcement frame in the welding line and the roof rail is assembled to the roof panel in the assembling line, which is downstream of the welding line in the manufacturing line.

Claims

Body structure of a motor vehicle, the structure comprising:

a roof panel (1) comprising an outer edge (1.1) which delimits the outer dimensions of the roof panel and an inner edge (1.2) which defines an opening (4) for receiving a sun roof；

a reinforcement frame (2) for supporting the sunroof, having an outer edge (2.1) which delimits the outer dimensions of the reinforcement frame (2) and an inner edge (2.2) which defines an opening (4) which substantially matches the opening of the roof panel (1) ；

at least one fixation area (3) where a longitudinal roof rail (5) can be fixed to the roof panel (1) ,

the structure being characterized in that

the outer edge (2.1) of the reinforcement frame (2) is provided with a U-shape recess (2.3) in the fixation area (3) , the U-shape having two lateral portions (2.31, 2.33) and a central portion (2.32) , the reinforcement frame (2) being welded to the roof panel (1)in the central portion (2.32) of the U-shape recess (2.3) .
Body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof panel (1) and the reinforcement frame (2) are welded by cold metal transfer technique.
Body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcement frame (2) is further welded to the roof panel (1) at least in some parts of their respective inner edges (1.2, 2.2) .
Body structure according to claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the roof panel (1) comprises an opening (1.3) for receiving the attachment of the longitudinal roof rails, wherein the size of said opening (1.3) substantially matches the size of the U-shape recess (2.3) of the reinforcement frame (2) .
Body structure according to claim 4, characterized by comprising a body side (7) and at least one longitudinal roof rail (5) fixed to the roof panel (1) in a fixation area (3), wherein the longitudinal roof rail (5) is fixed to the roof panel (1) by means of a bolt (6) that extends through the opening (1.3) of the roof panel (1) , through the U-shape recess (2.3) of the reinforcement frame (2) , and through a hole (7.3) in the body side (7) .
Body structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising a body side (7) , wherein outside of the fixation areas (3) , the outer edge (2.1) of the reinforcement frame (2) is not in contact with the roof panel (1) and can be discretely or continuously glued to the body side (7) .
Motor vehicle with a sunroof mounted on a body structure, characterized in that the body structure is according to one of the previous claims.
Method of manufacturing a motor vehicle comprising a body structure according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcement frame (2) is assembled to the roof panel (1) in the welding line of the manufacturing line, and a longitudinal roof rail (5) is assembled to the roof panel in the assembling line, that is to say downstream of the welding line in the manufacturing line.