Method for Manufacturing a Hollow Profile, a Hollow Profile and a Vehicle Body

• US 20110200766A2
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: Flehmig, Thomas, Patberg, Lothar, Zörnack, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 9,969,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/034.100
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/28 of curved planar seams
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/02 Side panels B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

A hollow profile that has improved handling ability and a good ability to be attached to other components and a method for producing the hollow profile. In the method for producing a hollow profile having at least two half shell sheets, a first half shell sheet is applied to a first side of web plate along two axially running joint edges of the first half shell sheet, a second half shell sheet is applied to a second side of the web plate along two axially running joint edges of the second half shell sheet, and then the joint edges of the half shell sheets are subsequently joined to the web plate. An edge section of the web plate projects beyond the contact area of at least one joint edge so that at least one flange is formed for attaching other components. The hollow profile formed has two half shell sheets and a web plate disposed between the half shell sheets, which can form part of a vehicle body.

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing a hollow profile, the method comprising:

applying two axially oriented joint edges of a first half-shell sheet to a first side of a web plate;

applying two axially oriented joint edges of a second half-shell sheet to an opposite side of the web plate; and

joining the joint edges of the first half-shell sheet to the web plate and joining the joint edges of the second half-shell sheet to the web plate, wherein an edge section of the web plate projects beyond a contact area of at least one of the joint edges forming at least one flange adapted for connection with other components.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a laser welding device is used for the joining.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein applying the joint edges to the web plate is carried out sequentially with respect to the first half-shell sheet and the second half shell sheet;

joining the joint edges to the web plate is carried out sequentially with respect to the first half-shell sheet and the second half shell sheet;

or applying the joint edges to the web plate and joining the joint edges to the web plate are carried out sequentially with respect to the first half-shell sheet and the second half shell sheet.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the edge section of the web plate projecting beyond the joint is shortened;

the edge section of the web plate projecting beyond the joint is deformed;

or the edge section of the web plate projecting beyond the joint is shortened and deformed.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the joint edges of the half-shell sheets are brought into contact with the web plate approximately in alignment on both sides of the web plate.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the web plate comprises:

at least one reinforcement;

at least one bead;

a shape defining at least one hole;

or

any combination thereof.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the joining produces continuous or discontinuous joints.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hollow profile is subsequently joined to other components at the edge section of the web plate projecting beyond the joint edge.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hollow profile is adapted to form at least a portion of a vehicle body.

20. Method according to claim 1, wherein a joint edge of the first half-shell sheet is joined to a first side of the web plate and a corresponding joint edge of the second half-shell sheet is simultaneously joined to an opposite side of the web plate.

10. Hollow profile comprising:

two half-shell sheets; and

a web plate located between the half-shell sheets;

wherein two axially running joint edges of each half-shell sheet are butt joined to the web plate; and

wherein an edge section of the web plate projects beyond at least one of the joints, so that at least one flange is formed for connecting further components.

11. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the axially running joint edges of each half-shell sheet are welded to the web plate.

12. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein at least one edge section of the web plate is angled relative to a central section of the web plate.

13. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the axially running joint edges of each half-shell sheet are joined with the web plate approximately in alignment with the axially running joint edges of other half sheet joined on an opposite side of the web plate.

14. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the web plate comprises:

at least one reinforcement;

at least one bead;

a shape defining at least one hole;

or

any combination thereof.

15. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the joints are continuous or discontinuous.

16. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the hollow profile has a shape of an A-pillar, a B-pillar or a C-pillar that is adapted for vehicle construction.

18. Hollow profile according to claim 10, wherein the hollow profile is adapted to form at least a portion of a vehicle body.

17. (canceled)

19. Hollow profile produced by:

applying two axially oriented joint edges of a first half-shell sheet to a first side of a web plate;

applying two axially oriented joint edges of a second half-shell sheet to an opposite side of the web plate; and

joining the joint edges of the first half-shell sheet to the web plate and joining the joint edges of the second half-shell sheet to the web plate, wherein an edge section of the web plate projects beyond a contact area of at least one of the joint edges forming at least one flange adapted for connection with other components.