VEHICLE STRUCTURE

• US 20130093239A1
• Filed: 10/10/2012
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Brunner, Markus
• Application Number:
  US13/648,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20130093239A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/17 forming fluid or electrical conduit means or having other means to accommodate the transmission of a force or signal

Abstract

A vehicle structure includes a composite supporting structure made of a substantially electrically non-conducting composite material and at least one ground connection line. The ground connection line is integrated into the composite supporting structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle structure comprising:

a composite supporting structure made of a substantially electrically non-conducting composite material; and

at least one ground connection line, the ground connection line being integrated into the composite supporting structure.

2. The vehicle structure recited in claim 1, further comprising two inserts integrated into the composite supporting structure, wherein the at least one ground connection line connects the two inserts in an electrically conducting manner.

3. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2, further comprising additional inserts integrated into the composite supporting structure, and wherein the at least one ground connection line is part of a ground connection line system including a plurality of ground connection lines integrated into the composite supporting structure, each ground connection line connecting two of the inserts in an electrically conducting manner.

4. The vehicle structure recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one ground connection line includes at least one of an electrically conductive fabric or braid.

5. The vehicle structure recited in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive fabric or braid is aluminum.

6. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2 wherein each insert includes an electrically conductive material.

7. The vehicle structure recited in claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive material is aluminum.

8. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2, wherein the inserts are inserted or embedded into the composite supporting structure with the at least one ground connection line.

9. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2, wherein the inserts are connected to the at least one ground connection line for assembly or manufacturing purposes.

10. The vehicle structure recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one ground connection line is enclosed by at least one fiber layer of an electrically insulating fiber material of the composite supporting structure.

11. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2, wherein the inserts are enclosed by at least one fiber layer of an electrically insulating fiber material of the composite supporting structure.

12. The vehicle structure recited in claim 1, further comprising a ground rail connected to the at least one ground connection line by a fastening element including an electrically conductive material.

13. The vehicle structure recited in claim 2, wherein the inserts are connected to the at least one ground connection line by fastening elements including an electrically conductive material.

14. At least two inserts and at least one ground connection line for a composite supporting structure made of an electrically non-conducting or non-sufficiently conducting composite material, the at least one ground connection line being configured to connect the at least two inserts in an electrically conductive manner and to be embedded in the composite supporting structure.

15. A motor vehicle comprising:

a composite supporting structure made of a substantially electrically non-conducting composite material; and

at least one ground connection line, the ground connection line being integrated into the composite supporting structure.