Floor structure for a motor vehicle

• US 8,505,662 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Schwarz, Martin, Rosenplnter, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ebner, Katy M
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOLLMAN, BRODIE J
• Application Number:
  US12/830,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20110000729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/68.5, 180/89.11, 296/187.03, 296/187.05, 296/187.08, 296/187.11, 296/193.07, 296/193.08, 296/203.04
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/087 Luggage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A floor structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a mounting for a starter battery in a cross member adjoining wheel arches for rear wheels. The cross member comprises two stiffening webs and is designed tub-shaped between the stiffening webs. Because of this, the starter battery is reliably protected against a crash.

Claims

1. A floor structure for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a floor panel;

side members arranged in a driving direction and laterally delimiting the floor panel, wherein the side members form wheel arches for at least one of front wheels or rear wheels;

at least two stiffening webs arranged vertically and transversely to the driving direction and interconnecting the side members, the at least two stiffening webs being mounted on the floor panel and extending between the wheel arches, the at least two stiffening webs including a first stiffening web and a second stiffening web; and

a mounting extending between the at least two stiffening webs and configured to receive a component

a first flange extending from the first stiffening web and welded to the floor panel; and

a second flange extending from the second stiffening web and welded to the floor panel.

2. The floor structure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting is arranged above a torsion tube of a rear axle.

3. The floor structure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting is arranged behind a rear seat of the motor vehicle.

4. The floor structure according to claim 1, further comprising a tubshaped member mounted on the mounting, the tubshaped member being open in a side facing away from the floor panel.

5. The floor structure according to claim 1, further comprising a cross member interconnecting the side members and welded to the floor panel, the at least two stiffening webs being arranged on the cross member.

6. The floor structure according to claim 1, further comprising two cross members interconnecting the side members and welded to the floor panel, the at least two stiffening webs being arranged on the two cross members.

7. The floor structure according to claim 1, wherein the floor panel has a clearance for the mounting.

8. The floor structure according to claim 5, wherein the cross member comprises an opening between the at least two stiffening webs adapted to accommodate electrical lines passing therethrough.

9. The floor structure according to claim 5, wherein the cross member, the mounting, and the at least two stiffening webs are adapted to form a pre-assembled constructional unit.

10. The floor structure according to claim 9, wherein the cross member is manufactured of a plastic.

11. The floor structure according to claim 9, wherein the cross member is manufactured of a light-metal material.

12. The floor structure according to claim 9, wherein the cross member is manufactured of a composite material.

13. The floor structure according to claim 8, further comprising a starter battery of a combustion engine of the motor vehicle arranged in the mounting.

14. The floor structure according to claim 8, further comprising a seal configured to close the opening.

15. The floor structure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting is arranged below a rear seat of the motor vehicle.

16. The floor structure according to claim 5, wherein the cross member is a single cross member.

17. The floor structure according to claim 13, further comprising a trough between the side members and completely behind the stiffening webs relative to the driving direction of the motor vehicle, the trough configured to hold a spare tire.

18. The floor structure according to claim 17, further comprising a gas tank laterally between the side members and completely in front of the stiffening webs relative to the driving direction of the motor vehicle.

20. The floor structure of claim 1, wherein the first flange is generally perpendicular to the first stiffening web and includes at least a first portion generally parallel to the floor panel, and wherein the second flange is generally perpendicular to the second stiffening web and includes at least a second portion generally parallel to the floor panel.

19. A floor structure for a vehicle, comprising:

a floor panel;

side members arranged in a driving direction and laterally delimiting the floor panel;

a cross member extending between the side members, the cross member comprising

a first vertical stiffening web extending between and mounted to the side members,

a second vertical stiffening web extending between and mounted to the side members,

a first flange extending from the first vertical stiffening web and welded to the floor panel;

a second flange extending from the second vertical stiffening web and welded to the floor panel; and

a generally horizontal mounting surface extending between the first vertical stiffening web and the second vertical stiffening web;

a tubshaped member configured to receive a starter battery, the tubshaped member affixed to a mounting surface of the cross-member.