DE102023121508A1 - Underbody paneling, motor vehicle with an underbody paneling and method for producing an underbody paneling - Google Patents

Abstract

Underbody paneling (20, 25, 35) for a motor vehicle (10), having at least one line (21, 22) for media guidance, wherein a line wall (26) of the line (21, 22) is at least partially formed by a paneling section (27) of the underbody paneling (20, 25, 35); and motor vehicle (10) with a vehicle body having an underbody (12) covered with such an underbody paneling (20, 25, 35); and method for producing an underbody paneling (20, 25, 35) having at least one line (21, 22) for media guidance, wherein a line wall (26) of the line (21, 22) is at least partially formed by a paneling section (27) of the underbody paneling (20, 25, 35).

Description

The invention relates to an underbody panel for a motor vehicle with at least one line for media guidance. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such an underbody panel and a method for producing an underbody panel which has at least one line for media guidance.

To improve the aerodynamic properties of motor vehicles, underbody panels are known that cover the underbody of the motor vehicle to achieve the smoothest possible vehicle underside. In addition, such underbody panels offer better protection for cables routed along the underbody.

Traditionally, the vehicle’s fuel, electrical and hydraulic lines are attached to the vehicle underbody.

An alternative to this is DE 103 07 634 A1 in which the cables are mounted on an underbody panel designed as a module carrier in order to simplify the installation of several cables on the vehicle.

Furthermore, US 2015/0129275 A1 It is known to run a high-voltage cable in one of two longitudinal members of a motor vehicle body. The cable is run in a separate metal tube that is accommodated in the longitudinal member. A battery arranged between the two longitudinal members is electrically connected via the cable to an inverter arranged in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle.

Particularly in electric vehicles, where a vehicle battery that requires additional space is usually located in the area of the vehicle underbody, the challenge is to even realize cable routing on the vehicle underbody.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing an underbody panel for a motor vehicle that enables space-saving, compact routing of lines in the area of a vehicle underbody. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with space-saving, compact routing of lines in the area of a vehicle underbody and a manufacturing method for an underbody panel with the above-mentioned advantageous properties.

This object is achieved by an underbody panel having the features of claim 1, by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 6 and by a manufacturing method having the features of claim 8. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective subclaims.

It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically reasonable manner (including across category boundaries, for example between methods and devices) and show further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in connection with the figures.

It should also be noted that a conjunction “and/or” used herein, standing between two features and linking them together, is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

The subject of the invention is an underbody panel for a motor vehicle, which has at least one line for conducting a medium. It should be understood that the term "medium" in the sense of the invention can include both solids, in particular electrically conductive solids, such as copper or similar for conducting electricity, and fluids, i.e. liquid or gaseous substances. Liquid substances can be, for example, coolants and lubricants, hydraulic fluids, fuels and the like (e.g. water, oil, petrol, liquefied gas). Gaseous substances can include, for example, pneumatic media such as compressed air.

The invention provides that a line wall of the line is at least partially formed by a panel section of the underbody panel. In this way, the line forms an integral part of the underbody panel, which enables a space-saving, compact structure of the line and the line routing on the underbody panel. A media-carrying geometry is provided by the underbody panel itself. This eliminates the need for separate, independent lines for media routing, so that both the use of material and the weight for the line structure can be reduced. In addition, the underbody panel with the at least one integrated Cable a quick and easy installation of the cable(s) on the vehicle.

The underbody panel also serves to protect the underbody of a vehicle or vehicle components (e.g. traction battery) that are arranged between the underbody of the vehicle and the underbody panel. For this purpose, the underbody panel is attached to the vehicle on the road side below the underbody. If designed accordingly, the underbody panel also reduces the vehicle's air resistance by forming an essentially full-surface, smooth panel on the underbody on the road side.

In a preferred embodiment, the line wall is made of a material that does not conduct electrical current, for example a non-conductive plastic, glass fiber or similar. In this case, it is possible to guide an electrically conductive medium, e.g. a copper wire, without separate insulation in the line integrated in the underbody paneling in order to conduct a current via it. It is to be understood that the paneling section in which the line wall is formed or the entire underbody paneling can be made of a material that does not conduct electrical current, but is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the paneling section that does not form the line wall or the underbody paneling can be made of an electrically conductive carbon fiber.

In another embodiment, the line wall is formed from two separate wall halves joined together, one of the wall halves being formed by the panel section of the underbody panel. This ensures a high degree of freedom in the design of the line geometry and the line path along the underbody panel. For the mechanically stable connection of the separate wall half to the panel section of the underbody panel, the separate wall half preferably has flange sections extending laterally from the line wall along the line path, which lie flat against corresponding joining areas of the panel section, via which the mechanical connection between the two wall halves is established.

Particularly preferably, the two wall halves are joined in a way that cannot be separated non-destructively, in particular they are joined in a material-locking manner, such as by means of welding or gluing, which enables a particularly stable and secure design of the line, which is, among other things, insensitive to vibrations of the underbody paneling during operation of the motor vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment to the two separate wall halves, the line wall is formed in one piece from the cladding section. In this case, the cladding section or the line wall can be manufactured using a manufacturing process that enables the formation of a cavity geometry in the otherwise essentially flat cladding section. For example, the line wall in the cladding section can be manufactured by blow molding or projectile injection.

Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention is a motor vehicle with a vehicle body having an underbody which is covered with an underbody panel according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

It is to be understood that with regard to vehicle-related definitions of terms and the effects and advantages of vehicle-specific features, full recourse can be made to the disclosure of analogous definitions, effects and advantages of the underbody paneling according to the invention and vice versa. A repetition of explanations of analogous features, their effects and advantages can thus be dispensed with in favor of a more compact description, without such omissions being interpreted as a restriction for one of the disclosed subject matters of the invention.

The underbody paneling enables space-saving, compact routing of cables in the area of the vehicle underbody and at the same time protects the vehicle underbody or vehicle components that are arranged between the vehicle underbody and the underbody paneling. Although vehicle components that take up the space between the vehicle underbody and the underbody paneling can be provided, cable routing in this area is possible using the cable(s) integrated into the underbody paneling.

According to a preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle is designed as a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle (BEV), in which a battery is arranged between the underbody and the underbody paneling. The battery can be a high-voltage or traction battery for an electric drive of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing an underbody panel which has at least one line to the media guide. In the method, a line wall of the line is at least partially formed by a cladding section of the underbody cladding.

With regard to the process-related definitions, effects and advantages, it should also be possible to make full use of disclosures of corresponding definitions, effects and advantages of the underbody paneling according to the invention and vice versa.

In advantageous embodiments, the line wall is formed from two separate wall halves, of which one wall half is formed by the cladding section and the other wall half is joined to one wall half or the cladding section in a way that cannot be separated without causing damage. Particularly preferred connections are material-bonded connections such as welding or gluing.

According to alternative embodiments, the conduit wall is integrally formed by blow molding or projectile injection in the cladding portion.

• 1 eine Teilquerschnittansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs nach einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer Unterbodenverkleidung nach einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Teilansicht der Unterbodenverkleidung aus 2;
• 4 eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer Unterbodenverkleidung nach einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• 5 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Teilansicht der Unterbodenverkleidung aus 4.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this drawing, schematically show:

• 1 a partial cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a partial perspective view of an underbody panel according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 3 an enlarged section of the partial view of the underbody paneling 2 ;
• 4 a partial perspective view of an underbody panel according to a further embodiment of the invention; and
• 5 an enlarged section of the partial view of the underbody paneling 4 .

In the different figures, parts that are equivalent in terms of their function are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

1 schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The motor vehicle 10 has a vehicle body, of which 1 in cross-section two longitudinal members 11 and an underbody 12 arranged between them are shown. Furthermore, in 1 an underbody panel 20 according to the invention can be seen, which covers the underbody 12 of the vehicle 1 towards the roadway side (not shown).

The 1 The motor vehicle 10 shown is designed as a battery-electric motor vehicle (BEV) and has a high-voltage or traction battery 13 for an electric drive (not shown). The traction battery 13 is arranged below the underbody 12 between the side longitudinal members 11 and is covered on the roadway side by the underbody paneling 20. In 1 It can be seen that the battery 13 essentially completely fills the space between the longitudinal members 11, the underbody 12 and the underbody paneling 20.

As in 1 As can also be seen, the underbody panel 20 has, for example, two lines 21 and 22 for media guidance, wherein a line wall of the lines 21 and 22 is at least partially formed by a panel section of the underbody panel 20, as will be explained below with reference to the 2 to 5 It is to be understood that the number of 1 shown lines 21, 22 is merely an example. The underbody panel 20 can have only a single line or more than two lines.

2 shows a perspective partial view of an underbody panel 25 according to an embodiment of the invention, as it is used, for example, as an underbody panel for a vehicle as in 1 illustrated motor vehicle 10 can be used similarly to the underbody paneling 20 shown there. 3 shows an enlarged section of the partial view of the underbody panel 25 2 In the following, reference is also made to the 2 and 3 taken.

The underbody panel 25 has at least one line, in this case two lines 21 and 22, for media guidance. The underbody panel 25 can have more or fewer than the two lines 21 and 22 shown. The media guided in the lines 21 and 22 can be, for example, electrically conductive solid media (e.g. copper) for power conduction, liquid media such as coolants or lubricants, hydraulic fluids, fuels and the like (e.g. water, oil, gasoline, liquid gas) and gaseous media such as compressed air.

In the 2 and 3 it can be seen that a line wall 26 of the lines 21 and 22 is at least partially covered by a panel section 27 of the underbody panel 25 is formed. In the present embodiment, the respective line wall 26 of the lines 21 and 22 is formed from two separate wall halves, a first wall half 28 and a second wall half 29, which are joined together. The first wall half 28 is formed by the cladding section 27. The second wall half 29 is formed from a separate component and in this case is integrally connected, ie cannot be separated without destruction, to the first wall half 28, ie the cladding section 27, for example welded or glued to it. For this purpose, both wall halves 28 and 29 each have flange sections 30 extending laterally along the lines 21 and 22, respectively, which are connected to one another flat in a joining plane 31.

4 shows a perspective partial view of an underbody panel 35 according to a further embodiment of the invention, as it can be used, for example, as an underbody panel for a vehicle as in 1 illustrated motor vehicle 10 can be used similarly to the underbody paneling 20 shown there. 5 shows an enlarged section of the partial view of the underbody panel 35 4 In the following, reference is also made to the 4 and 5 taken.

The main difference between the underbody panel 35 and the underbody panel 25 in the 2 and 3 is that the line wall 26 of the lines 21 and 22 is each formed in one piece by the cladding section 27. The lines 21 and 22 can be manufactured in the cladding section 27, for example, by blow molding or projectile injection in order to form the cavity geometry of the respective line 21 or 22. At a distance from the lines 21 and 22, the cladding section 27 runs essentially smoothly.

The underbody panels disclosed herein, which have at least one line for media guidance, are manufactured in that a line wall of the line is at least partially formed by a panel section of the underbody panel.

The line wall can be formed from two separate wall halves, one of which is formed by the cladding section and the other is joined to the wall half formed by the cladding section in a non-destructively separable manner, e.g. by welding or gluing. Alternatively, the line wall can be formed in one piece, preferably by blow molding or projectile injection, in the cladding section.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST:

10

motor vehicle

11

longitudinal members

12

underbody

13

battery

20

underbody paneling

21

Line

22

Line

25

underbody paneling

26

pipe wall

27

cladding section

28

first half of the wall

29

second half of the wall

30

flange section

31

joining plane

35

underbody paneling

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 103 07 634 A1 [0004]
• US 2015/0129275 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Underbody paneling (20, 25, 35) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one line (21, 22) for media guidance, wherein a line wall (26) of the line (21, 22) is at least partially formed by a paneling section (27) of the underbody paneling (20, 25, 35). Underbody paneling after claim 1 , in which the line wall (26) is formed from a material that does not conduct electrical current. Underbody paneling after claim 1 or 2 , in which the line wall (26) is formed from two separate wall halves (28, 29) joined together, one of the wall halves (28) being formed by the cladding section (27). Underbody paneling after claim 3 in which the wall halves (28, 29) are not joined together in a non-destructively separable manner. Underbody paneling after claim 1 or 2 , in which the line wall (26) is formed integrally from the cladding section (27). Motor vehicle (10) with a vehicle body having an underbody (12) covered with an underbody panel (20, 25, 35) according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle after claim 6 , designed as a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle, in which a battery (13) is arranged between the underbody (12) and the underbody paneling (20, 25, 35). Method for producing an underbody panel (20, 25, 35) which has at least one line (21, 22) for media guidance, wherein a line wall (26) of the line (21, 22) is at least partially formed by a panel section (27) of the underbody panel (20, 25, 35). Method for producing an underbody panel according to claim 8 , in which the line wall (26) is formed from two separate wall halves (28, 29), one of which (28) is formed by the cladding section (27) and the other (29) is joined to one wall half (28) in a non-destructively separable manner. Method for producing an underbody panel according to claim 8 , in which the line wall (26) is formed integrally by blow molding or projectile injection in the cladding section (27).

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