Reinforcement for a vehicle pillar
View Patent ↗A reinforcement for a vehicle pillar, for example, the B pillar of a vehicle is provided. The reinforcement includes a reinforcing structure and a stiffening structure. The reinforcing structure is configured with an upper end region for connection to the vehicle roof and with a lower end region for connection to the underfloor and/or a sill structure of the vehicle. The stiffening structure is connected to the reinforcing structure in order to stiffen the reinforcing structure against a side impact of the vehicle. The reinforcing structure has at least one material section which projects with respect to the stiffening structure, which serves to connect the reinforcing structure to the outer skin and/or the inner skin of the vehicle pillar. The reinforcing structure comprises a weldable non-boron steel and the stiffening structure comprises a hardened boron steel. A vehicle pillar having such a reinforcement is also provided.
1. A reinforcement for a vehicle pillar, comprising:
a reinforcing structure having an upper end region for connection to the vehicle roof and a lower end region for connection to at least one of an underfloor and a sill structure of a vehicle; and
a stiffening structure connected to the reinforcing structure in order to stiffen the reinforcing structure against a side impact of the vehicle, the stiffening structure having a first end spaced a first distance from the upper end region of the reinforcing structure and a second end spaced a second distance from the lower end region of the reinforcing structure, with the first distance different than the second distance,
wherein the reinforcing structure has a first material section opposite a second material section, each of the first material section and the second material section extending along a longitudinal axis of the reinforcing structure from the upper end region to the lower end region, and each of the first material section and the second material section projecting outwardly from the stiffening structure, and the first material section and the second material section serve to connect the reinforcing structure to the outer skin and the inner skin of the vehicle pillar, and the reinforcing structure includes a weldable steel and the stiffening structure includes a hardened boron steel.
2. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure comprises a high-strength steel or a high-strength steel alloy.
3. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening structure abuts against the reinforcing structure at least partially.
4. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening structure extends over a longitudinal section of the reinforcing structure and the stiffening structure is pulled on from outside.
5. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure has a circumferential cross-section which is open on one longitudinal side at least over a longitudinal section and the stiffening structure acts on the outer side of at least one wall of the reinforcing structure.
6. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure and stiffening structure have a substantially U-shaped cross-section at least over one longitudinal section, the stiffening structure is pulled onto the reinforcing structure from outside, and the walls of the reinforcing structure and the stiffening structure are at least partially adjacent to one another.
7. The reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure and the stiffening structure are structurally interconnected by at least one of welding and adhesive bonding.