FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a side impact protection longitudinal member for protecting a battery of a commercial vehicle in a side impact event. The invention further relates to an arrangement of a battery and a side impact protection longitudinal member on a frame of a commercial vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] CN 211494245 U shows a frame structure of a truck and a truck.

WO 2021/010080 A1 discloses an electric truck. Furthermore, CN 203142789 U shows an electric truck cargo compartment frame assembly. Moreover, JP 2018187976 A shows an electric vehicle. JP 2007038961 A shows a car body front structure.

Furthermore, WO 2020/160747 A1 discloses a commercial vehicle comprising a cab with a driving place for a driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a side impact protection longitudinal member as well as an arrangement such that a battery of a commercial vehicle may be protected in a particularly advantageous way.

[0004] This object is solved by the subject-matters of the independent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention comprises a side impact protection longitudinal member for protecting a battery of a commercial vehicle in a side impact event. The side impact protection longitudinal member is also referred to as a side impact protection member and comprises an inner side. With respect to an installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member, the inner side faces the battery in a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. The transverse direction of the commercial vehicle extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle, wherein, when the commercial vehicle travels forwards, the commercial vehicle travels along its longitudinal direction. Thus, in other words, the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle extends from a front to a back of the commercial vehicle or vice versa.

[0006] The side impact protection longitudinal member assumes or is in its installation position in a fully manufactured or fully assembled state of the commercial vehicle which, in its fully manufactured or assembled state, is equipped with the side impact protection longitudinal member and the battery. The side impact protection longitudinal member further comprises an outer side facing away from the inner side. Furthermore, the outer side faces, in the installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member, away from the battery in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle.

[0007] Moreover, a step profile is integrated into the side impact protection longitudinal member on the outer side. In other words, the step profile is arranged or formed on the outer side. Preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member has a longitudinal direction which extends in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle with respect to the installation position. The step profile comprises at least two steps which, in the installation position, follow each other in a vertical direction of the commercial vehicle. The vertical direction of the commercial vehicle extends perpendicularly to the transverse and longitudinal directions of the commercial vehicle. The side impact protection longitudinal member is a battery impact protection device or a battery impact protection architecture which integrates the step profile and thus the steps serving as an access to a cab of the commercial vehicle and/or to a back of the cab, wherein said back is arranged behind the cab in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. Preferably, in the fully manufactured or assembled state of the commercial vehicle, the commercial vehicle comprises said cab which is also referred to as a driver’s cab. During a journey of the commercial vehicle, at least one person may be present in the cab, wherein said person may be the driver of the commercial vehicle. Thus, preferably, the step profile integrated into the side impact protection longitudinal member serves as a cab access step and/or a back of a cab access step such that said person may enter the cab and/or the back of the cab in a particularly easy and comfortable way via the step profile and thus via the side impact protection longitudinal member. Moreover, the side impact protection longitudinal member may serve as a structure, in particular as a cage structure. In other words, for example, the side impact protection longitudinal member may be a part of a cage structure for protecting the battery. For example, said cage structure may surround the battery. Preferably, in a side impact event, the side impact protection longitudinal member acts as a cushion to peak loads coming from a side impact in which loads act upon the side impact protection longitudinal member in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle inwards, i.e., towards the side impact protection longitudinal member and the battery.

[0008] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side impact protection longitudinal member is manufactured in one piece. In other words, the side impact protection longitudinal member is an integral component or an integrally formed or manufactured component. For example, the side impact protection longitudinal member is formed via extrusion (i.e. is extruded) during manufacturing of the component. This means that the side impact protection longitudinal member does not comprise separately manufactured parts which are connected with each other, but, preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member is an integrally formed component. Thus, costs of the side impact protection longitudinal member may be kept particularly low.

[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side impact protection longitudinal member is made of a metallic material. Thus, the battery may be protected particularly advantageous since the side impact protection longitudinal member may have a particular energy absorption capacity such that the side impact protection longitudinal member may be deformed in a particularly advantageous way in a side impact event thereby absorbing a particularly high amount of energy and thus loads.

[0010] In order to keep the weight of the side impact protection longitudinal member particularly low, the metallic material may be a light metal whose density is less than 500 g/cm ³ .

[0011] In order to realize a particularly low weight and a particularly high energy absorption capacity in a further embodiment of the invention, the light metal is aluminum. Thus, preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member may be made of an aluminum alloy. In another exemplary embodiment, the side impact protection longitudinal member may be made of a composite material.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side impact protection longitudinal member is configured as an extruded profile. Thus, the weight and the costs of the side impact protection longitudinal member may be kept particularly low, and a particularly high energy absorption capacity may be realized.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a first one of the steps of the step profile is a lower step. A second one of the steps of the step profile is an upper step which, with respect to the installation position, follows the lower step in the vertical direction of the vehicle upwards. Furthermore, preferably, the upper step comprises a recess which, in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member, divides the upper step into two step portions following each other in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member. This means that, in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member, the recess is arranged between the step portions. With respect to the installation position, the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member coincides with the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. Preferably, the recess, on both of its sides, is limited by the step portions or walls of the step portions in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member. Moreover, preferably, the recess is limited by a wall of the side impact protection longitudinal member in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle downwards with respect to the installation position. Furthermore, preferably, the recess, on both of its ends, is open (i.e. not limited) in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle with respect to the installation position. Thus, a cable for charging the battery may be inserted in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle through the recess. Thus, the side impact protection longitudinal member may protect the battery in a particularly advantageous way.

Moreover, the side impact protection longitudinal member allows to charge the battery in a particularly easy and comfortable way. For this purpose, for example, the cable may be inserted through the recess in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle and at least electrically connected with the battery.

[0014] As second aspect of the present invention relates to an arrangement of a battery and a side impact protection longitudinal member for protecting the battery in a side impact event on a frame of a commercial vehicle. For example, the side impact protection longitudinal member of the arrangement according to the present invention is a side impact protection longitudinal member of the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the battery is a high-voltage component whose electrical voltage, in particular electrical operating or nominal voltage, may be greater than 50 Volts, in particular greater than 60 Volts. Preferably, the electrical voltage of the high-voltage component is several hundred Volts such that particularly high electrical outputs or a particularly high electrical power for driving the vehicle, in particular purely electrically, may be realized. Thus, for example, the commercial vehicle may be configured as a hybrid vehicle or as an electrical vehicle, in particular as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

[0015] In the arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention, the side impact protection longitudinal member comprises an inner side which faces the battery in a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, in the arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention, the side impact protection longitudinal member comprises an outer side facing away from the inner side. Moreover, the outer side faces away from the battery in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention, a step profile is integrated into the side impact protection longitudinal member on the outer side. The step profile comprises at least two steps following each other in a vertical direction of the vehicle. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the battery is at least partially overlapped by the side impact protection longitudinal member in the transverse direction of the vehicle outwards. Thus, the battery may be protected particularly advantageously by the side impact protection longitudinal member, in particular in a side impact event.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention, the arrangement comprises at least one impact protection member being a component which is provided in addition to the side impact protection longitudinal member. Via the impact protection member, the side impact protection longitudinal member is supported on the frame. For example, the frame is a ladder frame. Preferably, said cab may also be arranged on the frame. The impact protection member is a diagonal impact protection member since the impact protection member extends diagonally with respect to the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle and a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thus, the side impact protection longitudinal member is particularly advantageously supported on the frame such that the battery may be protected particularly advantageously.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0020] Fig 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a side impact protection longitudinal member for a commercial vehicle.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a further schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the side impact protection longitudinal member.

[0022] Fig. 3 is part of a schematic perspective view of a frame of the commercial vehicle. [0023] Fig. 4 is part of a schematic perspective view of an arrangement of the side impact protection longitudinal member according to the first embodiment on the frame.

[0024] Fig. 5 is part of a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4.

[0025] Fig. 6 is part of a schematic perspective view of an arrangement of a second embodiment of the side impact protection longitudinal member on the frame.

[0026] Fig 7 is part of a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 6.

[0027] Fig. 8 is a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to Figs. 5 and 4.

[0028] Fig 9 is part of a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 8.

[0029] Fig 10 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to a further embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 10.

[0031] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0033] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0034] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0035] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows in a schematic perspective view a first embodiment of a side impact protection longitudinal member 10 which is also referred to as a side impact protection member or a first impact protection member. It will be explained in greater detail below, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is used for protecting a battery 12 (Fig. 8) of a commercial vehicle in a side impact event. For example, the commercial vehicle may be configured as a truck. The commercial vehicle comprises, in its fully manufactured or assembled state, a frame 14 (Fig. 8) which may be configured as a ladder frame. The frame 14 comprises two longitudinal members 16 which are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. The transverse direction of the commercial vehicle is illustrated by double arrow 18. The respective longitudinal member 16 extends in a longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle whose longitudinal direction is illustrated by double arrow 20. The longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle extends perpendicularly to the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, a vertical direction of the commercial vehicle is illustrated by double arrow 22, the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the commercial vehicle. Thus, the respective longitudinal member 16 has a respective longitudinal extension extending in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, the frame 14 comprises at least one crossmember 24 extending in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. The longitudinal members 16 are connected with each other by the crossmember 24. For this purpose, the crossmember 24 is connected with both longitudinal members 16. As shown in Fig. 8, for example, the crossmember 24 is arranged between the longitudinal members 16 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1 , the side impact protection longitudinal member extends in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle (i.e. , as a longitudinal extension extending in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 2, the side impact protection longitudinal member comprises an inner side 26 facing, in an installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, the battery 12 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. The side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is in said installation position in said completely manufactured or assembled state of the commercial vehicle which, in its fully manufactured or assembled state, is equipped with and thus comprises the frame 14, the battery 12 and the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the side impact protection longitudinal member comprises an outer side 28 facing away from the inner side 26 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle with respect to the installation position. With respect to the installation position, the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle coincides with the transverse direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. Moreover, in the installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, the outer side 28 facing away from the battery 12 in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Thus, the inner side 26 faces in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle inwards, and the outer side 28 faces in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle outwards.

[0038] In order to protect the battery 12 in a particularly advantageous way, a step profile 30 is integrated into the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 on the outer side 28 such that the step profile 30 is arranged on the outer side 28. The step profile 30 comprises at least two steps 32 and 34 which, with respect to the installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, follow each other in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, preferably, the steps 32 and 34, in particular respective upper surfaces 36 and 38 of the steps 32 and 34, are offset from each other at least partially in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. Thus, for example, at least a first portion of the step 34, in particular at least a first portion of the upper surface 38, is positioned further inwards in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle than at least a second portion of the step 32, in particular a second portion of the upper surface 36. Thus, a person may use the steps 32 and 34 in a particularly comfortable way for, for example, accessing a cab of the commercial vehicle and/or a back of the cab. In other words, for example, the commercial vehicle may comprise said cab which is also referred to as a driver’s cab. The cab may be arranged on the frame 14. Said back of the cab may be arranged behind the cab in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. For example, said person may firstly step on the upper surface 36 and subsequent on the upper surface 38 thereby accessing the cab and/or the back of the cab particularly easy.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 per se is extruded in one piece (i.e. formed via extrusion during manufacturing), such that the side impact longitudinal member 10 is an integrally formed component. Preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is made of a metallic material such as a light metal, in particular aluminum. In an exemplary embodiment, the side impact protection member 10 is made of a composite material. Moreover, in the first embodiment, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is an extruded profile. Thus, for example, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be configured as an aluminum extrusion which integrates the step profile 30. In a further embodiment, the side impact longitudinal member 10 may comprise an end cap 86 at either end. The end caps 86 are designed such that water, dirt and/or other debris may not intrude the interior of the side impact protection member 10. The end caps 86 may be made of a plastic material. In an embodiment, the end caps 86 may comprise a step profile that matches the step profile 30 of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10.

[0040] In Fig. 1, step treads 40a, b and 42 a, b are shown. The step treads 40a, 40b and 42a, b are separately manufactured components, wherein the step treads 40a and 42a are arranged on the upper surface 38, and the step treads 40b and 42b are arranged on the upper surface 36. The step treads 40a and 42a are arranged one after another and spaced away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle and thus in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. The step treads 40b and 42b are arranged one after another and spaced away from each of in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, since the upper surface 36 is arranged on a lower level than the upper surface 38 in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle, the step treads 40b and 42b are arranged on a lower level than the step treads 40a and 42a in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Preferably, the step treads 40a and 42a are arranged on the same level with respect to the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle, and, for example, the step treads 40b and 42b are arranged on the same level with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1 , the step tread 40a is arranged in a first portion of the upper surface 38, and the step tread 42a is arranged on a second portion of the upper surface 38, the first and second portions being arranged one after another and spaced away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. Moreover, the step tread 40b is arranged in a third portion of the upper surface 36, and the step tread 42b is arranged in a fourth portion of the upper surface 36, the third and fourth portions being arranged one after another and spaced away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. For example, the first and third portions and thus the step treads 40a and 40b serve for a cab axis (i.e., for accessing the cab, in particular an interior of the cab). Moreover, for example, the second and fourth portions and thus the step treads 42a and 42b serve for a back of cab access (i.e., for accessing the back of the cab). Thus, for example, in order to access the cab, the person may successively step on the step treads 40a and 40b. Moreover, for accessing the back of the cab, the person may successively step on the step treads 42a and 42b.

[0041] For example, on the outer side 28, the side impact protection longitudinal member comprises an outer surface 44 facing away from the battery 12 and the inner side 26 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. For example, the outer surface 44 may be a styling surface with a waistline.

[0042] Moreover, at least one aero skirt 46 is provided. For example, the aero skirt 46 is separately manufactured from the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, wherein the aero skirt 46 is arranged on the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, in particular on a lower side 48 of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower side 48 faces downwards in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle with respect to the installation position of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. For example, the aero skirt 46 is used to guide air when the commercial vehicle moves or travels forwards. Thus, particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the commercial vehicle may be realized. For example, a length of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be varied to accommodate different wheelbases and/or different battery configurations, wherein said length of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 extends in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows, in a schematic perspective view, part of the frame 14. On the frame 14, in particular on the longitudinal members 16, a mounting structure 50 for mounting the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 on the frame 14 is arranged. The mounting structure 50 is also referred to as an impact protection device mounting structure and comprises shear plates 52 on which the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is or may be arranged. Thus, for example, in the completely manufactured or assembled state of the commercial vehicle, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is mounted and thus held on the frame 14 via the mounting structure 50, in particular via the shear plates 52. Furthermore, underrun protection crossmembers 54 are provided. The underrun protection crossmembers 54 extend in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. The respective underrun protection crossmember 54 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, mounted on the frame 14. For example, the respective underrun protection crossmember 54 is mounted on the frame 14 via the mounting structure 50. Moreover, for example, the underrun protection crossmembers 54 may be parts of the mounting structure 50. For example, the shear plates 52 are supported on the frame 14 via the underrun protection crossmembers 54. Alternatively or additionally, lateral shear plates 52 being arranged on opposite sides of the frame 14 whose opposite sides are opposite in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle may be supported on each other via the respective underrun protection crossmember 54, in particular in such a way, that the underrun protection crossmember 54 may be connected with the lateral shear plates 52. In an embodiment, brackets may be mounted to the shear plates 52. The brackets may be miscellaneous brackets used for routing and/or clipping of various components utilized by the commercial vehicle. For example, the various components may be used to run low voltage harnesses and/or high voltage cables. [0044] The side impact protection longitudinal member 10 saves the battery 12 from excessive side crash impact loads. The underrun protection crossmembers 54 help take impact load to further protect the battery 12 being configured as a high voltage battery. Furthermore, preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may have a styling fluidic surface which may reduce air drag. The aero skirt 46 is also referred to as a bottom skirt. The aero skirt 46 is attached to the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, in particular to its lower side 48. For example, several and thus at least two aero skirts, such as the aero skirt 46 may be attached to the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. The aero skirt 46 helps reduce the drag.

[0045] Figs. 4 and 5 show an arrangement 56 of the first embodiment of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 on the frame 14. Moreover, Figs. 6 and 7 show an arrangement 56 of a second embodiment of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 on the frame 14. As shown in Fig. 2, at least one mounting element 58 may be arranged or mounted on the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, in particular on the inner side 26. Preferably, at least or exactly two mounting elements 58 are mounted on the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, in particular the inner side 26. For example, the respective mounting element 58 is a mounting bracket. By the mounting brackets, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is mounted on the frame 14. For example, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is mounted on the mounting structure 50 by the mounting elements 58 such that the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is mounted on the frame 14 by the mounting elements 58 and the mounting structure 50.

[0046] The respective mounting element 58 comprises at least one drop hook 60 by which the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be attached to the mounting structure 50 and thus the frame 14 in a particularly easy and time- and cost- effective way. The drop hooks 60 and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be hooked and thus mounted on the mounting structure 50, in particular corresponding parts of the mounting structure 50. For example, said parts are bolts. Particularly, the drop hooks 60 may be hooked on said parts in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle from top to bottom. Moreover, for example, for firmly fixing the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 to the mounting structure 50 and thus the frame 14, bolts 62 are provided by which the mounting elements 58 and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be screwed to the mounting structure 50 and thus the frame 14. In Figs. 5 and 7, washers 64 are shown via which the corresponding bolts 62 are supported on the respective mounting element 58.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 8, covers 66 and 68 may be used to cover at least respective portions of the battery 12, in particular in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle upwards. Alternatively or additionally, the covers 66 and 68 may be used to cover and thus safeguard high-voltage connectors. Moreover, a deck plate 70 is provided. For example, said person may access the back of the cab via the deck plate 70 particularly comfortably. For example, the person may step from the upper surface 38 on the deck plate 70 and subsequently access the back of the cab. Furthermore, in Fig. 8, a charger port 72 is shown. Via the charger port 72, the battery 12 may be charged. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first step 32 is a lower step, and the second step 34 is a second step arranged higher (i.e. , on a higher level) than the first step 32 in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle. The upper step 34 comprises a recess 74 dividing, in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10, the upper step 34 into a first step portion 76 and a second step portion 78. For example, the step portion 76 comprises said first portion, and the step portion 78 comprises said third portion. The step portions 76 and 78 are arranged one after another and spaced away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle and thus in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. This means that the recess 74 is arranged between the step portions 76 and 78 in the longitudinal direction of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. For example, the charger port 72 may be arranged at least partially in the recess 74. Alternatively or additionally, the charger port 72 may be, in particular directly, follow the recess 74 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle and thus the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. Thus, a cable for charging the battery 12 may be inserted in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle through the recess 74. In other words, in order to charge the battery 12, said cable is at least electrically connected with the charger port 72 and, while the charger port 72, with the battery 12. For this purpose, said cable is inserted through the recess 74 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle such that the cable penetrates the recess 74 in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle when the battery 12 is charged via the charger port 72 and the cable is at least electrically connected with the charger port 72. [0048] As shown in Fig. 9, a cover 80 may be used to cover the recess 74 and the charger port 72 such that the cover 80 is also referred to as a charger port cover. For example, the charger port cover is movably, in particular pivotably, held on the frame 14, in particular on one of the longitudinal members 16.

[0049] Figs. 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of the arrangement 56. In the second embodiment, the arrangement 56 comprises at least one additional impact protection member 84. The impact protection member 84 extends diagonally to the transverse and longitudinal directions of the commercial vehicle. For example, at least the impact protection member 84 is at least indirectly, in particular directly connected with the frame 14, in particular the longitudinal member 16, and the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 such that the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 is supported on the frame 14 via the impact protection member 84. The impact protection member 84 provides an additional diagonal impact protection such that the battery 12 may be protected particularly advantageously.

[0050] In an embodiment, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be configured to mount alternative components to its exterior. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor systems may be mounted to the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. For example, sensors can be mounted used for, and not limited to, obstacle detection, blind spot detection, pedestrian recognition and other functionalities related to driver assistance systems. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors may be housed in a housing, and the housing may be mounted to the exterior (i.e. the outer side 28) of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. For example, the sensors may be mounted on the step profile 30 in between the steps 32 and 34. In another example, the sensors may be mounted to the steps 32 and 34.

[0051] Preferably, the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be configured as one single extrusion which may replace an aero skirt, steps, sideguards, and side radar mounting assembly of a conventional truck. For example, by a single tool different lengths of the side impact protection longitudinal member 10 may be realized, in particular for variable wheel-base requirements. In comparison with conventional solutions, decreased takt time in an assembly line due to drop hook design may be realized. For example, the deck plate 70 may be used to access the back of the cab. Preferably, the deck plate 70 is attached to the side impact protection longitudinal member 10. Thus, for example, the deck plate 70 may be used as a structural member. Moreover, a particularly advantageous packaging space within limitations of vehicle regulations may be realized.

Reference Signs

10 side impact protection longitudinal member

12 battery

14 frame

16 longitudinal member

18 double arrow

20 double arrow

22 double arrow

24 cross member

26 inner side

28 outer side

30 step profile

32 first step

34 second step

36 upper surface

38 upper surface

40a, b step tread

42a, b step tread

44 outer surface

46 aero skirt

48 lower side

50 mounting structure

52 shear plate

54 underrun protection cross member

56 arrangement

58 mounting element

60 drop hook

62 bolt

64 washer

66 cover

68 cover

70 deck plate

72 charger port recess step portion step portion cover impact protection member end cap