# US 11,993,824 B2 · Method for producing a sheet metal component > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,824 B2 - Document ID: US11993824B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/404,859 - Filed: 2019-05-07 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-15 - Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Martin Kerscher; Markus Pfestorf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993824B2 ## CPC - C21D 9/48: deep-drawing sheets - B21D 22/022: {by heating the blank or stamping associated with heat treatment (C21D takes precedence)} - B21D 22/208: {by heating the blank or deep-drawing associated with heat treatment (C21D takes precedence)} - B21D 39/00: Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating ({joining mitred profiles B21D53/745; } riveting B21J; uniting components by forging or pressing to form integral members B21K25/00; welding B23K; press-fitting, force-fitting, or shrinking in general B23P11/00, B21D19/00; by adhesives F16B11/00 {; Connections as such F16L, F16B}); Tube expanders - B21D 53/88: other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards - B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars} - B62D 29/007: {predominantly of special steel or specially treated steel, e.g. stainless steel or locally surface hardened steel} - C21D 1/18: Hardening (C21D1/02 takes precedence); Quenching with or without subsequent tempering (quenching devices C21D1/62) - C21D 1/673: for die quenching - B21D 28/02: Punching blanks or articles with or without obtaining scrap (cutting nails or pins from strips or sheet material B21G3/26); Notching - B62D 21/02: comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members - B62D 25/00: Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} - C21D 2211/001: Austenite - C21D: MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING (surface treatment of metallic material involving at least one process provided for in class C23 and at least one process covered by this subclass C23F17/00; unidirectional solidification of eutectic materials or unidirectional demixing of eutectoid materials C30B) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A method for producing a sheet metal component, in particular a motor vehicle structural component, includes the following steps: providing a basic structure consisting of a hot formable material, arranging at least one reinforcing structure in a region to be reinforced of the basic structure, preliminarily or definitively fixing the reinforcing structure to the basic structure, in particular by an integrally bonded connection, cold forming the basic structure with the reinforcing structure arranged thereon, and press hardening the basic structure with the reinforcing structure arranged thereon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for producing a sheet metal component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a basic structure consisting of a hot formable material, wherein the basic structure is a first starting blank; marking an outline on the first starting blank, wherein the outline is a starting element for producing a B-pillar of a motor vehicle; cutting out of a patch from a second starting blank; applying the patch to the first starting blank within the outline on the first starting blank by preliminarily or definitively fixing the patch to the first starting blank via an integrally bonded connection such that the patch is a reinforcing structure of the B-pillar of the motor vehicle; after the patch is applied to the first starting blank within the outline on the first starting blank, the outline on the first starting blank with the patch applied thereto is cut out of the first starting blank to form a semi-finished product; cold forming the semi-finished product in a cold forming step by mechanically forming the semi-finished product in a forming tool having an upper tool half and a lower tool half; after the cold forming, trimming the semi-finished product; after the trimming, heating the semi-finished product in a furnace to an austenitizing temperature of substantially 900° C. before press hardening; and following the heating, introducing the heated semi-finished product into a press hardening tool having an upper tool half and a lower tool half and press hardening the semi-finished product in the press hardening tool; wherein 20MnB8 is used as the hot formable material for the basic structure and the patch. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein for the preliminary fixing, the patch is spot welded to the first starting blank by way of individual tacking points. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein for the definitive fixing, the patch is completely circumferentially spot welded to the first starting blank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: introducing a low melting material between the patch and the first starting blank before spot welding the patch to the first starting blank. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic structure and/or the patch has a zinc coating or a zinc-iron coating. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after the press hardening, removing the semi-finished product from the press hardening tool and finally trimming the press-hardened semi-finished product to a desired edge contour.