Pillar Patents (Class 296/193.06)
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Patent number: 10399602Abstract: A vehicle body includes a rocker panel elongated along an axis. The vehicle body includes a pillar fixed to the rocker panel and elongated in a direction transverse to the axis. The rocker panel includes a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are on opposite sides of the pillar and spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axis. The vehicle body includes a reinforcement fixed to the first and second flanges.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: GaRam Jun, Bret Kirchner, Chienhom Lee, Ken Garbinski, Christopher John May
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Patent number: 10315239Abstract: A forming tool and a method of operating thereof for producing a hollow component by sheet-metal forming is disclosed having an upper tool and a lower tool, a mandrel that is driven into the hollow component to be formed and an auxiliary mandrel that is repositionable relative to the mandrel are positioned on the upper tool. The mandrel and the auxiliary mandrel are coupled to the upper tool by one spring-elastic actuation element in such a manner that the mandrel, when the upper tool is being lowered, is driven into the hollow component to be formed and comes to bear therein. A further lowering of the upper tool causes a compression of the coupling element, and the auxiliary mandrel carrying out a movement relative to the mandrel and being driven further into the hollow component.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Robert Stockter, Volker Rackow, Walter Herrmann
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Patent number: 10272951Abstract: Discribed is an impact-absorbing reinforcement structure for center pillars including a high-strength section, a medium-strength section and a low-strength section, divided from each other and integrally formed. The high-strength section is composed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) formed by impregnating carbon fiber with a resin and is disposed at the upper region of a vehicle center pillar; the low-strength section is composed of a composite material formed by impregnating carbon fiber and olefin-based fiber with a resin, has lower strength than the high-strength section and is disposed at a lower region of the vehicle center pillar; and the medium-strength section is composed of a composite material formed by impregnating carbon fiber and olefin-based fiber with a resin, has strength between the strength of the high-strength section and the low-strength section and is disposed at a central region of the vehicle center pillar.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA Motors CorporationInventors: Moon Seop Lee, Jeong Min Cho, Hoon Chang
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Patent number: 10189505Abstract: A side body structure of a vehicle is provided, which includes a hinge pillar having a hinge pillar member forming, in a side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in vertical directions of the vehicle, a side sill having a side sill member forming, on a rear side of the hinge pillar in the side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in longitudinal directions of the vehicle, and a closed section space component forming, in a connecting part between a lower end part of the hinge pillar and a front end part of the side sill, a closed section space extending continuously in the longitudinal directions and connecting to the closed section space of the side sill on the rear side, the closed section space of the closed section space component having a vertical dimension that increases toward a front side.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takashi Narahara, Morihide Yamada, Takahiro Aonuma, Masaya Nishimoto, Nobuhiko Yokoyama, Atsushi Kawamoto
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Patent number: 10173729Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle pillar structure including: a pillar portion extending along a vehicle transverse direction outer side end portion of a windshield glass, the pillar portion including: a pair of side portions configuring a vehicle transverse direction inner side and outer side portion of the pillar portion and being configured by an opaque material, and transparent portions provided between the pair of side portions and being configured by a transparent material; reinforcing portions configured by an opaque material, spanning between the pair of side portions, formed integrally with the transparent portions, and reinforcing the pillar portion; and upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the reinforcing portions extending along a vehicle longitudinal direction, or inclining toward a vehicle lower side on progression towards a vehicle longitudinal direction outer side, as seen in a cross-section viewed from a vehicle transverse direction inner side.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shin Terada, Yoshinori Yamada, Chikashi Takeichi
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Patent number: 10161720Abstract: A cloaking device includes object-side and image-side curved cloaking region boundaries with outward facing mirror surfaces and inward facing opaque surfaces. A cloaking region is bounded by the inward facing opaque surfaces of the object-side and image-side curved CR boundaries. An object-side curved reflection boundary with an inward facing mirror surface is positioned proximate to the object-side curved cloaking region boundary and an image-side curved reflection boundary with an inward facing mirror surface is positioned proximate to the image-side curved cloaking region boundary. Light from an object located on the object-side of the cloaking device and obscured by the cloaking region is redirected around the cloaking region by the outward facing mirror surfaces of the object-side and image-side curved cloaking region boundaries and the inward facing mirror surfaces of the object-side and image-side curved reflection boundaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Debasish Banerjee, Chengang Ji, Mayu Takagi
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Patent number: 10131382Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by longitudinally extending first and second ribs connecting inside faces of the forward and rear walls and a laterally extending third rib connecting an inside face of the inner side wall and the first rib. The first, second and third ribs separate the front pillar into a plurality of interior hollow portions. Two laterally adjacent hollow portions define an outer lateral portion of the front pillar and two longitudinally adjacent hollow portions define an inner lateral portion of the front pillar.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Edward W. Bach, Adam J. Rompage, Hirokazu Matsuura
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Patent number: 10112654Abstract: A vehicle C-pillar assembly including a C-pillar, a rear quarter extension, and a rocker panel is provided. The rear quarter extension mounts to the C-pillar and includes an arc portion. The rocker panel mounts to the rear quarter extension to define a horizontal joint therebetween and includes a notch providing space for the arc portion to extend upward along the C-pillar. The rocker panel may include an end and the rocker panel may be secured to the C-pillar so that the end extends rearward of the C-pillar to contact and reduce rotation of a tire mounted adjacent to the C-pillar when a force directs the tire forward. A profile of the rocker panel may be a C shape. The rocker panel may extend from a vehicle A-pillar rearwardly past the C-pillar. The rocker panel may be roll-formed and of an ultra-high strength steel.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tyler Muckenhirn, Steven Frank, Chienhom Lee
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Patent number: 10106103Abstract: A sliding mechanism a first part and a second part adapted for sliding translation within the first part. A guide rib structure is included on the first part to constrain a lateral motion of the second part, including one or more ribs each defining at least one inclined plane. The guide rib structure may be a continuous rib member defining a sinusoidal or trapezoidal wave pattern, or may include a plurality of ribs each defining an inclined plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Diego Fabricio Villacres Mesias, Pablo Isaac Villalva Sanchez
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Patent number: 10071774Abstract: Not only a reduction in the load resistant performance of a structural member in a vehicle body having a quenched portion with a tensile strength of 1,470 MPa or greater, but also a reduction in the shock absorbing performance associated with the HAZ softening by welding are suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Michitaka Yoshida, Atsushi Tomizawa, Kazuo Uematsu
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Patent number: 10065571Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure having a first structural component and a second structural component spaced apart to define a space. A structural subwoofer is disposed in the space and includes a case formed of a material having a high modulus of elasticity. The case has a first attachment connected to the first component and a second attachment connected to the second component to form a structural bridge spanning between the components and defining a load path from the first component, through the case, and into the second component.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hussein Ajami, Paul Edward Guzman, Michael James Freeman
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Patent number: 10040488Abstract: A B pillar of a motor vehicle with a base region and a head region; in the base region, there is a contact region with a connecting region for connecting the B pillar to a rocker panel; over the span of its height from a base edge to a B pillar head, the B pillar has hard and soft regions, wherein the B pillar has a soft region, which extends from a contact region of the B pillar with the rocker panel to the B pillar head and in this case, extends for at least 100 mm.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: voestalpine Stahl GmbHInventors: Peter Atzmüller, Alexander Poledna
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Patent number: 9988095Abstract: An A-pillar structure in an electric vehicle for increasing vehicle rigidity and decreasing potential damage to the vehicle battery and to passengers. The A-pillar structure may include a surface and various ribs and bosses that protrude outward from the surface. The A-pillar structure may include three main cross ribs that being along a front edge of the A-pillar structure and extend rearward in the longitudinal direction toward two bosses. The bosses may be coupled via additional ribs to an anchor structure that is secured to the body structure and/or chassis of the electric vehicle. The rib configuration influences the transfer of energy through the A-pillar structure in the event of a collision.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company LimitedInventor: Jens Maier
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Patent number: 9963173Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure comprises a pillar portion, the pillar portion extends in parallel with an outer side end portion in a vehicle transverse direction of a windshield glass and, as viewed from a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion, has a hollow structure. The pillar portion comprises an outer side wall forming a wall portion at a vehicle outer side of the pillar portion, an inner side wall forming a wall portion at a vehicle cabin side of the pillar portion, and a pair of side walls linking the outer side wall and the inner side wall together. At least a portion of the outer side wall is an outer side transparent portion, and at least a portion of the inner side wall is an inner side transparent portion that is disposed so as to face the outer side transparent portion as viewed by a driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaru Toyota, Taichi Minei, Shin Terada
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Patent number: 9884653Abstract: A B pillar for a motor vehicle is produced as a hot-stamped and press-hardened component composed of a hardenable steel alloy, wherein a lower length section extends over less than 40% of the length (L) of the B pillar in a longitudinal direction and at least regionally has different strength values in relation to an upper length section, which B pillar is, in the lower length section, in at least one cross section, mutually different strengths are formed, and in the lower length section, a soft material structure is formed regionally.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventor: Tomohiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 9884652Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reinforcement structure for a vehicle. The reinforcement structure has a main extension direction and comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises, or consists of, a more ductile material than the second portion. The first portion and the second portion are joined to each other in an overlap zone extending along the main extension direction, such that the first portion and the second portion extend parallel to each other along the main extension direction in the overlap zone. The present disclosure also concerns a vehicle comprising at least one such reinforcement structure. The disclosure further relates to a method for manufacturing a reinforcement structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventor: Jens Elfwing
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Patent number: 9758193Abstract: A vehicle body includes a structural member having an inner surface defining an elongated cavity. The structural member includes an outer panel member joined to an inner panel member. A reinforcement member is positioned in the cavity wherein a gap is provided between the reinforcement member and the inner surface of the structural member. The reinforcement member includes an outer section, an inner section and a tension web interposed between and contacting the outer section and inner section. The outer section faces the outer panel member and the inner section faces the inner panel member. The tension web is secured to the outer panel member and inner panel member. An adhesive secured to the reinforcement member is activatable to expand toward the inner surface of the structural member to define a joint between the reinforcement member and the structural member and to at least partially fill the gap.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric J. Boettcher, Derik Thomas Voigt
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Patent number: 9688310Abstract: Deformation of a vehicle compartment is suppressed at the time of a small overlap collision. A front pillar lower structure (10) includes a gusset (50) joined to a lower end portion of a pillar reinforcement (41). In the gusset (50), a front wall (50B) and a lower wall (50C) extend from a side wall (50A) located on the outer side in a vehicle width direction of a rocker reinforcement. The front wall (50B) covers the rocker reinforcement (29) from the vehicle front side, while the lower wall (50C) extends toward the vehicle rear side from a lower end of the front wall (50B) and is joined to a lower surface of the rocker reinforcement (29). Since the strength of a joint portion (51) between the pillar reinforcement (41) and the rocker reinforcement (29) can be improved by the gusset (50), it is possible to prevent or suppress breakage of the joint portion (51) at the time of a small overlap collision so that deformation of a vehicle compartment (21) due to such breakage can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Youhei Yamamoto, Daisuke Teramoto, Nobuaki Kitaura
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Patent number: 9669877Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body framework structure, the vehicle body framework structure including (1) a framework main body that is provided with a closed cross-sectional structure which is formed by joining together a first panel, and a second panel having less strength than the first panel, and (2) a cylindrical reinforcing member that is provided inside the framework main body and extends along the framework main body, a portion of the cylindrical reinforcing member that is located on the second panel side being formed thicker overall than a portion of the cylindrical reinforcing member that is located on the first panel side.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirokazu Maeda, Yasuhide Matsuo
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Patent number: 9663148Abstract: A vehicle side section structure that includes: a lower reinforcement that configures a lower portion of a vehicle width direction outer side section of a center pillar, that is open toward a vehicle width direction inner side viewed from a vehicle upper side, that has an upper portion disposed adjacent to an inner side of a lower end portion of an outer reinforcement, and that has a lower strength than the outer reinforcement; and an escape portion that is formed at a vehicle width direction outer side wall portion of the lower reinforcement, that is disposed facing a lower end of a vehicle width direction outer side wall portion of the outer reinforcement in the vehicle width direction, and that is separated from, and is at the vehicle width direction inner side of, the lower end.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryusuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 9637175Abstract: A vehicle body component is provided. The vehicle body component includes an extruded elongate member that has a longitudinally extending cross section. The elongate member includes a first section that extends along a first axis, a second section that extends from the first section along a second axis, and a third section that extends from the second section along a third axis, wherein the first axis and the third axis are non-coplanar with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Edward Andrew Pleet, Scott Mair
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Patent number: 9630652Abstract: A side structure for a vehicle is provided and includes a sill and a header spaced apart from the sill. A pillar outer body extends between the sill and the header and defines an inner channel open toward an interior of the vehicle. An inner cover is attached to the pillar outer body and extends between the sill and the header. The inner cover has a lower cover portion disposed proximate to the sill and formed of a first material having a first ductility and an upper cover portion disposed proximate to the header and formed of a second material having a second ductility less than the first ductility.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Santosh Balur, Andrew S Hulway, Gary J. Bailey, Radhakrishnan Raman
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Patent number: 9598112Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib interconnecting the first rib and the inner side wall. The first rib separates the front pillar into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The outer lateral portion is defined by an outer lateral section of each of the front and rear walls and the outer side wall. The inner lateral portion is defined by an inner lateral section of each of the front and rear walls and the inner side wall. The inner lateral portion of the front pillar has a length greater than a length of the outer lateral portion of the front pillar.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Edward W. Bach, Adam J. Rompage, Hirokazu Matsuura
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Patent number: 9580110Abstract: A vehicle body skeleton structure includes: a skeleton member bent to have a predetermined shape; and at least one reinforcement member welded to the skeleton member along a plurality of weld lines to be joined to a surface of the skeleton member, and bent along the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Haruyuki Imada, Akira Nakajima
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Patent number: 9409605Abstract: A structure is configured such that a viewer hardly feels strangeness of color tone or texture even when paint mist is attached to a center pillar 3 during coating of a body outer plate. A panel surface of an outer panel 35 of the center pillar 3 has a protrusion in a middle in the vehicle vertical direction such that at least part of a lower portion of the panel surface projects toward the outside of the vehicle body relative to an upper portion of the panel surface. A start end HL of the protrusion is located at substantially an identical height to a door body upper edge line UL in at least a center portion in a pillar width of the pillar outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Masafumi Shinoda, Masakazu Tsuji, Toshiharu Ikeda, Yoshikazu Nishimura
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Patent number: 9394006Abstract: A center pillar structure for a vehicle comprises a center pillar including an outer panel and an inner panel that are joined together and form a closed cross section. The inner panel includes a front flange and a rear flange that are elongate in the vertical direction, a front surface and a rear surface that extend toward the vehicle interior side respectively from a rear end of the front flange and a front end of the rear flange, and a base surface that connects the front surface and the rear surface. Dimensions of the front surface and the rear surface in the vehicle width direction increase as the center pillar extends upward from a lower end of the center pillar to a height of the belt line, and decrease as the center pillar further extends upward from the belt line to the upper end.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Akishige Sakuragi
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Patent number: 9302710Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a front pillar including a unitary, one-piece tubular structural member having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The structural member defines a vehicle exterior-side wall section and a passenger compartment-side wall section. A first structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the first end portion of the structural member. A second structural node is fastened to the passenger compartment-side wall section at the second end portion of the structural member. The structural member is formed of a first metal and each of the first and second structural nodes are formed of a second metal different than the first metal. An electrically nonconductive adhesive is interposed between the structural member first end portion and the first structural node and is interposed between the structural member second end portion and the second structural node.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Edward Bach, Kurtis Ray Horner, Adam J. Rompage, Masahiro Ishikawa, Anthony Ordonio, Jr., Aron K. Madsen
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Patent number: 9260137Abstract: A frame body (1) includes a first surface (11), a second surface (12), and two side surfaces (13). Each of the side surfaces (13) has a single bent part or two or more bent parts (14). The first surface (11) and an outer part (13a) of each of the side surfaces (13) form an angle of approximately 90 degrees or larger than 90 degrees inside the closed cross-section in the cross-section of the frame body (1). At least one of the side surfaces (13) includes a low-strength part (17) closer to the second surface (12) and a high-strength part (18) closer to the first surface (11), and includes a strength transition part (19) located closer to the second surface (12) than a specific bent part (the bent part (14) which is closest to the second surface (12) and protrudes inward of a closed cross-section).Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Masanori Honda
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Patent number: 9199293Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9187137Abstract: A motor vehicle body is disclosed which includes a structural element, a B-pillar fastened thereto, and a device for dissipating energy during a side impact event. The dissipation device include at least one torsion segment capable of plastic torsion caused by the rotation of the lower end of the B-pillar.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Dirk Rainer Lungershausen
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Patent number: 9150254Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure in which it is possible to improve a side collision performance of a vehicle. For this reason, a vehicle body structure 1 includes a roof side rail 10 that is disposed at an upper side position of a vehicle, and extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a center pillar 14 which extends in a vertical direction of the vehicle, and an upper end portion of which is joined at a position in the way in which the roof side rail 10 extends. Each of fragile portions 20 and 22 is provided at a position apart from a joining spot of the center pillar 14 in the roof side rail 10 so as to have strength lower than that of other portions of the roof side rail 10.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nobuyuki Torii
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Publication number: 20150145286Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar panel that is cast from a die casting process, and that defines an interior surface. An acoustic foam layer is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the hinge pillar panel. An inner retainer panel is attached to the hinge pillar panel. The inner retainer panel secures the acoustic foam layer between the inner retainer panel and the hinge pillar panel. The hinge pillar assembly is cast to define a cored boss that is used to retain the hinge pillar panel within an upper ejector half of a die set during the casting process. A fastener is disposed in the threaded engagement with the cored boss to attach the inner retainer panel to the hinge pillar panel. A vehicle component may be attached to the inner retainer panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert N. Saje, Martin G. Foulkes, William P. Ciaramitaro, Jack E. Brown, Michael W. Davenport, Keith J. Saari
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Patent number: 9039064Abstract: A sun screen is taught that includes a left pillar assembly having a left pillar and a left screen panel and a right pillar assembly having a right pillar and a right screen panel. An outer windshield spans between the left pillar assembly and the right pillar assembly and an inner windshield spans between the left pillar assembly and the right pillar assembly and away from the outer windshield to form a gap. A left handle having a left magnet connects to the left screen panel and a right handle having a right magnet connects to the right screen panel. The right handle selectively deploys the right screen panel towards the center of the inner windshield and the left handle selectively deploy the left screen panel towards the center. When fully deployed the right magnet and the left magnet hold the right handle and the left handle together.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventor: Jayne B. Baude
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Patent number: 9039073Abstract: First to third steel members are cut to form predetermined planar shapes using press machines and form an upper member, a reinforcement member and a lower member. The carbon content of the third steel member is set lower than the carbon content of the first and second steel members. The upper member, the reinforcement member and the lower member are then assembled. The reinforcement member is superposed on the upper member. The upper member and the lower member are partially superposed. The superposed portions of the upper member and the reinforcement member and the superposed portions of the upper member and the lower member are then respectively joined by spot welding to form a blank member. The spot welded blank member is then heated to a temperature of a transformation point or higher, and the blank member is hot press formed by one press machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: TOA Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Yajima, Takashi Kanai
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Patent number: 9039072Abstract: A motor vehicle body is provided with a lateral front wall and a wheel installation strut connected therewith with an inner component and an outer component with an outer side wall. The outer component includes, but is not limited to a front portion with a lower front connecting flange, which is connected to the inner component and forms an angle with the horizontal which amounts to a maximum of approximately 20°, and a rear portion with a lower rear connecting flange, which is connected to the lateral front wall and forms an angle with the vertical which amounts to a maximum of approximately 20°.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
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Patent number: 9033404Abstract: A vehicle body includes a hollow structural member having an inner surface. The hollow structural member includes a first metal or metal alloy. A structural reinforcement member is positioned in the hollow structural member and includes a stiffener including a second metal or metal alloy different from the first metal or metal alloy. A gap is provided between the stiffener and the inner surface of the structural member. An adhesive is secured to the stiffener. The adhesive is substantially dry to the touch prior to activation and is activatable to expand toward the inner surface to fill at least a portion of the gap. A frame is secured to the stiffener and is positioned between the stiffener and the inner surface of the structural member to maintain the gap prior to expansion of the adhesive. The frame is adapted to insulate the stiffener from the hollow structural member.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ben Meaige, Eric J. Boettcher
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Publication number: 20150123419Abstract: A body supporting structure for a vehicle body has a passenger-compartment section, a front-structure section and a rear-structure section. In order to form the body supporting structure, at least one supporting-structure body is configured as a three-dimensional flat structure which extends in all vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) and includes flat elements, the flat elements which extend in different vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) are connected with the formation of soft transitions, the flat elements are configured with cross-sectional areas which are structured depending on the applied loads, and flat elements with low applied loads or non-loadbearing regions are configured with apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Daniel Werum, Andreas Lehr, Peter Haffner
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Publication number: 20150123429Abstract: A vehicle body (12) includes: a coupling recess (35) that couples an outer bottom member (42) with an outer top member (41) of an outer panel (37) of a vehicle body pillar (21); and a door seal cover (34) that covers the coupling recess (35). The door seal cover (34) comprises: a U-shaped body part (43) that has a U-shaped cross section and serves as a central portion; a U-shaped top lip (44) that extends upward from the body part (43); and a U-shaped bottom lip (45) that extends downward from the body part (43). A front top leading end (57), a front bottom leading end (58), a back top leading end (61), and a back bottom leading end (32) of seal contact surface sections (51, 54), which are firmly attached to door-side seal members (48, 49), are formed at step-free thicknesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2012Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Yasunori Watanabe, Kenichi Kitayama, Shigeyuki Nagai
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Patent number: 9022458Abstract: A side panel for an automotive body includes a unitary panel having a side sill, a roof rail, and a pillar integrally joined to each other. The pillar extends from the side sill to the roof rail, and each of the side sill, the roof rail, and the pillar are made of fiber-reinforced plastic. At least one of the side sill, the roof rail, and the pillar has a recess concave transversely outwardly relative to the automotive body. The recess has an opening that opens transversely inwardly relative to the automotive body. The recess is defined by two side walls bent from flanges and extending transversely outwardly relative to the automotive body, and a bottom wall joined to the side walls. The side walls have portions joined to the flanges, the portions of the side walls being thicker than the bottom wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhide Hasegawa, Wakato Yamamoto, Katsutoshi Tada
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Patent number: 9016775Abstract: A lightweight construction element (2) for a body of a motor vehicle (1) with a support frame (3) having four frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8), which essentially spans a square and with panelling (4) mounted on the support frame (3). The the support frame (3) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and has at least two intersecting braces (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20) that are designed according to bionic aspects and in which the intersection or intersections (15, 18) are connected and each of which join two of the frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8) perpendicular to one another with one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Philipp Gneiting, Kamal Idrisi
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Patent number: 8998263Abstract: A structural support assembly for a vehicle that has a roof and a rocker assembly. The structural support assembly includes an outer panel extending from the rocker assembly to the roof, an inner reinforcement including an upper panel and a lower panel. A seat belt retractor is assembled to the structural support assembly between the upper panel and the lower panel of the inner reinforcement. The upper panel and the lower panel are separate parts that are assembled to the outer panel in a spaced apart relationship.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Robert Franklin Yustick, Alexandre Cruz Silva, Nagaraj Mariyappa, Diego Freitas de Araújo
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Patent number: 8991909Abstract: A vehicle includes: a main frame having a plurality of members; and a reinforcing member that is made of a reinforced resin and that is disposed at a junction where two members out of the plurality of members intersect a point from two directions or a bent portion of one member.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Matsuda, Jun Watanabe
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Patent number: 8979166Abstract: A fender panel mounting structure for a vehicle is configured so that a fender panel can be removed without detaching the corner glass of a non-opening window. The fender panel mounting structure has the triangular non-opening window provided between a front pillar and an outside panel. A protrusion covering the upper frame member of the front pillar is formed at the upper edge of the fender panel covering the outer surface of the outside panel. A flange protruding to the inner surface side of the non-opening window from a side edge of the protrusion, the side edge facing the non-opening window, is provided on the protrusion. A clip having a slit extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is provided at the opening edge of the non-opening window at a position corresponding to the flange. The flange is engaged in a releasable manner with the slit.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Yamanaka, Masashige Iseki, Kousuke Katsumata, Noriaki Masuta
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Patent number: 8979177Abstract: A side lower vehicle body structure of a vehicle includes a side seal, a center pillar and a reinforcing member. The side seal extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has a channel. The center pillar has one end disposed in the channel of the side seal and the other end extending in a height direction of a vehicle. The reinforcing member is disposed in the channel of the side seal and combined with the center pillar.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Hyeyeon Kim, Tae Wan Park
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Patent number: 8979178Abstract: A pillar structure that is configured to include an outer panel and an inner panel and in which an opening portion into which a retractor is inserted is formed in a lower portion of the inner panel, wherein a portion of the inner panel is depressed to the outside of a vehicle, whereby a retractor connection portion to which the retractor is connected, a front-side inclined portion disposed and inclined on the front side in a vehicle front-back direction of the retractor connection portion, and a rear-side inclined portion disposed and inclined on the rear side in the vehicle front-back direction of the retractor connection portion are formed, and an inclination of the rear-side inclined portion is formed gentler than an inclination of the front-side inclined portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobuyuki Torii
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Patent number: 8973809Abstract: A method for attaching a roof panel to a roof rail of a vehicle bodyside frame, wherein the roof rail prohibiting access to an underside of an area at which the roof panel attaches to the roof panel, can include applying a single-component adhesive to a roof rail or to a portion of a roof panel that rests on the roof rail, placing the roof panel onto the roof rail, attaching the roof panel to the roof rail using single-sided spot welds, and heating the roof panel and vehicle bodyside frame to a temperature that cures the single-component adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David John Hill, Stephen William Gallagher, Shawn Michael Morgans
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Publication number: 20150061324Abstract: A sun screen for a vehicle having a windshield, an A-pillar and a dashboard includes a spool rotatably coupled with the dashboard and a guide moveably coupled with the A-pillar. The sun screen further includes a unitary, flexible substrate spanning a width of the windshield and having a trailing end coupled with the spool and a leading end coupled with the guide such that the substrate is selectively extendable over the windshield and retractable on the spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventor: Joel A. Sinclair
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Patent number: 8967704Abstract: Obtained is a vehicle body skeleton structure having increased rigidity achieved without making the structure complex. A skeleton body comprises a rocker rear, a rear pillar, and a rear wheel house which are joined together. An inner corner portion which forms a rocker reinforcement is formed on the inner side of a bent portion located near the joint portion. A bulging portion having a three-dimensional curved surface shape bulging in a convex shape is formed at the inner corner portion. The rocker reinforcement is formed in such a manner that an upper wall portion, an upper end flange portion, and a rear end standing wall portion are formed on the inner side of the bent portion so as to be directed in three directions and so as to continue to the bulging portion at a position at which the upper wall portion, the upper end flange portion, and the rear end standing wall portion surround the bulging portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Kurokawa
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Patent number: 8967703Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Uwe Wawers
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Patent number: 8960780Abstract: A vehicle side body structure includes a sill, an A-pillar and a reinforcement member. The sill defines an internal sill space and the A-pillar defines an internal A-pillar space. The A-pillar is rigidly connected to the sill with the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space being connected. The reinforcement member is located within the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space. The reinforcement member is located within both the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space and has a forward section fixedly attached to the A-pillar at a front attachment point along the forward connection area of the A-pillar, a rearward section fixedly attached to the sill at a rear attachment point along the lower attachment area, and a main bracing part extending diagonally from the forward section to the rearward section.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Scott Nydam, Kenneth Ameloot