Abstract: A vibration dampener for a vehicle to militate against vibration which results in undesirable noise. In an embodiment, the dampener is used in a steering column in the vehicle to militate against the vibration being transmitted to the hands of a driver during operation of the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 6, 2002
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2006
Assignee:
Lear Corporation
Inventors:
Joseph J. Davis, Jr., Sarkis B. Mikhjian, Wael Youssef-Agha, Michael J. Hier
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a side rail in a vehicle frame assembly includes the initial step of roll forming flat stock to form a side rail having a C-shaped cross section defined by an upper flange corresponding to the top open side of the C-shape, a lower flange corresponding to the bottom or opposite open side of the C-shape, and a web corresponding to the back of the C shape and connecting the upper flange and the lower flange. The terminal edges of the upper flange and the lower flange define an edge plane that extends generally parallel to a vertical plane defined by the web. A portion of the lower flange is then stamped in a direction parallel to the vertical plane to form a kick-up in portion in the lower flange. The edge plane defined by the edges of the upper and lower flanges in the kick-up portion does not extend at the predetermined relationship relative to the plane defined by the web.