Expanded Cellular Material Patents (Class 296/187.02)
  • Patent number: 11975762
    Abstract: A crashworthiness energy absorption part includes: a tubular member having tensile strength of 590 to 1180 MPa grade; a closed cross section space forming wall part having tensile strength lower than the tubular member and having both edge portions joined to inner surfaces of a pair of side wall portions of the tubular member, and forming a closed cross section space between the closed cross section space forming wall part and a part of a peripheral wall portion of the tubular member; and a resin configured to fill the closed cross section space, includes a rubber-modified epoxy resin and a curing agent, and has tensile breaking elongation of 80% or more, adhesive strength to the tubular member and closed cross section space forming wall part of 12 MPa or higher, and a compression nominal stress of 6 MPa or higher at a compression nominal strain of 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Higai, Tsuyoshi Shiozaki, Yoshikiyo Tamai, Shigeaki Kitamura, Naoki Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 11964535
    Abstract: An electric automotive vehicle gross vehicle rating of greater than 10,000 pounds includes an electric powertrain connected to the frame and positioned at a base of the frame. The vehicle includes a first central axis, and the weight of the electric powertrain is centered about the first central axis. All drivetrain components of the vehicle other than the electric powertrain may be positioned above the base of the electric powertrain. The vehicle includes two electric drive units configured to drive the front and rear axles respectively. The electric drive units consist of an electric motor, motor controller, two speed electrically actuated gearbox, electrically actuated park lock, and electrically actuated locking differential. The drive units transmit power to inboard mounted brakes, which in turn are connected by constant velocity driveshaft to the wheel hubs where a further final gear reduction resides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOLLINGER MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bollinger, Brian Van Batavia, Karl Hacken, Erik Hardy, John Dannenhoffer, Charles Winegar
  • Patent number: 11814110
    Abstract: A system for insulating a structural element in a motor vehicle including a structural element having a first constituent part and a second constituent part which are joined together at a first joining point and a second joining point and form a cavity. The system furthermore includes a device having a carrier and a first expandable adhesive, wherein the carrier is arranged on the first constituent part of the structural element by way of a fastening element. The system furthermore includes a second expandable adhesive which is arranged on the second constituent part of the structural element. In this case, the first expandable adhesive and the second expandable adhesive are configured, and arranged, in such a way that, after the adhesives have been expanded, the device and the second expandable adhesive substantially completely fill a cross section of the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Henrik Lindgren, Gino Saint Medar, Didier Henrion
  • Patent number: 11787977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcement member comprising a heatcurable structural adhesive on a carrier member, wherein the carrier member comprises a fiber-reinforced polyester material. The invention further relates to a method to produce such a reinforcement member and its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Chopin
  • Patent number: 11608131
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Gary Vanlerberghe, Dean Schneider
  • Patent number: 11565755
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 11535307
    Abstract: A reinforcing element for reinforcing structural elements including at least one channel on an outer side. The outer side forms a shoulder next to the channel. Furthermore, the reinforcing element is provided for forming an open system in terms of an adhesion of the reinforcing element in the structural element, wherein, in a use state of the reinforcing element in the structural element, a space is formed between the shoulder of the reinforcing element and the structural element, which is open relative to an adjacent cavity of the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Noah Munzinger, Denis Souvay, Urs Rheinegger
  • Patent number: 11465686
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 11312423
    Abstract: A device for reinforcing a structural element in a motor vehicle including a reinforcing element, which has a longitudinal axis and which can be arranged in a cavity of the structural element. The reinforcing element includes walls which extend substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The reinforcing element additionally includes at least one open side, which likewise extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The walls directly adjoining the open side are designed in a convergent manner in that extensions of said adjoining walls running in the direction of the open side and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Vincent Belpaire, Ardi Shehu
  • Patent number: 11192505
    Abstract: A rocker molding includes a vertical wall portion provided under a rocker in a vehicle upper-lower direction, a bottom wall portion extending from a lower end portion of the vertical wall portion to an outer side in a vehicle width direction, and a side wall portion extending upwardly in the vehicle upper-lower direction from an outer end portion of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction. A sound absorbing material is provided in a penetrating portion that is provided in a grange from a portion of the vertical wall portion to an inner portion of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SEKISO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syunsuke Rikitake, Kenji Hayashi, Tatsuhiro Komito
  • Patent number: 11180094
    Abstract: A structural element of a motor vehicle has a cavity and an elongate insulating element arranged in the cavity and is formed such that a longitudinal axis of the insulating element is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cavity and the insulating element comprises an expandable material, which is arranged and/or configured in such a way that the insulating element fills the cavity completely along the entire length of the insulating element when the expandable material is in the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Sven Poch, Paul Blowing
  • Patent number: 11161551
    Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes: a side sill extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; a center pillar outer part that extends upward from the side sill; a center pillar inner part arranged on a vehicle width direction inner side of the center pillar outer part; and a partition member arranged in a hollow space defined by the center pillar outer part and the center pillar inner part, the partition member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The partition member includes: a main body part; a recess portion having a tubular shape, the recess portion being formed by the main body part being partially recessed downward; and a rib extending downward from a lower face of the recess portion, the rib being in abutment with an upper face of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masanori Honko
  • Patent number: 11148730
    Abstract: A vehicle frame construction and method includes an elongated hollow frame member having a plurality of interior sides and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is formed from a thermoplastic polymer and is installed so as to be arranged within the elongated hollow frame member to reinforce each interior side of the elongated hollow frame member in a plane orthogonally oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Meaige, Derik Thomas Voigt, Eric J. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 11148617
    Abstract: A sound insulating member includes a mass section and spring sections. The mass section is disposed so as to have a gap with respect to an outer panel which divides an internal space of a vehicle body and outside thereof, and includes at least a part which has a planar shaped form. The plurality of spring sections are disposed on the mass section at a side of the mass section facing an outer panel. Each of the spring sections has a hollow film member having airtightness and flexibility, and a gas sealed inside the film member. The film member has a first stepped section and a second stepped section that are formed in a stepped shape in an arrangement direction of the outer panel and the mass section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., National University Corporation Gunma University
    Inventors: Ikumi Kurihara, Takashi Kondo, Yoshihiro Noguchi, Yuma Tsuboi, Takao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11046042
    Abstract: Light weight composites with high flexural strength comprise epoxy foam sandwiched between two layers of facing material have high strength and low weight and can be used to replace steel structures. The facing layer may be fibrous material especially glass or carbon fibres, the facing material is preferably embedded into the epoxy matrix. Alternatively they may be matching box structures or concentric metal tubes. The sandwich structures may be prepared by laying up the fibre; coating and/or impregnating the layer with epoxy resin, laying a layer of heat activatable foamable epoxy material, providing a further layer of the fibrous material optionally coated and/or impregnated with epoxy resin on the foamable material ad heating to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrusion of the foamable material between the surface layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Le Gall, Frederic Ostrowsky, Denis Souvay
  • Patent number: 10926808
    Abstract: A structural component for a motor vehicle is provided. The structural component includes a closed hollow profile including fiber composite material, with a profile outer casing surrounding a profile volume. The structural component also includes at least one reinforcing bulkhead which is arranged in the profile volume on at least one section of an inner casing surface of the profile outer casing. The height of the at least one reinforcing bulkhead, perpendicularly from the inner casing surface, in at least one position in which the at least one reinforcing bulkhead is arranged on the inner casing surface, is lower than a passage height of the profile volume in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniela Horvat, Florian Spirkl, Mathias Hofmann, Michael Kleinknecht, Bernhard Staudt, Thomas Miadowitz
  • Patent number: 10875579
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10787137
    Abstract: A structural member includes an inner member and an outer member formed of a material different from that of the inner member, the outer member being positioned outside the inner member so as to surround the inner member and including a first adjacent surface adjacent to an outer surface of the inner member, wherein an insulator is disposed between the first adjacent surface and a second adjacent surface of the inner member, the second adjacent surface being adjacent to the first adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Maeda, Toru Hashimura, Ryohei Yukishige, Akihiko Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 10625786
    Abstract: A vehicle body side part structure includes a side sill extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body, a center pillar outer provided to extend upward from the side sill, a center pillar inner disposed on an inner side in a vehicle width direction of the center pillar outer, and a partition member disposed in a hollow section formed by the center pillar outer and the center pillar inner. In this structure, the center pillar inner has an opening for arrangement of a seatbelt member in the hollow section, and the partition member has a folding part formed into a foldable shape that allows the partition member to pass through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taiga Marukawa, Shohei Ohji
  • Patent number: 10604193
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a body which has hollow profiles with cavities formed therein. The cavities can be separated by bulkhead parts against water and noise. Each bulkhead part has a base support with an expandable foam part provided therewith. Under the influence of heat, the foam part foams from a determined temperature and fills a surrounding gap that is formed between an end face of the bulkhead part and an opposing inner surface of the hollow profile. The bulkhead part includes two longitudinal sections and a transverse part connecting the two longitudinal sections of the bulkhead part such that a surrounding framework of the base support is produced. The bulkhead part forms an essentially U-shaped receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Felix Halang
  • Patent number: 10479012
    Abstract: An article comprising: a carrier (12), activatable material (14) disposed on the carrier, one or more carrier extensions (16) extending from the carrier; wherein the article is adapted to provide sealing, baffling, or reinforcement within a structure's cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Quaderer, Erin White, Keith Novak, Blake Synnestvedt
  • Patent number: 10472001
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame includes a longitudinally extending roof side rail. The roof side rail includes an outer panel, an inner panel fixed to the outer panel to define a cavity therebetween, and a reinforcement panel disposed between and fixedly secured to the outer and inner panels. The reinforcement panel separates the cavity into an inner cavity and an outer cavity. The roof rail has a forward end portion and a rearward end portion. An acoustic spray foam control bulkhead is secured within the cavity at the rearward end portion of the roof side rail. The bulkhead includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from and opposed to the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are configured to at least partially confine within the inner cavity between the first and second sidewalls an acoustic spray foam injected into an injection inlet aperture provided on the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fabian J. Vigil, Aron K. Madsen, Shawn W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10351177
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body comprises a sheet metal formed part having a head portion, a central portion and a base portion, and an inner side and an outer side. The head portion, on the inner side, comprises a connecting region for connection to a roof region of the motor vehicle body. The base portion can connect to a sill region. The central portion extends between the head portion and the base portion and defines a longitudinal direction of the B-pillar. The sheet metal formed part comprises a hat profile such that on the inner side a hollow chamber is formed; and a fiber composite part having an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a contact region that laterally embraces a supporting region and is supported against same in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Patent number: 10300948
    Abstract: A webbing device for a vehicle underbody can comprise a plurality of rows of ribs and members that extend between the ribs to provide rigidity and force load distribution. The webbing device can comprise channels to receive a variety of structural components of the underbody and can accommodate underbodies of various sizes without altering its rigidity and force load distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Umran Ashraf, Rene Johan Veltman, Cory Denis Borghi
  • Patent number: 10259506
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle body lower portion structure including: a lower portion framework member, formed in a chamber shape extending in a vehicle body front-and-rear direction, including a guide portion at an inner face of a wall portion structuring the chamber shape, and being disposed at a vehicle body lower side; a battery, installed on a battery frame, and is disposed at a vehicle width direction inner side of the lower portion framework member; and a reinforcing member formed in a chamber shape extending in the vehicle body front-and-rear direction, provided inside a chamber of the lower portion framework member in a state of being supported at the guide portion, and at least a portion of the reinforcing member overlapping with at least one of the battery or the battery frame in a side view seen in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 10259304
    Abstract: A battery housing of a motor vehicle traction battery includes at least one base plate, and two side walls which extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle. Formed between the side walls is a number of receiving spaces, within each of which at least one battery module of the traction battery of the motor vehicle is accommodated. A plurality of deformation elements which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle are attached to the inner sides of the side walls. The battery modules are arranged in the receiving spaces in such a manner that, in the region of the deformation elements, lateral deformation spaces are formed between the battery modules and the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Brausse, Philipp Heinz, Michael Raciti
  • Patent number: 10183699
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10173727
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle comprising: a) a carrier having a base wall from which a plurality of projections extend, the plurality of projections including at least one first projection and at least one second projection and the at least one first projection having a height greater than a height of the at least one second projection; b) an activatable material which is heat activatable and affixed to the carrier, configured to secure the carrier in a cavity of the vehicle; wherein in event of an impact, the at least one first projection and second projection are configured to deform toward the base wall and/or in a direction of an impact load in response to the impact load; and the at least one first projection is configured to receive the impact load and deform before the at least one second projection receives the impact load and deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Li, Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 10160499
    Abstract: A rocker assembly includes a rocker reinforcement panel attached to a side inner panel to define a cavity and an elongated bar disposed within the cavity. The elongated bar is formed of a polymer resin that includes reinforcement strands of continuous fiber roving that are embedded in the polymer resin and extend along a full length of the bar. The elongated bar has a constant cross-section perpendicular to the length of the bar that may define at least one elongated opening. A method of making a rocker assembly includes pultruding a polymer resin and a continuous fiber roving to form a reinforced elongated bar that is assembled into a cavity defined between the rocker reinforcement panel and the side inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey John Cooper, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Scott Mair
  • Patent number: 10000241
    Abstract: A bracket for a rocker panel assembly includes a first flange and a second flange. The second flange is at an end of a body opposite the first flange and extends parallel to the first flange. The first and second flanges each define a plurality of apertures being dimensioned and configured to control flow of an E-coat fluid injected therein to provide a seal between the first and second flanges to inhibit oxidation in an absence of a seal around a periphery of the first and second flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ohster Edga Zapata Abdala, Rezaul Choudhury
  • Patent number: 9975578
    Abstract: A structural member for a vehicle includes an outer panel defining a U-shaped channel. The outer panel is formed from a first material. The structural member further includes a reinforcement panel defining a U-shaped channel. The reinforcement panel is formed from a second material different than the first material and is formed to attach to the outer panel. The structural member also includes an inner panel defining a U-shaped channel. The inner panel is formed from a third material different than the first and second materials and is formed to attach to the reinforcement panel such that the outer panel, reinforcement panel, and the inner panel are oriented along an axis and span an entire length of each of the U-shaped channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-E-Rasul, William Moore Sherwood, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo
  • Patent number: 9963172
    Abstract: A body structure of a vehicle includes a first panel and a second panel that form a closed cross-sectional portion, a partitioning panel that partitions the closed cross-sectional portion, and a reinforcement member disposed between the first panel and the partitioning panel, and includes a panel joining portion joined to the first panel, and a flange portion joined to the partitioning panel. A joining portion formed by the reinforcement member includes a rigid coupling portion in which the first panel and the panel joining portion are coupled to each other while being in contact with each other, and a flexible coupling portion in which the partitioning panel and the flange portion are coupled, with a damping member being provided therebetween. The partitioning panel includes an extended portion that extends from a vicinity of the flexible coupling portion toward the second panel and is joined to the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Iyoshi, Keizo Kawasaki, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9950759
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Gary Vanlerberghe, Dean Schneider
  • Patent number: 9873464
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first body component made of fiber-reinforced plastic and a second body component made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The body components are adhesively bonded to each other by an adhesive layer and are subjected to shearing load and/or tensile stress in a main stress plane, wherein the adhesive layer is shaped by way of an adhesive flange, on which the adhesive layer is oriented obliquely to the main loading plane at an angle between 30° and 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Schnaufer, Andreas Beil, Juergen Lenz, Lorenz Schmid, Martin Eis, Torsten Fleischer
  • Patent number: 9862421
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a bumper, a floor and a subframe. The subframe is attached to the floor at a plurality of attachment points and below the bumper. The subframe has a base member extending across the subframe, parallel to the bumper and including a bracket. The bracket has first and second tabs connected by a platform extending from the first and second tabs. The bracket is fixedly attached at the second tab and angled relative to the base member such that the second tab is defined closer to the bumper. Upon loading, the first tab moves in a direction substantially parallel to the base member and the platform is deformed substantially perpendicular to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Patent number: 9845115
    Abstract: A closure panel including an outer shell for closing an opening defined by a vehicle body and an inner reinforcement. The outer shell and inner reinforcement are formed as a plurality of additive layers. The inner reinforcement includes an integral thickened edge formed around the periphery of the outer shell, an integral latch buttress provided on a first side of the inner reinforcement and a pair of integral hinge buttresses provided on a second side of the inner reinforcement. Internally threaded protrusions may be formed as additive deposits on the integral buttresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9827743
    Abstract: A composite material includes laminated composite material sheets having conductivity, partitioning members provided between end parts of sets of the composite material sheets to mutually separate the sets of the composite material sheets, and metal sheets respectively provided in the separated end parts of the composite material sheets so as to be respectively pinched between the composite material sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Fujita, Naoyuki Sekine, Ai Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9821855
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body includes an A-pillar panel, an outer skin body panel, which together with an edge of the A-pillar panel delimits a gap. A windshield is adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the A-pillar panel. A filler piece has a first portion which fills out the gap and a second portion which conceals a gap between the longitudinal edge of the A-pillar panel and the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Rogge, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 9764769
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structural member assembly method includes an elongated frame member and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is complementarily arranged adjacent the elongated frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric J. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 9751569
    Abstract: In an automobile body structure, since a center pillar connecting a side sill and a roof side rail is formed from a pair of CFRP laminates that oppose each other on the inside and the outside in the vehicle width direction and a plurality of metal plates that join the pair of CFRP laminates in the vehicle width direction so as to form a closed cross-section, a compressive load and a tensile load acting on the vehicle width direction inner face and the vehicle width direction outer face of the center pillar when the collision load of a side collision is inputted can be supported by carbon fibers of the pair of CFRP laminates, and out of plane deformation of a front face and a rear face of the center pillar, which is difficult to support with the CFRP laminate, can be prevented by the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Ayuzawa, Yoshikazu Shirai
  • Patent number: 9751389
    Abstract: A vehicle frame water baffle arrangement, a water baffle and method include a first closed section of a vehicle frame, a second closed section of the vehicle frame arranged adjacent the first closed section of the vehicle frame, and a water baffle. The water baffle has a body arranged complementarily within the first closed section to inhibit passage of water thereby within the first closed section and a water spout extending from the body of the water baffle into the second closed section to direct water arriving at the water baffle into the second closed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam J. Rompage, Edward W. Bach, Robert G. ZumMallen
  • Patent number: 9713885
    Abstract: A device and method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure, comprising the steps of providing a flexible composite sealing device including one or more fastening structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Deachin, Conrad Miracle
  • Patent number: 9669784
    Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Robert N. Saje, Matthew P. Simonin, Jonathan E. Rich, Michael E. Quigley, Hans P. Lawall
  • Patent number: 9644740
    Abstract: A pass-through seal may seal a component extending between a first member and a second member in a vehicle. The pass-through seal may define a core opening and have a varying outer profile. The core opening receives the component at a predefined angle relative to an aperture defined by the first member. The core opening supports the component at the predefined angle at one end and has a snug fit with the component at the other end. The varying outer profile is configured to create an interference fit with the aperture defined by the first member at one end and to be larger than the aperture at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gorski, Mark Rothenberg, Jason Hendry
  • Patent number: 9457737
    Abstract: A vehicle noise reducing assembly includes a trunk structure having a floor panel, an interior wall panel and an exterior wall panel. A trunk storage area is defined by the interior wall panel and the floor panel. A trim panel is connected to the interior wall panel within the trunk storage area. A cavity is defined by the floor panel, the exterior wall panel and the trim panel and has a first cavity and a second cavity. A relief valve is disposed in a vent opening in the exterior wall panel. The relief valve extends into the first cavity and has a drafter opening facing inboard. A barrier member is disposed in the second cavity with a barrier surface positioned between the relief valve and the second cavity to prevent sound passing through the drafter opening from entering the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Greggs
  • Patent number: 9446799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support (2, 3) used as a vehicle component and comprising a longitudinal extension which corresponds to a multiple of the transverse extension thereof. Said support (2, 3) comprises a reinforced transverse profile section. For this purpose, the support (2, 3) comprises at least one reinforced element (7, 8) which follows the longitudinal extension of the support (2, 3), is connected to the support in a positive and material fit manner and in a tension and shear-resistant manner, with the insertion of a separation layer (12) between the longitudinal extension of the support (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Franzpötter, Stephan Lagin
  • Patent number: 9327666
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor structure and one or more tubular rocker structures. Each rocker structure includes an outer cladding and/or an inner structure extending across an interior space of the rocker structure. At least one acceleration sensor is connected to a central portion of the floor structure to detect acceleration resulting from a crash event. The vehicle may also include pressure sensors that detect changes in pressure in the door cavities that result from side impacts. The cladding and/or inner structure of the rockers reduce the time required to detect acceleration due to a side impact on the rocker structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abdelmonaam Sassi, Matthew B. Makowski, Aruna Nandadeva Tilakasiri, Diego Santos, Joseph Edward Abramczyk, Echung Su, Jonathan Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 9211918
    Abstract: An attachment arrangement for a vehicle comprises a bracket having a first end part and a second end part. The first end part of the bracket is attachable to an inside of a first vehicle body part. The first vehicle body part is attachable to a second vehicle body part. A structural foam is arranged on the second end part of the bracket. The structural foam has an expansion factor such that when the structural foam is heated, the structural foam is expandable from the second end part of the bracket and adherable to the second vehicle body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anders Magnusson, Camilla Waestlund
  • Patent number: 9211664
    Abstract: An acoustic spray foam control system and method for a vehicle includes an acoustic spray foam control baffle, a wedge member and acoustic spray foam. The acoustic spray foam control baffle is mounted within a cavity defined in a vehicle body of the vehicle. The acoustic spray foam control baffle has a tapered recess portion defining a tapered recess. The wedge member is complementarily received in the tapered recess of the tapered recess portion of the acoustic spray foam control baffle for applying force against the tapered recess portion to set the acoustic spray foam control baffle within the cavity. The acoustic spray foam is injected into the cavity on one side of the acoustic spray foam control baffle and contained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Edouard S. Sandoz, Shawn W. Campbell, Aron K. Madsen, Robert G. ZumMallen
  • Patent number: 9150001
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement for insertion into a cavity of a vehicle structure including a base reinforcing portion, an expandable material and a localized reinforcement is disclosed. The localized reinforcement is placed within the structural reinforcement at a location of anticipated increased deformation during vehicle impact in an effort to reduce deformation and control the load distribution post-impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Xuping Qian, Gary Hulett