Body Side Patents (Class 296/193.05)
  • Patent number: 11292525
    Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure for appropriately dispersing a collision load includes a floor panel; a side sill; a floor frame extending in a front-rear direction on a vehicle-width-direction inner side of the side sill; and a first cross member connecting the side sill and the floor frame to each other in the vehicle width direction. The side sill has a raised wall and an upper wall portion positioned on the vehicle-width-direction inner side in a cross-section orthogonally intersecting with the front-rear direction and extending in an up-down direction, a corner extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the raised wall and the upper wall portion, and a first joint member and a corner reinforcement member that reinforce the raised wall and the corner are provided at a position to which the first cross member is connected in the front-rear direction on an inner side of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Ebisumoto, Tadashi Yamazaki, Manabu Tatsuda, Ippei Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11292524
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle lower portion structure including: a thin plate portion that configures a portion of a substantially plate-like rocker component member on the vehicle rear side of a center pillar, the rocker component member configuring at least part of a rocker extending in the vehicle front and rear direction; and a thick plate portion that configures a portion of the rocker component member on the vehicle front side of the center pillar and whose plate thickness is set thicker than that of the thin plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Shimasaki
  • Patent number: 11254196
    Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of a vehicle comprises a front side door provided so as to open and close an opening portion for entrance which is formed by a vehicle-body frame member. The front side door comprises a door panel portion and reinforcement portions provided at a peripheral part of the door panel portion such that at least part of the reinforcement portions overlaps with the vehicle-body frame member in a vehicle side view, the reinforcement portions being configured to reinforce the door panel portion such that when a collision load is inputted to the front side door in a vehicle side collision, a connection state of the door panel portion and the vehicle-body frame member is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Honda, Tomohito Okuyama, Takehisa Kohira, Ryuji Nonaka, Toshiyuki Gendo, Ken Ueki, Isamu Kizaki
  • Patent number: 11203381
    Abstract: A body structure for a vehicle has at least one side door sill that is made up of a door sill outer part on the outer side of the vehicle and a door sill inner part on the inner side of the vehicle, in the vehicle transverse direction, which delimit a door sill cavity that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between a front closing profile that closes off the door sill cavity in the direction of the front wheel housing, and a rear closing profile that closes off the door sill cavity in the direction of the rear wheel housing, wherein a reinforcement element, designed as an insert part, which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and acts as a side collision reinforcement is situated in the door sill cavity, and wherein in the event of a head-on collision the reinforcement element is acted on by a collision force directed toward the rear of the vehicle, in particular with load on at least one connecting point at which the reinforcement element is connected to the door sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Eike Schuppert, Johannes Van De Wiel, Mario Ubaldo, Sören Krengel, Uwe Weingarten
  • Patent number: 11155306
    Abstract: A vehicle side outer structure includes a master side outer panel having a front door opening and a rear door opening, and a quarter garnish panel joined to a rear edge of the master side outer panel, wherein the quarter garnish panel is configured to be changeable in response to a partial design change of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Hoon Son, Young Ho Lee, Hee Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 11136066
    Abstract: To improve bending rigidity of a side sill against an inward load during a lateral collision while suppressing a weight increase of the side sill, a vehicle side body structure includes a side sill that has a closed cross-sectional space extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a center pillar. A pillar inner provided in the center pillar has a pillar inner upper and a pillar inner lower. In a longitudinal direction of the side sill, an overlapping portion in which the pillar inner upper and the pillar inner lower overlap each other in side view in the closed cross-sectional space of the side sill is provided. The closed cross-sectional space further includes sections, each of which partitions the closed cross-sectional space in the longitudinal direction. These sections are joined to the overlapping portion and an inner surface, which faces the closed cross-sectional space, in the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamazaki, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11052950
    Abstract: Embodiments include a vehicle pillar member, which has a length and includes a plurality of steel sheets welded along at least one joint line transverse to the longitudinal direction, and for each joint line, the strengths of the steel sheets just above and below the joint line are different. The joint lines may include one or more first joint lines inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle pillar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kosaka, Yoshiyuki Nagayama
  • Patent number: 11040741
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a rear pillar assembly, an attachment panel and a reinforcement panel. The rear pillar assembly has an upper end, a lower end and a mid-section and partially defines a rear corner area of a passenger compartment. The rear pillar assembly includes an inner panel that has a first upright edge that at least partially defines one side of a rear window opening and a second upright edge that at least partially defines a door opening. The attachment panel is fixedly attached to the inner panel along the mid-section of the rear pillar assembly. The reinforcement panel overlays the inner panel and the attachment panel and has a curved portion that extends from the attachment panel along the inner panel and curves downward along the inner panel. The curved portion is welded to the mid-section of the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Greggs
  • Patent number: 10919577
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Douglas, Robert Ristoski, Robert N. Saje, Kevin Stang, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 10814915
    Abstract: A center pillar includes: an outer panel located outward in a vehicle-width direction; and an inner panel located inward of the outer panel in a vehicle-width direction, and forming a closed section, wherein the inner panel includes an installation opening formed in a lower end portion in a vehicle-height direction of the inner panel, a predetermined component being housed in the closed section via the installation opening, a pair of longitudinally long bead portions formed at both side edges of the inner panel so as to extend in the vehicle-height direction from an upper end portion to a peripheral edge of the installation opening, and a reinforcing coupling bead portion formed at a position above and near the installation opening in the vehicle-height direction, the reinforcing coupling bead portion coupling the pair of longitudinally long bead portions along the vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Onishi, Naoto Taniyama
  • Patent number: 10773753
    Abstract: Roof side rails are in a closed cross-section structure, each formed by a rail outer member and a rail inner member. A reinforcing member is disposed in the closed cross-section structure at a position where each roof side rail is connected to a roof cross member. The reinforcing member includes a base bonded to the rail outer member, a facing plate facing the rail inner member, and a supporting wall standing on the base to support the facing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Chiba, Keisuke Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10759478
    Abstract: A structural member (10) includes: a hat member (1); and a closing plate (2). The hat member (1) includes: a top-surface portion (1a); a pair of side walls (1b) extending from both edges of the top-surface portion (1a); and flanges (1c). The closing plate (2) is in contact with the flanges (1c). Each of the side walls (1b) includes a low-strength portion (1s) extending from one edge of the side wall (1b) to a position at a distance Sh. The distance Sh is 20 to 40% of the height H of the side wall (1b). The yield strength of the low-strength portion (1s) is 60 to 85% of the yield strength of the side wall (1b) as measured at a position (1mid) of one-half of the height of the side wall (1b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirose, Yuichi Ishimori, Hiroshi Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 10202150
    Abstract: A rocker (2) of a vehicle, the vehicle and the rocker (2) comprising a main elongation axis, a width axis (Y) and a height axis (Z), a lower portion and an upper portion, the rocker (2) further comprising a central core (3) comprising a length along the main elongation axis and a height along the height axis (Z); two hollow units (4, 5) extending along the length and on one side and the other of the central core (3), such that one of the units (4) is closer to the outside of the vehicle (1) than the other unit (5), and a cross-section of the units in the main elongation axis, forms a closed polygon on the length of the central core (3); and two flanges (6) projecting from the lower and upper portions of the rocker (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOTECH ENGINEERING A.I.E.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Leroy, Vincent Barelli
  • Patent number: 9868469
    Abstract: A vehicular object detection device including: a rocker section that extends substantially along a vehicle front-rear direction, at a lower side of a side section of a vehicle, and that is configured by plural rocker configuration members; and an object detection sensor that is disposed in the rocker section and that detects an object at at least one of a side or the lower side of the vehicle, wherein: among the plural rocker configuration members, a rocker configuration member disposed at a vehicle width direction outer side of the object detection sensor is configured by a resin, or the rocker configuration member disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the object detection sensor is formed with a detection opening that is open toward a vehicle outer side at a position corresponding to a transceiver of the object detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Sakakibara, Masanobu Ohmi, Seiji Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Matsumura, Kazuki Sugie, Misato Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9855977
    Abstract: An underbody structure of a vehicle may include a side sill, a tunnel member, and a rear side member, all of which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in which at least one of the side sill, the tunnel member, and the rear side member may include a plurality of first coupling sections, which is coupled to transverse members of the vehicle that extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a plurality of first non-coupling sections, which is not coupled to the members arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the first coupling sections and the first non-coupling sections may have different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee Seouk Chung, Deok Hwa Hong
  • Patent number: 9731769
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Robert Schwalm, Stephen W. Siu, Greg B. Zinn, Djamal Eddine Midoun
  • Patent number: 9365242
    Abstract: A pillar assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel, a reinforcement and an inner panel. The outer panel extends from a roof to a rocker. The reinforcement is attached to the outer panel and extends from the roof to a lower end that is spaced from the rocker. The reinforcement defines an opening in one side extending upwardly from the lower end of the reinforcement to a hip seating reference point level. The inner panel encloses the lower end of the reinforcement in conjunction with the outer panel. The pillar reinforces the assembly to facilitate inwardly collapsing a lower portion of the pillar to a greater extent than an upper portion of the pillar in a side impact collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Herbert Yang, Zhenyan Gao, Ryan Craig, Jeffrey Lichtner
  • Patent number: 9150258
    Abstract: A modular body structure and a method for assembling a body structure in a vehicle includes fitting a pillar having first and second ends between a roof rail and a lower support such that the first end is disposed below a top of the roof rail. The pillar is fastened to the roof rail and the lower support with first threaded fasteners by friction drilling holes through the pillar and the roof rail and the lower support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John May, Vincent Chimento, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Patent number: 9085323
    Abstract: A metal reinforcement for a B-pillar of an automotive vehicle includes a lower flange and an upper structure. The lower flange is adapted to adjoin a door sill structure of the automotive vehicle, and the upper structure includes a central portion, surrounded by a plurality of spaced, paired regions. In each paired region, members are identically ordered in position from the central portion, and both members of each paired region have the same profile thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Busch, Reiner Quick, Chris Curtis, Thomas Mueller, Hessel C. Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 9061708
    Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes a house reinforcing member mounted on a front upper portion of an inner wheel house, the house reinforcing member having a front connecting portion connected to a flange of the inner wheel house, a panel portion extending from the front connecting portion in an inclined manner, and a rear connecting portion connected to a rear bulkhead. A rear end of a door beam is provided outwardly of a striker in a vehicle width direction, and the rear end of the door beam, the striker, and the front connecting portion are provided in an overlapping manner from outside to inside in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Sugiyama, Yusuke Takayama, Shigeyuki Nagai, Shouji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9045165
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle side portion joining portion structure capable of promoting a reduction in weight of a vehicle body and of effectively suppressing vibrations and deformations of a pillar, regardless of structures of the pillar and a rocker and the like. A pillar reinforcement member is joined to an interior of a foot portion of a pillar outer that is formed with an open cross section in which a vehicle width direction inner side is opened. At a vehicle forward side of the foot portion, a front side closed cross section is formed at a vehicle front side portion of the foot portion. At a vehicle rearward side of the foot portion, a rear side closed cross section is formed at a vehicle rear side portion of the foot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8997908
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members; a frame; and an operator area having an operator side and a passenger side. The utility vehicle further comprises a roll cage extending above the operator area; a front windshield coupled to the roll cage; and a rear windshield coupled to the roll cage. The utility vehicle further includes a roof latched to the roll cage, a first door hinged to the roll cage along the operator side, and a second door hinged to the roll cage along the passenger side. The couplings between the rear windshield and the roll cage, between the roof and the roll cage, and between the first and second doors and the roll cage each being free of a fastener. The front and rear windshields, the roof, and the first and second doors enclose the operator area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J Kinsman, Angus M Morison, Keith A. Hollman, Adam J. Schlangen, Greg W. Fedelem, Daniel L. Goffman, Paul J. Johnson, Kelly J. Knutson, Jeremiah T. Johnstun
  • Patent number: 8973693
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises at least one front ground engaging member; at least one rear ground engaging member; and a frame extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a channel member extending in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear portions. The vehicle further comprises a floor board coupled to the channel member and a powertrain assembly having a drive shaft operably coupled to at least one of the front ground engaging member and the rear ground engaging member. Additionally, the vehicle comprises a plurality of transport lines configured to transport at least one of a fluid and an electrical connection between the front portion and the rear portion of the frame. The channel member is positioned intermediate the drive shaft and the transport lines and is configured to support the transport lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Kinsman, Angus M. Morison, Keith A. Hollman, Adam J. Schlangen, Greg W. Fedelem, Daniel L. Goffman
  • Patent number: 8960775
    Abstract: The center pillar outer member (36) of a center pillar (22) which supports a roof (17) is halved into a center pillar outer upper section (37) and a center pillar outer lower section (38). The center pillar outer member (36) is provided with a connection recess (41) at which the center pillar outer lower section (38) is joined to the center pillar outer upper section (37), and is also provided with a seal member (42) which covers the connection recess (41). The seal member (42) continues to the front upper seal (43) and the rear upper seal (44), respectively, of a front door opening seal (31) and a rear door opening seal (33), the front and rear upper seals (43, 44) extending along a roof side rail (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Nagai, Kenichi Kitayama, Yasunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8960768
    Abstract: A structure for a side portion of a vehicle, the structure having a bulkhead provided within a closed cross-section of a center pillar. The bulkhead is disposed so as to be superposed on the lapping section of a lower door beam in the width direction of the vehicle and has a movement restriction section capable of supporting the lapping section. When the lower door beam is moved by a load inputted in the lower door beam from a side of the vehicle, the movement restriction section supports the lapping section of the lower door beam to restrict the movement of the lapping section in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Kato, Noritaka Kobayashi, Hideaki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8960780
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Nydam, Kenneth Ameloot
  • Patent number: 8919866
    Abstract: A side-support structure mounted over an upper side portion of a vehicle includes an upper horizontal portion attached to a portion of the roof of the vehicle. A central arcuate portion of the side-support structure is attached to a portion of the vehicle between the roof and the side-pillar of the vehicle. The side-support structure also includes a lower vertical portion attached to an upper portion of the side-pillar of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike James Freeman, Gene A. Senn
  • Patent number: 8888173
    Abstract: 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 has a forward end fixedly attached to the sill at a front attachment point and a rearward end fixedly attached to the A-pillar at a rear attachment point that is laterally offset from the front attachment point. The reinforcement member includes a main bracing part that extends diagonally between the front and rear attachment points within both the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Nydam, Kenneth Ameloot
  • Publication number: 20140265447
    Abstract: A side-support structure mounted over an upper side portion of a vehicle includes an upper horizontal portion attached to a portion of the roof of the vehicle. A central arcuate portion of the side-support structure is attached to a portion of the vehicle between the roof and the side-pillar of the vehicle. The side-support structure also includes a lower vertical portion attached to an upper portion of the side-pillar of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mike James Freeman, Gene A Senn
  • Patent number: 8827355
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure has a floor panel upper; a rocker provided so as to extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the floor panel upper, and having a rocker upper and a rocker lower that are divided in a vehicle vertical direction; a floor reinforcement provided so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction at a central portion between the rocker and a tunnel portion formed at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of the floor panel upper, and disposed at a vehicle rear side of a front side member; and an intermediate reinforcement lower provided so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the rocker and the floor reinforcement, disposed at a vehicle lower side of the floor panel upper, and formed integrally with the rocker lower via a flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Iwamoto, Fumihiko Kishima, Kazuya Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20140246881
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Hasegawa, Wakato Yamamoto, Katsutoshi Tada
  • Patent number: 8807627
    Abstract: A side panel assembly for a bus including a frame and a seat rail, may include a lower panel integrally having a lower panel part which forms a lower side of a side surface of the bus, a frame part which extends from an upper side of the lower panel part, an inner side of the frame part being formed in a shape of a hollow pipe, and a seat rail part which formed in a groove shape in a longitudinal direction of the bus at an inner side of the bus in the frame part and integrally engaging a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sangkyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8794693
    Abstract: A side structure for a vehicle body, the side structure having: a side rail and a pillar that are provided at sides of door openings; and trim members that are provided to the side rail and the pillar. In the side structure, a pillar inner member is provided to the side rail while the upper end of the pillar inner member overlaps a joint of the side rail, and this forms intersections at which rail flanges and pillar flanges cross. At the intersections, stepped sections are formed at the pillar flanges, and in the rail flanges, recesses are formed at portions corresponding to the stepped sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Nakayama, Mikihito Nei
  • Publication number: 20140191535
    Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes a house reinforcing member mounted on a front upper portion of an inner wheel house, the house reinforcing member having a front connecting portion connected to a flange of the inner wheel house, a panel portion extending from the front connecting portion in an inclined manner, and a rear connecting portion connected to a rear bulkhead. A rear end of a door beam is provided outwardly of a striker in a vehicle width direction, and the rear end of the door beam, the striker, and the front connecting portion are provided in an overlapping manner from outside to inside in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Sugiyama, Yusuke Takayama, Shigeyuki Nagai, Shouji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8757703
    Abstract: A car body, for example, a front or rear frame is provided. The car body includes at least one crossmember and at least one pair of left and right braces that are arranged at least substantially symmetric to the crossmember. The car body also includes a shear element that is designed for absorbing shear forces during a collision and that is mounted on a brace of the pair, wherein no shear element is provided symmetrically thereto on the other brace of this pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jens Matuschek, Roland Schirmer, Andreas Woisnitza, Juergen Vollhardt
  • Publication number: 20140170342
    Abstract: A vehicle component (3, 11) for a motor vehicle body has at least one line (6, 7, 12, 13, 14) integrated in the vehicle component (3, 11). The vehicle component (3, 11) is formed from a fiber composite material and the at least one line (6, 7, 11, 12, 13) is laminated into the vehicle component (3, 11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Peitz
  • Patent number: 8740290
    Abstract: A vehicle body side part structure having high strength against a load in a frontal collision and a load in a side collision. A side panel outer member (14) is provided with a front pillar lower section (31) which is formed from a high-tensile steel sheet, a front pillar upper section (37a) which is formed from a normal steel sheet, and a reinforcement member (38) which is disposed along the front pillar upper section. The upper end (31a) of the front pillar lower section (31) is joined to the inner surface of the lower end (37c) of the front pillar upper section. The front end (38a) of the reinforcement member (38) is joined to the inner surface of the upper end (31a) of the front pillar lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Takayama, Hitoshi Mizohata, Takayuki Yamada, Kazunori Hida, Yasunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8702156
    Abstract: A connecting structure for a fender apron may include a fender apron; a cowl side member that has the same cross-sectional shape as a part of the fender apron and is coupled with the fender apron; and an A-pillar of which the inside is coupled with the cowl side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hee Seouk Chung
  • Patent number: 8696050
    Abstract: In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Nakamura, Junji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140097643
    Abstract: A bracket protecting a location on a vehicle. The bracket can have upper and bottom members that are spaced apart from each other and connected by a side member. The upper, bottom and side members of the bracket can also form an opening where a blind spot monitor can be located. The upper member can have a liquid diversion flange that prevents water from flowing onto an outer radar surface of the blind spot monitor and the bottom member can have a debris-blocking flange that protects or shields the outer radar surface from debris such as rocks, sand, etc., that are thrown up from a road surface towards the blind spot monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Else Yamasaki, Mingher Fred Shen, Josh David Fraley
  • Patent number: 8690227
    Abstract: A gusset member which is provided in back of a front wheel and connects a dash panel and a hinge pillar is provided. A first reinforcing member which is connected to the gusset member to reinforce a lower portion of the hinge pillar is provided. Accordingly, a cabin deformation of a vehicle side portion as a whole can be properly restrained, thereby ensuring a sufficient space of a vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Matsuoka, Akiyoshi Masuda, Keizo Kawasaki, Masanobu Fukushima, Atsushi Kawamoto, Hiromasa Honji
  • Patent number: 8690231
    Abstract: A vehicle structure body includes roof side rails 10 that extend in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle on both sides in a vehicle width direction, and center pillars 20 that are connected to rear end portions 10a of the roof side rails 10 and extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional area of the roof side rail 10 is substantially constant from the front end of the roof side rail 10 to a front position P in front of the center pillar 20, and the cross-sectional area of the roof side rail is reduced from the front position P to a position S immediately before a joint portion between the roof side rail 10 and the center pillar 20. When a collision load acts on the roof side rail 10, the roof side rail 10 is easily folded at a portion of which the cross-sectional area is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the input of moment to the center pillar 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuitsu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8678481
    Abstract: A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body, wherein the respective lower parts of a front pillar are joined to a side sill. A pillar's lower part (64) of a center pillar(21) and a pillar's lower part (65) of a front pillar (16) are provided with overlapping joining sections (31) having circular arc sections (68) which are formed so as to be separated outward from a corner (67) of a side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are overlapped on a vertical wall section (27) of the side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are provided with bead sections (72) separated from the vertical wall section (27). The overlapping joining sections (31) are also provided with contact sections (101) in contact with the vertical wall section (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 8668250
    Abstract: A side structure of a vehicle is provided with a side part outer frame. The side part outer frame includes, but is not limited to a front pillar and a center pillar with mounting connections for door hinges. The side part outer frame includes, but is not limited to the outer structure starting from a windshield to including a rear fender region and is a one-piece and stable construction and has a greater material thickness than a side part outer skin of a conventional side structure. One of the two pillars or both pillars comprise a reinforcement structure that is fixed within the side part outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Klimek, Lothar Teske, Gunther Heim
  • Publication number: 20140062136
    Abstract: An inner fender panel for a structural fender of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The panel includes an outer surface configured for attachment to the inner surface of an outer panel of the fender and an inner surface; the inner panel comprising a plurality of abutting inner fender panel sections that are joined to one another, each inner fender panel section having a thickness, at least two abutting inner fender panel sections having thicknesses that are different. A structural fender for an automotive vehicle is also disclosed. The fender includes a formed outer panel having a viewable outer surface and an inner surface. The fender also includes a formed inner fender panel as described comprising a plurality of abutting inner fender panel sections that are joined to one another, each inner fender panel section having a thickness, at least two abutting inner fender panel sections having thicknesses that are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Patent number: 8662567
    Abstract: A vehicle roof support pillar assembly may include a first support pillar and a second support pillar. The first support pillar may have a first hollow body with a first side surface. The second support pillar may have a second hollow body with a second side surface, the second support pillar may be positioned next to the first hollow body when assembled and in use. The first and second side surfaces may contact each other along at least a portion of their vertical extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Vari-Form, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurpreet S. Aul, Martin L. Bliss, Michael E. Bolas, Jose U. Coelho, Dean A. Gericke, Larry D. Marks
  • Patent number: 8651561
    Abstract: In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Nakamura, Junji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140015283
    Abstract: A mechanism for increasing stiffness of the side-structure of a vehicle, for transferring loads and strain energy, and for improving rigidity from the lower portion of a side pillar, to the underbody structural components of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a hydroformed tube having a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and an arcuate central portion. The upper end of the vertical portion is spot welded to the lower portion of the side pillar. The horizontal portion is received into, and spot welded to, an inner portion of a structural member. The structural member is an L-shaped bracket, and its major portion is spot welded to an inner portion of an elongated beam. The beam is fixedly attached to the side rail of the vehicle. The tubular member, the structural member, and the elongated beam, when connected, form a closed continuous box shaped structure, which reinforces the side-structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mike James Freeman, Philip John Leonetti, Gene A. Senn, Christopher Kunkel, Shadi M. Al-Thabteh
  • Publication number: 20140008937
    Abstract: A side structure for an automobile body has an A-pillar having a first portion which has a closed cross section and which is connected to a side sill and extends upwards, and a second portion which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the first portion and extends along a slope therefrom, and a roof rail side member which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the A-pillar and is connected to a B-pillar. The side reinforcing member having a closed cross section and a shape which is bent three-dimensionally and which is constituted by a single member in the axial direction and has undergone high frequency quenching is disposed so a to extend at least inside the second portion and inside the roof rail side member to be positioned to the rear of the connection with the B-pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michitaka YOSHIDA, Nobusato Kojima, Atsushi Tomizawa, Naoaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8567857
    Abstract: A connection member which connects an outside portion of a cross member and an inside wall face portion of a side sill includes a cross-member-side connection portion connected to the cross member and a side-sill-side connection portion connected to the side sill, the side-sill-side connection portion is configured to have a lower rigidity than the cross-member-side connection portion, and an outside end portion of the cross member is located at a specified position which is located on the outside of the cross-member-side connection portion and on the inside away from the inside wall face portion of the side sill. Thereby, the impact load in the vehicle side collision can be effectively supported by the cross member with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujii, Kohei Kirita, Yosuke Onda, Hideharu Kaeriyama, Masafumi Sakakida, Kenichi Yukumatsu