Body Side Patents (Class 296/193.05)
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Patent number: 8511746Abstract: A frame for a vehicle which is formed to have a closed cross section and constitutes part of a vehicle body, comprising a first face portion on which a compressive force acts when a load acts from an outside, a second face portion on which a tensional force acts when the load acts from the outside, a pair of third face portions which are located between the first face portion and the second face portion and form ridgelines together with the first face portion, and a lateral reinforcement potion which is provided at least one of the third face portions and extending in a line shape from the first face portion toward the second face portion. Accordingly, the frame for a vehicle which can increase the bending strength of the frame is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Chikara Kawamura, Masanori Honda, Shin Sasaki, Mitsugi Fukahori, Naoko Saito
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Patent number: 8496288Abstract: An outer side wall structure for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, having a front section and a rear section, between which at least one door of the motor vehicle can be situated, and having an upper section and a lower section. It is provided that the sections form a peripheral frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marc Juettner, Markus Schultheis
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Patent number: 8491046Abstract: A center pillar section formed of a high-tensile steel plate is fixed to a side panel frame section including a roof rail section formed of an ordinary-tensile steel plate. A reinforcing member formed of a high-tensile steel plate is provided inside the roof rail section, and the center pillar section is fixed at its upper end portion to the outer surface of the reinforcing member and at its lower end portion to the side sill section. A door beam provided within a front door overlaps the center pillar section and lower portion of a front pillar section. Front and rear end portions of the door beam are opposed to respective increased-width portions of the front pillar section and center pillar section.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Nagai, Tomohisa Tanaka, Yusuke Takayama, Hitoshi Mizohata, Yasunori Watanabe
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Patent number: 8491045Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes an outer side panel and an inner side panel. The outer side panel has an outer window area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window area. The outer window area includes a removable portion that spans the outer window area. The inner side panel has an inner window area and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window area. The attachment flange is rigidly attached to the window sash along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel. The removable portion of the outer window area is located adjacent to the connection area.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Ameloot, Jeff Pencak, Jeff Doyle
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Patent number: 8449018Abstract: A method of forming members of fiber reinforced thermoplastic members via molding, the members including at least one hollow chamber, formed by water injection into the melt in the mold, to stiffen the finished member. The thermoplastic is preferably selected from a group comprising polypropylene, Nylon, PET, ABS, TPO, and thermoplastic polyurethane, while the reinforcing fibers are preferably selected from a group comprising glass, aramid, carbon, and natural fibers. Preferably, the extruded melt is produced such that the average length of the reinforcing fibers is less than four millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Inventors: Steven Grgac, Hans-Joachim Ludwig, Gerhard Fischer, Martin McLeod
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Patent number: 8439428Abstract: An inner center pillar member has a section passed through the interior of a side sill into outer and inner spaces. An outer load transmitting member is provided within the outer space in opposed relation to the passed-through section of the inner center pillar member, and an inner load transmitting member is provided within the inner space in opposed relation to the outer load transmitting member with the passed-through section interposed therebetween. A door beam provided within a door has a rear end portion located close to the outer load transmitting member and lapped over a corner portion of a center pillar.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shogo Imamura
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Publication number: 20130113237Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle structural pillar, includes: forming an inner panel with a first flange; forming an outer panel with a second flange; and clinching the second flange over the first flange so as to secure the inner panel and outer panel together by the first and second flanges.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Henrik Huhn
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Patent number: 8414068Abstract: A vehicle body structure is configured such that not only can a pillar that is a vertical member of a vehicle body, for example, a bus, be joined to a rail that is a horizontal member without conducting a welding process, but also the strength of the vehicle body can be enhanced, thus preventing the generation of noise and vibrations, improving the durability of the vehicle body structure, and facilitating assembly work.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.Inventors: Wook Jin Na, Jong Chan Park
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Patent number: 8408638Abstract: A reinforced vehicle structure includes a first vehicle wall, a second vehicle wall, an accessory attachment member and a reinforcement member. The first vehicle wall has a first outer wall surface facing an outboard direction and a first inner wall surface facing an inboard direction. The second vehicle wall extends transverse to the first vehicle wall, and has a second outer wall surface facing a first direction and a second inner wall surface facing an opposite direction. The accessory attachment member is mounted to the first inner wall surface. The reinforcement member has a first end mounted to the accessory attachment member and a second end mounted to the second inner wall surface with the reinforcement member spanning the first and second vehicle walls such that the reinforcement member does not extend parallel to either of the first and second vehicle walls.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Pencak, Matthew Mollick, Robert Blanchard, Dan Hustyi
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Publication number: 20130076075Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reinforcing structure for reinforcing a side wall structure for a motor vehicle in the region of a door cutout, wherein the reinforcing structure is designed ring-shaped in order to surround a door cutout of a side wall structure. It is provided that the reinforcing structure is produced material-uniformly. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a semi-finished product for producing such a reinforcing structure and to a method for producing the reinforcing structure. The present disclosure also relates to a side wall structure and to a side wall for a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Bernd POHL, Stefan STANIK
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Patent number: 8393672Abstract: A structural member includes: a compression-side wall part disposed in a compressive stress field of a bend; a tension-side wall part disposed in a tensile stress field of the bend; and a coupling wall part that couples the compression-side wall part and the tension-side wall part. The neutral axis of the bend is disposed in the vicinity of the compression-side wall part. For example, the compression-side wall part is higher in material strength, and/or larger in sheet thickness, than the tension-side wall part.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeo Mori
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Patent number: 8388046Abstract: The body structure of a motor vehicle has a reinforcing support that runs directly adjacent to an upper cutout edge for the rear side window. The reinforcing support has a downwardly curved rear end held in a body-mounted supporting bracket and is connected to a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is arranged adjacent to a rear edge of the rear side window and is connected to an inner side part. The reinforcing element forms a vertically oriented C pillar for force flux diversion into the body shell structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Volker Hutter, Juergen Wittenberg
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Patent number: 8382195Abstract: A vehicle body forward portion structure is provided that can ensure necessary strength and reduce the weight of a front pillar portion. In vehicle body forward portion structure, front pillar lower is formed in an overall open cross section shape that opens inward in a vehicle width direction as seen in plan sectional view as a result of front pillar outer portion being joined to pillar reinforcement lower formed from high-tensile steel plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Iwase, Takayuki Oidemizu, Yoshiteru Inamoto
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Publication number: 20130038079Abstract: The connecting structure of a center filler and a quarter member of a vehicle may include a lateral junction portion formed at a front end of the quarter member, the lateral junction portion coupling with one side surface of the center filler in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The connection structure may further include a longitudinal coupling portion formed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle coupled with an outer quarter member of the quarter member, a trim coupling portion substantially the same length as the longitudinal coupling portion coupled with trim, and a connection portion connecting the longitudinal coupling portion and the trim coupling portion to each other, wherein the lateral junction portion extends at a front end of the longitudinal coupling portion, and the lateral junction portion is bent substantially perpendicular to contact to the center filler.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Kyunghoon Son
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Publication number: 20130026786Abstract: A battery protection structure for an automobile includes a rocker placed in a side portion of a body, a floor panel whose outer end in a body width direction is secured to the rocker, a reinforcement located more inward in the body width direction than the rocker, and secured to the floor panel, the reinforcement forming a part of a frame of the body, a battery located more inward in the body width direction than the rocker, and placed below the floor panel in the body, and an input member that connects between the rocker and the reinforcement, and configured to input, upon input of a collision load directed inward in the body width direction to the rocker, a part of the collision load to a midsection of the floor panel between the rocker and the reinforcement as a component directed upward of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji SAEKI
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Patent number: 8356859Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforcement assembly for a beam. In at least one embodiment, the reinforcement assembly comprises a carrier member having a front side and a back side, a plurality of mass support sections, and at least one bendable portion disposed between adjacent mass support sections. Each mass support section has an opening extending from the front side to the back side, and a plurality of heat activated expandable masses supported on both the front side and the back side of the carrier member. Each heat activated expandable mass is positioned over a mass support section and each heat activated expandable mass is disposed on the front side being connected through the opening to a corresponding heat activated expandable mass on the back side.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaAInventors: Shoung-Gi Shin, Taehyun Lee, Daniel Rudolph, Mark Balazy, Michael Flener
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Patent number: 8348321Abstract: A vehicle body structure for fitting a pillar garnish and a fender panel is provided which surely prevents a space formed in the surface of a vehicle body from being viewed as black. The vehicle body structure includes a resin-made pillar garnish on a front surface side of a pillar of a vehicle body, a steel-made fender panel having an end on an end of the pillar garnish, and a seal member sealing a space between respective ends of the pillar garnish and the fender panel. The pillar garnish has an extending portion which extends in a direction from the end of the pillar garnish to the end of the fender panel. The fender panel has a flange which extends in a direction from the end of the fender panel to the end of the pillar garnish. The seal member is mounted on the extending portion and the flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoya Yamazaki, Toshihiko Hatakeyama
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Patent number: 8303028Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of vehicles and vehicle body assemblies incorporating slide rail reinforcements. One embodiment of a vehicle body assembly comprises an inner body panel and an outer body panel spaced a distance from the inner body panel in an outboard direction of a vehicle. The outer body panel has an outer surface and an opposing inner surface. An elongated slide track is mounted on the outer surface of the outer body panel. A force distribution member has a support surface fixed to the inner surface of the outer body panel directly opposite a portion of the elongated slide track and first and second distribution legs extending from the support surface and fixed to the inner body panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Jonathan Domlovil, Naga Ananthachandra Narayana
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Patent number: 8292356Abstract: A reinforcing member is provided at a lower-outside corner of a side-sill reinforcement so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction including a connection portion of the side sill to a center pillar for straining deformation of the corner. A deformation promoting portion which is provided at an upper portion of the side-sill reinforcement at a specified position which corresponds to the connection portion for prompting deformation of the upper portion of the side-sill reinforcement. Accordingly, a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can properly restrain the side sill and the center pillar from coming toward the vehicle inside at the vehicle side crash can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Katsuyoshi Ishigame, Yuichi Sugimura, Masaki Motoki, Yukari Fujii, Akihiro Yukimori, Yoshikazu Nishimura, Kohei Kirita, Katsumi Ejima, Keizo Kawasaki
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Publication number: 20120261951Abstract: A bearing structure arrangement of a motor vehicle body is provided with a side panel structure adjoining a bulkhead, and a linking component secured thereto for accommodating a frame rail section located upstream from the side panel structure in the traveling direction. The linking component facing the frame carrier section includes, but is not limited to an attachment profile corresponding with the profile cross section of the frame rail section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Udo MILDNER, Lothar TESKE
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Publication number: 20120261950Abstract: A vehicle roof support assembly is provided which includes a roof rail, a rocker panel, a first hollow support member and a second hollow support member. The first hollow support member and the second hollow support member each includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a front wall, a front wall and a rear wall. The first hollow support member and the second hollow support member each include a tubular lower area that extends upwardly from the rocker panel. The first hollow support member and the second hollow support member also each include an upper section that extends downwardly from the roof rail. The first hollow support member and the second hollow support member are spaced apart from one another in at least a middle area of the first and second hollow support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jason Scott Balzer, Dustin Michael Hall, Roman Grygosinski, Vince Chimento, David Baerlin, Christopher L. Eikey, Ryan Craig
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Publication number: 20120256445Abstract: The vehicle roof support pillar is provided which includes a pillar inner panel, a pillar outer panel and a unitary closed-section reinforcement member. The unitary closed-section reinforcement member is disposed entirely within a chamber defined by the pillar inner panel and the pillar outer panel. The unitary closed-section reinforcement member includes an upper area and a lower area. The lower area of the unitary close-section reinforcement member has an increasing cross-section below the buckling line. The pillar inner panel includes upper and lower ends. The lower inner end has a greater width relative to the upper inner end. The pillar outer panel also has a progressively increasing width relative to the upper outer end.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier, David Anthony Wagner, Xiaowei Li, Duncan Whipps
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Patent number: 8282154Abstract: A vehicle body lateral side portion structure including a side sill which has a closed cross-sectional structure formed from an inner panel and an outer panel, and is arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein: an outer side wall of the outer panel includes a plurality of step portions; an arch surface which protrudes towards a vehicle exterior side taking, as an apex point, a vicinity of a join position with a center pillar of the vehicle body is formed in a portion of the outer side wall; the outer panel includes a planar portion adjoining the arch surface and a rectilinear portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a distal end portion of the side sill is connected to a front side frame of the vehicle body; and a rear end portion of the side sill is connected to a rear frame portion of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiko Maruyama
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Patent number: 8262153Abstract: A panel incorporated into a pillar of a vehicle body includes a base portion defining an opening, and a flange extending from an edge of the opening such that a portion of the flange forms an acute angle with the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner, Rabin Bhojan, Dan O. Dague, John A. Speirs, Dennis P. Laakso
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Publication number: 20120200119Abstract: An outer side wall structure for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, having a front section and a rear section, between which at least one door of the motor vehicle can be situated, and having an upper section and a lower section. It is provided that the sections form a peripheral frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marc JUETTNER, Markus SCHULTHEIS
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Publication number: 20120187716Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of vehicles and vehicle body assemblies incorporating slide rail reinforcements. One embodiment of a vehicle body assembly comprises an inner body panel and an outer body panel spaced a distance from the inner body panel in an outboard direction of a vehicle. The outer body panel has an outer surface and an opposing inner surface. An elongated slide track is mounted on the outer surface of the outer body panel. A force distribution member has a support surface fixed to the inner surface of the outer body panel directly opposite a portion of the elongated slide track and first and second distribution legs extending from the support surface and fixed to the inner body panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Thomas Jonathan Domlovil, Naga Ananthachandra Narayana
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Patent number: 8215708Abstract: A body of a motor vehicle includes a lateral roof region that has an outer skin, an outer roof frame, and an inner roof frame, wherein the outer roof frame is arranged under the outer skin and the inner roof frame is arranged under the outer roof frame, and the outer skin, the outer roof frame, and the inner roof frame have a common welded flange, by means of which the outer skin and the outer and inner roof frames are connected to one another, and which is configured to receive an adhesive layer for a roof module having a roof module frame. An aspect of the invention is to provide an accident-optimized vehicle body at little expense that prevents a tearing off of the roof module, and is achieved in that the outer roof frame of the body is configured as a locking element for the roof module frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AGInventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Kai Schmitz, Alfred Lösch, Ralf Stegmeyer
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Patent number: 8177291Abstract: A longitudinal beam, which is provided for a chassis of a motor vehicle, has a curved section of a tubular member part horizontal reinforcement element. The reinforcement element is directly associated with the highest body of a lower horizontal limb of the tubular member part and is connected to an upper horizontal limb of the tubular member part. This draws the curved section in a crash of the vehicle a high degree of stability.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Bernd Gosolits, Radu-Mihail Visinescu
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Patent number: 8172313Abstract: A side outer panel of a vehicle having an outer surface including an outer surface edge. The outer surface edge has a predetermined curved path that provides a styling shape to add an aesthetic element to the side outer panel. The side outer panel further includes a mounting portion integrally formed thereto. The mounting portion provides a structure for attaching the side outer panel to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting portion includes a planar surface spaced apart from the outer surface and a step disposed between the outer surface edge and the planar surface. The planar surface at least one flange extending orthogonally therefrom to define a welding surface for welding the side outer panel to the body thereby providing structural reinforcement to the outer surface edge of the side outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Wolbert, David Takeo Nakayama, Nigel Christopher Taylor
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Publication number: 20120074731Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a front side member structure that can improve yield strength against a moment generated due to a vehicle collision and the like. A front side member structure according to the invention is provided at a lower portion of a vehicle so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is used to form a frame of the vehicle. The front side member structure includes an under portion that extends in the longitudinal direction, and a kick portion that is provided at a front portion of the under portion and extends forward and upward. A front contour of the kick portion in the side view of the kick portion is inclined at an angle closer to a right angle than a rear contour of the kick portion in the side view of the kick portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Yoshida
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Patent number: 8118355Abstract: Outer side sill member includes an upper wall section slanting upward in a horizontal, outer-to-inner direction, and a lower wall section slanting downward in the horizontal, outer-to-inner direction. At least one of upper and lower wall sections of the outer side sill member has a channel-shaped bead extending along the side sill, so that the side sill has a polygonal closed sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The bead has a bottom portion having a width greater than a vertical dimension in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the bottom portion. Each of bulkheads, partitioning the interior of the side sill, is fixedly joined to the outer side sill member with its recessed edge portion substantially fittingly engaging with the bottom portion of the depressed wall portion of the outer side sill member.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Tamura, Koji Satoh, Hiroaki Ueno, Takeharu Endo
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Patent number: 8109561Abstract: A car body structure includes a roof side rail and a front pillar, and the roof side rail and the front pillar include a roof side rail reinforcement and a front pillar reinforcement. The roof side rail reinforcement extends in a front-to-rear direction of a car body, and the front pillar reinforcement extends in a direction that intersects the front-to-rear direction of the car body. The roof side rail reinforcement and the front pillar reinforcement are connected to each other so that an end of a lower side wall of the roof side rail reinforcement abuts an end of the outer side wall of the front pillar reinforcement in the front-to-rear direction of the car body and an end of an upper side wall of the roof side rail reinforcement overlaps an end of an inner side wall of the pillar front pillar reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsuya Matsumura
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Publication number: 20110298244Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an overmoulded part that defines a structural part for a motor vehicle, comprising: a moulding step during which at least one member of the part is moulded from a first material containing a thermosetting material, using a mould shaped so that at least one portion of the member forms a material web, an overmoulding step during which a second material containing a thermoplastic material is overmoulded on at least one of the material webs of the member so that the material web is torn under the pressure of the second material, a passage for the second material being then formed through the member. It also concerns a structural part for a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUMInventors: Fernando Ballesteros, Denis Gille, Patrick Bosg
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Publication number: 20110285175Abstract: An inner center pillar member has a section passed through the interior of a side sill into outer and inner spaces. An outer load transmitting member is provided within the outer space in opposed relation to the passed-through section of the inner center pillar member, and an inner load transmitting member is provided within the inner space in opposed relation to the outer load transmitting member with the passed-through section interposed therebetween. A door beam provided within a door has a rear end portion located close to the outer load transmitting member and lapped over a corner portion of a center pillar.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Shogo Imamura
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Publication number: 20110254313Abstract: Provided is a vehicle body structure which can improve collision performance. The sub-side member 3 has a deformation cooperative movement portion 7 whose strength is made lower than the deformation suppressing portion 8 on the rear side, at a position ahead of a power unit EG. The sub-side member 3 easily deforms at a position ahead of the power unit EG when the load is applied. The sub-side member 3 can deform in synchronization with the deformation of the front side member 2, in a region ahead of the power unit EG with high strength and a relatively small number of disposition parts. Accordingly, the sub-side member 3 can absorb the load efficiently in cooperative movement with the front side member 2. Additionally, the sub-side member 3 is constructed so as to have a higher strength than the deformation cooperative movement portion 7, on the rear side of the deformation cooperative movement portion 7. Accordingly, the sub-side member 3 sufficiently transmits the load to a rear frame structure structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Yoshida
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Publication number: 20110254317Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Hayato NAKAMURA, Junji SUZUKI
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Patent number: 8038201Abstract: Provided is a vehicle body structure which can prevent a door from entering a vehicle interior by preventing deformation of a beam extending in a vehicle width direction in a seat of a vehicle even when a side collision has occurred in the vehicle. In the vehicle body structure, a seat leg is placed above a cross member and fixed to the cross member. Additionally, a pair of seat legs is arranged on the right and left sides, and the seat legs are interconnected by a rod member. A beam is coupled with an upper end of the seat leg. The side of the beam protrudes to the outer side of the seat leg in the width direction of the vehicle, and a portion protruding outside of the seat leg is a protruding portion. A load transmission member having a length in the vehicle width direction substantially equal to the length of the protruding portion of the beam is arranged on the side of the seat leg.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobuyuki Torii
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Patent number: 8033596Abstract: A body structure of a motor vehicle has a rear side wall which is constructed in a simple manner. It is important for the side wall to have at least the following components configured as light metal diecast parts: a support, a suspension strut mount and a bracket for a rollover protection device.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Neumann, Holger Hahlweg
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Patent number: 8029043Abstract: For the reinforcement of a body structure of a motor vehicle which extends adjacent to a front side door of the vehicle, a hollow member structure formed by channel reinforcements is arranged in the body structure. The hollow member structure extends approximately in a horizontal plane from the B pillar into a rear region of the body structure. The channel reinforcements are intended to absorb, in a stable fashion, the forces which enter into the side part via the door in the event of a frontal crash.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Peter Baumann
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Patent number: 8007037Abstract: A motor vehicle, preferably a two door sports car, is provided with a side wall section, in particular comprising a fender, which forms at least partially the outer wall of a wheel housing. A sill panel which covers a lateral sill of the motor vehicle in the connected state to the side wall section forms an outer wall of an air guiding channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AGInventor: Werner Wolkersdorfer
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Patent number: 8007032Abstract: An energy distributing side structure for a vehicle is disclosed. The side structure includes a B-pillar having a wide base and an internal reinforcing tube, a rocker having an internal bulkhead, a rear rocker, and at least one cross-member extending vehicle-inward from the rocker. The cross-member may extend to the vehicle tunnel and may be attached to a tunnel brace. One or more additional cross-members may be provided which also extend vehicle-inward from the rocker and define secondary load paths. By this arrangement loading is transferred to the floor and cross-members of the vehicle during a lateral impact event.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Ryan Craig
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Publication number: 20110187155Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes an outer side panel and an inner side panel. The outer side panel has an outer window area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window area. The outer window area includes a removable portion that spans the outer window area. The inner side panel has an inner window area and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window area. The attachment flange is rigidly attached to the window sash along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel. The removable portion of the outer window area is located adjacent to the connection area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Kenneth Ameloot, Jeff Pencak, Jeff Doyle
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Patent number: 7988227Abstract: In a fender panel fixing structure of a passenger vehicle according to the present invention, a notch portion of a fender panel is provided with a first flat plate-shaped projection strip that is capable of being inserted into a space between an upper end periphery of a fixed window and a side body and has an engagement portion, and a second flat plate-shaped projection strip that is capable of being inserted into a space between a lower end periphery of the fixed window and the side body and has an engagement portion. The side body has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that are disposed in portions covered by the upper end periphery and the lower end periphery of the fixed window. The first and second engaging portions are respectively capable of engaging the first flat plate-shaped projection strip and the second flat plate-shaped projection strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Kanada, Ryoichi Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20110175399Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a structure for a side portion of a vehicle body, in which deformation of a hollow cross-section shape of a side sill, which is caused by a side collision load inputted to a vehicle body, can be suppressed without causing a significant increase in the weight of the vehicle body. In the invention, when a side collision load is inputted to a center pillar 4 of the side portion of a vehicle body, thereby causing a lower end portion of the center pillar 4 to pull up a side sill 1, a bead 7G of a bulkhead 7 made of sheet metal and provided in the side sill 1 reinforces the compressive strength in the diagonal direction of a hollow cross-section between a lower portion of a side sill outer member 1A constituting an outer wall portion of the side sill 1 and an upper portion of a side sill inner member 1B constituting an inner wall portion of the side sill 1, thereby suppressing deformation of the hollow cross-section shape of the side sill 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Nakano
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Patent number: 7938480Abstract: A body side structure 3 includes an outer panel 4 integratedly formed by press forming, an inner panel 5, and a reinforcement 6. The outer panel 4 includes a front pillar outer section 12, and an outer front end lower portion 13 extending downward from the front pillar outer section 12. The inner panel 5 includes a front pillar inner section 26, and an inner front end lower portion 27 extending downward from the front pillar inner section 26. A flange 43 of the reinforcement 6 is joined to the inner front end lower portion 27. A lower edge 23 of the outer front end lower portion 13 is adjacent to or in contact with an outer surface 45 of the flange 43 of the reinforcement 6 at a higher position than a lower edge 36 of the inner front end lower portion 27 and a lower edge 44 of the flange 43 of the reinforcement 6.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Taku Orii
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Publication number: 20110095567Abstract: At an upper part of a center pillar, a length L1 of a covering portion of a pillar inner panel is set to be substantially equal to a distance L2 between a pair of flange-ridgeline portions of a pillar reinforcement. Meanwhile, at a lower part of the center pillar, a length L3 of a covering portion of the pillar inner panel is set to be longer than a distance L4 between a pair of flange-ridgeline portions of the pillar reinforcement. Accordingly, a vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can secure the proper absorption function of the vehicle collision load with cooperation of the first and second members can be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Katsuyoshi ISHIGAME, Masaki MOTOKI, Yuichi SUGIMURA, Yoshikazu NISHIMURA
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Patent number: 7914068Abstract: In a vehicle body side structure, a tailor welded blank is used for forming an outer panel assembly consisting of a frame structure, and a center pillar assembly is connected vertically between a roof side rail and a side sill outer of the outer panel assembly. The center pillar assembly is made of a material having a higher mechanical strength than most of the outer panel assembly. Thereby, the stamp forming process can be simplified, and a required mechanical strength can be ensured in a favorable manner. In particular, the center pillar assembly may include a center pillar outer made of material having a higher mechanical strength than at least a part of the outer panel assembly, the center pillar outer being attached to an outboard side of the side sill outer at a lower end thereof and to an inboard side of the roof side rail at an upper end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Mizohata
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Patent number: 7866738Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprising: first and second members each having a hat-shaped cross section including a main wall, first and second side walls extending from the main wall; an opposing area in which the opening, first side wall and second side wall of the first member are opposed to and jointed to the opening, first side wall and second side wall of the second member, respectively, with a joint surface defined therebetween; and a non-opposing area in which one of the first and second members is shifted parallel to the joint surface, so that the first side wall of the first member is opposed to and jointed to the second side wall of the second member.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomotaka Andou, Seiko Abe
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Patent number: 7862105Abstract: A rail assembly for a motor compartment of a motor vehicle having a bumper and a deformable energy-absorbing device secured rearward of the bumper, includes a longitudinally-extending motor compartment rail operatively connected rearward of the energy absorbing device and having an inner rail member and an outer rail member configured to define a cavity therebetween. A stability enhancement member transversely spans the cavity and is secured to both the inner rail member and the outer rail member.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Soo A. Tan, Bradley E. Bowers
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Patent number: 7862101Abstract: A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. The separate sections are connected to a front end cap and a rear end cap. Mountings for the seats are defined as well as conduits through the floor and roof for electrical and fluid connections. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Faroex Ltd.Inventors: Kevin Lusk, Kenneth S. Church, William H. Stanton