Abstract: A side member is a complement of a pair located on either side of the body of a vehicle so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, passing under a dash panel located in the front part of the interior of the vehicle so as to cross the vehicle body. The side member comprises a front side member and a rear side member. The front side member extends rearward from the front of the vehicle body, beyond a dash plane which extends along a vertical wall of the dash panel. The rear side member extends forward from the rear of the vehicle body beyond the dash plane and is jointed to the front side member.

Abstract: A floor is partitioned into a plurality of areas S1 to S4 by a floor tunnel portion 11, side frames 13, side sills 12, and cross members 7, 8, 15, and 16, and the rigidity of the floor panels of the areas S1 to S3 is adjusted by rigidity adjustment portions 20, 21, 22, 23, and 25. These floor panels are set such that their natural frequency in a 2×1 mode, in which two antinodes are generated in the length direction of the automobile and one antinode is generated in the width direction of the automobile, is 240 to 260 Hz. Thus, a reduction in road noise due to automobile tire cavity resonance is achieved.

Abstract: A composite material for application during a vehicle manufacturing stage. A selected thermoplastic/thermoset material encapsulates a sheet of a mesh substrate, typically resulting from a first heat forming stage. The composite material is formed into a desired three-dimensional shape. A second heating stage is applied to bond and seal the material to the vehicle. The material selection of the thermoplastic/thermoset may further incorporate a desired coefficient of thermal expansion to provide a desired degree of expansion of the material once applied to the vehicle. The material section of the thermoplastic/thermoset may further incorporate a desired structural enhancement to provide a desired degree of structural rigidity of the material once applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: A car body for a rail vehicle including a plurality of beams (1) arranged to carry one or more wall elements (3-5). At least one of said beams (1) includes an attaching member (6), extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the beam, for engagement with at least a part of one or more components intended to be supported by the beam (1).

Abstract: A process or method of making a vehicle passenger compartment floor component such as a central tunnel or rocker panel. Base extrusion pieces and upper pieces are secured by a friction stir welding process to each other and to a portion of a passenger compartment floor. Upper pieces may be formed by extrusion or may be formed by a sheet forming process and secured to base extrusion pieces by means of the friction stir welding process.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is provided with a front side member, a dash panel, an extension member connected to the front side member at a rear side thereof and extending along the dash panel to have a lower curved section, a suspension member located below the front side member and having a rear end connected to the lower curved section of the extension member, an extension rear member located above a floor panel, and a floor member connected to the extension member at a rear side of the lower curved section of the extension member. The extension rear member has a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle body. The floor member is located above the extension rear member to be superposed on and connected to the extension rear member and has an upper wall with increased thickness.

Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle includes a suspension cross member provided between left and right front side frames; wheel aprons, each provided between an upper side frame and the front side frame; and strut towers connected to the upper side frames, front side frames and wheel aprons. A pair of strut tower reinforcing members form vertically extending structures with closed hollow cross sections in cooperation with the strut towers. The structures with the closed cross hollow cross sections are arranged to correspond to ends of the suspension cross member with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle-longitudinally extending front side member (1) has a rearwardly descending inclined portion (6) configured in an enclosure form in section with an upper wall (3) and a lower wall (4), the upper wall (3) being more rigid than the lower wall (4).

Abstract: A reinforced structure for a rear part of a front side rail of a vehicle is configured to have a uniform cross-sectional shape for the rear rail (for example, a rear upper rail and a rear lower rail), which reinforces the rear part of the front side rail. The structure also provides lower and upper reinforcing members for forming a plurality of closed sections, such that strength is greatly improved in relation to a frontal impact in a vehicle collision. The reinforced structure also prevents the rear rail from being excessively deformed in a vehicle collision.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a rear structure of a vehicle body that can ensure high body stiffness and suspension stiffness and that can disperse impact load to the whole body. In the rear structure of a vehicle body, a crossmember 20 bridged between right and left rear side frames 1, 5 is approximately an X-shape in plan view having a first crossmember 21 and a second crossmember 22, and at least one of the front ends of the first and second crossmembers and the rear ends of the first and second crossmembers is directly connected to a structure to be equipped with a suspension.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a front axle arrangement for a heavy vehicle, e.g. a freight vehicle. The vehicle incorporates a number of wheels (42, 43) which bear the vehicle, and an engine unit (20) for the vehicle's propulsion and a longitudinal chassis element (6) which extends along the vehicle's longitudinal axis in the normal direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The front axle arrangement forms a separate front axle unit (11) incorporating a frame structure (12-15) which is intended to be connected to the longitudinal chassis element, and two of said wheels which are suspended in the frame structure. The front axle unit (11) is intended to bear the engine unit (20) in such a way that the latter extends in through a central aperture of the frame structure (12-15) and can at least partially be extracted from the front axle unit.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly including a frontwall, a pair of sidewalls, a backwall, and a bed portion. The walls and the bed portion include stiffening ribs that cooperatively allow the bed assembly to be easily cleaned and allow the bed assembly to be formed from relatively lightweight material. The vehicle bed assembly further includes side mounting assemblies which allow the assembly to be secured to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A load handler with a modular frame and the manufacture and assembly of the frame and loader and components that may be used therein. A frame is provided that has a low pivot point for a boom. The frame has left and right side rails, and front and rear cross rails, each having a closed cross-section construction. The side rails and cross rails are modular and the cross rails of a selected size are configured to fit a plurality of sizes of side rails, such that the same size cross rails may be used to construct a variety sizes and capabilities of load handling vehicles in a flow type manufacturing process. A structural beam is provided having plates interconnected along their lengths to form the beam having a box-shaped closed cross-section having a perimeter generally along the widths of the plates and forming a beam cavity within the perimeter.

Abstract: An underside of a motor vehicle, for example, a passenger car having cross-country mobility, is equipped with a covering device which has a covering part and a fastening system for the covering part which can be mounted on the underside, the fastening system having at least one spring element. In order to protect the covering part from damage when driving over an obstacle, the spring element is arranged between the underside and the covering part, the spring forces of the spring element acting approximately at a right angle with respect to the underside.

Abstract: A reinforcing bracket for trailer frame-member butt joints comprises a first flange adapted to be parallel to the face of the frame members, a second flange extending perpendicularly from the first flange, and a third flange extending from the second flange parallel to the first flange. The first flange includes a plurality of dimples that correspond to dimples in the frame members. Each dimple in the first flange has an aperture therein that corresponds to an aperture in the corresponding frame-member dimple. In operation, the bracket is bolted to the frame members forming the joint. The present invention also describes a trailer frame utilizing the reinforcing bracket.

Abstract: A hollow sill beam assembly for use on a vehicle body construction is provided. The sill beam assembly includes a first elongated side sill member and a second elongated side sill member mated to the first side sill member. A hollow area is defined between the first and second elongated side sill members. A transverse slot is defined in the second side sill member. A reinforcing member is received in the slot and fixedly secured to the first side sill member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cargo bed assembly secured to and supported by a chassis of a motor vehicle. The cargo bed assembly includes a base that extends between a front end and a back end. The cargo bed assembly also includes a back support extending across the back end between a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends is fixedly secured to the chassis. A plurality of sidewalls is fixedly secured to the base and each is perpendicular thereto. The cargo bed assembly includes a brace that is fixedly secured to the chassis. The brace is movably secured to the base to absorb torsional forces by twisting as the chassis transmits torsional forces to prevent the cargo bed assembly from bending and flexing due to torsional force received by the chassis.

Abstract: The pickup truck has a back panel separating the passenger compartment and cargo bed, connected to the rear floor panel of the vehicle and formed with an opening which is opened and closed by a hinged panel. A lower back panel constitutes the lower end of the back panel and defines the bottom edge of the opening. The lower back panel has a forward flange and a backward flange extending a certain distance from its front and rear ends. The flanges are connected to the rear floor panel such that the lower back panel and the rear floor panel together form a closed space therein. Thereby, the rigidity of the lower back panel, in particular, the bottom edge of the opening in the back panel where a cargo tray is mounted is increased, so that deformation of the lower back panel due to heavy cargo load can be prevented. The front circumferential edge of the forward flange is bent upward, and drain parts which extend through the rear floor panel are formed at predetermined positions in the forward flange.

Abstract: A vehicle frame with a low profile is designed to be suitable for attaching directly to an incomplete, preassembled motorized chassis to construct a motorhome. The vehicle frame includes planar bulkheads and a storage area floor that are attached to the frame and to the chassis so as to create a three-dimensional space frame that is highly resistant to bending and twisting forces as well as storage areas that extend the width of the motorhome. The motorhome with the frame mounts a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as heavy holding tanks within or below the plane of the vehicle frame so as to lower the center of mass of the motorhome to thereby improve vehicle handling and safety. Placement of the HVAC system within and/or below the vehicle frame obviates the need to position HVAC components on the roof of the motorhome thereby further lowering the center of mass and eliminating a source of liquid water condensation above the living space of the motorhome.

Abstract: A combined truck cab having a forward operator section and an aft living unit is constructed utilizing an underbody providing a central floor area, left side and right side flare modules providing longitudinal side walls, outer portions of the floor aft of an operator area and outer portions of the back wall, and a center back wall section between the outer portions of the back wall provided by the flare sections. The longitudinal side wall narrow on one another forward from the back wall and the outer floor portions narrow from rear to front.

Abstract: A sub-frame structure of a motor vehicle includes a pair of side frame sections and a cross member section. The pair of side frame sections extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at prescribed lateral spacing and include laterally inward bends in each section. The cross member section connects front ends of the side frame sections. The cross member section and end portions of the side frame sections connected to the cross member section are integrally formed of a deformed tube member. The remaining portions of the frame member sections including said bends are formed of a closed section member fabricated by joining a plurality of members at flanges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a front body structure of a vehicle having a dash panel extending in a vertical direction and constituting a front end wall of a crew's cabin, a floor panel continuously extending rearward from the dash panel, and a tunnel portion protruding upward and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The tunnel portion is provided in a substantially center portion of the floor panel. The dash panel is provided with a dash cross member structured such that one end portion is jointed to a side surface of the tunnel portion, a middle portion extends in the vehicle widthwise direction along the dash panel, and another end portion is connected to a hinge pillar inner, thereby restraining backward movement of the dash panel at a time of a head-on collision and restraining intrusion of a side-sill or doors at a time of a side collision.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure includes a first frame member having a high strength and a second frame member having a strength lower than that of the first frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are joined integrally in line with each other, and the second frame member has a locally reinforced region in a joined section by fixation of a support member for supporting a part. The structure further includes a joint stiffener fixed to the second frame member. The stiffener functions so that the strength of the joined section gradually decreases from the first frame member to the second frame member.

Abstract: An automotive body includes inner and outer rocker panels, a floor pan joined to the inner rocker panel, and cross members extending laterally across a portion of the body. The cross members have energy-absorbing cross member extensions interposed between outboard ends of the cross members and the inner rocker panel, so as to provide a structure for absorbing impact loads imposed laterally upon the vehicle body.

Abstract: A heat insulator apparatus for a vehicle floor, includes a plurality of heat insulating plates interposed between a vehicle floor and an exhaust part disposed below the vehicle floor in such a manner that the mutually adjoining heat insulating plates forms a gap therebetween to thereby form an air passage therebetween, for preventing the heat of the exhaust part from being transmitted to the vehicle floor. At least one of the heat insulating plates is formed such that an air entrance portion of the air passage is narrowed.

Abstract: A reinforcing bracket for trailer frame-member butt joints comprises a first flange adapted to be parallel to the face of the frame members, a second flange extending perpendicularly from the first flange, and a third flange extending from the second flange parallel to the first flange. The first flange includes a plurality of dimples that correspond to dimples in the frame members. Each dimple in the first flange has an aperture therein that corresponds to an aperture in the corresponding frame-member dimple. In operation, the bracket is bolted to the frame members forming the joint. The present invention also describes a trailer frame utilizing the reinforcing bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle body and frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a plurality of transverse cross members extending therebetween. The cross member is a multiple piece structure, including a central portion having a pair of end portions secured thereto. The central portion of the cross member is preferably formed from a first metallic material, while the end portions are preferably both formed from a second metallic material. The end portions of the cross member are preferably formed from the same metallic material as the respective side rails to which they are secured. The end portions of the cross member can be secured to the ends of the central portion by any desired process, such as by magnetic pulse welding. Similarly, the cross member can be secured to the side rails by any desired process, such as by magnetic pulse welding or by conventional welding. The end portions of the cross member can extend either partially or completely through the respective side rails.

Abstract: A loadbearing structure for heavy vehicles, e.g. a freight vehicle, incorporates a box-shaped hollow unit (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Wall elements (12, 14, 16, 18) of thin wall thickness are connected to one another to form the box-shaped unit (10). The invention provides a loadbearing structure (2) for heavy vehicles which is many times more rigid than conventional structures but is nevertheless of relatively low weight and is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a loadbearing structure for heavy vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle has a novel frame structure that comprises two novel frame rails that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and cross-members that are fixedly engaged between the two novel frame rails. Each of the novel frame rails comprises a web that extends vertically along the length of the frame rail, an upper flange that extends horizontally from an upper end of the web, and a lower flange that extends horizontally from a lower end of the web. Each of the novel frame rails further comprises one or more reinforcing lips, each of which extends vertically from an outer end of either the upper flange or the lower flange.

Abstract: A reinforcing bracket for trailer frame-member butt joints comprises a first flange adapted to be parallel to the face of the frame members, a second flange extending perpendicularly from the first flange, and a third flange extending from the second flange parallel to the first flange. The first flange includes a plurality of dimples that correspond to dimples in the frame members. Each dimple in the first flange has an aperture therein that corresponds to an aperture in the corresponding frame-member dimple. In operation, the bracket is bolted to the frame members forming the joint. The present invention also describes a trailer frame utilizing the reinforcing bracket.

Abstract: A front vehicle frame structure is configured to distribute an impact load imparted from the front of the vehicle to front side members and side frames. The front vehicle frame structure includes a pair of front side members and a pair of side frames coupled together by a center cross frame. Each of the front side members and corresponding one of the side frames are coupled together at locations that are closer to the vehicle front and that are closer to the vehicle rear than the center cross frame with respect to the front to rear direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a main frame having two longitudinal members. An auxiliary frame is fixed to the main frame. A cross member is fixed to the longitudinal members in the end region of the vehicle and is provided with a connecting section which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A strutting configuration forms an essentially horizontal continuation of the auxiliary frame in the direction of the vehicle end. One end of the strutting configuration is fixed to points on the auxiliary frame which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The other end of the strutting configuration is fixed to the connecting section of the cross member. A vehicle body is thus obtained which has an improved stiffness all the way to the end of the vehicle and which is particularly useful for open vehicles without a roof structure.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises a first cross member and a second cross member disposed on a floor (11) between a side sill (12) provided at both sides of a vehicle body and a floor tunnel (14) provided in a longitudinal direction in middle of the vehicle body, and a third cross member having one end, a front edge, and a rear edge thereof connected to the side sill (12), the first cross member (15), and the second cross member (16), respectively, between the first cross member (15) and the second cross member (16). This enables an improvement in stiffness of the vehicle body against side impact efficiently by a simple reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A vehicle floor structure with a floor body provided to a body frame is provided. The floor body is a hollow panel integrally formed by arranging a plurality of core materials with spaces on a flat plate and placing another flat plate over the core materials. In order to increase the rigidity of the entire floor body, core materials in edge portions of the floor body are joined to the body frame.

Abstract: The floor installation structure of a motor vehicle is constructed of two floor sheets connected with each other by a connection unit that has an upper and a lower heel sheet as well as a tunnel segment, which is connectable with a central tunnel.

Abstract: A molded article, e.g., a cross car beam (3), which includes a rigid support (a) having a plurality of perforations, e.g., rigid support (12), and a rigid hollow thermoplastic member (b), e.g., an air duct (15), attached thereto is described. A portion of the thermoplastic material of rigid hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The thermoplastic material extending through the perforations forms an attachment means, e.g., an attachment head (24), that serves to fixedly attach rigid hollow member (b) to rigid support (a). Also described is a method of preparing the molded article of the present invention, in which the rigid hollow member (b) is fixedly attached to the rigid support (a) during the blow mold fabrication of rigid hollow member (b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of joining a first component (10) of composite material composed of fibres set in a resin with a second component (11) of a different material; the first component (10) is provided with a flanged edge portion (12) and a layer of adhesive extends between said flanged edge portion (12) and the second component (11), the fibres in the flanged edge portion (12) extend into the remainder of the first component (10); and the smallest dimension of the surface area of the flanged portion (12) is no more than thirty-five times greater than the thickness of the layer of adhesive. The present invention also relates to an automobile having a transmission tunnel (10), wherein the transmission tunnel (10) is formed of a composite material composed of fibres set in a resin and the floorpan (11) comprises first and second metal panels (11) bonded one each to a spaced apart pair of longitudinal extending edges (12) of the transmission tunnel (10).

Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a floor panel, front side members under the floor panel extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a sub-frame fixed at its front and rear fixing points to the front side members, and reinforcing members fixed to the floor panel. The rear fixing points of the sub-frame are located on transversely inner side of the front fixing points thereof. Each of the reinforcing members extends substantially in parallel to a straight line passing through the front and rear fixing points on transversely same side of the sub-frame. The front part of the reinforcing member is connected to a vicinity of the rear fixing point of the sub-frame and a rear part thereof is connected to a floor tunnel of the floor panel extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A tapered octagonal frame rail tip for use with automotive bumpers is configured to axially crush in a controlled manner in the event of a vehicle impact. The rail tip is tuned to carry a constant load while crushing to absorb a higher amount of energy than alternative crush modes. Body mounts for attaching front end sheet metal or other body components to the frame rail tip are configured to centrally align loading to avoid interference with the desired axial crush.

Abstract: A supporting structure of a unitized body includes at least one hollow support that is made up of two longitudinal segments, the longitudinal segments being joined to each other in the area of a joining plane extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hollow support, the end areas of the longitudinal segments being joined to each other so as to overlap. The end areas of the longitudinal segments, which overlap each other, extend diagonally with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the hollow support in the joining area.

Abstract: An over the highway heavy duty vehicle in the form of a selected one of a truck and a tractor is disclosed. The vehicle has a frame rail having a through aperture. A conductive solder ring is bonded to the rail and surrounds the aperture. A fastener extends through the aperture to secure an electrical connector in electrically conductive engagement with the ring. A ground cable is connected to the connector. A process for forming the ring is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement on a vehicle floor structure is provided which includes joint members each of which has a closed hollow structure and joins a rear extension of one of side sills, one end of a rear seat cross member, and a front end of one of the rear side members. Each of the joint members is installed between one end of the rear seat cross member and one of the side sills and has a lower-rigidity region formed adjacent the end of the rear seat cross member for facilitating ease of a lateral collapse of a vehicle body in the lower-rigidity region upon occurrence of a side collision of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automobile body structure having a crossbeam connecting left and right center pillars. The crossbeam has a pipe-like beam body and gussets mounted to the opposite ends of the beam body. A load inputted to one of the center pillars is transmitted via the crossbeam to the other center pillar. The inputted load is dispersed through those two center pillars to prevent the center pillar from deformation having received the input load.

Abstract: A cross member is provided for mounting between a first channeled beam and an opposed second channeled beam located in a fixed position relative to the first channeled beam. The cross member comprises two substantially similar elongated side members. Each of the side members includes a secured end wall and an opposed mating end wall. The secured end wall defines apertures adapted to align with apertures defined in one of the channeled beams. The mating end wall defines a surface that defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side member.

Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a floor panel, front side members under the floor panel extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a sub-frame fixed at its front and rear fixing points to the front side members, and reinforcing members fixed to the floor panel. The rear fixing points of the sub-frame are located on transversely inner side of the front fixing points thereof. Each of the reinforcing members extends substantially in parallel to a straight line passing through the front and rear fixing points on transversely same side of the sub-frame. The front part of the reinforcing member is connected to a vicinity of the rear fixing point of the sub-frame and a rear part thereof is connected to a floor tunnel of the floor panel extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a frame having a front frame and a floor frame joined together by a curved portion provided along a toe board, the front frame extending in a forward direction from the curved portion, the floor frame extending in a rearward direction therefrom; a side structure disposed transversely outwardly of the frame, respectively; and a closed-section torque box for joining the frame to the side structure. The frame and the side structure are joined to an upper surface of the torque box to be substantially horizontally relative to each other, and are also joined to a lower surface of the torque box which is formed in such a manner as to be oriented downwardly toward the side structure, to thereby increase the joint area of the torque box on a side thereof where the torque box is joined to the side structure.

Abstract: A vehicle floor structure having a noise insulation structure with a two-way freedom system is provided. The two-way freedom system noise insulation structure is comprised of a lower mass layer and a urethane layer beneath the same, and an upper mass layer and a low resilient material layer beneath the same and made of fibrous material layer or low resilient urethane layer.

Abstract: According to a body structure of the present invention, a floor panel member is reinforced by a pair of first members, and the second member comprised of plural pipes is disposed along the width of a vehicle so as to integrate the first members. An end of the second member is extended along the longitudinal side of the vehicle and is fixed by welding in the state of penetrating into a side sill. There is no necessity of providing any reinforcement material because the second member has a high strength continuously along the width of the vehicle. Moreover, there is no necessity of increasing a board thickness for the purpose of securing the rigidity because the second member penetrates into the side sill. On the other hand, the second member can be manufactured by cutting an existing steel pipe to a predetermined side. It is therefore possible to cope with the change in the width of the vehicle only by changing a cutting size.

Abstract: A vehicle frame with a low profile is designed to be suitable for attaching directly to an incomplete, preassembled motorized chassis to construct a motorhome. The vehicle frame includes planar bulkheads and a storage area floor that are attached to the frame and to the chassis so as to create a three-dimensional space frame that is highly resistant to bending and twisting forces as well as storage areas that extend the width of the motorhome. The motorhome with the frame mounts a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as heavy holding tanks within or below the plane of the vehicle frame so as to lower the center of mass of the motorhome to thereby improve vehicle handling and safety. Placement of the HVAC system within and/or below the vehicle frame obviates the need to position HVAC components on the roof of the motorhome thereby further lowering the center of mass and eliminating a source of liquid water condensation above the living space of the motorhome.