Sill Patents (Class 296/209)
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Patent number: 9290208Abstract: It is a subject of the present invention to ensure foot space for an occupant and lower a side portion of a floor portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumihiko Kishima, Kazuya Koizumi
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Patent number: 9221498Abstract: A structural member of a motor vehicle, e.g., a “B” pillar, comprises a reinforcing member having an elongate core of ultra high strength steel and a casing of aluminum alloy, the casing having a constant section profile with a closed section cavity. The core is encased within the casing and the core and the casing bonded together by co-drawing the core and the casing through a die. The casing has a pair of spaced flanges which connect the reinforcing member to aluminum alloy pressings to form the structural member. The reinforcing member has considerable yield strength from the use of the ultra high strength steel in the core while the flanges, being of aluminum alloy, are readily joined by self-piercing rivets.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Alex John Lakic
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Patent number: 9132866Abstract: A vehicle body and a cap are provided for closing off a hollow space formed by one or more structural components of a motor vehicle body with a carrier plate configured to the geometry of the hollow space, whose outer edge is provided with a thermally activatable sealant and/or adhesive and at least one function part is embedded in the carrier plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Werner Endrich, Bernd Pohl, Stefan Stanik
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Patent number: 9108684Abstract: A load transmission performance of transmitting load efficiently in a vehicle longitudinal direction of a rocker is improved. At a load input portion of a rocker, a sectional surface area, that is orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of a rocker outer panel is greater than a sectional surface area, that is orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of a rocker inner panel. Accordingly, load is sufficiently distributed and inputted to the rocker outer panel. Accordingly, a bending moment, that bends toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side at the rocker inner panel, is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Suzaki, Shunsuke Niitani
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Patent number: 9050933Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an extrusion having an extruded profile including a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson
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Publication number: 20150145288Abstract: The invention relates to a door sill assembly for a vehicle body, having a door sill outer part connected to a door sill inner part, wherein the door sill parts are, in part, constituents of a floor assembly of the vehicle. According to the invention, the door sill outer part is provided from an extruded aluminum profile and is connected to the door sill inner part by way of longitudinally running joining flanges that correspond to one another, wherein the door sill inner part is provided at least from a sheet aluminum part and a sheet steel part connected to said sheet aluminum part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventor: Philipp Kellner
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Publication number: 20150137561Abstract: A roll-formed composite component for a motor vehicle body is disclosed, which includes a light metal layer, a steel sheet layer and an adhesive layer electrically insulating the light metal layer and the steel sheet layer against one another. The composite component can, on its own or together with other components, form a sill in a motor vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventor: Michael Kuepper
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Patent number: 9033408Abstract: A safety sill for a vehicle body, which is characterized by at least two molded parts that are connected to one another in a form-closed manner and form a body member, wherein the first load-bearing molded part is a support element having an inside and an outside and the second load-bearing molded part is a sill element, the outside of the support element faces the sill element and either the support element or the sill element can be mounted to the body-in-white and the other load-bearing molded part can be mounted to the molded part mounted to the body-in-white, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventor: Joachim Rachfahl
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Patent number: 8991905Abstract: A vehicle body rear floor structure characterized as follows is provided. The front end of a rear floor panel in a vehicle longitudinal direction includes a front wall extending between a pair of side sills. The front wall forms an arc whose central part in a vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor. The front wall lower end is joined to a rear end of a main floor panel. A cross member forms an arc whose central part in the vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor, and extends along the front wall with the central part of the cross member in the vehicle width direction placed on a floor tunnel. The cross member ends, in the vehicle width direction, are joined to the side sills and main floor panel. The cross member central part in the vehicle width direction is joined to the floor tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Shinei Mochizuki
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Patent number: 8985682Abstract: A support for one or more elements intended to be fastened to a front pillar of a motor vehicle so that the one or more elements can be supported along the structure. The support includes: at least one mechanism guiding and retaining cables, at least one mechanism fastening a trim of the structure, at least one mechanism indexing a carpet, and at least one mechanism fastening an electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Xavier Billard, Eric Jouenard, Pascal Nicod
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Patent number: 8985680Abstract: An underbody for a motor vehicle is provided. The underbody has a ladder frame with side members and cross members. The side members and the cross members bound at least one opening, and each comprises an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shells are interconnected into an upper ladder and the lower shells into a lower ladder.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Udo Mildner
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Patent number: 8979177Abstract: A side lower vehicle body structure of a vehicle includes a side seal, a center pillar and a reinforcing member. The side seal extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has a channel. The center pillar has one end disposed in the channel of the side seal and the other end extending in a height direction of a vehicle. The reinforcing member is disposed in the channel of the side seal and combined with the center pillar.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Hyeyeon Kim, Tae Wan Park
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Patent number: 8973982Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis includes two lateral floor supports and a seat-cushion support part positioned between two lateral raisers fixed on top of the lateral floor supports and assembled with the lateral floor supports. The chassis further includes two seat-cushion support reinforcements each assembled with a lateral floor support and with a lateral raiser, each seat-cushion support reinforcement including: a substantially horizontal plate extending the seat-cushion support part laterally, assembled with the lateral raiser along a substantially vertical mating edge of the plate, and a single support leg extending downwards from the plate, assembled with the lateral floor support, and the assembly end of which is positioned vertically below the plate, some distance from a projection onto the horizontal of the mating edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Pascal Tabuteau, Thomas Mauduit, Olivier Bisror
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Patent number: 8960780Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Scott Nydam, Kenneth Ameloot
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Patent number: 8960781Abstract: A vehicle rocker panel is provided that is extruded as a single piece. As extruded, the rocker panel may include one or more interior reinforcing walls as well as interior and exterior design features.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Michael John Baldwin, Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya, Alexi Charbonneau
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Patent number: 8944492Abstract: The description relates to a vehicle frame (1) which forms a safety cell having at least one vehicle seat (5), wherein the vehicle frame (1) comprises at least a floor section (10) and a side sill (20), and wherein at least one transverse element (30) for absorbing transverse forces is provided which is connected to at least the side sill (20) and extends on both sides of the at least one vehicle seat (5), in particular below the vehicle seat, and is arranged above the floor section (10). The description also relates to a vehicle seat (110) which can be adjusted at least between a driving position and an access position, wherein a seat surface (113) of the vehicle seat is substantially horizontal in the access position and is inclined to the rear with respect to the access position in the driving position.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Innovative Mobility Automobile GmbHInventors: Johannes Hufnagl, Thomas Delos Santos
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Patent number: 8931826Abstract: A load transmitting member comprising a rising face portion rising from a floor panel and a facing face portion facing a portion of the side panel between a rear edge portion of a rear-door opening portion and a rear-wheel house portion and having its short longitudinal width is arranged on an inward side of a side panel. The load transmitting member is fixed to a front portion of the rear-wheel house portion directly or via a bracket. The load transmitting member can be arranged so as not to prevent a smooth ingress/egress action of a passenger, and a proper load-transmission function of the load transmission member when the impact load is inputted to a rear door from the vehicle side can be attained so as to effectively restrain the rear door from coming into a vehicle compartment.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takashi Yoshimura, Shigeaki Watanabe, Sakayu Terada, Katsuyoshi Ishigame, Yuichi Sugimura
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Publication number: 20150001892Abstract: A number of variations may include a rocker system using tunable parts to satisfy a number of load cases.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert N. Saje, Terry A. Swartzell, Robert M. Kielbik
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Patent number: 8888173Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Scott Nydam, Kenneth Ameloot
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Publication number: 20140327274Abstract: A profile piece includes: an extruded piece of a first material having a mouth portion along at least part of its length; and an insert of a second material different than the first material, the insert attached to the extruded piece by the mouth portion, wherein the insert is configured for welding the profile piece to a component of a third material different than the first material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: Michael J. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20140319877Abstract: A side panel structure (20), including a side outer panel (21) provided on the vehicle exterior side, and a side inner panel (22) provided on the vehicle interior (12) side. The side outer panel (21) and the side inner panel (22) form, as a closed cross-section structure, a peripheral edge section forming door openings (35, 36). The side outer panel (21) comprises an inner frame (26) formed from a high-strength steel sheet having a high tensile strength, and an outer frame (27) provided to the outer periphery section (26a) of the inner frame (26). The outer frame (27) is formed from a low-strength steel sheet having a low tensile strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazunori Hida
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Patent number: 8857879Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening of a longitudinal beam lining (1) on a longitudinal beam (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising a retaining element (3), which is fastened to the longitudinal beam (2). On the end region facing the retaining element (3), the longitudinal beam lining (1) comprises a detent element (4), with which the longitudinal beam lining (1) is latched to the retaining element (3). To reduce the volume of the fastening in comparison with the prior art, the detent element (4) comprises a thickness-reducing indent (5) with respect to the adjoining surface (6) of the longitudinal beam lining (1) that is visible in the installed state of the longitudinal beam lining (1), and the detent element (4) comprises a detent hook (8) on the surface (7) of the longitudinal beam lining (1) that is opposite of the indent (5) and not visible in the installed state of the longitudinal beam lining (1).Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Faurecia Exteriors GmbHInventors: Frank Hesse, Norbert Sandner, Egon Mayr, Holger Titze
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Patent number: 8857896Abstract: A structure for dispersing the collision energy of a front pillar during a car crash, may include a front impact absorption member formed in the interior of a front frame of a vehicle and configured to receive a collision energy when a car crashes into on its front side; upper and lower impact absorption members configured to disperse the collision energy of the front impact absorption member to a front pillar and a lower side of the front pillar; and an impact transition member connected to a lower side of the lower impact absorption member and connected to a front end portion of the side sill.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sungdon Pyun
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Patent number: 8833839Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Telsa Motors, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Donald James Robert Parr, Ernest Matthew Villanueva, Nathan Nelson, Paul Dewitt Frey
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Patent number: 8820815Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a cargo compartment, a battery, and a ducted seat. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment and dissipates heat when energized such that air in the vehicle becomes heated air. The ducted seat is operatively disposed in the passenger compartment. The ducted seat includes a base layer, a ducting layer, and a cover layer. The ducting layer covers the base layer. The cover layer covers the ducting layer. The ducting layer presents a leading opening and trailing opening in fluid communication with one another such that the ducting layer is configured to receive air therein through the leading opening and exhaust air through the trailing opening. The trailing opening is disposed in fluid communication with the cargo compartment such that the exhausted air flows from the trailing opening into the cargo compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew R. Krenz, Damond N. Hinatsu, Nicole Leslie Nicholas
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Patent number: 8820823Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
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Publication number: 20140239674Abstract: A connecting system of a side member for a vehicle includes a member connecting member configured to connect a center side member and a rear side member provided at a floor of the vehicle in a length direction. The center side member, the rear side member, and a side sill are connected to one another through the member connecting member so as to improve frame rigidity and the center side member. The rear side member, the side sill, and the member connecting member are connected to a rear trailing arm mounting part, such that a moment occurrence is prevented and deformation of a car body is minimized to increase durability and to secure a battery mounting space, thereby making it possible to easily configure the layout.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Seung Won AN, Seung Hyun KANG, Seong Woo CHOI, Hee Choul ROH
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Patent number: 8801089Abstract: A motor vehicle body is provided. The motor vehicle body includes a sill extending under a door opening and a fender fastened to the sill. A sill bulkhead seals off an inner hollow space of the sill at a face end and a first fastening point on the sill bulkhead fastens the fender to the sill.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Roland Lessmeister
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Patent number: 8794696Abstract: A structure for the front of a vehicle body includes front side frames. The front side frames have bend portions in the rear portion thereof, the bend portions sloping downwards along a dashboard lower panel as the front side frames extend towards the back of the vehicle body. Side sill-side extensions curve to the side of side sills from the end parts of the bend portions. Curving tunnel-side extensions curve towards a tunnel portion. The side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions form branched portions branching at substantially the same angle. Triangular load support portions are formed at the back of the branched portions between the side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions. Rear end support portions for supporting the rear ends of sub frames are provided to the bend portions and the fronts of the load support portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashige Iseki, Kosaku Tomozawa, Manabu Ishizono, Takeshi Yoshimoto
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Patent number: 8783750Abstract: A cover member for automobiles comprises: a cover body 20 extending lengthwise and having an anchoring part 23 formed thereon protruding toward the panel 10 side; a protective member 30 having a substantially U-shape in cross-section which fastens the top end 21, the substantially U-shape including: a first side wall 31 having a hook part 34 formed thereon for fitting with the anchoring part 23; a second side wall 32 which makes elastic contact with an inner side compared with the top end of the cover body 20; and a connecting wall 33; wherein a projection 40 is formed on an outer side of the first side wall 31 for the first side wall 31 to expand with respect to the second side wall 32 when the protective member 30 is bent so that the connecting wall 33 warps.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirokazu Kuwabara
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Publication number: 20140191536Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle reinforcement includes the step of a) joining a first portion comprising boron steel to a second portion comprising more ductile material than boron steel to form a vehicle reinforcement, and b) heat treating at least one part of the first portion after the joining so that the vehicle reinforcement comprises at least one hardened zone of boron steel and at least one soft zone of more ductile material than boron steel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Jens Elfwing, Michael Wehrend, Johan Nedemo, Kristoffer Trana
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Patent number: 8770646Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a support base. A seat is supported on the support base and cantilevered forwardly therefrom. The support base includes a first brace operably connecting the frame with a first slide assembly disposed on a rocker panel of the vehicle. A second brace operably connects the frame with a second slide assembly disposed on a transmission tunnel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Kendrick Alden Harper, John W. Jaranson, Michael John Kitti, Daniel Ferretti
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Patent number: 8764103Abstract: A front portion structure of a vehicle body includes: a dashboard lower panel extending in a vehicle width direction; an outrigger provided under the dashboard lower panel and extending outwards from the front side frame in the vehicle width direction; and a side sill extending from the outer portion of the outrigger in the vehicle width direction, toward the back of the vehicle; a footrest portion for a passenger, formed to the dashboard lower panel; and a reinforcing plate to reinforce the footrest portion, joined to the dashboard lower panel and covering the footrest portion from the passenger space side. A flange is formed to the reinforcing plate, and is joined to a side face of a side sill inner panel of the side sill.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Toba
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Patent number: 8746786Abstract: A sill arrangement of a motor vehicle body is provided that has a sill outer plate, a sill inner plate, and a side wall outer plate, the sill inner plate and the sill outer plate being connected to one another with at least one flange extending essentially in the sill longitudinal direction, and the side wall outer plate fastened at least regionally on a lower side of the sill outer plate at a distance from the connecting flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Bernd Pohl, Roland Lessmeister, Stefan Stanik
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Patent number: 8720984Abstract: In a vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which comprises at least one vehicle-body forming member forming a closed-section portion continuously in a specified direction, a partition member extending in the specified direction and partitioning an inside of the closed-section portion, and a bulkhead provided in the closed-section portion and joined to the vehicle-body forming member, the bulkhead is joined to an inner face of the vehicle-body forming member at specified positions which are located on both sides of the partition member, and the bulkhead is joined to a specified portion of the partition member which is located in the vicinity of opening portions formed at the partition member or to an end portion of the partition member in the specified direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Osamu Kurogi, Tsuyoshi Sugihara, Kohya Nakagawa, Kuniaki Nagao, Sakayu Terada, Miho Kowaki, Akira Iyoshi, Shigeaki Watanabe
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Patent number: 8720985Abstract: A side body structure for a vehicle includes a side sill. The side sill includes a closed cross sectional shape which is formed by a side sill inner and a side sill outer, the side sill inner includes an upper inner member and a lower inner member which are separate members, a tensile strength of the upper inner member being higher than a tensile strength of the lower inner member, the side sill has. At a front portion of the side sill, a deforming portion which is to be deformed by a load applied in a longitudinal direction of the side sill is provided. The upper inner member and the lower inner member are connected together by a reinforcing member which is disposed close to the deforming portion and in the closed cross section.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventors: Yoshitaka Izumi, Hitoshi Nunami
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Patent number: 8708402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Saeki
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Patent number: 8702160Abstract: In a frame having a closed-section portion which is formed by joining a first member having a U-shaped section and a second member having a flat-plate shape, a bulkhead is provided in the closed-section portion as a reinforcing member, flanges of the bulkhead and the first and second members are joined with a rigid joint portion where they are joined by a spot welding and a flexible joint portion where they are joined via a damping member. Thereby, transmission of vibrations can be properly restrained, improving the rigidity of the portion having the closed-section portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Osamu Kurogi, Tsuyoshi Sugihara, Kohya Nakagawa, Kuniaki Nagao, Sakayu Terada, Miho Kowaki, Akira Iyoshi, Shigeaki Watanabe
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Patent number: 8702161Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. A battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure also help to absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. In this configuration the battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, the side sill assemblies. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Alexi Charbonneau, Malcolm Burgess, Vivek Attaluri, Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya, Alan Paul Clarke, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Robert David Sumpf, Jr., Bruce Philip Edwards
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Patent number: 8696051Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill assembly along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. The collapsible side sill assembly includes a side sill insert, the insert divided into a collapsible portion designed to absorb impact energy and a reacting portion designed to distribute the impact energy to the vehicle cross-members.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Alexi Charbonneau, Malcolm Burgess, Vivek Attaluri, Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya
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Patent number: 8684438Abstract: Disclosed is an outer skin reinforcement for an outer skin of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer skin reinforcement is formed of a brace, which extends parallel to the outer skin and is connected on connecting points in the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the brace is connected to the outer skin via an adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Stefan Stanik, Carl-Adolf Kimmes
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Patent number: 8678481Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoyuki Tamura
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Patent number: 8668253Abstract: A scuff plate assembly for use with an automotive vehicle door side sill includes an elongate scuff plate trim and a U-shaped wire shield for housing a wire harness. The scuff plate trim and wire shield are integrally coupled by a deformable living hinge that is disposed on an upper portion of the wire shield.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: William Bauer
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Patent number: 8668252Abstract: In this vehicle body floor structure, stiffeners that extend to a rear of a front cross member and that have a U-shaped concave portion that is open at to top thereof when viewed in a cross-section of a vehicle are joined to a bottom surface on both side portions of floor panel. Beads that have a U-shaped concave portion when viewed in a cross-section of the vehicle are provided at a rear portion of the floor panel, and the beads are aligned with the concave portion of the stiffeners and are provided continuously with the stiffeners.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Kimitaka Ando, Yuji Matsuura, Katsunari Sugawara
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Patent number: 8668248Abstract: A vehicle body (11) including: a tunnel cross-member (28) extending in the vehicle's widthwise direction along the lower surface of a tunnel section (18) of the floor panel (19); left and right side-frame extensions (22, 22) extending rearward along the lower surfaces (31, 32) of the dashboard (15) from the rear ends of left and right front side-frames (16, 16). The left and right side-frame extensions each bifurcate into a side sill-side extension (43, 43) which, while tilting, extends rearward and outward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to a side sill (17, 17), and into a tunnel-side extension (44, 44) which, while tilting, extends rearward and inward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to the tunnel cross-member. The tilt of the side sill-side extensions and the tilt of the tunnel-side extensions are substantially the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Ishizono, Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Kosaku Tomozawa
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Patent number: 8662575Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle chassis side structure comprising a side sill (15) whereupon a closed section is formed from a side sill outer (37) and a side sill inner (38). The side sill outer (37) comprises an upper wall portion (44) and a lower wall portion (45). The closed section is formed in a polygonal shape by forming an upper bead (47) from the leading end of the side sill (15) to the trailing end thereof, upon at least the upper wall portion (44) from among the upper and lower wall portions (44, 45). The vehicle chassis side structure further comprises a reinforcement member (64) upon a central joining portion (56) whereat a center pillar (17) is joined, which closes an opening (61) of the upper bead (47) and an opening (62) of a lower bead (48), forming the closed section.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoyuki Tamura
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Patent number: 8651565Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier element for a motor vehicle made of steel, which comprises at least one closed cross-sectional area and at least one rolled profile produced from a tailored strip, which extends in longitudinal direction of the carrier element. In addition to this, the invention relates to a body of a motor vehicle. The object of making available a carrier element for a motor vehicle that cannot only be produced in a simple manner and can provide high strengths with same manufacturing costs is solved in that through the rolled profile a carrier element having at least one at least partially closed cross-sectional area is formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AGInventors: Markus Zörnack, Stephan Drewes, Lothar Patberg
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Patent number: 8646833Abstract: A vehicle body includes hollow left and right side sills. Front ends of the side sills are formed into closed cross sections and substantially inverted-L shapes. The front end of the right side sill is bilaterally symmetrical to the front end of the left side sill. Rear ends of the left and right side sills are formed into substantially square-shaped cross sections. Portions from the front ends to the rear ends of the side sills are formed into closed cross sections which change smoothly from the inverted-L shaped cross sections to the square-shaped cross sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Fujii, Masayo Akiyama
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Patent number: 8641135Abstract: A sill panel made of plastic extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is connected to the vehicle body. The sill panel is of an arched configuration and has an upper, upright fastening flange, which is connected to the vehicle body by fastening devices. Vertically oriented, upwardly open slots are provided in the fastening flange, between the fastening devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Eberhard Palmer, Heinz-Arno Kruschhausen
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Publication number: 20140001790Abstract: A vehicle cabin body structure a side sill, a floor fixedly attached to the side sill, a dash wall and an inner reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is fixedly being attached to the side sill and the floor at least partially defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The inner reinforcing bracket has a sill attachment section attached to an inboard surface of the side sill, a dash wall attachment section attached to an interior surface of the dash wall and a floor attachment section attached to an upper surface the floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan ZISCHKE, Brian C. SHEPARD, Jeff PENCAK, Emily HOSPODAR