Metallic Reinforcements Patents (Class 296/30)
-
Patent number: 7347491Abstract: A process for connecting a hydroformed front rail member of an automotive frame to the body side inner (rocker) beam does not require a substantive re-design of the frame to accommodate an overlapping parallel orientation of two tubular frame members. The hydroformed front rail member is laser cut at the rearward end thereof to remove a portion of a side wall of the tubular member to form a C-shaped section. The front rail member is formed with a vertical dimension that provides a nesting relationship between the C-shaped section of the front rail member and the body side inner member so that the rocker beam can be received into the C-shaped section. Welding between the two members can be accomplished using either MIG-welding or spot-welding processes. A body side reinforcement can be added to provide a stiff frame joint as the reinforcement is swept off the rail structure to provide a box section.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Tim Mouch, Musa Azzouz, Michael Azzouz
-
Patent number: 7341299Abstract: A structural joint is formed between the upper frame rail, which bends downwardly to define a generally vertically extending portion, and a generally fore-and-aft extending lower frame rail that can increase bending resistance without sacrificing crash energy management of the horn section of the lower frame rail. The structural joint is reinforced with a crushable tubular reinforcement member formed in a clamshell configuration that includes a forwardly extending support arm positioned beneath the horn section to lower the center of gravity of a downwardly angled horn section to prevent premature bending thereof when encountering crash energy from a frontal impact. The horn section is formed in a pre-folded configuration to enhance the crash energy management of the horn section. The tubular reinforcement provides a double cell structural configuration adjacent the structural joint to provide a crushable structural joint that enables an effective management of crash energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ridha Baccouche, Tim Mouch, Michael Azzouz, Parameswararao Pothuraju, Viktor Kostrominov
-
Patent number: 7249797Abstract: A rearward body structure of a motor vehicle has a vehicle body shell cutout for a tailgate attached to the body structure. The body structure has a roof junction assembly in which a lateral roof side member, a transversely extending roof frame with a hinge connection for the tailgate and a rear column converge, the roof side member the roof frame and the column respectively in a sheet metal shell construction having at least an exterior wall and an interior wall. The roof junction assembly also has an interior side part with a roof side member extension, a roof frame extension as well as a column extension, which roof side member extension and column extension each form the respective interior wall, on which roof frame extension a hinge reinforcement of the hinge connection is fastened.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Werner Wolkersdorfer, Terrence Tattersall
-
Patent number: 7229113Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle and method of making same includes a hydroformed tubular member extending axially, a reinforcement disposed within and generally perpendicular to an axis of the tubular member, and at least one securement to secure the reinforcement to the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Lendway, IV, Charles J. Bruggemann, David A. Gatny
-
Patent number: 7201398Abstract: A joint between two or more structural members in a vehicular body and frame assembly facilitates the application of a coating of a material thereto after assembly of the joint. The first and second structural members have respective outer surfaces provided thereon. A spacer is provided either as a portion of a reinforcement member disposed within the first structural member or integrally with the first structural member. The first structural member is connected to the second structural member with the spacer therebetween so as to define a joint defining a gap between the outer surfaces of the first and second structural members. Lastly, a coating of a material is applied to the outer surfaces of the first and second structural members.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Paul A. Christofaro, Steven C. Greenawalt
-
Patent number: 7192071Abstract: The invention relates to a bulkhead that can realize not only manufacture as lightweight and inexpensive as possible but also less the waste produced from material, while keeping sufficient structural strength and rigidity thereof. The bulkhead 1 for raising strength and rigidity of a vehicular frame member 2 comprises: a partition face 11 having an outer shape contoured to a sectional shape of the vehicular frame member 2; connecting wings 12, 13, 13 projected and folded at individual sides of the partition face 11 except an open edge 111, and forming a peripheral wall section 16 having a C-shape by linking vicinities of folded edges 121, 131, 131; and a bead 14 formed on the partition face 11 near the open edge 111 in that it is denting in same direction of the folded connecting wings 12, 13, 13, and extending in parallel to the open edge 111.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Asteer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Watanabe, Toru Inoue
-
Patent number: 7185933Abstract: Adjustable fastening element intended to be fitted to an end region of a transverse member of a vehicle chassis. The fastening element takes the form of a U-section element with a web portion of preferably uniform width and with mutually parallel flanges protruding from opposite side edges of this web portion. Each flange has running through it at least one oblong slitlike aperture, or has running through it two or more mutually aligned holes, for a fastening element, particularly a fastening bolt or fastening screw, whereby the fastening element can be fixed to the transverse member. The fastening element can be fitted straddling the end region of the transverse member, in one of various different positions relative to the end region of the member, with the flanges of the fastening element abutting against opposite side surfaces of the transverse member.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)Inventor: Anders Goransson
-
Patent number: 7152896Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight part, particularly a vehicle body part, which includes sheet steel and light metal. In order to improve the manufacturability as well as the strength and rigidity properties, the sheet steel (6 through 8) is implemented as thin-walled, particularly has a thickness of less than 2 mm, and has at least one free area which is provided locally with a cast or sintered reinforcement structure (15) made of light metal.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Imperia GmbHInventors: Thilo Roeth, Reinhard Vomhof
-
Patent number: 7140674Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure capable of realizing the connection to a side body in the form of structural connection. The vehicle body frame structure includes a side body whose skeleton is formed by a body panel that forms a side face of the vehicle body and a reinforcement member that is formed into a shape extending along the inside of the body panel and joined to the body panel, a front frame member that forms a front body disposed to form a shape extending from the side body to the front of the vehicle body, and an outer frame member joined to the front frame member from side of the vehicle body and secured to the reinforcement member by means of bolts extending through the body panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinsuke Miyoshi, Takashi Yakata, Takayuki Yatabe, Takashi Kikuchi, Keishi Goto, Koji Shibata
-
Patent number: 7059667Abstract: A combined structure of a front part of a cabin of an automobile has a dash panel and a front pillar. The dash panel is placed in the front part of the cabin, extending in the width direction of an automobile, and forms a tire house bulged inward of the cabin at both left and right lower sides. The dash panel has a panel flange extending rearward from the both edges. The front pillar is formed by a front pillar inner and a front pillar outer joined at pillar flanges where they are faced each other in the width direction. In the front pillar, the pillar flanges extending in the forward of vehicles are joined to the panel flange. The front end of the pillar flange is located more rearward than the edge of the dash panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tatsuzo Tomita
-
Patent number: 7052076Abstract: A front side-part structure of a vehicle includes a reinforcing member forming a closed section with a fender apron upper panel, fender apron inner panel, and front side member improves a coupling rigidity therebetween. Resulting from the improved rigidity, the fender apron upper panel firmly supports a front-end module, and limiting vibration generated from a coupling portion between the fender apron upper panel and front-end module. The improved rigidity also increasing the driving stabilization by firm stiffness of the vehicle body during a sudden stop or a turn.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Ki-Chang Kim
-
Patent number: 7036874Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved front-end to body-side joint (10) for an automotive vehicle. This joint (10) includes an integral front end structure (12) having a fender attachment portion (16) and one or more hinge-reinforcement portions (14). The fender attachment portion (16) is coupled to a fender (24). Moreover, the hinge-reinforcement portions (14) are attached to a pillar member (28) of a vehicle body (46) for supporting a door (20). The integral front end structure (12) is a master-locating component for positioning the fender (24) and the door (20) in a predetermined configuration within the joint (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dragan Stojkovic, Larry Dupuis, James Lowe, Stephen Bruford
-
Patent number: 6951366Abstract: A rear part of a body of an automobile has a side member, a cross member, and a side sill inner panel. The side member has a side lower wall, a side inside wall and a side outside wall. The front part of the side outside wall is provided at a position retreated from the front end of the side lower wall. The cross member has a cross bottom wall and a cross rear wall. The left and right ends of the cross bottom wall are fit and joined from the lower side to the side lower wall. The left and right ends of the cross rear wall are joined to the side inside wall. The rear part of the sill inner vertical wall of the side sill inner panel is fit and joined to the front part of the side outside wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tatsuzo Tomita
-
Patent number: 6932407Abstract: A vehicle child seat attachment structure basically comprises a vehicle body panel and a sheet metal structural member. The sheet metal structural member is fixedly coupled to the vehicle body panel to create a space between the vehicle body panel and a cabin facing portion of the sheet metal structural member. The cabin facing portion of the sheet metal structural member is configured and arranged to form at least a first bar portion of an integrated child seat tether anchor that is arranged and dimensioned to receive a child seat tether clip. The sheet metal structural member is reinforced by a reinforcement plate configured and arranged to form at least a second bar portion of the integrated child seat tether anchor that is arranged and dimensioned to overlie the first bar portion such that the child seat tether clip is fastened around the first and second bar portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventors: Jason Cuerrier, Mike Smith, Youichi Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 6932405Abstract: A vehicle body structure of the present invention includes a side-frame disposed to extend along one direction, a side sill disposed to extend in the one direction alongside the side-frame on the outside thereof, a cross member disposed to extend in a direction in which the cross member intersects with the side-frame and which is joined to a side portion of the side-frame to form a vehicle body together with the side-frame, and a gusset provided between the side-frame and the side sill on a longitudinal extension of the cross member, which extends in a smaller cross section than that of the cross member from a joint portion where the cross member is joined to the side-frame until the gusset comes into abutment with the side sill while passing through the side-frame and which is formed as an integral part of the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hayami Nakagawa, Satoshi Yanagimoto, Yusuke Kimura
-
Patent number: 6908146Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tatsuzo Tomita
-
Patent number: 6902228Abstract: There is provided a vehicular floor construction in which when a floor panel is assembled to a chassis frame, by surely preventing a collar from coming off a boss, the efficiency of work for assembling the floor panel to the chassis frame can be improved. A floor panel formed of a synthetic resin is mounted on a chassis frame, and the floor panel is fixed to the chassis frame by bolts and nuts. Bosses mounted on the chassis frame are formed of a synthetic resin integrally with the floor panel on the lower surface of the floor panel, and each of the bosses is formed with a through hole through which the bolt is inserted. A collar made of a metal is provided on the boss so as to be brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the boss, and the collar is formed with a slit extending in the lengthwise direction of the collar.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.Inventor: Manabu Kikuchi
-
Patent number: 6899488Abstract: A fastening system has a mounting plate of substantially greater area than a flange of a part being attached to a hardened plate. This mounting plate is sandwiched between the flange and an outer face of the hardened plate and has an outer periphery spaced well outward of the flange. A plurality of nuts bear on an inner face of the hardened plate in line with the flange. Respective bolts extend through the flange, mounting plate, and hardened plate into the nuts and press the flange and mounting plate against the outer face of the hardened plate. A weld at the outer periphery secures the mounting plate to the hardened plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Specialfahrzeug AG & Co. KGInventors: Bernhard Geringer, Hubert Höfer
-
Patent number: 6893082Abstract: A vehicle suspension mounting structure capable of sufficiently improving the strength and rigidity of a strut fixing part, while minimizing adverse effects such as increased vehicle weight. Side members of a sectional shape having an upper opening are curved inward in the vehicle width direction so as not to interfere with strut mounting faces. Notched portions are formed to extend from the strut mounting faces to outer side faces of the side members, and brackets made of a thick plate to which upper portions of struts are fixed are disposed in the notched portion and spot welded thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeki Watanabe
-
Patent number: 6886818Abstract: The vehicular engine mounting structure includes a liquid sealed type bush instead of a rubber embedded bush. The mounting structure also includes: a chassis bracket having a circular supporter for receiving the bush. Two attachment parts of the chassis bracket are coupled to at a front side member. Vertical reinforcing members and a connection reinforcing member for supporting the vertical reinforcing members are installed in the front side member.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Ki-Chang Kim
-
Patent number: 6854792Abstract: A vehicle front body structure of a vehicle of framed construction, which includes: a pair of hood ledges which constitute inner walls on left and right sides of the vehicle front body; a pair of side rails to which the hood ledges are respectively connected at their front ends; and a radiator support connected to both of the front ends of the hood ledges. Each of the hood ledges is provided on a transversely outer side thereof with a box-section member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroki Tsukahara
-
Patent number: 6840205Abstract: The upper and lower edges of a reinforcement (12) are fixed to hood ledges (1) and disposed between the hood ledges (1) and fenders (7). The hood ledges (1) and reinforcement (12) form a substantially rectangular parallelopiped space. An intake air duct (6) is fixed to the hood ledges (1). The opening of the intake air duct connects the interior of the intake air duct (6) to the substantially rectangular parallelopiped-shaped space. An opening which forms an air intake port (15), is formed in a part opposite the opening of the intake air duct (6) of the reinforcement (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiichi Sato, Satoru Andou, Sadayuki Fujimoto
-
Patent number: 6830287Abstract: The present invention provides a rear impact absorption system for a motor vehicle. The rear impact absorption system includes a rear body assembly including longitudinally extending rear rails including first and second portions having first and second respective heights relative to a generally horizontal plane, the first height being greater than the second height. The invention further provides a neutralizing member connectable to bridge the first and second heights of each rear rail so as to minimize the effect of a moment arm created by the first and second heights during a rear impact.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peyman Aghssa, John Jude Fusco, William Moore Sherwood, Martin Wedel
-
Patent number: 6808228Abstract: A structurally reinforced automobile body including damper stiffener extensions extending from the damper stiffeners to automobile body members rearward of the damper stiffeners, preferably opposite sides of the rear panel, the side panel outer extensions, the side panel outers or the rear frame members. A box-beam parcel shelf mounts at opposite sides to the region of the automobile body to which a suspension component attaches, such as the wheel house or rear inner panel. The box-beam parcel shelf substantially rigidities the automobile body, especially in combination with the damper stiffener extensions, which together form a contiguous structural reinforcement with the rear panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shawn W. Campbell, Aron K. Madsen, Anthony J. Leanza
-
Patent number: 6773057Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Nomura
-
Patent number: 6733068Abstract: A device for increasing strength of a hollow shaped part with a closed cross-section for a vehicle body has at least one reinforcing element extendable at least partially into an inner space of the hollow shaped part and connectable with the hollow shaped part, and an aperture provided in the hollow shaped part and formed so that the reinforcing element extends into the inner space of the hollow shaped part.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Hamdi Dogan, Rainer Wess, Markus Exner
-
Patent number: 6709045Abstract: A roof side rail has a closed cross-section formed by integrating side rail outer and inner, and a part of the side rail forms an upper edge of a vehicle body side opening. A pipe-shaped reinforcing member is inserted into the side rail from the front side thereof to a part forming the upper edge of the opening, and is fixed to the side rail inner. Therefore, even when cross-sectional areas between the front side of the side rail and the part of the side rail forming the upper edge of the opening differ, both of which are connected to each other via a step part deviated to the largest degree, the stiffness of the step part is increased, and the number of parts and man-hours required for welding are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirotaka Shuto, Hiroyuki Kurokawa, Tatsuji Shimizu, Eisuke Okamoto
-
Patent number: 6705668Abstract: A reinforcing structure is provided to attain sufficient reinforcing effect for a body frame without increasing a weight of a vehicle. The reinforcing structure includes a front pillar (3) whose peripheral wall has an outer panel (13) and a reinforcement (14) to provide a double wall structure, and an adjusting mechanism (15) for making a buckling-mode waveform of the outer panel (13) in a substantially-reversed phase to a buckling-mode waveform of the reinforcement (14). The adjusting mechanism (15) includes a plurality of beads (16) formed on a top wall of the reinforcement (14). Owing to the deformation of the outer panel (13) in a substantially-reversed phase to the deformation of the reinforcement (14), a resistance force due to contact between the outer panel (13) and the reinforcement (14) allows a deformation of the front pillar (3) to be is restricted to enhance reinforcing effect of the reinforcing structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Makita, Yuuichi Oki
-
Patent number: 6676183Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Itsuo Yoshida, Shigeto Yasuhara
-
Patent number: 6648401Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an underbody and a wheelhouse at an outboard edge of the underbody, and a longitudinal member beneath the underbody and adjacent to the wheelhouse, the wheelhouse having an inboard surface spaced outboard from the longitudinal member, and a reinforcement extending between and secured to the inboard surface and the longitudinal member. The reinforcement increases the torsional stiffness of the body in the vicinity of the wheelhouse without intruding into the interior of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Guenter Behnke, Thomas Doerfler
-
Patent number: 6631942Abstract: A front body structure is provided to disperse an impact load transmitted from a tire retreating while changing its direction, into a vehicle body effectively and also effect a great absorption of an impact energy. Forming a body framework on the lateral side of a vehicle cabin, a body side frame includes a side-frame inner panel inside the vehicle cabin and a side-frame outer panel outside the vehicle cabin. Extending from the vicinity of a joint between a side member and a dash panel to the body side frame, a torque box includes a torque-box inner panel inside the vehicle cabin and a torque-box outer panel outside the vehicle cabin. In arrangement, a front tire and a wheel are arranged on the side of the torque-box outer panel of the torque box. The body side frame is connected with the torque box so that a surface of the side-frame outer panel connects a surface of the torque-box outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuichi Kitagawa
-
Patent number: 6629720Abstract: An I-beam clamp comprises a body having a seat and defining a medial plane extending through and perpendicular to the seat and a normal plane aligned with the seat; a pair of pads mounted to the body for movement between respective closed positions beyond the seat, on opposite sides of and in spaced relation to the medial plane and in spaced relation to the normal plane, and open positions, whereat each pad is disposed, relative to its closed position, in a direction away from both the normal plane and the medial plane; and an actuator for effecting movement of the pads between their closed positions and their open positions. Clamp pairs can be secured to a disabled trailer undercarriage and a brace can be disposed between each pair. A saddle can be secured to each pair to urge the brace towards the undercarriage and support same for towing.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Inventor: Fraser Evans
-
Publication number: 20030184109Abstract: A profiled element (1) includes a tubular blank (2) which is formed into the desired shape by hydroforming. In conjunction with hydroforming, at least one slot essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank is made in wall portions (4, 6) on the blank, and a reinforcing element (3) is fixed in each slot. In a suitable embodiment, each reinforcing element is fixed in two opposite slots and extends through a cavity in the blank. The invention relates to on the one hand a profiled element and on the other hand a method of producing the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Lars-Olof Hellgren, Blair Carlson, Tomas Agren
-
Publication number: 20030164623Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Itsuo Yoshida, Shigeto Yasuhara
-
Patent number: 6546693Abstract: A stiffener is provided for reinforcing a hollow structure having a pair of spaced walls with a pin extending across the walls. The stiffener includes a carrier member with a layer of expandable polymer which creates a structural foam when the polymer is later expanded. The stiffener could comprise a horseshoe shaped laminate shaped to fit over the pin of the hollow structure so that when the polymer is expanded it forms a structural foam intimately bonded to the pair of spaced walls.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Henkel CorporationInventor: Joseph S. Wycech
-
Publication number: 20030042762Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an underbody and a wheelhouse at an outboard edge of the underbody, and a longitudinal member beneath the underbody and adjacent to the wheelhouse, the wheelhouse having an inboard surface spaced outboard from the longitudinal member, and a reinforcement extending between and secured to the inboard surface and the longitudinal member. The reinforcement increases the torsional stiffness of the body in the vicinity of the wheelhouse without intruding into the interior of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Guenter Behnke, Thomas Doerfler
-
Patent number: 6460918Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprise a cross member and a floor. Two parallel side members extend along a longitudinal central line of a vehicle and outwardly from the cross member. The cross member is formed by extrusion in a first direction lying in parallel to a transverse line crossing the longitudinal central line. The floor is formed by extrusion in a second direction lying in parallel to the longitudinal central line. The floor includes a recess recessed inwardly and a floor panel portion that defines at least a portion of the recess defining edge. The cross member has an integral tooth fitted into the recess and connected to said floor along the recess defining edge.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Sato, Tatsuya Fukushima
-
Patent number: 6428074Abstract: A construction is provided for fastening a plurality of members which thermally expand and contract together to a base member with a screw member, in such a manner that those members do not interfere with each other when they thermally expand or contract. An interference that would otherwise be generated between a plurality of members to be fastened together when the respective members thermally expand and contract can be prevented with a simple construction by interposing an interference preventing spacer member between the respective members. The spacer member is positioned in a radial direction relative to a screw portion. With one member, the fastened portion where the members are fastened together functions as a reference point for absorbing the thermal expansion and contraction. With the other member, an elongate hole is used at this fastened portion for absorbing the thermal expansion and contraction. Accordingly, the single fastened portion allows fastening corresponding to the respective members.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiro Sukegawa, Takashi Chirifu
-
Patent number: 6428048Abstract: A connecting structure for a vehicle for providing strength while achieving a light weight formation for the vehicle body. The connecting structure connects a sub-constituting member to a main constituting member. The main constituting member is formed in an inverse U-shaped section. A reinforcing pin extends along a connecting direction of the sub-constituting member and is provided to penetrate the main constituting member in a vicinity of the sub-constituting member. A connecting member is superposed on the main constituting member, the sub-constituting member, and the reinforcing pin, and is provided at the connecting portion for connecting the main constituting member and sub-constituting member. The connecting member is integrated to the main constituting member, the sub-constituting member and the reinforcing pin respectively by welding. Both end portions of the reinforcing pin are integrated to the main constituting member by welding.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Maki, Yasuhiro Matsumoto
-
Patent number: 6409257Abstract: In a vehicle side sill structure in which a side sill portion having a substantially closed cross section extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body is provided at the side of the vehicle body, a pipe member is disposed inside the side sill portion in such a manner as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and at least two concave portions (fragile portions) are formed in a side portion of the pipe member. Further, a reinforcing member is disposed substantially along the side portion of the pipe member, and cooperates with the side portion to form a second closed section. This enables proper deformation particularly during side impact with a simple structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Takashina, Hiroyuki Nagura, Hiroyuki Kurokawa
-
Patent number: 6402414Abstract: A frame structure includes tubular elements joined by an efficient tubular joint with internal low mass stiffening members including a central hollow box section. In the more mass efficient embodiments, the box section includes sides forming continuous extensions through the joint of all the sides of the tubular elements and all edges of each side are fixed to the connecting sides at the joint. In less efficient embodiments provided to simplify manufacturing, some of the interior edges may not be fixed to adjacent sides and/or one or more sides may be omitted from the hollow box section. All versions include extensions of at least part of the sides of each tubular element through the joint to provide mass efficient internal strengthening of the joint for use in tubular frames made with hydroformed or other tubular components.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Vinod Laxmichand Kanodia, Ronny B. Karlsson
-
Patent number: 6361102Abstract: A front automotive reinforcement structure for distributing impact force applied to a dash panel toward the interior and exterior of an automobile and to weaken the impact force transmitted to the inside of the automobile, thereby preventing injuries to passengers and deformation of the dash panel, wherein a lower portion constituting both left and right sides of a dash panel fixedly supported by a front side member portion is fixedly welded to an upper member supporting an upper part of the lower member and a lateral portion thereof is supported by a lateral member, whereas, between the upper member and lower member, there is a supporting lower reinforcing member along the shape thereof while a dash lower side reinforcing member is supported by welding to the lower member and to the inner side of the dash panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Yong-Ha Han
-
Patent number: 6332731Abstract: The joint reinforcement member for a hollow structure of an automotive vehicle has a carrier portion with an outer surface. The carrier portion has a base portion with a first extension having a first longitudinal axis and a second extension having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and second longitudinal axis correspond to the hollow structure. A thermally expandable adhesive layer is disposed on the outer surface of the carrier portion and substantially covers the outer surface. A method for forming the joint member includes providing a carrier having a plurality extensions extending from a base portion that correspond to the hollow structure a layer of thermally expandable adhesive materials applied to the carrier portion. The carrier portion is heated to activate the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is cooled so that the adhesive layer is bonded to the structural member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Henkel CorporationInventor: Joseph S. Wycech
-
Patent number: 6328376Abstract: Disclosed is a center pillar assembly of a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Baik-Lark Son
-
Patent number: 6325451Abstract: A fastening arrangement of a door sill on the floor panel of a motor vehicle provides a welded connection between a welding flange on a longitudinal side of the door sill and an edge zone of the floor panel extending laterally next thereto. The welded connection, being distributed along the length of the door sill, has at least one run of spot welds. The butt joint between the welding flange of the door sill and the opposite edge zone of the floor panel is bridged in the rearward length area by a tension member or lug extending transversely thereto. The tension member is fastened by one end on the door sill and by of the other end on the adjacent area of the floor panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Jörg Sikorski
-
Patent number: 6325450Abstract: An operator's cab in a construction machine in which hollow pillar portions are formed each with an outer panel and an inner panel bonded to each other and the hollow pillar portions constitute an operator's cab frame, includes at least one reinforcement member constituted of thin plate that is bonded to the outer panel and/or the inner panel to divide an internal space of each of the hollow pillar portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2001Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Sakyo, Toichi Hirata, Kazuhisa Tamura, Jun Sonoda, Takashi Nakagawa
-
Patent number: 6322124Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement structure for a cowl side portion of automobiles. In this structure, the locking structure between the cowl side portion and two front pillars forms a plurality of independent cavities at the junction between the cowl side portion and each front pillar, thus improving the structural strength of the cowl side portion of the automobile body and effectively distributing impact to the parts in the case of an unexpected side collision or an unexpected front collision of an automobile. This structure also allows the door hinge reinforcing bracket to be welded to both the inside and outside pillar panels, thus improving the torsion strength of the two front pillars. The reinforcement structure consists of inside and outside pillar panels of each front pillar integrated with front and rear cowl panels of the cowl portion at the front junction of the pillar panels through a welding process.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Sang-Up Kim
-
Patent number: 6293617Abstract: An extruded material frame connection structure for a vehicle, which is constituted by a frame assembly and a reinforcing cover. The frame assembly includes a first extruded member and a second extruded member which are assembled in a state where the first and second extruded members intersect each other and which are welded to each other at an assembled portion thereof so as to be integrated with each other. The reinforcing member is formed to have a size so that the reinforcing member covers the assembled portion between the first and second extruded members and extends to cover portions of the first and second extruded members, the reinforcing member being assembled to the frame assembly and welded to each of the first and second extruded members. With the configuration, it is possible to obtain a frame connection structure in which not only a necessary strength can be secured but also thermal distortion can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihiro Sukegawa
-
Publication number: 20010020797Abstract: The pillar structure to which the passenger cabin end of the hood ridge panel is connected, is arranged have different localized structural deformation resistances which buckle/deform in a manner which causes the hood ridge panel to reorient in response to a vehicle structure deforming force being applied to the front of the vehicle during a collision, and results in the force, which passes through the hood ridge panel, being redirected by a load-converting and transmitting member included in the pillar, up and along an upper rearwardly angled upper portion of the pillar. This force redirection produces sufficient resistance to induce compressive bucking in the structure forward of the passenger cabin and thus attenuate damage to the cabin structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR Co., LTD.Inventor: Hidetsugu Saeki
-
Patent number: 6283539Abstract: A channel of a motor vehicle with a reinforcing insert. The channel serves as an essential load bearing structure of a motor vehicle. The channel is also served as a stable barrier to protect the passenger compartment in the event of a crash.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Norbert Enning, Andreas Ebert