Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-19
2004-03-23
Patel, Kiran (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
C296S204000, C296S203030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06709047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle body construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reinforcing member or bulkhead for reinforcing a hollow structural member of a vehicle frame. The present invention finds particular application as an side sill beam assembly of a vehicle frame and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention may relate to other similar environments and applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art sill beam assemblies typically include an elongated hollow structural member made up of a side sill inner member, a side sill reinforcement or stiffener member and a side sill outer member and at least two bulkheads for reinforcing the hollow structural member. The inner and reinforcement members each include a plurality of walls defining a channel and, when the inner and reinforcement members are connected together, the channels define a hollow area of the structural member. The bulkheads are oriented in a generally transverse direction relative to the inner and reinforcement members. A first bulkhead is fixedly secured to the inner member and a second bulkhead is fixedly secured to the reinforcement member. The outer member connects to and generally nests around the reinforcement member forming a portion of the outer vehicle body, i.e., an outer vehicle body panel that a vehicle customer would see.
The use of two bulkheads satisfies two functions in the sill beam assembly. First, the bulkheads prevent the inner side sill member from opening during bending of the vehicle body as might occur during a side impact collision. More specifically, the first bulkhead that is fixedly secured to the inner member is welded in several places to the plurality of walls defining the channel of the inner side sill member thereby preventing the inner side sill member walls from opening, i.e., pulling apart from one another. If the inner side sill member is allowed to open, the vehicle body stiffness will be undesirably reduced. Thus, the first bulkhead keeps the side sill inner member from opening during a collision or normal operation of the vehicle.
Second, the bulkheads help prevent the side sill assembly and, more particularly, the side sill reinforcement member from collapsing during a side impact collision. More specifically, the second bulkhead that is fixedly secured to the reinforcement member is welded to one or more walls of the side sill reinforcement member such that, upon impact to the side sill reinforcement member, the second bulkhead will not fold over but, rather, provide impact resistance.
Obviously, it would be more cost and weight efficient if one bulkhead could be used to satisfy both of the aforementioned functions without unduly increasing manufacturing costs. However, heretofore, a single bulkhead was insufficient to accomplish the aforementioned functions desirable in a side sill beam assembly. More specifically, a single bulkhead was not capable of being attached or secured to both inner and reinforcement members of the side sill beam assembly. Initially, prior to assembly, the single bulkhead can be attached via welding to either the side sill inner member or the side sill reinforcement member. Before the single bulkhead could be attached to the other of the side sill inner and reinforcement members, the side sill members have to be secured to one another. Once the inner and reinforcement members are secured or connected together, the bulkhead cannot be accessed, thus, preventing the bulkhead from being attached to the other of the side sill inner and reinforcement members.
In prior art sill beam assemblies, use of a single bulkhead that is only attached to one of the inner and reinforcement members does not accomplish both the aforementioned desirable functions of side sill beam assemblies. For example, if the single bulkhead was welded only to the inner side sill member, it could not provide resistance to the outer side sill member against collapsing during a side impact collision. The single bulkhead would simply fold over during a side impact collision because it was not attached or secured to the reinforcement side sill member. If the single bulkhead was attached only to the side sill reinforcement member, it could not keep the inner side sill member from opening during bending of the vehicle body as might occur during a side impact collision. The single bulkhead would have no attachment to the inner side sill member and, therefore, could not prevent its sides from diverging from one another.
The present invention provides a new and improved sill beam assembly using a single bulkhead that overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing the aforementioned advantageous features, including resisting opening of a side sill inner member and resisting collapse of the side sill reinforcement member during a side impact collision.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hollow sill beam assembly for use on a vehicle body construction is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, 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.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a stiffening device is provided for reinforcing a hollow structural member of a vehicle frame having a longitudinal axis and an interior cavity. The hollow structural member is formed of an inner member and a reinforcement member that together define the interior cavity. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the stiffening device includes a generally planar body for reinforcing the structural member. The planar body is adapted to be received in the interior cavity at an angle approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the structural member. At least one upstanding flange is disposed on at least one edge of the planar body for overlying a portion of the inner member to enable the structural member to be mounted to the inner member. At least another edge of the planar body is adapted to be received within a recess provided on the reinforcement member.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a hollow side sill beam assembly located longitudinally along the exterior of a vehicle body is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the side beam assembly includes a side sill inner panel and a side sill reinforcement panel connected to the side sill inner panel. A slot is defined in the side sill reinforcement panel. A bulkhead extends between the side sill inner panel and the side sill reinforcement panel in a generally transverse direction relative to the longitudinal orientation of the sill beam assembly. The bulkhead is received in the slot to lock one edge of the bulkhead to a position on the side sill reinforcement panel. Another edge of the bulkhead is fixedly secured to the side sill inner panel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a hollow structural member having a first half and a second half with a reinforcing member is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a first half member defining a portion of a hollow area. A substantially planar reinforcing member having at least one upturned flange for attaching to the first half member is provided. The at least one upturned flange of the reinforcing member is attached to the first half member thereby connecting the reinforcing member to the first half member at an angle approximately normal to the first half member. A second half member definin
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaihsa
Patel Kiran
LandOfFree
Bulkhead locking construction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bulkhead locking construction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bulkhead locking construction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3274918