Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-10-02
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
C296S190050, C296S203010, C296S182100, C296S210000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296301
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a motor vehicle body structure, and more particularly, to a reinforced motor vehicle body structure using a woven fiber of simple and lightweight construction.
BACKGROUND
As traffic congestion increases with the population growth, the inherent risk of traffic accidents has escalated, and a safer motor vehicle has been a long time demand. Consequently, many different types of safety features have been introduced and developed such as airbags and seat belts. In addition, automobile manufacturers are in search of ways to enhance the rigidity of the motor vehicle body panels in order to absorb more impact in the event of a collision without increasing vehicle length, width, or weight.
Conventional motor vehicle body supporting structures employ a structure having full-width cavities between the inner and the outer body panels. For example, plastically deformable impact regions are enclosed between the inner and the outer body panels, so that deformable regions can expand when pressure is applied. However, full-width cavities between body panels do not enhance the rigidity of the motor vehicle body structure and are capable of only limited support.
Another example of motor vehicle supporting structures is to assemble the outer body panel with more than one inner body panel, so that the rigidity of the motor vehicle body is enhanced. However, the use of multiple body panels increases the manufacturing process steps, and manufacturing cost as well as the weight of the motor vehicle.
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle body structure which enhances the rigidity of the vehicle structure, so that it is capable of absorbing more impact in case of a collision, and to also provide the desired bend and torsional loads for vehicle ride and handling performance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle body structure that is lightweight, is low cost, and is easy to assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages as well as other disadvantages. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a woven fiber material including a cross woven or unidirectional or a combination of weaves, mats, or other fiber products is enclosed between the inner and the outer body panels for increasing the rigidity of the structure. The cross woven (or unidirectional or a combination thereof) fiber material includes strands of fibers woven with resin in fiber or powder form and is disposed in a predetermined cavity between the inner and the outer body panels. The cross woven or unidirectional fiber material is heated with hot air in order to melt the resin and bond directly to the body panels, and is then cooled down. Once the resin is cooled, the cross woven or unidirectional fiber material becomes a very stiff integral part fused to the primary body panels of the motor vehicle body structure. The present invention provides a vehicle body reinforcement method which requires fewer manufacturing steps, less manufacturing cost, and is lighter in weight than conventional reinforcement methods.
The present invention is applicable to any type of body panels whether composite plastic or steel. However, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment will introduce a particular application of a cross woven fiber material for reinforcement of a composite plastic motor vehicle body structure. The use of cross woven fiber material is not limited to any particular parts, but can be applied to various parts of the motor vehicle body structure such as doors, pillars, roof, and body panels. Also included are chassis components such as frames, cross members, and suspension parts.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Argeropoulos John G.
Fielding Russell C.
Schroeder Del C.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Morrow Jason
Pape Joseph D.
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