Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Body shell
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-30
2002-03-12
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Body shell
C296S029000, C296S204000, C296S205000, C280S796000, C280S797000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354654
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority of Korea patent Application No. 1999-60005, filed on Dec. 21, 1999.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reinforcement of a vehicle frame structure, more particularly to a reinforcement for minimizing interference with other components to be installed around the frames and for reinforcing the weakened portions on a side frame member in a motor vehicle frame structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, motor vehicles are provided with a pair of lateral side frame members which extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle. Each of the two side frame members is connected by at least one cross frame member. A reinforcement and bumper or the like is engaged by securing elements such as rivets, bolts or welding to the side frame member. The frame structure is referred to H-shaped frame because of the outline of the frame members.
The side frame member functions to support load, and absorb, deliver rearward and disperse impact load when a sudden impact force is imposed on the vehicle from a collision.
The cross section of side frame member is in a rectangular shape. A kick-up frame is bent so as to lower the underside panel of the vehicle, i.e., passenger cars and buses.
FIG. 1
is a side view of the general frame structure of the vehicle. A typical frame structure
10
for the vehicle is provided with a pair of side frame members
11
in a lateral direction and at least one cross frame member
12
for connecting the side frame member
11
at a predetermined position thereof At one end of the side frame member
11
, a kick-up frame
13
which is bent to lower the underside panel of the vehicle is connected in itself.
In this frame structure, when a collision of the vehicle occurs, an abrupt impact load is delivered on the side frame member
11
from a bumper (not shown) and absorbed by deformation of the side frame member
11
. However, at the time of collision, the impact load is concentrated on the kick-up frame
13
and serious deformation of the kick-up frame
13
results in a severe injury of a driver and/or passengers by the impact.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. (Pyung) 8-58616 discloses a bumper stay for reinforcing the side frame member, as shown in FIG.
4
.
In
FIG. 4
, the bumper stay C in a stair-shape in cross section, is formed as a reinforcing means for reinforcing an interconnection of the side frame member A with the cross frame member B which is transversely disposed on the side frame member A. The bumper stay C is secured to the side frame member A and the cross member B via bolts, respectively.
Although the conventional side frame member A of the vehicle includes the reinforcement installed to the side frame member A for reinforcing the side frame member A itself or the bumper stay C secured at the interconnection of the side frame member A with the cross frame member B, section modulus or reinforcing effect is not improved.
As a result, the conventional frame members have a disadvantage that the impact is concentrated on the kick-up frame
13
, thereby causing a driver and/or passengers to be exposed to a severe injury by the impact.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reinforcement disposed on the kick-up frame of the side frame member, which prevents a passenger compartment of the vehicle from deforming or buckling, so that a driver and/or passengers may secure a security space despite collision.
It is the other object of the present invention to provide a reinforcement for absorbing impact applied thereto, which increases section modulus thereof to effectively reinforce the side frame member and eliminates interference in the assembly process of a fuel pipe and an exhaust pipe or the like.
In order to accomplish the above objects, there are provided a pair of laterally extending side frame members
11
disposed on each side of a vehicle body and at least one cross frame member
12
disposed between the side frame members
11
. The side frame members
11
are provided with the kick-up frames
13
, each integrally and inwardly bent formed at one end of the side frame member
11
. The present invention further comprises a reinforcement
30
installed at the interconnection of the side frame member
11
with the kick-up frame
13
.
The reinforcement
30
does not interfere with any pipes or components in the exhaust system.
Additionally, the reinforcement
30
prevents the passenger compartment of the vehicle from deforming or buckling, so that a driver and/or passengers may secure a security space despite collision, thereby improving security and reliability of the vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2202859 (1940-06-01), Ledwinka
patent: 5195780 (1993-03-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5839776 (1998-11-01), Clausen et al.
patent: 976332 (1963-07-01), None
patent: 8-58616 (1996-03-01), None
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Kia Motors Corporation
Pape Joseph D.
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