Patent · US Active

Panoramic roof stiffener reinforcement

US10421496B2 · kind B2 · utility

109Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 15, 2017
Grant dateSep 24, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D29/001
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle roof stiffener includes a metal or metal alloy frame defining a central opening and at least one corner. The vehicle roof stiffener also includes a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) portion including at least one transition structure comprising a metal or a metal alloy. At least some of the fibers of the FRP portion are embedded in the transition structure. The FRP portion is located in the at least one corner. In some examples, the frame includes an opening in the at least one corner, and the FRP portion spans the opening. In other examples, the FRP portion overlaps the frame at the at least one corner. The FRP portion located at the corner may improve rigidity of the roof stiffener to increase resistance to a racking motion and increase the overall stiffness of the vehicle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.