Integrated fiber-reinforced polymer vehicle rail-and-panel structures and methods of making the same
US11383771B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D25/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Presented are fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite components for motor vehicles, methods for making and using such components, and motor vehicles with unitary FRP-composite vehicle roof rail-and-panel structures. A vehicle body structure for a motor vehicle includes one or more elongated support rails, each of which includes at least two contoured rail panels that are joined together to define therebetween an internal rail cavity. At least one of these contoured rail panels is formed with an FRP material. The vehicle body structure also includes a body panel that is formed with the same FRP material. The body panel includes a main panel section with one or more stepped interfaces that each projects transversely from a respective side of the main panel section and mounts thereon one of the contoured rail panels. The body panel and a contoured rail panel of each support rail are integrally formed as a single-piece, unitary structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.