Reinforced door aperture frame for reducing deformation from offset collisions
US5653495A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D21/15
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An extra U-shaped pressed plate profile (20) is arranged at the connection (13) between the A-pillar (3) and sill (5), inside a closed hollow beam running around the door aperture, which plate profile runs from the front lateral wall of the A-pillar obliquely rearwards to the lower lateral wall of the sill beam, thereby providing a double wall with spaced plates (26, 27). The double wall enables a local plastic deformation zone to be provided for impact of the wheel against the door aperture frame, and enables the wheel to be locked so that it does not migrate up the A-pillar, thereby providing controlled deformation and absorption of crash forces without the entire door aperture frame collapsing. The rear plate (27) forms a secondary closed hollow beam inside the door aperture frame which, during the deformation of the front plate (26), retains a closed stable door aperture frame with adjoining sections of the A-pillar (3) and sill (5). Controlled deformation behavior, substantially reduced floor penetration and reduced deformation of the door aperture are obtained at low cost and little required increase in weight of the vehicle body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.