Instrument panel reinforcement structure including a novel driver side cross tube
US6176544A · kind A · utility
43Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0051
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. The driver side cross tube has a greater average wall thickness than the passenger side cross tube. The driver side cross tube is hydroformed so that a middle portion has larger bending and torsion resistance than the end portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.