Aluminum roof panel for attachment to supporting steel vehicle body members
US8424961B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D29/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The substitution of aluminum alloy roof panels for the low carbon steel roof panels most commonly used in motor vehicles is an attractive option for vehicle mass reduction. Often, however, the remainder of the vehicle body structure continues to be fabricated of steel. The combination of the aluminum alloy roof attached to the steel body may create compressive stresses in the aluminum roof when the body is subjected to elevated temperatures such as those required to cure or bake the paint applied to the body. These stresses may lead to unacceptable appearance features in the visible segment of the roof. By modifying the roof stamping to introduce a tabbed flange for attachment to the body and/or modifying the generally-vertical wall joining the flange to the roof interior, the stresses may be minimized and relocated to segments of the roof not normally visible.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.