Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same

US9616935B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US

Inventors

• Tyler E. Schnug · Ann Arbor, US
• Kuo Sun · Ann Arbor, US
• Mark D. Clauser · Saline, US
• Yizhou Fan · Ann Arbor, US
• Donald Maynard · New Iberia, US
• Kevin O'Beirne · Northville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 11, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K2101/18
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of assembling a unibody structure of a vehicle includes assembling a door surround ring comprising a forward pillar portion, a roof rail portion, a rearward pillar portion, and a rocker portion. The method also includes, subsequent to assembling the door surround ring, installing the door surround ring into a vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring to the vehicle side outer panel. The method further includes, subsequent to installing the door surround ring into the vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring and the vehicle side outer panel to a vehicle interior structural member.