Vehicle cross-car beam

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10494032-B2
Application number	US-201715846442-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2017
Priority date	Dec 19, 2017
Publication date	Dec 3, 2019
Grant date	Dec 3, 2019

Abstract

A cross-car beam is provided herein. The cross-car beam includes a composite elongated panel extending across a vehicle. A bracket is operably coupled with an elongated panel. An attachment feature and a cowl attachment structure are each integrally formed with the bracket and are disposed at opposing end portions of the bracket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cross-car beam comprising:
a composite elongated panel extending across a vehicle;
a bracket operably coupled with the elongated panel, the bracket defining a first opening and a second opening through which a first duct and a second duct respectively pass through; and
an attachment feature and a cowl attachment structure each integrally formed with the bracket and disposed at opposing end portions of the bracket.

2. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , wherein the composite elongated panel includes a chopped carbon fiber reinforced with a polymer and the bracket includes a woven or continuous carbon fiber reinforced with a polymer.

3. The cross-car beam of claim 2 , wherein the polymer includes nylon or polypropylene.

4. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is formed through pultrusion or extrusion and is insertion molded to the elongated panel.

5. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is disposed on a driver's side of a vehicle centerline.

6. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is disposed on a passenger's side of a vehicle centerline.

7. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a housing having a closed outer periphery.

8. The cross-car beam of claim 7 , further comprising:
integrally formed ribs are disposed within the housing.

9. The cross-car beam of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wiring harness retainer integrally formed with the bracket.

10. A cross-car beam comprising:
a composite elongated panel extending across a vehicle;
a bracket operably couple with the elongated panel, the bracket defining a first opening;
a first duct passing through the first opening, wherein a first portion of the first duct operably couples to a first side of the bracket and a second portion of the first duct operably couples to a second side of the first duct.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Mullen Gary D
• Mazzocchi Nicholas Andrew
• Busuioc Dan
• Perelli Alan
• Ligi Jr Anthony

Classifications

• B62D29/04

  predominantly of synthetic material (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29) · CPC title

• B62D29/041

  Understructures · CPC title

• B62D25/145 Primary

  having a crossbeam incorporated therein · CPC title

• B62D25/142

  having ventilation channels incorporated therein · CPC title

• B60R16/0207

  Wire harnesses · CPC title