Structural component for a superstructure of a vehicle, and vehicle superstructure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11447181-B2
Application number	US-202016823152-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2020
Priority date	Mar 20, 2019
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

Systems are provided for a structural element. In one example, a system comprises a structural element arranged between a steering column and a front bumper, wherein the structural element at least partially surrounds the steering column.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A structural component for a superstructure of a vehicle, comprising:
a first and a second elongate longitudinal structural element spaced apart from each other and extending in a same longitudinal direction, an elongate transverse structural element which connects the first and the second elongate longitudinal structural elements together and extends transversely to the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements, and an elongate structural support web which extends both transversely to the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and to the transverse structural element, wherein the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and the structural support web are each configured to be connected to the superstructure of the vehicle, and wherein the structural support web is transverse to each of the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and to the elongate transverse structural element.

2. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and the transverse structural element substantially form a U-shape.

3. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein the transverse structural element is configured integrally with at least one of the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and is formed by corresponding forming of a single workpiece, and/or the structural support web is formed integrally with at least one of the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and is formed by corresponding forming of a single workpiece.

4. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first elongate longitudinal structural element, the second elongate longitudinal structural element, the transverse structural element, and the structural support web is configured as a profile web.

5. The structural component of claim 4 , wherein the profile web is hollow.

6. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein the transverse structural element is configured as a strip.

7. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate longitudinal structural elements and the transverse structural element shape a perimeter of an opening.

8. The structural component of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate longitudinal structural element has a first bend about a first bending axis, and wherein the second elongate longitudinal structural element has a second bend about a second bending axis.

9. A vehicle superstructure having a longitudinal member and a crossmember connected thereto and running substantially transversely thereto, the vehicle superstructure, comprising:
a structural component coupled to a longitudinal member and a crossmember, wherein a structural support web of the structural component is connected to the longitudinal member and a first of two longitudinal structural elements of the structural component is connected to the crossmember and a second of two longitudinal structural elements is connected to the crossmember or to the longitudinal member, and wherein the structural support web is transverse to each of the longitudinal member and the crossmember.

10. The vehicle superstructure of claim 9 , wherein one or more of a first connection between the structural support web and the longitudinal member and a second connection between at least one of the longitudinal structural elements and the transverse structural element is configured as a predetermined break connection which yields when a predefined force load is exceeded.

11. A system, comprising:
a structural component arranged in a front end of a vehicle between a steering column and a front bumper, wherein the structural component is physically coupled to a first longitudinal member and a cross-member, wherein the cross-member is physically coupled to the first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member at opposite extreme ends, wherein the structural component comprises a first longitudinal structural element, a second longitudinal structural element, and a transverse structural element extending from the second longitudinal member to the first longitudinal member, the transverse structural element transverse to both the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and further comprising a support web coupled to the first longitudinal member and transverse to each of the first longitudinal member, the second longitudinal member, and the transverse structural element.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component comprises a U-shape.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component comprises an opening through which the steering column extends.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the support web and the first longitudinal structural element extend at an angle relative to the first longitudinal member.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component extends in a direction away from a ground on which the vehicle is arranged.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component is a single-piece.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component comprises one or more weakened positions configured to yield at a desired angle.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the structural component at least partially surrounds the steering column.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Sawatzki Marius
• Schneider Stefan
• Spurling Michael
• Hilmann Joergen
• Mueller Dominik
• Meckenstock Daniel

Classifications

• B62D25/082

  Engine compartments · CPC title

• B62D21/15 Primary

  having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body (bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F) · CPC title

• B62D21/02 Primary

  comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members · CPC title

• B62D25/2045

  the subunits being fire walls · CPC title

• B62D25/08 Primary

  Front or rear portions {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11)} · CPC title