Hemmed body panel for attachment to a body structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016264181-A1
Application number	US-201514645912-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2015
Priority date	Mar 12, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A body panel that is attachable to a body structure is provided. The body panel has a single thickness portion and a double thickness edge portion where the body panel is hemmed over onto itself and is attachable to the body structure. The body panel may be made of a metal material or a non-metal material. The attachment may be via a weld, a fastener, and/or an adhesive.

First claim

1 . A body panel attachable to a body structure, the body panel comprising:
a single thickness portion; and a double thickness edge portion where the body panel is hemmed over onto itself and attachable to the body structure via an attachment that extends through the double thickness edge portion; wherein the double thickness edge portion is arranged along substantially the same plane as the single thickness portion, which is positioned adjacent to the double thickness edge portion.

2 . The body panel of claim 1 , wherein the body panel is a metal material.

3 . The body panel of claim 2 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via a weld.

4 . The body panel of claim 3 , wherein the weld is a spot weld.

5 . The body panel of claim 2 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via a fastener.

6 . The body panel of claim 5 , wherein the fastener is a flow drill screw.

7 . The body panel of claim 2 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via an adhesive.

8 . The body panel of claim 1 , wherein the body panel is a non-metal material.

9 . The body panel of claim 8 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via a weld.

10 . The body panel of claim 8 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via a fastener.

11 . The body panel of claim 8 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attachable to the body structure via an adhesive.

12 . A vehicle, comprising:
a body structure; and a body panel attached to the body structure and having:
a single thickness portion; and
a double thickness edge portion where the body panel is hemmed over onto itself and attached to the body structure via an attachment that extends through the double thickness edge portion;
wherein the double thickness edge portion is arranged along substantially the same plane as the single thickness portion, which is positioned adjacent to the double thickness edge portion.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the body panel is a metal material.

14 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attached to the body structure via a weld.

15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the weld is a spot weld.

16 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attached to the body structure via a fastener.

17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the fastener is a flow drill screw.

18 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attached to the body structure via an adhesive.

19 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the body panel is a non-metal material.

20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the double thickness edge portion is attached to the body structure via a fastener.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Jensen Charles E
• Saje Robert N
• Parlow Peter M
• Rich Jonathon E

Classifications

• B62D25/00

  Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} · CPC title

• B62D27/023 Primary

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title

• B62D29/00

  Superstructures, {understructures, or sub-units thereof,} characterised by the material thereof {(B62D33/044, B62D33/048 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B62D27/026

  Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00) · CPC title

• B62D25/02 Primary

  Side panels {(B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023)} · CPC title