Vehicle underbody structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016272255-A1
Application number	US-201514664370-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 20, 2015
Priority date	Mar 20, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an underbody that includes a floor panel, a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing lateral side portions of the floor panel, a plurality of cross members affixed to and spanning the pair of side members, a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent cross members, and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member is configured to transfer a load from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members.

First claim

1 . A vehicle underbody comprising:
a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; a plurality of cross members affixed to each of and spanning the pair of side members; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent cross members; and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members.

2 . The vehicle underbody of claim 1 , wherein the mounting element comprises a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the longitudinal member.

3 . The vehicle underbody of claim 2 , wherein a head of the bolt is welded to the longitudinal member.

4 . The vehicle underbody of claim 1 , wherein a vehicle seat is secured to floor panel with the mounting element.

5 . The vehicle underbody of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cross members and the longitudinal member are affixed to the floor panel.

6 . The vehicle underbody of claim 5 , wherein the side members, cross members, and longitudinal member are affixed to the floor panel by a series of spot welds.

7 . The vehicle underbody of claim 1 , further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.

8 . The vehicle underbody of claim 7 , further comprising a second mounting element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second mounting element to the longitudinal member and adjacent cross members.

9 . The vehicle underbody of claim 1 , further comprising a second reinforcement gusset affixed to a first one of the plurality of cross members and the longitudinal member.

10 . The vehicle underbody of claim 9 , further comprising a third mounting element affixed to the second reinforcement gusset.

11 . A vehicle comprising:
a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; first and second cross members affixed to each of and spanning the side members; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross members; and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from the mounting element to the cross members.

12 . The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the mounting element comprises a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the longitudinal member.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein a head of the bolt is welded to the longitudinal member.

14 . The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein a rear vehicle seat is secured to the floor panel with the mounting element.

15 . The vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.

16 . The vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising a second mounting element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second mounting element to the longitudinal member and cross members.

17 . A vehicle underbody comprising:
a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; a first cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the side members, and defining a first laterally extending closed cross section; a second cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the side members, and defining a second laterally extending closed cross section; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross members; and a seat mount affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from seat mount to the cross members.

18 . The vehicle underbody of claim 17 , wherein a rear vehicle seat is secured to the seat mount.

19 . The vehicle underbody of claim 17 , further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.

20 . The vehicle underbody of claim 19 , further comprising a second seat mount affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second seat mount to the longitudinal member and cross members.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Islam Tofiqul
• Shahidi Behrooz
• Walczak Lawrence
• Thompson Andre
• Mcguckin John Michael

Classifications

• B62D25/20 Primary

  Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} · CPC title

• B62D23/00

  Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions ({having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; } superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units {or parts or details thereof} B62D25/00 {; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00}) · CPC title

• B62D27/00

  Connections between superstructure {or understructure} sub-units {(B62D33/0207, B62D33/044 take precedence; between sub-units predominently made of synthetic material B62D29/048)} · CPC title

• B62D25/2036

  the subunits being side panels, sills or pillars (B62D21/157 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D27/023

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title