Vehicle support structure pillar and method of manufacturing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9738324-B1
Application number	US-201615187681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 20, 2016
Priority date	Jun 20, 2016
Publication date	Aug 22, 2017
Grant date	Aug 22, 2017

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is attached. The support structure can include an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough. The elongated pillar can also define at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar. The elongated pillar can also define one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is attached, the support structure comprising:
an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough, the elongated pillar also defining:
at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar; and
one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

2. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein one of the at least two rectangular channels is formed adjacent the one other channel so as to share a portion of a common wall.

3. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the one other channel includes an angled side extending between substantially parallel sides.

4. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two rectangular channels have substantially equal cross-sectional dimensions.

5. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated pillar includes three rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

6. The support structure according to claim 5 , wherein at least two of the rectangular channels are formed adjacent the one channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section so as to each share a portion of a common wall.

7. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated pillar includes four rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

8. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the one other channel is approximately triangular in cross-section.

9. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated pillar includes at least one projecting wall extending outward from one of the at least two rectangular channels.

10. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated pillar is configured as at least one of an A-pillar, a side sill, a B-pillar, and a rear cabin pillar.

11. A frame assembly for use with a vehicle, the frame assembly comprising:
a frame body; and
a support structure configured for attachment to the frame, the support structure including:
an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough, the elongated pillar also defining:
at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar; and
one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

12. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein one of the at least two rectangular channels is formed adjacent the one other channel so as to share a portion of a common wall.

13. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the one other channel includes an angled side extending between substantially parallel sides.

14. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the at least two rectangular channels have substantially equal cross-sectional dimensions.

15. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elongated pillar includes three rectangular channels extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

16. The frame assembly according to claim 15 , wherein at least two of the rectangular channels are formed adjacent the one channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section so as to each share a portion of a common wall.

17. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elongated pillar includes four rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

18. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the one other channel is approximately triangular in cross-section.

19. The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elongated pillar includes at least one projecting wall extending outward from one of the at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section.

20. A method of manufacturing a support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is configured to be attached to, the method comprising:
extruding an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough;
forming at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar; and
forming one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section so as to extend through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Vigil Fabian J
• Horner Kurtis Ray
• Bach Edward
• Matsuura Hirokazu

Classifications

• 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

• B62D25/04 Primary

  Door pillars {; windshield pillars} · CPC title

• B21C23/00

  Extruding metal; Impact extrusion · CPC title

• B62D25/00 Primary

  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

• B62D25/20

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