Hybrid reinforcement structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9782950-B2
Application number	US-201514874521-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2015
Priority date	Nov 7, 2008
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A structural reinforcement for insertion into a cavity of a vehicle structure including a base reinforcing portion, an expandable material and a localized reinforcement is disclosed. The localized reinforcement is placed within the structural reinforcement at a location of anticipated increased deformation during vehicle impact in an effort to reduce deformation and control the load distribution post-impact.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A structural reinforcement comprising:
i) an elongated base reinforcing portion having a longitudinal axis;
ii) an expandable polymeric material at least partially associated with the elongated base reinforcing portion; and
iii) a localized reinforcement aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis and located within a contemplated impact deformation region of the structural reinforcement wherein the localized reinforcement is made of a metallic material that is dissimilar from and has a higher tensile strength than a material of the elongated base reinforcing portion so that upon impact in the impact deformation region, severity of deformation is reduced as compared to a part without the localized reinforcement;
wherein the localized reinforcement includes a fastener to attach the localized reinforcement to a component selected from a mounting bracket, a seat belt mechanism or retractor, a pull handle bracket, a roof rack, a mirror bracket, a sunroof bracket, a bumper bracket, a hinge component, a chassis mount bracket, an engine bracket, a suspension component or a radiator bracket; and
wherein the elongated base reinforcing portion is molded over and around the localized reinforcement.

2. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the localized reinforcement is made of a metallic material selected from steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, an alloy, a transition metal or any combination thereof.

3. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the localized reinforcement is substantially completely covered by the elongated base reinforcing portion, the expandable material, or both.

4. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the elongated base reinforcing portion includes a curved first surface that is in contact with a curved localized reinforcement.

5. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the localized reinforcement is a composite material.

6. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the localized reinforcement has an outer surface and at least a portion of the outer surface is in contact with the expandable polymeric material after expansion.

7. The structural reinforcement of claim 4 , wherein the localized reinforcement has an outer surface and at least a portion of the outer surface is in contact with the expandable polymeric material after expansion.

8. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the expandable polymeric material has a ductility ratio of about 2.5.

9. The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the localized reinforcement has a generally curved or U-shaped profile.

10. The structural reinforcement of claim 2 , wherein the ductility of the elongated base reinforcing portion material is less than the ductility of the localized reinforcement material.

11. The structural reinforcement of claim 2 , wherein the localized reinforcement has one or more visible exposed surfaces after expansion of the expandable polymeric material.

12. The structural reinforcement of claim 10 , wherein the structural reinforcement includes a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion so that the localized reinforcement is only in contact with the middle portion.

Assignees

• Zephyros Inc

Inventors

• Richardson Henry E
• Qian Xuping
• Hulett Gary

Classifications

• B62D29/002

  a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ (shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00) · CPC title

• B32B15/08

  of synthetic resin · 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

• B32B9/041

  of metal · CPC title

• B32B2305/08

  Reinforcements · CPC title