CA2476808A1 - Laminated structural members for vehicles - Google Patents
Laminated structural members for vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2476808A1 CA2476808A1 CA002476808A CA2476808A CA2476808A1 CA 2476808 A1 CA2476808 A1 CA 2476808A1 CA 002476808 A CA002476808 A CA 002476808A CA 2476808 A CA2476808 A CA 2476808A CA 2476808 A1 CA2476808 A1 CA 2476808A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- structural member
- laminate
- metal sheets
- forming
- hollow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002984 plastic foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/02—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
- B62D25/082—Engine compartments
- B62D25/084—Radiator supports
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/29—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces built-up from parts of different material, i.e. composite structures
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C2003/0404—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects
- E04C2003/0426—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by material distribution in cross section
- E04C2003/043—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by material distribution in cross section the hollow cross-section comprising at least one enclosed cavity
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/04—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal
- E04C2003/0404—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects
- E04C2003/0443—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by substantial shape of the cross-section
- E04C2003/0447—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces of metal beams, girders, or joists characterised by cross-sectional aspects characterised by substantial shape of the cross-section circular- or oval-shaped
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Composite Materials (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A tubular structural member of an automobile wherein such member includes a double wall construction. Such product is initially formed from a double walled tube. The resulting member exhibits superior sound and/or vibration dampening without sacrificing stiffness or strength.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
b [0001] The present invention generally relates to structural members for use in vehicles 7 having dampened noise and vibration characteristics. More specifically, the invention relates to 8 methods for forming laminated tubular components for use as structural members in vehicles, 9 and products of such methods.
12 [0002] For various applications, there is a high desire for structural members with high 13 strength to weight ratios. This is particularly true in the automotive industry where designers 14 constantly strive to lower the weight of automobiles. In the result, a number of attempts have been made to reduce the weight of various structural members without affecting the strength and 16 integrity of such components. These structural members include pillars (e.g. windshield pillars 17 and centre pillars), rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and 18 crossmembers. The desire to reduce the weight of vehicles stems from a drive to increase 19 vehicle fuel efficiency. To achieve this goal, many of the above structural components have been formed as hollow members.
21 [0003] Although providing reduced weight, the stiffness o:E these components is greatly 22 reduced, thereby resulting in increased vibration and noise. One solution to this problem has 23 been to use hollow components filled with expandable foam, such as high-density plastic foam.
24 Although such foam increases the stiffness of the hollow structural member, it still results in an increase in the weight of the component. Moreover, the filling of the hollow component with 26 foam has associated with it various disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is the 27 requirement of having at least one end of the component to rexnain open or to provide filling 28 holes along the length of the component. Since most tubular members are flattened at their ends, 29 the latter route is normally taken. However, adding holes to the members increases the 21307280.1 1 production time and, therefore cost, of the product as well as leading to a reduction in the 2 structural integrity of the component.
3 [0004] US Patents 4,506,188 and 4,744,539 teach methods for dampening vibration in 4 automobiles using resilient components. The following US Patients teach laminated metal sheets that can be used in constructing automobiles etc. and which serve to dampen vibration and/or 6 noise: serial numbers 4,678,707; 4,851,271; and, 5,338,599. The contents ofthe above patents 7 are incorporated herein by reference.
8 [0005] US publication number 2002/0178584 discloses a composite laminate structure to 9 provide structural components having increased stiffness and reduced weight.
In this reference, an expandable foam layer is laminated to a surface of an insert forming the structural member.
11 However, the process to produce such component is relatively complicated and time consuming.
12 [0006] There exists a need for an improved means of fabricating structural components with 13 high strength to weight ratios.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
16 (0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hollow structural member for an 17 automobile having a double wall formed from a laminate of two metal sheets.
I8 [0008] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for forming a hollow 19 structural member for an automobile comprising:
a) providing a hollow tube having a double wall comprising a laminate of two metal 21 sheets;
22 b) forming the tube into said structural member.
[0009] These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become 26 more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended 27 drawings wherein:
28 (0010] Figure 1 is perspective view of a typical vehicle cross member.
21307280.1 2 [0011] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a structural member or component 3 for automobiles and the like. An example of one such member, an automobile frame 4 crossmember is illustrated in Figure 1. As can be seen, such member is generally hollow and is formed into a desired three-dimensional shape. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the 6 final shape of the cross member will depend on its location on the vehicle frame and the type of 7 cross member (i.e. a crossmember for supporting the vehicle's radiator, a front or rear suspension 8 cross member etc.).
9 [0012] In accordance with the invention, the crossmember of Figure 1 has the shape of crossmembers commonly known. However, the crossmember is formed from a tube having a 11 double wall or laminate construction. The tube is formed from, for example, a laminate of two 12 metal sheets that are joined together. The sheets may be affixed to one another directly or with a 13 resin or polymer sheet provided there between. The above-mentioned prior art references teach 14 laminate sheets that are designed for vibration dampening. One such product is commercially available under the name Quiet SteelTM, which is sold by MSC Laminates and Composites Inc 16 (Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA). This product comprises a three layer laminate having a non-17 metal sheet sandwiched between two metal sheets. Such commercially available laminates can 18 be used in the present invention. Further, a laminate of two metal sheets without a centre, non-19 metal layer may also be used.
[0013] In the initial step, a laminate sheet (as described above) is provided, the sheet having 21 sound and/or vibration dampening characteristics. The sheet is formed into a tube, as is 22 commonly known in the art. Once made as a tube, the component is then formed into the desired 23 3-D shape. Such forming can be accomplished by any known means such as bending, crimping, 24 hydroforming or any combination thereof.
[0014] It has been found that components formed in the above manner are characterized with 26 greatly improved sound and/or vibration dampening.
27 [0015] The above description has been focussed on vehicular crossmembers.
However, it 28 will be apparent to persons skilled in the art the above method can be used to form various other 29 structural components, particularly those for vehicles, to achieve the same qualities.
21307280.1 1 [0016] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific 2 embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without 3 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.
21307280.1
b [0001] The present invention generally relates to structural members for use in vehicles 7 having dampened noise and vibration characteristics. More specifically, the invention relates to 8 methods for forming laminated tubular components for use as structural members in vehicles, 9 and products of such methods.
12 [0002] For various applications, there is a high desire for structural members with high 13 strength to weight ratios. This is particularly true in the automotive industry where designers 14 constantly strive to lower the weight of automobiles. In the result, a number of attempts have been made to reduce the weight of various structural members without affecting the strength and 16 integrity of such components. These structural members include pillars (e.g. windshield pillars 17 and centre pillars), rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and 18 crossmembers. The desire to reduce the weight of vehicles stems from a drive to increase 19 vehicle fuel efficiency. To achieve this goal, many of the above structural components have been formed as hollow members.
21 [0003] Although providing reduced weight, the stiffness o:E these components is greatly 22 reduced, thereby resulting in increased vibration and noise. One solution to this problem has 23 been to use hollow components filled with expandable foam, such as high-density plastic foam.
24 Although such foam increases the stiffness of the hollow structural member, it still results in an increase in the weight of the component. Moreover, the filling of the hollow component with 26 foam has associated with it various disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is the 27 requirement of having at least one end of the component to rexnain open or to provide filling 28 holes along the length of the component. Since most tubular members are flattened at their ends, 29 the latter route is normally taken. However, adding holes to the members increases the 21307280.1 1 production time and, therefore cost, of the product as well as leading to a reduction in the 2 structural integrity of the component.
3 [0004] US Patents 4,506,188 and 4,744,539 teach methods for dampening vibration in 4 automobiles using resilient components. The following US Patients teach laminated metal sheets that can be used in constructing automobiles etc. and which serve to dampen vibration and/or 6 noise: serial numbers 4,678,707; 4,851,271; and, 5,338,599. The contents ofthe above patents 7 are incorporated herein by reference.
8 [0005] US publication number 2002/0178584 discloses a composite laminate structure to 9 provide structural components having increased stiffness and reduced weight.
In this reference, an expandable foam layer is laminated to a surface of an insert forming the structural member.
11 However, the process to produce such component is relatively complicated and time consuming.
12 [0006] There exists a need for an improved means of fabricating structural components with 13 high strength to weight ratios.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
16 (0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hollow structural member for an 17 automobile having a double wall formed from a laminate of two metal sheets.
I8 [0008] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for forming a hollow 19 structural member for an automobile comprising:
a) providing a hollow tube having a double wall comprising a laminate of two metal 21 sheets;
22 b) forming the tube into said structural member.
[0009] These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become 26 more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended 27 drawings wherein:
28 (0010] Figure 1 is perspective view of a typical vehicle cross member.
21307280.1 2 [0011] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a structural member or component 3 for automobiles and the like. An example of one such member, an automobile frame 4 crossmember is illustrated in Figure 1. As can be seen, such member is generally hollow and is formed into a desired three-dimensional shape. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the 6 final shape of the cross member will depend on its location on the vehicle frame and the type of 7 cross member (i.e. a crossmember for supporting the vehicle's radiator, a front or rear suspension 8 cross member etc.).
9 [0012] In accordance with the invention, the crossmember of Figure 1 has the shape of crossmembers commonly known. However, the crossmember is formed from a tube having a 11 double wall or laminate construction. The tube is formed from, for example, a laminate of two 12 metal sheets that are joined together. The sheets may be affixed to one another directly or with a 13 resin or polymer sheet provided there between. The above-mentioned prior art references teach 14 laminate sheets that are designed for vibration dampening. One such product is commercially available under the name Quiet SteelTM, which is sold by MSC Laminates and Composites Inc 16 (Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA). This product comprises a three layer laminate having a non-17 metal sheet sandwiched between two metal sheets. Such commercially available laminates can 18 be used in the present invention. Further, a laminate of two metal sheets without a centre, non-19 metal layer may also be used.
[0013] In the initial step, a laminate sheet (as described above) is provided, the sheet having 21 sound and/or vibration dampening characteristics. The sheet is formed into a tube, as is 22 commonly known in the art. Once made as a tube, the component is then formed into the desired 23 3-D shape. Such forming can be accomplished by any known means such as bending, crimping, 24 hydroforming or any combination thereof.
[0014] It has been found that components formed in the above manner are characterized with 26 greatly improved sound and/or vibration dampening.
27 [0015] The above description has been focussed on vehicular crossmembers.
However, it 28 will be apparent to persons skilled in the art the above method can be used to form various other 29 structural components, particularly those for vehicles, to achieve the same qualities.
21307280.1 1 [0016] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific 2 embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without 3 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.
21307280.1
Claims (9)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A hollow structural member for an automobile having a double wall formed from a laminate of two metal sheets.
2 The structural member of claim 1 wherein the metal sheets are formed from the same metal.
3. The structural member of claim 1 wherein the metal sheets are formed from different metals.
4. The structural member of claim 1 wherein said member is a vehicle frame component selected from the group consisting of pillars, rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and cross members.
5. The structural member of claim 1 wherein said member is a vehicle frame cross member.
6. A method for forming a hollow structural member for an automobile comprising:
a) providing a hollow tube having a double wall comprising a laminate of two metal sheets;
b) forming said tube into said structural member.
a) providing a hollow tube having a double wall comprising a laminate of two metal sheets;
b) forming said tube into said structural member.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said structural member is a vehicle frame component selected from the group consisting of pillars, rockers, support beams, drive shafts, side impact beams, bumpers, and cross members.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising, prior to step (a), providing a laminate of two metal sheets and forming the laminate into a tube.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said forming step includes bending and/or hydroforming.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US49281703P | 2003-08-06 | 2003-08-06 | |
| US60/492,817 | 2003-08-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2476808A1 true CA2476808A1 (en) | 2005-02-06 |
Family
ID=34135161
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002476808A Abandoned CA2476808A1 (en) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-08-06 | Laminated structural members for vehicles |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20050097853A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2476808A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102010006335B4 (en) * | 2010-01-30 | 2020-02-20 | Westfalia-Automotive Gmbh | Support component of a trailer coupling or a load carrier |
Family Cites Families (27)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1340068A (en) * | 1970-09-22 | 1973-12-05 | Insituform Pipes & Structures | Lining of surfaces defining passageways |
| US4506188A (en) * | 1982-11-24 | 1985-03-19 | North American Philips Consumer Electronics Corp. | Laminated metallic means for dampening internal CRT vibrations |
| JPS6112334A (en) * | 1984-06-29 | 1986-01-20 | 川崎製鉄株式会社 | Composite type vibration-damping laminate |
| US4742899A (en) * | 1985-05-13 | 1988-05-10 | Ford Motor Company | Fiber reinforced tubular component |
| US4744539A (en) * | 1987-01-21 | 1988-05-17 | Mack Trucks, Inc. | Vehicle mounting arrangement |
| US4851271A (en) * | 1987-10-01 | 1989-07-25 | Soundwich Incorporated | Sound dampened automotive enclosure such as an oil pan |
| US4976490A (en) * | 1988-10-05 | 1990-12-11 | Ford Motor Company | Reinforced composite structure |
| US5030490A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1991-07-09 | Tew Inc. | Viscoelastic damping structures and related manufacturing method |
| US5158162A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1992-10-27 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Tube vibration dampener and stiffener apparatus and method |
| US5203435A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1993-04-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Composite passive damping struts for large precision structures |
| US5131714A (en) * | 1991-04-11 | 1992-07-21 | Evans Body Works Inc. | General delivery load carrying vehicle |
| US5338599A (en) * | 1991-11-26 | 1994-08-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Vibration-damping structural component |
| US5794398A (en) * | 1992-08-25 | 1998-08-18 | Kaehler; Klaus | Framework with hollow members process for producing the same and its use |
| US6168226B1 (en) * | 1994-05-19 | 2001-01-02 | Henkel Corporation | Composite laminate automotive structures |
| JPH07315247A (en) * | 1994-05-24 | 1995-12-05 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Vehicle structural members |
| US5667204A (en) * | 1995-06-26 | 1997-09-16 | Aesop, Inc. | Slit-tube replicated in-place constrained layer damper and method |
| US6116389A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 2000-09-12 | Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc. | Apparatus and method for confinement and damping of vibration energy |
| US5838599A (en) * | 1996-09-13 | 1998-11-17 | Measurex Corporation | Method and apparatus for nonlinear exponential filtering of signals |
| DE19716865C1 (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 1998-05-28 | Porsche Ag | Tubular frame shape by internal hydraulic pressure for vehicle chassis |
| US5914163A (en) * | 1997-10-10 | 1999-06-22 | General Motors Corporation | Reduced crush initiation force composite tube |
| US6272809B1 (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2001-08-14 | Henkel Corporation | Three dimensional laminate beam structure |
| US20020006523A1 (en) * | 2000-07-07 | 2002-01-17 | Obeshaw Dale Francis | Structural members containing vibration damping mechanisms and methods for making the same |
| US6471285B1 (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2002-10-29 | L&L Products, Inc. | Hydroform structural reinforcement system |
| US20020148273A1 (en) * | 2001-04-12 | 2002-10-17 | Mckinney John L. | Process of bending laminated metal sheet |
| US6722037B2 (en) * | 2001-12-06 | 2004-04-20 | Shape Corporation | Variable thickness tubular doorbeam |
| US7186442B2 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2007-03-06 | Sika Technology Ag | Constrained layer damper |
| US20060169341A1 (en) * | 2005-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | Material Sciences Corporation | Internally damped laminated tube |
-
2004
- 2004-08-06 CA CA002476808A patent/CA2476808A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-08-06 US US10/913,268 patent/US20050097853A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20050097853A1 (en) | 2005-05-12 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6183013B1 (en) | Hydroformed side rail for a vehicle frame and method of manufacture | |
| JP4550673B2 (en) | Vehicle subframe | |
| US5931520A (en) | Light weight instrument panel reinforcement structure | |
| US7407221B2 (en) | Support structures using tubes having variable wall thicknesses | |
| EP1104857A1 (en) | Motor vehicle energy absorbing member | |
| JP5642174B2 (en) | Vehicle seat backrest structure | |
| JP4985783B2 (en) | Tailored blank material and method of manufacturing structural member using the same | |
| US6408515B1 (en) | Method for manufacturing an engine cradle for a vehicle frame assembly | |
| US20050110302A1 (en) | Integrated steel cross-car beam | |
| JP6176468B2 (en) | Auto body structure | |
| CN102015377A (en) | Bumper reinforcement for vehicles | |
| US20050156443A1 (en) | Bumper beam structure | |
| US20060201227A1 (en) | Vehicle structural components made from tubular members and method therefor | |
| JP2007302147A (en) | Sub-frame structure for vehicle | |
| EP0823363A2 (en) | Body structure for a motor vehicle | |
| US20090295195A1 (en) | Car frame featuring rtm-technology modules of compsite material | |
| US20100327627A1 (en) | Light weight vertical support member in instrument panel frame | |
| US9394020B2 (en) | Automotive body components and assemblies | |
| KR101585882B1 (en) | One piece back frame for a vehicle seat | |
| US20050097853A1 (en) | Laminated structural members for vehicles | |
| JP2003291755A (en) | Element for absorbing collision energy | |
| US6976309B2 (en) | Vehicle underbody and method of forming thereof | |
| JP4054172B2 (en) | Engine mount | |
| JP2002052996A (en) | Mobile body shock absorber | |
| JP2013216201A (en) | Automobile cfrp cabin |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20070806 |