Skeleton member structure

• US 20050124730A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Shouji
• Granted Patent: US 7,226,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 523/218
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/015 the particles being spherical, cylindrical or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/121 the members having a cellular, e.g. honeycomb, structure

Abstract

A skeleton member structure having a tubular structural member (11, 211) filled with granular materials for absorbing impact energy. The granular materials includes a granular material having a hollow portion (12a, 212a) or a porous granular material. When the skeleton member receives an impact, the granular materials are deformed or collapsed, and impact energy is stably absorbed. Since the granular materials are hollow or porous, the weight of the skeleton member filled with the granular materials is reduced.

Claims

1. A skeleton member structure comprising:

a skeleton member; and

granular materials having hollow portions or being porous,

wherein a space inside the skeleton member and/or a space surrounded by the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member is filled with the granular materials.

2. A skeleton member structure according to claim 1, wherein the granular materials are filled directly into the space surrounded by the skeleton member or into a filling member which is fitted into the skeleton member.

3. A skeleton member structure according to claim 1, wherein the skeleton member includes a plurality of frames, side sills, cross members, pillars, beams and rails, all being for use on an automobile.

4. A skeleton member structure according to claim 1, wherein the granular materials are first granular materials and further comprising second granular materials, adjacent ones of which are bonded to one another by the first granular materials having hollow portions.

5. A skeleton member structure according to claim 4, wherein the first granular materials are made of a resin material.

6. A skeleton member structure according to claim 4, wherein the second granular materials are solid.

7. A skeleton member structure according to claim 4, wherein the second granular materials comprise hollow or porous granular materials.

8. A method for forming a solidified granular material filled in a skeleton member and/or in a space surrounded by the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member, the method comprising the steps of:

mixing first granular materials which are hollow and made of a resin, with second granular materials; and

bonding adjacent ones of the second granular materials to one another via the first granular materials by melting surfaces of the first granular materials.