WINDSHIELD SUPPORT STRUCTURE

• US 20090195027A1
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: VOLLHARDT, Jurgen, MEINHARDT, Klaus, NGUYEN, Phi-Cong, HECK, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 8,136,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/004 Mounting of windows
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/081 Cowls ventilating openings situated directly in front of the vehicle front window B60H1/28
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49622 Vehicular structural member making

Abstract

A windshield support structure for a vehicle is provided, in particular an automobile, which includes, but is not limited to a front bulkhead and a windshield support connected thereto. The windshield support is supported on the front bulkhead by means of at least one support disposed on the windshield support and the front bulkhead. A method is also provided for producing a windshield support structure, and at least one support is disposed on a front bulkhead and on a windshield support.

Claims

1. A windshield support structure for a vehicle, comprising:

a front bulkhead;

a windshield support connected to the front bulkhead; and

a support disposed on the windshield support and the front bulkhead and adapted to support the windshield support on the front bulkhead.

2. The windshield support structure according to claim 1, further comprising a second support.

3. The windshield support structure according to claim 2, further comprising a third support.

4. The windshield support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support is at least partially formed from a plastic.

5. The windshield support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support is provided with an adhesive on a contact surface of the support.

6. The windshield support structure according to claim 1, wherein a latching projection is disposed on the support by which the support may be fastened to at least one of the front bulkhead or the windshield support.

7. The windshield support structure according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening device on the support for a further unit of the vehicle.

8. A method for producing a windshield support structure, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a front bulkhead and a windshield support; and

disposing a support on the front bulkhead and on the windshield support.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing a second support on the front bulkhead and on the windshield support.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of disposing comprising latching at least one of the front bulkhead or on the windshield support.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of applying an adhesive to at least one of the support, the windshield support, or the front bulkhead in an area of contact surfaces of the support.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive is an expanding adhesive.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of heating the windshield support structure to activate the expanding adhesive after the disposing the support on at least one of the windshield support or the front bulkhead.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of heating is conducted in a continuous furnace.