VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE

• US 20100237661A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Baccouche, Mohamed Ridha, Mahmood, Hikmat F., Nusier, Saied, Barbat, Saeed David
• Granted Patent: US 8,186,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/210
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/06 Fixed roofs non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08

Abstract

A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics is provided. The structure includes a roof rail integral to an A-pillar and a support pillar. The structure further includes a cross member. The A-pillar includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The roof rail extends downwardly at a front end of the roof rail and extends downwardly at a rear end of the roof rail. The roof rail is integral to a one piece hollow A-pillar at the front end of the roof rail. The support pillar also includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The support pillar also includes a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker. The upper section of the support pillar is integral to the rear end of the roof rail.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics, the structure comprising:

a roof rail having an inner surface and an outer surface with a wall therebetween, the roof rail extending downwardly at a front end of the roof rail and extending downwardly at a rear end of the roof rail, the roof rail being integral to a one piece hollow A-pillar at the front end;

a rocker; and

a one-piece, hollow support pillar having an inner wall, an outer wall, the support pillar having a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker, an upper section integral to the rear end of the roof rail.

2. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 1, further comprising a cross member having a first end and a second end, the cross member extending upwardly from the rocker at a first end of the cross member.

3. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the cross member extends in a transverse vehicle direction between the first end and the second end of the cross member.

4. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the support pillar is welded to at least a portion of the cross member proximate the first end of the cross member.

5. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the rocker end of the support pillar is compressed together to define a rocker flange.

6. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the rocker flange of the support pillar is welded to the rocker.

7. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the support pillar is stitch welded to at least a portion of the cross member proximate the first end.

8. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the support pillar is mechanically fastened to at least a portion of the cross member proximate the first end of the cross member.

9. A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics, the structure comprising:

a first roof rail of a vehicle having an inner wall and an outer wall, the first roof rail extending downwardly at a first front end of the first roof rail and extending downwardly at a first rear end of the first roof rail, the first roof rail being integral to a one piece hollow first A-pillar at the first front end;

a first rocker;

a one-piece, hollow first support pillar having an inner wall, an outer wall, the first support pillar having a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the first rocker, an upper section integral to the rear end of the first roof rail;

a second roof rail having an inner wall and an outer wall, the second roof rail extending downwardly at a second front end of the second roof rail and extending downwardly at a second rear end of the second roof rail, the second roof rail being integral to a one piece hollow first A-pillar at the second front end;

a second rocker;

a one-piece, hollow second support pillar having an inner wall, an outer wall, the second support pillar having a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the second rocker, an upper section integral to the rear end of the second roof rail; and

a one-piece, hollow cross member having an inner wall and an outer wall, the cross member extending upwardly from the first rocker at a first end of the cross member, the first end of the cross member being adjacent to the first support pillar;

the cross member further including a second end, the second end of the cross member being adjacent to the second support pillar and extending upwardly from the second rocker, the cross member extending in a transverse vehicle direction between the first end and the second end of the cross member.

10. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the first support pillar is welded to at least a portion of the cross member proximate the end of the cross member.

11. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the second support pillar is welded to at least a portion of the cross member proximate the end of the cross member.

12. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the rocker end of the first support pillar is compressed together to define a first rocker flange.

13. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 12 wherein the first rocker flange of the support pillar is welded to the first rocker.

14. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the rocker end of the second support pillar is compressed together to define a second rocker flange.

15. The vehicle body structure as defined in claim 14 wherein the rocker flange of the second support pillar is welded to the second rocker