Frame structure for vehicle body

• US 6,296,299 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Fukahori, Mitsugi, Hanakawa, Katsunori, Yamamoto, Yukio, Ishida, Kyoso
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/423,313
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 296/188, 296/189, 296/203.01, 296/203.02, 296/203.03, 296/203.04, 296/209, 296/901, 293/109
• US Class Current: 296/187.03
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0443 Beams
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/002 a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00

Abstract

Material characteristics that a foamed filler material (s) to be filled in a frame cross section (fr) should have are discussed. By using a material complying with the characteristics, the energy absorbability of the frame (fr) is effectively enhanced. In a frame structure (fr) for vehicle bodies in which a filler material is filled in at least part of the cross section of a frame, the filler material is set to a mean compressive strength of not less than 4 MPa and/or a maximum bending strength of not less than 10 MPa. More particularly, the filler material is set to a mean compressive strength of not less than 5 MPa and/or a maximum bending strength of 60 MPa.

Claims

1. A frame structure for vehicle bodies in which a filler material is filled in at least a portion of a cross section of the frame, said filler material is made of a porous material having a mean compressive strength defined for a collision load input side of the frame set to not less than 4 MPa and a maximum bending strength defined for a counter collision load input side of the frame set to not less than 10 MPa;

an adhesive layer provided between the collision load input side of the filler material and at least a portion of a panel member constituting the frame cross section and

a reinforcing member for reinforcing at least one of the frame and the filler material is disposed in at least a portion of the frame cross section, for holding the filler material;

wherein the adhesive layer has a shearing adhesive strength of not less than 3 MPa and holes of the porous material are formed independently, thereby enhancing closeness of the adhesive layer.

2. The frame structure for vehicle bodies according to claim 1, wherein the filler material has a mean compressive strength set to not less than 5 MPa and a maximum bending strength set to not less than 60 MPa.

3. The frame structure for vehicle bodies according to claim 1 wherein the filler material has a density set to not more than 1.0 (g/cm³).

4. The frame structure for vehicle bodies according to claim 1, wherein the filler material is epoxy resin.

5. The frame structure for vehicle bodies according to claim 1, wherein the filler material is filled over a range of 15% or more of a length between fixed points of the frame of the vehicle body.

6. A frame structure for vehicle bodies in which a filler material is filled in at least a portion of a cross section of the frame, said filler material is made of a porous material having a mean compressive strength defined for a collision load input side of the frame set to not less than 4 MPa and a maximum bending strength defined for a counter collision load input side of the frame set to not less than 10 MPa;

and

an adhesive layer provided between the collision load input side of the filler material and at least a portion of a panel member constituting the frame cross section;

wherein the adhesive layer has a shearing adhesive strength of not less than 3 MPa and holes of the porous material are formed independently, thereby enhancing closeness of the adhesive layer.