Skeleton member structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A skeleton member structure comprising:
- a skeleton member; and
granular materials having hollow portions or being porous,wherein at least one of a space inside the skeleton member and a space defined between the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member is filled with the granular materials, andwherein the skeleton member includes a plurality of frames, side sills, cross members, pillars, beams and rails, all being for use on an automobile.
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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.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A skeleton member structure comprising:
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a skeleton member; and granular materials having hollow portions or being porous, wherein at least one of a space inside the skeleton member and a space defined between the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member is filled with the granular materials, and wherein the skeleton member includes a plurality of frames, side sills, cross members, pillars, beams and rails, all being for use on an automobile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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3. A skeleton member structure comprising:
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a skeleton member; and granular materials having hollow portions or being porous, wherein at least one of a space inside the skeleton member and a space defined between the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member is filled with the granular materials, and wherein the granular materials are first granular materials and further comprising second granular materials, adjacent ones of the second granular materials being bonded to one another by the first granular materials having hollow portions. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for forming a solidified granular material that is filled in at least one of a skeleton member and in a space defined by the skeleton member and a surrounding panel member, the method comprising the steps of:
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mixing first granular materials that 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.
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Specification