GB2418893A - Automotive body shell structure - Google Patents

Automotive body shell structure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2418893A
GB2418893A GB0422270A GB0422270A GB2418893A GB 2418893 A GB2418893 A GB 2418893A GB 0422270 A GB0422270 A GB 0422270A GB 0422270 A GB0422270 A GB 0422270A GB 2418893 A GB2418893 A GB 2418893A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
body shell
impact
air
bumper
provides
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0422270A
Other versions
GB0422270D0 (en
Inventor
Graham Edwin Pepall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0422270A priority Critical patent/GB2418893A/en
Publication of GB0422270D0 publication Critical patent/GB0422270D0/en
Publication of GB2418893A publication Critical patent/GB2418893A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/0401—Upper door structure
    • B60J5/0405—Inboard or outboard side of window frame formed integrally with the lower door structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
    • B60R19/20—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
    • B60R21/0428—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/13—Roll-over protection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
    • B62D21/11—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted with resilient means for suspension, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D23/00—Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
    • B62D25/082—Engine compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/13—Roll-over protection
    • B60R2021/137—Reinforcement cages for closed vehicle bodies

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A monocoque body shell features a cross beam structure behind a front row of seats and linking the b-posts of the body shell. The cross beam extends up to the level of the vehicle side windows and may define a void into which the vehicle's power unit may be mounted. The said power unit may be a conventional engine, and electric drive, a hybrid drive or a fuel cell. Impact-resistant doors and a roll-over bar are included in the structure. The front suspension unit may be in the form of a sub-frame fastened to the body shell, and the vehicle may be equipped with air-filled bumpers comprising an inflated bag contained within a plastics shell and including pressure relief valves for venting the contents in case of an impact.

Description

1 241 8893 Specification; this invention relates to an automotive body
structure.
Most mass produced automobiles have a body shell which is made of pressed sheet steel panels welded together to form the body shell.
International legislation requires vehicles to comply to certain standards of safety regarding a crash situation.
Legislation addresses front, rear and side impact in particular.
According to the present invention this new body design will provide improved protection to occupants particularly in the event of a side impact.
This design has integral in the body structure a strong "cross-beam" which connects and braces the right hand and left hand side of the body in the "B post" areas, making the vehicle extremely resistant to side impact damage.
There is included also in the "B post" area a "roll-over" structure across the body to resist roof crush in the event of impact to the top of the body shell.
The front suspension sub-frame structure is fastened to the front cross panel of the body shell, thereby providing additional protection to occupants in the event of a frontal impact.
The doors are each comprised of a strong metal frame holding the hinges, locks, window frame and glass lift mechanism, the inner and outer panels of the door can be plastic mouldings (or metal pressings etc. ) and are fastened to this main impact resisting structure.
Most of the motive power components (piston engine, hybrid, electric, fuel cell or other) are mounted within the "cross-beam" structure, giving good weight distribution.
The front of the vehicle contains the large air filled bumper system; this is a strong flexible bag inflated with air to a relatively low pressure and with scientifically sited air pressure release valves in key areas which allow the progressive collapse of the bumper in the event of a severe frontal impact.
The airbag bumper is placed in front of the front suspension sub-frame and the whole assembly is covered by the exterior skin plastic moulding and fastened to the main body shell.
The rear of the vehicle can be fitted with a similar bumper system to the front.
The 4 main elements of the design (cross-beam structure,roll-over structure,door construction and the airbag bumper system, plus the front suspension sub-frame) can work in combination or as separate design elements to provide safety benefits) 2.
The body shell can be designed to incorporate an additional feature which is the main lights units mounted behind the windscreen glass for protection and so, if required, can be swept by the windscreen wipers to provide a cleaned lighting area. (see fig. D) Example; a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig.A shows in perspective the body shell showing the central "cross-beam" integral structure (1) and the front suspension sub-frame in position (2) Fig.B shows component parts of doors (3) and airbag bumpers (4) plus bumper cover panel (5) Fig.C is an "exploded" view showing all elements.

Claims (1)

  1. Claims; the technical features of tne nvennon.
    (a) The "cross-beam" feature integral in the structure (which is in effect a raising of the floor surface behind the front seats to the side glass opening height and down to rear floor) is welded securely to the "B post" areas on both sides, thus providing in the completed vehicle a very strong connected effectively closed "beam" across the width of the body shell. This feature greatly strengthens the body against deformation particularly from side impact, (it also provides a base for rear passenger airbag fitting) (b) The "roll-over" structure integral in the body shell helps protect occupants from roof crush in the event of a crash.
    (c) The front suspension sub-frame structure when fitted to the body shell provides substancial full width protection from frontal impact.
    (d) The strong internal structure of the doors which are securely located in position into the main body by the hinges or locks, particularly at the strengthened "B posts", provides higher protection from side impact.
    (e) The air Rlled "air-bag" bumper system provides a controlled and lightweight method of de-acceleration in the event of a serious frontal I impact by means of the controlled release of pressurised air from the airbag bumper through the scientifically sited air pressure release valves in the bumper bag. The same system can be used at the rear for rear impact.
    The above claims can be combined as indicated or in any other combination.
GB0422270A 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Automotive body shell structure Withdrawn GB2418893A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0422270A GB2418893A (en) 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Automotive body shell structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0422270A GB2418893A (en) 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Automotive body shell structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0422270D0 GB0422270D0 (en) 2004-11-10
GB2418893A true GB2418893A (en) 2006-04-12

Family

ID=33443519

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0422270A Withdrawn GB2418893A (en) 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Automotive body shell structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2418893A (en)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2120326A5 (en) * 1970-12-30 1972-08-18 Peugeot & Renault
GB2114068A (en) * 1982-02-01 1983-08-17 Budd Co Base structure for passenger automobile
WO1990008666A1 (en) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-09 Townsend John A An improved chassis frame for a wheeled motor vehicle
WO1997011874A1 (en) * 1995-09-25 1997-04-03 Cke Technologies Inc. Aerodynamic automobile
WO1998038073A1 (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Ulrich Sommer Passenger car
WO2000063047A1 (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-10-26 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Security device with at least one rear airbag for a motor vehicle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2120326A5 (en) * 1970-12-30 1972-08-18 Peugeot & Renault
GB2114068A (en) * 1982-02-01 1983-08-17 Budd Co Base structure for passenger automobile
WO1990008666A1 (en) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-09 Townsend John A An improved chassis frame for a wheeled motor vehicle
WO1997011874A1 (en) * 1995-09-25 1997-04-03 Cke Technologies Inc. Aerodynamic automobile
WO1998038073A1 (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Ulrich Sommer Passenger car
WO2000063047A1 (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-10-26 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Security device with at least one rear airbag for a motor vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0422270D0 (en) 2004-11-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)