Energy absorbing load transmittal bracket with weld accessibility
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDeepak Patel, Robert Schwalm, Stephen W. Siu, Greg B. Zinn, Djamal Eddine Midoun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.
Claims8
A load transmittal bracket comprising:
- a first segment and a second segment welded to the first segment defining a cavity therebetween extending along an axis;
- an end wall extending transverse to the axis, a load transmitting wall extending from the end wall along the axis, and a top wall extending from the end wall along the axis and tapering toward the axis in a direction away from the end wall;
- at least one flange extending from the second segment;
- and
- the first segment defining a hole in communication with the cavity and configured to receive a weld instrument into the cavity through the hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.