US 12,005,957 B2 · Variable gauge cradle

Abstract

A cradle for being used in automotive vehicles for supporting various automotive components includes a structure with variable thickness, defining a variable gauge cradle. The variable gauge cradle has a minimum thickness and maximum thickness, with various other thicknesses therebetween. The minimum thickness is less than an original thickness of a reference cradle in which the thickness is the same. The variable gauge cradle allows specific locations to be locally increased in thickness to achieve the desired stiffness at the areas requiring the increased stiffness, while leaving areas requiring a lower stiffness at a lesser thickness. The variable gauge cradle therefore may have a lower mass than the reference cradle. The thickness may be increased relative to the minimum thickness using patches that are bonded to a base layer or panel of the cradle. The patches may be distributed at different locations to create different thicknesses.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A structural frame for a vehicle, the structural frame comprising:

a plurality of interconnected panel portions defining a shape of the frame;
wherein each panel portion has a variable thickness;
wherein the panel portions include a first thickness at a first zone and a second thickness at a second zone;
wherein the first thickness defines a minimum thickness of the panel portion;
wherein the second thickness defines a maximum thickness of the panel portion;
wherein the first thickness is defined by a first sheet of material;
wherein the second thickness is defined by the first sheet of a material and at least one patch attached to the first sheet of material;
wherein the panel portions define a curved cross-section profile.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable gauge cradle

Life of this patent

Variable gauge cradle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21