# US 12,179,845 B2 · Connection member for vehicle structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,845 B2 - Document ID: US12179845B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/911,716 - Filed: 2021-03-12 - Published: 2023-06-08 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-18 - Assignees: Arisawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Arisawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka; Tetsuya Kobayashi; Takashi Yamamoto; Hiroko Suzuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179845B2 ## CPC - B62D 29/04: predominantly of synthetic material (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29) - B62D 29/048: {Connections therefor, e.g. joints (B62D29/045 takes precedence)} - B32B 1/08: Tubular products - B32B 5/024: {Woven fabric} - B32B 5/06: characterised by a fibrous {or filamentary} layer {mechanically connected, e.g. by needling} to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper - B32B 5/12: characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of {different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other} - B32B 5/22: characterised by the presence of two or more layers which {are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed (layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles next to a foam layer B32B19/047, next to a layer made of particles B32B19/048, or next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B19/06; paper layer or cardboard layer next to a paper layer or cardboard layer B32B29/005, next to a foam layer B32B29/007, next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B29/02, or next to a particulate layer B32B29/04)} - B32B 5/263: {next to one or more woven fabric layers} - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B32B 2250/05: 5 or more layers - B32B 2250/20: All layers being fibrous or filamentary - B32B 2260/023: Two or more layers - B32B 2260/046: Synthetic resin - B32B 2262/0261: Polyamide fibres - B32B 2262/101: Glass fibres - B32B 2262/106: Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres - B32B 2262/148: Woven fabric - B32B 2305/076: Prepregs - B32B 2605/00: Vehicles - F16C 7/026: {made of fibre reinforced resin} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract An object of the present invention is to provide an innovative and highly practical connection member for a vehicle structure. The present invention is a connection member for a vehicle structure equipped with at least two connection sections (2) that are used in the vehicle structure and that connect appropriate sites within the vehicle structure, the connection member for a vehicle structure being characterized in having a layered structure section (1) configured by impregnating a layered body (4) in which a plurality of fiber bodies (3) have been layered with a matrix resin and curing the impregnated layered body, and employing, as the fiber bodies (3), bodies in which bundles of unidirectionally aligned carbon fibers (5) have been interwoven with thermally fusible fibers (6). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection member for a vehicle structure equipped with at least two connection sections that connect appropriate sites within the vehicle structure, the connection member being characterized by having a columnar layered structure section configured by impregnating a layered body in which a plurality of fiber bodies have been winded with a matrix resin and curing the impregnated layered body, and employing, as the fiber bodies, bodies in which bundles of unidirectionally aligned carbon fibers have been interwoven with thermally fusible fibers, wherein end sections of the layered structure are provided with the connection sections, and the connection sections comprise cross-shaped slits, wherein the end sections of the layered structure are divided and comprise first parts and second parts with an axis of symmetry between the first parts and the second parts, wherein the cross-shaped slits are formed in each layer of the layered structure such that first angles of first cross-shaped slits of the first parts symmetrically correspond to second angles of second cross-shaped slits of the second parts based on the axis of symmetry, and wherein at least one of the first cross-shaped slits is formed at 45° relative to a 0° longitudinal direction of the layered structure section, and at least one of the first-cross-shaped slits is formed at −45° relative to the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that as the fiber bodies there are used: first fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 0°, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; second fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to +45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; third fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to −45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; and fourth fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 90°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connection member according to claim 2, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The connection member according to claim 2, characterized in that the layered body has a rod-form shape and includes: a first layer section provided by winding the first fiber bodies; a second layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the first layer section; a third layer section, provided by winding the fourth fiber bodies about the second layer section; a fourth layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the third layer section; and a fifth layer section, provided by winding the first fiber bodies about the fourth layer section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The connection member according to claim 4, characterized in that: the first fiber bodies constituting the first layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, and the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, and the first fiber bodies constituting the fifth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connection member according to claim 1, characterized by being a link rod, a tower bar, or an under cover. ### Claim 8 A connection member for a vehicle structure equipped with at least two connection sections that connect appropriate sites within the vehicle structure, the connection member being characterized by having a columnar layered structure section configured by impregnating a layered body in which a plurality of fiber bodies have been winded with a matrix resin and curing the impregnated layered body, and employing, as the fiber bodies, bodies in which bundles of unidirectionally aligned carbon fibers have been interwoven with thermally fusible fibers, and the connection sections being configured from metal bodies affixed to the layered structure section, wherein end section of the layered structure are provided with the connection sections, and the connection sections comprise cross-shaped slits, wherein the end sections of the layered structure are divided and comprise first parts and second parts with an axis of symmetry between the first parts and the second parts, wherein the cross-shaped slits are formed in each layer of the layered structure such that first angles of first cross-shaped slits of the first parts symmetrically correspond to second angles of second cross-shaped slits of the second parts based on the axis of symmetry, wherein at least one of the first cross-shaped slits is formed at 45° relative to a 0° longitudinal direction of the layered structure section, and at least one of the first-cross-shaped slits is formed at −45° relative to the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section, wherein the metal bodies are provided with a flange-form section on a circumferential surface of a main body serving as the axis of symmetry, and wherein a number of layers of the first parts on an upward side of the flange-form section is equal to a number of layers of the second parts on a downward side of the flange-form section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connection member for a vehicle structure according to claim 8, characterized by the metal bodies being provided with a flange-form section on the circumferential surface of a main body, the metal bodies passing through the layered structure section via the cross-shaped slits, and the fiber bodies being overlaid onto the surface of the flange-form section and the circumferential surface of the main body of each of the metal bodies. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connection member according to claim 9, characterized in that as the fiber bodies there are used: first fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 0°, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; second fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to +45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; third fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to −45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; and fourth fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 90°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connection member according to claim 10, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The connection member according to claim 10, characterized in that the layered body has a rod-form shape and includes: a first layer section provided by winding the first fiber bodies; a second layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the first layer section; a third layer section, provided by winding the fourth fiber bodies about the second layer section; a fourth layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the third layer section; and a fifth layer section, provided by winding the first fiber bodies about the fourth layer section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The connection member according to claim 12, characterized in that: the first fiber bodies constituting the first layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, and the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, and the first fiber bodies constituting the fifth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The connection member according to claim 9, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The connection member according to claim 8, characterized in that as the fiber bodies there are used: first fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 0°, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; second fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to +45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; third fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to −45°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section; and fourth fiber bodies, in which the longitudinal direction of the carbon fiber bundles is set to 90°, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the layered structure section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The connection member according to claim 15, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The connection member according to claim 15, characterized in that the layered body has a rod-form shape and includes: a first layer section provided by winding the first fiber bodies; a second layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the first layer section; a third layer section, provided by winding the fourth fiber bodies about the second layer section; a fourth layer section, provided by winding the second fiber bodies and the third fiber bodies in an overlaid state about the third layer section; and a fifth layer section, provided by winding the first fiber bodies about the fourth layer section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The connection member according to claim 17, characterized in that: the first fiber bodies constituting the first layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the second layer section, and the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; the fourth fiber bodies constituting the third layer section, and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions; and the overlaid second and third fiber bodies constituting the fourth layer section, and the first fiber bodies constituting the fifth layer section, are set so as to be wound in opposite directions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The connection member according to claim 8, characterized in that the layered body is attached by threads passing through in the layering direction of the fiber bodies.