B-pillar central beam and method for manufacturing
AssigneeAutotech Engineering A.I.E.
InventorSergi MARQUEZ DURAN
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Abstract
In a first aspect, a B-pillar central beam made of steel which comprises hard zones and soft zones. Such soft zones have less mechanical strength than the hard zones. The B-pillar central beam further comprises an upper region with a fastening portion for fastening to a roof member, and a lower region with a fastening portion for fastening to a sill member. The B-pillar central beam includes two soft zones. A lower soft zone is located between the lower fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, and an upper soft zone is located between the upper fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height. The upper soft zone has higher mechanical strength than the lower soft zone. Methods for manufacturing such B-pillar central beam are also provided.
Claims16
A B-pillar central beam made of steel comprising:
- hard zones and soft zones, wherein the soft zones have a lower yield strength and/or tensile strength than the hard zones,
- an upper region with an upper fastening portion for fastening to a roof member and a lower region with a lower fastening portion for fastening to a sill member, and including
- a lower soft zone between the lower fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, and
- an upper soft zone between the upper fastening portion and the 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, wherein
- the upper soft zone has a higher yield strength and/or tensile strength than the lower soft zone and wherein the upper and lower fastening portions are predominantly hard zones.
Method for manufacturing a B-pillar central beam, the method comprising:
- forming a B-pillar central beam having a height, a lower fastening portion and an upper fastening portion,
- creating a lower soft zone between the lower fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height,
- creating an upper soft zone between the upper fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, wherein
- the upper soft zone has a higher mechanical strength than the lower soft zone, and wherein the upper and lower fastening portions are predominantly hard zones.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.