Vehicle component with an accessory mounting feature and a method and tool for forming
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJeffrey STANCAVAGE, Sandra Davidson OSIP
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle component, and a method and tool for forming the component are provided. First and second tools with first and second surfaces, respectively, are provided. The first tool is translated along a first axis towards the second tool such that the first and second surfaces cooperate to define a mold cavity configured to form an accessory mount feature with an aperture. The second surface is configured to form an integrated rib extending outwardly from an upper surface of the mount feature to a planar bearing surface surrounding the aperture with the planar bearing surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the upper surface. The first axis is substantially parallel to the upper surface.
Claims20
An intake manifold comprising:
- a shell structure forming at least a portion of a body of the intake manifold, the shell structure having an accessory mount feature integrally formed with the shell structure and extending outwardly therefrom, the accessory mount feature defining an aperture therethrough, the shell structure defining an integrated rib extending outwardly from an upper surface of the mount feature to a planar bearing surface surrounding the aperture, the planar bearing surface oriented at a nonparallel and nonperpendicular angle relative to the upper surface of the mount feature.
A vehicle component comprising a body forming a shell structure and defining a mounting feature, the mounting feature formed by a plate extending outwardly from the shell, the plate having the upper surface and a lower surface surrounding an aperture, the lower surface substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the upper surface, the mounting feature having an integrated rib surrounding the aperture and extending outwardly from the upper surface to a planar bearing surface, the planar bearing surface being oriented at a nonparallel and nonperpendicular angle relative to the upper surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.