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US 6,267,438 B1Granted
Pillar for a vehicle body
AssigneeSSAB Hardtech AB
InventorMartin Jonsson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pillar, in particular a B-pillar, for a vehicle body, in particular a passenger car body, comprises a hat profile beam that has its crown towards the interior of the body. A lower hat profile beam has its own crown located within the crown of the beam and the flanges of the two beams are spot welded together. The hinges of the rear door are fixed to the beam. The front edge of the rear door swings into the crown of the beam when the door is opened. Thus, the beam has a high crown and utilizes the available space efficiently.
Claims9
A pillar for supporting a vehicle body, said pillar comprising:
- a first beam comprising sheet steel;
- a second beam comprising sheet steel;
- said second beam comprising a hat profile;
- said hat profile comprising a deep profile;
- said pillar being configured to protect occupants of a vehicle against a side impact;
- said first beam comprising a first side and a second side, a distance between edges of said first side of said first beam and said second side of said first beam defining a width dimension therebetween;
- said second beam comprising a first side and a second side, a distance between edges of said first side of said second beam and said second side of said second beam defining a width dimension therebetween;
- said first beam comprising at least a first beam flange and a second beam flange;
- the width of said first beam flange of said first beam extending no more than one-third of the width of said first beam;
- the width of said second beam flange of said first beam extending no more than one-third of the width of said first beam;
- said second beam comprising at least a first beam flange and a second beam flange;
- the width of said first beam flange of said second beam extending no more than one-third of the width of said second beam;
- the width of said second beam flange of said second beam extending no more than one-third of the width of said second beam;
- said first beam flange of said first beam being connected to said first beam flange of said second beam;
- said second beam flange of said first beam being connected to said second beam flange of said second beam;
- at least one of said first beam and said second beam being configured to be disposed substantially adjacent a vehicle door;
- a substantial portion of said pillar being configured to be disposed substantially vertically in a vehicle body;
- said deep profile comprising two side sections being disposed adjacent their corresponding beam flanges;
- said deep profile comprising a top section being transverse to, and disposed between and joining said two side sections;
- said two side sections having a length;
- said top section having a length;
- said length of each of said two side sections being greater than said length of said top section;
- said two side sections being disposed transversely to said beam flanges;
- said first beam comprising a profile;
- and
- said profile in said second beam being substantially deeper than said profile in said first beam.
23 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.