Cross member in a hybrid construction and method of making same
AssigneeBehr GmbH & Co.
InventorsSabine Neuss, Thomas Reddig, Walter Wolf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cross member in a hybrid motor vehicle construction is arranged between A-columns of a motor vehicle. The cross member has a basic body which is widened in a center area at least on one side and is designed as part of a housing of a heating and/or air conditioning system.
Claims26
A cross member which, in use, is disposed between A-columns of a motor vehicle, which has a shell-shaped basic body reinforced by injection-molded-on ribs made of a plastic material, and in which at least one air conducting duct is provided, wherein a central portion of the basic body is widened and is designed as part of a housing of a heating and/or air-conditioning system, and wherein the basic body is a prefabricated part to which said ribs are injection molded subsequently.
A cross member for connection between motor vehicle body columns of a motor vehicle comprising:
- a hollow shell shaped basic body defining at least one vehicle air conditioning duct, and plastic material reinforcing ribs injection molded on the basic body,
- said basic body including a central portion which is widened, which central portion forms part of a vehicle heating and/or air conditioning system when the basic body is in an in use position with said basic body connected between motor vehicle body columns,
- wherein said basic body is a prefabricated part to which said ribs are injection molded subsequently.
A passenger vehicle assembly comprising:
- vehicle body A-columns at respective opposite lateral sides of a vehicle passenger space, and
- a cross member with respective opposite ends connected to the respective A-columns,
- said cross member including a hollow shell shaped basic body defining at least one vehicle air conditioning duct, and plastic material reinforcing ribs injection molded on the basic body,
- said basic body including a central portion which is widened and forms part of a vehicle heating and/or air conditioning system when the basic body is in an in use position with said basic body connected to the A-columns,
- wherein said basic body is a prefabricated part to which said ribs are injection molded subsequently.
A method of making a vehicle cross member, comprising:
- providing a prefabricated shell-shaped basic body which is to be connected to vehicle A-columns and including a hollow section for at least one air conditioning duct, and
- subsequently forming reinforcing ribs on the basic body by injection molding plastic thereon, wherein the basic body has a central portion which is widened and is designed as part of a housing of a heating and/or air-conditioning system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.