Mounting structure with improved stiffness characteristics
AssigneeFord Global Tech., Inc.
InventorsAmar Ourchane, Ching-Hung Chuang, Ronald Machin, Scott Crane, Xiao Wu
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Abstract
A mounting structure 10 having improved stiffness characteristics. The mounting structure 10 includes a pillar 14 which forms a portion of a vehicle body 12 and which operatively supports a vehicle door which is selectively attached to the pillar 14 by hinges 16. The structure 10 includes a pair of “closed-loop” beads which are formed around hinges 16, and which increase the stiffness characteristics of the pillar 14 and of the vehicle door.
Claims16
A vehicle pillar having a first region on which a component is selectively mounted of a hinge which is coupled to said first region and a bead which is integrally formed from pillar and which substantially circumscribes said first region in substantially the same said hinge, said bead being effective to stiffen said pillar.
A mounting structure for use with a vehicle having a body and a door, said mounting structure comprising:
- a pillar disposed upon said body;
- at least one first member which is coupled to said pillar and to said door, thereby connecting said door to said pillar;
- and
- at least one bead which is integrally formed from said pillar and around said at least one first member, and which is effective to stiffen said pillar.
A method for increasing the stiffness of a vehicle pillar member on which a component is selectively mounted, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining a region of said vehicular pillar member on which said component is selectively mounted;
- and
- forming a continuous bead from said vehicle pillar member and around said region, thereby increasing the stiffness of said vehicular pillar member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.