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US 7,063,376 B2Granted
Structural member for a vehicle frame assembly
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsJames C Ori, Saad M Abouzahr, Shujath I Ali
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural member for a motor vehicle, that is selectively positioned inside of a tubular frame rail that operatively deforms to absorb and dissipate energy in the event of a collision. The structural member having a tubular body with strengthening ribs located inside of the tubular body.
Claims17
A motor vehicle frame assembly having a first tubular frame member, and a structural member disposed in the first tubular frame member, the structural member comprising:
- a generally tubular rigid body having an outer perimeter parallel to and in abutting engagement with an inner perimeter of the first tubular frame member, the tubular body being disposed within the first tubular frame member to increase the moment of inertia of the first tubular frame member;
- and
- at least one rib disposed in and spanning an interior void of, and in abutting engagement with, the tubular rigid body;
- wherein the frame assembly further includes a second tubular frame member intersecting the first tubular frame member to form a joint and the structural member is located in the first tubular frame member at the joint.
1 more element
A motor vehicle frame assembly having first and second elongate frame members and a reinforcing member, the reinforcing member comprising:
- a rigid tube having an outer perimeter substantially mating and in abutting engagement with an inner perimeter of a tubular portion of the first frame member and a reinforcement structure spanning an interior void of, and in abutting engagement with, the rigid tube;
- and
- wherein the first and second frame members are connected at a joint and the reinforcing member is disposed in the first frame member at the joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.