# US 9,039,073 B2 · Method of manufacturing vehicle body side structure and vehicle body side structure

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- Number: US 9,039,073 B2
- Document ID: US9039073B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/186,731
- Filed: 2014-02-21
- Published: 2014-08-28
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-26
- Assignees: TOA Industries Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Masaki Yajima; Takashi Kanai
- Inventors: Masaki Yajima; Takashi Kanai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039073B2

## CPC

- B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars}
- B21D 22/208: {by heating the blank or deep-drawing associated with heat treatment (C21D takes precedence)}
- B21D 35/007: {Layered blanks (B21D22/203 takes precedence; joining superposed plates B21D39/031, B21D39/034, B21D39/035)}
- B62D 29/007: {predominantly of special steel or specially treated steel, e.g. stainless steel or locally surface hardened steel}
- Y10T 29/49622: Vehicular structural member making
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

First to third steel members are cut to form predetermined planar shapes using press machines and form an upper member, a reinforcement member and a lower member. The carbon content of the third steel member is set lower than the carbon content of the first and second steel members. The upper member, the reinforcement member and the lower member are then assembled. The reinforcement member is superposed on the upper member. The upper member and the lower member are partially superposed. The superposed portions of the upper member and the reinforcement member and the superposed portions of the upper member and the lower member are then respectively joined by spot welding to form a blank member. The spot welded blank member is then heated to a temperature of a transformation point or higher, and the blank member is hot press formed by one press machine.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle body side structure comprising:
an upper member comprising a first steel member;
a lower member comprising a second steel member having a carbon content lower than a carbon content of the first steel member, the upper member and the lower member being superposed partially; and
a spot welded portion formed in superposed portions of the upper member and the lower member,
wherein a strength of the lower member is lower than a strength of the upper member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle body side structure of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement member comprising a third steel member and spot welded on the upper member, wherein the strength of the lower member is lower than a strength of the reinforcement member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle body side structure of claim 1, wherein the upper member is located on an interior side of a vehicle at superposed portions of the upper member and the lower member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle body side structure of claim 1, wherein the carbon content of the first steel sheet is 0.5% or higher, and the carbon content of the second steel sheet is 0.3% or lower.