# US 9,751,568 B2 · Body frame structure for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,568 B2 - Document ID: US9751568B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/960,795 - Filed: 2015-12-07 - Published: 2017-06-08 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-07 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Edward W. Bach; Hirokazu Matsuura; Adam J. Rompage - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751568B2 ## CPC - B62D 25/02: Side panels {(B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023)} - B62D 21/157: {for side impacts} - B62D 25/025: {Side sills thereof} - B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars} - B62D 27/023: {Assembly of structural joints} - B62D 29/008: {predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded} - 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) ## Abstract A vehicle frame structure includes a side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib. The vertical rib separates the side sill into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral side sill portion includes a cutout extending vertically therethrough. A pillar has an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib. The first rib separates the pillar into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the portion, and an axial end face of the outer lateral pillar portion is in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion. The side sill and the pillar are welded to each other along an interface between the two components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle frame structure comprising: a side sill extending elongated in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, the side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib, the vertical rib separating the side sill into an outer lateral side sill portion and an inner lateral side sill portion, the inner lateral side sill portion including a step portion having a cutout extending vertically therethrough; and a pillar having an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib, the first rib separating the pillar into an outer lateral pillar portion and an inner lateral pillar portion, wherein the inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the inner lateral side sill portion, and an axial end face of the inner lateral pillar portion is in abutment with and supported by the horizontal rib of the side sill. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame structure of claim 1, wherein the outer lateral pillar portion includes an axial end face in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion, the side sill and the pillar are welded to each other at an interface between the side sill and the pillar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame structure of claim 1, wherein the horizontal rib of the side sill at least partially defines the step portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame structure of claim 1, wherein the horizontal rib interconnects inside faces of respective outer and inner lateral side walls of the side sill, and when positioned in the cutout the longitudinally extending first rib of the pillar faces the vertical rib of the side sill. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame structure of claim 1, wherein an inner lateral side wall of the side sill includes at least one opening adapted to define a welding location between the inner lateral side wall and pillar. ### Claim 6 A vehicle frame structure comprising: a side sill extending elongated in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, the side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib, the vertical rib separating the side sill into an outer lateral side sill portion and an inner lateral side sill portion, the inner lateral side sill portion including a step portion having a cutout extending vertically therethrough; and a pillar having an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib, the first rib separating the pillar into an outer lateral pillar portion and an inner lateral pillar portion, wherein the inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the inner lateral side sill portion, and an axial end face of the inner lateral pillar portion is in abutment with and supported by an inside face of a lower wall of the side sill. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle frame structure of claim 6, wherein the outer lateral pillar portion includes an axial end face in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion, the side sill and the pillar are welded to each other at an interface between the side sill and the pillar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The vehicle frame structure of claim 6, wherein an inner lateral side wall of the side sill includes at least one opening adapted to define a welding location between the inner lateral side wall and pillar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The vehicle frame structure of claim 6, wherein the lower wall of the side sill includes at least one opening and the inner lateral pillar portion includes at least one tab disposed through the at least one opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle frame structure of claim 9, wherein the tab is welded to the lower wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The vehicle frame structure of claim 9, wherein the pillar includes a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall, each of the forward wall, rear wall, inner lateral side wall and first rib includes a tab, and the lower wall of the side sill includes openings adapted to receive the tabs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle frame structure of claim 11, wherein the second rib further includes a tab, and the lower wall of the side sill includes an opening adapted to receive the tab of the second rib. ### Claim 13 A vehicle frame structure comprising: a side sill extending elongated in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, the side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib, the vertical rib separating the side sill into an outer lateral side sill portion and an inner lateral side sill portion, the inner lateral side sill portion including a cutout extending vertically therethrough; and a pillar having an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib, the first rib separating the pillar into an outer lateral pillar portion and an inner lateral pillar portion, wherein the inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the inner lateral side sill portion, an axial end face of the outer lateral pillar portion is in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion, and the side sill and the pillar are welded to each other along an interface between the side sill and the pillar, wherein the cutout is located in a step portion of the inner lateral side sill portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein each of the side sill and pillar is an aluminum or aluminum alloy extruded member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein the horizontal rib of the side sill at least partially defines the step portion and an axial end face of the inner lateral pillar portion is in abutment with and supported by the horizontal rib. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein the horizontal rib interconnects inside faces of respective outer and inner lateral side walls of the side sill and the inner lateral pillar portion includes an axial end face in abutment with and supported by the horizontal rib of the side sill. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein an inner lateral side wall of the side sill includes at least one opening adapted to define a welding location between the inner lateral side wall and pillar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein when positioned in the cutout the longitudinally extending first rib of the pillar faces the vertical rib of the side sill. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The vehicle frame structure of claim 13, wherein an axial end face of the inner lateral pillar portion is in abutment with an inside face of a lower wall of the side sill. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle frame structure of claim 19, wherein the lower wall of the side sill includes at least one opening and the inner lateral pillar portion includes at least one tab disposed through the at least one opening. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The vehicle frame structure of claim 20, wherein the pillar includes a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall, each of the forward wall, rear wall, inner lateral side wall and first rib includes a tab, and the lower wall of the side sill includes openings adapted to receive the tabs.