One-piece, tubular member with an integrated welded flange and associated method for producing
View Patent ↗A structural supporting roof pillar for use in a vehicle including an elongated, interiorly hollowed and polygonal shaped body having a selected arcuate lengthwise configuration and corresponding in placement to at least one of an A, B, and C vehicle pillar. A first component supporting flange is integrally formed, such as by overlapping end portions of a roll formed body, and projecting in at least a partially lengthwise extending fashion from a given cross sectional location. A secondary component supporting flange is affixed to a further cross sectional location associated with the body, such as further by welding.
1. A structural supporting article for use in a vehicle, comprising:
an elongated, interiorly hollowed and polygonal one piece body having a selected arcuate lengthwise configuration and defining a closed tubular shape, said body corresponding in placement to at least one of an A, B, and C vehicle pillar;
a first component supporting flange, integrally formed by overlapping flange walls of said body and establishing a single material, said flange walls projecting in at least a partially lengthwise extending fashion from said closed tubular shape; and
a secondary component supporting flange affixed to a further cross sectional location associated with said body.
2. The structural article as described in claim 1 , said body exhibiting a specified shape and size and being fabricated from steel.
3. The structural article as described in claim 2 , said steel further comprising martensitic steel.
4. The structural article as described in claim 1 , said roof pillar configuration defined by said body further comprising at least one of an inner A-pillar panel, an outer A-pillar panel, an A-pillar reinforcement, an inner-side roof rail panel, an outer-side roof rail panel, an A-pillar extension, and a C-pillar reinforcement.
5. The structural article as described in claim 1 , said body exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructed according to at least one of a roll forming process and a hydro-forming process.
6. The structural article as described in claim 1 , said body exhibiting a combined arcuate elongated configuration and at least one of a rectangular, pentagonal and a hexagonal shaped cross sectional configuration.
7. The structural article as described in claim 1 , further comprising sectioning a portion of a selected and abutting flange outward of a weld location securing said walls together.
8. The structural article as described in claim 1 , said secondary flange being affixed to said body by at least one of an adhesive, a weld, brazing, soldering and mechanical fasteners.