Increased stiffness underbody panel
View Patent ↗A vehicle structure includes a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another. The vehicle structure also includes a vehicle body attached to the frame. The vehicle structure also includes a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support a vehicle drivetrain subassembly. The vehicle structure additionally includes a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure.
1. A vehicle structure comprising:
a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail, wherein the first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another;
a vehicle body attached to the frame;
a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support a vehicle drivetrain subassembly; and
a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure;
wherein the panel includes a first portion and a second portion fused together to form a boxed cross-section.
2. The vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein:
the cradle is defined by a first end and a second end;
the cradle is mounted to the first frame rail proximate the first end and proximate the second end, and to the second frame rail proximate the first end and proximate the second end; and
the panel is attached to the cradle proximate the first end and proximate the second end, and to each of the first and second frame rails.
3. The vehicle structure of claim 2 , wherein the panel is characterized by a generally continuous surface between the first end and the second end of the cradle such that aerodynamic disturbance under the vehicle body is minimized.
4. The vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is formed from aluminum, and the first and second portions are fused together via a weld bead.
5. The vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures is configured to accept a fastener for attachment of the panel to one of the cradle and the rails.
6. The vehicle structure of claim 5 , wherein the cradle includes a first cross-member spanning the distance between the first and second frame rails and a second cross-member spanning the distance between the first and second frame rails, and the panel is attached to each of the first and second cross-members.
7. The vehicle structure of claim 6 , wherein:
the cradle includes a first side section and a second side section, and first, second, third, and fourth cast node sections;
the first and second cast node sections attach the first cross-member to the first and second side sections, respectively, and the third and fourth cast node sections attach the second cross-member to the first and second side sections, respectively; and
the panel is attached to each of the first, second, third, and fourth cast node sections.
8. The vehicle structure of claim 7 , wherein:
the vehicle body is characterized by a longitudinal centerline;
the first and second frame rails and the cradle are each arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the centerline; and
the plurality of apertures is configured as a pattern that is arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the centerline.
9. The vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drivetrain subassembly includes a powertrain having at least one of an internal combustion engine, a motor-generator, a fuel cell, and a transmission.
10. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle drivetrain subassembly; and
a vehicle structure including:
a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail, wherein the first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another;
a vehicle body attached to the frame;
a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support the drivetrain subassembly; and
a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure
wherein the panel includes a first portion and a second portion fused together to form a boxed cross-section.
11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein:
the cradle is defined by a first end and a second end;
the cradle is mounted to the first frame rail proximate the first end and proximate the second end, and to the second frame rail proximate the first end and proximate the second end; and
the panel is attached to the cradle proximate the first end and proximate the second end, and to each of the first and second frame rails.
12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the panel is characterized by a generally continuous surface between the first end and the second end of the cradle such that aerodynamic disturbance under the vehicle body is minimized.
13. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is formed from aluminum, and the first and second portions are fused together via a weld bead.
14. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the cross-section includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures is configured to accept a fastener for attachment of the panel to one of the cradle and the rails.
15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the cradle includes a first cross-member spanning the distance between the first and second frame rails and a second cross-member spanning the distance between the first and second frame rails, and the panel is attached to each of the first and second cross-members.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein:
the cradle includes a first side section and a second side section, and first, second, third, and fourth cast node sections;
the first and second cast node sections attach the first cross-member to the first and second side sections, respectively, and the third and fourth cast node sections attach the second cross-member to the first and second side sections, respectively; and
the panel is attached to each of the first, second, third, and fourth cast node sections.
17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein:
the vehicle body is characterized by a longitudinal centerline;
the first and second frame rails and the cradle are each arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the centerline; and
the plurality of apertures is configured as a pattern that is arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the centerline.
18. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle drivetrain subassembly includes a powertrain having at least one of an internal combustion engine, a motor-generator, a fuel cell, and a transmission.