IP Library Granted Patent US 8,899,665
Granted Patent B2
US 8,899,665 · App. 13/874,592 · Granted Dec 2, 2014

Strength member for an automobile body, front side member, and side structure for an automobile body

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,899,665
App. No.
13/874,592
Granted
Dec 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A side structure for an automobile body has an A-pillar having a first portion which has a closed cross section and which is connected to a side sill and extends upwards, and a second portion which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the first portion and extends along a slope therefrom, and a roof rail side member which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the A-pillar and is connected to a B-pillar. The side reinforcing member having a closed cross section and a shape which is bent three-dimensionally and which is constituted by a single member in the axial direction and has undergone high frequency quenching is disposed so a to extend at least inside the second portion and inside the roof rail side member to be positioned to the rear of the connection with the B-pillar.

Claims (9)

1. A side structure for an automobile body comprising: an A-pillar having a first portion which has a closed cross section and which is connected to a side sill and extends upwards, and a second portion which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the first portion and extends along a slope therefrom, and a roof rail side member which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the A-pillar and is connected to a B-pillar, and

a side reinforcing member, the side reinforcing member having closed cross section, a shape which is bent three-dimensionally, and comprising a single member in an axial direction which has undergone high frequency quenching, the single member being disposed so as to extend at least inside the second portion of the A-pillar and further extend from the inside of the second portion of the A-pillar to an inside of the roof rail side member to such an extent that a portion of the single member is positioned to a rear of the connection between the B-pillar and the roof rail side member.

2. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein the side reinforcing member has not undergone quenching in a region in which it is welded for connection to the B-pillar.

3. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein the automobile body has a C-pillar which is continuous with the roof rail side member and which has a closed cross section, and the side reinforcing member is disposed inside the C-pillar.

4. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein quenching is not carried out on a front end of the side reinforcing member which is disposed inside the second portion of the A-pillar.

5. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein the side reinforcing member is also disposed inside the first portion of the A-pillar.

6. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein the side reinforcing member does not have an outwardly-extending flange.

7. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tensile strength of the high frequency heat-treated portion of the side reinforcing member is greater than 1100 MPa or 600-1100 MPa.

8. A side structure for an automobile body as set forth in claim 7 wherein the tensile strength of the portion which is not quenched in the side reinforcing member is less than 600 MPa.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 14, 2019
From: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
To: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 049257/0828 →