Mass optimized extrusions, assemblies including the same and methods of making and using the same
View Patent ↗A number of variations may include a product including an extrusion having an extruded profile including a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
1. A product comprising:
a vehicle structural component comprising an extrusion having a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness and wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness and further comprising a flow drill screw extending through the second section of the extrusion.
2. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first thickness is 1.5 mm or greater and wherein the second thickness is 2.0 mm or greater.
3. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the extrusion has a generally tubular shape.
4. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the extrusion includes a top wall portion and an opposite bottom wall portion, a first side wall portion and an opposite second side wall portion wherein the wall portions are connected together.
5. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first sheet of material and a flow drill screw extending through the first sheet and the extrusion.
6. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first sheet of material adhered to the extrusion with an adhesive layer positioned there between and a flow drill screw extending through the first sheet, adhesive layer and the extrusion.
7. A product as set forth in claim 3 wherein the second section extends in the axial direction of the generally tubular shaped extrusion.
8. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the extrusion has a generally tubular shape including a top wall portion and an opposite bottom wall portion, a first side wall portion and an opposite second side wall portion, wherein the second section is part of a first side wall portion, and the extrusion including a third section having a third thickness and a fourth section having a fourth thickness, and wherein the fourth thickness is greater than the third thickness and wherein the fourth section is part of the second side wall portion, and further comprising a first sheet having a portion positioned overlying the fourth section and a flow drill screw extending through the first sheet and the fourth section, and a second sheet overlying the second section and a flow drill screw extending through the second sheet and the second section.
9. A product as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the first section and third section has a thickness of 1.5 mm or greater and wherein each of the second section and fourth section has a thickness of 2.0 mm or greater.
10. A product as set forth in claim 8 further comprising an adhesive layer interposed between the first sheet and the fourth section, and an adhesive layer interposed between the second sheet and the second section.
11. A product as set forth in claim 8 wherein the extrusion is a vehicle seat back beam.
12. A product as set forth in claim 11 wherein the second sheet is a vehicle seat back panel.
13. A product as set forth in claim 11 wherein the first sheet is constructed and arranged to provide an interior trim component.
14. A method comprising:
providing a product comprising: a vehicle structural component comprising an extrusion having a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness and wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness;
attaching a first sheet of material to the extrusion comprising inserting a flow drill screw through the first sheet of material and the second section.
15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising adhering the first sheet of material to the extrusion with a layer of adhesive prior to the inserting the flow drill screw through the first sheet of material and the first section.
16. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein extrusion further includes a third section having a third thickness and a fourth section having a fourth thickness and wherein the fourth thickness is greater than the third thickness, and further comprising attaching a second sheet of material to the extrusion comprising inserting a flow drill screw through the second sheet of material and the fourth section.
17. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the extrusion is a vehicle seat back beam.
18. A method as set forth in claim 16 the second sheet is a vehicle seat back panel.
19. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first sheet is constructed and arranged to provide an interior trim component.