MIXED MATERIAL UNDERBODY FOR NOISE CONTROLLED OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT
A product comprising a mixed material vehicle underbody which may reduce or prevent noise from entering into the occupant compartment of a vehicle and a method for making the same.
1 . A product comprising:
a vehicle underbody;
wherein the vehicle underbody comprises at least one steel panel; and
wherein the at least one steel panel is attached to a plurality of structures comprising aluminum.
2 . The product of claim 1 wherein the at least one steel panel comprises a primary dash, a plenum, a tunnel, a floor, a seat pan, and at least one back panel.
3 . The product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of structures comprising aluminum includes a pair of front rails, a pair of front wheelhouse structures, a pair of rockers, a pair of rear rails, a plurality of rear wheelhouse sub-assemblies, or a rear tire tub 56 .
4 . The product of claim 1 wherein the at least one steel panel is attached to the plurality of structures comprising aluminum via a plurality of flow drill screws.
5 . The product of claim 1 wherein the at least one steel panel is attached to the plurality of structures comprising aluminum via a plurality of self-piercing rivets.
6 . The product of claim 1 wherein the underbody is constructed and arranged to attach to a vehicle body.
7 . The product of claim 1 wherein the underbody is constructed and arranged to provide a noise barrier for an occupant compartment of a vehicle.
8 . A method comprising:
forming a mixed material underbody to create a noise barrier to reduce or eliminate noise entering into an occupant compartment of a vehicle comprising attaching at least one steel panel to a plurality of structures comprising aluminum.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one steel panel comprises a primary dash, a plenum, a tunnel, a floor, a seat pan, and at least one back panel.
10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the plurality of structures comprising aluminum includes a pair of wheelhouse structures, a pair of rear rails, and a rear tire tub.
11 . The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one steel panel is attached to the plurality of structures comprising aluminum via a plurality of flow drill screws.
12 . The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one steel panel is attached to the plurality of structures comprising aluminum via a structural adhesive and a plurality of self-piercing rivets.
13 . The method of claim 8 wherein the underbody is constructed and arranged to attach to a vehicle body.
14 . The method of claim 8 wherein the underbody is constructed and arranged to provide a noise barrier for an occupant compartment of a vehicle.