IP Library Granted Patent US 8,220,864
Granted Patent B2
US 8,220,864 · App. 12/571,066 · Granted Jul 17, 2012

Front structure for a motor vehicle

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,220,864
App. No.
12/571,066
Granted
Jul 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A front structure for a motor vehicle has a front wall with a stiffening element formed at least partially of plastic situated in a crossbeam on the lower half of the front wall. The stiffening element is enclosed between a bulkhead plate coupled to a front frame and the front wall which provides a high level of rigidity of the crossbeam. The front structure additionally has reduced weight due to the plastic stiffening element.

Claims (24)

1. A front structure for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a front wall that delimits a passenger compartment in a travel direction;

a front frame is situated in a front of the front wall and comprising a crossbeam that comprises a stiffening element at least partially made of plastic and situated on a lower half of the front wall; and

a bulkhead plate fastened to the front wall so as to position the stiffening element between the bulkhead plate and the front wall with the front wall and the bulkhead plate at least partially enclosing the stiffening element.

2. The front structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element is substantially linear between two longitudinal girders of the front frame.

3. The front structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element couples two plates of wheel wells that are fastened on the front wall.

4. The front structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element is tapered in cross-section toward a lower end.

5. The front structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a reinforcement rib.

6. A front structure for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a front wall that delimits a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;

a front frame including two longitudinal girders coupled to the front wall and having a crossbeam extending between the two longitudinal girders with a stiffening element at least partially made of plastic; and

a bulkhead plate fastened to the front wall and the two longitudinal girders wherein the stiffening element is between and at least partially enclosed between the bulkhead plate and the front wall.

7. The front structure according to claim 6 , wherein the stiffening element also extends between two wheel wells that are fastened to the front wall.

8. The front structure according to claim 6 , wherein the stiffening element is tapered in cross-section toward a lower end.

9. The front structure according to claim 6 , wherein the stiffening element further comprises ribs.

10. The front structure according to claim 6 , wherein the ribs are configured to have a shape selected from the following group of shapes: rhomboids, lattices or honeycombs.

11. A front structure for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a front wall that delimits a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;

a front frame including two wheel wells coupled to the front wall and having a crossbeam extending between the two wheel wells with a stiffening element at least partially made of plastic; and

a bulkhead plate fastened to the front wall and two longitudinal girders of the front frame wherein the stiffening element is between and at least partially enclosed between the bulkhead plate and the front wall.

12. The front structure according to claim 11 , wherein the stiffening element also extends between two longitudinal girders that are fastened to the front wall.

13. The front structure according to claim 11 , wherein the stiffening element is tapered in cross-section toward a lower end.

14. The front structure according to claim 11 , wherein the stiffening element further comprises ribs.

15. The front structure according to claim 11 , wherein the ribs are configured to have a shape selected from the following group of shapes: rhomboids, lattices or honeycombs.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0299 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0234 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2010
From: MILDNER, UDO; TESKE, LOTHAR; ENDERICH, THOMAS
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024003/0208 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023990/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023989/0155 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2008 049 762 · Sep 30, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100109383A1 · May 6, 2010