U.S. patent application number 14/664370 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for vehicle underbody structure.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Tofiqul ISLAM, John Michael MCGUCKIN, Behrooz SHAHIDI, Andre THOMPSON, Lawrence WALCZAK.
Application Number | 20160272255 14/664370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56081957 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160272255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ISLAM; Tofiqul ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
VEHICLE UNDERBODY STRUCTURE
Abstract
A vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an underbody that
includes a floor panel, a pair of laterally spaced side members
affixed to opposing lateral side portions of the floor panel, a
plurality of cross members affixed to and spanning the pair of side
members, a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent
cross members, and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal
member. The longitudinal member is configured to transfer a load
from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members.
Inventors: |
ISLAM; Tofiqul; (Rochester
Hills, MI) ; SHAHIDI; Behrooz; (Novi, MI) ;
WALCZAK; Lawrence; (Madison Hts., MI) ; THOMPSON;
Andre; (Oak Park, MI) ; MCGUCKIN; John Michael;
(Ann Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56081957 |
Appl. No.: |
14/664370 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/015 20130101;
B62D 25/2036 20130101; B62D 25/20 20130101; B62D 25/2009 20130101;
B62D 27/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 25/20 20060101
B62D025/20; B60N 2/015 20060101 B60N002/015; B62D 27/02 20060101
B62D027/02 |
Claims
1. A vehicle underbody comprising: a floor panel; a pair of
laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor
panel; a plurality of cross members affixed to each of and spanning
the pair of side members; a longitudinal member affixed to and
spanning two adjacent cross members; and a mounting element affixed
to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member
transfers a load from the mounting element to the adjacent cross
members.
2. The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein the mounting element
comprises a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the
longitudinal member.
3. The vehicle underbody of claim 2, wherein a head of the bolt is
welded to the longitudinal member.
4. The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein a vehicle seat is
secured to floor panel with the mounting element.
5. The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross
members and the longitudinal member are affixed to the floor
panel.
6. The vehicle underbody of claim 5, wherein the side members,
cross members, and longitudinal member are affixed to the floor
panel by a series of spot welds.
7. The vehicle underbody of claim 1, further comprising a first
reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.
8. The vehicle underbody of claim 7, further comprising a second
mounting element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein
the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second
mounting element to the longitudinal member and adjacent cross
members.
9. The vehicle underbody of claim 1, further comprising a second
reinforcement gusset affixed to a first one of the plurality of
cross members and the longitudinal member.
10. The vehicle underbody of claim 9, further comprising a third
mounting element affixed to the second reinforcement gusset.
11. A vehicle comprising: a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced
side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; first and
second cross members affixed to each of and spanning the side
members; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross
members; and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member,
wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from the mounting
element to the cross members.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the mounting element comprises
a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the
longitudinal member.
13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein a head of the bolt is welded
to the longitudinal member.
14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein a rear vehicle seat is secured
to the floor panel with the mounting element.
15. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a first
reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.
16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a second mounting
element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the
first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second
mounting element to the longitudinal member and cross members.
17. A vehicle underbody comprising: a floor panel; a pair of
laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor
panel; a first cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the
side members, and defining a first laterally extending closed cross
section; a second cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the
side members, and defining a second laterally extending closed
cross section; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the
cross members; and a seat mount affixed to the longitudinal member,
wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from seat mount to
the cross members.
18. The vehicle underbody of claim 17, wherein a rear vehicle seat
is secured to the seat mount.
19. The vehicle underbody of claim 17, further comprising a first
reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member.
20. The vehicle underbody of claim 19, further comprising a second
seat mount affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the
first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second seat
mount to the longitudinal member and cross members.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicular body and frame
structures.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The body and frame structures of a vehicle are designed to
support the loads generated by vehicle components, occupants,
cargo, driving conditions, and other loads that vehicles commonly
experience. In addition, the manner and location of mounting
various vehicle components may vary.
SUMMARY
[0003] A vehicle underbody is provided. The vehicle underbody
includes a floor panel, a pair of laterally spaced side members
affixed to opposing lateral side portions of the floor panel, a
plurality of cross members affixed to and spanning the pair of side
members, a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent
cross members, and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal
member. The longitudinal member is configured to transfer a load
from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members.
[0004] A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a floor panel, a
pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing lateral
side portions of the floor panel, first and second cross members
affixed to and spanning the side members, a longitudinal member
affixed to and spanning the cross members, and a mounting element
affixed to the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member is
configured to transfer a load from the mounting element to the
cross members.
[0005] A vehicle underbody is provided. The vehicle underbody
includes a floor panel, a first cross member affixed to the floor
panel and defining a first laterally extending closed cross
section, a second cross member affixed to the floor panel and
defining a second laterally extending closed cross section, a
longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross members, and
a seat mount affixed to the longitudinal member. The longitudinal
member is configured to transfer a load from seat mount to the
cross members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a vehicle having an
arrangement of vehicle seats;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a vehicle underbody;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a magnified view of Detail A in FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the vehicle underbody
taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vehicle underbody
taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the vehicle underbody
taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3; and
[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating the transfer of load
forces among the components of the vehicle underbody.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein.
It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are
merely examples and other embodiments may take various and
alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some
features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As
those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various
features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the
figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more
other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly
illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated
provide representative embodiments for typical applications.
Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent
with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired
for particular applications or implementations.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated. The
vehicle includes an underbody 12 that comprises a floor panel 14
and other various structural components. The underbody 12 may
include one or more cross members, longitudinal members, gussets,
or other structural members to provide additional support in areas
where the underbody 12 may experience increased loading conditions.
For example, the underbody 12 may experience increased loading
conditions where a vehicle seat is secured to the vehicle underbody
12. The vehicle underbody 12 may include front cross members 16, 18
to provide additional structural support to the underbody 12 where
a front vehicle seat 20 is secured to the vehicle underbody 12. At
least one front seat mount 22 may be utilized to secure the front
seat 20 the vehicle underbody 12. The front seat mounts 22 may
consist of a bolt 24 and a nut 26. One of the bolt 24 and/or the
nut 26 may be welded or in some other manner permanently affixed to
a structural component of the underbody 12, for example one of the
cross members 16, 18. In this case, the other of the bolt 24 and
nut 26 can be fastened to the first thereby securing the seat
20.
[0015] The vehicle underbody 12 may also include additional
structural support at a location where a rear seat 28 is secured to
the vehicle underbody 12. The additional support of the vehicle
underbody 12 may include a first cross member 30, a second cross
member 32, a longitudinal member 34, at least one gusset 36, and at
least one mounting element 38. The at least one mounting element 38
may consist of bolts 40 and nuts 42. In the alternative, the at
least one mounting element 38 may consist of other types of
fasteners such as rivets, pins, screws, snap fasteners, retaining
rings, etc. The at least one mounting element 38 may be utilized
for securing the rear seat 28 to the vehicle underbody 12. The bolt
40 and/or nut 42 may be welded or in some other manner permanently
affixed to a structural component of the underbody 12, for example
the longitudinal member 34.
[0016] FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. The vehicle underbody
12 may include some or all of the structural components (Cross
members, longitudinal members, gussets, seat mounts, etc.) that are
illustrated in FIG. 1. The vehicle underbody 12 may include
additional structural components that are not shown in FIG. 1,
including additional cross members, longitudinal members, gussets,
seat mounts, mounts for other vehicle components, etc. The vehicle
underbody 12, including various structural components, is described
in further detail in the remaining Figures.
[0017] The vehicle 10 may also include more than two rows of seats,
exceeding the two rows of seats depicted in FIG. 1. Some sport
utility vehicles, for example, include three rows of seats. The
structure of the vehicle underbody 12 as described above (and in
further detail below) with respect to the rear seat 28 may be
applicable to any of the rows of seats in the vehicle if the
vehicle includes multiple rows of seats.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, a bottom view of the vehicle underbody
12 is illustrated. The vehicle underbody 12 includes a pair of
laterally spaced apart side members 44, 46. Each of the pair of
side members 44, 46 may be affixed to opposing lateral side
portions 48, 50 of the floor panel 14. A plurality of cross members
may be affixed to, and span, the pair of side members 44, 46. The
plurality of cross members may include the first cross member 30,
and second cross member 32. The longitudinal member 34 may be
affixed to and span the first cross member 30 and second cross
member 32. The plurality of members, including the first cross
member 30, second cross member 32, and longitudinal member 34 may
also be affixed to the floor panel 14.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3, Detail A of FIG. 2 depicts an
additional bottom view of the vehicle underbody 12 focusing on the
first cross member 30, the second cross member 32, the longitudinal
member 34, and additional related components. A first mounting
element 52, which may be a seat mount, may be affixed to the
longitudinal member 34. The first mounting element 52 may extend
from the longitudinal member 34 and through the floor panel 14. The
first mounting element 52 may also extend through a portion of one
or both of the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32.
The first mounting element 52 may also extend through reinforcement
gussets that are described below.
[0020] A first reinforcement gusset 54 may be affixed to the
longitudinal member 34. The first reinforcement gusset 54 may also
be affixed to the floor panel 14, the first cross member 30, or the
second cross member 32. The first reinforcement gusset 54 may
generally have a U-shaped cross section, and may additionally
include one or more flanges that extend from portions of the
U-shaped cross section. A second mounting element 56, which may be
a seat mount, may be affixed to the first reinforcement gusset 54.
The second mounting element 56 may be located in a "pocket" created
by the U-shaped cross section of the gusset 54. The second mounting
element 56 may also extend from the first reinforcement gusset 54
and through the floor panel 14. The second mounting element 56 may
also extend through a portion of the longitudinal member 34, or a
portion of one or both of the first cross member 30 and second
cross member 32.
[0021] A second reinforcement gusset 58 may be affixed to one of
the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32. The second
reinforcement gusset 58 may also be affixed to the floor panel 14
and/or the longitudinal member 34. A third mounting element 60,
which may be a seat mount, may be affixed to the second
reinforcement gusset 58. The third mounting element 60 may extend
from the second reinforcement gusset 58 and through the floor panel
14. The third mounting element 60 may also extend through a portion
of the longitudinal member 34, or a portion of one or both of the
first cross member 30 and second cross member 32.
[0022] A third reinforcement gusset 62 may be affixed to one of the
first cross member 30 and second cross member 32. The second
reinforcement gusset may also be affixed to the floor panel 14
and/or the longitudinal member 34.
[0023] The various connections between the members of the vehicle
underbody 12, may be made with fasteners, rivets, adhesives, welds,
or other joining methods used in the industry. In the embodiments
described, the connections are depicted by a series of spot welds
64. The connections may be made between two components, such as
with two thickness welds. Alternatively, the connections may be
made between multiple components, such as with three thickness
welds.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross sectional view of one
embodiment of the vehicle underbody 12 taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
3 is illustrated. The floor panel 14 is shown affixed to upper
surfaces of the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32.
The longitudinal member 34 is shown affixed lower surfaces of the
first cross member 30 and second cross member 32. The first cross
member 30 defines a first laterally extending closed cross section
74. The second cross member 32 defines a second laterally extending
closed cross section 76. The first mounting element 52 is shown
extending through the longitudinal member 34, the second cross
member 32, and the floor panel 14. The first mounting element 52
may be a bolt that includes a head portion 66 and a threaded
portion 68. The first mounting element 52 may be an M10 or larger
sized bolt. The head portion 66 of the first mounting element 52
may be permanently affixed to the longitudinal member 34 by
welding, adhesive, etc. The head portion 66 of the first mounting
element 52 may be configured to distribute load over a large
surface area. For example, the head portion 66 may have a diameter
of 30 mm or larger. A seat bracket 70 may be secured into position
by the first mounting element 52 and an associated nut 72.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view of one
embodiment of the vehicle underbody 12 taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
3 is illustrated. The floor panel 14 is shown affixed to upper
surfaces of the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32.
The longitudinal member 34 is shown affixed to lower surfaces of
the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32. The first
cross member 30 defines a first laterally extending closed cross
section 74. The second cross member 32 defines a second laterally
extending closed cross section 76. The first reinforcement gusset
54 is shown affixed to a lower surface of the second cross member
32 and an upper surface of the longitudinal member 34. The second
mounting at element 56 is shown extending through the first
reinforcement gusset 54, the second cross member 32, and the floor
panel 14. The second mounting element 56 may be a bolt that
includes a head portion 78 and a threaded portion 80. The second
mounting element 56 may be an M10 or larger sized bolt. The head
portion 78 of the second mounting element 56 may be permanently
affixed to the first reinforcement gusset 54 by welding, adhesive,
etc. The head portion 78 of the second mounting element 56 may be
configured to distribute load over a large surface area. For
example, the head portion 78 may have a diameter of 30 mm or
larger. A seat bracket 82 may be secured into position by the
second mounting element 56 and an associated nut 84.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, a cross sectional view of one
embodiment of the vehicle underbody 12 taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
3 is illustrated. The floor panel 14 is shown affixed to upper
surfaces of the first cross member 30 and second cross member 32.
The first cross member 30 defines a first laterally extending
closed cross section 74. The second cross member 32 defines a
second laterally extending closed cross section 76. The second
reinforcement gusset 58 is shown affixed to a lower surface of the
floor panel 14. The third mounting element 60 is shown extending
through the second reinforcement gusset 58 and the floor panel 14.
The third mounting element 60 may be a bolt that includes a head
portion 86 and a threaded portion 88. The third mounting element 60
may be an M10 or larger sized bolt. The head portion 86 of the
third mounting element 60 may be permanently affixed to the second
reinforcement gusset 58 by welding, adhesive, etc. The head portion
86 of the third mounting element 60 may be configured to distribute
load over a large surface area. For example, the head portion 86
may have a diameter of 30 mm or larger. A seat bracket 90 may be
secured into position by the third mounting element 60 and an
associated nut 92.
[0027] The first cross section 74 of the first cross member 30 and
the second cross section 76 of the second cross member 32 operate
as beams that transfer load forces to adjacent members, such as the
pair of laterally spaced apart side members 44, 46. If a load is
applied between a pair of cross members the load may be transferred
inefficiently. Additional structural support may be added when
loads are applied between a pair of cross members in order to
alleviate this inefficiency. For example, the first mounting
element 52 and the second mounting element 56, which are both
located in between the first cross member 30 and the second cross
member 32, are affixed to the vehicle underbody 12 where there is
additional structural support including the longitudinal member 34
and the first reinforcement gusset 54. The additional structural
support provided by the longitudinal member 34 and the
reinforcement gusset 54 provide enhanced stiffness between the
first cross member 30 and second cross member 32 allowing for more
location flexibility of the mounting elements 52, 56, and 60.
[0028] The seat brackets 70, 82, and 90 in FIGS. 4-6 may consist of
three separate mounting portions in a single seat bracket, or any
combination of two or more seat brackets that may or may not have
more than one mounting portion.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, the transfer of load forces among the
components of the vehicle underbody 12 is illustrated. When loads
are applied to the first, second, and third mounting elements 52,
56, 60 the loading forces are transferred from the mounting
elements 52, 56, and 60 to the longitudinal member 34. The loading
forces are then transferred from the longitudinal member 34 to the
first cross member 30 and second cross member 32. And, finally the
loading forces are then transferred from the first cross member 30
and second cross members 32 to the pair of laterally spaced apart
side members 44, 46. The loading forces applied to the mounting
elements 52, 56, 60 are indicated in FIG. 7 by arrows 94 from a
bottom view of the vehicle underbody 12, therefore the loading
forces 94 applied to the mounting elements 52, 56, 60 may include
pulling forces on the mounting elements 52, 56, 60 from the upper
side of the vehicle underbody 12. The loading forces distributed
along the longitudinal member 34, first cross member 30, and second
cross member 32 are indicated by arrows 96.
[0030] The words used in the specification are words of description
rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. As previously described, the features of various
embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the
invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated.
While various embodiments could have been described as providing
advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art
implementations with respect to one or more desired
characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that
one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to
achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the
specific application and implementation. These attributes may
include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life
cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size,
serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc.
As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other
embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or
more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure
and may be desirable for particular applications.
* * * * *