Twenty-eight-cornered Strengthening Member For Vehicles

Abstract

A strengthening member for a motor vehicle and a vehicle including a strengthening member are provided. The strengthening member can have a cross-section that has twenty-eight corners and includes sides and corners arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles. The strengthening member can have a cross-section that includes a central portion and four lobe portions. The vehicle may include a strengthening member that has twenty-eight corners and includes sides and corners arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a strengthening member for a vehicle body or other structures. The present disclosure relates more specifically to a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section and to motor vehicles including a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is desirable, for vehicle strengthening members, to maximize impact energy absorption and bending resistance while minimizing mass per unit length of the strengthening member. Impact energy absorption may be maximized, for example, by assuring that the strengthening member compacts substantially along a longitudinal axis of the strengthening member upon experiencing an impact along this axis. Such longitudinal compaction may be referred to as a stable axial crush of the strengthening member.

[0003] When a compressive force is exerted on a strengthening member, for example, by a force due to a front impact load on a vehicle's front rail or other strengthening member in the engine compartment, the strengthening member can crush in a longitudinal direction to absorb the energy of the collision. In addition, when a bending force is exerted on a strengthening member, for example, by a force due to a side impact load on a vehicle's front side sill, B-pillar or other strengthening member, the strengthening member can bend to absorb the energy of the collision.

[0004] Conventional strengthening members rely on increasing the thickness and hardness of side and/or corner portions to improve crush strength. However, such increased thickness and hardness increases weight of the strengthening member and reduces manufacturing feasibility. It may be desirable to provide a strengthening assembly configured to achieve the same or similar strength increase as provided by the thickened sides and/or corners, while minimizing mass per unit length of the member, and maintaining a high manufacturing feasibility.

[0005] It may further be desirable to provide a strengthening member that can achieve increased energy absorption and a more stable axial collapse when forces such as front and side impact forces are exerted on the strengthening member, while also conserving mass to reduce vehicle weights and meet emission requirements. Also, it may be desirable to provide a strengthening member that can achieve improved energy absorption and bend when a bending force is exerted on the strengthening member. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide a strengthening member that possesses improved noise-vibration-harshness performance due to work hardening on its corners. In addition, it may be desirable, to provide a tunable strengthening member cross-section configured to achieve strength increases (i.e., load carrying and energy absorption) over basic polygonal designs, while also allowing flexibility in design to meet a range of vehicle applications.

SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a strengthening member for a motor vehicle is provided. The strengthening member has a cross-section including twenty-eight corners and including sides arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a strengthening member for a motor vehicle is provided. The strengthening member has a cross-section including twenty-eight corners and including twenty-eight sides arranged to create internal angles and external angles. The corners of the cross-section are defined by angles that alternate between four consecutive internal angles and three consecutive external angles.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a strengthening member. The strengthening member has a cross-section including twenty-eight corners and including sides arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, strengthening member for a motor vehicle is provided. The strengthening member has twenty-eight sides and twenty-eight corners. A cross-section of the strengthening member includes a central portion and four lobe portions.

[0010] Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present teachings. The objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present teachings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] At least some features and advantages of the present teachings will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-section of a strengthening member having twenty-eight-cornered cross-section including sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates the cross-section of a strengthening member having twenty-eight-cornered cross-section including sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, as shown in FIG. 1A, and with various lengths, thicknesses, and angles identified;

[0015] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate top and perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, as shown in FIG. 1A;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate top and perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate top and perspective views of a third exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0018] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate top and perspective views of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0019] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate top and perspective views of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0020] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate top and perspective views of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0021] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate top and perspective views of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member having twenty-eight-cornered cross sections with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings;

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates strengthening members of various cross-sections having substantially the same thickness, substantially the longitudinal length, and cross-sectional dimensions along perpendicularly oriented transverse axes with substantially the same lengths;

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary quasi-static axial collapse of the strengthening members shown in FIG. 9;

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary dynamic crush of the strengthening members shown in FIG. 9;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a graph of the dynamic crush force and associated crush distance for the exemplary strengthening members shown in FIG. 9;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a graph of the dynamic axial crush energy and associated axial crush distance for the exemplary strengthening members shown in FIG. 9;

[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle frame with several components for which a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles can be used; and

[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle upper body with several components for which a strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles can be used.

[0029] Although the following detailed description makes reference to exemplary illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the claimed subject matter be viewed broadly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The various exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the exemplary embodiments. In the drawings and the description, similar elements are provided with similar reference numerals. It is to be noted that the features explained individually in the description can be mutually combined in any technically expedient manner and disclose additional embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] The present teachings contemplate strengthening members with twenty-eight-cornered cross-sections having substantially increased stiffness throughout the sides and corners without increasing thickness within the corners as done in conventional strengthening members. The strengthening members of the present disclosure are designed based in part on, for example, a variety of tunable parameters configured to achieve strength increases (i.e., load carrying and energy absorption) over basic polygonal designs (e.g., polygonal strengthening member cross sections having less or the same number of sides), while also allowing design flexibility to meet a range of vehicle applications.

[0032] In accordance with the present teachings, the shape of the strengthening members disclosed herein provides the strengthening member with stabilized folding, reduced crush distance, and increased energy absorption in response to an axially applied crash force. In at least some embodiments, the shape also improves moisture shedding abilities of the strengthening member and permits a more customized fit with other vehicle components.

[0033] The strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings can achieve increased energy absorption and a more stable axial collapse when forces such as front and side impact forces are exerted on the strengthening member. Furthermore, the side lengths and configurations, and/or degrees of the internal and external angles, of the strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings can achieve a similar, if not greater, strength increase as thickened corners, while minimizing mass per unit length of the member and maintaining a high manufacturing feasibility because the member can be formed by stamping, bending, press forming, hydro-forming, molding, casting, extrusion, uniform or non-uniform roll forming, machining, forging, and/or other known manufacturing processes. Thus-formed sections can be joined via welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding, fastening, press fitting or other known joining technologies.

[0034] Strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings can comprise, for example, steel alloys, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, nylons, plastics, polymers, composites, fiber-reinforced composites, hybrid materials (i.e., multiple dissimilar materials), shape-memory materials, foams, gels or any other suitable materials. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand, for example, that the material used for a strengthening member may be chosen based at least in part on intended application, strength/weight considerations, cost, packaging space, and/or other design factors.

[0035] An exemplary embodiment of a cross-section of a strengthening member 100 having twenty-eight corners in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated in FIG. 1A. The strengthening member 100 has twenty-eight sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28. The cross-section of the strengthening member in accordance with the present teachings may include a central portion and four lobe portions. The central portion may be defined by eight of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.9, S.sub.10, S.sub.16, S.sub.17, S.sub.23, and S.sub.24 define a central portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 100. Each lobe portion may be defined by five of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.4-S.sub.8 define a first lobe portion, sides S.sub.11-S.sub.15 define a second lobe portion, sides S.sub.18-S.sub.22 define a third lobe portion, and sides S.sub.1 and S.sub.25-S.sub.28 define a fourth lobe portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 100.

[0036] As labeled in FIG. 1B, the illustrated cross-section of the strengthening member 100 comprises twenty-eight sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28 having cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 and cross-sectional thicknesses T.sub.1-T.sub.28, sixteen internal corners with cross-sectional angles .theta..sub.11-.theta..sub.i16, and twelve external corners with cross-sectional angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12.

[0037] The perimeter of the twenty-eight-sided cross-section generally forms a polygon comprising a plurality of internal and external corners. As embodied herein and shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the polygon may be formed of alternating internal and external angles, and in particular, may be formed by alternating four consecutive internal corners/angles with three consecutive external corners/angles. This repeating pattern, which alternates between four consecutive internal corners/angles and three consecutive external corners/angles (i.e., an alternating four-in-three-out configuration), results in a cross-section with up to four bisecting planes of symmetry. Under an axial and symmetric loading condition, strengthening members with symmetrical, polygonal cross-sections, including the various embodiments of the present teachings, may have better load carrying capabilities and energy absorbing capabilities than those with asymmetrical, polygonal cross sections with an equivalent number of corners and sides. Furthermore, strengthening members with symmetrical, polygonal cross-sections with more than two bisecting planes of symmetry (e.g., three bisecting planes of symmetry, four bisecting planes of symmetry, or five or more bisecting planes of symmetry), including the various embodiments of the present teachings, may have better load carrying capabilities and energy absorbing capabilities than those with symmetrical, polygonal cross sections with two or fewer bisecting planes of symmetry and an equivalent number of corners and sides. For example, the exemplary cross-section shown in FIG. 1 has four bisecting planes of symmetry. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, use of asymmetrical cross-sections may offer other benefits that provide advantages that cannot be realized using a symmetrical cross-section. The present disclosure contemplates that a twenty-eight-sided, twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, in accordance with the present teachings, may be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0038] Depending upon the particular application and/or the desired features of the strengthening member, the cross-sectional lengths of the sides and the cross-sectional thicknesses of the sides of the twenty-eight-sided, twenty-eight-cornered strengthening member as well as the internal and external corner angles of the strengthening member can be varied (i.e., can be tuned) to achieve improved strength and other performance features (e.g., stability of folding pattern) compared to conventional strengthening member cross-sections. Varying these features of the twenty-eight-sided, twenty-eight-cornered strengthening member may obviate the need for increased side and/or corner thickness. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, the cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28, the cross-sectional thicknesses T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides as well as the cross-sectional internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 of internal corners and external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 of the external corners can be varied to a certain degree, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, for example in accordance with available packaging space within a vehicle.

[0039] In addition, in a strengthening member in accordance with the present teachings, each internal corner angle .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 of a cross-section of the strengthening member can range from about 30.degree. to about 175.degree., and each external corner angle .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 of a cross-section of the strengthening member can range from about 45.degree. to about 175.degree.. In accordance with the present teachings, the internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 of a cross-section of the strengthening member may all be substantially the same, and/or, the external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 of a cross-section of the strengthening member may all be substantially the same. Additionally, the present teachings contemplate embodiments for which one or more of the internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 are right angles as well as embodiments for which one or more than one of the external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e16 are right angles. Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments in which at least some of the internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 of a cross-section of the strengthening member differ from one another, and similarly, at least some of the external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 of a cross-section of the strengthening member differ from one another. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary cross-section in which internal angles .theta..sub.i1, .theta..sub.i4, .theta..sub.i5, .theta..sub.i8, .theta..sub.i9, .theta..sub.i12, .theta..sub.i13, and .theta..sub.i16 are about 90.degree.; internal angles .theta..sub.i2, .theta..sub.i7, .theta..sub.i10, and .theta..sub.i15 are about 138.degree.; internal angles , .theta..sub.i3, .theta..sub.i6, .theta..sub.i11, and .theta..sub.i14 are about 132.degree., external corner angles .theta..sub.e1, .theta..sub.e3, .theta..sub.e4, .theta..sub.e6, .theta..sub.e7, .theta..sub.e9, .theta..sub.e10 , and .theta..sub.e12 are about 102.degree., external corner angles .theta..sub.e2, .theta..sub.e5, .theta..sub.e8, and .theta..sub.e11 are about 156.degree.; and the aspect ratio is about 1:1.

[0040] In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, such as in an automotive application, for example, a cross-sectional length L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of each side S.sub.l-S.sub.28 of a cross-section of the strengthening member can range from about 10 mm to about 250 mm. In other exemplary embodiments, such as in an aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, or building application, for example, a cross-sectional length L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of each side S.sub.1-S.sub.28 of the cross-section of the strengthening member may be larger. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary cross-section in which cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1, L.sub.4, L.sub.8, L.sub.11, L.sub.15, L.sub.18, L.sub.22, and L.sub.25 of sides S.sub.1, S.sub.4, S.sub.8, S.sub.11, S.sub.15, S.sub.18, S.sub.22, and S.sub.25 are each a first length, e.g., 27 mm; cross-sectional lengths L.sub.2, L.sub.3, L.sub.9, L.sub.10, L.sub.16, L.sub.17, L.sub.23, and L.sub.24 of sides S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.9, S.sub.10, S.sub.16, S.sub.17, S.sub.23, and S.sub.24 are each a second length, e.g., 22 mm; cross-sectional lengths L.sub.5, L.sub.7, L.sub.12, L.sub.14, L.sub.19, L.sub.21, L.sub.26, and L.sub.28 of sides S.sub.5, S.sub.7, S.sub.12, S.sub.14, S.sub.19, S.sub.21, S.sub.26, and S.sub.28 are each a third length, e.g., 22 mm; and cross-sectional lengths L.sub.6, L.sub.13, L.sub.20, and L.sub.27 of sides S.sub.6, S.sub.13, S.sub.20, and S.sub.27 are each a fourth length, e.g., 35 mm.

[0041] In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, such as in an automotive application, for example, a thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides of the cross-section of the strengthening member can range from about 0.6 mm to about 6.0 mm. In other exemplary embodiments of the strengthening member, such as in an aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, or building application, for example, a thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides of a cross-section of the strengthening member may be larger. In one exemplary embodiment, a cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of each of the sides of the strengthening member may be about 3.3 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, a cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of each of the sides may be about 2.3 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, a cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of each of the sides may be about 2.0 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, the cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides is substantially the same as the thickness of the corners for each side. In some exemplary embodiments the cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of each side wall, (e.g., side walls S.sub.201-S.sub.228 (see FIG. 2A)), can vary with respect to each other side wall. Alternatively or concurrently, the cross-sectional thickness T.sub.1-T.sub.28 can vary along the respective cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of the sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28.

[0042] Top and perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 200 having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, respectively. Strengthening member 200 has twenty-eight corners C.sub.i201-C.sub.i216 and C.sub.e201-C.sub.e212 and twenty-eight side walls S.sub.201-S.sub.228. Sixteen of the corners are internal angle corners C.sub.i201-C.sub.i216 and twelve of the corners are external angle corners C.sub.e201-C.sub.e212. Strengthening member 200 also has a first transverse axis 230, a second transverse axis 240, and a longitudinal axis 250. Although shown with its longitudinal axis 250 positioned substantially vertically, when strengthening member 200 (as well as all of the other various embodiments in accordance with the present teachings) is installed within a vehicle, the longitudinal axis 250 of the strengthening member may be oriented substantially horizontally.

[0043] The strengthening member 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B also has a uniform cross section along a length of the strengthening member 200, from a first end 260 to a second end 270 of the strengthening member 200. Additionally, the longitudinal length LL.sub.200 of each side S.sub.201-S.sub.228 is approximately the same, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B. As also illustrated, for all cross-sections, each of eight of the internal angles are substantially the same, each of the other eight internal angles are substantially the same, eight of the external angles are substantially the same, and four of the other external angles are substantially the same. In particular, each of eight of the internal angles .theta..sub.i201, .theta..sub.i204, .theta..sub.i205, .theta..sub.i208, .theta..sub.i209, .theta..sub.i212, .theta..sub.i213, and .theta..sub.i216 are about 90.degree., each of the other eight internal angles .theta..sub.i202, .theta..sub.i203, .theta..sub.i206, .theta..sub.i207, .theta..sub.i210, .theta..sub.i210, .theta..sub.i211, .theta..sub.i214, and .theta..sub.i215 are about 135.degree.; eight of the external angles .theta..sub.e201, .theta..sub.e203, .theta..sub.e204, .theta..sub.e206, .theta..sub.e207, .theta..sub.e209, .theta..sub.e210, and .theta..sub.e212 are 102.degree.; and four of the other external angles .theta..sub.e202, .theta..sub.e205, .theta..sub.e208, and .theta..sub.e211 are about 156.degree.. The thicknesses of each sidewall S.sub.201-S.sub.228 are also substantially the same.

[0044] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 300 having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, respectively. The cross-section of the strengthening member 300 includes a central portion and four lobe portions. The central portion is defined by eight of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.302, S.sub.303, S.sub.309, S.sub.310, S.sub.316, S.sub.317, S.sub.323, and S.sub.324 define a central portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 300. Each lobe portion may be defined by five of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.304-S.sub.308 define a first lobe portion, sides S.sub.311-S.sub.315 define a second lobe portion, sides S.sub.318-S.sub.322 define a third lobe portion, and sides S.sub.301 and S.sub.325-S.sub.328 define a fourth lobe portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 300.

[0045] Strengthening member 300 differs from strengthening member 200 in several aspects. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, one or more of the side walls of the strengthening member may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis 350 of the strengthening member to provide a taper to at least a portion of the shape of the strengthening member 300. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, strengthening member 300 is tapered along its length, from a first end 360 of the strengthening member 300 to a second end 370 of the strengthening member. The strengthening member 300 tapers along its length at an angle .alpha., which can range from about 1.degree. to about 65.degree.. The degree of taper of each side wall may be substantially the same, or different side walls may exhibit differing degrees of taper. Tapering may be required due to component packaging constraints and/or to effectively couple, attach or otherwise bond other components to a strengthening member.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B, each of eight of the internal angles are about 90.degree., each of the other eight internal angles are about 135.degree., eight of the external angles are about 102.degree., and four of the other external angles are about 156.degree.. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, strengthening member 300 includes recessed areas 334, 335, 336 and 337. Each recessed area 334, 335, 336 and 337 extends along the length of the strengthening member 300 from first end 360 to second end 370. A side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions define each recess along a length of the strengthening member 300.

[0047] In the disclosed exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B, the cross-sectional lengths of each of the twenty-eight sides are each approximately the same as the cross-sectional lengths of other sides when taken at any cross-section along the longitudinal length of the strengthening member 300. However, the cross-sectional length of each side gradually/incrementally increases along the longitudinal axis 350 of the strengthening member 300 from first end 360 to second end 370 to provide the tapered shape. As noted above, the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B is exemplary, and therefore all of the contemplated embodiments with variations to the cross-sectional lengths and thicknesses of the sides, and to the angles of the internal and external corner angles of the twenty-eight -cornered cross-sections, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, of the strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings are not shown in the figures, but based on the teachings herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

[0048] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 400 having the twenty-eight-cornered cross section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, respectively. The cross-section of the strengthening member 400 includes a central portion and four lobe portions. The central portion is defined by eight of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.402, S.sub.403, S.sub.409, S.sub.410, S.sub.416, S.sub.417, S.sub.423, and S.sub.424 define a central portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 400. Each lobe portion may be defined by five of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.404-S.sub.408 define a first lobe portion, sides S.sub.411-S.sub.415 define a second lobe portion, sides S.sub.418-S.sub.422 define a third lobe portion, and sides S.sub.401 and S.sub.425-S.sub.428 define a fourth lobe portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 400.

[0049] Similar to the strengthening member 200, strengthening member 400 has a uniform cross-section along a length of the strengthening member 400, from a first end 460 to a second end 470 of the strengthening member 400. However, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, strengthening member 400 differs from strengthening members 200 and 300 in that the dimension-to-dimension ratio of the cross section of the strengthening member, taken along transverse axes 430, 440 is not 1:1; rather, the aspect ratio is about 7:10. FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a strengthening member that has a first length 480 along a first (minor) transverse axis 430 and a second length 490 along a second (major) transverse axis 440, where the second transverse axis 440 is perpendicular to the first transverse axis 430. The aspect ratio of a strengthening member may be defined as [first length 480]:[second length 490]. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B, the internal corner angles .theta..sub.i401, .theta..sub.i404, .theta..sub.i405, .theta..sub.i408, .theta..sub.i409, .theta..sub.i412, .theta..sub.i413, and .theta..sub.i416 are not all same and internal corner angles .theta..sub.i402, .theta..sub.i403, .theta..sub.i406, .theta..sub.i407, .theta..sub.i410, .theta..sub.i411, .theta..sub.i414, and .theta..sub.I415 are not all the same. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4A, internal angles .theta..sub.i401, .theta..sub.i408, .theta..sub.i409, and .theta..sub.i416 have a first measurement, e.g., of about 90.degree.; internal angles .theta..sub.i404, .theta..sub.i405, .theta..sub.i412, and .theta..sub.i416 have a second measurement, e.g., of about 90.degree.; internal angles .theta..sub.i402, .theta..sub.i 407, .theta..sub.i410, and .theta..sub.i413 have a third measurement, e.g., of about 145.degree.; and internal angles .theta..sub.i403, .theta..sub.i406, .theta..sub.i411, and .theta..sub.i414 have a fourth measurement, e.g., of about 125.degree.. Additionally, the external angles are not all same. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4A, the external angles .theta..sub.e401, .theta..sub.e403, .theta..sub.e407, .theta..sub.e409, have a first measurement, e.g., of about 98.degree.; external angles .theta..sub.e404, .theta..sub.e406, .theta..sub.e410, and .theta..sub.e412 have a second measurement, e.g., of about 106.degree.; external angles .theta..sub.e402 and .theta..sub.e408 have a third measurement, e.g., of about 164.degree.; and external angles .theta..sub.e405 and .theta..sub.e411 have a fourth measurement, e.g., of about 148.degree.. As also shown, the sides of the strengthening member 400 have differing cross-sectional lengths. In addition, the strengthening member 400 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B includes recessed areas 434, 435, 436 and 437 spaced around the perimeter of the strengthening member and extending along the length of the strengthening member 400, each recessed area 434-437 extending from first end 460 to second end 470 of strengthening member 400. A side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions define each recess along a length of the strengthening member 400. As noted above, the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B is exemplary, and therefore all of the contemplated embodiments with variations to the cross-sectional lengths of the sides, thicknesses of the sides, the angles of the internal and external corner angles, and the aspect ratio of the twenty-eight-cornered cross-sections, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, of the strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings are not shown in the figures.

[0050] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 500 having the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, respectively. The cross-section of the strengthening member 500 includes a central portion and four lobe portions. The central portion is defined by eight of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.502, S.sub.503, S.sub.509, S.sub.510, S.sub.516, S.sub.517, S.sub.523, and S.sub.524 define a central portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 500. Each lobe portion may be defined by five of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.504-S.sub.508 define a first lobe portion, sides S.sub.511-S.sub.515 define a second lobe portion, sides S.sub.518-S.sub.522 define a third lobe portion, and sides S.sub.501 and S.sub.525-S.sub.528 define a fourth lobe portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 500.

[0051] Similar to the strengthening member 300, strengthening member 500 tapers along its longitudinal axis 550 from a first end 560 of the strengthening member to a second end 570 of the strengthening member 500. The strengthening member 500 tapers along its length at an angle .alpha. , which can range from about 1.degree. to about 65.degree.. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B, each of eight of the internal angles are about 90.degree., each of the other eight internal angles are about 135.degree., eight of the external angles are about 101.degree., and four of the other external angles are about 158.degree.. The cross-sectional thicknesses of each sidewall S.sub.501-S.sub.528 are also substantially the same.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the cross-sectional length of side walls S.sub.501, S.sub.504, S.sub.508, S.sub.511, S.sub.515, 5.sub.518, S.sub.522, and S.sub.525 are small relative to the cross-sectional lengths of the rest of the of the side walls, and external angles .theta..sub.e502, .theta..sub.e505, .theta..sub.e508, and .theta..sub.e511 are large relative to the rest of the external angles and internal angles. This difference in the lengths of the sides provides recessed areas 534, 535, 536 and 537, each of which extends along the length of the strengthening member 500 from first end 560 to second end 570 of the strengthening member. A side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions define each recess along a length of the strengthening member 500. These recessed areas 534-537 each have a depth .theta..sub.533-.theta..sub.537, which is decreased (and may be considered relatively shallow) in comparison to the recessed areas shown in the strengthening members illustrated in FIGS. 2A-4B. This type of parameter tuning, i.e., changing the cross-sectional lengths of the sides and external angles to decrease the depth of the recess areas 534-537, can further increase the internal volume of the strengthening member 500, thereby providing more internal space for other vehicle components. In particular, the combination of the decreased depth and the modified external angles of the recessed area work together to increase the total volume of the strengthening member, thereby increasing the space inside the strengthening member in which other vehicle components may be permanently, temporarily or periodically fitted, located, or otherwise disposed. Such vehicle components may include, for example, brake line(s), pipe(s), electric wire(s), cable(s), and/or seatbelt(s). Disposition of the vehicle components within the completely enclosed side walls of the strengthening member function as a shelter to protect the other vehicle components from being damaged, for example, during vehicle impact events.

[0053] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 600 having the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, respectively. The cross-section of the strengthening member 600 includes a central portion and four lobe portions. The central portion is defined by eight of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.602, S.sub.603, S.sub.609, S.sub.610, S.sub.616, S.sub.617, S.sub.623, and S.sub.624 define a central portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 600. Each lobe portion may be defined by five of the sides, for example, sides S.sub.604-S.sub.608 define a first lobe portion, sides S.sub.611-S.sub.615 define a second lobe portion, sides S.sub.618-S.sub.622 define a third lobe portion, and sides S.sub.601 and S.sub.625-S.sub.628 define a fourth lobe portion of the cross-section of strengthening member 600. Strengthening member 600 exemplifies that the cross-sectional length of each of the sides of a lobe portion may be the same, for example, sides S.sub.604-S.sub.608, which define a first lobe portion, have the same cross-sectional lengths. Moreover, strengthening member 600 exemplifies that the cross-sectional length of each of the sides of all of the lobe portions may be the same, for example, sides S.sub.604-S.sub.608, S.sub.611-S.sub.615, S.sub.618-S.sub.622, S.sub.601, and S.sub.625-S.sub.628 have the same cross-sectional lengths. Additionally, strengthening member 600 exemplifies that the cross-sectional length of each of the sides defining the central portions may be the same, for example, sides S.sub.602, S.sub.603, S.sub.609, S.sub.610, S.sub.616, S.sub.617, S.sub.623, and S.sub.624 have the same cross-sectional lengths.

[0054] Similar to the strengthening members 300 and 500, strengthening member 600 tapers along its longitudinal axis 650 from a first end 660 of the strengthening member to a second end 670 of the strengthening member 600. The strengthening member 600 tapers along its length at an angle .alpha., which can range from about 1.degree. to about 65.degree.. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B, each of eight of the internal angles are about 90.degree., each of the other eight internal angles are about 135.degree., eight of the external angles are about 136.degree. , and four of the other external angles are about 88.degree.. By virtue of this configuration of the angles, the central portion of each cross-section of the strengthening member 600 has an X-shape. Accordingly, sides S.sub.602, S.sub.610, S.sub.616, and S.sub.624 are parallel to each other, and sides S.sub.603, S.sub.609, S.sub.617, and S.sub.623 are parallel to each other. Further, sides S.sub.602 and S.sub.610 are coplanar, sides S.sub.616, and S.sub.624 are coplanar, sides S.sub.603 and S.sub.623 are coplanar, and sides S.sub.609, and S.sub.617 are coplanar. The thickness of each sidewall S.sub.601-S.sub.628 is also substantially the same to each other side wall S.sub.601-S.sub.628 and throughout the longitudinal length of each side wall S.sub.601-S.sub.628.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, strengthening member 600 differs from strengthening member 500 in that the cross-sectional length of side walls S.sub.601, S.sub.604, S.sub.608, S.sub.611, S.sub.615, S.sub.618, S.sub.622, and S.sub.625 of strengthening member 600 is larger relative to the cross-sectional length of side walls S.sub.501, S.sub.504, S.sub.508, S.sub.511, S.sub.515, S.sub.518, S.sub.522, and S.sub.525 of strengthening member 500. Additionally, external angles .theta..sub.e602, .theta..sub.e605, .theta..sub.e608, and .theta..sub.e611 of strengthening member 600 are smaller relative external angles .theta..sub.e502, .theta..sub.e505, .theta..sub.e508, and .theta..sub.e511 of strengthening member 500. In part, the sides S.sub.601, S.sub.604, S.sub.608, S.sub.611, S.sub.615, S.sub.618, S.sub.622, and S.sub.625, and external angles .theta..sub.e602, .theta..sub.e605, .theta..sub.e608, and .theta..sub.e611, define recessed areas 634, 635, 636 and 637, each of which extends along the length of the strengthening member 600 from first end 660 to second end 670 of the strengthening member. A side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions define each recess along a length of the strengthening member 600. These recessed areas 634-637 each have a depth .sigma..sub.634-.sigma..sub.637, which is increased (and may be considered relatively deep) in comparison to the recessed areas shown in the strengthening members illustrated in FIGS. 2A-5B. This type of parameter tuning, i.e., changing the cross-sectional lengths of the sides and the size of external angles to increase the depth of the recess areas 634-637, can further decrease the internal volume of the strengthening member 500, thereby providing more external space for other vehicle components. In particular, the combination of the increased depth and the modified external angles of the recessed area work together to decrease the total volume of the strengthening member, thereby increasing the space outside the strengthening member in which other vehicle components may be permanently, temporarily or periodically fitted, located, or otherwise disposed. Such vehicle components may include, for example, brake line(s), pipe(s), electric wire(s), cable(s), and/or seatbelt(s). The side walls defining the recessed area can function as a shelter to protect the other vehicle components from being damaged, for example, during vehicle impact events; however, the components remain accessible by virtue of their disposition outside the strengthening member, thereby improving the feasibility of repair and/or replacement of the components.

[0056] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 700 having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, respectively. Strengthening member 700 has twenty-eight corners C.sub.i701-C.sub.i716 and C.sub.e701-C.sub.e712, and twenty-eight side walls S.sub.701-S.sub.728. Sixteen of the corners are internal angle corners C.sub.i701-C.sub.i716 and twelve of the corners are external angle corners C.sub.e701-C.sub.e712. Strengthening member 700 also has a first transverse axis 730, a second transverse axis 740, and a longitudinal axis 750. Although shown with its longitudinal axis 750 positioned substantially vertically, when strengthening member 700 (as well as all of the other various embodiments in accordance with the present teachings) is installed within a vehicle, the longitudinal axis 750 of the strengthening member may be oriented substantially horizontally. In this position, first transverse axis 730 may be oriented substantially horizontally and second transverse axis 740 may be oriented substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 7A. When installed in such a position, the shape of strengthening member 700 facilitates reducing or preventing moisture collecting or pooling along portions of the walls of the strengthening member. For example, certain conventional strengthening members whose walls form adjacent external angles of 90 degrees or form rectangular, square, or U-shaped recesses or depressions may collect moisture or permit moisture to pool in the recesses, increasing the possibility of weakening of the strengthening member via rusting, stripping, cracking, etc. (i.e., any form of oxidation or other chemical or physical distortion which the material of manufacture of the strengthening member may be more susceptible to due to the presence of moisture).

[0057] In contrast, a strengthening member 700 does not include a recessed portion in which liquids or moisture remain for a long period of time. In particular, each of the internal angles .theta..sub.i701-.theta..sub.i716 and external angles .theta..sub.e701-.theta..sub.e712 have been selected such the walls of the strengthening member are angled relative to one another to promote shedding of any moisture or fluid that falls within any recessed portion of the strengthening member. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, strengthening member 700 includes a first recessed portion 734 defined by side walls S.sub.701, S.sub.702, S.sub.703, and S.sub.704. Internal angles .theta..sub.i701, .theta..sub.i702, .theta..sub.i715, .theta..sub.i716 are obtuse, and external angles .theta..sub.e701, .theta..sub.e702, and .theta..sub.e703 are obtuse. As a result, side walls S.sub.728 and S.sub.701-S.sub.705 are sloped/angled side walls in such a manner that fluid impinging or collecting on side walls S.sub.728 and S.sub.701-S.sub.705 will run off and toward an end of side wall S.sub.728 due in part or in whole to gravitational forces. Similarly, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, strengthening member 700 includes second recessed portion 735 defined by side walls S.sub.708-S.sub.711. Internal angles .theta..sub.i703, .theta..sub.i704, .theta..sub.i705and .theta..sub.i706 are obtuse, and external angles .theta..sub.e704, .theta..sub.e705, and .theta..sub.e706 are obtuse. As a result, side walls S.sub.707-S.sub.712 are sloped/angled side wall in such a manner that fluid impinging or collecting on side walls S.sub.707-S.sub.712 will run off and toward an end of side wall S.sub.712 due in part or in whole to gravitational forces. Also included are a third recessed portion 736 defined by side walls S.sub.715-S.sub.718; and a fourth recessed portion 737 defined by side walls S.sub.722-S.sub.725.

[0058] Recessed portions 734-737 are relatively shallow. Recessed areas having reduced depths, such as those of strengthening member 700, can be advantageous other when vehicle components, such as electric cables/wires, fuel lines/pipes, brake lines/wires, and seatbelts, need to be run through or installed inside the internal space of a strengthening member.

[0059] Top and perspective views of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member 800 having the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section, with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, are illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, respectively. Similar to strengthening member 700, each of the internal angles .theta..sub.i801-.theta..sub.i816 and each of the external angles .theta..sub.e801-.theta..sub.e8012 of strengthening member 800 are obtuse. The lengths of the sidewalls have been selected such that recessed areas 834-837 have a depth .sigma..sub.834-.sigma..sub.837, respectively, which is increased in comparison to the recessed areas shown in the strengthening members illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. Thus, strengthening member 800 provides an exemplary embodiment of a strengthening member in accordance with the present invention that can promote moisture shedding and also provide more space around the exterior of the strengthening member in which other vehicle components may be permanently, temporarily or periodically fitted, located, or otherwise disposed.

[0060] More generally, the various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings contemplate, for example, strengthening members with corners having different bend radii, with non-uniform cross sections, having non-symmetrical shapes, with sides having variable thicknesses, and/or having variable tapered sides. Various additional exemplary embodiments contemplate strengthening members that are bent and/or curved. Moreover, to further adjust a member's folding pattern and/or peak load capacity, various additional exemplary embodiments also contemplate strengthening members having trigger holes, flanges, and/or convolutions as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Combinations of one or more of the above described variations are also contemplated.

[0061] As discussed and embodied herein, the cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 and thicknesses T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides of the strengthening member are tunable parameters of the strengthening member. The cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 and thicknesses T.sub.1T.sub.28 of the sides may be tuned to provide desired characteristics in the strengthening member. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B, these parameters are tuned to provide a strengthening member 300 with side walls and corners that are tapered along the longitudinal length of the strengthening member 300.

[0062] As discussed and embodied herein, the aspect ratio of a cross section of the strengthening member is a tunable parameter in accordance with the present teachings. The aspect ratio of a cross section of a strengthening member may be tuned to provide desired characteristics in the strengthening member. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B, these parameters are tuned to provide a strengthening member 400 having two cross-sectional dimensions along perpendicularly oriented transverse axes that are substantially different in length the longitudinal length of the strengthening member 400.

[0063] As discussed and embodied herein, the cross sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of the sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28 of the cross section is a tunable parameter in accordance with the present teachings. The lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 of the sides S.sub.1-S.sub.28 of a strengthening member may be tuned to provide desired characteristics in the strengthening member. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B this parameter is tuned to provide a strengthening member 500 with recess areas 534-537 having particular depths .sigma..sub.534-.sigma..sub.537 that extend along the longitudinal length of the strengthening member 500.

[0064] As discussed and embodied herein, the sixteen internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 and twelve external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 are tunable parameters of the strengthening member. The internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 and external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 may be tuned to provide desired characteristics in the strengthening member. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B, these parameters are tuned to provide a strengthening member 600 with recessed areas 634-637 having a particular depths .sigma..sub.634-.sigma..sub.637 that extend along the longitudinal length of the strengthening member 600. Additionally, internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 and external angles .theta..sub.e1-.theta..sub.e12 may be tuned to promote moisture shedding, as demonstrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B.

[0065] As discussed and embodied herein, multiple tunable parameters-including but not limited to the cross-sectional lengths L.sub.1-L.sub.28 and thicknesses T.sub.1-T.sub.28 of the sides of the strengthening member, the aspect ratio of a cross-section of the strengthening member, the internal angles .theta..sub.i1-.theta..sub.i16 and external angles the corners .theta..sub.e12 of the corners, and depths of the recess areas-may all be tuned within the same strengthening member. These parameters all may be tuned with the same strengthening member to provide desired characteristics in the strengthening member.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2A-8B, the strengthening members may have a one-piece construction. As stated above, the one-piece constructions shown in FIGS. 2A through 8B are exemplary only and the present teachings contemplate strengthening members of other constructions such as two-piece construction or having three or more pieces.

[0067] To demonstrate the improved strength and performance features of a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section having sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present teachings, the inventors compared various existing and conventional strengthening member cross section designs to cross-sections based on the designs disclosed herein. Exemplary strengthening members were modeled and crash simulation runs were conducted, as shown and described below with reference to FIGS. 9-13.

[0068] Strengthening members of varying shapes (i.e., cross-sections) having the same mass, thickness, and longitudinal length were modeled as illustrated in FIG. 9. Crash simulations were then run for each member to simulate an impact with the same rigid mass (e.g., an impactor), impact speed, and initial kinetic energy.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows cross members which have undergone a simulated quasi-static crush. During each quasi-static crush the impact speed is slow (e.g., 1 in/min). An impactor compresses the members with a controlled displacement. Therefore, all members reach the same crush distance with the same crush time. Thus, subjecting multiple strengthening members to a quasi-static crush provides a comparison of the folding length and the crush stability of the strengthening members. As shown in FIG. 10, the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section in accordance with the present teachings demonstrated stable and progressive axial collapse, as well as the smallest folding length.

[0070] FIG. 11 shows strengthening members which have undergone a simulated dynamic crush. During each dynamic crush, the impactor is propelled by a gas gun with a designated mass and initial impact velocity which creates a designated initial kinetic energy. The initial kinetic energy crushes the members. Performance of each strengthening member can be compared by measuring the crush distance and specific energy absorption of each strengthening member. As shown in FIG. 11, the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section in accordance with the present teachings also demonstrated the shortest crush distance.

[0071] FIG. 12 illustrates the dynamic crush force (in kN) and associated axial crush distance (in mm) for the simulated dynamic crush, exerted axially on the exemplary strengthening members shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 12, the strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section could sustain a much higher crushing force for a given resulting crushing distance as compared with the square, hexagonal, circular, octagonal, and twelve-cornered cross-sections. Specifically, the twenty-eight-cornered cross-section in accordance with the present teachings achieved about a 97% increase in averaged crush force and/or crash energy absorption as compared with the octagon.

[0072] FIG. 13 illustrates the dynamic axial crush energy (in kN-mm) and associated axial crush distance (in mm) for a simulated dynamic crush exerted on the exemplary strengthening members shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 13, the strengthening member having a twenty-eight-cornered cross-section could absorb the same total kinetic energy of the impact over a much shorter distance as compared with the square, hexagonal, circular and octagonal cross sections. In particular, a twenty-eight-cornered cross section in accordance with the present teachings absorbed the full axial crush energy in about 51% of the axial crush distance as the basic octagonal cross section.

[0073] Twenty-eight-cornered cross-sections in accordance with the present teachings may, therefore, allow improved impact energy management over, for example, basic polygonal strengthening member cross sections, by minimizing mass per unit length, thereby providing mass saving solutions that reduce vehicle weight and meet new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and emission standards.

[0074] Beyond the increased load carrying and energy absorption efficiency, strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings may provide additional advantages or benefits such as improved moisture shedding abilities (as noted above), increased bending energy absorption capacity, improved manufacturing feasibility, and better fitting of the shape amongst the other components of the complete device (e.g., vehicle, as noted above).

[0075] In addition, a twenty-eight-cornered strengthening member in accordance with the present teachings also may be tuned to accommodate unique packaging requirements for use in various vehicles. By virtue of the particular shape of the cross section of at least some of the twenty-eight- cornered strengthening members, it may be easier to couple, bond, attach, or otherwise affix other device components to the strengthening member. Other device components can include, but are not limited to, engine mounts or transmission mounts.

[0076] Twenty-eight-cornered strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings are contemplated for use as structural members in a number of environments. For example, in a motor vehicle, a strengthening member as disclosed herein may be used, for example, as one or more of crush cans, front rails, mid-rails, rear rails, side rails, shotguns, cross members, roof structures, beltline tubes, door beams, pillars, internal reinforcements, and other components that can benefit from increased crash energy absorption or the other advantages described herein. In addition, the present teachings can be applied to both body-on-frame and unitized vehicles, or other types of structures.

[0077] For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, twenty-eight-cornered strengthening members with sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles in accordance with the present disclosure can be a part of or within a vehicle frame and/or a vehicle upper body. FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle frame 1400 with several components for which the strengthening can be used. For example, the strengthening members in accordance with the present disclosure may form or be used as a part of a front horn 1402, a front rail 1404, a front side rail 1406, a rear side rail 1408, a rear rail 1410, and/or as one or more cross members 1412. Likewise, FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle upper body 1500 with several components for which the strengthening can be used. For example, the strengthening members in accordance with the present disclosure may be formed or be used as a part of a shotgun 1502, a hinge-pillar 1504, an A-pillar 1506, a B-pillar 1508, a C-pillar 1510, one or more door beams 1512, a cross car beam 1514, a front header 1516, a rear header 1518, a cow top 1520, a roof rail 1522, a lateral roof bow 1524, longitudinal roof bow 1526, one or more body cross members 1528, and/or a body cross member 1530.

[0078] Moreover, the strengthening members in accordance with the present disclosure may be used as, or form a part of, a vehicle underbody component, for example, a rocker and/or one or more underbody cross members. Also, the strengthening members in accordance with the present disclosure may be used as or form a part of vehicle engine compartment components, for example, as one or more engine compartment cross members.

[0079] Depending on the application, embodiments of the present teachings will have varied shapes (i.e. various cross-sections) to accommodate specific member space constraints. When used as a vehicle front rail, for example, to achieve optimized axial crush performance, the lengths and thicknesses of the sides and/or angles of the corners can all be adjusted (tuned) to provide optimal strength, size and shape to meet engine compartment constraints.

[0080] Although various exemplary embodiments described herein have been described as configured to be used with automotive vehicles, it is envisioned that the various strengthening members in accordance with the present teachings may be configured for use with other types of vehicles (e.g. aircrafts, spacecrafts and watercrafts) and/or structures, for which it may be desirable to provide increased crash energy absorption. Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present teachings provide strengthening members for various applications. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the present teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description.

[0081] It is to be understood that the particular examples and embodiments set forth herein are non-limiting, and modifications to structure, dimensions, materials, and methodologies may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

[0082] In particular, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a strengthening member may include more than one longitudinal section or portion, with each section or portion having one or more of the variations taught in accordance with the present disclosure. Said variation(s) can be made continuously or intermittently along the length of each longitudinal section. In other words, strengthening members that embody combinations of one or more of the above variations to the disclosed tunable parameters, which have not been illustrated or explicitly described, are also contemplated.

[0083] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0084] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present teachings are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

[0085] It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[0086] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the devices and methods of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of its teachings. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the teachings disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and embodiment described herein be considered as exemplary only.

Claims

1. A strengthening member for a motor vehicle, comprising a cross section consisting essentially of twenty-eight corners including sides arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

2. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein each internal angle ranges between about 30 degrees and about 175 degrees.

3. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein each external angle ranges between about 45 degrees and about 175 degrees.

4. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein: eight of the sixteen internal angles are substantially equal to one another; and the other eight of the sixteen internal angles are substantially equal to one another.

5. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein: eight of the twelve external angles are substantially equal to one another; and the other four of the twelve external angles are substantially equal to one another.

6. A strengthening member for a motor vehicle, comprising a cross section including twenty-eight corners and including sides arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles, wherein eight of the internal angles are right angles.

7. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein the strengthening member further comprises at least one recessed portion extending along a length of the strengthening member.

8. The strengthening member of claim 7, wherein the at least one recessed portion is defined by two internal angles and three external angles of the strengthening member.

9. The strengthening member of claim 8, wherein the two of the internal angles defining the recessed portion are equal to one another.

10. The strengthening member of claim 9, wherein two of the three external angles defining the recessed portion are equal to one another.

11. The strengthening member of claim 9, wherein each of the two internal angles is obtuse and each of the three external angles is obtuse.

12. The strengthening member of claim 7, wherein the at least one recessed portion is defined by four sides of the strengthening member.

13. The strengthening member of claim 12, wherein the three sides of the strengthening member defining the at least one recessed portion have the same length.

14. The strengthening member of claim 12, wherein two of the three sides of the strengthening member defining the at least one recessed portion have the same length and the other of the three sides has a different length.

15. The strengthening member of claim 1, wherein the corners of the cross section have substantially the same thickness as the sides of the cross section.

16. The strengthening member of claim 7, further comprising four recessed areas, wherein each recessed area extends along a length of the strengthening member from a first end of the strengthening member to a second end of the strengthening member.

17. A strengthening member for a motor vehicle, comprising a cross section including twenty-eight corners and including twenty-eight sides arranged to create internal angles and external angles, wherein the corners of the cross section are defined by angles that alternate between four consecutive internal angles and three consecutive external angles.

18. The strengthening member of claim 17 further comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein the strengthening member tapers along the longitudinal axis.

19. The strengthening member of claim 17, wherein the cross section has more than two bisecting planes of symmetry.

20. The strengthening member of claim 19, wherein the cross section has four bisecting planes of symmetry.

21. The strengthening member of claim 17, wherein at least one internal angle of the cross section varies along at least a portion of a length of the strengthening member.

22. The strengthening member of claim 17, wherein a thickness of at least one side of the strengthening member varies along at least a portion of a length of the strengthening member.

23. A vehicle comprising: a strengthening member comprising a cross section consisting essentially of twenty-eight corners including sides arranged to create sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the strengthening member is, or is within, at least one vehicle structural member selected from the group consisting of: a crush can, a front horn, a front rail, a front side rail, a rear side rail, a rear rail, a frame cross member, a shotgun, a hinge-pillar, an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar, a door beam, a cross car beam, a front header, a rear header, a cow top, a roof rail, a lateral roof bow, longitudinal roof bow, a body cross member, a back panel cross member, a rocker, an underbody cross member, and an engine compartment cross member.

25. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein: the strengthening member further comprises at least one recessed portion extending along a length of the strengthening member; and a brake line, pipe, electric wire, cable, and/or seatbelt is disposed within the recessed portion.

26. A strengthening member for a motor vehicle, comprising: twenty-eight sides; and twenty-eight corners, wherein a cross section of the strengthening member includes a central portion and four lobe portions, and wherein the cross section has more than two bisecting planes of symmetry.

27. The strengthening member of claim 26, wherein a side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions define a recess that extends along a length of the strengthening member.

28. The strengthening member of claim 27, wherein the strengthening member includes four recesses extending along the length of the strengthening member, each recess defined by a side of the central portion and two of the lobe portions of the strengthening member.

29. The strengthening member of claim 26, wherein the twenty-eight corners comprise sixteen internal angles and twelve external angles.

30. The strengthening member of claim 28, wherein the cross section has four bisecting planes of symmetry.