U.S. patent application number 15/613654 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dura Operating, LLC. Invention is credited to Alex Mark Langreet, Suhant Prajwal Reddy Ranga.
Application Number | 20170355316 15/613654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59067504 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170355316 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ranga; Suhant Prajwal Reddy ;
et al. |
December 14, 2017 |
MOTOR VEHICLE HYBRID SHELF ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly includes a body formed of
a metallic sheet having multiple apertures created therein. At
least one reinforcement member of a polymeric material is
integrally connected to the body proximate to and surrounding at
least two of the multiple apertures. At least one connecting member
of the polymeric material is integrally connected to each of the at
least one reinforcement member, and extends away from the at least
two of the multiple apertures on the body. At least one joining
member of the polymeric material is integrally connected to the at
least one reinforcement member and integrally connected to the
body.
Inventors: |
Ranga; Suhant Prajwal Reddy;
(Northville, MI) ; Langreet; Alex Mark; (Mount
Clemens, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dura Operating, LLC |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59067504 |
Appl. No.: |
15/613654 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15178145 |
Jun 9, 2016 |
9701250 |
|
|
15613654 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 25/087 20130101;
B62D 25/08 20130101; B60R 5/044 20130101; B62D 29/004 20130101;
B60R 11/0223 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 5/04 20060101
B60R005/04; B60R 11/02 20060101 B60R011/02; B62D 25/08 20060101
B62D025/08 |
Claims
1. A motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly, comprising: a body formed
of a metallic sheet having an aperture created therein, the
aperture at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange; a
reinforcement member of a polymeric material integrally connected
to the peripheral flange; and at least one connecting member of the
polymeric material integrally connected to the reinforcement member
and extending away from the peripheral flange on the body.
2. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 1, further
including a second reinforcement member integrally connected to a
second peripheral flange positioned proximate to a second aperture,
wherein the at least one connecting member integrally connects the
reinforcement member to the second reinforcement member.
3. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
at least one connecting member, the reinforcement member and the
second reinforcement member are simultaneously co-molded in a
single injection molding shot of the polymeric material.
4. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
at least one connecting member defines multiple connecting
members.
5. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 4, further
including at least one joining member, wherein the multiple
connecting members are integrally connected by the at least one
joining member.
6. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member are
angularly oriented with respect to the at least one connecting
member.
7. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member are
oriented substantially perpendicular to the at least one connecting
member.
8. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 5, wherein the
at least one joining member is integrally connected to the body,
and is created during the same injection molding shot which forms
the multiple connecting members, the reinforcement member and the
second reinforcement member.
9. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the
peripheral flange defines an L-shape having a first leg integrally
connected to the body and oriented substantially parallel to the
body, and a second leg angularly oriented with respect to the first
leg.
10. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the
reinforcement member entirely covers the second leg.
11. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 10, wherein
the reinforcement member further covers a portion of the first
leg.
12. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the
reinforcement member spans externally facing angled surfaces of the
body.
13. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member each
define an X-shape.
14. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the
reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member directly
contact and extend away from a surface of the body and thereby
stiffen the body.
15. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the
body further includes side portions welded, riveted or fastened to
a motor vehicle.
16. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 15, wherein
the side portions define a metal material including one of aluminum
and steel and are fixed to the body.
17. A motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly, comprising: a body
formed of a metallic sheet having multiple apertures created
therein; at least one reinforcement member of a polymeric material
integrally connected to the body proximate to and surrounding at
least two of the multiple apertures; at least one connecting member
of the polymeric material integrally connected to the at least one
reinforcement member, and extending away from the at least two of
the multiple apertures on the body; and at least one joining member
of the polymeric material integrally connected to the at least one
reinforcement member and integrally connected to the body.
18. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 17, further
including multiple interlocks each defining an integral portion of
the at least one reinforcement member, each of the multiple
interlocks extending through one of multiple apertures created in
the body to mechanically connect the at least one reinforcement
member to the body.
19. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 17, further
including multiple ribs formed of the polymeric material of the at
least one reinforcement member, the multiple ribs directly
contacting and extending away from a surface of the body and
thereby to stiffen the body.
20. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 17, wherein
each of the multiple apertures is at least partially surrounded by
a peripheral flange, the at least one reinforcement member being
integrally connected to the peripheral flange.
21. The motor vehicle hybrid panel assembly of claim 17, wherein
the polymeric material is applied in a single shot using an
over-molding process.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/178,145 filed on Jun. 9, 2016, presently allowed. The
entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated hereby
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to a rear speaker mounting
shelf for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may or may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] In common motor vehicle rear speaker mounting shelf
structures, a single plate or multiple plates of steel material are
joined typically by welding or fastening to outer frame structure
of the vehicle, which are also commonly made of a steel material.
Steel material is used for known speaker mounting shelf structures
to provide structural strength to support features such as the
loads imparted from rear seat belt retractors, seat back latches,
deck lid hinges, speaker and woofer attachments and the like. Steel
material similar to the material of the vehicle frame also allows
welding of the shelf to vehicle frame connections.
[0005] While material coatings such as a polymeric coating applied
onto the steel structural members are known which are relied on to
reduce noise, polymeric material coatings applied to known speaker
mounting shelf structures are not relied on for structural strength
or stiffness. This field can therefore benefit from improved rear
speaker mounting shelf structure designs.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to several aspects, a motor vehicle hybrid shelf
assembly includes a body formed of a metallic sheet. A shelf of the
body defines a plane having at least one aperture created therein.
The at least one aperture is at least partially surrounded by a
peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending
away from the plane defined by the shelf. A reinforcement member of
a polymeric material is integrally connected to the peripheral
flange.
[0007] In one aspect, the peripheral flange defines an L-shape
having a first leg integrally connected to the body and oriented
substantially parallel to the body, and a second leg angularly
oriented with respect to the first leg.
[0008] In another aspect, the reinforcement member entirely covers
the second leg.
[0009] In another aspect, the reinforcement member further covers a
portion of the first leg.
[0010] In another aspect, the peripheral flange defines an S-shape
having a first leg integrally connected to the body and angularly
oriented with respect to the body, a second leg angularly oriented
with respect to the first leg, and a third leg angularly oriented
with respect to the second leg.
[0011] In another aspect, the reinforcement member entirely covers
the third leg.
[0012] In another aspect, the reinforcement member further covers a
portion of the second leg.
[0013] In another aspect, the reinforcement member covers an entire
perimeter of the peripheral flange.
[0014] In another aspect, the reinforcement member is connected to
the body by multiple integrally formed interlocks.
[0015] In another aspect, the body further includes opposed side
portions adapted to be welded, riveted or fastened to a structure
of the motor vehicle.
[0016] In another aspect, the body defines a metal material
including one of aluminum and steel; and the side portions define a
metal material including one of aluminum and steel and are fixed to
the body.
[0017] According to further aspects, the body further includes a
beam defining a reinforcing structure for the body.
[0018] In another aspect the beam is positioned proximate to a
vehicle front facing portion of the body.
[0019] In another aspect, the body includes multiple second
apertures each having a peripheral flange with a reinforcement
member of a polymeric material integrally connected to each
peripheral flange, and a rib connected to the body between the at
least one aperture and each of the second apertures.
[0020] According to further aspects, a motor vehicle hybrid shelf
assembly includes a body formed of a metallic sheet. A shelf of the
body defines a plane having multiple apertures created therein.
Each of the apertures is at least partially surrounded by a
peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending
away from the plane defined by the shelf. A first leg of the
peripheral flange of each of the apertures is integrally connected
to the shelf and is angularly oriented with respect to the shelf. A
second leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures is
angularly oriented with respect to the first leg. A reinforcement
member of a polymeric material is integrally connected to at least
the second leg of the peripheral flange of each of the
apertures.
[0021] In another aspect, the reinforcement member is also
integrally connected to the first leg of the peripheral flange of
each of the apertures.
[0022] In another aspect, multiple ribs are formed of the polymeric
material of the reinforcement member. The ribs directly contact and
extend away from a surface of the body and act to stiffen the body.
The ribs extend between successive ones of the peripheral flanges
and are integrally connected to the reinforcement member of the
successive ones of the peripheral flanges and define an integrally
extending member joined between multiple ones of the apertures.
[0023] In another aspect, opposed end portions of a ferrous
material different than a material of the body are fixed to the
body and are adapted to be welded to a structure of the motor
vehicle, wherein the metallic sheet of the body is an aluminum
material.
[0024] In another aspect, the polymeric material is adapted to be
applied in an over-molding process and defines a fiber reinforced
material.
[0025] According to further aspects, a motor vehicle hybrid shelf
assembly includes a body is formed of a metallic sheet having
multiple raised stiffening members. A shelf of the body defines a
plane having multiple apertures created therein. Each of the
apertures is at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange
created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane
defined by the shelf. A first leg of the peripheral flange of each
of the apertures is integrally connected to the shelf and is
angularly oriented with respect to the shelf. A second leg of the
peripheral flange of each of the apertures is angularly oriented
with respect to the first leg. A reinforcement member of a
polymeric material is integrally connected to at least the second
leg of each peripheral flange. Multiple ribs are formed of the
polymeric material. The ribs directly contact and extend away from
a surface of the body and act to stiffen the body. The ribs extend
between successive ones of the peripheral flanges and are
integrally connected to the reinforcement member of the successive
ones of the peripheral flanges and define an integrally extending
member joined between multiple ones of the apertures.
[0026] Further aspects, examples, and advantages will become
apparent by reference to the following description and appended
drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same
component, element or feature.
DRAWINGS
[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of a motor vehicle
hybrid shelf assembly having a of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a bottom right perspective view of the hybrid
shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view taken at
section 3 of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevational view taken at area 4
of FIG. 3; and
[0032] FIG. 5 is a bottom right perspective view of the first and
second side portions of the hybrid shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a front left perspective view of a motor vehicle
hybrid shelf assembly of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional end elevational view taken at
section 7 of FIG. 6; and
[0035] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the hybrid shelf
assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle hybrid shelf
assembly is generally indicated by reference number 10. According
to several aspects, the hybrid shelf assembly 10 is a structural
member of an exemplary motor vehicle frame 12 used in a motor
vehicle (not shown). The hybrid shelf assembly 10 is connected for
example by welding, fastening or riveting at a first end or side
portion 14 to a first member 16 of the frame 12 and at an opposed
second end or side portion 18 to a second member 20 of the frame
12. The hybrid shelf assembly 10 includes a main body 22 made of a
metal including aluminum or steel. The body 22 can be formed for
example by stamping and includes multiple integral reinforcing
structures such as a front flange 24, a rear flange 26, multiple
raised ribs 28, and the like. To facilitate fixing the first side
portion 14 and the second side portion 18 directly to the frame 12
which is commonly a ferrous metal material such as steel, the first
side portion 14 and the second side portion 18 can be fixed by
welding, fastening, or riveting. According to several aspects the
first side portion 14 and the second side portion 18 can also be
formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum.
[0038] The body 22 supports multiple components such as a first
speaker 30, a second speaker 32, a woofer 34, and may also support
other items (not shown) such as but not limited to seat belt
retraction systems, wiring harnesses, tubing, ventilation
components or ducting, and the like. One or more reel housings 36
can be fixed to the front flange 24, which are used to retract and
store seat belts such as a first rear seat belt 38, a second rear
seat belt 40, and a third rear seat belt 42. The front flange 24
and the body 22 are therefore designed to incorporate the stress
and loading induced by the various seat belts, as well as the
components supported by the body 22. The rear flange 26 can also be
connected to a rear cowling 46 at a junction with a rear window of
the vehicle (not shown). In addition of the use of a light weight
metal such as aluminum to minimize weight of the body 22, multiple
reinforcement members 48 of a polymeric material are integrally
connected to the body 22 at various locations, such as where
loading and vibration is induced by the weight of the speakers.
According to several aspects, a material of the reinforcement
members 48 is adapted to be applied in an over-molding process and
defines a glass fiber reinforced material.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2 and again to FIG. 1, the hybrid shelf
assembly 10 includes multiple apertures, with each aperture
positioned to locate one of the speakers (shown and described in
reference to FIG. 1). For example a first aperture 50 is for
locating the first speaker 30, a second aperture 52 for locating
the second speaker 32, and a third aperture 54 for locating the
woofer 34. Each of the first aperture 50, the second aperture 52
and the third aperture 54 can be reinforced by the addition of a
raised peripheral flange created in the body 22, such as a first
raised peripheral flange 56, which reinforces the first aperture
50. In addition, portions of the reinforcement members 48 are
located at the perimeter of multiple ones of the body apertures,
including a first reinforcement member 58 integrally connected to
the first raised peripheral flange 56, and a second reinforcement
member 60 integrally connected to a second raised peripheral flange
62 adjacent the second aperture 52. A third reinforcement member 64
is integrally connected to a peripheral flange adjacent to the
third aperture 54.
[0040] With continuing reference to FIG. 2 and again to FIG. 1, in
order to provide additional structural reinforcement for the body
22, the reinforcement members 48 can further include connecting
members 66, which for example integrally connect the first
reinforcement member 58 to the second reinforcement member 60. The
connecting members 66 also provide an added benefit of allowing the
first reinforcement member 58 and the second reinforcement member
60 to be simultaneously co-molded in a single injection molding
"shot" of polymeric material, which reduces molding injection time,
and reduces mold cost by reducing the quantity of molding gates
required. The connecting members 66 can themselves be integrally
connected using one or more joining members 68, which can be
oriented at any angle with respect to the connecting members 66,
but are preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the
connecting members 66. The joining members 68 are also integrally
connected to the body 22, and are created during the same injection
molding shot which forms the connecting members 66 and the
reinforcement members 48.
[0041] Additional polymeric material reinforcement can be provided
during the same molding shot to the front flange 24, using second
joining members 70, which can be integrally connected to one or
more of the connecting members 66. Additional apertures, such as
for example an aperture 72, can be reinforced with the same
polymeric material of the reinforcement members 48, but molded via
a separate injection molding gate and a separate molding shot, and
therefore providing a separate reinforcement member 74 about the
perimeter of the aperture 72. Where structural features such as a
beam 76 or a tube are incorporated into the body 22, separate
polymeric material reinforcement can also be provided, such as by a
reinforcement member 77. According to several aspects, the beam 76
is positioned proximate to a vehicle rear facing portion of the
body 22.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3 and again to FIGS. 1 through 2,
according to several aspects, the peripheral flange proximate one
or more of the apertures can define an L-shape. For example, the
peripheral flange 56 of the first aperture 50 defines an L-shape
having a first leg 78 integrally connected to the body 22 and
oriented substantially parallel to the body 22, and a second leg 80
angularly oriented with respect to the first leg 78. According to
several aspects, the reinforcement member 58 entirely covers the
second leg 80. According to further aspects, the reinforcement
member 58 further covers a portion of the first leg 78. According
to several aspects, any of the peripheral flanges can also define
an S-shape, such as the peripheral flange 62 of the second aperture
52, which is described in greater detail in reference to FIG.
4.
[0043] A first shelf S1 of the body 22 defines a first plane "A"
having the first aperture 50 created therein. A second shelf S2 of
the body 22 defines a second plane "B" having the second aperture
52 created therein. As previously noted, each of the first aperture
50 and the second aperture 52 is at least partially surrounded by
either the peripheral flange 56, or the peripheral flange 62
created from a portion of the shelf S1, S2 extending away from the
plane "A" or "B" defined by the shelf. It is noted the first shelf
S1 and the second shelf S2 are provided as exemplary aspects of the
body 22, and that any planar portion of the body 22 can include an
aperture, a channel, or another reinforcement feature having a
polymeric material reinforcement member created about a perimeter
of a peripheral flange of the aperture, or a reinforcement member
extending away from the planar portion.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4 and again to FIG. 3, according to
several aspects and as noted above, the peripheral flange 62
defines an S-shape. The peripheral flange 62 includes a first leg
82 integrally connected to the body 22 and angularly oriented with
respect to the body 22, a second leg 84 angularly oriented with
respect to the first leg 82, and a third leg 86 angularly oriented
with respect to the second leg 84. According to further aspects,
the reinforcement member 60 includes a first portion 88 entirely
covering the third leg 86. According to additional aspects, the
reinforcement member 60 further includes a second portion 90 that
covers a portion of the second leg 84. According to further
aspects, the reinforcement members 58, 60 can cover an entire
perimeter of the peripheral flanges 56, 62.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, and again to FIGS. 1 through 2, as
previously noted the body 22 is predominantly made of an aluminum
material and the opposed side portions 14, 18 are each formed of a
ferrous material and are adapted to be fixed to the body, for
example by fastening. Apertures 92 are provided for application of
fasteners (not shown) used to join the first and the second side
portions 14, 18 to the body 22. The first and the second side
portions 14, 18 are provided of a ferrous material to suit welding
of the first and the second side portions 14, 18 to the steel
material frame 12 of the vehicle, and to minimize the interaction
of dissimilar metals at these junctions. The first and the second
side portions 14, 18 can also include polymeric material
reinforcement members such as a plurality of reinforcement members
94, as well as the reinforcement member 74 provided about the
perimeter of the aperture 72 previously described in reference to
FIG. 2.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 6 and again to FIGS. 1 through 5,
reinforcements members such as a reinforcement member 96 can be
used to span externally facing angled surfaces such as a
substantially planar surface 98 and a surface 100 which is oriented
substantially perpendicular to surface 98. To assist in retaining
the reinforcement members in integral contact with the body 22,
each of the reinforcement members of the present disclosure can
further include one or more interlocks 102, shown and described in
greater detail in reference to FIG. 7. Reinforcement members such
as a reinforcement member 104 can also be used to span internally
facing angled surfaces such as a substantially planar surface 106
and a surface 108 which is oriented substantially perpendicular to
surface 106. Additional reinforcement members such as a
reinforcement member 110 can be used to integrally connect
proximate reinforcement members, such as to connect the first
reinforcement member 58 integrally connected to the first raised
peripheral flange 56 to a reinforcement member 112 created at a
raised perimeter of an aperture 114. Each reinforcement member
directly contacts and extends away from a surface of the body 22
and stiffens the body 22.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7 and again to FIG. 6, multiple interlocks
such as the representative interlock 102 shown are integral
portions of the multiple reinforcement members such as the
reinforcement member 96 shown. Each interlock extends through an
aperture 114 created in the body 22 or through a similar aperture
create in one of the first or the second side portions 14, 18. Each
of the interlocks can end flush with an opposite surface 116 of the
panel they extend through, such as the body 22, or can have a
bulbous-shaped button 118, which overlaps the surface 116 of the
panel to thereby create a positive lock to prevent pullout of the
interlock. A height "H" of any reinforcement member, such as the
reinforcement member 96, can vary as necessary to provide
additional localized stiffness to the body 22, or as necessary to
span between adjacent reinforcement members.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 8 and again to FIG. 1, one or more
reinforcement channels such as a U-shaped channel 120 can be
created in the body 22, for example between the front flange 24 and
a proximate flange 122. Additional polymeric material reinforcement
members which define an X-shape, such as X-shaped reinforcement
members 124, 126 can be injection molded and are integrally
connected to each of the front flange 24 and the flange 122.
Additional X-shaped reinforcement members, such as reinforcement
members 128 can be either smaller or larger than the X-shaped
reinforcement members 124, 126 to suit the stiffness requirements
of body 22, particularly at areas such as the loading positions of
the seat belt reel housings 36 (shown in FIG. 1).
[0049] According to several aspects, a motor vehicle hybrid shelf
assembly 10 includes a body 22 formed of a metallic sheet. A shelf
S1 of the body 22 defines a plane "A" having at least one aperture
50 created therein. The at least one aperture 50 is at least
partially surrounded by a peripheral flange 56 created from a
portion of the shelf extending away from the plane "A" defined by
the shelf. A reinforcement member 58 of a polymeric material is
integrally connected to the peripheral flange 56.
[0050] It is noted that items identified herein as being a stamping
of a metal material can also be provided as cast, forged, or
extruded structures. A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly 10 of
the present disclosure offers several advantages, including the
ability to tailor a structural performance of different model
vehicle shelf assemblies for different structural loading
requirements, different NVH (i.e., noise, vibration, harshness)
requirements, and for different vehicle options that may impact the
shelf assemblies. The use of the polymeric material reinforcement
members as well as the use of aluminum material for substantial
portions of the body provide for weight savings compared to an
entirely steel shelf assembly.
[0051] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the
invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *