초록 ▼

An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a p

An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a p

An structural reinforcement system for use with hydroforms and other closed forms having a plurality of members designed to be secured to a closed form, such as an hydroform tube used in automotive applications. A bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of members. Once the system is attached to the closed form, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the hydroform tube and the members. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle. rt of the body opposite to the first end part when the division panel is set at a closing position, and the panel-protecting device includes a reinforcing member included in the division panel near the second end part thereof; and wherein the division panel includes a frame, a pipe laterally extended on the frame, and a bracket extending upward from the frame beyond the pipe; and the reinforcing member is disposed between the pipe and the bracket. 10. An automotive body structure comprising: a body having a front body section defining a passenger compartment and a rear body section defining a cargo bed; a division panel dividing the passenger compartment and the cargo bed from each other and having a first end part supported on the body so as to be turnable on the first end part supported on the body; a panel-protecting device for protecting the division panel from a damage; and wherein the first end part of the division panel is provided with a pivotal shaft having opposite ends supported by first and second hinges on the body. 11. The automotive body structure according to claim 10, wherein the panel-protecting device has support means placed on the body to support the pivotal shaft when the pivotal shaft is bent toward the passenger compartment. 12. The automotive body structure according to claim 11, wherein the support means has a belt having one end fixed to the body and the other end fixed to the division panel and extending in front of the pivotal shaft. 13. The automotive body structure according to claim 12, wherein the opposite ends of the belt are fastened to the body and the division panel with bolts, respectively, and each of the opposite ends of the belt is provided with a plurality of bolt holes. 14. The automotive body structure according to claim 11, wherein the support means includes a bracket fixed to the body and surrounding the pivotal shaft and a bushing interposed between the bracket and the pivotal shaft. 15. The automotive body structure according to claim 1 wherein said first end part is turnable relative to a pivot axis extending in a direction common to a lateral direction of elongation in said ridge. 16. The automotive body structure according to claim 15 wherein said first end part is a laterally extending lower end part of said division panel. 17. The automotive body structure according to claim 16 further comprising a latch supported by said body and wherein said division panel includes a second end part which is an upper end part of said division panel positioned opposite to the first, lower end part, and said upper end part is fixedly held by said latch when the division panel is in a closed position. 18. The automotive body structure according to claim 1 wherein said ridge extends laterally from an interior surface portion of a first side wall of said cargo bed to an interior surface portion of a second side wall of said cargo bed. 19. The automotive body structure according to claim 18 wherein the interior surface portion of said first side wall forms part of a tire house formed in said first side wall and the interior surface portion of said second side wall forms part of a second tire house, which second tire house is formed in said second side wall.