Patent ID: 6688676
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A vehicle having a cabin and including a centerline extending in forward and rearward directions and a transverse line intersecting the centerline, comprising:a cross member extending in a first direction parallel to the transverse line; a floor connected to the cross member to partially define the cabin and extending in a second direction parallel to the centerline and having first and second side sills spaced from each other in the first direction and extending in the second direction, the first and second side sills having forward ends contacting the cross member; and a load-transmitting structure disposed between the cross member and the floor to apply an impact load from the cross member to the floor outward and away from the cabin, the load-transmitting structure including a first reinforcement member, the first reinforcement member including a first portion joined to the cross member at first height level and also including a second portion joined to an accelerator portion of the floor at a second height level, the accelerator portion of the floor being located inwardly in the second direction from an interface between the floor and the cross member, the first reinforcement member including a third portion extending over the interface and interconnecting the first and second portions, the first reinforcement member, the cross member and the floor being interconnected to form a rigid structure defining a space therein, the first height level being different from and higher than the second height level so as to cause the first reinforcement member to rotate upon deformation of the cross member toward the cabin, allowing application of a portion of the impact load to the accelerator portion of the floor at substantially right angles thereof, the accelerator portion being constructed and arranged as to initiate deformation of the floor upon application of a portion of the impact load to the accelerator portion of the floor to facilitate rotation of the rigid structure together with the first reinforcement member, wherein the floor has an upper layer and a lower layer disposed below the upper layer and substantially parallel to the upper layer, and a plurality of ribs connecting the upper and lower layers to define a plurality of channels, and said plurality of ribs extend in the second direction to the centerline.