Vehicle frame with reinforcement

Abstract: Reinforcement (30) for reinforcing a vehicle frame structure (10), having a triangular shape in cross section, including one section (20) in parallel to a side frame member (11), and the other section (21) being attached to a lower section of the side frame member (11). The present invention prevents interference with pipes passing in a lateral direction of the vehicle frame (10) and the exhaust system components. Further, the reinforcement (30) of the invention has a large section modulus, thereby effectively reinforcing the vehicle frame (10).

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle frame structure having a reinforcement for minimizing interference with other components to be installed around the frames and for reinforcing the weakened portions on a side frame member in a motor vehicle frame structure. A vehicle frame structure according to the preamble of claim 1 is generally known. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, the motor vehicles are provided with a pair of lateral side frame members which extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle. Each of the two side frame members is connected by at least one cross frame member. Reinforcement and bumper or the like is engaged by securing elements such as rivets, bolts or welding to the side frame member. The frame structure is referred to H-shaped frame because of the outline of the frame members. The side frame member functions to support load, and absorb, deliver rearward and disperse impact load when a sudden impact force is imposed on the vehicle from a collision. The cross section of side frame member is in a rectangular shape. A kick-up frame is bent so as to lower the underside panel of the vehicle, i.e., passenger cars and buses. FIG. 1 is a side view of the general frame structure of the vehicle. A typical frame structure 10 for the vehicle is provided with a pair of side frame members 11 in a lateral direction and at least one cross frame member 12 for connecting the side frame member 11 at a predetermined position thereof. At one end of the side frame member 11, a kick-up frame 13 which is bent to lower the underside panel of the vehicle is connected in itself. In this frame structure, when a collision of the vehicle occurs, an abrupt impact load is delivered on the side frame member 11 from a bumper (not shown) and absorbed by deformation of the side frame member 11. However, at the time of collision, the impact load is concentrated on the kick-up frame 13 and serious deformation of the kick-up frame 13 results in a severe injury of a driver and/or passengers by the impact. Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. (Pyung) 8-58616 discloses a bumper stay for reinforcing the side frame member, as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the bumper stay C in a stair-shape in cross section, is formed as a reinforcing means for reinforcing an interconnection of the side frame member A with the cross frame member B which is transversely disposed on the side frame member A. The bumper stay C is secured to the side frame member A and the cross member B via bolts, respectively. Although the conventional side frame member A of the vehicle includes the reinforcement installed to the side frame member A for reinforcing the side frame member A itself or the bumper stay C secured at the interconnection of the side frame member A with the cross frame member B, section modulus or reinforcing effect is not improved. As a result, the conventional frame members have a disadvantage that the impact is concentrated on the kick-up frame 13, thereby causing a driver and/or passengers to be exposed to a severe injury by the impact. US-A-5 713 625 discloses a body structure of a motorcar comprising a front side-frame, a floor frame, a connecting means for connecting said front-side frame to said floor frame in order to transmit a force applied to said front side-frame to said floor frame which in turn applies a reaction force to said connecting means tending to buckle said connecting means, and a gusset means for reinforcing said connecting means from buckling. EP-A-0 421 277 discloses a front body structure of vehicle, comprising a pair of generally box-channel shaped kick-down front side frames extending in lengthwise direction of the vehicle and including a straight front frame portion and a kick-down frame portion, and a reinforcement placed within and extending across, in said lengthwise direction, said straight front frame portion and said kick-down frame portion. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle frame structure having a reinforcement, which prevents a passenger compartment of the vehicle from deforming or buckling, so that a driver and/or passengers may secure a security space despite collision. It is the other object of the present invention to provide a vehicle frame structure having a reinforcement for absorbing impact applied thereto, which increases section modulus thereof to effectively reinforce the side frame member and eliminates interference in the assembly process of a fuel pipe and an exhaust pipe or the like. This is achieved by a vehicle frame structure having the features in claim 1. An advantageous further embodiment is described in the dependent claims. The reinforcement 30 does not interfere with any pipes or components in the exhaust system. Additionally, the reinforcement 30 prevents the passenger compartment of the vehicle from deforming or buckling, so that a driver and/or passengers may secure a security space despite collision, thereby improving security and reliability of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and features of the present invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional, general frame structure of the vehicle; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the frame structure to which reinforcements are installed according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the frame structure to which reinforcements are installed according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bumper stay according to the conventional frame structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a general frame structure. The frame structure comprises a pair of side frame members 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each of which is connected by at least one cross member 12 at a predetermined position thereof, a kick-up frame 13 integrally formed of bent portion with the side frame member 11, and a reinforcement 30 installed at the interconnection of the side frame member 11 with the kick-up frame 13. Referring to FIG. 2, the reinforcement 30, hollow and triangular in cross section, includes a flat top section 20 in parallel to a top section of the side frame member 11 and a slope section 21 which is inclined downwardly and formed integrally therewith. The end of the flat top section 20 and the end of the slope section 21 have flanges 22, 23 thereof, respectively, so that the top section 20 and the slope section 21 may be fixed and welded to be in contact with upper and lower portions of the side frame member 11. Accordingly, the reinforcement 30 is installed in the kick-up frame 13 of the side frame member 11, as shown in FIG. 2. For the side frame member 11, an unimpaired square pipe may be utilized or two channel members in the shape of a bracket extending both ends, i.e., "[" in opposite for engagement in the lateral direction are utilized as in FIG. 2. When the reinforcement 30 is installed at the interconnection of the side frame member 11 with the kick-up frame 13, the pipes 31 e.g., a fuel pipe and a brake pipe are preferably positioned above the reinforcement 30. Then, the exhaust system components 40 are positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the slope section 21 of the reinforcement 30, since the exhaust system components 40 are maintained at a high temperature by heat from the exhaust gas of the engine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the frame structure to which reinforcements are installed according to the present invention. As shown is in FIG. 3, the vehicle frame structure 10 comprises a pair of lateral side frame members 11 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the two side frame members 11 is connected by at least one cross member 12 at a predetermined position. The kick-up frame 13 is bent to lower the underside panel of the vehicle, which is connected in integral with the side frame member 11. According to the present invention, the reinforcement 30 is installed along the kick-up frame 13 and the interconnection of the side frame member 11 therewith for reinforcing the weakened portion of the side frame member 11 in the event of a collision. Accordingly, the reinforcement 30 having a large section modulus thereof effectively reinforces the vehicle frame 10, thereby preventing the deformation of the passenger compartment of the vehicle despite collision and accommodating a driver and/or passengers to secure a security space. Additionally, the present invention avoids interference with the exhaust system components 40 and the pipes 31 passing in the lateral direction of the vehicle, so that the vehicle pipes 31 such as a fuel pipe or a brake pipe block the heat emitted from the exhaust system components 40, to guarantee piping security. The present invention improves security and reliability of the vehicle. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it should be clear to those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims: Vehicle frame structure (10) including: a pair of lateral side frame members (11) extending in longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each of the side frame members (11) having a kick-up frame (13) inwardly bent at the end thereof, at least one cross frame member (12) extending cross to the lateral side frame members (11) and connecting the side frame members (11) at a predetermined position thereof, characterised by a respective reinforcement (30) which is installed at the interconnection of the respective side frame member (11) with the corresponding kick-up frame (13) of the side frame member (11), wherein said reinforcement (30) has a flat top section (20) in parallel to a top section of the side frame member (11) and a slope section (21) which is inclined downwardly having a hollow, triangular shape. Reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein said top section (20) and said slope section (21) include flanges (22, 23) integrally curved at the end thereof so that top section (20) and the slope section (21) may be fixed and welded to be in contact with upper and lower portions of the side frame member (11).

Inventors: LEE SEONG HACK, LEE, SEONG HACK
Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORP, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B62D21
IPC codes: B62D21, B62D25