PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9988094-B1
Application Number: US-201615369107-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Internally stiffened body structure

Abstract:
A vehicle body structure, includes a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment. The structural pillar has an elongate aluminum extrusion that has a peripheral wall that defines a closed cross-sectional shape. The peripheral wall has at least a first portion that is oriented toward the passenger compartment, and a stiffening structure that is connected to the first portion of the elongate aluminum extrusion.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle body structure, comprising:
 a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment, the structural pillar has an elongate aluminum extrusion that has a peripheral wall, a first stiffening rib, and a second stiffening rib, wherein: 
 the peripheral wall defines a generally triangular closed cross-sectional shape and one or more hollow spaces within the elongate aluminum extrusion, 
 the peripheral wall has an outer wall portion facing away from the passenger compartment, a first inner wall portion facing toward the passenger compartment, and a second inner wall portion facing toward the passenger compartment, 
 the first stiffening rib is formed on a first internal surface of the first inner wall portion, extends inward from the first inner wall portion into the one or more hollow spaces, and terminates at a first elongate free end, and 
 the second stiffening rib is formed on a second internal surface of the second inner wall portion and extends inward from the second inner wall portion into the one or more hollow spaces, and terminates at a second elongate free end. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle body structure of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral wall extends from a first end of the elongate aluminum extrusion to a second end of the elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle body structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structural pillar includes an exterior portion that covers at least part of the elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle body structure of  claim 3 , wherein the exterior portion surrounds the elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle body structure of  claim 3 , wherein the exterior portion is formed from metal. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle body structure of  claim 3 , wherein the exterior portion encloses the elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle body structure of  claim 3 , wherein the elongate aluminum extrusion is disposed inside the exterior portion. 
     
     
       8. A structural pillar for a vehicle body structure, comprising:
 an internal structural member that is elongate and has a cross-sectional shape along its length from a first end to a second end, wherein the cross-sectional shape defines a hollow interior and a stiffening structure; and 
 an exterior portion that that surrounds and encloses the internal structural member, such that the internal structural member is disposed inside the exterior portion, 
 wherein the internal structural member includes a peripheral wall that surrounds the hollow interior of the internal structural member and extends from the first end of the internal structural member to the second end of the internal structural member, 
 wherein the stiffening structure includes a rib that is formed on an internal surface of the peripheral wall and extends inward from the peripheral wall into the hollow interior of the internal structural member, and 
 wherein the rib includes an elongate free end that is adjacent to the hollow interior of the internal structural member. 
 
     
     
       9. The structure pillar of  claim 8 , wherein the internal structural member is a one-piece structure. 
     
     
       10. The structural pillar of  claim 8 , wherein the internal structural member is an aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       11. The structural pillar of  claim 8 , wherein the stiffening structure includes one or more shear webs. 
     
     
       12. The structural pillar of  claim 11 , wherein the internal structural member includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, and the one or more shear webs each extend from the first wall portion to the second wall portion. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle body structure, comprising:
 a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment and includes a first internal structural member and a first exterior portion, wherein the first internal structural member has a cross-sectional shape along its length from a first end to a second end, the cross-sectional shape defines a hollow interior and a stiffening structure, and the first exterior portion covers at least part of the first internal structural member; 
 a header that is located adjacent to the passenger compartment and includes a second internal structural member and a second exterior portion; 
 a cant rail that is located adjacent to the passenger compartment and includes a third internal structural member and a third exterior portion; and 
 a joint having a t-shaped configuration including a first leg that is connected to the first internal structural member of the structural pillar, a second leg that is connected to the second internal structural member of the header, and a third leg that is connected to the third internal structural member of the cant rail. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle body structure of  claim 13 , wherein the first internal structural member is a first elongate aluminum extrusion, the second internal structural member is a first elongate aluminum extrusion, and the third internal structural member is a first elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle body structure of  claim 13 , wherein the joint is a cast structure. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle body structure of  claim 13 , wherein the joint is a molded structure. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle body structure of  claim 13 , wherein the joint is a machined structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/264,017, filed on Dec. 7, 2015, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle body structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical vehicle body structures include structural pillars support portions of the vehicle such as the roof. As an example, most vehicles include structural pillars referred to as “A-pillars,” which are positioned adjacent to a windshield and forward of a front door of the vehicle, as well as “B-pillars” that are positioned rearward of the front door of the vehicle. The A-pillars and B-pillars of vehicles function to support the roof of the vehicle and to define an opening into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. 
     The size of each structural pillar is selected such that the structural pillar satisfies certain strength requirements. For example, structural pillars are usually designed to provide a certain degree of resistance to deformation during a crash. Typical solutions for increasing the strength of structural pillars include increasing the amount of material used to make the pillar such as by enlarging the cross-sectional size of the pillar or by increasing the thickness of the walls of the pillar, or using a high strength material. Typical materials are high strength steels such as boron steel. These approaches increase the weight of the vehicle and/or compromise sight lines out of the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle body structure, that includes a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment. The structural pillar has an elongate aluminum extrusion that has a peripheral wall that defines a closed cross-sectional shape. The peripheral wall has at least a first portion that is oriented toward the passenger compartment, and a stiffening structure that is connected to the first portion of the elongate aluminum extrusion. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a structural pillar for a vehicle body structure that includes an internal structural member that is elongate and has a cross-sectional shape along its length from a first end to a second end. The cross-sectional shape defines a hollow interior and a stiffening structure. An exterior portion covers at least part of the internal structural member. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle body structure that includes a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment and includes a first internal structural member and a first exterior portion. The first internal structural member has a cross-sectional shape along its length from a first end to a second end. The cross-sectional shape defines a hollow interior and a stiffening structure. The first exterior portion covers at least part of the internal structural member. The vehicle body structure also includes a header that is located adjacent to the passenger compartment and includes a second internal structural member and a second exterior portion. The vehicle body structure also includes a cant rail that is located adjacent to the passenger compartment and includes a third internal structural member and a third exterior portion. The vehicle body structure also includes a joint that is connected to the structural pillar, the header, and the cant rail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration showing a portion of a vehicle body. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section illustration showing a front header of the vehicle body. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section illustration showing a left-side cant rail of the vehicle body. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section illustration showing a left-side a-pillar of the vehicle body. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustration showing a subassembly that includes a joint. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member according to a first example. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member according to a second example. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member according to a third example. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member according to a fourth example. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member according to a fifth example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to body structures for vehicles. Typical solutions for increasing the strength of vehicle body structures such as structural pillars include increasing the amount of material used to make the pillar, such as by enlarging the cross-sectional size of the pillar or by increasing the thickness of the walls of the pillar. During an impact, many of these designs fail by buckling instead of by yielding. Failure by buckling is a localized failure that indicates an inefficient design, because the full ability of the material to resist the impact has not been utilized. The vehicle body structures described herein are configured to avoid failure by buckling for common impact types by incorporation of internal stiffening structures. For example, the vehicle body structures described herein can incorporate one or more structural beams or structural pillars that incorporate an internal stiffening structure. 
       FIG. 1  shows a portion of a vehicle body  100  that includes a roof panel  102  that is supported by a plurality of structural pillars or beams. In the illustrated example the roof panel  102  is bordered by a front header  104  positioned at a front end of the roof panel  102 , a rear header  106  positioned at a rear end of the roof panel  102 , a left-side cant rail  108  positioned at a left side of the roof panel  102 , and a right-side cant rail  110  positioned at a right side of the roof panel  102 . 
     The vehicle body  100  may include a left-side a-pillar  112 , a right-side a-pillar  114 , a left-side b-pillar  116 , a right side b-pillar (not shown), a left-side c-pillar  118 , and a right side c-pillar (not shown). The left-side a-pillar  112  can be connected to the front header  104  and to the left-side cant rail  108 . The right-side a-pillar  114  can be connected to the front header  104  and to the right-side cant rail  110 . The left-side b-pillar  116  can be connected to the left-side cant rail  108 , and the right-side b-pillar can be connected to the right-side cant rail  110 . The left-side c-pillar  118  can be connected to the rear header  106  and to the left-side cant rail  108 . The right-side c-pillar can be connected to the rear header  106  and to the right-side cant rail  110 . Each of the front header  104 , the rear header  106 , the left-side cant rail  108 , the right-side cant rail  110 , the left-side a-pillar  112 , the right-side a-pillar  114 , the left-side b-pillar  116 , the right side b-pillar, the left-side c-pillar  118 , and the right side c-pillar can each border one or more window or door openings that are defined by the vehicle body  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the front header  104  includes an exterior portion  220  and an internal structural member  226 . The exterior portion  220  can be fabricated from sheet metal or other suitable vehicle body materials. In some implementations, the exterior portion  220  is a structural portion of the vehicle body  100 . In other implementations, the exterior portion  220  is a non-structural cladding for the internal structural member  226 . In other implementations, the exterior portion  220  is omitted. Some parts of the exterior portion  220  may be visible when the vehicle is fully assembled, such an upper surface  222  of the exterior portion  220 , which faces the outside of the vehicle body  100 , defines part of the vehicle body  100 , and may be part of a continuous surface that also defines the roof panel  102 . Other parts of the exterior portion  220  may be concealed by interior trim panels (not shown), such as a lower surface  224  that faces the interior of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the exterior portion  220  forms a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that surrounds and substantially encloses the internal structural member  226 . 
     The internal structural member  226  is disposed inside the exterior portion  220  of the front header  104 . In the illustrated implementation, the exterior portion  220  completely covers and conceals the internal structural member  226  such that the internal structural member  226  is not a visible portion of the vehicle body  100 . In one alternative implementation, at least a portion of the internal structural member  226  is exposed, and the exterior portion  220  serves as a cover, made of metal or other suitable material, that covers at least a portion of the internal structural member  226 . In another alternative implementation, the exterior portion is omitted and the external surfaces of the internal structural member  226  are exposed. In such an implementation the structural members described herein are not internal in nature, but all disclosure herein relating to internal structural members remains applicable. 
     The internal structural member  226  is a structural portion of the vehicle body  100  and contributes to the ability of the vehicle body  100  to absorb energy during an impact through controlled deformation while limiting intrusion of body structures into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The internal structural member  226  can be an elongate beam having a consistent cross-section along its length from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The internal structural member  226  may be straight, or may be curved to follow a curved contour of the front header  104  and the exterior portion  220 . 
     The internal structural member  226  has a peripheral wall that defines a closed cross-sectional shape and surrounds a hollow interior of the internal structural member  226 . As in the illustrated example, the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral wall can be generally rectangular. The peripheral wall is defined in part by an upper wall  228  and a lower wall  230 . The upper wall  228  is adjacent to the exterior of the vehicle body  100  and its outer surface is oriented toward the exterior of the vehicle body  100 . The lower wall  230  is adjacent to part of the interior of the vehicle body  100 , such as the passenger compartment, and its outer surface is oriented toward the interior of the vehicle body  100 . 
     The internal structural member  226  includes a stiffening structure. The stiffening structure can be a geometric feature of the internal structural member  226  that is configured to improve structural performance of the internal structural member  226  during an impact. The stiffening structure can be connected to a portion of the internal structural member  226 , such as by forming the stiffening structure as an integral part of the internal structural member  226 . 
     As in the illustrated example, the stiffening structure may be a shear web  232 . The shear web  232  is an internal wall of the internal structural member  226  that is formed entirely within the boundary of the peripheral wall and does not modify the general shape of the peripheral wall. The shear web  232  extends from the upper wall  228  to the lower wall  230 , and subdivides the interior of the internal structural member  226  into a first hollow space  234  positioned on a first side of the shear web  232  and a second hollow space  236  positioned on second side of the shear web  232  opposite the first side. The shear web  232  transfers load between upper wall  228  and the lower wall  230 . This provides a more consistent stress distribution during an impact when one of the upper wall  228  and the lower wall  230  is subjected to tensile loading while the other of the upper wall  228  and the lower wall  230  is subjected to compressive loading. The shear web  232  can also enhance resistance to localized buckling. 
     The shear web  232  can extend at a generally transverse angle relative to the portions of the peripheral wall of the internal structural member that it is connected to. As in the illustrated example, the shear web  232  may extend generally perpendicular to one or more portions of the peripheral wall of the internal structural member  226 , such as the upper wall  228  and the lower wall  230 . Although the internal structural member  226  includes a single shear web in the illustrated example, more than one shear web can be included. 
     The internal structural member  226  can be a one-piece structure. Forming the internal structural member  226  as a one-piece structure allows for high strength. Suitable techniques for forming the internal structural member  226  as a one-piece structure include extrusion, molding, and casting. 
     The internal structural member  226  can be an aluminum extrusion, which is an example of forming the internal structural member  226  as a one-piece structure. Forming the internal structural member  226  as an aluminum extrusion allows for high strength while reducing weight and footprint relative to other material choices and structural configurations. Portions of the internal structural member  226  can be formed as an integral structure when the internal structural member is formed as an aluminum extrusion. In the illustrated example, the internal structural member  226  is an aluminum extrusion that includes the upper wall  228 , the lower wall  230 , and the shear web  232  as integrally formed portions. When formed as an aluminum extrusion, the various features and portions of the internal structural member  226 , such as the peripheral wall and the shear web  232 , can extend continuously from one longitudinal end of the aluminum extrusion to the opposite longitudinal end of the aluminum extrusion. 
     The rear header  106  of the vehicle body  100  can have a structural configuration that is similar to that of the front header  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the left-side cant rail  108  includes an exterior portion  320  and an internal structural member  326 . The left-side cant rail  108  is similar to the front header  104  except as otherwise described. 
     The exterior portion  320  of the left-side cant rail  108  includes an upper surface  322  that is part of the exterior of the vehicle body  100  and can be part of the roof panel  102 . The exterior portion  320  also includes a lower surface  324  that is oriented toward the interior of the vehicle body  100 , such as by facing the passenger compartment. 
     The internal structural member  326  of the left-side cant rail  108  is similar to the internal structural member  226  of the front header  104 . The internal structural member  326  includes a peripheral wall that surrounds a hollow interior of the structural member  226  and is defined in part by an upper wall  328 , a lower wall  330 , and a shear web  332  that extends between and is connected to each of the upper wall  328  and the lower wall  330 . The shear web  332  divides the interior of the internal structural member  326  into a first hollow space  334  and a second hollow space  336 . The internal structural member  326  can be formed as a one-piece structure and may be, for example, an aluminum extrusion. 
     The right-side cant rail  110  of the vehicle body  100  can have a structural configuration that is similar to that of the left-side cant rail  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the left-side a-pillar  112  includes an exterior portion  420  and an internal structural member  426 . The left side a-pillar  112  is similar to the front header  104  except as otherwise described. 
     The exterior portion  420  of the left-side a-pillar  112  includes an outer surface  422  that is part of the exterior of the vehicle body  100 . The exterior portion  420  also includes a first inner surface  423  and a second inner surface  425  that are each oriented toward the interior of the vehicle body  100 , such as by facing the passenger compartment. The outer surface  422 , the first inner surface  423 , and the second inner surface  425  can cooperate to define a generally triangular cross-sectional shape for the exterior portion  420  of the left-side a-pillar  112 . 
     The internal structural member  426  of the left-side a-pillar  112  is similar to the internal structural member  226  of the front header  104 . The internal structural member  426  can be formed as a one-piece structure and may be, for example, an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  426  includes a peripheral wall that is defined in part by an outer wall  428 , a first inner wall  429 , and a second inner wall  431 . The outer wall  428 , the first inner wall  429 , and the second inner wall  431  surround and define a hollow space  434  within the internal structural member  426  of the left-side a-pillar  112 . The outer wall  428 , the first inner wall  429 , and the second inner wall  431  define a generally triangular shape for the internal structural member  426 , with the outer wall  428  oriented toward the exterior of the vehicle body  100 , the first inner wall  429  oriented toward the interior of the vehicle body  100  (e.g. facing the passenger compartment), and the second inner wall  431  oriented toward the interior of the vehicle body  100  (e.g. facing the passenger compartment). Thus, the peripheral wall defines a closed cross-sectional shape for the internal structural member  426  and the peripheral wall surrounds the hollow space  434 . 
     The internal structural member  426  includes one or more stiffening structures that are each attached only to a single portion of the peripheral wall. As shown in the illustrated example, the internal structural member  426  can include two stiffening structures, a first stiffening rib  438  and a second stiffening rib  439 . The first stiffening rib  438  extends inward into the hollow space  434  from an internal surface of the first inner wall  429 . The second stiffening rib  439  extends inward into the hollow space  434  from an internal surface of the second inner wall  431 . As in the illustrated example, the first stiffening rib  438  and a second stiffening rib  439  can extend generally perpendicular to the first inner wall  429  and the second inner wall  431 , respectively. Inward from the first inner wall  429  and the second inner wall  431 , respectively, the first stiffening rib  438  and a second stiffening rib  439 , each terminate at respective free ends  440 ,  441 . The first stiffening rib  438  and a second stiffening rib  439  are placed on the compressive-critical walls of the internal structural member  426 , which in this example are the first inner wall  429  and the second inner wall  431 . The first stiffening rib  438  and a second stiffening rib  439  enhance stiffness and improve resistance to localized buckling. 
     The right-side a-pillar  114  of the vehicle body  100  can have a structural configuration that is similar to that of the left-side a-pillar  112 . The left-side b-pillar  116 , the right side b-pillar, the left-side c-pillar  118 , and the right side c-pillar, can all also have structural configurations and features that are similar to the structural configurations and features of the front header  104 , the left-side cant rail  108 , and the left-side a-pillar  112 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a subassembly  500  that includes a joint  542 . The joint  542  interconnects the internal structural members  226 ,  326 ,  426  of the front header  104 , the left-side cant rail  108 , and the left-side a-pillar  112 . The joint  542  can be formed in any suitable manner such as casting, molding, or machining. In the illustrated example, the joint  542  has a t-shaped configuration that is defined by a first leg  544  that is connected to the internal structural member  226  of the front header  104 , a second leg  546  that is connected to the internal structural member  326  of the left-side cant rail  108 , and a third leg  548  that is connected to the internal structural member  426  of the left-side a-pillar  112 . The joint  542  may be a portion of the vehicle body  100  and may be representative of other joints that may be included in the vehicle body  100  to interconnect other internal structural members. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member  600  according to a first example. The internal structural member  600  can be incorporated in a beam or pillar of a vehicle body, as described with respect to the vehicle body  100 . The internal structural member  600  can be an elongate member of consistent cross-section, and may be a one-piece structure. For example, the internal structural member  600  can be an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  600  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defined by a peripheral wall defined by first and second long walls  650 ,  652  and first and second short walls  654 ,  656  that surround a hollow interior  658 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member  700  according to a second example. The internal structural member  700  can be incorporated in a beam or pillar of a vehicle body, as described with respect to the vehicle body  100 . The internal structural member  700  can be an elongate member of consistent cross-section, and may be a one-piece structure. For example, the internal structural member  700  can be an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  700  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defined by a peripheral wall defined by a first long wall  750 , a second long wall  752 , a first short wall  754 , and a second short wall  756  that surround a hollow interior  758 . 
     The second long wall  752  is interrupted by a stiffening structure in the form of an inwardly extending channel  760  that deviates from the generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and is defined by first and second inwardly extending wall portions  762 ,  764  and a laterally extending wall portion  766  that extends between the first and second inwardly extending wall portions  762 ,  764 . In the illustrated example, the length of the laterally extending wall portion  766  is greater than the lengths of the first and second inwardly extending wall portions  762 ,  764 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member  800  according to a third example. The internal structural member  800  can be incorporated in a beam or pillar of a vehicle body, as described with respect to the vehicle body  100 . The internal structural member  800  can be an elongate member of consistent cross-section, and may be a one-piece structure. For example, the internal structural member  800  can be an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  800  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defined by a peripheral wall defined by first and second long walls  850 ,  852  and first and second short walls  854 ,  856  that surround a hollow interior  858 . A stiffening structure in the form of a stiffening rib  868  extends from an interior surface of the second long wall  852  to a free end  870 . The stiffening rib  868  may extend generally perpendicular to the second long wall  852 , as in the illustrated example. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member  900  according to a fourth example. The internal structural member  900  can be incorporated in a beam or pillar of a vehicle body, as described with respect to the vehicle body  100 . The internal structural member  900  can be an elongate member of consistent cross-section, and may be a one-piece structure. For example, the internal structural member  900  can be an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  900  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defined by a peripheral wall defined by a first long wall  950 , a second long wall  952 , a first short wall  954 , and a second short wall  956 . A stiffening structure in the form of a shear web  972  extends from an interior surface of the first long wall  950  to an interior surface of the second long wall  952 . The shear web  972  divides the interior of the internal structural member  900  into a first hollow space  958  and a second hollow space  959 . The shear web  972  may extend generally perpendicular to the first long wall  950  and the second long wall  952 , as in the illustrated example. Thus, the peripheral wall surrounds a hollow interior that includes the first hollow space  958  and the second hollow space  959 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-section illustration showing an internal structural member  1000  according to a fifth example. The internal structural member  1000  can be incorporated in a beam or pillar of a vehicle body, as described with respect to the vehicle body  100 . The internal structural member  1000  can be an elongate member of consistent cross-section, and may be a one-piece structure. For example, the internal structural member  1000  can be an aluminum extrusion. The internal structural member  1000  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defined by a peripheral wall defined by a first long wall  1050 , a second long wall  1052 , a first short wall  1054 , and a second short wall  1056 . The internal structural member  1000  includes stiffening structure in the form of a first shear web  1072  and a second shear web  1074  that each extend from an interior surface of the first long wall  1050  to an interior surface of the second long wall  1052 . The first shear web  1072  and the second shear web  1074  divide the interior of the internal structural member  1000  into a first hollow space  1057 , a second hollow space  1058 , and a third hollow space  1059 . The first shear web  1072  and the second shear web  1074  may extend generally perpendicular to the first long wall  1050  and the second long wall  1052 , as in the illustrated example. 
     Simulations were performed to compare the performance of the internal structural members  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900 ,  1000  of  FIGS. 6-10  when incorporated in a vehicle body such as the vehicle body  100 . Similar loading conditions were applied to each of the structural members to compare weight, footprint (area), and stiffness for the structural members. In the simulated test, the internal structural member  600  weighed 3.61 kg, had a footprint of 60.75 square centimeters, and a stiffness of 90.4 N/mm; the internal structural member  700  weighed 3.96 kg, had a footprint of 49.28 square centimeters, and a stiffness of 79.7 N/mm; the internal structural member  800  weighed 3.57 kg, had a footprint of 52.92 square centimeters, and a stiffness of 77.0 N/mm; the internal structural member  900  weighed 3.71 kg, had a footprint of 50.43 square centimeters, and a stiffness of 76.5 N/mm; and the internal structural member  1000  weighed 4.03 kg, had a footprint of 48.0 square centimeters, and a stiffness of 75.1 N/mm.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20161205
Publication Date: 20180605
Grant Date: 20180605
Priority Date: 20151207
Inventors: LOBISSER, G. KYLE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B62D29/008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D25/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D21/15", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60Y2306/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D25/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D21/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D21/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D29/008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D29/008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60Y2306/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B62D25/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 62235285