Abstract:
A bumper system includes a tubular beam (21) and a thermoformed energy absorber with crush boxes (23) formed into a base flange, such as by vacuum or thermal forming processes. The crush boxes have planar energy-absorbing sidewalls a depth of about 10 mm to 35 mm, wall thickness of about 1 mm to 3 mm, and are formed from polyethylene or other thermoform materials having a memory. The base flange can include thermoformed features engaging recesses in the beam, and is combinable with injection-molded or foam energy absorbers for design flexibility. In one form, the energy absorber includes a thermoformed first sheet forming crush boxes and a second sheet bonded to the first sheet to define apertured air pockets. Related methods of manufacture and impacting are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von pressgehärteten Bauteilen, insbesondere eines Karosseriebauteils, aus einem Halbzeug (2) aus ungehärtetem, warm umformbaren Stahlblech, sowie ein nach diesem Verfahren hergestelltes pressgehärtetes Bauteil. In dem Verfahren werden verschiedene Verfahrensschritte ausgeführt. Aus dem mit einer ersten Schicht (33) vorbeschichteten Halbzeug (2) wird durch ein Kaltumformverfahren, insbesondere ein Ziehverfahren, ein Bauteil-Rohling (10) geformt. Der Bauteil-Rohling (10) wird randseitig auf eine dem herzustellenden Bauteil (1) näherungsweise entsprechende Randkontur (12‘) beschnitten. Der beschnittene Bauteil-Rohling (17) wird erwärmt und in einem Warmumform-Werkzeug (23) pressgehärtet, anschließend wird der pressgehärtete Bauteil-Rohling (18) in einem Beschichtungsschritt mit einer zweiten vor Korrosion schützenden Schicht (34) überzogen.
Abstract:
A creep forming tool modifies the shape of an aircraft component (4) in the form of a wing skin portion. The tool (1) includes a shaped surface (3) defined by removable rib boards (6). The component (4) is forced against the shaped surface (3), via a reusable intermediate plate (12). The shape of the shaped surface (3) may be adjusted, if necessary, by replacing the rib boards with boards (6) of a different shape.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a hydroforming member includes the step of providing a blank (10). The blank (10) is defined by blank wall (16). The blank (10) is placed in a die assembly (14) having a die cavity (12) defined by a die surface (24). The blank (10) is expanded so that the blank wall (16) is forced against the die surface (24) to form the hydroformed member. A portion of the blank wall conforms against a wall-thinning element (26, 28) positioned along the die surface (24) to form a removable wall section (46, 50) in a portion of the blank wall (24). The removable wall section (46, 50) is then removed from the blank wall (16) to form an opening in the hydroformed member.
Abstract:
A method for assembling wings includes supporting a pair of wing spars, which include a plurality of coordination features, upon a pair of stanchions (44) in a generally horizontal position. A plurality of ribs and wing panels (30,32) are accurately fastened to the pair of wing spars at a first workstation using the coordination features to position accurately the parts. The combination is transferred to downstream workstations via a ground transport vehicle (40) for further processing and assembly to define a pulsed flow wing assembly system.
Abstract:
A bumper system includes a bumper beam having a face and ends, and an energy absorber mounted on the face. The energy absorber has a one-piece injection-molded non-foam piece with box sections and interconnecting straps, and a one-piece or multipiece foam components securely insert-molded onto the injection-molded non-foam piece. Different foam can be used to form differently shaped front surfaces on the foam component. By this arrangement, different energy absorbing systems are provided for vehicles, such as to satisfy the need for different styling and shapes, while still using the same non-foam piece. By this arrangement, the energy absorber is a single unit that can be handled and attached to the bumper beam. At the same time, capital investment in molding dies and tooling is reduced.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a hollow, elongated construction element, for example for use as a vehicle front axle. The method comprises the following steps : (a) a first blank (1) is directed through a furnace (2) for heating to working temperature, (b) the blank is directed between a pair of rollers (3, 4) having profiled surfaces, the blank being preformed in one or more steps to form an intermediate product having a predetermined profile along its longitudinal extent, (c) the blank is fed to a forging press having a number of co-operating die pads, the blank being worked in a plurality of steps (5, 8, 11) to form a substantially finished product, having a cross section in the form of a hat profile of predetermined varying height, width and material thickness along its length, (d) a second blank (14), having essentially the same profile as the hat profile of the first blank in the dividing plane of the co-operating die pads, is placed in connection with the hat profile, (e) in a final step (15), the first (1) and the second blank (14) are joined together, at least along their t respective edges, ,to form a composite hollow construction element (18). The invention also relates to a construction element produced according to the method.
Abstract:
A joint structure (12) is ideally suited for use in the manufacture of assemblies and subassemblies in aluminum structures. More particularly, the alternative joint structures and methods of forming joint structures facilitate the assembly of a vehicle body-in-white. The friction welded joints (42, 52') of this invention provide assemblies in which lineals and sheet, cast, or extruded components are joined together.
Abstract:
A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module (10) is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle (32) and integrally molded reinforcement ribs (28) that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer. A partially assembly vehicle body (12) is provided that has partially unattached body panels that are secured to the frame (14). Unattached body panels are secured to the integrated front end module (10). The preassembly is then immersed in an electro-coat bath, painted and then baked in a paint oven.
Abstract:
A roll-formed one-piece vehicle bed member (11) having plural downwardly-opening channel-like ribs (18) extending longitudinally of the bed member and terminating at front and rear edges. The ribs adjacent one end are deformed to define rib portions (32) which slope downwardly from the top of the ribs for merger with a flat transverse edge flange (31). The top wall of the sloped rib portion has a center wall portion which is offset downwardly relative to side edge portions which join the center wall portion to side walls of the rib.