Vehicular structural members and method of making the members

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to lightweight inserts for improving the structural integrity or dampen the sound of vehicular structural members, such as a car's frame rail or pillar.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Reducing automotive vehicle weight is and continues to be important to meet ever more stringent fuel economy and environmental standards. All the while, automobiles are expected to be quieter and safer. To meet these contradictory desires, automotive engineers have introduced foams into vehicular cavities to primarily reduce noise (acoustic foams). These foams have generally been introduced into a hollow area of the structural member after the member has been formed. The foam has also been introduced by inserting a foamable material in the hollow member as the member is being formed and subsequently foaming the foamable material during, for example, E-coating.

[0003] Because foams have been difficult to locate precisely and contain within a certain area of a hollow structural member, from one vehicle to another, they have not been used for improving, for example, the rigidity of structural members. This inability to know exactly where the foam is and to what extent the foam fills the cavity leads to unpredictability and variability of the crash worthiness of one automobile to another. For example, crush zones designed into the structural member may contain unwanted foam resulting in excessive energy being delivered to a vehicle occupant in an accident, whereas a foam that does not sufficiently fill the cavity could result in a similar problem.

[0004] This uncontrolled foaming and filling of the cavities also leads to problems, such as foam escaping and clogging up functional holes, such as mounting holes for other components. Another problem is that if the foam is inserted in the manufacturing process and later foamed by the application of heat during E-coating, the foam may be foamed by the welding process used to make the cavity.

[0005] An example of a method of introducing a foam into a vehicular hollow member is described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,199 ('199 patent). In the '199 patent, a core of foam having a shell of polyurethane reactants encapsulated in a thermoplastic is described (heat foamable shell). The shell foams upon application of sufficient heat, such as during immersion coating. The core is introduced into a portion of the hollow member (e.g., beam having cross-section resembling a “C”) that has joining members extending away from the core. The method requires local projections, such that the heat foamable shell of encapsulated polyurethane does not foam when the hollow member is completed by welding, for example, a face plate onto the C-like beam to form the hollow member.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,826, a method of introducing a foam is described where a foamable material is located within the hollow member by a removable plug extending through the wall of the hollow member. After the foamable material is foamed during E-coating, the plug is removed. In EP 0 999 119 A2, a method of introducing a foam is described where the foam has drain channel entirely within the foam. Each of these prior art methods fail to address the problem of precisely locating and positioning the foam within the hollow member. In addition, they fail to address the problem of the foam plugging up holes in the hollow member used for mounting other items to the member or leaving pathways within the member for other items, such as wires that are accessible after the foam has been introduced into the hollow member.

[0007] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method for introducing a foam into a hollow member of a vehicle that solves one or more of the problems of the prior art, such as one of those described above. It would also be desirable to provide a foamed insert that helps provide a method that solves one or more of the problems of the prior art, such as those described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Objects of this invention include, but are not limited to; (1) a method of inserting a rigid foam into a hollow member of a vehicle, such that the foam is precisely located within the hollow member, (2) a method of easily determining the presence of the foam within the hollow member, (3) a prefoamed insert that may be easily inserted into the hollow member and subsequently bound to the hollow member during E-coating heating, while not becoming adhesively bound during the formation (e.g., welding) of the hollow member, (4) a method of inserting a foam into a hollow member that does not plug up functional holes in the wall of the hollow member and (5) a method of forming channels between the foam and walls of the hollow member that can be used for drainage of the E-coating and also for conduits for mounting other vehicle hardware, such as brake lines or wires.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention comprises an article comprising a shaped rigid foam part; a heat activated foamable adhesive applied directly to at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaped foam part and an integral locating means.

[0010] A second aspect of the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising,

[0011] (a) inserting into a vehicular hollow member a rigid foam part comprised of a rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam insert and at least one integral locating means extending from a surface of the rigid foam,

[0012] (b) engaging the locating means with the hollow member to locate the rigid foam part within the hollow member, and

[0013] (c) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam part therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

[0014] The present invention allows the insertion of a rigid foam part precisely within a vehicular hollow member, while also making it easier to determine in production that the foam is present within the hollow member (i.e., observation of the pin). The method of the invention is particularly useful in forming a structural body of a vehicle, such as the automobile frame rail. For example, it is quite common for frame rails of automobiles to have sections that are weakened to create crush zones to dissipate the energy of an accident and protect the occupants. The frame rails also support parts of the automobile like the transmission. The method allows for foam, such as polyurethane foam, to be introduced selectively into the frame rail without compromising the crush zone or clogging the mounting holes for other components, such as engines and transmission. The method may also be used to make other components of a vehicle, such as rocker panels, beams, pillars, crossbars, body mounts and the like. The method may also be used for other applications, such as athletic equipment, boats, bicycles, aircraft, trucks and trains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular hollow member having the insert therein prior to enclosing the hollow member.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular hollow member having the insert therein after enclosing the hollow member, but prior to expansion of the heat expandable adhesive. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular hollow member having the insert therein after expanding the heat expandable adhesive.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an insert of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 4 from the opposite side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hollow member as used herein means an empty cavity formed by the parts of the apparatus, such as an automobile, which cavity is typically enclosed. The apparatus may exhibit structural weakness at the point of the location of the hollow member. At least a portion with respect to the location of the adhesive on the shaped foam article means that the shaped foam article has adhesive on some or all of its outer surface. Integral locating means is a means for locating and holding the shaped part in the location it is meant to be placed wherein the locating means is integrated into the shaped part. The integral locating means can be a shaped indentation or protrusion made from the foam used to form the shaped part. Alternatively, the integral locating means is made of another material wherein a portion of the locating means is molded into the shaped foam part or permanently affixed post molding so as to permanently lock the integral locating means in place. The integral locating means can be a metal tab used to weld the part in place, a threaded insert adapted to receive a screw designed to hold the part in place. The integral locating means can be any part wherein a portion is molded in the rigid foam part and the portion outside of the part has a mechanical affixing means adapted for mechanically holding the part in a location, such as a snap fit clip or a clip. Mechanical affixing means is any known mechanical device used to hold a part in its proper location including a snap fit clip, bolt, screw or the like. All or a portion of the integral locating means can be a magnet. The integral locating means can also be a molded part which has a pressure sensitive adhesive on the external portion.

[0020] In one embodiment the integral locating means is a locating pin extending from a surface of the rigid foam. The locating pin can have a portion molded into the rigid foam insert or be formed from the rigid foam when the rigid foam insert is fabricated. Preferably, the hollow member has a matching locating hole that the locating pin fits in to locate the rigid foam insert in place. When the rigid foam insert is placed in the hollow member, the locating pin is inserted into the locating hole for the purpose of locating the rigid foam in the proper location.

[0021] The term “engaging” as used herein means using the locating means to place the rigid foam insert at the proper location in the hollow member. In a preferred embodiment, the locating means also can be used to hold the rigid foam insert in place either permanently or until the foamable adhesive expands to meet the walls of the hollow member and thereby hold the rigid foam insert in place. Engaging can also mean applying the integral locating means to hold the rigid foam insert in place. This can be achieved by welding metal tabs to the hollow member, placing a locating means having a pressure sensitive adhesive or magnet thereon in a position that the adhesive or magnet come into contact with the hollow member, or by applying the mechanically affixing means to proper part of the hollow member to hold the rigid foam insert in place. Where the integral locating means is a threaded receptacle for a screw, an external screw may be engaged. “Shaped” as used herein means having a three dimensional form adapted to fit into a hollow member. “Integral” as used in integral locating means, means that the locating means is not merely temporarily attached to the foam insert, but that it is attached such that, if it was removed, the locating means would either be broken or the insert foam would be damaged. Generally, this means that the locating means is a continuous part of the insert foam, the part is molded in the insert foam or is adhesively bonded to the insert foam.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising,

[0023] (a) inserting a rigid foam insert comprised of a rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam insert and at least one integral locating pin extending from a surface of the rigid foam into a vehicular hollow member having at least one hole, such that upon inserting, the locating pin of the insert is thrust in the hole in the hollow member resulting in the rigid foam insert being located and held within the hollow member, and

[0024] (b) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam insert therein to a temperature and time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising,

[0026] a) inserting a shaped rigid foam part comprising of a shaped rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam part and at least one integral locating means extending from a surface of the rigid foam part;

[0027] b) engaging the locating means of the rigid foam part with the hollow member to locate the rigid foam insert in the hollow member; and

[0028] c) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam part therein to a temperature and time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment the invention is a method wherein the locating means is a molded insert having threads adapted for receiving a screw and the rigid foam insert is engaged with the hollow member by inserting a screw through a hole in the hollow member and screwing the screw into the threaded insert.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment the invention is a method wherein the locating means is a metal tab and the rigid foam is engaged with the hollow member by welding or riveting the metal tabs to the hollow member.

[0031] FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Referring to the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the foam filled vehicular member <b>5</b> is formed by inserting a rigid foam insert <b>10</b> into the cavity by metal wall <b>20</b> having locating hole <b>21</b> and mounting hole <b>22</b>. The rigid foam insert <b>10</b> has a heat activated adhesive <b>30</b> thereon. The rigid core has at least one integral locating pin <b>40</b> extending from the surface <b>100</b> of the rigid foam insert <b>10</b>. The locating pin <b>40</b> may be comprised of a locating base <b>50</b> having a base surface <b>60</b> and locating pinnacle <b>70</b> that extends through hole <b>21</b>. The foam insert <b>10</b> may also have adhesive dam <b>90</b> that protects mounting hole <b>22</b> from being plugged by expandable adhesive <b>30</b> upon heating and expansion of said adhesive. The filled member <b>5</b> may also have conduit <b>110</b> defined by adhesive dam <b>120</b> foam, surface <b>130</b> and metal wall <b>20</b>. The filled member may also have temporary drain channel <b>140</b> defined by foam insert surface <b>150</b> having adhesive <b>30</b> thereon and metal wall <b>20</b>.

[0032] After insertion of the foam insert <b>10</b> into the hollow member defined by metal wall <b>20</b>, metal wall <b>160</b> is placed onto metal wall <b>20</b> and welded at metal extension <b>170</b> and <b>180</b>, as shown in FIG. 2. Subsequent to welding, the internal surfaces <b>190</b> are E-coated and upon heating during the E-coating process, adhesive <b>30</b> expands and forms the foam filled vehicular member <b>5</b> as shown in FIG. 3.

[0033] The insertion of insert foam <b>10</b> may be accomplished by any suitable way, such as placing it by hand into the cavity defined by metal wall <b>20</b>, so long as locating pin <b>40</b> extends through locating hole <b>21</b>. The integral locating pin <b>40</b> may be made of any material, but preferably is the same material as the foam insert <b>10</b>. Preferably, the pin <b>40</b> and insert <b>10</b> are formed as a unit at the same time. The pin preferably has a base <b>50</b> and pinnacle <b>70</b>. In this preferred embodiment of the pin <b>40</b>, the adhesive <b>30</b> desirably has a thickness such that the adhesive is level with base surface <b>60</b>. To facilitate location of foam insert <b>10</b>, it is preferred that the base surface <b>60</b> has an adhesive thereon that adheres the insert <b>10</b> to metal wall <b>20</b> prior to heating and expansion of the expandable adhesive <b>30</b>. The adhesive on base surface <b>60</b> may be any suitable adhesive for making bond between foam insert <b>10</b> and metal wall <b>20</b>. The pin surface <b>75</b> may be painted a distinct color from metal wall <b>20</b> so that it is easily determined whether the foam insert <b>10</b> is within the vehicular member <b>5</b>.

[0034] The integral locating pin <b>40</b> may be any suitable cross-sectional shape. For example, the cross-section of the pin may be a circle, elliptical, square, rectangle or any other useful polygonal shape.

[0035] The foam insert <b>10</b> may be any suitable foam material. The foam material will preferably have a density of from about <b>5</b> pounds per cubic feet (80 Kg/m³) to about 25 pounds per cubic feet (400 Kg/m³) if allowed to foam unconstrained. The particular foam chosen will depend upon the properties desired for the vehicular member. Preferably, the foam material is a polyurethane thermoset polymer foam. However, other structural filler material types can also be used, such as other thermoset and thermoplastic fillers including epoxies, polyurethane hybrids, such as polyisocyanate (polyisocyanurates) polyolefins, syndiotactics, composites, and other rigid foams. Non-plastic filler materials, such as aluminum foam, organic and non-organic (ceramic and metallic) foams can also used.

[0036] The foam insert <b>10</b> may be made by any suitable method, such as those known in the art for molding polymeric rigid or elastic foams. Illustratively, components typically will comprise a polymer or monomers and blowing agent. An example of a preferred embodiment is a foam produced from the combination of “A-side” and “B-side” components, which cure under ambient conditions. For example, the A-side may consist of isocyanate prepolymer or polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) and the B-side may consist of a polyol blend nominally consisting of various polyols, surfactants, catalysts, and water. The foam may also contain fillers, such as glass beads, thixotropic additives and other composite fibers. Chemical or physical blowing agents or combinations thereof may be used. Single component foam systems can also be used, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,923,902 and 4,995,545, incorporated herein by reference. The foam insert may also be made using the method described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/998,093, incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] The expandable adhesive <b>30</b> may be any suitable adhesive, such as those known in the art. It is desirable that the expandable adhesive <b>30</b> fails to be substantially activated, for example, by welding prior to E-coating. A typical expandable adhesive includes a polymeric base material, such as an epoxy resin or ethylene-based polymer which, when compounded with appropriate ingredients (typically a blowing and curing agent), expands and cures in a reliable and predictable manner upon the application of heat, such as during E-coating. The expandable adhesive will also cross-link upon curing or achieve its final shape, rendering the material incapable of further flow or shape change. Other useful materials include polyolefins, copolymers and terpolymers with at least one monomer type an alpha-olefin, phenol/formaldehyde materials, phenoxy materials, and polyurethane materials with high glass transition temperature, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,766,719, 5,755,486, 5,575,526; 5,932,680, incorporated herein by reference. Preferably the expandable adhesive <b>30</b> is an epoxy resin or elastomeric adhesive, such as an Ethylene Propylene Diamine Monomer (EPDM) type adhesive, an example being ND 700, available from ND Industries Inc., Troy, Mich.

[0038] The expandable adhesive <b>30</b> may be applied to the outer face of the foam insert <b>10</b> in any manner, including dipping, laminating, brushing, rolling, co-extruding, injection molding, overmolding, spraying and the like. Additionally, the expandable adhesive <b>30</b> can be preformed or die-cut into pieces, which can be placed or adhered to the foam insert <b>10</b>.

[0039] The foam insert <b>10</b> may also have adhesive dam <b>90</b> that protects mounting hole <b>22</b>. Desirably, any dam present on foam insert <b>10</b> is formed from the foam material of the foam insert <b>10</b>. These dams may be formed from another material after the insert has been formed using suitable material, such as synthetic plastics that are able to withstand the temperatures experienced during the manufacture of the vehicle without distorting and allowing the expandable adhesive <b>30</b> to seep by the dam. Examples include plastics, such as nylons, polycarbonates, polyesters, epoxy resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins and the like.

[0040] The foam insert <b>10</b> may also contain conduit <b>110</b> and temporary channel <b>130</b>. These desirably are molded into foam insert <b>10</b>, but may be formed subsequently by cutting or removing sections of the foam insert <b>10</b> mechanically. The temporary drain channel <b>130</b> is useful to drain, for example, the liquids used during E-coating. The conduit <b>110</b> is useful as a conduit for vehicle items that desirably are protected, such as wiring, gas lines, brake lines and the like.

[0041] The foam insert of the invention can be placed into the hollow member to improve the structural integrity of the apparatus, to prevent the transmission of sound or vibrations through the hollow member or both.

[0042]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two sides of the another embodiment of an insert according to this invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a molded insert (<b>210</b>) having adhesive (<b>220</b>) located on a large part of the surface. Three molded in metal tabs (<b>230</b>) are illustrated with locations (<b>240</b>) where the tabs (<b>230</b>) are molded in to the insert (<b>210</b>). There are illustrated a second set of locations (<b>250</b>) of the insert (<b>210</b>) where adhesive does not cover the insert (<b>210</b>). The metal tabs (<b>230</b>) are adapted for welding the insert (<b>210</b>) in place in a hollow member, and thus are the integral locating means.