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BR-102024018151-A2 - Monolithic rear frame for a monocoque body pickup truck and the respective monocoque body pickup truck.

BR102024018151A2BR 102024018151 A2BR102024018151 A2BR 102024018151A2BR-102024018151-A2

Abstract

The present invention discloses a monolithic rear frame for unibody pickup trucks, comprising at least one side member and at least one cross member. The end cross members and the central cross member are parallel and connected to the side members, forming a rigid structure. This frame is integrated between the first and second parts of the pickup truck body by overlapping spot-welded plates. The invention highlights the robustness and simplicity of the design, improving the efficiency and safety of the pickup truck.

Inventors

  • FABIO CUNHA OTONI JUNIOR
  • VITOR AUGUSTO CARVALHO FERREIRA
  • ELVES LUCAS RAMOS

Assignees

  • STELLANTIS AUTOMOVEIS BRASIL LTDA

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20240903

Claims (9)

  1. 1. Monolithic rear frame (100) characterized by comprising: at least one side member (103); at least one transverse member (104); and at least one central transverse member (105); wherein the end transverse member (104) and the central transverse member (105) are parallel and are connected to the side member (103); wherein the monolithic rear frame (100) is connected to the first part of the body of the monocoque type pickup truck (200) by means of overlapping spot welded plates; and wherein the monolithic rear frame (100) is connected between the first part of the body of the monocoque type pickup truck (200) and the second part of the body of the monocoque type pickup truck (203).
  2. 2. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the side member (103) has a length between 600 and 1200 mm, a width between 100 and 150 mm, a height between 60 and 120 mm and a thickness between 0.8 mm and 2.3 mm.
  3. 3. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the end cross member (104) has a length between 850 and 1400 mm, a width between 110 and 170 mm, a height between 35 and 70 mm and a thickness between 0.8 mm and 2.3 mm.
  4. 4. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the central cross member (105) has a length between 850 and 1400 mm, a width between 110 and 200 mm, a height between 35 and 100 mm and a thickness between 0.8 mm and 2.3 mm.
  5. 5. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the distance between the lateral horizontal section (104) and the central horizontal section (105) is between 150 and 300 mm.
  6. 6. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the materials of the monolithic rear frame (100) comprising hot-stamped steels with or without coating are PHS1400Y1800T, PHS950Y1300T, PHS800Y1000T, PQS370Y550T and PQS340Y410T.
  7. 7. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the manufacturing method of the monolithic rear frame (100) is hot stamping, using monolithic blanks or using blanks that have undergone Tailor Welded Blanks or Patchwork processes.
  8. 8. Monolithic rear frame (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the monolithic rear frame (100) is one piece.
  9. 9. Monocoque body pickup truck characterized by comprising a monolithic rear frame (100) as defined in claim 1

Description

Field of invention [0001] The present invention falls within the area of complementary equipment in the body structure of the pickup truck. [0002] More specifically, the present invention falls within the area of supplementary equipment on the rear structure of a pickup truck. State of the art [0003] The rear frame is part of the body of a unibody pickup truck and is located at the base of the rear bed. The main function of the rear frame is to provide structural support to the unibody bed and also to be a link between the rear suspension system and the rest of the truck body. [0004] The rear frame is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the unibody pickup truck and supporting all the forces acting on the cargo area during vehicle use. In the event of a collision, the rear frame also actively contributes by supporting the impact force and preventing deformation in vital areas of the vehicle. Thus, the deformation resulting from the impact is concentrated in the areas designed to absorb the impact energy, thereby protecting the occupants of the pickup truck. [0005] Therefore, one problem is to design a rear frame that not only meets basic requirements but also reduces the cost and time of production and assembly. [0006] In the prior art, some previous techniques have already attempted to provide similar solutions. Examples of prior art include: US11833895 and US12005958. [0007] US11833895 discloses vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components are described. A stand-alone vehicle platform or chassis incorporates substantially all the systems, subsystems, and functional components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operational vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, collision protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized so that vehicle platforms can be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also called in the art "top hat") with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) between them. Functional component configurations are incorporated into the vehicle platform so that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body. [0008] US11833895 discloses a chassis that includes all the essential systems, subsystems, and components required for a fully operational electric vehicle. These components encompass energy storage and conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, collision protection, and braking systems. [0009] US11833895 details how the left and right rear chassis rails have flanges extending from their lower portions and corrugations with reinforcing bulkheads positioned along these rails. The reinforcing bulkheads are located above the flanges inside and outside the corrugations. Additionally, the upper front chassis rails are connected by a front crossmember, and the lower load path components, such as left and right lower deflectors, are connected to a lower front crossmember. These components are mechanically interconnected to form an independent vehicle platform. [0010] US11833895 does not mention welding as a method of connecting chassis parts. Instead, US11833895 reveals that the interconnected structural components are connected using flanges, reinforcing bulkheads, crossbeams, and mounting points. The chassis structure is formed by the interconnection of various structural components, such as rear chassis rails, upper front chassis rails, lower load path components, and structural support elements, which are connected by mechanical means such as flanges, crossbeams, and mounting holes. US11833895 does not disclose a monolithic rear frame that was made from a welding process. [0011] US12005958 discloses a chassis structure having a ladder frame construction configurable for positioning one or more rear axles at varying distances from the rear of a pickup truck cab. The chassis structure includes a central frame having a pair of main frame rails to support at least two battery modules substantially within an infrastructural space. A front subframe supports the cab, a front portion including a pair of upper frame members mounted above the corresponding main frame rails and a front axle unit mounted under the front subframe. [0012] In US12005958, a rear subframe supports at least one rear axle unit mounted under the rear subframe and any of multiple configurable rear payload units via a common connection interface attachable to the main frame rails such that the location of the rear subframe relative to the main frame is longitudinally variable from the rear of the cab. [0013] US12005958 does not mention welding as a method of connecting chassis parts. Instead, it specifies the use of mounting plates and holes to connect the different chassis parts. Specifically, it mentions that th