DESIGNS AND PROCESSES FOR USING DISCRETE STIFFENERS TO CREATE LIGHT, STIFF AND STRONG AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURES

摘要

A technique for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel, especially for high curvature areas. The vehicle trim panel includes an outer panel having an outer show surface and an inner surface. A plurality of discrete reinforcement elements are bonded to the inner surface of the outer panel at locations where localized stiffening is desired. The discrete elements can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, where the combination of elements and the number of elements is selected for a particular trim panel stiffness.

主权项

1. A panel assembly comprising:
a panel including an outer surface and an inner surface; and at least one discrete reinforcement element bonded to the inner surface of the panel at a location on the panel that has a high degree of curvature.