Vehicle roof reinforcement

摘要

A vehicle body structure comprises body side panels each comprising a roof mounting surface, a roof panel having opposing sides, and a brazed joint attaching the roof panel to the body side panels along a line of contact. The roof panel comprises a raised bead portion on each side of a central portion, character lines having sloped surfaces extending downward from each raised bead portion to the central portion, and a side mounting flange at each side of the roof panel that curls under the raised bead portions. Each side mounting flange has a line of contact with a corresponding roof mounting surface.

主权项

1. A method for attaching a vehicle roof panel to opposing vehicle body side panels, the method comprising:
placing the vehicle roof on the opposing body side panels, the vehicle roof comprising a character line; applying a mounting force to the roof panel to create a direct line of contact between the roof panel and each of the body side panels, the character line absorbing vertical deformation of the vehicle roof in response to the mounting force; and attaching the roof panel to the body side panels by brazing or welding at the direct line of contact between the roof panel and each of the body side panels.