Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

David M Langer

Del C Schroeder

David G Speth

Christopher J Duke

Stephen D Logan

Bryan Logan

Terence P Grace

Stephen M Smith

Theron Shaw

Michael R Uhlmeyer

A spare tire carrier for a vehicle may structurally entail a base, a mounting flange extending from the base, a vertical support post extending from the base, a light support post attached to the vertical support post, a threaded stud that engages a front surface of the base to support a spare tire. A tether, which may be secured to the base with a fastener, may lie largely concealed within the base and have additional studs or bolts which may protrude through a front surface of the base and further support a spare tire. A plurality of strength ribs may join the mounting flange and the base, while the base, the first mounting flange, vertical support post extending from the base, and plurality of strength ribs may be a single cast magnesium part. The tether may be of another high strength material.

Integrated spare tire carrier

A stiff torque box is used with frame rail segments to compose a vehicle frame. The stiff torque box is used to cross-link the left hand and right hand sides of a vehicle frame and is made up of an extruded aluminum skeleton which forms a number of internal cavities, as well as connecting tabs. The connecting tabs are used to fix the frame rail segments to the stiff torque box. Implementing stiff torque boxes in vehicle frame construction allows for more rigid vehicle frames with the advantage of additional weight savings. This construction is ideal for aluminum frame, front wheel drive and body on frame vehicles. Because of the characteristics of such a vehicle frame, opportunities arise to implement other weight conservative vehicle components.

Lightweight vehicle frame construction using stiff torque boxes

An engine block includes a unitary engine block casing having a cylinder wall and an upper peripheral wall spaced from the cylinder wall to define an open channel therebetween. The channel has a bottom formed by a portion of the engine block casing and an open top formed between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. An independent insert member is disposed in the open top of the channel extending between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall for providing structural support between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. The invention further includes a method for diecasting the engine block using permanent molds. The steps of the method include: providing a first permanent mold; diecasting a unitary engine block casing in the first permanent mold, the casing including a cylinder wall and an upper peripheral wall spaced from the cylinder wall to define an open channel therebetween, the channel including a bottom formed by a portion of the engine block casing and an open top formed between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall; providing a second permanent mold; diecasting an independent insert member in the second permanent mold; and fixing the insert member in the open top of the channel for providing structural support between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall.

Engine block casing and insert member diecast from permanent molds

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Warren, MI, United States of America

David M Langer