Gestamp Hardtech Ab

Ssab Hardtech Ab

Paul Akerstrom

Hans Bodin

Daniel Berglund

Lars Wikstrom

Jan Krispinsson

Martin Holmberg

Jan Larsson

In a press-hardening plant, a contact-cooling press () is provided between the furnace () and the press-hardening press (). Preselected parts of the blank () are contact-cooled such that corresponding parts of the finished product are softer and display a lower yield point.

Method of press hardening a steel sheet blank

The invention relates to a B-pillar for a vehicle including a main section () with a hat-shaped section () comprising a central flange (), two web portions () and two side flanges (). At least the hat-shaped section () is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the side flanges () of the hat-shaped section () have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa along at least part of the length of the side flanges (). The B-pillar () includes a cover plate () welded to the side flanges () of the hat-shaped section () so as to form a closed profile, the cover plate () having a breaking strength below 1100 MPa at least in the region in which it bears against the side flanges (). The side flanges () of the hat-shaped section have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in the region in which the side flanges bear against the cover plate ().

B-pillar for a vehicle

An A-pillar for a vehicle includes a first part () extending as far as the windscreen and supporting the door hinges and a second arcuate part () extending up along the windscreen and continuing towards the back in order to serve as a roof beam () above the door. This second part consists of two open sections () with flanges () welded together so as to give the pillar a closed profile. At least one of the sections () is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the flanges () of the sections have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in a portion () situated above the door.

A-pillar for a vehicle

A vehicle door has an inner panel () on which an outer panel is fitted. The inner panel is covered by a loose panel, the trim. The inner panel has a front end wall () and a rear end wall (). A reinforcement beam () is fastened between the end walls for transmitting force from a door pillar () to which the door is attached to a door pillar () behind the door, in the event of a collision. The reinforcement beam has a high single hat profile () which is fastened to the upper part of the front end wall, and extends in a curve out towards the external part of the inner panel, where the profile height is lower. The profile height decreases continuously from the high profile height to the low profile height, and the single hat profile () extends into a double hat profile (). The reinforcement beam also functions as a side impact guard.

Growing community of inventors

Lulea, Sweden

Paul Akerstrom