Interposed Frame Structure (i.e., Subframe) Patents (Class 280/124.109)
  • Patent number: 9650074
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure has: front side members that are disposed along a vehicle body longitudinal direction, and that have inclined portions that cause vehicle body front portion sides to be positioned higher than vehicle body rear portion sides; and a suspension member that is disposed at a vehicle body front side of the inclined portions, and that has inclined walls whose angle of inclination is made to be smaller than an angle of inclination of the inclined portions, the inclined wall being formed at regions that face the inclined portions, in a side view seen from a vehicle transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Shirooka
  • Patent number: 9649902
    Abstract: A link assembly for coupling a longitudinal arm to a mounting location of a vehicle is provided. The link assembly includes a link body, a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a first bushing assembly, and a second bushing assembly. The first attachment member is disposed in the link body and defines a first axis. The second attachment member is disposed in the link body and defines a second axis. The first bushing assembly is disposed in the link body and supports the first attachment member in the link body. The second bushing assembly is disposed in the link body and supports the second attachment member in the link body. The first axis of the first attachment member is spaced from the second axis of the second attachment member by an off-set distance and the first axis and second axis extend in different, non-parallel directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Forest H Nine, Jack W Cooper, John A Pelkey
  • Patent number: 9616930
    Abstract: A suspension frame structure with which a high rigidity can be obtained with respect to load applied from suspension arms and an engine mount is provided. In a suspension frame structure according to the present invention, a suspension frame includes a right front fixing portion, a left front fixing portion, a right rear fixing portion and a left rear fixing portion to which a right suspension arm and a left suspension arm are fixed, contours of the right extension bracket and the left extension bracket on an interior side of a vehicle extend along an circular arc-shaped locus that connects side member fixing positions and an engine mount attachment portion, as viewed from an upper side of a vehicle, and tangents at front ends of the contours respectively pass through arm fixing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yousei Minoda, Takehiro Shoji
  • Patent number: 9616932
    Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes an underbody and a subframe. A connector extends along an axis and connects the subframe and the underbody. A first wedge is fixed to one of the underbody and the subframe about the axis and a second wedge is fixed to the other of the underbody and subframe about the axis. The first wedge includes a protrusion and the second wedge defines a recess receiving the protrusion in a direction along the axis. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the subframe may rotate relative to the underbody. During this rotation the first wedge and second wedge rotate relative to each other and the protrusion moves along the recess to apply a tensile load to the connection to break the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Patent number: 9567011
    Abstract: A stiffening arrangement (22) for a forward structure (10) of a motor vehicle has a mounting bracket (20) for mounting a motor vehicle radiator. A shear field (24) is connected to the mounting bracket (20) to dissipate shear forces. A right stiffening strut (28) connects the shear field (24) to a right suspension-strut dome (16) and supports the mounting bracket (20) on the right suspension-strut dome (16), and a left stiffening strut (30) connects the shear field (24) to a left suspension-strut dome (18) and supports the mounting bracket (20) on the left suspension-strut dome (18). Thus, a major part of the crumple zone of the forward structure (10) provided for a frontal crash can be utilized, so that the risk of damage to engine components in an engine bay of the forward structure (10) is reduced and vibrational comfort for the driver is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Joest, Jozsef Petrovics, Frank Bechtler, Jochen Pflueger, Philipp Kriener
  • Patent number: 9481398
    Abstract: In a damper housing structure body, an upper edge of a damper housing and a damper base are bonded by spot welding. The damper housing has a U-shape with an opening on a vehicle outer side in plan view, and includes a planar part in a corner between a front wall and an inner wall. The planer part includes plural welding spots arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Adjacent weld spots have mutually overlapping welding margins or an interval between two adjoining welding points is shorter than an outer diameter of the welding margins. One of the welding spots is welded while a current is applied to another welding spot that has been already welded. A current value for welding the one of the welding spots is higher than another current value for another one of the welding spots that has been already welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisayasu Ohoka, Atsushi Suzuki, Mitsushige Goto, Keita Ohtsuka, Taichi Nezasa
  • Patent number: 9394002
    Abstract: A sub-frame assembly for supporting a pair of wheels on a vehicle. The base may be an extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a vertical direction. The sub-frame assembly has control arm brackets disposed on opposing ends of the base and attachment towers extending above the brackets providing attachment points to connect portions of an independent suspension to the vehicle and support a pair of wheels. The base, control brackets and attachment towers may be individual modular pieces. Left and right hand control brackets and attachment towers may be provided by respective unitary support pieces attached to opposing ends of the base. The unitary support pieces may be extrusions having panels extending in a transverse direction, nonaxial to the base. The base, control arm brackets and attachment towers, alternatively, may be provided by a single unitary extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Joseph Uicker, Sanjay Mehta, Patrick Marchena, Xiaoming Chen, David Anthony Wagner, Michael M. Azzouz, Allen Li, Gerald Heath, Sunil K. Kasaragod
  • Patent number: 9381942
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rear vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which comprises a rear floor panel, and a rear side frame joined to a lower surface of the rear floor panel to extend in a front-rear direction. A bottom wall of the rear side frame has a bottom reinforcing portion formed to protrude upwardly or downwardly, and a standing wall of the rear side frame located on a vehicle-widthwise inner side has a side reinforcing portion formed to protrude outwardly in the vehicle width direction. The bottom reinforcing portion includes a top, an outer inclined section extending from the top obliquely outwardly in the vehicle width direction, and an inner inclined section extending from the top obliquely inwardly in the vehicle width direction, wherein the inner inclined section has an inclination angle less than an inclination angle of the outer inclined section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Honda, Yuki Toyama, Motoki Esumi, Koji Yoshimura, Sakayu Terada
  • Patent number: 9290074
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a ground engaging element of the vehicle includes a first attachment component for attaching the assembly to the ground engaging element, a second attachment component for attaching the assembly to the chassis and an adjustment component for shifting the first attachment component between a plurality of operating positions relative to the second attachment component. A suspension component is operably interposed between the first attachment component and the second attachment component is configured to regulate motion transfer between the first attachment component and the second attachment component. The suspension component functions independently of the operating position. A locking mechanism mechanically locks the assembly into any of the plurality of operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Patent number: 9260134
    Abstract: A pair of right-and-left extension members which deform and absorb an impact at a vehicle frontal collision, in cooperation with a pair of front side frames, are provided. The extension members are configured to be joined to respective middle portions, in a height direction, of a pair of tower portions of a sub frame at their rear end portions, to project forward, bending outward at a level below the front side frames, and to be comprised of a pair of members having a closed cross section, respectively. The rear end portions of the extension members joined to the tower portions are positioned so that a center line of a longitudinal direction of each of the extension members at the rear end portion is located at an inward position relative to a center line of a standing-vertical direction of each of the tower portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Asano, Shohei Yoshida, Fumitaka Andou, Hiroaki Takeshita, Ippei Kuroda, Shun Teshigahara
  • Patent number: 9238394
    Abstract: A subframe for a motor vehicle for pivotally connecting wheel suspension elements and for supporting a stabilizer which extends in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle, said subframe includes lateral longitudinal members extending in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and at least one cross member connecting the longitudinal members in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the at least one cross member being constructed as a hollow profile part having a hollow profile forming a stabilizer groove, the at least one cross member having a longitudinal through passage for a cardan shaft which is drivable by a rear axle differential carried by the subframe, the through passage being vertically offset relative to the stabilizer groove. The stabilizer connects the longitudinal members in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, and extends at least in part in the stabilizer groove between the longitudinal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Peter Leibl
  • Patent number: 9216775
    Abstract: Disclosed is a subframe for a vehicle that allows a molten metal to be smoothly guided in order to maintain a good flow. This subframe for a vehicle is equipped with a rear subframe. For the rear subframe, a rear cross member, a rear section of a left side member, and a rear upper section of a right side member are constructed with an aluminum alloy and formed into one piece that has a substantially U-shape in a plan view. The rear cross member has a radial rib group that extends radially and a parallel rib group that intersects with the radial rib group. The radial rib group is configured such that radial ribs positioned further outside in the vehicle width direction form larger tilt angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara, Tsunehisa Hata
  • Patent number: 9108480
    Abstract: Modular suspension systems for customizing a stock automobile are presented including in any combination: a pair of asymmetrical control arm components having a control arm connection geometry sized to replace a pair of stock control arm components, where the pair of asymmetrical control arm components include at least additional control arm customization, and where the pair of asymmetrical control arm components are compatible with all other stock components of the stock automobile without modification of the stock components; a pair of spindle components having a spindle connection geometry sized to replace a pair of stock spindle components, where the pair of spindle components include at least additional spindle customization, and where the pair of spindle components are compatible with all other stock components of the stock automobile without modification of the stock components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald D. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9108676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe (10) for a motor vehicle, having a base frame which forms a cavity and which is connected to a vehicle body via a plurality of fastening points, wherein the base frame has at least one force-introduction point (20) for receiving and/or supporting further motor vehicle components. The invention is characterized in that the cavity is locally filled with rigid foam (24) in the vicinity of the force-introduction point (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Peter Leibl
  • Patent number: 9096276
    Abstract: A front subframe structure includes a pair of left and right side members extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a center cross member of a closed cross-section structure extending in a vehicle-width direction to couple the a pair of left and right side members together, an inclined member having a pair of left and right inclined portions extending obliquely, in a plan view, outward in a vehicle-widthwise direction from a rear portion of a vehicle-widthwise middle portion of the center cross member, and a mount attaching portion of a powertrain mount housed in the center cross member and located behind a front edge of the center cross member and in front of a coupling portion between the inclined member and the center cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Komiya
  • Patent number: 9096271
    Abstract: An axle support of a vehicle, in particular a passenger motor vehicle, consists of an upper shell and a lower shell, each of which is formed from a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material. When the upper shell and the lower shell are assembled together, they form a hollow body. In this case, the upper shell and the lower shell are screwed together by way of metal insert parts, which are laminated at least in sections into the shell parts. A core part, in particular formed from a plastic foam, for transferring the shear stresses over a wide area can be glued into the cavity between the upper shell and the lower shell at least in the region of the opposing metal insert parts. Furthermore, at least one of the insert parts can be designed simultaneously for connecting an add on part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marco Renner, Nino Lailach
  • Patent number: 9061563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having a transverse leaf spring arranged transversely relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis. The transverse leaf spring is supported at each of the two sides of a vehicle longitudinal center plane by at least one resilient member on a vehicle-side support which is securely connected to the vehicle superstructure or an auxiliary frame which is connected to the vehicle superstructure. The resilient member and the support form an articulated engagement. With an articulated engagement provided at each side of the vehicle longitudinal center plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Marc Simon, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Walter Shimpl
  • Patent number: 9027945
    Abstract: An axle bracket for a front axle or rear axle of a motor vehicle includes two side members and at least one cross member interconnecting the side members and having at least one attachment point for attachment of a drive component, wherein during travel an operating force can be introduced from the drive component via the attachment point to the cross member. The cross member is constructed as a hollow profile of downwardly open U-shaped configuration to define a hollow space bounded by an upper top wall and two sidewalls depending downwards from the top wall. The cross member has a bearing site configured for securement of a stiffening element such that the stiffening element is arranged, at least in part, in the hollow space of the cross member, for increasing a strength of the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Peter Leibl
  • Publication number: 20150123392
    Abstract: An oil sump and an axle carrier of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle having obliquely inclined flange faces for fastening to one another. The flange faces being obliquely inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle or a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Sergiy FEDOTOV
  • Patent number: 9016704
    Abstract: Front-axle bracket (1) for motor vehicles, in which in each case two receptacles or recesses (5, 6) for the bearings for the swivel mounting of in each case one of two wheel control elements (7), such as the wishbone or A-arm, and the receptacles (18, 19, 20) for the securing of the front-axle bracket are provided as a premanufactured unit together with preassembled assemblies on the vehicle body, and at least some of the receptacles or recesses listed below for the securing of the steering mechanism (13) the securing of the stabilizer (15) the mounting of a hinged column (14), and the front-axle bracket is produced in the form of a light-metal component which is integral with said receptacles or recesses and connects them to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Eickmann, Uwe Lange
  • Patent number: 9010849
    Abstract: A front subframe structure for an automotive vehicle comprises: a pair of right and left side members each provided with an arm support member for supporting a suspension arm is mounted; a cross member disposed between the left and right side members to couple together respective locations in the side members at each of which the arm support member is provided; and an oblique member extending from central portion of the cross member, in each of right and left directions of the vehicle and obliquely rearwardly and outwardly in the vehicle width direction, wherein each of the side members has a rear end joined to a rear portion of a respective one of the oblique members, and wherein the rear portion of the oblique member is provided with a tunnel-lower-frame coupling portion couplable to a tunnel lower frame, and a floor frame attaching portion attachable to a floor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masanobu Kobashi, Manabu Yamamoto, Jun Inoue, Satoshi Obata
  • Publication number: 20150102576
    Abstract: A subframe for a motor vehicle includes at least one transverse structure oriented in a transverse direction of the vehicle, a first and a second longitudinal member oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to the at least one transverse structure by respective first and second cast joints respectively arranged between the first longitudinal member and the at least one transverse structure and the second longitudinal member and the at least one transverse structure, the first and second cast joints each having bearing connection points for fastening an engine bearing. The subframe also includes connection parts, one of which is provided for each of the first and second cast joints, the connection parts each having at least one other bearing connection point for fastening the engine bearing, and multiple bearing sites via which the connection parts are fastenable on the at least one transverse structure and on the bearing connection points of the first and second cast joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN ISAKIEWITSCH, Sebastian Scheiblecker
  • Patent number: 9004511
    Abstract: According to a further embodiment, an automotive vehicle including a body frame having opposed side frames and a subframe having opposed side members is disclosed. The subframe includes a stabilizer bar connection assembly comprised of generally U-shaped recess formed in each of the opposed side members and a generally U-shaped bushing disposed within the recesses. The opposed side frames overlie the opposed side members adjacent the recesses and secure the bushings within their respective recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Rosepiler, Philip S. H. Moir, Christopher B. Dundon
  • Patent number: 8998260
    Abstract: An apparatus, kit, and method for improving a motor vehicle. Embodiments include right and left frame supports, a cross beam, and two mounts for air bump stops, for instance, outboard of the vehicle frame. Damage to the frame can be prevented in severe suspension impacts and vehicle handling and performance can be improved both on and off road surfaces. Certain embodiments include impact pads clamped to the axle of the vehicle, hardware or bolts that attach components together or to the frame of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. Components can be configured to attach to the vehicle frame. Particular embodiments support the frame at the top, bottom, outboard side, or a combination thereof, and some frame supports have a channel portion, a hollow box portion, and two parallel gusset plates, for example. In some embodiments, the cross beam can fit between and attach to the gusset plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Corey M. Kausch
  • Patent number: 8985630
    Abstract: A cradle assembly for a vehicle having an underbody is provided. The cradle assembly includes a cradle body attachable to the underbody of the vehicle by at least one fastener. The cradle body may define at least one pathway, which may have a first pathway portion and a second pathway portion between which the at least one fastener is movable. The at least one fastener may be positioned in the first pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be secured to the underbody, and in the second pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be separated from the underbody. The cradle body is configured to move with respect to the at least one fastener when an applied load on the vehicle is at or above a threshold magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Balbir S. Sangha, Joseph K. Moore, Zohir Molhem, Dmitriy V. Mazur, Michael A. Ray, Qiang Xu, Jintaek Kwon, Jongmin B. Park
  • Patent number: 8979103
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular structure (1) that can form part of a motor vehicle axle, comprising at least one first tubular élément (15), at least one second tubular élément (16) and a Connecting piece (61, 62) fixing the first and second tubular éléments (15, 16) by welding, such that the Connecting piece (61, 62) is welded to one (15) of the two tubular éléments (15, 16) by at least one weld bead extending along a line forming said tubular élément (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroën Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Christophe Cazenave, Francois Le Gourvellec
  • Patent number: 8967670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe for the vehicle chassis of motor vehicles, which subframe has at least one cavity usable as a pressure accumulator and has a cross member (1) which is connected, at the two end faces (27, 28) thereof, to a node element (3, 4). Bearing elements (10 to 12) and/or further frame elements are attached to the node elements (3, 4). The cross member (1) is formed as a continuous rib-reinforced component or extruded part (15) and forms for the pressure accumulator a pressure-resistant cavity which is closed off by the node elements (3, 4) at the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Dominik Mohrlock, Thomas Janek, Andreas Goercke, Roland Hudler, Friedrich-Oskar Winter
  • Patent number: 8967644
    Abstract: A support assembly for receiving a vehicle wheel suspension and adapted for mounting to a vehicle structure, is disclosed that includes: a transverse body (3, 203, 303) having opposite ends; a left hand anchoring strut (9, 209, 309) extending downwardly from the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to define a distal left hand lower end; a right hand anchoring strut (7, 207, 307) extending downwardly from the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to define a distal right hand lower end. Separately attached left hand and right hand external reinforcing elements (31, 33; 231, 233, 333) each extend from an adjacent one of the opposite ends of the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to a connecting area (35, 37; 235, 335, 337) adjacent the respective one of the left and right hand distal lower ends of the downwardly extending anchoring struts (7, 9; 207, 209, 307, 309).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Daf Trucks N.V.
    Inventors: Albertus Clemens Maria Van Der Knaap, Jasper Joshua Backx
  • Patent number: 8960694
    Abstract: A trailing arm mounting bracket for mounting a trailing arm to a chassis or slider assembly of a vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, for example a lorry or a lorry trailer, includes two side plates each having a top end, a bottom end, and an opening in the bottom end for receiving a hinge pin, which side plates are positioned opposite each other with their opening at a mutual distance for receiving an end of the trailing arm in between their respective bottom ends, the side plates being mounted with their respective top ends to an in a mounted condition vertically oriented mounting plate, which mounting plate is arranged to connect the mounting bracket to the chassis or slider assembly, and where a center of the shortest distance between the two openings in the side plates lies substantially in a plane defined by the body of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: VDL Weweler B.V.
    Inventor: Derk Geert Aalderink
  • Patent number: 8955859
    Abstract: A blast resistant vehicle is disclosed that includes a structural frame member, a first frame coupled to the structural frame member and configured to receive a first axle assembly and a first suspension assembly, a second frame coupled to the structural frame member and configured to receive a second axle assembly and a second suspension assembly, and a cab assembly having a front portion and a rear portion and having a floor panel, a front firewall, a rear body panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The cab assembly is isolated from the structural frame member, the front sub-frame, and the rear sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Micah C. Richmond, Kristopher J. Krueger, David J Pelko
  • Patent number: 8925942
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle support (12) for motor vehicles. The axle support comprises at least one receiving element (10) for the steering device, which preferably comprises a tubular hollow body (10a) and is either produced in a single piece with the axle support or is bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Heiko Kauert
  • Patent number: 8925941
    Abstract: A method of producing a modular independent suspension having portal wheel ends is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, assembling a first flank component and a second flank component to opposite sides of a sub-frame configured to receive a carrier. The method further includes assembling a first upper control arm and a first lower control arm to the first flank component. The method further includes assembling a second upper control arm and a second lower control arm to the second flank component. The method further includes assembling a first portal wheel end to the first upper control arm and the first lower control arm. The method still further includes assembling a second portal wheel end to the second upper control arm and the second lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: AxleTech International IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cordier, Lillian Cantuern, Philippe Mella, Alexandre Courvoisier
  • Patent number: 8925947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bodywork of a motor vehicle comprising side members and a rear axle construction which is connected to the bodywork, the rear axle construction having means for attaching the rear axle construction to the bodywork and having a suspension, and the rear axle construction being configured as a torsion-beam axle or as a multi-link axle. The object to provide a generic bodywork of a motor vehicle with a rear axle construction which allows, in a financially favorable manner, a modular rear axle concept, i.e. the selective use of a torsion-beam axle or of a multi-link axle is achieved in that the bodywork has means for receiving the attachment means of a torsion-beam axle and of a multi-link axle and has means for receiving the attachment means and the suspension of a torsion-beam axle and of a multi-link axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Kai Schmitz, Axel Grüneklee, Burkhard Schulze-Bergkamen, Michael Brenneis
  • Publication number: 20140375013
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for the driven wheels of a vehicle is disclosed. The suspension includes a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel of the vehicle. The wheel carrier is connected to a torsion-resistant transverse link. The torsion-resistant transverse link is connected to the vehicle structure via two structure-side link bearings and to the wheel carrier via two wheel-carrier-side link bearings. The wheel carrier also is connected to two additional transverse links, each of the additional transverse links being connected to the vehicle structure and to the wheel carrier. The suspension also includes a carrier spring supported on the vehicle structure and on the wheel carrier, wherein the carrier spring is arranged in front of a wheel center axis and the at least two additional transverse links are arranged behind the wheel axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul ZANDBERGEN, Daniel MAINZ
  • Publication number: 20140375012
    Abstract: A rear shock absorber mounting structure for a vehicle includes a rear shock absorber upper cover which may be mounted on a wheel housing and on which a rear shock absorber may be engaged and supported, an inner dual rail member which may be mounted on an inner surface of the wheel housing, which may be oriented toward a vehicle interior along a width direction of a vehicle, and an outer dual rail member which may be mounted on an outer surface of the wheel housing, which may be oriented toward an outside of the vehicle interior along the width direction of the vehicle, and thereby, the rear shock absorber mounting structure may be configured by a simple structure, and mounting stiffness of the rear shock absorber may be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Hoon Cho, Dae Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 8915326
    Abstract: An axle beam arrangement on a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has two longitudinal beams and at least one cross beam connecting the two longitudinal beams. At least one of the beams has in an installation state of the vehicle a clearance between the beam stop region and a vehicle-side stop structure, in particular a body structure. The beam has in the beam stop region at least one stop and reinforcing element which reinforces the beam stop region and which is constructed and arranged so that it comes into supporting contact with the stop structure when the beam moves toward the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Peter Leibl
  • Patent number: 8905437
    Abstract: A cross member extends in a vehicle width direction and has opening portions at end portions in the vehicle width direction. The cross member includes a cross member main body, a closing plate, and a cylindrical spacer. The end portion of the cross member main body in the vehicle width direction includes a recessed portion on a side of the cross member main body opposite to a side on which the cross member main body is opened, the recessed portion being recessed toward the inner surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yorozu Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8905415
    Abstract: Front side frames 1 of a vehicle are each vertically connected through a corresponding one of joint members 7 to a cross member 2 configured to support a suspension arm below the front side frame 1. The joint members 7 are each coupled to a back end of a corresponding one of extension frames 4. This allows the front side frames 1 and the cross member 2 to share the load experienced by the extension frames 4 in a frontal collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeshita, Ippei Kuroda, Shun Teshigahara, Fumitaka Andou, Norio Asano, Shohei Yoshida, Kazuki Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20140327219
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle multi-link suspension system includes, for each wheel, two lower transverse arms and a substantially longitudinal or inclined lower arm, each having one end pivotally connected to a respective wheel support and the opposite end pivotally connected to the motor-vehicle structure. A leaf spring is arranged transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle. The leaf spring is supported by elastic supports arranged symmetrically at intermediate positions between the center of the leaf spring and the ends thereof. Ends of the leaf spring are pivotally connected to upper parts of the two wheel supports. Two jack-type shock absorbers have opposite ends swingably connected to the respective wheel support and the motor-vehicle structure. The end portions of the leaf spring also fulfill the function of triangular upper transverse arms of the multi-link suspension. Preferably the leaf spring is made of a composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Eugenio PERRI, Bruno MARTINA
  • Patent number: 8876132
    Abstract: A front sub-assembly for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The front sub-assembly includes a pair of spaced apart, substantially hollow side assemblies. Each of the side assemblies includes an upper side member and a lower side member. The front ends of the side assemblies are joined together by a front cross member that includes a front cross member reinforcing bracket and an internal mass dampener. The rear ends of the side assemblies are joined by an upper cross member and a lower cross member. A plurality of brackets, including body mount brackets, a steering gear bracket, an exhaust mount bracket, and a roll restrictor bracket are also strategically provided. The brackets as well as other components are preferably formed from stamped steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Marchena, Mark Andrew Kessen
  • Patent number: 8875834
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another. The vehicle structure also includes a vehicle body attached to the frame. The vehicle structure also includes a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support a vehicle drivetrain subassembly. The vehicle structure additionally includes a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Liviu Octavian Sirbu, Benjamin W Michajlyszyn
  • Patent number: 8864153
    Abstract: An automotive rear-suspension subassembly includes a rear-suspension frame, a first and second independent suspension, and a steering actuator coupled with each independent suspension through a bellcrank. The frame includes a front cross-member, a first side-rail, and a second side-rail, and defines a first side and a second side. The actuator is disposed on the first side of the frame, and the bellcrank extends across the frame from the first side to the second side. Each independent suspension is respectively configured to support a vehicle wheel, and includes a respective knuckle. Actuation of the steering actuator urges each respective knuckle to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Luttinen, Timothy J. Schabel
  • Patent number: 8857853
    Abstract: A modular vehicle chassis frame includes: two longitudinal bar pieces having front and rear end portions and a plurality of engaging portions; two front connecting members; two rear connecting members; two terminal bar pieces, one of which is connected to the front end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the front connecting members, and the other one of which is connected to the rear end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the rear connecting members; and a plurality of crossbar pieces that extend transversely to the longitudinal bar pieces. Each of the crossbar pieces extends through two aligned ones of the engaging portions respectively of the longitudinal bar pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuang-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 8857836
    Abstract: A sub frame attached to a vehicle-body rear portion from below comprises a pair of right-and-left side members and a front cross member which interconnects substantially respective central portions, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, of the side members. As attachment portions for attaching lower links, there are provided a central attachment portion which is provided at an interconnection portion between the side member and the front cross member, a front attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in front of the interconnection portion, and a rear attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in back of the interconnection portion. Thereby, a sub frame structure of an automotive can be superior in the light weight, ensuring the support rigidity of the suspension links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okuyama, Fumitaka Andou, Masaya Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20140251712
    Abstract: A vehicle is described herein having a rear drive mounted to a sub-frame where the sub-frame is movable relative to the frame, and where a suspension is movable relative to the sub-frame. Thus the vertical travel of the wheels is a combination of the vertical travel of the wheels relative to the sub-frame and the vertical travel of the sub-frame relative to the frame. The sub-frame could in the front or the rear, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Gordon C. Slattery, Jeffrey T. Schertz, Timothy J. Giese
  • Publication number: 20140252739
    Abstract: A longitudinal member is configured to transmit a part of a collision load occurring in a vehicle head-on collision to a suspension cross member by way of a front portion, a bending portion, and a rear portion. A lower arm, a portion of which is co-fastened to a vehicle body together with a fastening portion, is configured to transmit another part of the collision load occurring in the vehicle head-on collision to the fastening portion from the front portion. Accordingly, the rear end of the sub frame can be properly detached from the vehicle body in the vehicle head-on collision even in a case in which any weak portion extending in a vehicle width direction may not be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro OTANI, Kohtaro SASAGE, Nobuhiko HIBINO, Yasushi ISHIKAWA, Shunsuke KANEMOTO
  • Patent number: 8794646
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes: a suspension member for supporting a suspension mechanism of a vehicle; a rear-portion support member (inner members, a dash panel) provided above a rear portion of the suspension member and supporting the suspension member; a fastening member for fastening the rear portion of the suspension member to the rear-portion support member; and a latching member provided in the fastening member and latching thereto the rear portion of the suspension member to be displaced in a vehicle lower direction due to an impact load toward a vehicle rearward direction, so as to transmit, to the fastening member, a load toward the vehicle lower direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Onishi, Tomoyuki Honsho
  • Publication number: 20140183833
    Abstract: Front side frames 1 of a vehicle are each vertically connected through a corresponding one of joint members 7 to a cross member 2 configured to support a suspension arm below the front side frame 1. The joint members 7 are each coupled to a back end of a corresponding one of extension frames 4. This allows the front side frames 1 and the cross member 2 to share the load experienced by the extension frames 4 in a frontal collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki TAKESHITA, Ippei KURODA, Shun TESHIGAHARA, Fumitaka ANDOU, Norio ASANO, Shohei YOSHIDA, Kazuki YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140183834
    Abstract: A sub frame attached to a vehicle-body rear portion from below comprises a pair of right-and-left side members and a front cross member which interconnects substantially respective central portions, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, of the side members. As attachment portions for attaching lower links, there are provided a central attachment portion which is provided at an interconnection portion between the side member and the front cross member, a front attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in front of the interconnection portion, and a rear attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in back of the interconnection portion. Thereby, a sub frame structure of an automotive can be superior in the light weight, ensuring the support rigidity of the suspension links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro OKUYAMA, Fumitaka ANDOU, Masaya HIRAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8764036
    Abstract: A shock mount support assembly for a shock absorber of a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system includes a shock support bracket formed with an opening. A fastener is disposed through the opening in the shock support bracket and an eyelet of the lower end of the shock absorber to loose-fit the shock support bracket to the shock absorber, and to the suspension assembly beam in a transverse direction. The shock support bracket includes at least one transversely elongated or oversized opening that aligns with an opening formed in the beam. A fastener is disposed through the pair of aligned openings in order to loose-fit attach the shock support bracket to the beam. During assembly, the eyelet fastener is tightened first drawing the shock support bracket transversely outboardly. The fastener disposed through the shock support bracket-to-beam attachment is tightened, rigidly attaching the shock support bracket to the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brett L. Muckelrath, Keith D. McComsey, Sri Satya T. Kakarla, Ryan J. Lippincott, James J. Patterson, R. Scott Fulton