Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a bumper, and an impact absorber. The impact absorber extends from the frame to the bumper. The impact absorber has a sliding member and a receiving member. The receiving member defines an orifice and a portion of the sliding member is disposed within the orifice. The sliding member is configured to slide into the receiving member during impact events such that the receiving member yields and flares outward to absorb energy.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a pair of rails spaced from each other. A beam is disposed between the pair of rails and defines a cavity. The beam includes walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement about the cavity. Each hinge is connected to two of the walls. A wedge is disposed between one of the rails and the beam adjacent the cavity for driving the walls and hinges toward an expanded position during a side impact.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a pair of rails spaced from each other and a deployable reinforcing device extending between the rails. The deployable reinforcing device includes a beam disposed between the pair of rails and including walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement. The walls are rotatable about the hinges from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The device includes a deployment mechanism disposed between the walls. When a vehicle impact is sensed, the deployment mechanism is deployed to expand the beam to the expanded position to reinforce the rails.

Abstract: A battery housing for a traction motor battery of a vehicle is disclosed that includes a plurality of elongated impact absorbing members attached to the walls of the enclosure. The impact absorbing members may be integrally formed with the walls of the enclosure. The impact absorbing members include an arcuate wall that is designed to be deformed in the event of an impact to absorb impact forces and protect the battery. The impact absorbing members may be oriented to extend either in a horizontal orientation or vertical orientation. The impact absorbing members may be retained by T-shaped guide on the outer surface of the walls of the enclosure or may be integrally formed in one piece on the outer surface of each of the walls of the enclosure.

Abstract: A battery housing for a traction motor battery of a vehicle is disclosed that includes a plurality of elongated impact absorbing carbon fiber reinforced polymer members attached to the walls of the enclosure. The impact absorbing members may be corrugated members that have ridges and furrows connected by ramp surfaces that define trapezoidal spaces relative to the sides of the enclosure. The ridges are designed to be deformed into the trapezoidal space in the event of an impact to absorb impact forces and protect the battery. The impact absorbing members may be retained by T-shaped guides on the outer surface of the walls of the enclosure or may be adhesively attached to the sides of the enclosure.

Abstract: An enclosure for a traction motor battery of a vehicle is disclosed that includes a plurality of impact absorbing members on the exterior of the enclosure. The impact absorbing members have an arc-shaped or partially cylindrical wall and a flat wall that define a partially cylindrical pocket. In an impact, the arc-shaped wall collapses toward the flat wall to absorb the impact force.

Abstract: A battery enclosure for the battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed that is provided with cylindrical impact absorbing tubular members. The tubular members are arrayed about the battery enclosure between an inner wall and an outer wall in a spaced relationship. The tubular members are spaced from each other and include internal reinforcing walls that stiffen the battery enclosure and absorb impact loads. The reinforcing walls may be in an X-shaped, Y-shaped or parallel and may be oriented to absorb impact loads to a greater or lesser extent.

Abstract: A battery housing for a traction motor battery of a vehicle is disclosed that includes attachments retained by parallel T-shaped guides on the outer surface of the walls of the enclosure. The attachments are oriented to extend either in a horizontal orientation or vertical orientation. The depth of the attachments and shape of the attachments may be selected to meet impact force requirements and packaging space limitations imposed by the structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.

Abstract: A sleeve is attached to a tubular longitudinal bar that extends around a control arm for the rear suspension of a vehicle. The tubular longitudinal bar is generally U-shaped with a first leg attached to a frame rail in front of the control arm and a second leg connected to the frame rail behind the control arm. The first and second legs are joined by a middle portion. A bend is formed between the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is attached to the tubular longitudinal bar at the bend and extends partially along the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is disposed between the control arm and a fuel tank of a vehicle that is located between the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A crash box for connecting a bumper of a vehicle to a frame member of the vehicle is disclosed. The crash box includes a first crash box component made of metal with one end attached to the bumper and a second end attached to the frame member and forming an inner region. The crash box includes a second crash box component made of reinforced polymer. The second crash box component extends within the inner region of the first crash box and defines a length. The second crash box component has a uniform cross section along the length.

Abstract: A deflector is provided for a vehicle having a bumper that is connected to a frame rail through a crush-can. The deflector includes an engagement portion that extends laterally outward and forward of the frame rail. The engagement portion is attached by an attaching portion to the frame rail at a front location behind the crush-can. A small overlap collision support portion extends from the engagement portion toward a collision loading location on the frame rail behind the front location. The deflector has a front leg that is connected through an intermediate leg to a rear leg. The front leg is attached to the frame rail and the rear leg is unattached to the frame rail, but disposed to apply a lateral load to the side of the frame rail in a small overlap rigid barrier test.

Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes a frame, an underbody supported by the frame, and a subframe connected to the underbody. A connection connects the subframe and the underbody. A lever extends from the subframe to the frame. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the lever leverages against the frame to detach the connection from the underbody. This movement of the subframe relative to the frame and the detachment of the connection from the underbody absorbs energy during the frontal impact and results in a softer pulse and a reduced Vehicle Pulse Index.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly is provided comprising a main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a deflector assembly which has a front member having an inboard end pivotally coupled to the main rail and an outboard end. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a rear member having an inboard end slidably coupled to the main rail and an outboard end pivotally coupled to the outboard end of the front member. Additionally, a tension member is disposed between the inboard ends of the front member and the rear member. The deflector assembly is operable between a normal use position wherein the tension member is slack and a collision position wherein the tension member is taut.

Abstract: A deflector is provided for a vehicle having a bumper that is connected to a frame rail through a crush-can. The deflector includes an engagement portion that extends laterally outward and forward of the frame rail. The engagement portion is attached by an attaching portion to the frame rail at a front location behind the crush-can. A small overlap collision support portion extends from the engagement portion toward a collision loading location on the frame rail behind the front location. The deflector has a front leg that is connected through an intermediate leg to a rear leg. The front leg is attached to the frame rail and the rear leg is unattached to the frame rail, but disposed to apply a lateral load to the side of the frame rail in a small overlap rigid barrier test.

Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.

Abstract: A collision countermeasure apparatus for a small offset rigid barrier test. The collision countermeasure apparatus includes a cable that is attached between an outrigger and a forward end of a frame rail assembly. The cable reduces the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A shotgun rail, or deflector, is provided as part of a front end structure of a vehicle. The shotgun rail includes a triangular shaped bulkhead having a front surface disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front of a vehicle and a rear surface that is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the rear of the vehicle. A laterally facing surface of the bulkhead is attached to a frame rail. Loads resulting from an impact with a small offset rigid barrier are distributed between longitudinal load paths and lateral load paths through the shotgun rails, frame rails, and sub-frame.

Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.

Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.