Interposed Frame Structure (i.e., Subframe) Patents (Class 280/124.109)
  • Patent number: 11964531
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Amit Aknin, Ran Dekel, Ahishay Sardes
  • Patent number: 11964533
    Abstract: In a fastener structure for a vehicle, a height adjustment spacer is interposed between first and second vehicle body frames fixed with a bolt and a nut. The nut has a first insertion hole through which a bolt is screwed, and is fixed to a surface of the first vehicle body frame. The height adjustment spacer has a second insertion hole through which the bolt is inserted, and is disposed in contact with another surface of the first vehicle body frame. The bolt is inserted through an attachment hole of the second vehicle body frame, the second insertion hole, an attachment hole of the first vehicle body frame, and the first insertion hole. On a contact surface between the height adjustment spacer and the first vehicle body frame, a protrusion and a recess are provided to surround an entirety of the second insertion hole, the second insertion hole respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Takahashi, Tsuguo Nakazawa, Satoshi Ueda, Jun Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11891123
    Abstract: A steering rack support assembly with a support shaft and a sleeve. The support shaft has a first end, a second end, and at least two mounting members. The cross section of the support shaft may be substantially the same along the length of the support shaft. A first of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the first end of the support shaft, while a second of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the second end. Each of the at least two mounting members may be configured to couple to the frame of the vehicle. The sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and is slidably coupled to the support shaft. A bracket affixed to the sleeve may be configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Sandcraft LLC
    Inventors: Brent G Reynolds, Jonathan D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11884327
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body including a first frame rail and a second frame rail and a cross-brace directly connected to the first frame rail and the second frame rail. A powertrain-electrification component is supported by the cross-brace. A vehicle subframe is directly connected to the cross-brace. A vehicle-steering gear is connected to the subframe. The direct connection of the subframe to the cross-brace dampens vibration, e.g., road vibration and noise, in the subframe to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness transferred to a vehicle occupant through the vehicle-steering gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Do Young Chung, Jason C. Marcath, Suma Rani Das, Afif Sabbagh
  • Patent number: 11878578
    Abstract: A cradle assembly for housing and supporting a motor and a gearbox of an electric axle assembly. The cradle assembly has generally an “open air” design which provides a space for a motor and/or gearbox to be positioned within a pre-assembled cradle assembly and allows for easy access to the motor and gearbox for maintenance. The cradle assembly includes two end caps, a plurality of tube portions connecting the end caps and a plurality of motor mounts for supporting the motor and gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Brock, Jeremy M. Frenznick, Brian A. Mattila, Scott L. Steward, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11873024
    Abstract: Provided is a suspension subframe structure that can activate a load path using an extension frame in an impact while avoiding increase in vehicle weight and also enables a suspension subframe to disengage from a vehicle body when an impact load is too large to be absorbed by the extension frame alone. The suspension subframe structure of the present invention includes a suspension subframe 110 that supports a suspension member 60 for a front wheel. The suspension subframe 110 includes: a body 111 that transmits an impact load input from a vehicle front side toward a vehicle rear side; a fixed portion 124 disposed near the body 111 and fixed to a vehicle body; and a connection portion 121 connecting the fixed portion 124 to the body 111. The connection portion 121 is provided with fragile portions 121f, 122g having a lower strength against a load in a vehicle front-rear direction than the body 111 and the fixed portion 124.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Okamoto, Masaaki Tanaka, Fumihiro Kurohara
  • Patent number: 11787475
    Abstract: A superstructure arrangement of a motor vehicle shell construction of a motor vehicle includes a superstructure with first and second longitudinal girders running in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. An auxiliary frame is fixed on the motor vehicle shell construction and is disposed below the first and second longitudinal girders and includes first and second longitudinal elements which diverge from each other from a back to a front in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. A first front end region of the first longitudinal element juts out beyond the first longitudinal girder on a first outside in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle and a second front end region of the second longitudinal element juts out beyond the second longitudinal girder on a second outside in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Michael Carl
  • Patent number: 11780281
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for a two-track vehicle has a wheel carrier, a vibration damper designed and arranged in the manner of a damper strut, and a leaf spring element, which has, in particular, a fiber composite material or is made from a fiber composite material. The leaf spring element is oriented at least approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is designed to provide a suspension function and, together with the vibration damper, to guide a vehicle wheel fastened to the wheel carrier when the independent wheel suspension is installed in a vehicle for functional usage. The leaf spring element is connected, on the wheel carrier end, to the wheel carrier via two rubber bearings, each having a bearing axis and a central bearing point, so as to be rotatable about the respective bearing axis of each rubber bearing and is designed to be connected, on the vehicle body end, to an axle support in a torsion-resistant manner and/or directly to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludwig Seethaler
  • Patent number: 11718355
    Abstract: A modular saddle mount and modified frame cross member for reducing vibration in heavy equipment cabs preferably includes a heavy equipment modified frame cross member, two modular saddle mounts and at least two vibration isolators. The modified frame cross member includes a frame cross member, two sets of opposed mounting blocks and two cutout filler plates. The two cutout filler plates are secured in first and second cutouts. Each opposed mounting block is secured to an outside of the frame cross member. The modular saddle mount preferably includes a saddle base member and a pair of fastening inserts. A fastening cutout is formed in each end of the saddle base member. The pair of fastening inserts are retained on an inside surface of the saddle base member at opposing ends thereof. At least one isolator opening is formed through the base saddle member to receive a vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY N.A., INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick, Alan Nickel, Kunj Modi
  • Patent number: 11718136
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a damper bearing of a shock absorber in a wheelhouse of a vehicle. A damper receptacle is formed in a wheelhouse sheet metal part delimiting the wheelhouse. A threaded bolt is guided through a damper bearing screw hole and through a screw hole of the damper receptacle and the bolt tip of the threaded bolt is screwed together with an internal thread of a reinforcement element which is arranged on the side of the damper receptacle. A positioning aid is associated with the damper receptacle, via which positioning aid the damper bearing of the shock absorber can be pre-positioned in an assembly process up to an installation position in which the screw hole of the damper bearing, the screw hole of the damper receptacle, and the reinforcement element internal thread are oriented flush with respect to each other in a screw direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Schilling, Werner Krauth, Nicole Wallmann
  • Patent number: 11702142
    Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle includes: side frames of a suspension subframe; a cross member connecting front-end portions of the side frames in the vehicle width direction; a front beam member; and a connecting member connecting a front-end portion of each side frame to the front beam member. A high-rigidity portion having a higher rigidity than other portions of the side frame is at a connecting portion between the front-end portion of the side frame and the cross member. The front beam member has a side end portion extending on a vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to a connecting position with the connecting member. A protrusion portion protruding from the side end portion toward a vehicle rear side is to come into contact with the high-rigidity portion from the vehicle-width-direction outer side when a collision load from a vehicle front side is input to the side end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Mukaigawa, Hiroto Kido, Satoshi Nakamura, Fumihiro Kurohara, Satoshi Okano
  • Patent number: 11685486
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a resilient bumper that comprises an arc-shaped spring member that extends from a first end to a second end along a spring axis and includes an impact surface arranged between the first and second ends; and a support member that includes an attachment interface that extends in parallel to the spring axis of the spring member and is configured to releasably engage the first and second ends of the spring member. A bumper system and a marine structure are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Rabih A. Khodr
  • Patent number: 11667331
    Abstract: A vehicle body including side is provided. The vehicle body includes left and right side frames that extend in a vehicle body forward-rearward direction and support a collision load acting from the front or the rear, and a coupling member that is joined to open ends of the side frames and restricts displacement between the open ends in a direction in which the open ends are away from each other. The side frame has a plurality of low-strength sections disposed with high-strength sections interposed therebetween in the vehicle body forward-rearward direction and having a lower strength than the high-strength sections in the vehicle body forward-rearward direction. The low-strength section closer to the open end has a lower strength in the forward-rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Keiichiro Tsuji, Koji Yoshikawa, Takayuki Fujii, Yusuke Miura, Tomohiro Shimizu, Yumi Saito
  • Patent number: 11639096
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus configured to support a wheel of a vehicle includes an in-wheel motor. The suspension apparatus includes a suspension member extending substantially in a front and rear direction of the vehicle and coupled to a carrier at a plurality of coupling portions spaced apart from each other in an up and down direction. The carrier holds the in-wheel motor. A reference point of an upper one of the plurality of coupling portions is located on an inner side of a reference point of a lower one of the plurality of coupling portions in a widthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Yamada, Satoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 11572101
    Abstract: A sub-frame includes: a main body portion that has a vehicle body support portion supported by a vehicle body; and a reinforcement plate that is attached to a bottom surface of the main body portion. The main body portion includes a torque rod support portion which supports a torque rod coupled to a power unit. The torque rod support portion has a first shaft support portion which supports one end of a shaft supporting the torque rod, a first opening portion into which the torque rod is able to be inserted, and a second opening portion which is formed below the first shaft support portion. The reinforcement plate has a second shaft support portion supporting the other end of the shaft and covers the second opening portion from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuho Ito
  • Patent number: 11534853
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a part, in particular a composite cast part, includes the steps of: providing at least one insertion element; casting a casting material around at least a portion of the at least one insertion element such that at least one contact area is formed between the at least one insertion element and the casting material; and welding the at least one insertion element to the casting material in the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Segaud, Mario Senff
  • Patent number: 11505027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular suspension control assembly and a kit of parts therefore configured to connect to opposite ends of a vehicle axle housing and to opposite sides of the vehicle. The assembly includes a control module configured to connect to the opposite ends of the vehicle axle housing and a frame module configured to connect to the opposite sides of the vehicle. The control and frame modules are interconnected with pivot control members to allow both modules to keep equal weight on the rear wheels during vehicle cornering. The control module has a straight pivot link connected to one side of the axle housing and an interconnected asymmetrical pivot link connected to the other side of the axle housing. When cornering, additional weight is applied to one side of the axle housing. In response, the pivot links of the control assembly transfer weight to the other side of the housing, to keep equal weight on the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Norman Brown
  • Patent number: 11458826
    Abstract: An engine mounting assembly includes a front frame element defining, in part, a structural load bearing assembly, a differential case mounted to the frame at a frame mounting area, and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump. The differential case has an opening configured to receive an axle assembly and has walls defining a pan-receiving recess. The oil pan is configured to conform to the pan-receiving recess to be supported by the differential case and overlap the frame mounting area. The oil pan has a mounting flange extending from the upright walls and mounting bores that receives mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case. The differential case and the oil pan form part of the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle to transfer structural loads to and from the front frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Jesse J. Bender
  • Patent number: 11383569
    Abstract: A rear axle of a two-track vehicle includes a plurality of wheel-control links with at least one spring link for supporting a bearing spring on a vehicle body of the vehicle, which wheel-control links connect a rear wheel of the vehicle to a rear axle carrier. The rear axle carrier includes at least two longitudinal members oriented at least approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and at least one crossmember oriented at least approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear axle carrier is attached to the vehicle body via two bearing points on each side of the vehicle, as viewed with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle. The spring link and at least one of the wheel-control links are attached to the longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Stangl
  • Patent number: 11279407
    Abstract: A front axle supporting frame for mounting a drive unit of a transportation vehicle including a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam which extend substantially along a longitudinal transportation vehicle axis, as well as a first cross-beam and a second cross-beam which extend substantially along a transverse transportation vehicle axis, the first cross-beam is located in front of the second cross-beam when viewed in a direction of travel. A three-point mounting device for the drive unit is provided on the cross-beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Wolfgang Viereck
  • Patent number: 11220292
    Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes: a rear sideframe disposed on either side in a rear of a vehicle body; and a rear subframe disposed under the rear sideframe, wherein a rear end of the rear subframe is disposed at the same position in the longitudinal direction as, or at a position posterior to, a rear end of the rear sideframe. The vehicle rear structure has better performance in transmitting an impact load at a rear impact with a vehicle than ever, to further improve performance in absorbing impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ukyo Watanabe, Takashi Yamada, Satoru Noguchi, Takehiko Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 11173630
    Abstract: A mobile volumetric concrete mixing system includes a suction system that vacuums up trench spoils while a trench is being cut. These trench spoils are then screened on-site for particle size to be reused and mixed with water, cement, and/or other admixtures at an auger mixer to form a backfill mixture. This backfill mixture may then be loaded into a hopper that continuously agitates the mixture so that the mixture does not harden before pouring. The agitating hopper is coupled to a discharge chute of the auger mixer and includes one or more augers disposed at various orientations that the backfill mixture is channeled through. From the agitating hopper, the backfill mixture is channeled to an applicator that moves along the trench and that enables the mixture to be quickly poured into the trench with little clean-up required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: J&P INVESCO LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Karam, Henry J. Karam, Gabriel J. Leyva, Stanley R. Peters, David S. Zuniga, Carlos Medina
  • Patent number: 11097788
    Abstract: An electric-propulsion car includes: a main frame, a front axle unit, a rear axle unit, wherein the axle units each have an auxiliary frame for supporting the axle units and two suspension units that connect two respective wheel supports to the supporting auxiliary frame, wherein at least one of the axle units is a motorized axle with steering wheels including, mounted on said auxiliary frame, an electric motor for actuating the rotation of the wheels, a control unit for controlling said electric motor, a transmission unit for connecting the electric motor to the wheels, and a steering device for steering the wheel supports, and wherein each one of the main frame and auxiliary frames includes a reticular lattice structure including boxed elements made of steel, each one of the main frame and auxiliary frames being adapted to be pre-assembled separately and then assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Interactive fully Electrical Vehicles S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pietro Perlo, Pietro Guerrieri, Marco Biasiotto, Davide Penserini
  • Patent number: 10889154
    Abstract: A spring device for a motor vehicle wheel suspension that includes a first leaf spring made of fiber-reinforced plastic and a second leaf spring made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The second leaf spring is shorter than the first leaf spring and together with the first leaf spring forms a V-shaped structure, which, in the region of the joined ends of the V-shape, has a first fastening device for the vehicle-body-side support and at the free ends of the V shape has a second fastening device on the first leaf spring for wheel-side support and a third fastening device on the second leaf spring for vehicle-body-side support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ingo Winter
  • Patent number: 10828956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forecarriage of a rolling motor vehicle with three or four wheels, comprising: —a forecarriage frame; at least one pair of front wheels kinematically connected to each other and to the forecarriage frame by means of a first kinematic mechanism which enables the front wheels to roll in a synchronous and specular manner, each wheel being connected to the first kinematic mechanism by means of a respective axle journal the latter being mechanically connected to a rotation pin of the wheel in order to support it rotatably around an axis of rotation, —a roll block system; —suspension means which guarantee each axle journal at least one spring suspension movement with respect to said first kinematic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 10766550
    Abstract: A load divider dolly has: a chassis; ground engaging wheels; a tow vehicle mount pivotally mounted to the chassis; a variable volume element mounted to adjust a pitch angle between the chassis and the tow vehicle mount; and a pressure control system configured to, during use, supply and exhaust fluid such as gas to and from the variable volume element to distribute load between a tow vehicle and the ground engaging wheels of the load divider dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Lawrence Stross
  • Patent number: 10766562
    Abstract: A forecarriage (8) of a rolling motor vehicle (4), comprising a forecarriage frame (16), at least a pair of front wheels (10?), each wheel (10?) being connected to a rolling kinematic mechanism (20), which enables the front wheels (10?) to roll in a synchronous and specular manner, by means of a respective axle journal (60), and a roll block system (100) comprising a rod extensible in length (110) which directly connects one of the two front wheels (10?) at the respective axle journal (60) to said forecarriage frame (16) by means of hinging means (71, 72, 73) at both its ends, and means (120) to reversibly block the lying position of said rod extensible in length (110) on a rolling plane with respect to said axle journal (60) and to said forecarriage frame (16), so as to block the rolling movements allowed by said rolling kinematic mechanism (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Socci, Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 10696123
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel tank and suspension system. In one example, a system may include arranged a dampener between the fuel tank and the suspension system. The dampener may be configured to couple to the fuel tank or suspension system such that a threshold distance between a spud of the fuel tank and a stability bar of the suspension system may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Tehcnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nour-Eddine Fellague, Harish Dutt, Peyman Aghssa, Roberto Jimmy Pellillo, Sean Timothy Ryan, Sai Gnanarka Gomatham, Mohammad R. Aghili
  • Patent number: 10661836
    Abstract: A mounting unit is provided that improves compatibility to be applied to various parts of a vehicle body which is coupled with a chassis by manufacturing the mounting unit to include a bracket and hardware. The mounting unit includes a bracket that has a first panel and a second panel, which are respectively bent several times, are combined with each other to form an empty portion to be surrounded by the first panel and the second panel and fixed to a vehicle body. Additionally, the mounting unit includes a hardware that is disposed in the empty portion to be fixed by being combined with the first panel and the second panel and adapted to form a thread for engaging a fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Uke Han, Mun Yong Lee, Ki Sung Nam
  • Patent number: 10654525
    Abstract: A front subframe structure includes front and rear cross members, a pair of left and right side members, and a vehicle body mounting portion disposed on front ends of the side members. The side member has a lateral widening portion at a front end thereof, wherein the lateral widening portion bulges outward in a vehicle width direction. The front cross member has a front widening portion at an end portion thereof in the vehicle width direction, wherein the front widening portion bulges forward of the vehicle. A portion of the front cross member excluding the front widening portion is disposed on the rear side with respect to the vehicle body mounting portion, and on the front side with respect to a rear end of the lateral widening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Yasushi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10556623
    Abstract: Cross-member for a motor-vehicle front suspension, comprising a first structure of metal, a second structure of composite material joined to the first structure and a plurality of mounting members connected to each other by the first structure to allow mounting of one or more components of the front suspension onto the cross-member, wherein the second structure comprises a base body wholly made of a composite material with a polymer matrix and at least one reinforcement element securely connected to the base body in predetermined areas thereof to contribute to the mechanical strength and stiffness of the whole cross-member whereby the second structure includes a main portion extending in a transverse direction, a pair of longitudinal appendages projecting rearwards from the opposite ends of the main portion, and a pair of struts extending upwards each from a respective longitudinal appendage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Goia, Andrea Santini
  • Patent number: 10549783
    Abstract: An auxiliary frame for a vehicle including a first shell element and a second shell element, rigidly connected to the first shell element, to define a cavity. The auxiliary frame includes a cross bridge for bearing a vehicle drive unit. The cross bridge is connected by a screwed connection to the first shell element and/or to the second shell element. The auxiliary frame includes a sleeve-like spacer element for the inserting of a screw for vehicle body connection. The spacer element is arranged at one of its ends at a through-hole of the first shell element and extends within the cavity in the direction of a through-hole of the second shell element. The spacer element has a sleeve-like portion for receiving a screw of the screwed connection of the cross bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Haselhorst, Viktor Friesen, Ulf Sudowe, Oliver Frenzel
  • Patent number: 10532776
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle modified to transport an individual using a wheelchair. The modified vehicle includes a lowered floor having an inclined portion to accommodate a ramp. The suspension replaces a portion of the suspension of an original equipment manufactured vehicle to accommodate the lowered floor, which is lowered from the original floor and which includes a width not found in the original floor. The suspension assembly includes a left bushing arm and a right bushing arm operatively connected together by a front and a rear crossmembers. Vehicle frame mounts, coil spring locations, and shock absorber locations are maintained, while accommodating the depth and width of the lowered floor. The additional weight of the vehicle, due to the addition of the lowered floor and anticipated weight of wheelchaired individuals, is accommodated by the suspension to maintain rider comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 10442268
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes a first rail assembly, a second rail assembly and an open-section twist beam connected to the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly. The twist beam includes an upper wall, a lower wall and rear wall wherein the upper wall and the lower wall are connected by the rear wall to define an open portion of the twist beam where the upper wall and the lower wall are separated by a vertical distance. The open portion of the twist beam is forward facing. The axle assembly further includes a torsion bar that extends through and is connected within the open portion of the twist beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: MAHINDRA N.A. TECH CENTER
    Inventors: Vidyadhar Vithal Katkar, Matthew Thomas Brown
  • Patent number: 10442466
    Abstract: Provided is a frame structure of a vehicle comprising a front side frame; a reinforcing member disposed in a closed cross section; and an inner bead portion which is formed from a plurality of ridgelines extending vertically on a side wall of the front side frame and projects inwardly into the closed cross section, in which the side wall has the front inclined planar portion which includes a line connecting the upper end portion of the intermediate ridgeline with the middle portion of the front ridgeline; and the rear inclined planar portion which includes a line connecting the upper end portion of the intermediate ridgeline with the middle portion of the rear ridgeline, and the reinforcing member is joined to the front proximal portion and the rear proximal portion of the intermediate ridgeline, which are the front and rear inclined planar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Takahiro Aonuma, Kazuto Ishii, Hiroto Kido, Takehito Kobayashi, Ken Fujimoto, Taiga Kamikawaji
  • Patent number: 10391828
    Abstract: An axle component for a motor vehicle axle is disclosed having rim holes for the insertion of a rubber-metal bearing. The upper and lower collars of the two rim holes are oriented in the same direction. An outwardly oriented collar is set back into the interior space in relation to an outer wall of the axle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Jager, Christian Smatloch
  • Patent number: 10300962
    Abstract: An axle carrier for a motor vehicle is disclosed having at least two attachment points, a metallic upper shell and a lower shell of fiber composite material coupled to the metallic upper shell. A first load path extending through the metallic upper shell between the at least two attachment points in an edge region, and a second load path shorter that the first load path extending through the lower shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Alex Mirau, Oliver Seibt, Guenter Fortmeier, Matthias Koerner, Frank Hoecker, Kim-Henning Sauerland
  • Patent number: 10259502
    Abstract: A mounting unit for a rear suspension is provided. The mounting unit for a rear suspension of a multi link type coupling a rear suspension member to a rear floor side member includes a pipe nut disposed through one side of the rear floor side member and first and second brackets that couple to upper and lower end portions of the pipe nut to the rear floor side member and a rear cross member, respectively. A mounting bolt is coupled to the pipe nut to maintain the position of one side of the rear suspension member to the rear floor side member, and a support bracket is coupled to the rear floor side member and the rear cross member with the first and second brackets through a flange and disposed between an exterior lateral surface of the rear floor side member and a bottom surface of the rear cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Huensick Min
  • Patent number: 10239558
    Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure including: a left and right pair of vehicle body frame members; a lower extension section joined to each of the left and right pair of vehicle body frame members, the lower extension section including: a front lower extension section extending toward a vehicle lower side, and a rear lower extension section disposed at a vehicle rear side of the front lower extension section and extending toward the vehicle lower side; and a front-rear direction extension section that bridges the vehicle front-rear direction between the front lower extension section and the rear lower extension section, the front-rear direction extension section provided with a lower arm support section that a lower arm is attached to pivotably substantially a vehicle vertical direction, and the front-rear direction extension section being joined to the rear lower extension section at the vehicle rear side of the lower arm support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Okumoto
  • Patent number: 10183705
    Abstract: In a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which comprises a suspension cross member, a side member, and first and second reinforcing members which are provided in a closed cross section formed by the side member and a slant portion, the suspension cross member being fixed by fastening a bolt which is inserted through the suspension cross member to a weld nut which is vertically fixed to a bottom plate portion of the side member, the first reinforcing member is joined to a front-side semicircular portion of a peripheral portion of the weld nut and the second reinforcing member is joined to a rear-side semicircular portion of the peripheral portion of the weld nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Masaya Nishimoto, Takahiro Aonuma, Kazuto Ishii, Ken Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10035546
    Abstract: A support device for a front end of a passenger motor vehicle includes at least one vehicle body component extending in the vehicle vertical direction, by which respective longitudinal support elements, which are associated on the sides, of respective longitudinal support planes are connected to each other. A transverse support of a front end module is retained on the body of the passenger motor vehicle. At least a first support element is provided on the body component on a side facing outwardly in relation to the transverse direction of the vehicle and has a receptacle. At least a second support element is arranged outside of the body component in relation to the transverse direction of the vehicle, provided on the transverse support and extends rearwardly from the transverse support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Schuster, Wilhelm Riedl, Oeztzan Akif, Gerhard Fichtinger
  • Patent number: 9988091
    Abstract: A vehicle frame has a first side member, a second side member and a cross-member. The first and second side members extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The cross-member extends in a vehicle lateral direction between the first and second side members. The cross-member is fixed to the first side member and the second side member. A mid-portion of the cross-member has a first upright wall and a second upright wall spaced apart from one another defining a hollow area therebetween. A bulkhead is installed within the cross-member between the first upright wall and the second upright wall. The bulkhead has a plurality of surface sections that extend between the first upright wall and the second upright wall and perpendicular to the first upright wall and the second upright wall. The bulkhead is configured to restrict movement of the first upright wall relative to the second upright wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry McConnell, Christopher Robert Hartley, Patrick Dean Grattan
  • Patent number: 9981681
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for assembling a modular cradle (1) for a vehicle steering axle, said method comprising a prefabrication step (a), which involves separately producing a base (3), a first module (10) that comprises a first section (2A) of a steering housing (2) for guiding a rack, and a first bearing (11) for receiving a stabilizer bar (13), a second module (20), separate from the base (3) and from the first module (10), which comprises a second section (2B) of the steering housing (2) for guiding the rack and a second bearing (21) for receiving the stabilizer bar (13), followed by an assembly step (b), which involves mounting and securing the first module (10) on a left-hand receiving area (7) of the base (3), and the second module (20) on a right-hand receiving area (8) of said base (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Nicolas Dieudonne, Vivien Chapel, Laurent Rey, Nicolas Plataret, Raphaël Vadon, Charly Filipe, Johann Sohar
  • Patent number: 9855969
    Abstract: A shock mount assembly for attachment to a vehicle frame and a vehicle rear axle, including a mounting beam attachable to the vehicle frame and having shock mounts that are attachable to shock first ends. Shock mount gusset plates provide an attachment point for shocks that extend to the vehicle rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Addictive Desert Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Jared A. Hare
  • Patent number: 9783234
    Abstract: A sub frame structure of a vehicle comprising a pair of side members with front ends rigidly connected to a floor frame, a rear cross member holding the vicinity of rear ends of the side members, both-side end portions of which are rigidly connected to a rear side frame, the both-side end portions of the rear cross member being positioned on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, of the side members, a front cross member interconnecting the side members in the vehicle width direction and being positioned in front of the rear cross member, being spaced apart from the rear cross member, and a pair of upper members respectively connecting an upper portion of the rear cross member and an upper portion of the front cross member in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a position above the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Katsuyuki Komiya
  • Patent number: 9776659
    Abstract: A bolted trailer frame includes frame rails provided in plural sections. The plural sections are bolted together using butt joints reinforced by one or more reinforcement brackets or plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Frick
  • Patent number: 9701342
    Abstract: A suspension mount assembly for mounting a subframe to a frame of a vehicle having a frame rail is provided. The suspension mount assembly includes a cross member and a stay. The cross member is coupled to the frame rail and at least partially defines a recess. The subframe includes a distal end at least partially positioned within the recess at a mounting point defined along a central axis of the recess. The stay couples the cross member to the frame rail and retains the subframe at least partially positioned within the recess at the mounting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Adam Goellner, Derek Horton, Keith Malarik, Martyn Morrish, Charles Gagliano, Michael Gebrian, Aaron Wright, Paul Martino
  • Patent number: 9682727
    Abstract: A sub frame structure of a vehicle comprises a pair of right-and-left side members and a front cross member interconnecting the side members in a vehicle width direction. The side member includes a front support bracket and a rear member holding member which are arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction and to which a front connection portion and a rear connection portion of the upper-side lower arm are pivotally connected, and comprises a front part positioned in front of the front support bracket. Herein, the front part of the side member is rigidly connected to a floor frame of a vehicle body at its front end and configured in a long shape such that the front part extends obliquely forward and outward, in the vehicle width direction, from a position where the front support bracket is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Katsuyuki Komiya
  • Patent number: 9682667
    Abstract: A trailer slider suspension including a tubes and wires support system. The slider includes a frame slidably coupled to and supporting a trailer. The frame includes a cross brace including a pair of overlapping straps to resist twisting. A rotatable shaft is coupled to pins on the frame which are thereby selectively retractable and extendable into the trailer whereby the frame can be moved and fixed along the trailer. Supporting brackets are provided including a central portion and left and right arms extending therefrom. A shaft hole is provided in the central portion and straps openings are provided in each of the arms. The bracket is secured to the frame at a distance from the straps overlap with the rotatable shaft extending through the shaft hole, one of the straps extending through the left arm strap opening and the other strap extending through the right arm strap opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Wall
  • 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