Having Impact Absorbing Means Patents (Class 280/784)
  • Patent number: 11952039
    Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar Gupta, Leonard Anthony Shaner, Yu Liu, John Wesley Stanley, Yu-Kan Hu, Fungtai Charles Ko, Petros Frantzeskakis
  • Patent number: 11845491
    Abstract: Vehicle subframes and methods of producing the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a subframe of a vehicle including longitudinal members, and lateral extensions extending from the longitudinal members, the lateral extensions extending outward from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, outer edges of the lateral extensions including contours to avoid turn radii of steerable tires of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Harsha Kusnoorkar, Scott J. Bell, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk
  • Patent number: 11820197
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a control arm having a first branch portion extended from a second branch portion, the first branch portion and the second branch portion being fixed with a frame of the vehicle, and a third branch portion extended from the second branch portion, and coupled with a wheel. The vehicle also includes a first joint fixing the first branch portion to the frame, and a second joint located behind the first joint along the frame in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and fixing the second branch portion to the frame with a first bracket extending along the frame, outward from the second branch portion in a vehicle lateral direction. The first bracket is fixed to the frame at a first bracket weakened portion, and configured such that the second branch portion separates the first bracket weakened portion from the frame while the first joint remains fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Bradley W. Klein
  • Patent number: 11628700
    Abstract: Suspension systems are provided where the lower control arm is allowed to separate from the engine cradle at prescribed conditions to deliver the proper wheel kinematics for select cases while maintaining structural integrity for all other load cases. A system includes a vehicle body structure, a wheel assembly, and a suspension system linking the wheel assembly to the engine cradle. The suspension system includes a link coupled with the engine cradle through a first joint and coupled with the wheel assembly through a second joint. The first joint is configured to release the link from the engine cradle under loads above a threshold force and above a threshold angle of the threshold force at the second joint, to provide the desired kinematics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sung-ling Twu, Ferdous M Z Ghazi, Fred M Marquardt, Zohir Molhem
  • Patent number: 11505251
    Abstract: A system for managing lateral loads in a vehicle includes a crossmember and one or more structures that may be deformable. The crossmember is arranged laterally spanning a first longitudinal frame member, arranged on a first side of the vehicle, and a second longitudinal frame member of the vehicle, arranged on a second side of the vehicle. The structure is affixed to one lateral side of the vehicle, arranged longitudinally forward of the crossmember, arranged laterally outside of the first frame member, and is configured to deform during a small overlap collision. The structure, when under load, is configured to apply a lateral force on an end of the crossmember to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle. A vehicle may include a structure on each side of the vehicle to generate lateral displacement of the vehicle away from a colliding rigid barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Anish Shah, Akshat Chauhan, Alastair Donald, Mohammed Nomaan Khan
  • Patent number: 11390327
    Abstract: Subframe brace apparatus and related assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle assembly includes a subframe of a vehicle, a vehicle body structure, and a brace attaching the subframe to the vehicle body structure. A body of the brace includes a first end coupled to the subframe and a second end coupled to the vehicle body structure. The first end of the body is configured to remain connected to the subframe during an offset frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a first load to the first end. The first end of the body is also configured to separate from the subframe during a full frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a second load to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, INC.
    Inventors: Kyler A. Tolman, Alex B. Taylor, Ryan M. Mahn, Robert D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11325648
    Abstract: A front end module frame may include a cross member, a pair of side members extending from respective end portions of the cross member in a height direction of the vehicle, each of the pair of side members having a center portion connected to the front end portion of a corresponding one of front side members of the vehicle, an upper back beam member interconnecting the upper end portions of the pair of side members, the upper back beam member having opposite end portions respectively connected to the front end portions of upper fender apron members of the vehicle, and a lower back beam member extending in a width direction of the vehicle and interconnecting the center portions of the pair of side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 11292522
    Abstract: Splayed front horn for vehicle frames are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame of a vehicle having a side rail directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a splayed front horn coupled to the side rail, the splayed front horn angled outward relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the splayed front horn includes a first section and a second section, the first and second sections having different physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Gombert, Jeffrey A. Walesch, Leonard Anthony Shaner, Yu-Kan Hu, Mikolaj Tyksinski, Sukhwinder Singh Dhindsa, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Srinivasan Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 11285794
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrical device, a frame member configured to hold the electric device, and a bracket connecting a vehicle structural member and the frame member. The frame member includes: a frame main body having an electrical device accommodation portion configured to accommodate the electrical device and a bracket attachment portion to which the bracket is attached; and an upper frame which is attached to the frame main body and covers the electric device accommodated in the electric device accommodation portion. The bracket attachment portion is attached to the bracket in a direction from the bottom to the top. The upper frame is attached to the frame main body in a direction from the top to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11235806
    Abstract: A front lower frame connection can comprise a center boss, outer and inner rearward horizontal front lower frame tube connection bosses, a rearward angular front lower frame tube connection boss, a vertical front lower frame tube connection boss, a forward angular front lower frame tube connection boss, outer and inner forward horizontal front lower frame tube connection bosses, a rearward horizontal beam, and a forward horizontal beam. The rearward horizontal beam can have an outer rearward horizontal beam member, and an inner rearward horizontal beam member. The forward horizontal beam can have an outer forward horizontal beam member, and an inner forward horizontal beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tad W. Miller, David O Zalanka, Timothy D Harman
  • Patent number: 11173955
    Abstract: A wheel knuckle for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes an upper member for connection to a vehicle suspension system, and a hub for supporting a bearing assembly. A displacement control member is provided for promoting displacement of the upper member towards a front of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision. The displacement control member comprises a distal end for positioning proximal to a rim of the wheel. The distal end of the control member is disposed at a vertical height which is lower than a rotational axis of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Karla Simone Gemkow
  • Patent number: 11173762
    Abstract: A method controls a user interface and an air-conditioning unit of a vehicle. The user interface includes display and operating elements. The method displays a plurality of the elements on the user interface, receives at least two operation parameters of the air-conditioning unit, determines one or more display parameters for a first element from the plurality of elements on the basis of the at least two operation parameters, and displays the first element on the basis of the one or more display parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludwig Seethaler
  • Patent number: 11130525
    Abstract: A rear impact system for an electric vehicle includes a left crash beam coupled with a rear portion of a rear wheel arch of the electric vehicle and extending to a rear bumper of the electric vehicle and a right crash beam coupled with the rear portion of the rear wheel arch and extending to the rear bumper. Each of the left crash beam and the right crash beam defines a generally octagonal shape. Each of the left crash beam and the right crash beam defines an interior comprising a plurality of ribs extending in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jens Maier
  • Patent number: 11091205
    Abstract: A rear vehicle-body structure comprises a floor of the vehicle-body, a right-and-left rear frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction on both-sides of a rear of the floor, a rear cross member extending in a vehicle width direction and interconnecting a front of the right-and-left rear frame, and a right-and-left reinforcing member directly or indirectly connecting a tunnel portion provided in front of the rear cross member. The right-and-left reinforcing member is provided on the floor so as to extend forwardly and inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the rear cross member toward the tunnel portion, and respective front end portions of the right-and-left reinforcing member overlap each other and are joined to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tsukamoto, Kouji Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11027780
    Abstract: A reinforcing plate is provided between an inner central portion that structures a portion of a connecting member and a rear end portion of a dash cross-member. The reinforcing plate is a wrought member and is joined (at a join portion) to both the inner central portion and a rear wall portion of the dash cross-member via joining members. Because the wrought member has high tensile strength, when the reinforcing plate is provided at the join portion of the connecting member, a tensile load acting on the join portion may be borne by the reinforcing plate, and breakage of the connecting member may be suppressed. Therefore, an impact load transmitted from a front side member through the connecting member may be transmitted to the dash cross-member and rockers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 10953923
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, includes an axle support, a load path expansion element which is connected to the axle support, and a vehicle component which differs from the load path expansion element and which is connected to the load path expansion element. The load path expansion element has a protruding portion which when used as intended is designed to absorb an impact force resulting from a frontal impact of the vehicle against an obstacle with a lateral overlap between the vehicle and the obstacle within a specified region with respect to a vehicle width. The protruding portion protrudes with respect to the axle support transversely to a vehicle longitudinal direction in the direction of a lateral vehicle outer edge situated in the proximity of the obstacle. The safety device is designed such that a portion of the absorbed impact force is transmitted into the axle support, and another portion of the absorbed impact force is transmitted into the component of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hoffman, Maximilian Maier, David Kogut, Dorian Darracq, Peter Rektorik, Torsten Kloeser
  • Patent number: 10906586
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a hollow frame that presents a substantially rectangular closed cross section and has a brittle section in the center part in the length direction of one wall section; and an energy-absorbing member facing the brittle section with a gap therebetween and attached to another wall section that faces the one wall section in the closed cross section of the hollow frame. The energy-absorbing member has a first wall section and a second wall section erectly provided from the other wall section toward the one wall section, and a third wall section connecting the tip end part of the first wall section and the tip end part of the second wall section. The third wall section faces the brittle section with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Haga, Tomohito Kamada
  • Patent number: 10843518
    Abstract: A fragile portion is provided at a portion of a suspension arm which is positioned near a vehicle-body attachment portion. The fragile portion is configured such that when a load which is greater than a specified magnitude is inputted to a front wheel from a vehicle forward side, the suspension arm is bent at the fragile portion, whereby the front wheel is rotated rearwardly around the fragile portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kanamaru, Hiroto Kido, Yasushi Ishikawa, Atsushi Kawamoto, Yuuki Uchiba, Hiroki Kimura, Susumu Sano
  • Patent number: 10766353
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure that includes connecting members that each have a front side connecting portion that is disposed at a vehicle longitudinal direction front side and at which a first joined portion that is joined to a radiator support and a second joined portion that is joined to a lover member are formed, a rear side connecting portion that is disposed at a vehicle longitudinal direction rear side and at which the first joined portion and the second joined portion are formed, and an outer side cut-out portion that is cut out from a vehicle transverse direction outer side and that is formed at a position that, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, is between the second joined portions of both a front side connecting portion and a rear side connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 10766535
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a rear side frame. The rear side frame includes a general part and a slope part. The general part extends substantially horizontally in at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface. The slope part extends so as to slope downward from the general part. A curved part is formed at a boundary between the general part and the slope part. The rear side frame includes two components which are a front side member and a rear side member. The curved part is provided on a joint part between the front side member and the rear side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Muramatsu, Shunsuke Kurai
  • Patent number: 10752193
    Abstract: A vehicle, including: an electric motor operatively connected to at least one driving wheel of the vehicle, and a frame structure including first and second side members extending in a longitudinal direction along opposite sides of the vehicle and at least one cross member extending in a transversal direction of the vehicle and being connected to the first and second side members, wherein the electric motor is supported by the frame structure such that the electric motor is arranged in a front portion of the vehicle in association with a pair of front wheels of the vehicle, and wherein each of the side members, at least along a deformable section thereof, is configured to deform by bending in an inwards and/or outwards transversal direction when compressed by a longitudinally directed force exceeding a threshold value, such as in case the vehicle is subject to a sufficiently energetic frontal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Joakim Ehn, Christer Berndtsson
  • Patent number: 10723384
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a rear side frame. The rear side frame includes a general part and a slope part. The general part extends substantially horizontally in at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface. The slope part extends so as to slope downward from the general part. A curved part is formed at a boundary between the general part and the slope part. The rear side frame includes two components which are a front side member and a rear side member. The curved part is provided on a joint part between the front side member and the rear side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Muramatsu, Shunsuke Kurai
  • Patent number: 10710643
    Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes rear side members, a lower back panel, and a rear floor panel. The lower back panel includes a wall plate panel, and is joined to the rear side members. The rear floor panel includes a joint flange, joint portions, and coupling plate portions. A rear end of a central portion of the rear floor panel in a vehicle width direction is provided behind, in a vehicle front-rear direction, rear ends of both of side portions of the rear floor panel in the vehicle width direction. A bent portion that is projected toward a front side of the vehicle is formed by the joint flange and each of the coupling plate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10703414
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure that includes: a first lateral connecting member that is disposed between a pair of left and right front side members, and that connects the pair of left and right front side members parallel to a vehicle transverse direction, wherein vehicle longitudinal direction positions of portions, to which the first lateral connecting member is joined, at the pair of left and right front side members coincide with vehicle longitudinal direction positions of portions, to which front side joining portions of a suspension member are joined, at the pair of left and right front side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hyuga Atsumi
  • Patent number: 10696154
    Abstract: A cooperating rack structure comprising at least two modules affixed to legs and a method of reduced weight vertical storage of fuel tanks for use in motor vehicles wherein the fuel tanks form a cooperating portion of the rack superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Mark Arold, Joseph Hudak, Christopher Jaeger, Tae Kim, Derrin Olischefski
  • Patent number: 10632946
    Abstract: A bumper beam includes an outer portion and an inner portion each extending between a top end and a bottom end. At least one of the outer portion or the inner portion includes a pair of geometrical features each of which are disposed in spaced relationship to one another and adjacent a respective one of the top or bottom ends. A top wall and a bottom wall each extend from one of the geometrical features to the other of the outer portion or the inner portion to interconnect the outer and inner portions of the bumper beam. The geometrical features can be varied in size and shape to change and tune the energy absorption properties of the bumper beam and ultimately provide for a bumper beam that is adaptable and flexible over a range of vehicle applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Amar Rajendra Jadhav, Joseph Matthew Yaldo, Shrikanth Gujjal, John J. Caito, Jeffrey Mellis
  • Patent number: 10494028
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a first rail and an upper rail spaced from the first rail. The upper rail has a base portion and a top prong and a bottom prong each extending from the base portion. The vehicle includes a bumper connected to the first rail and to the top prong, and a subframe connected to the bottom prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chelliah Madasamy, Laike Misikir, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Jamil M. Alwan, Thiag Subbian, Thomas Mueller
  • Patent number: 10479407
    Abstract: A metal pipe includes a pair of side walls facing each other and having a height H, a top portion connected to an upper edge of each of the pair of side walls, and a bottom portion connected to a lower edge of each of the pair of side walls. The metal pipe has a length six times the height H of the side walls or more. Each side wall pair includes a high-strength portion and a pair of low-strength portions, the low strength portions sandwiching the high strength portion. A high-strength portion dimension is not less than ?H and not more than 3H as measured longitudinally of the metal pipe, the high-strength portions forming opposite portions of the side wall pairs. The low-strength portion yield strength is 60 to 85% of that of the high-strength portion, whose yield strength is not less than 500 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirose, Yuichi Ishimori, Hiroshi Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 10471995
    Abstract: An upper side joint section that extends inward in a vehicle width direction from a vicinity of a rear side frame and a lateral side joint section that extends downward from the upper side joint section and that is separated in the vehicle width direction from the rear side frame are provided on a rear floor panel of a vehicle body rear part structure. The rear panel has: a frame joint part to which the rear side frame is joined; a first floor joint part to which the upper side joint section of the rear floor panel is joined; and a second floor joint part to which the lateral side joint section of the rear floor panel is joined. A longitudinal bead is provided on a part of the rear panel between the frame joint part and the second floor joint part. The longitudinal bead extends to a lower end of the rear panel and is opened downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Sugawara, Kengo Kishida, Hirofumi Kikuchi, Kazutaka Kanezashi, Keiichiro Okuyama
  • Patent number: 10421494
    Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle includes a first longitudinal node and a second longitudinal node. The second longitudinal node is disposed rearward of the first longitudinal node along a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first longitudinal node is disposed inboard of the second longitudinal node relative to the central longitudinal axis. A deflector rail is positioned adjacent to the support structure, between the first longitudinal node and the second longitudinal node. The deflector rail is operable to increase a stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to a front of the vehicle offset from the central longitudinal axis, and not increase the stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to the front of the vehicle that includes the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Andre T. Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10407099
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure is provided. The structure includes a front side member that extends in the length direction and is disposed at both left and right sides in the width direction and a wheel housing panel that houses a wheel, disposed external to the front side member in the width direction and coupled with the front side member. A dash panel extends in the width and height directions, and compartmentalizing an engine and occupant compartment. A front pillar extends in the length and height directions and is coupled with the wheel housing panel and the dash panel. Additionally, a cowl cross member extends in the width direction and includes both end portions coupled to the front pillar and the wheel housing panel. A first reinforcing member extends in the length and height directions and is coupled to the wheel housing panel and the front pillar vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seongeun Choi, SeungMin Jeong
  • Patent number: 10407100
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle body frame structure including: a side rail extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and disposed so as to face a front tire in a vehicle transverse direction; a cab mount member projecting toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side, from a region of the side rail that is further toward a vehicle rear side than the front tire, and to which a body is mounted; and a projecting portion projecting toward the front tire from a region of the cab mount member that is away from the side rail in the vehicle transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Onoda, Keiji Yamaguchi, Yoshiki Komatsu, Kento Shigeishi, Takaaki Onodera
  • Patent number: 10336374
    Abstract: A vehicle rear portion structure has: a rocker disposed at a vehicle transverse direction outer side of a floor portion of a vehicle body, and extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction as seen from a vehicle vertical direction; a rear side member having a front portion, which is disposed at a vehicle transverse direction inner side of the rocker and is disposed at a position overlapping the rocker as seen from a vehicle transverse direction, and a rear portion, which extends from the front portion toward a vehicle rear side and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction as seen from the vehicle vertical direction; and a closed cross-section structural portion that is structured to include a portion of the rocker and a portion of the front portion, that is interposed between the rocker and the front portion, and that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 10336182
    Abstract: A canister mounting arrangement includes a vehicle frame having a plurality of base members for supporting at least one seat in an occupant area, a pair of front upright members extending in an upward direction with respect to the base members and positioned at a forward portion of the occupant area, and a pair of rear upright members extending in an upward direction with respect to the base members and positioned at a rearward portion of the occupant area. The arrangement includes a fuel tank and a canister for receiving vapor from the fuel tank. The canister is mounted in a location above the base members, behind the front upright members and in front of the rear upright members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris Reedy, Brad Krempasky
  • Patent number: 10322751
    Abstract: A suspension member, including a front cross member that has a rectangular closed cross-sectional shape, as seen in a cross-section orthogonal to an extension direction of the front cross member, and that is provided with an engine mount bracket at a top wall of the front cross member, is provided. The front cross member includes: a first inclined wall that, as seen in the cross-section, connects an inner surface of the top wall and an inner surface of a front wall of the front cross member, and forms a closed cross-sectional shape at an upper front corner portion of the front cross member; and a second inclined wall that, as seen in the cross-section, connects an inner surface of a bottom wall and an inner surface of a rear wall of the front cross member, and forms a closed cross-sectional shape at a lower rear corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki Kanasugi
  • Patent number: 10293857
    Abstract: A rear side frame comprises a front-side frame and a rear-side frame which is provided in back of the front-side frame and configured such that a strength thereof against compressing of an axial direction is lower than that of the front-side frame, a rear end portion of the front-side frame and a front end portion of the rear-side frame are overlapped, and another vehicle-body member is connected to an overlap portion where the rear end portion of the front-side frame and the front end portion of the rear-side frame are overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Yamada, Koji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 10266047
    Abstract: A valve protection structure for a vehicle includes: side members; a hydrogen tank disposed between the side members; and a valve member installed to project from a vehicle-widthwise end face of the hydrogen tank. The side member has a convex member projecting inward in the vehicle widthwise direction from an inner wall part, the convex member is placed at a position offset with respect to the valve member and opposite the hydrogen tank in the vehicle widthwise direction, and a vehicle-widthwise distance between a tip part of the convex member and a portion of the hydrogen tank opposite the tip part of the convex member in the vehicle widthwise direction is set shorter than a vehicle-widthwise distance between a tip part of the valve member and a portion of the side member opposite the tip part of the valve member in the vehicle widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chihiro Sakurada, Isao Saito
  • Patent number: 10259503
    Abstract: A sub-frame arrangement (1) in a vehicle and method thereof wherein the sub-frame arrangement comprises a sub-frame (2), a first body member, and rear attachment means for attaching said sub-frame to the first body member. The sub-frame is a dual part sub-frame comprising a lower sheet section (2b) formed in a single piece wherein said lower sheet section extends the entire length of said sub-frame. The lower sheet section is further formed with two rear portions (21) each extending backwards in the travel direction of said vehicle and the rear portions are adapted to host the rear attachment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Svensson, John-Erik Andersson, Roger Karlsson, Dan Adamsson, Johan Leander, Johan Klingberg, Tom Stoddart
  • Patent number: 10207740
    Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure 10 includes a left rear frame 13 that is formed to have a closed section. The left rear frame 13 has a lower member 22 that is formed to have a thickness dimension larger than an upper member 23 thereof. The left rear frame 13 has a first soft zone 24, a second soft zone 25, and a third soft zone 26. The first to third soft zones 24, 25, and 26 are portions with lower strength. The second soft zone 25 is provided in a ring shape throughout the circumference of the left rear frame 13. The first soft zone 24 and the third soft zone 26 are arranged in a lower half part of the left rear frame 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamada, Hirokazu Nishiami
  • Patent number: 10202028
    Abstract: A vehicle underbody including a rear underbody structure, a rear differential, a sub-frame, and a traction battery is provided. The rear differential is mounted to the rear underbody structure. The sub-frame is mounted to the rear underbody structure rearward of the rear differential. The traction battery is mounted between the rear underbody structure and the sub-frame. A base portion of the traction battery defines a base portion plane that does not extend through the rear differential. The sub-frame may include at least two reinforcement members each having a ramp-shaped end extending toward the rear differential. The sub-frame may include a rear lateral member and a trailer hitch mount extending rearwardly therefrom. One of the reinforcement members and the trailer hitch mount may be aligned in parallel with a central longitudinal axis defined by the rear underbody structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey John Jarocki, Randall Ray Roth, Steven William Gallagher, Jon A. Wilcox, Hassen Hammoud, Stephen Thomas Kozak, Shawn Michael Morgans
  • Patent number: 10183706
    Abstract: A node for interconnecting frame members of a frame, the node including a single piece node body. A plurality of cup-shaped node connectors are disposed on the node body. Each of the plurality of node connectors include a closed end attached to the node body and an open end opposite the closed end and extending away from the node body. A sidewall extends between and connects the closed end to the open end. A tenon is formed on the open end. The tenon is shaped and sized to fit within a frame member. A transition is formed between the sidewall and the tenon defining a peripheral, radially outwardly facing groove in cooperation with the frame member, the groove shaped and sized to receive a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tad Miller, Arun L. Gain, Stan Eads
  • Patent number: 10155542
    Abstract: A rocker assembly, or an elongated beam, for a vehicle that includes an outer panel, a side sill and an insert disposed in a cavity. The insert includes a plurality of layers of reinforcements made up of hexagonal cells having interconnected walls defining a plurality of transversely extending open cells that define openings extending perpendicularly relative to the length of the rocker assembly. The plurality of layers of reinforcements may further comprise a first layer of cells assembled to the outer panel, a second layer of cells assembled to the side sill and a third layer of cells disposed between the first and second layers of cells. A wall thickness and bending strength of one of the plurality of layers of reinforcements is different than a wall thickness and bending strength of another of the plurality of layers of reinforcements. The insert is structured to deform progressively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhenyan Gao, Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
  • Patent number: 10150509
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a frame and a diagonal structure. The frame has a first side member, a second side member and a cross-member that extends in a vehicle lateral direction between the first and second side members. The cross-member is perpendicular to the first and second side members. The diagonal structure has a beam with a rear end that extends to an area of the second side member rearward of the cross-member. An angle of between 35 and 60 degrees is defined between the cross-member and the beam of the diagonal structure. The rear end of the beam is supported to the second side member by a rear attachment bracket such that the rear end of the beam is spaced apart from the second side member with a rear gap being defined between the rear end of the beam and the second side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry McConnell, Christopher Robert Hartley, Patrick Dean Grattan, Joseph Bruno Buratto, Michael James McGory
  • Patent number: 10150507
    Abstract: A body vehicle structure has a front side member, a power plant and an elongated member. The front side member has an outboard opening and an inboard opening open to a hollow interior. The outboard opening and the inboard opening are offset from one another relative to a front end of the front side member. The power plant is supported to the vehicle structure inboard of the front side member adjacent to the inboard opening. The elongated member extends through the outboard opening, the hollow interior, and the inboard opening of the front side member. In response to an impact event of an off-center impact test a front end of the elongated member adjacent and outboard relative to a front end of the front side member is impacted moving a rear end of the elongated member into contact with the vehicle power plant transmitting impacting force thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 10124831
    Abstract: A push arm has a rear surface and a front surface. A rear surface of the push arm is located adjacent to and spaced apart from a first cross-member defining a gap therebetween. The push arm extends forward and laterally outward such that the front surface of the push arm is located laterally outboard of and spaced apart from a front end of a first side member of a vehicle frame. A support bracket has a front section releasably attached to the push arm and a rear section releasably attached to a first cross-member of the vehicle frame adjacent to an intersection of the first side member and the first cross-member. The support bracket is configured such that in response to an off-center impact event against the front surface of the push arm, the support bracket guiding movement of the push arm in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Dean Grattan, Christopher Robert Hartley, Gunnar Mason, Matthew Michael Gapinski
  • Patent number: 10118643
    Abstract: To reinforce a front sub-frame in such a manner that the front sub-frame having a trapezoidal shape formed by a cross member and left and right side members extending to one side is not deformed to a rhombus shape at the one side, a front sub-frame structure includes: a rear cross member (74) coupling arm supporting parts (71, 71) supported on left and right side members (6, 6); tilt members (75) coupling left and right intermediate portions of the rear cross member (74) to rear vehicle attachment parts (M3) of the side members (6); a brace (80) coupling the left and right arm supporting parts (71, 71) to the rear vehicle attachment parts (M3); and intermediate coupling parts (91) coupling the brace (80) to intermediate portions of the tilt members (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10093359
    Abstract: A frame assembly of a vehicle front portion includes a windshield lower beam. A damper mount is disposed on the front portion and deforms when subjected to an impact energy. An A-pillar includes upper and lower pillar portions, the upper pillar portion having a lower end disposed adjacent the windshield lower beam, and the lower pillar portion having an upper end disposed adjacent to the windshield lower beam. A joint includes first and second joint members, the first joint member connecting the windshield lower beam to the lower and upper pillar portions and being connected to the damper mount, the second joint member contained within the first joint member and connected to the windshield lower beam, and upper and lower pillar portions. The joint is configured to resist deformation due to the impact energy such that the damper mount deforms and dissipates the impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fabian J. Vigil, Hirotomo Yamada, Hirokazu Matsuura, Brian E. Dressel, Jason T. Hardesty, Kurtis R. Horner
  • Patent number: 10059288
    Abstract: A safety device is described which is configured to orient a motor-vehicle front wheel transversely to the travel direction, following a collision of the motor-vehicle against a barrier. The device includes a ram member carried by a plate projecting laterally in a cantilever fashion from the motor-vehicle structure forwardly of the front wheel. The ram member is pushed against the front wheel following a collision of the motor-vehicle against the barrier. The ram member has a vertically elongated front portion, for engaging the wheel. With the transverse plate carrying the ram member there is associated a bumper structure located forwardly of the transverse plate and including a bumper element projecting forwardly from the transverse plate, at an intermediate position between the ram member and a connected end of the transverse plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Giacomo Enrico Canobbio, Luigi Laurino
  • Patent number: 10040483
    Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes a side sill joined to a rear frame via an outrigger, a sub-frame mounted on the rear frame from below, and a fuel tank mounted on the sub-frame. The sub-frame is provided with a load transmitting member that opposes the outrigger. An impact load applied to the sub-frame is transmitted to the outrigger via the load transmitting member. The transmitted impact load is distributed to the two components, the rear frame (specifically, front frame section) and the side sill via the outrigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu Matsuura, Chihiro Sakurada
  • Patent number: 9994124
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pair of left and right slide rails each having a lower rail extending in a front and rear direction of a vehicle and an upper rail slidably mounted to the lower rail. The lower rail is fixed to a floor F via brackets and so as to be spaced apart from the floor F. A reinforcing member extending in a left and right direction is disposed so as to span between rear end portions of the lower rails, and the reinforcing member is formed such that a bending strength about an axis in an up and down direction of a seat main body is lower than a bending strength about an axis in a front and rear direction of the seat main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Nagata, Tetsuya Tanaka, Shogo Ishii, Kazuhisa Isshiki, Yuichi Okazaki, Keiichi Saito