Abstract: A front body structure is provided to restrain a collision load, which has been applied on a front wheel by a vehicle front collision, to be concentrated on a front end of a side sill excessively. In the structure, a front energy absorbing member 23 is attached to a back face of a lateral end of a bumper 21. A recess 18 is formed by a front end of the side sill 7 and a front face of an outrigger 15. A rear energy absorbing member 19 is attached into the recess 18. The outrigger 15 connects the side sill 7 with a front side member extension 5 joined to the rear end of a front side member 3. At the vehicle front collision, the front energy absorbing member 23 interferes with the right-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to allow the left-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to interfere with the side face of the front side member 3 and also allow the rear part of the wheel 1 to interfere with the rear energy absorbing member 19.

Abstract: Disclosed are a side member of a vehicle frame and a method of manufacturing the same. One end of the side member is connected to a bumper. The side member comprises a steel tube, and a hybrid tube disposed between the steel tube and the bumper and connected to the steel bumper. The hybrid tube has a dual structure including an aluminum tube and a hybrid tube made of a glass fiber reinforced composite material and formed on an outer circumstance of the aluminum tube. The method comprises the steps of preparing a hybrid tube having a dual structure including an interior aluminum tube and an exterior hybrid tube made of a glass fiber reinforced composite material; and connecting the hybrid tube to a steel tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear impact absorption system for a motor vehicle. The rear impact absorption system includes a rear body assembly including longitudinally extending rear rails including first and second portions having first and second respective heights relative to a generally horizontal plane, the first height being greater than the second height. The invention further provides a neutralizing member connectable to bridge the first and second heights of each rear rail so as to minimize the effect of a moment arm created by the first and second heights during a rear impact.

Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a rectangular support frame carrying thereon a cylindrical fuel tank and attached to left and right rear frames from below via left and right front brackets and left and right rear brackets so as to define therebetween a pair of laterally spaced openings generally corresponding in position to the axis of the fuel tank and receiving therein a pipe system of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A front end of a motor vehicle, e.g., a passenger vehicle, having two longitudinal members, extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an integral member on which a drive unit of the motor vehicle is mounted. The integral member has, on each side of the vehicle, a base member which extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is fastened in each case by a front supporting pillar and by a rear supporting pillar to one of the longitudinal members. Each longitudinal member being of deformable configuration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least between the supporting pillars. In order to improve the deformation behavior of the front end, each base member is fastened exclusively via its front supporting pillar and its rear supporting pillar at the bottom to associated longitudinal members.

Abstract: The disclosed concept provides an external protection system for a vehicle and more particularly, for a lightweight vehicle, producing the same protection level for its occupants as that of a much heavier vehicle. The integragated design of the system provides impact, rollover and crash protection for front, side and rear impact while maximizing the aerodynamic advantage of the vehicle relative to the protection volume and level of protection provided to the vehicles' occupants.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted crash attenuator includes first and second bays mounted together at a rotational joint. One or more hydraulic cylinders are mounted between the bays to move the second bay between a deployed position, in which the first and second bays are aligned horizontally, and a retracted position, in which the second bay is rotated about the rotational joint by a rotation angle greater than 90° from the deployed position. In this way, the second bay is raised above the first bay, and the overall length of the crash attenuator is shortened, all without excessively increasing the overall height of the crash attenuator.

Abstract: In order to have an external force heading from the front toward the occupant received, a bumper member extending substantially along the length of the vehicle is disposed under or by the sides of the cabin (riding space). The shock absorbing members are connected at the rear ends of the bumper member. Even in the case of the vehicle in which it is difficult to dispose the shock absorbing member at the front portion of the vehicle within the range of the length of the vehicle for example, when an impact load is exerted to such a vehicle, the impact load may be efficiently absorbed. As a consequent the riding space for an occupant can be maintained. The shock absorbing body may be constructed of an upper shock absorbing member and a lower shock absorbing member. The upper and lower shock absorbing members may be formed of two types of members having different crushing features.

Abstract: At the time of head-on collision of a vehicle, an intermediate portion of a subframe 6 is folded and deformed downwardly into a form of L-shape, an engine body 8 is moved downward, a radiator core upper rail 11 is rearwardly deformed and moved, a collision load is input to an upper portion of the engine body 8 through a rod 10, and the engine body 8 is rotated rearward around a connecting member 9. With this, a distance of a shortest portion between the engine body 8 and a dash panel 3 is increased, and a crushing stroke of the engine room 1 is increased.

Abstract: A crash bar adapted to be mounted specifically to HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER® and EVOLUTION® motorcycle models from 1986 to present is provided to support a rider's feet in a more comfortable and stable riding position. The crash bar is designed and configured so as to prevent slippage of rider's feet therefrom and to provide the motorcycle with protection against damage should the motorcycle fall over. The crash bar is of a tubular configuration constructed of steel and defines a C-shaped portion serving as a first foot support surface, while a top member provides a second foot support surface. Spherical-shaped, chrome abutment elements are welded to the crash bar and provide a restraint against which rider's feet bear, thus preventing rider's feet from slipping while riding.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an airbag disposed in an area of a roof frame of a vehicle body which includes an “A” pillar, a “B” pillar, and a “C/D” pillar. A connecting tube is coupled to the airbag and extends in the area of the roof frame from the “A” pillar to the “C/D” pillar to conduct pressure gas from a pressure gas source to the airbag. The connecting tube is so configured as to provide stiffening for increasing a lateral rigidity of the roof frame and is firmly secured at least to the “A” pillar and the “C/D” pillar.

Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also a safety device for head-on collision protection that obviates the need for conventional seat belts and front impact airbags. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrally cast aluminum subframe for a vehicle suspension system has increased stiffness for an overall vehicle frame while minimizing the thickness of the main aluminum casting by using tension/compression struts to resist flexing. Various strut attachments are shown that simplify manufacturing and lower the cost. The invention results in further improvement of weight reduction while simultaneously achieving a desired amount of stiffness.

Abstract: A closed channel structural member, such as a side rail or a cross member, for use in such a vehicle body and frame assembly that includes an internal reinforcing structure to increase the strength and rigidity thereof. The side rail can be generally rectangular in cross sectional shape, including first and second side rail sections having generally C-shaped cross sectional shapes. The reinforcing structure can be generally hat-shaped or W-shaped in cross sectional shape, including a central reinforcing portion extending between a pair of base portions. The central reinforcing portion can either be laterally spaced apart from or directly abut a central web portion of one of the side rail sections. The base portions can be generally L-shaped in cross sectional shape, including legs that terminate adjacent to the ends of the other of the side rail sections to facilitate the assembly process. A pair of such reinforcing structures can be disposed within the side rail and abut one another in end-to-end fashion.

Abstract: A reinforced structural assembly and a method of using the assembly for reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a first member and a second member with a reinforcement material intermediate the first and second member. According to the method, the assembly is placed in a cavity of an automotive vehicle and the reinforcement material is expanded to promote connection between the first member and a surface defining the cavity and to promote connection between the second member and another surface defining the cavity.

Abstract: A power unit arrangement structure for a vehicle is provided with a side-member extending in a fore and aft direction of a mounting room and enabled to achieve buckling deformation in the fore and aft direction during a frontal collision, a sub-frame extending in the mounting room along the fore and aft direction at an area below the side-member, a mount member having respective an insulating function and permitting a power unit to be supported with the side-member, a bent portion disposed at a substantially intermediate portion of the sub-frame in the fore and aft direction and having a downwardly bent configuration, and a connecting member connecting a lower portion of the power unit to the sub-frame in the vicinity of the bent portion. The mount member is capable of tearing in response to relative movement of the side-member and the power unit in the fore and aft direction during the frontal collision. The sub-frame has a part having a substantially V-shaped configuration in a side view.

Abstract: The invention capitalizes upon the absence of an engine compartment forward of the passenger compartment in the vehicle body and provides a frontal impact energy dissipation compartment forward of the passenger compartment. The frontal impact energy dissipation compartment is filled with an energy absorption structure, such as an aluminum honeycomb structure. Alternatively, a bulkhead member extends across the vehicle at the forward end of the passenger compartment to enhance structural integrity of the forward end of the vehicle. The bulkhead member may be integrated with air flow systems, cross-car structural support, safety airbags, slidable driver interface, speakers, etc.

Abstract: This invention is an impact energy absorption device, in which a long part (1) made of a high strength material is disposed with its lengthwise direction kept different from an impact direction, and both terminals of the long part (1) are connected with columns (2) through upper platens (3) covering the upper faces of the columns (2) kept standing apart from each other with a predetermined distance (L), comprising a structural system, in which a deformation of the long part (1) caused by the impact force applied to it, causes the upper platens (3) to move for compressing or deflecting the columns (2), thereby absorbing the impact energy.

Abstract: A vehicle body and frame assembly includes a closed channel structural member having an interior portion that can be pressurized under certain conditions, such as during a collision, to provide increased strength and absorb energy. A pressurizing device communicates with the interior portion and contains a quantity of a chemical material that, when properly excited, will expand rapidly into a gaseous form. An igniter or other structure is provided for exciting the chemical material contained within the pressurizing device under predetermined conditions, such as when a collision occurs. The expansion of the chemical material into a gaseous form rapidly increases the air pressure within the closed channel structural member, thus providing additional strength thereto to absorb energy during the collision.

Abstract: A subframe 1 is mounted on a vehicle body (body side frame 2) through mounts (subframe mounts B1-B6) with elastic bodies (rubber members 6, 7, 11), at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a front portion of the subframe, at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a middle portion thereof near a location where a suspension link is attached to the subframe 1, and at two points located on both sides in lateral directions of a rear portion thereof. The mounts at the points located on the both sides in lateral directions of the middle portion of the subframe each have a fracture stress upon crash smaller than that which the mounts at the points located on the both sides in lateral directions of at least one of the front and rear portions of the subframe 1 have. This subframe mount structure serves to mitigate damage of a passenger caused on collision of the vehicle to protect the passenger.

Abstract: A pedal support structure for use in a vehicle contains a toe board, a steering support beam, a master cylinder, a pair of pedal support elements including pedal support portions, a supporting mechanism provided between the pedal support portions supporting a pedal lever, and a catcher bracket. When an impact is applied to the vehicle, the pedal support portions are spread apart so as to disconnect the pedal lever from the pedal supporting mechanism and the movement of the pedal lever in a direction toward an operator of the vehicle is restricted by the pedal lever contacting the catcher bracket.

Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cab body mounting (100) in a vehicle has a frame-side bracket (102) attached to a chassis frame side rail (18) and a body-side bracket (104) attached to a cab body rail (16). An elastomeric bushing (108) and a fastener (109) associate brackets 102, 104 so as to allow limited motion between them accompanied by bushing deformation. Bracket (102) has an upright wall (110) that is spaced a distance from an end (16E) of rail (16). A sufficiently large relative acceleration of the body on the frame, such as during a frontal impact, will cause an edge portion of bracket (104) to abut wall (110), which arrests further movement of the bracket in the fore-aft direction, and thereby shares the loading that is being imposed on the mounting due to the acceleration force. This occurs before the stress in the shank of fastener (109) reaches the characteristic maximum allowable shearing stress for the fastener material.

Abstract: Improved system for absorbing impacts in motor vehicles consisting in coupling solidly to the vehicle body front beams which are intended to receive the impacts and deformable devices which are secured to the rear part of the body structure and which are intended to absorb strains. The front beams and the rear deformable devices are connected and hinged by a cable which is guided by a pulley provided at the front of the car; the pulley is characterized in that its support shaft is designed with a structure which can be progressively deformed longitudinally by the cable tension upon an impact with the aim to determine an appropriate displacement of the pulley towards the rear part of the vehicle, in accordance with its specific function.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing apparatus for front ends of vehicles for reducing the shock and injuries to passengers in a vehicle when involved in a front end collision. The impact-absorbing apparatus for front ends of vehicles includes a support assembly including elongate support members being adapted to be mounted in an engine compartment, and also includes elongate cross members interconnecting the elongate support members; and further includes an impact absorbing assembly being mounted upon the support assembly; and also includes an impact-receiving assembly being mounted to the impact-absorbing assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle designed specifically to pull persons standing upright on roller skates, ice skates, skis etc. The invention can be configured to operate on any surface and comprises of an engine driving a wheel or track, connected through a frame to a body pad complete with shoulder and arm supports. The body pad can pivot independently of the frame. Handgrip controls contain actuators for acceleration and braking. The purpose of the invention being to produce a vehicle that allows the operator to be in complete control and to be able to make abrupt turns, accelerate or decelerate, all in an efficient manner. The operator of the vehicle remains in close contact with the vehicle by means of a torso clamp or belt securing the operator to a body pad. The torso clamp or belt can be adjusted to automatically release and disengage the operator in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A motor vehicle front end includes at least one upper crossmember (1) capable of supporting the hinges or the catch for the vehicle bonnet, a support piece (2, 3) at each end of the crossmember capable of supporting at least one lighting unit (6) of the vehicle, a lower crossmember (4) extending from one support piece to the other and belonging to a vehicle energy-absorption system, and a cavity located between the two crossmembers and the two support pieces, leaving space for a radiator (12) supported by structure external to the functional front end. The upper crossmember is a hybrid crossmember consisting of a metal alloy section piece reinforced with plastic ribs.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a main frame having two longitudinal members. An auxiliary frame is fixed to the main frame. A cross member is fixed to the longitudinal members in the end region of the vehicle and is provided with a connecting section which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A strutting configuration forms an essentially horizontal continuation of the auxiliary frame in the direction of the vehicle end. One end of the strutting configuration is fixed to points on the auxiliary frame which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The other end of the strutting configuration is fixed to the connecting section of the cross member. A vehicle body is thus obtained which has an improved stiffness all the way to the end of the vehicle and which is particularly useful for open vehicles without a roof structure.

Abstract: A chassis having systems responsive to nonmechanical control signals and a simplified body-attachment interface includes regions optimized for energy absorption from an impact to the chassis periphery. A structural frame defines open spaces within which chassis systems are positioned. Material configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis periphery is located between the chassis periphery and the open spaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a supporting structure provided at one end of a safety passenger compartment with a crumple zone and two wheel arches located in the vicinity of the crumple zone on the sides. A wheel is located in each respective wheel arch held by wheel guide members. A deflecting area extends diagonally to a central lengthwise axis of the motor vehicle for the associated wheel, between the safety passenger compartment and the rolling circumference of the two wheels in the straight-ahead position of the deflecting surface for the associated wheel against which the wheel moved by the crash-produced deformation of the crumple zone against the deflecting surface is deflected past the end of the safety passenger compartment. The deflecting surfaces are diagonally downwardly directed deflecting ramps by which the wheels are directed toward the safety passenger compartment and below the floor of the motor vehicle as the crumple zone collapses.

Abstract: A front body structure is provided to restrain a collision load, which has been applied on a front wheel by a vehicle front collision, to be concentrated on a front end of a side sill excessively. In the structure, a front energy absorbing member 23 is attached to a back face of a lateral end of a bumper 21. A recess 18 is formed by a front end of the side sill 7 and a front face of an outrigger 15. A rear energy absorbing member 19 is attached into the recess 18. The outrigger 15 connects the side sill 7 with a front side member extension 5 joined to the rear end of a front side member 3. At the vehicle front collision, the front energy absorbing member 23 interferes with the right-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to allow the left-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to interfere with the side face of the front side member 3 and also allow the rear part of the wheel 1 to interfere with the rear energy absorbing member 19.

Abstract: A tapered octagonal frame rail tip for use with automotive bumpers is configured to axially crush in a controlled manner in the event of a vehicle impact. The rail tip is tuned to carry a constant load while crushing to absorb a higher amount of energy than alternative crush modes. Body mounts for attaching front end sheet metal or other body components to the frame rail tip are configured to centrally align loading to avoid interference with the desired axial crush.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a side member to be placed to extend in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The side member includes a support portion to support a power unit at a support point, and a weak section which is formed on the front side of the support point toward the front of the vehicle, and which is weakened in an upper side and lateral sides of the side member with respect to a lower side of the side member.

Abstract: A front body structure includes a front-wheel movement promoting mechanism arranged between a front wheel (22) and a suspension member (19) that promotes a backward movement of the front wheel (22) when a collision load (F1) is applied to the front wheel (22) while being accompanied with a backward deformation of the outer end (12a) of a bumper reinforcement (12). The front-wheel movement promoting mechanism may be a notch (35) formed in the suspension member (19) to allow the front wheel (22) to move backward in early stages of the collision. Then, the front wheel (22) interferes with an outrigger (15) and a side sill (14), preventing a vehicle cabin from being deformed.

Abstract: A multi-section support rail has a first section with an outer circumferential wall, a parallel inner circumferential wall and a transverse web extending longitudinally therealong, a second section hollow tubular section with an outer circumferential wall and a parallel inner circumferential wall. The outer circumferential walls are substantially identical dimensionally. The sections are joined at mating surfaces. The joined sections are pre-bent at the second section and then hydroformed to a final desired shape. The transverse web retains the extruded dimensions throughout the hydroforming process.

Abstract: A front end of a motor vehicle, e.g., a passenger vehicle, having two longitudinal members extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and having an integral member on which a drive unit of the motor vehicle is mounted and which has, on each side of the vehicle, a base member which extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is fastened in each case by a front supporting pillar and by a rear supporting pillar at the bottom to one of the longitudinal members, each longitudinal member being of deformable configuration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least between the supporting pillars.

Abstract: An auxiliary chassis for a motor vehicle is formed as a generally rectangular structure for holding an engine, transmission and other equipment. The auxiliary chassis is mounted to front end structural members at a position spaced from and below the structural member forming a further impact absorbing structure.

Abstract: A battery mounting assembly for mounting batteries to a vehicle. The battery mounting assembly has lower battery tray and an upper battery tray disposed below and above one another respectively. The battery mounting assembly is constructed to move and deform in predetermined ways when it is subjected to relatively large forces such as might occur when the vehicle is involved in a traffic accident. The battery mounting assembly has one or more bumper components intended to protect batteries mounted to the battery mounting assembly from being subjected to a direct impact. Steel components of the battery mounting assembly are coated with an elastomer that has a high electrical resistance.

Abstract: The deformation member (1) is disposed between a longitudinal member (2) and a cross member (3) of a motor vehicle, with the cross member having a horizontal central longitudinal plane which is vertically offset to the horizontal central longitudinal plane of the longitudinal member (2). The deformation member includes an elongate, hollow base body (4) of polygonal cross section and a height which is greater than its width, and an upper and a lower reinforcing shell (14, 19) which are connected through welding to the base body (4) via the longitudinal edges of their legs (13, 18). The end walls of the lower reinforcing shell (19) are closed by cover plates (22, 24). The deformation member (1) can be coupled via a plate (23) with the longitudinal member (2) of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A body structure for a vehicle having a toe board opposite to a rear section of a front wheel, a side frame extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a bumper beam extending in a widthwise direction of the vehicle and connected with a front end of the side frame, includes an impact absorbing component provided in the side frame for absorbing an impact applied from the front side of the vehicle and a front wheel rotation guiding component provided at the bumper beam for guiding a front section of the front wheel so as to rotate inwardly when an impact is applied to the bumper beam.

Abstract: A power unit arrangement structure for a vehicle is provided with a side-member extending in a fore and aft direction of a mounting room and enabled to achieve buckling deformation in the fore and aft direction during a frontal collision, a sub-frame extending in the mounting room along the fore and aft direction at an area below the side-member, a mount member having respective an insulating function and permitting a power unit to be supported with the side-member, a bent portion disposed at a substantially intermediate portion of the sub-frame in the fore and aft direction and having a downwardly bent configuration, and a connecting member connecting a lower portion of the power unit to the sub-frame in the vicinity of the bent portion. The mount member is capable of tearing in response to relative movement of the side-member and the power unit in the fore and aft direction during the frontal collision. The sub-frame has a part having a substantially V-shaped configuration in a side view.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collision energy absorbing structure of a vehicle capable of relieving impact by using a tubular pipe member having equally-sized rectangular cross section and equal plate thickness and including no inside ribs and by adding a suitable trigger, and being easily manufactured at a low cost. By forming a cutout portion on the left side of the front end portion of the collision energy absorbing structure, the deformation starting portion is provided. The cutout portion is formed at parts of three flat plate portions comprised of one of the four flat plate portions and corresponding opposite portions thereof. The general portion, which follows the deformation starting portion, is tubular with rectangular cross section and has a closed cross-section structure.

Abstract: A stopper 1 is fixedly mounted on and projects from an outer surface of that portion of a side frame 7 disposed in the vicinity of a front wheel 14. A reinforcement 2 is mounted on an inner surface of that portion of the side frame 7, on which the stopper 1 is mounted, thereby reinforcing the stopper 1. At the time of a collision of a vehicle, a rear side 17 of an outer periphery of the front wheel 14 strikes against the stopper 1, and also the movement of the stopper 1 is prevented by the reinforcement 2, thereby limiting the movement of the front wheel 14. Therefore, the deformation of the side frame 7 and so on toward the vehicle frame is reduced.

Abstract: In order to have an external force heading from the front toward the occupant received, a bumper member extending substantially along the length of the vehicle is disposed under or by the sides of the cabin (riding space). The shock absorbing members are connected at the rear ends of the bumper member. Even in the case of the vehicle in which it is difficult to dispose the shock absorbing member at the front portion of the vehicle within the range of the length of the vehicle for example, when an impact load is exerted to such a vehicle, the impact load may be efficiently absorbed. As a consequent the riding space for an occupant can be maintained. The shock absorbing body may be constructed of an upper shock absorbing member and a lower shock absorbing member. The upper and lower shock absorbing members may be formed of two types of members having different crushing features.

Abstract: A subframe for suspension of a vehicle includes at least a hollow frame member and a connecting member joined with an end of the hollow frame member. The connecting member includes a bracket section supporting a link of a suspension, and a collar section formed with a circular hole for receiving an insulator. The connecting member further includes at least one projection projecting from the collar section and defining an enlarged continuous joint surface with the collar section. The hollow member is joined by butt welding to the joint surface formed by the projection and the collar section.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a plurality of structural members that are connected together to form a vehicle frame assembly. At least one of the structural members has one or more tabs extending therefrom. Preferably, the structural member is hollow, and the tabs extend within the hollow structural member. An energy absorbing structure is secured to one or more of the structural members. A portion of the energy absorbing structure can extend within the hollow structural member into abutment with the plurality of tabs.

Abstract: A front sub-frame 1 structure that supports an engine E and to which suspensions are attached includes a front sub-frame main body 1a having a U-shaped configuration, when viewed from top, which has an opening directed rearward. Engine mounts 2, 2 are attached to rear portions of side parts of the front sub-frame main body 1a for supporting the engine E. A cross member 1b for connecting the side parts of the front sub-frame main body 1a at rear portions thereof is removably attached thereto from below the front sub-frame main body 1a.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for absorbing and directing kinetic energy during an impact event of a motor vehicle includes a vehicle subframe 30 attached to a vehicle chassis 20, with a pair of deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 interposed therebetween. The deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 are preferably fixedly attached to the subframe 30 and removably attached to the vehicle chassis 20 via fasteners 50 extending through a fastener hole 52 in each of the attachment brackets 40 and 42. A relief opening 54 is proximate to and aligned with the fastener hole 52, the relief opening 54 being larger than the fastener 50. A deformable barrier 56 disposed between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54 may be provided with a slot 58 extending between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54.

Abstract: A bracket for preventing deflection of a wheel under a side sill of a motor vehicle during an offset collision. The bracket includes a substantially vertical plate attached to a forward portion of the side sill of the motor vehicle. The vertical plate extends below a bottom edge of the side sill. A brace is connected between the side sill and the plate.

Abstract: An elongated structural member of a vehicle frame. The structural member is hollow to form an elongated chamber. Filler material in the chamber is compressed by a source of pressure to press the filler material laterally outwardly against the walls of the chamber to strengthen the structural member and resist buckling. The filler material includes a flexible bag filled with small solid particles. The source of pressure may include one or more compression coil springs, or a tension rod or a gas generant.