Bumper Having Impact Force Absorbing Means Directly Interposed Between Bumper And Vehicle Structure Patents (Class 293/132)
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Patent number: 11987192Abstract: A bumper crossmember for a motor vehicle having a crossmember extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and two crashboxes connected thereto. Each crashbox is connected with its end facing away from the vehicle to the crossmember in a respective end section thereof, and with its end facing the vehicle is connectable to a structural component of the vehicle, e.g., a longitudinal member. The crossmember has a corrugated structure in the area where a crashbox is connected. A tow sleeve is integrated into the bumper crossmember in the connection area of the crashbox. The tow sleeve is held in a vertex structure of the corrugated structure in a form-fitting manner in the z and y directions, the vertex area of this vertex structure facing away from the crashbox, with the lateral surface of the tow sleeve on the flanks facing one another and forming the vertex structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Alexander Günther, Lena Kremer, Maria Schmitt, Marco Töller
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Patent number: 11724587Abstract: A radiator support upper member assembly includes: an upper inner panel including an inner flange protruding toward a front direction, and an upper outer panel including an outer flange, wherein the outer flange protrudes toward the front direction and is configured to overlap the inner flange and form a front flange, and the upper inner panel and the upper outer panel are joined and form a closed cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Seokju Gim, Byung Gyu Kim
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Patent number: 11505266Abstract: The invention relates to a crossmember for motor vehicle construction, having at least two modules that can be arranged one above the other, wherein each module has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, which are connected to one another at their upper ends by an upper wall and at their lower ends by a lower wall, wherein the upper wall of the lower module has, over the longitudinal extent thereof, a raised portion or depression, which engages in a complementary depression or raised portion of the lower wall of the upper module.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Rodscha Drabon, Siegmund Czerr, Hendrik Reineke, Stefan Grottke
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Patent number: 11396330Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a front side member disposed on a front of a vehicle; a bumper beam mounting bracket joined to a front end surface of the front side member; a subframe mounting bracket joined to a rear surface of the bumper beam mounting bracket, and having a seating surface to which a front end of a front subframe is joined; a heat exchanger support joined to the bumper beam mounting bracket; and a first reinforcing member joining the bumper beam mounting bracket and the heat exchanger support.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Kwan Ho Moh
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Patent number: 11242020Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a bumper beam extending in a left-right direction, and left and right side members functioning as a frame member supporting both ends of the bumper beam. The bumper beam includes a connecting member that connects the both ends to suppress the extension between the both ends.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Keiichiro Tsuji, Takayuki Fujii, Yusuke Miura, Tomohiro Shimizu, Yumi Saito
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Patent number: 11192587Abstract: A vehicle support structure according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cross-member of a vehicle support structure. The cross-member extends longitudinally along a cross-member axis. The frame assembly further includes a rail of the vehicle support structure. The rail extends longitudinally along a rail axis that is transverse to the cross-member axis. The rail extends into a pocket of the cross-member such that a portion of the rail is nested within the cross-member.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William G. Heckman, Vince Anthony Chimento, Jeffrey Gray
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Patent number: 11173958Abstract: A crash box is configured to absorb an impact caused by a collision of a vehicle. The crash box includes a front end surface configured to receive the impact, a rear end surface configured to be attached to the vehicle; and a first wall surface and a second wall surface both extending from the rear end surface to the front end surface. The first wall surface and the second wall surface face each other. A length of the second wall surface from the front end surface to the rear end surface is longer than a length of the first wall surface from the front end surface to the rear end surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nikkeikin Aluminium Core Technology Company Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Ishikawa, Taichi Terada
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Patent number: 11155223Abstract: A lightweight bumper beam includes an elongated U-shaped monoblock cross member provided at respective ends with an attachment portion for attachment to a body in white of a vehicle. Each attachment portion is provided with two elongated reinforcing means extending between an inner top surface of the elongated U-shaped monoblock cross member and a bracket of said attachment portion. The elongated reinforcing means being arranged at a distance relative to each other so as to form a space therebetween, and said distance being smallest at an intermediate portion of said two elongated reinforcing means.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech ABInventor: Jakob Hultkvist
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Patent number: 11142256Abstract: A fender apron assembly for a vehicle may include an apron member mounted over a front wheel of the vehicle, formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and formed by extrusion; and a pillar member forming an A-pillar of the vehicle, extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, formed in a pipe shape, and having a front end portion connected to the rear of the apron member.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Do Hoi Kim, Joong Hyun Shin
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Patent number: 10994680Abstract: Each impact-absorbing member has an open cross-sectional shape that is open to a first side of a vehicle width direction. Each impact-absorbing member includes an upper wall, a lower wall, a side wall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall, an upper flange portion extending upward from the upper wall, and a lower flange portion extending downward from the lower wall. Curved portions curved in the vehicle width direction in a protruding manner are formed in the side wall. The upper wall and the lower wall include a plurality of plate-shaped flat portions adjacent in the vehicle width direction, and step portions connecting the adjacent flat portions while forming a step in a vertical direction, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Chikara Kawamura
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Patent number: 10967918Abstract: A vehicle rail assembly has an extending longitudinal rail with a kick down area. A kick down area enabler is positioned in the rail at the kick down area. The kick down area enabler includes a foot rest portion, an outer part portion and a kick down portion all contacting the rail. The outer part portion and kick down portion part are cantilevered from the foot rest portion via welding. The kick down area enabler provides additional energy absorption for the rail to prevent intrusion into a passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Sunil Waghmare, Abhijeet Thorat, Meenakshi Solaimalai
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Patent number: 10906587Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a front sub-frame configured such that a gear box is fitted to a front part of the front sub-frame, an arm portion extending from a front part of the front sub-frame forward and outward in a vehicle width direction, an impact absorbing portion supported by the arm portion, and a horn portion arranged on a front side of the impact absorbing portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Morisawa, Toshimitsu Nishikuma, Masayasu Yoshida, Kenyu Okamura, Kohji Imuta, Fumihiro Osawa
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Patent number: 10864869Abstract: A vehicle frame structure that includes a bumper reinforcement that includes a middle constituent portion that is positioned further toward a vehicle lower side than an upper wall portion configuring an upper surface of a upper constituent member, that is positioned further toward the vehicle lower side than a lower wall portion configuring a lower surface of a lower constituent member, and that is provided with load transmission inhibitors that inhibit load transmission from the middle constituent portion to a shock absorbing components in a case in which a load has been input to the bumper reinforcement from an opposite side from a shock absorbing components side.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masafumi Sato
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Patent number: 10759367Abstract: An apparatus includes a bumper beam including an outer face, a plate elongated along the outer face, a plurality of ribs elongated from the plate transverse to a direction of elongation of the plate, and a plurality of cylinders each fixed to one of the ribs and spaced from the plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Ninad Trifale, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Dean M. Jaradi, Nirmal Muralidharan, James Chih Cheng
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Patent number: 10710535Abstract: According to some aspects of the invention, a rear impact guard is configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle. The rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. The first and second bumper support members are spaced from one another along a width of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. First and second angled support members are coupled at first ends to the first and second bumper support members, and coupled at second ends to the first and second base rails forwardly of the first and second bumper support members and forming a substantially hollow triangular member. First and second braces are positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of the first and second angled supports.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: Thomas J. Hitchcock
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Patent number: 10611410Abstract: The present application discloses front chassis structure including set plate to which impact absorber is connected. Front chassis structure includes: pillar member having inner support plate portion for supporting impact absorber, outer support plate portion for supporting impact absorber in cooperation with inner support portion, and pillar portion having horizontal cross-section bulging rearward from inner and outer support plate portions; connection member for connecting pillar portion to vehicle body; front side member extending rearward from pillar member; and projecting member projecting outward from pillar member. Set plate is mounted on the outer and inner support plate portions. Projecting member includes front end covered by outer support plate portion. Projecting member is connected to front side member so that projecting member presses front side member inward under moment around connection member, moment being generated at collision of automobile.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignees: Y-TEC CORPORATION, MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohisa Daikokuya, Yasunari Jinbo, Katsuyuki Komiya, Yoko Takanashi
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Patent number: 10538271Abstract: A vehicle includes a strengthening member having a cross section including twenty-eight corners. The cross section has twenty-eight sides arranged to create twenty internal angles and eight external angles.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tau Tyan, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner
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Patent number: 10471913Abstract: In one example, a load-bearing, three-dimensional printed part resists a load. The load-bearing part has a load-receiving member, a support member, and a network of interconnected branches. The load-receiving member has an outer surface that receives the load. The support member is offset from the load-receiving member along a first direction. The network of interconnected branches extends from the load-receiving member to the support member, and includes a first primary branch and an auxiliary branch. The first primary branch has a first primary-branch end attached to one of the load-receiving member and the support member. The auxiliary branch has a first auxiliary-branch end attached to the first primary branch, and a second auxiliary-branch end attacked to one of (i) the load-receiving member, (ii) the support member, and (iii) a second primary branch.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.Inventors: Subhransu S. Mohapatra, Poornesh Shivakumar
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Patent number: 10457329Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a front side member rear extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, a part of a front side of the front side member rear being an inclined portion inclined such that a position of the inclined portion rises toward a front side of the vehicle, and a tubular front side member fixed to the inclined portion of the front side member rear and extending from the inclined portion to the front side of the vehicle. A plate-shaped reinforcing member is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the front side member, the reinforcing member is provided with an extending portion extending to a rear side of the vehicle behind a rear end of the front side member, and the extending portion is fixed to the front side member rear.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Shimizu
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Patent number: 10442377Abstract: A bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes an energy absorber providing a variable stiffness for different displacements. The energy absorber includes a skin portion attached to a bumper beam, a rib pivotally attached to an end of the skin portion and a reinforced element attached to an end of the rib. The rib is movable from a first position that provides a first stiffness for a first displacement to a second position providing a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness over a second displacement.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jorge Romero, Oscar Saavedra, Jesús Marini
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Patent number: 10442380Abstract: A side member distal end structure includes: a side member distal end part and a lid member disposed forward of a distal end of the side member distal end part. The side member distal end part includes: a closed section part whose sectional shape orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction has a closed section structure; and a flange part in which a first panel and a second panel are joined to each other, the flange part being disposed outer than the closed section part and extending along the vehicle front-rear direction. The lid member includes a side plate part partially joined to an outer surface which is a part of the closed section part and is disposed forward of the flange part. In the vehicle front-rear direction, a plate surface of the side plate part faces the flange part.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masatoshi Abe
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Patent number: 10442379Abstract: A bumper (B), comprising an elongated hat-shaped cross beam (1) mounted to at least two crash boxes (2) which are attached to a vehicle, said cross beam (1) having a primary contact face in the form of bent longitudinal upper and lower flanges (3,4). The bent longitudinal upper and lower flanges being arranged in the direction of the cross beam (1), and said primary contact face is facing away from the vehicle. Said bent longitudinal upper and lower flanges (3,4) have each a portion (5) with a large inner radius (R) at least at the mounting site of the cross beam (1) to respective crash box (2) compared to a small inner radius (r) of the rest of each of the bent longitudinal upper and lower flanges (3,4).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech ABInventor: Jakob Hultkvist
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Patent number: 10427633Abstract: [Object] To improve load resistance performance in response to collision. [Solution] An end structure of a vehicle according to the present invention includes: a beam 2 that extends in a vehicle width direction; and a connecting structure 3 that connects the beam 2 to a vehicle body frame. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, the beam 2 includes a first top surface part 2a and a first bottom surface part 2b which face each other, a first side surface part 2c that connects one ends of the first top surface part 2a and the first bottom surface part 2b, and first flange parts 2d that are formed to protrude vertically outwardly at the other ends of the first top surface part 2a and the first bottom surface part 2b.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Yutaka Mikazuki, Eiji Isogai, Kenji Yamamoto, Takashi Ariga, Seiya Ishii
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Patent number: 10363965Abstract: A motor vehicle has a front engine compartment housing a powertrain unit and at least one side-member on which a safety device is mounted; the safety device is configured so as to move said powertrain unit sideways during an impact, towards the opposite side to that which is subject to the impact; the safety device is provided with a beam having a first end, spaced from a terminal portion of the side-member towards the outside of the engine compartment, and a second end fixed to the side-member at an intermediate portion next to the powertrain unit; the safety device is further provided with a pin, which is fixed with respect to the second end of the beam and projects from said second end through a hole of the intermediate portion towards the powertrain unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.Inventors: Daniele Ghislieri, Andrea Cristina, Corrado Borrelli, Gianfranco Del Nero, Alessandro Bernardi, Saverio Gariano
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Patent number: 10220803Abstract: A vehicle bumper damage indication system is provided includes a damage indicator structured to be positionable in a space between a bumper of a vehicle and a body of the vehicle. The damage indicator is structured to be movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. An actuation mechanism is operatively coupled to the damage indicator and is structured to control movement of the damage indicator from the first configuration to the second configuration responsive to a predetermined amount of deflection of a portion of the bumper.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Day
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Patent number: 10207748Abstract: A longitudinal member arrangement of a body of a motor vehicle is designed such that, in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, the longitudinal member arrangement progressively fails, absorbing collision energy, with a first longitudinal member element which is formed from a fiber composite, and with a second longitudinal member element which is formed from a fiber composite and is arranged behind the first longitudinal member element. The first longitudinal member element and the second longitudinal member element are connected to each other by a connecting element. The longitudinal member arrangement is designed such that, in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, the second longitudinal member element begins to fail after the first longitudinal member element has failed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Balazs Fodor
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Patent number: 10160494Abstract: A vehicle body front section structure includes a front side member, an outer side frame member, a linking member, and a reinforcing structure. The outer side frame member is disposed separated from the front side member at a vehicle width direction outer side, has a vehicle front-rear direction rear end connected to an apron section or to a front pillar, and has a vehicle front-rear direction front end side overlapping with a vehicle front-rear direction front end side of the front side member in side view. The linking member links the vehicle front-rear direction front end side of the front side member and the vehicle front-rear direction front end side of the outer side frame member, and is input with a collision load. The reinforcing structure reinforces the outer side frame member at a portion of the outer side frame member overlapping with the front side member in side view.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kenjiro Yamada
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Patent number: 10150259Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
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Patent number: 10131302Abstract: A vehicle body front section structure is provided with a sensor attachment structure to an outside face of a left bumper beam extension. The sensor attachment structure includes a support section provided on the outside face of the left bumper beam extension, and an airbag sensor attached to the support section. The support section deforms and retreats toward the vehicle body rear as a result of compression of the left bumper beam extension during compression of the left bumper beam extension due to an impact load input from the vehicle body front.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masakazu Kashiwagi, Hajime Ohya, Yu Saito, Hiroshi Ohtake
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Patent number: 10118580Abstract: A structure of an underrun protection bound to a plurality of brackets disposed at the front or rear portion of a frame of a vehicle is disclosed. A distal panel being disposed on a distal side of a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is bound to a proximal panel being disposed on a proximal side of the longitudinal direction at engaged overlapping parts each at which an edge of a flange of the distal panel is in contact with an edge of a flange of the proximal panel. A reinforcing panel is disposed at a binder part in a hollow, the underrun protection bound to the plurality of brackets at a plurality of the binder parts such that the reinforcing panel is in contact with the inner face of one of the proximal panel and the distal panel and is in contact with the engaged overlapping part.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Shigeki Kurihara
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Patent number: 10112564Abstract: A crash box for a vehicle includes a body-side end face, a bumper-side end face and a plurality of supporting walls, which run in different planes extending in a longitudinal direction of the crash box between the end faces. At least one of the end faces is designed as a vault.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Fabian Fuerst, Stefan Holderried, Tommy Hechtel, Theobald Hock
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Patent number: 9951836Abstract: The present invention relates to a shock absorber system for a vehicle comprising a main unit (100) adapted to be deformed in the event of an impact with a first energy level and a secondary unit (200) shorter in length than the main unit (100), adapted to be subjected to loads as a complement of the main unit (100), after a first deformation phase of the main unit (100), when the system receives an impact with a second energy level greater than the first, the secondary unit (200) being configured to orient the resultant of a force applied on a downstream structure (30) in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis of this downstream structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: AUTOTECH ENGINEERING A.I.E.Inventors: Christophe Cazes, Gregory Gatard, Emmanuel Leroy, Matthieu Niess
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Patent number: 9944323Abstract: A strengthening member for a motor vehicle and a vehicle including a strengthening member are provided. The strengthening member can have a cross-section that has twenty-four corners and includes sides and corners creating sixteen internal angles and eight external angles. The vehicle may include a strengthening member that has twenty-four corners and includes sides and corners creating sixteen internal angles and eight external angles.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tau Tyan, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner
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Patent number: 9925937Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes: a front side member; a load-bearing member provided at an outer side face of a vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member, the load-bearing member including a load transmission portion that protrudes to the vehicle width direction outer side and to a vehicle front from the outer side face; a front bumper reinforcement; an inner side collision-absorbing portion that couples a front end of the front side member with the front bumper reinforcement; and an outer side collision-absorbing portion disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the inner side collision-absorbing portion, at least a portion of the outer side collision-absorbing portion being disposed between a front end of the load transmission portion and the front bumper reinforcement, and the outer side collision-absorbing portion being higher in compression strength in the vehicle front-and-rear direction than the inner side collision-absorbing portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN TAKAOKA CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryosuke Watanabe, Tatsuya Komamura, Yasunori Iwamoto, Ikuto Hirai
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Patent number: 9878687Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a vehicle energy absorbing device that includes a primary energy absorbing box and a secondary energy absorbing box, the primary energy absorbing box having a U-shaped cross section with a bottom and a wall extending therefrom, the secondary energy absorbing box being nested inside the primary energy absorbing box. In the event of a collision between a car and a pedestrian, the secondary energy absorbing box of the vehicle energy absorbing device is configured to provide continuous stiffness when the primary energy absorbing box is almost collapsed, so as to protect lower legs of pedestrians and reduce harm thereto. The vehicle energy absorbing device can not only decrease harm to lower legs of pedestrians, but also reduce damage to automobiles as a result of a low-speed collision.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignees: Compagnie Plastic Omnium, Yangfeng Plastic Omnium Automotive Exterior Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chunhuan Du, Jing Mao
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Patent number: 9789907Abstract: A side impact protective structure is provided for a vehicle floor pan. Right and left rear rails are attached, respectively, to right and left lateral sides of the floor pan. A kick-up cross member extends transversely between the right and left rocker assemblies. A right reinforcement is welded to the floor pan, the right rear rail, and the kick-up cross member. A left reinforcement is welded to the left rear rail, to the floor pan and the kick-up cross member. An assembly method includes the steps of selecting a thin mild steel floor pan between a thicker HSLA steel structural member and a thicker corner reinforcement and welding the components together with three thickness welds.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Herbert Yang, Zhenyan Gao, Pratt Kamath, John Michael McGuckin, Senthilkum Mahadevan, Sean Timothy Ryan, Michael Luchtman, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi
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Patent number: 9764765Abstract: In a vehicle-body front structure, a bumper beam is bridged between left and right front side frames. The left front side frame includes a front load absorption portion coupled with the bumper beam, and a rear load absorption portion provided at the vehicle rear side of the left gusset. A front wall of the left gusset is housed in an inner portion of the left front side frame, and the front wall is joined with an inner side wall of the left front side frame. Further, the front wall is sandwiched between front and rear frame back plates in the vehicle front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoya Takeda, Ken Yasui
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Patent number: 9637077Abstract: A vehicle includes a bumper beam and a bumper fascia that covers the bumper beam. An energy absorption member includes a first laterally positioned leg including a mounting flange connected to the bumper beam and a second laterally positioned leg including a mounting flange connected to the bumper beam. The first and second laterally positioned legs are located at opposite sides of a forward facing surface and are spaced-apart from each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Schnabelrauch, Shunsukei Kanagai, Naipaul D. Ramoutar, Sagar Kulkarni, Corinne D. Uskali
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Patent number: 9616940Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: an undercover that is fixed to a lower portion of a vehicle body, and that covers a bottom surface side of the vehicle body; rockers that extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction at both sides in a vehicle transverse direction at the lower portion of the vehicle body; and rocker moldings that are fixed to the lower portion of the vehicle body, and are disposed at vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and are provided from vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the rockers to vehicle lower sides. End portions at the vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and end portions at vehicle transverse direction inner sides of the rocker moldings, are superposed one on another at least in a vehicle vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keita Ito, Masahiro Ishikawa, Kenichiro Yoshimoto, Naoya Sakaguchi
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Patent number: 9610911Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
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Patent number: 9561766Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam for absorbing an impact of a vehicle and a crash box attached to the bumper beam and extending along an axis A. A mounting plate is attached to the crash box and defines at least one lateral slot extending laterally along the mounting plate in spaced and perpendicular relationship to the axis A. A fastener extends through the lateral slot for mating with a mounting surface of the vehicle frame to establish a secured position of the bumper assembly. The fastener includes a shoulder disposed in abutting relationship with the mounting surface in the secured position to dispose the mounting plate and the mounting surface in spaced relationship to one another for allowing the fastener to slide laterally along the lateral slot during a vehicle impact to reduce the transfer of lateral impact forces from the bumper assembly to the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Azhagu Subramanian
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Patent number: 9539967Abstract: A vehicle body impact absorption structure includes a bumper reinforcement, an upper vehicle body frame member, a lower vehicle body frame member, and an impact absorption box. The impact absorption box includes a rear portion, which is connected to the upper and lower vehicle body frame members, and a front portion, which is connected to the bumper reinforcement. The impact absorption box includes an upper impact absorption portion, which has a closed cross-section, a lower impact absorption portion, which has a closed cross-section, a front connection portion, which has a closed section, and a communication portion. The front connection portion connects the upper and lower impact absorption portions. The communication portion is located at the rear side of the front connection portion. The communication portion includes an opening extending through the impact absorption box in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takeo Mori
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Patent number: 9499111Abstract: There are provided an outside crash can provided on an outward side of an inside crash can, extending obliquely forward and outward from a front-end side middle portion of the front side frame and connecting to an outward end portion of a bumper reinforcement and a second set plate connecting the inside crash can and the outside crash can to the front side frame. The second set plate includes a middle wall extending longitudinally, a front end wall extending inward from a front end of the middle wall, and a rear end wall extending outward from a rear end of the middle wall, a rear end-side portion of the inside crash can is connected to the front and rear end walls, and a rear-end side portion of the outside crash can is connected to the middle and rear end walls.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Shigeaki Watanabe, Takehiro Kamei, Mitsuru Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 9491335Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module, the camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, an auto focusing unit installed thereinside with at least one lens and fixed at an upper side of the PCB for auto focusing a focus of an image transmitted to the image sensor, a shield can formed with a through hole at a position corresponding to that of the lens and so formed as to wrap the PCB and the auto focusing unit as well, and a shock absorber installed at an upper circumference of the shield can to form a buffer space between the shield can and the auto focusing unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Hack Ho Kim
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Patent number: 9422004Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body front section structure including: a dash panel; and a front side member comprising a side member front section, and a side member rear section, wherein the side member front section includes: a front side; a rear side; and a weakened portion that is formed to a side wall of the side member front section at a vehicle body up-down direction upper side of a boundary between the front side location and the rear side location, and that is set such that a crush amount at an upper side of the weakened portion is greater than a crush amount at a lower side of the weakened portion when collision load is input from the vehicle body front side.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akito Fujihara
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Patent number: 9415809Abstract: A chassis includes a chassis body and a protective device. The chassis body has a sliding rail. The sliding rail includes a main body and a bending portion at a curved extension from the main body. The bending portion is positioned adjacent to a head of the automotive. The protective device includes a protective member coupled with the bending portion. The protective member is capable of moving relative to the chassis body along the sliding rail when the protective member suffers a collision. This disclosure also supplies an automotive.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: E-In Wu
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Patent number: 9371049Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a front fascia and a forward load bearing beam that are disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis. A load distribution mechanism is rotatably attached to the forward load bearing beam for rotation about a rotation axis. The load distribution mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is for engaging an upper portion of the front fascia, above the forward load bearing beam. The second portion is for engaging a lower portion of the front fascia, below the forward load bearing beam. The front fascia engages the first portion and the second portion of the load distribution mechanism, and the load distribution mechanism rotates about the rotation axis, to control displacement of the front fascia in response to an applied force in which an object contacts the front fascia.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Tushar S. Baviskar, Vijay Shankar Iyer, Sudhir K. Maddireddy, Scott A. Sytsma
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Patent number: 9254812Abstract: A vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and a shock absorbing member fixed to a front face of the bumper reinforcement and extending in the vehicle width direction along the bumper reinforcement. The shock absorbing member comprises a base portion extending vertically along the front face of the bumper reinforcement and a projection portion extending forward from a lower end portion of the base portion and being resiliently-downward deformable relative to the base portion. Thus, the vehicle comprising the shock absorbing member provided in front of the bumper reinforcement with the leg-flicking function for the pedestrian protection can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Kuniyoshi Tashiro, Arihiro Furumoto, Ryo Ando, Masayuki Furutani, Masaru Chikita, Koji Miyamoto
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Patent number: 9248795Abstract: A vehicle includes a bumper beam and a bumper fascia that covers the bumper beam. An energy absorption member includes a first laterally positioned leg including a mounting flange connected to the bumper beam and a second laterally positioned leg including a mounting flange connected to the bumper beam. The first and second laterally positioned legs are located at opposite sides of a forward facing surface and are spaced-apart from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Schnabelrauch, Shunsukei Kanagai, Naipaul D. Ramoutar, Sagar Kulkarni, Corinne D. Uskali
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Patent number: 9068616Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper having a central longitudinal axis, and a jack assembly attached to the damper. The jack assembly includes a seat translatable with respect to the damper along the central longitudinal axis. The seat includes a first rack having a first exterior surface defining a plurality of first grooves therein, and a second rack having a second exterior surface defining a plurality of second grooves therein. The jack assembly also includes a first pinion including a plurality of first teeth each matable with each of the plurality of first grooves, and a second pinion including a plurality of second teeth each matable with each of the plurality of second grooves. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Liviu Serbu