One-shot Type Patents (Class 293/133)
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Patent number: 12257964Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an extension to be held between a bumper beam extending in a vehicle width direction and a side frame extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. The extension includes: a fixing plate made of a plate member and fixed to a projecting end of the side frame so as to face in the vehicle front-rear direction; a crushing body arranged on the fixing plate; and a coupling strip made of a plate member, extending along the vehicle front-rear direction, and coupling an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the fixing plate with an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the bumper beam so as to integrally continue to the fixing plate and the bumper beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Junya Harada
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Patent number: 12233798Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side frames in pairs, a bumper beam, lower frames in pairs, and a lower beam. The lower beam extends in a vehicle width direction on a vehicle lower side of the bumper beam. The lower beam is coupled to vehicle-front-side end parts of the lower frames. The lower beam includes a front lower beam member and lower beam members in pairs. The front lower beam member constitutes a vehicle-front-side part of the lower beam. The front lower beam member extends in the vehicle width direction. Longitudinal-direction end parts of the front lower beam member are disposed outward in the vehicle width direction, as seen from the lower frames. The rear lower beam members constitute a vehicle-rear-side part of the lower beam. The rear lower beam members are joined respectively to both of the longitudinal-direction end parts of the front lower beam member.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshio Wada
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Patent number: 12202548Abstract: To suppress damage on a bonnet at light collision, a vehicle-body structure includes rear-portion crush cans that perform compressive deformation when a first predetermined load is applied, and front-portion crush cans that perform compressive deformation when a second predetermined load smaller than the first predetermined load is applied. A front portion of a bonnet is positioned on a vehicle rear side of front portions of the rear-portion crush cans.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Takuma Inami, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Hiroyuki Baba, Mitsuru Wakabayashi, Koji Miyamoto, Masaki Motoki, Manabu Tatsuda
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Patent number: 12109605Abstract: A bead forming method includes the steps of preparing a bumper stay having a partition wall that partitions an internal space and extends in a longitudinal direction, an elastic body that can be inserted into the bumper stay, and a pusher that presses the elastic body; inserting the elastic body into the bumper stay and arranging the elastic body in the bumper stay so as not to come into contact with the partition wall; and forming a buckling bead by compressing the elastic body in the longitudinal direction of the bumper stay by the pusher to expand the elastic body outward in a radial direction without coming into contact with the partition wall, thereby bulging a part of an outer wall of the bumper stay outward in the radial direction without deforming the partition wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Taiki Yamakawa, Toru Hashimura, Yasuhiro Maeda
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Patent number: 12103375Abstract: Vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components thereof are described. A self-contained vehicle platform or chassis incorporating substantially all of the functional systems, subsystems and components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operative vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, crash protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized such that vehicle platforms may be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also referred to in the art as “top hats”) with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) therebetween. Configurations of functional components are incorporated within the vehicle platform such that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.Inventors: Daniel George McCarron, Alexi Charbonneau, William J. Rohr, Charles Garmel, Felix Haeusler, Nathaniel Risler Rosso, John Mason, Mayurkumar Ashokbhai Agrawal, Phillip John Weicker, Sohel Merchant, Naesung Lyu, Chung Shen Ang, Jeffrey Walsh
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Patent number: 12071175Abstract: A front side frame provided on each of right and left sides of the vehicle and extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a bumper beam provided on a vehicle front side of each of the front side frames and having an inclined section in each end portion in a vehicle width direction, the bumper beam extending outward in the vehicle width direction and being inclined rearward in. A crash can is provided in a front end portion of each of the front side frames, extends forward, and is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction. A front end portion of each of the crash cans is coupled to the respective inclined section of the bumper beam. On an inner side in the vehicle width direction of each of the crash cans, a vulnerable portion is provided, and has low strength against a collision load input to the bumper beam.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2022Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kuniyoshi Tashiro, Ippei Kuroda, Hiroto Kido, Ayaka Fukuda
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Patent number: 12065093Abstract: A bumper arrangement relating to a motor vehicle, having an upper main crossmember, which is able to be coupled to the motor vehicle by way of crash boxes, and a lower auxiliary crossmember wherein the main crossmember and the auxiliary crossmember are coupled to one another by way of vertical struts, wherein the bumper arrangement extends over at least 70% of the vehicle width, and in that the main crossmember and the auxiliary crossmember have end portions which protrude laterally in the motor vehicle transverse direction with respect to the crash boxes. A vertically oriented hollow profile is arranged in an outer portion of the end region.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Patrick Orzelek, Stephan Rabl, Mirko Paare
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Patent number: 12043314Abstract: A vehicle side structure (102; 202) comprising a side portion (104; 204) extending in a longitudinal direction (106; 206), wherein the side portion (104; 204) comprises a first member (108; 208) extending in the longitudinal direction (106; 206) and a second member (110; 210) extending in the longitudinal direction (106; 206). The first member (108; 208) is configured to face an inside (112; 212) of a vehicle, and the second member (110; 210) is configured to face an outside (114; 214) of the vehicle. The first and second members (108, 110; 208; 210) are attached to one another to form a substantially closed space (116; 216) between them. The side portion (104; 204) comprises two wave-shaped reinforcement members (118, 120; 218, 220) located in the substantially closed space (116; 216). The reinforcement members (118, 120; 218, 220) are attached to one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Autotech Engineering S.L.Inventors: Hans Bodin, Stefan Arvidsson, Robert Viklund
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Patent number: 12043313Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame and a body. The body defines a passenger cabin and has a front bulkhead. The vehicle includes a crossmember supported by the frame and elongated along a vehicle-lateral axis. The crossmember is movable forward from a stowed position at the bulkhead along a vehicle-longitudinal axis away from the front bulkhead to a deployed position. The vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator configured to move the crossmember from the stowed position to the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2023Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
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Patent number: 12030448Abstract: A bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, having an upper main cross member, which is able to be coupled via crash boxes to the motor vehicle, and a lower auxiliary cross member, wherein the main cross member and auxiliary cross member are coupled together via vertical struts. The main cross member and/or the auxiliary cross member and/or the vertical element are supported on the crash box and/or on a longitudinal member via at least one additional support element oriented in the direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the support element is configured in one piece and in a single material with the main cross member or the auxiliary cross member or the vertical element.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Karl Kristian Berger, Jens Chr. Haker, Christian Handing, Andreas Hitz, Frode Paulsen, Frank Rabe, Odd Perry Sovik
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Patent number: 12012060Abstract: A shock-absorbing member wherein a columnar shaped-wood member is supported by a stopper bolt (a pressure-receiving member) at its axially one end side and is configured such that an impact load is applied to its axially other end side, and wherein the wood member is axially collapsed by the impact load applied thereto, thereby absorbing a portion of the impact load, and that may include a shaft (a reinforcement member) that extends in a direction intersecting with an axis of the wood member while being embedded in the wood member, so as to reinforce the wood member.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Toyota Shatal Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihisa Miura, Kazunari Kojio, Mitsuhiro Katou
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Patent number: 12012059Abstract: A vehicle component for a vehicle has a component body which extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction, wherein the component body has deformation zones which are spatially distributed in the longitudinal direction and are formed in the component body of sheet metal material. At least two locally distributed and spaced-apart deformation zones have different tensile strengths configured to influence a deformation course of the component body upon a force acting on the component body.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Georg Frost, Andreas Hitz, Mathias Lohberg, Martin Schroeter
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Patent number: 11996576Abstract: A high strength frame of a sealable containment system is provided for containing and protecting energy cells or batteries. The protection provided by the high strength frame provides impalement resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, and fluid penetration prevention. The frame includes a shock structure/energy absorber to protect the battery from forces during potential impacts with other vehicles or objects. The frame of a battery containment system is further designed to resist impalements in order to protect the batteries. Furthermore, because vehicle batteries are prone to extreme fire in the event of an impact or impalement, the containment system provides a sealed battery environment to keep fluid and moisture out during normal operation and to limit oxygen in the event of a battery fire.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Foran, Patrick Durham, Masatomo Teshima
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Patent number: 11952043Abstract: A profile strut includes an upper chord, a lower chord, two spaced-apart lateral walls which, together with the upper chord and the lower chord, define an interior, and a first profile end and a second profile end. A first end piece is disposed in the first profile end and a second end piece is disposed in the second profile end. A connecting web connects the first end piece to the second end piece. Each of the first end piece and the second end piece bears via end faces thereof against adjacent inner wall regions of the upper chord and the lower chord; respectively. An intermediate region, which is configured as a tunnel incorporated into the lower chord, is disposed between the first profile end and the second profile end.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Hainzinger, Daniel Tauchnitz
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Patent number: 11945385Abstract: An energy absorption device for a bumper of a motor vehicle has a first deformation element on the front side of the bumper. The first deformation element is a foam shaped part which extends over the width of the bumper and has a density of from 20 to 50 g/l. At least one second deformation element, with a density which is at least 50 g/l higher than the first deformation element, is inserted into the first deformation element.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Gross, Arne Koehler, Tamara Manske, Christian Muselmann, Mazdak Novine, Tim Rudolph, Manuel Schroeder
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Patent number: 11939001Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure of a vehicle body front side member and relates to a technical field of automobile design and manufacture. A vehicle body front side member structure includes a front side member assembly, an upper side beam assembly, a front side member connection plate assembly, an upper side beam front assembly, a front anti-crash beam energy absorption box assembly, and a front anti-crash beam assembly. According to the front side member structure, it is possible to optimize the transmission route of the crash force and effectively improve the capability of the energy absorption of the front end of the vehicle body to reduce the load to the cabin stringer so as to reduce the invasion amount of the front cabin into the passenger cabin or avoid the front cabin from invading into the passenger cabin in order to improve the safety of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Zhanhong Li
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Patent number: 11912339Abstract: Self-supporting 3-D printed chassis structures are disclosed. Self-supporting ribs are selectively printed to walls of the structure to meet desired dynamic stiffness targets while maintaining a reduced mass. The self-supporting ribs can be used as both support structures (e.g., for outer walls) during 3-D printing and as stiffening structures when the chassis structure is in operation. In an embodiment, the chassis structure is printed such that no support structures are needed. Topology optimization can enable remaining unneeded internal ribs or supports to be removed, and a high inner spatial volume between ribs can be maintained to make maximum use of the part. In various embodiments, wall thicknesses can be maintained at or below 1-2 millimeters, which further reduces mass.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Eric Paul Monteith
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Patent number: 11912218Abstract: A bumper crossmember comprising a wave structure oriented in the vertical direction (z direction), wherein the wave structure comprises at least three apex structures which extend in the bumper crossmember longitudinal direction and are adjacent in the vertical direction. This crossmember comprises a first length section that follows its longitudinal extent, at least one second length section that follows its longitudinal extent, and at least one transition section that is arranged respectively between these length sections. In the second length section, the wave structure is inverted with respect to the first length section, in that the opening direction of the apex structures switches in the transition section. In the transition section, there is at least one additional apex-forming structure, the apex of which is offset in the frontal direction (x direction) with respect to a frontal plane (yz-plane) in which at least two apex structures that are adjacent in the longitudinal sections lie.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Patrick Tlauka, Cristina Matthey, Ralf Stegmeyer, Rolf Peter Röttger, Marco Töller, Rolf Schwarzer, Stephan Lagin, Maria Schmitt, Lena Kremer
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Patent number: 11820308Abstract: A reinforcement structure (10) comprising: (i) one or more members (12, 12A, 12B), the one or more members having one or more projections (20) extending from a base (16) of the one or more members; and (ii) one or more sleeves (28) surrounding the one or more projections (20) and secured to the one or more members, wherein the one or more sleeves and the one or more members are configured to crumple to absorb a force being applied to the reinforcement structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.Inventor: Bill Barz
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Patent number: 11766976Abstract: A hybrid bumper assembly for a vehicle includes a steel reinforcement beam and aluminum crush cans attached to end portions of the steel reinforcement beam. The reinforcement beam has a multi-tubular shape that is formed by a high-strength steel sheet that is roll formed to provide at least two tubular portions. A crush can has an interfacing portion that is coupled to an end portion of the reinforcement beam. The end portions of the reinforcement beam and the interfacing portion of the crush cans may be configured to attach together using a select joining technology in a manner that minimizes or eliminates bimetallic or galvanic corrosion between the reinforcement beam and the crush cans.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventor: Joseph R. Matecki
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Patent number: 11760285Abstract: A crash box system is provided. The crash box system includes V shaped leaf springs located between a front plate and a rear plate, wherein straight leaf springs have been placed vertically to the front plate and rear plate at wing winged corners. The crash box system further includes a cylindrical inner tube having a bevelled or outer tapered end surface being placed inside an outer tube having a rectangular cross-sectional structure with radiused outer corners and a reduced cross-sectional middle section. The V shaped leaf springs, the outer tube further having re-entrant hexagonal bottom imperfections and re-entrant hexagonal top imperfections, and the cylindrical inner tube having the bevelled or outer tapered end surface to provide the crash box system with energy absorption capabilities such that peak forces are kept low at different times.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: ISTANBUL TEKNIK UNIVERSITESIInventors: Kadir Gunaydin, Halit Suleyman Turkmen
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Patent number: 11761069Abstract: An automotive component is produced by hot forming and press hardening a hardenable steel alloy having a tensile strength of at least 1700 MPa. The hardenable steel alloy, in addition to a balance made up of iron and melting-related impurities, has the following alloy elements carbon, niobium, and titanium. The automotive component is coated by a thermal coating process.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Georg Frost, Andreas Frehn, Karsten Bake, Martin Holzweissig, Rainer Lapsien
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Patent number: 11760423Abstract: To improve the collision performance of a panel member of an automobile. A panel member 1 includes a plurality of circular recessed parts 10 linearly arranged, wherein: when it is assumed that a portion where three recessed parts 10 are linearly aligned is called a recessed part group G, there are at least a first recessed part group G1 and a second recessed part group G2 arranged in parallel with the first recessed part group G1; and an angle formed between a first straight line L1 linking a center of the recessed part 10 in the first recessed part group G1 and a center of the recessed part 10 in the second recessed part group G2 located at a position closest to the recessed part 10, and, a second straight line L2 linking centers of the recessed parts 10 in the first recessed part group G1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Hirose, Keiichi Sato, Yoshimichi Kawai
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Patent number: 11708040Abstract: An energy absorption component for a motor vehicle, comprising a connection component and a crash box formed by a top chord, a bottom chord, and two side chords spaced apart from one another and connecting the top chord to the bottom chord. One end of the crash box is designed for connection to a bumper crossmember. The other end of the crash box rests against the connection component and is welded to it. The connection component has at least one flange portion which rests against a side chord of the crash box and is connected thereto by a welded joint, wherein this welded joint is spaced apart from adjacent welded joints, which connect the connection component to the top and bottom chords of the crash box, in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the crash box.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Alexander Günther
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Patent number: 11702715Abstract: A steel composition, a reinforcement part of a vehicle using the steel composition and a method of manufacturing the reinforcement part using the steel composition are provided. In particular, the steel composition includes increased content of carbon components and the steel composition is processed by rapid heating and immediate quenching.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Alex Khutorsky, Jonghyun Kim
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Patent number: 11679701Abstract: A passenger seat for a passenger vehicle including but not limited to an aircraft may include a seat base, a seat back, and an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system is spherically coupled to the seat base and spherically coupled to the seat back, and includes a dampening member and a support assembly. The dampening member is movable relative to the support assembly responsive to a load applied on the seat back such that engagement between the support assembly and the dampening member dampens the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLCInventors: Nahum Madrid, Solomon Livingston, Francisco Salcedo, Christopher Stewart, Kevin Waters
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Patent number: 11661111Abstract: A vehicle rocker assembly includes an outer sill member and an inner sill member attached longitudinally along the outer sill member to define a hollow space along and between the inner and outer sill members. A tubular insert is disposed in the hollow space so as to extend longitudinally along the hollow space. The tubular insert has a crush control feature extending longitudinally along a wall of the tubular insert, such as upper and lower walls at opposing sides of the interior volume. The tubular insert is configured for side impact forces at the outer sill member to laterally deform the tubular insert at the crush control feature to provide an accordion-style lateral crush to absorb the side impact forces.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Matthew Kuipers, Zehua Qin, Kannan Ramamoorthy
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Patent number: 11628885Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of a vehicle of the present invention comprises a bumper support portion provided at a vehicle body of the vehicle to support to bumper, a connection portion connecting the bumper and the bumper support portion and supporting the bumper, and a slide allowance portion configured to allow the bumper to slide in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the bumper support portion when a longitudinal load having a specified magnitude or larger is applied to the bumper from a vehicle outside, wherein the connection portion is provided on an upper face of the bumper support portion, and the slide allowance portion is configured to allow the longitudinal sliding of the bumper independently from the supporting of the bumper by the connection portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Nobuya Nishio
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Patent number: 11628883Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a vehicle bumper and a load transfer assembly. The vehicle bumper is coupled to a front end of the vehicle frame and includes a center beam and a bumper beam extension that extends laterally from an end of the center beam. The load transfer assembly includes first and second pivot pins and a load beam. The first pivot pin is fixed to the bumper beam extension and the second pivot pin is fixed to the vehicle frame. The load beam has a first end pivotably coupled to the first pivot pin and a second end pivotably coupled to the second pivot pin. The load beam is configured to load the vehicle frame in a lateral direction upon a vehicle impact event.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Lakshmi P Bhatta, Zheng Qin, Hassan H El-Hor
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Patent number: 11623595Abstract: A vehicle cushioning member includes first and second bending portions including first and second convex-bending portions, and first and second concave-bending portions. The first and second convex-bending portions and the first and second concave-bending portions are formed perimetrically while switched from each other between the adjacent side walls. When a length from a top surface of the top plate to a flange portion is 100%, a length from the top surface to the first bending portion is 24% or more and 47% or less, a length from the first bending portion to the second bending portion is 34% or more and 49% or less, and a length from the second bending portion to a top-plate-side surface of the flange portion is 13% or more and 33% or less, concerning a height direction along the axis of a substantially polygonal tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: KASAI KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinsuke Miotani
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Patent number: 11618399Abstract: A shock absorbing member is provided having a sequential destruction capability and protection against electrolytic corrosion on fastening-fixing portions thereof to be fastened to a bumper reinforcement or a vehicle body. Embodiments include a shock absorbing member between a bumper reinforcement and a vehicle body, including a distal end portion fastened to the bumper reinforcement; a base end flange portion fastened to the vehicle body; and an absorbing member body extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and connecting the distal end portion and the base end flange portion. The absorbing member body includes a carbon fiber-glass reinforced plastic layer. Fastening-fixing portions of the distal end portion and the base end flange portion are composed of glass fiber reinforced plastic layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Taiki Yotsuyanagi, Tsuyoshi Nishihara, Ryo Shimoda, Chikara Kawamura, Tsuneki Shimanaka, Kota Yoshida
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Patent number: 11613229Abstract: A pedestrian protection device of a vehicle includes a first body element mounted to the vehicle and having a connecting section. The pedestrian protection device includes a second body element that includes a hollow profile section. The first body element is movably received in the hollow profile section. The pedestrian protection device includes an elastically deformable exterior component connected to the second body element. The hollow profile section of the second body element is displaced from a rest position to a crash position upon the application of force against exterior component. The pedestrian device includes a latching device that releasably latches the connecting section of the first body element with the hollow profile section of the second body element when set in the crash position.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Anca Ebner, Holger Staack
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Patent number: 11584425Abstract: A steering device includes an inner column, an outer column, a hanger bracket, and a fixing member. The hanger bracket has a guide hole which extends in the front-rear direction and through which the shaft portion of the fixing member passes. An edge portion of the guide hole of the hanger bracket is provided with a fixing portion and a gradually increasing resistance portion. The seat portion of the fixing member comes into contact with the fixing portion to fix the hanger bracket to the inner column. The gradually increasing resistance portion is disposed in front of the fixing portion and gradually increases frictional resistance between the fixing member and the hanger bracket according to forward displacement of the fixing member when the fixing member is displaced forward together with inner column by a secondary collision load being input to the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshinori Shiroishi
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Patent number: 11560179Abstract: The present disclosure provides a collision energy absorbing apparatus capable of suppressing a peak load at the initial stage of a collision and a load drop immediately after it. The collision energy absorbing apparatus is an apparatus that absorbs collision energy, the apparatus being mounted on a vehicle and including a pressure member, an absorbing member, and a guide part that guides, a moving direction of the pressure member, in which a hole through which the pressure member guided and moved by the guide part enters is formed in the absorbing member, and in an event of a collision, the pressure member is guided by the guide part and a tip part of the pressure member enters the hole formed in the absorbing member while shearing an inner wall of the hole, to thereby absorb collision energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koichi Hiramatsu, Koji Kurozumi
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Patent number: 11548558Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure comprises a crash can fixed to a front end of a front frame. The crash can comprises an upper face portion, a lower face portion, a pair of side face portions, corner portions respectively positioned between the side face portion and the upper face portion and between the side face portion and the lower face portion, a first fragile portion provided at each of the corner portions, and a second fragile portion provided at each of the side face portions. The first fragile portion is configured to be deformed before the second fragile portion when a collision load applied toward a vehicle rearward side is inputted to an extension portion of a bumper beam. The second fragile portion is configured to be deformed before the front frame when the collision load applied toward the vehicle rearward side is inputted to the extension portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Narahara, Nobuyuki Shibutake, Yasushi Ishikawa, Yuichi Morita
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Patent number: 11535285Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated coupling comprising at least one tension-transferring or compression-transferring rod, at least one pressure plate comprising a cutting tool that comprises at least one blade and a central conically shaped recess. Furthermore, the articulated coupling comprises at least one conical threaded ring which comprises an internal thread and is slit in a longitudinal direction, wherein the rod comprises an external thread onto which the conical threaded ring is screwed. The cutting tool is arranged on a conical external surface of the conical threaded ring, wherein the conical threaded ring is arranged at least partially in the conically shaped recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Axtone S.A.Inventors: Krzysztof Puszkarz, Jan Kukulski, Leszek Wasilewski, Miroslaw Sum
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Patent number: 11505180Abstract: An active impact control system includes: at least one actuator couplable to a crush structure of a vehicle and couplable to a portion of a structure of the vehicle; at least one sensor configured to sense impact with an object; and a controller configured to receive information from the at least one sensor and to determine a location and angle of impact based on the information received from the sensor, the controller being further configured to selectively signal the actuator to cause the crush structure to move relative to the structure of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventor: Jared Odle
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Patent number: 11505148Abstract: A vehicle reinforcement assembly includes a detector and a reinforcement member. The detector is configured to be housed in an interior compartment of a vehicle. The reinforcement member is configured to be housed in the interior compartment at a location adjacent to the detector. The reinforcement member has a vehicle forward facing end that extends closer to a vehicle front end than the detector extends to the vehicle front end.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignees: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Omar Fernando Carrillo Fernandez, Tomohiro Hida
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Patent number: 11505135Abstract: An impact absorbing member is disposed between a roof panel and a top ceiling disposed below the roof panel. The impact absorbing member includes a base plate portion and a hollow, cone-shaped portion extending upward from the base plate portion. The cone-shaped portion has a fragile portion that facilitates vertical crush and deformation.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Tsuyoshi Yamagiwa, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Katsunori Monden, Hiroshi Nagai
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Patent number: 11505253Abstract: Provided is a vehicle body structure in which when a load acts on an impactor, the impactor is moved toward an inner wall, a slider is moved along the inner wall by means of direction-changing unit, and in the case where the load acting on a crushing member via the slider exceeds a set value, the moving slider crushes the crushing member.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Takayuki Fujii, Yumi Saito
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Patent number: 11485304Abstract: A bumper system (4) for a motor vehicle comprising a cross beam (1) which is globally orientated in a transverse direction (Y), said cross beam comprising a front wall (6) adapted to receive a crash impact force and a rear wall (5) opposed and spaced from said front wall, at least one absorber (2), at least an intermediate component (3) to attach the absorber (2) to the cross beam (1), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the rear wall (5) through a first contact area (10), distant from a longitudinal axis (LL), by an internal component distance, called Lin, and an external component distance, called Lout, which corresponds respectively to the minimum and maximum distance between said first contact area (10) and the longitudinal axis (LL), said longitudinal axis (LL) passing at mid width of the cross beam and being perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the absorber (2) through a second contact area (20) distant from the longitudinal axiType: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: CONSTELLIUM SINGEN GMBHInventors: Jochen Wiedemann, Thomas Schmid, Tim Kleindick
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Patent number: 11433835Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a first energy absorbing member extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle. A reinforcement member extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle and is connected to the first energy absorbing member. A second energy absorbing member is connected to the reinforcement member. The second energy absorbing member includes a first bracket member configured to be connected to a vehicle body structure of the vehicle. A retaining member extends outwardly from the first bracket member. The retaining member has a first portion having a substantially constant first height and a second portion having a second height less than the first height. At least one first compression member is movably disposed in the retaining member. The at least one first compression member is configured to move through the retaining member responsive to an impact event.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Aravind Chandrasekaran
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Patent number: 11396331Abstract: A front end structure for a vehicle includes: a pair of front side members; a front bumper beam located in front of the pair of front side members; a pair of bumper beam extensions respectively extending from both ends of the front bumper beam toward both sides of the vehicle; and a pair of catching members attached to the pair of front side members, respectively. In particular, each bumper beam extension is curved toward the rear of the vehicle, and each catching member protrudes from a corresponding front side member toward the bumper beam extension.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Ji Woong Park
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Patent number: 11345294Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a first member that extends in a vehicle width direction, second members that extend in a front-back direction that are inserted in the front-back direction with respect to the first member, and third members that are arranged at end portions of the first member in the vehicle width direction and joined to the end portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Toru Hashimura, Taiki Yamakawa, Yasuhiro Maeda, Kenichi Watanabe, Junya Naito, Akihiko Tatsumi
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Patent number: 11331864Abstract: Resin infusing a composite preform includes placing a first vacuum bagging film over a tool surface and the composite preform to define a sealed first chamber. A bridge structure has an underside defining a cavity above the first vacuum bagging film. A second vacuum bagging film is placed over the first vacuum bagging film and the bridge structure to define a sealed second chamber. At least partial vacuum pressure is applied to the first chamber to drive resin from a resin supply through the first chamber, infusing the composite preform with resin. Partial vacuum pressure is applied inside the second chamber and an exterior pressure is applied outside the second vacuum bagging film while. The exterior pressure exceeds the pressure applied to the first and second chambers, thereby compacting the composite preform outside of a region, with the bridge supporting the second vacuum bagging film against the exterior pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard Roberts
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Patent number: 11292326Abstract: Vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components thereof are described. A self-contained vehicle platform or chassis incorporating substantially all of the functional systems, subsystems and components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operative vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, crash protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized such that vehicle platforms may be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also referred to in the art as “top hats”) with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) therebetween. Configurations of functional components are incorporated within the vehicle platform such that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.Inventors: Daniel George McCarron, Alexi Charbonneau, William J. Rohr, Charles Garmel, Felix Haeusler, Nathaniel Risler Rosso, John Mason, Mayurkumar Ashokbhai Agrawal, Phillip John Weicker, Sohel Merchant, Naesung Lyu, Chung Shen Ang, Jeffrey Walsh
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Patent number: 11167797Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle structural component that has a plurality of open cells surrounding an open center section. The open center section comprises a multi-corner open center. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, extruding a vehicle structural component from a metallic material, wherein the vehicle structural component includes a plurality of open cells surrounding an open center section, and wherein the plurality of open cells each comprise a polygonal cross-section and the open center section comprises a multi-corner open center.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tau Tyan, Krish E. Aekbote, Michael Black, Maria J. Heirtzler
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Patent number: 11161468Abstract: A vehicle component for a vehicle has a component body which extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction, wherein the component body has deformation zones which are spatially distributed in the longitudinal direction and are formed in the component body of sheet metal material. At least two locally distributed and spaced-apart deformation zones have different tensile strengths configured to influence a deformation course of the component body upon a force acting on the component body.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Georg Frost, Andreas Hitz, Mathias Lohberg, Martin Schroeter
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Patent number: 11148624Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a crossmember, a body element, a crash box arranged between crossmember and body element. The invention is distinguished in that a) a front axis of rotation is formed by a structural element, and a rear axis of rotation by a further structural element in the region of an inner wall of the crash box, and b) a tension relief element or a tension delay element is arranged in the region of an outer wall of the crash box.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventor: Martin Vovesny
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Patent number: 11097678Abstract: A vehicle crush can adapted to couple a bumper beam to a side rail, including: a hollow box structure including front and rear portions, the front portion including or adapted to be coupled to a bracket assembly adapted to be coupled to the bumper beam, the rear portion adapted to be disposed within the side rail and defining a plurality of lateral holes; and one or more internal sleeves disposed within the box structure and defining a plurality of lateral channels aligned with the plurality of lateral holes of the box structure; the plurality of lateral holes of the box structure and the plurality of lateral channels of the one or more internal sleeves adapted to be aligned with a plurality of holes defined by the side rail when the rear portion of the box structure is disposed within the side rail and collectively receive a plurality of bolts therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Daniel Karlsson