One-shot Type Patents (Class 293/133)
  • Patent number: 10421424
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a crash box having a shape of a rectangular tube extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The crash box extends farther outward in the vehicle width direction than a front side member, and is provided between the front side member and a bumper reinforcement. The crash box has an upper plate and a lower plate. Each of the upper plate and the lower plate has bead rows disposed in the vehicle width direction. Each of the bead rows is formed by beads extending in the vehicle width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction. The bead rows include a first bead row composed of first beads, and a second bead row composed of second beads longer than the first beads and disposed inward of the first bead row in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Sabu, Haruhiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10407011
    Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Edward Karl Steinebach, Jeremiah John Brady, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Richard Lee Winfree, Mark Justin Jones, Darren Andrew Womack
  • Patent number: 10370034
    Abstract: A vehicle body reinforcement structure corresponding to a small overlap collision may include side members whose front end surface is bonded to a rear surface of a crash box bracket; an external cover whose upper and external edge portions of a front surface are bonded to a rear surface of the crash box bracket; and a fender apron member that is disposed at the outside of the side member and in which at an upper end portion of the front side, an upper bonding portion that is bonded to an upper portion of the external cover, a lower bonding portion and that is bonded to a lower portion of a rear surface of the external cover are formed, and a slanted bonding portion that is bonded to the cover slanted surface of the external cover are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Woong Park, Sun Ik Jang, Jae Kap Joo, Jong Seop Song
  • Patent number: 10293771
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a crash box. At least one of the bumper beam or the crash box is cast from metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, to reduce weight, reduce manufacturing process steps, and improve performance characteristics of the bumper assembly. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween. One of the bumper beam or the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and each include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Edward K. Steinebach, Mark Justin Jones, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Jeremiah John Brady, Richard Lee Winfree, Warren Edward Young, Erryn Leigh Ashmore, Darren Andrew Womack, Venugopal Garimella, Paul James Marston
  • Patent number: 10279822
    Abstract: A telescopic type collision energy absorption device includes a first tube, a second tube telescoped within the first tube, and a telescopic mechanism connected with the second tube by passing through the first tube, the first tube being mounted with a cutting mechanism for cutting an outer wall of the second tube, when the device is in a non-operating state, the telescopic mechanism pulls the second tube to retract into the first tube; in a state prior to the collision of a vehicle, the telescopic mechanism under an effect of high-pressure air pushes the second tube to eject outwards, the cutting mechanism is pressed against locating slots of the second tube under an effect of a spring force, the cutting mechanism cuts the second tube and absorbs energy when the second tube is subjected to an external force and retracts towards interior of the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Central South University
    Inventor: Guangjun Gao
  • Patent number: 10279842
    Abstract: A strengthening member for a motor vehicle and a vehicle including a strengthening member are provided. The strengthening member can have twenty-eight sides arranged to create twenty internal angles and eight external angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Tau Tyan, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner
  • Patent number: 10252686
    Abstract: A longitudinally extending extruded aluminum bumper is constructed and used in a bumper assembly to protect a vehicle from impact. The bumper includes a three wall design, formed by an integrally formed top wall and a bottom wall interconnected by a front vertically extending wall. The top and bottom walls have open ends that are spaced relative to one another to form a longitudinally extending, open-ended channel therebetween. Upwardly extending and downwardly extending flanges are integrally formed with front vertically extending wall and the top and bottom walls of the bumper. The extruded bumper can be attached directly to an end of a vehicle. Impact absorption devices can also be inserted into the longitudinally extending channel of the bumper and abut against the front vertical wall. Welds can be provided in a non-planar manner to connect the impact absorption devices to the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Thomas James Freundl, Jeffery Jay Mellis
  • Patent number: 10214169
    Abstract: A bumper-reinforcing system (1) intended for a motor vehicle includes: a bumper beam (2) with a single-piece elongated profile with a closed cross section and including a center zone (21) extending at least over part of the entire width of the bumper beam and an end zone (22) at each extremity of the bumper beam, two bumper fasteners (3) connected to the rear side of the bumper beam (2) at the intersection between the center zone (21) and the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2), two reinforcing tubes (4) connected by their first end to the rear side of the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2), extending from the bumper beam (2) so as to form an angle ? below 45° with the vertical plane of symmetry of the bumper beam and suited to be connected by their other end on the front rail of the vehicle for which the bumper-reinforcing system (1) is provided, and two covers (5) with a single-piece elongated profile with an open cross section, in contact with the rear side of the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Nicolas Schneider, Elie Gibeau, Yves Drouadaine, Arnaud Cocu, Gilson Donya
  • Patent number: 10150437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, having a crumple element attached to a bumper and a connecting plate that is adapted to be connected to a vehicle structure. The connecting plate is connected to the crumple element by at least one primary weld seam. At least one reinforcing element is connected to the crumple element in a connecting region that adjoins a primary weld seam and extends away from the primary weld seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Tobias Duffe
  • Patent number: 10093256
    Abstract: A load introduction system of a vehicle for introducing a load counter to the direction of travel of the vehicle includes a left load support on a left side of the vehicle and a right load support on a right side of the vehicle, wherein the left load support is connected in a force-transmitting manner to a left deformation module on the left side of a front portion of the vehicle and the right load support is connected in a force-transmitting manner to a right deformation module on the right side of the front portion. The load introduction system also includes a crossmember which extends transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the crossmember is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the two deformation modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Ruediger Wolf
  • Patent number: 10071771
    Abstract: A crash beam receiver for coupling to a crash beam for reducing the effects of a vehicle collision. The crash beam receiver includes a plurality of surfaces that are coupled together to form a hollow opening for receiving the crash beam. The crash beam receiver also includes a gate structure for providing a stopping point for the crash beam when the crash beam is inserted into the crash beam receiver. The gate structure includes a left gate, a right gate, and a protrusion structure that help to linearize the self-collapsing process of the crash beam in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion structure has a certain thickness such that the crash beam is caused to collapse inward toward its center in the event of a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jens Maier
  • Patent number: 10065682
    Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle includes a thirty-two-cornered cross section having adjacent sides defining internal angles and external angles. Each of the internal angles and the external angles are at least 60 degrees and are less than 180 degrees. The sides define a plurality of lobes spaced about a perimeter of the strengthening member. Along the perimeter of the thirty-two-cornered cross section, individual lobes of the plurality of lobes are separated by at least two consecutive external angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tau Tyan
  • Patent number: 10053038
    Abstract: A front carriage for a motor vehicle includes a bumper covering and a support structure, which supports the bumper covering. At least one support device supports the bumper covering against the support structure in the direction of the vehicle height (z) and enables a deformation movement of the bumper covering relative to the support structure in longitudinal vehicle direction (x) in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Wolff
  • Patent number: 10029634
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper support and a facia member. The bumper support has a central portion and lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion. The lateral portions are vertically higher than the central portion. The fascia member is shaped and configured to cover and conceal at least upper, side and rearward facing surfaces of the bumper support. The fascia member has a central fascia portion, a pair of lateral fascia portions and an upright fascia portion. The central fascia portion overlays and covers the central portion of the bumper support. The pair of lateral fascia portions overlay and cover the pair of lateral portions of the bumper support. The upright fascia portion extends upward from the central fascia portion from a first of the pair of lateral fascia portions to a second of the pair of lateral fascia portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro Diaz
  • Patent number: 9944242
    Abstract: At a front bumper, supporting members that are bodies separate from a bumper RF are assembled to vehicle transverse direction both end portions of the bumper RF, and the supporting members extend from vehicle transverse direction both ends of the bumper RF toward vehicle transverse direction outer sides and a vehicle rear side. Further, the supporting members are disposed adjacent to vehicle rear sides of absorber side portions and pressure tube side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya Higashimachi
  • Patent number: 9914484
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body front structure including left and right mounting brackets provided at the rear ends of left and right bumper beam extensions of a front bumper beam, and left and right frame side mounting members connecting the rear ends of the left and right mounting brackets. The left and right frame side mounting members are provided at the front ends of left and right front side frames. The left and right mounting brackets are formed into an almost L shape by horizontal plate-like left and right joint plate portions and vertical plate-like left and right flanges, and each of the left and right mounting brackets is located on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of each of the left and right bumper beam extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kawabe, Tomohide Sekiguchi, Yuki Matsushima, Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Kazuhito Onoda, Mikihito Kojima, Shinya Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Iwaizako, Yasuhiro Kajio
  • Patent number: 9902350
    Abstract: An upper and lower pair of first beads that extend in a longitudinal direction are formed at an inner side wall of a front side spacer. The first beads project to the vehicle width direction outer side. Therefore, when a collision load diagonally to the rear-left side is inputted to a front end portion of the inner side wall, the first beads act to support the inner side wall adjacent above and below the first beads from the vehicle width direction outer side. Accordingly, tilting deformation of the inner side wall toward the vehicle width direction outer side at the beginning of a micro-wrap collision of a vehicle is suppressed. An overall dimension in the vertical direction of the general portions of the inner side wall is specified to be greater than an overall dimension in the vertical direction of the first beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Yuji Takahashi, Yusuke Hayashi, Yoshitaka Sotoyama, Yousuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9884599
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a front frame member, a bumper beam (9) disposed at a front section of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction, a crush box (10) fixed to a rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and having a rear end portion coupled to a front end portion of the front frame member, and a corner reinforcement member (15) disposed at a corner portion formed between the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10), wherein an outer surface of the corner reinforcement member (15) is joined in a state in which the outer surface abuts the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Daido, Junya Harada, Keita Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9855974
    Abstract: A body structure includes: a bumper beam extending in the vehicle width direction; a pair of front side frames separated from each other in the vehicle width direction; and a pair of bumper beam extensions provided between respective front ends of the pair of front side frames and the bumper beam. The bumper beam is connected to the pair of bumper beam extensions at positions lower than respective upper walls of the pair of front side frames; and each of front portions of the pair of bumper beam extensions includes a connection portion to which a rear wall of the bumper beam is connected, and an extension portion provided above the connection portion and extending toward the vehicle front above the bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Kase, Yoichiro Hamano, Yasuyuki Shibata, Makoto Kihara, Misato Mineshima
  • Patent number: 9821741
    Abstract: In a vehicle body front structure, a left shock absorbing member is provided at a front end portion of a left front side frame and a bumper beam is provided at a front end portion of the left shock absorbing member. A left recessed angle portion is formed by the left shock absorbing member and the bumper beam. An inner coupling member is disposed in the left recessed angle portion. The inner coupling member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connected to the inner wall front portion with a spacing set between an intersection and the first end portion. Also, the second end portion is connected to the rear wall left portion with a spacing set between the intersection and the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Kashiwagi, Hajime Ohya
  • Patent number: 9789833
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a bumper reinforcement, a side structure that includes a first side wall on an outer side of the side structure in a vehicle width direction and a first protruding structure, and a crush box that is arranged between the bumper reinforcement and the side structure and includes a second side wall on an outer side of the crush box in the vehicle width direction, the second side wall having a second protruding structure. An edge line of the first protruding structure and an edge line of the second protruding structure are provided to be continuous in a vehicle front-rear direction, and a width in a vehicle up and down direction of the first protruding structure becomes wider farther away from the second protruding structure, in the vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Taguchi, Chitoshi Sugano
  • Patent number: 9751480
    Abstract: Embodiments of a crush box are described. One embodiment of the crush box includes a first sidewall that is coupled to a vehicle and a second sidewall that is coupled to the vehicle, where the first sidewall and the second sidewall include similarly pre-bent portions that cause the first sidewall and the second sidewall to bend outward upon receipt of a force. In some embodiments, the first sidewall and the second sidewall include a plurality of tabs that couple the first sidewall and the second sidewall to a top wall that bends inward upon receipt of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Graves, Ryan A. Mikolaizik, Tyler E. Schnug, Mark D. Clauser
  • Patent number: 9731670
    Abstract: A vehicle crush can includes a first portion, a second portion spaced from the first portion, and an intermediate portion extending from the first portion to the second portion. The first portion, second portion, and intermediate portion are aligned on a longitudinal axis and taper from the first portion to the second portion. The crush can has corrugations elongated along the longitudinal axis on the first portion and terminating on the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saied Nusier, Saeed David Barbat
  • Patent number: 9676353
    Abstract: A vehicle body end section structure comprising: a first support section that is provided with a first shock absorbing section at a vehicle front-rear direction end portion; a second support section that is provided with a second shock absorbing section at a vehicle front-rear direction end portion, disposed at a vehicle up-down direction lower side of the first shock absorbing section; and a coupling member that couples together a portion at a first shock absorbing section side of the first support section, and a portion at a second shock absorbing section side of the second support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Sotoyama
  • Patent number: 9663147
    Abstract: In a vehicle body front structure, a collision load is input to an outside protruding portion of a gusset when a portion farther to a vehicle width direction outside than a front side member of a vehicle collides in a frontal collision with a colliding object (here, barrier (B)) such as an oncoming vehicle (i.e., when a so-called small overlap collision occurs). This gusset is fixed in a cross section of a front portion of the front side member, so the collision load is able to be better transmitted to a vehicle width direction inside portion of the front side member. Moreover, this gusset abuts against a front end portion of the outer panel of the front side member from a vehicle front side, so the collision load is also able to be better transmitted to a vehicle width direction outside portion of the front side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kuriyama, Kosuke Sakakibara, Masanobu Ohmi, Akihiro Tamaoki
  • Patent number: 9630582
    Abstract: A crush-can is provided. That crush-can includes a first wall, a second wall within the first wall and a corrugated core between the first wall and the second wall. A method for producing the crush-can via 3D printing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9550463
    Abstract: A vehicle body end section structure is obtained that enables a spacer member that transmits load to a framework member in a small overlap collision to be suppressed from impinging on a wheel in a minor collision. The vehicle body end section structure comprises a pair of left and right framework members, a bumper framework section connected to leading end portions of the pair of framework members, and a spacer member that projects out from a jutting-out portion of the bumper framework section toward a framework member side. The spacer member is disposed such that a rotation trajectory of the spacer member about a connection location between the bumper framework section and the framework member, the connection location is positioned on an opposite side in the vehicle width direction of the spacer member, does not impinge on a wheel in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hara, Tetsuo Nuruki, Yoichi Tamura, Nobuhisa Ishiyama, Hiroshi Mizuo, Shintaro Kitakata, Hiroshi Kato, Yukio Oka
  • Patent number: 9505362
    Abstract: Provided is a shock-absorbing member that does not increase the cost of automobile and that can increase the absorbed energy per unit weight of the shock-absorbing member. A shock-absorbing member 1 includes a tubular main body portion 3, a bent portion 5 that is formed continuous with the main body portion 3, and a flange 7 provided at the proximal end of the main body portion 3 via the bent portion 5. The main body portion 3 is caused to undergo eversion deformation by a shock power acting on the distal end of the main body portion 3 so that shock energy is absorbed. The main body portion 3 has regular polygonal cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and has a tapered shape that an area of the cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction decreases toward the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Kondo
  • Patent number: 9481334
    Abstract: An extension portion extending out toward the vehicle width direction outer side is provided at a rear face of a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of bumper reinforcement. A projection portion projecting out toward the vehicle front side is disposed at a front face of the extension portion, at a position separated to the vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the bumper reinforcement. A front end portion of a spacer, having a rear end portion joined to the side face on the vehicle width direction outer side of a front side member and extending out to the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member, is joined to a rear face of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoji Matsumoto, Hironori Kadoi
  • Patent number: 9469265
    Abstract: A crush box, which has a tubular body having a plurality of flat plate-shape sidewalls and having a polygonal shape in section, which is disposed in such an attitude that an axial direction of the tubular body matches a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and which, when subjected to a compressive load in the axial direction, is crushed like an accordion in the axial direction to absorb impact energy, the crush box being configured such that a plurality of flanges projecting outward from the tubular body are provided along only a plurality of outer ridges located on an outer side in a lateral direction of the vehicle out of a plurality of ridges located along a boundary between the plurality of sidewalls, such that the plurality of flanges extend along an entire axial length of the tubular body, the tubular body is formed by a pair of body halves divided by a pair of upper and lower outer ridges located at upper and lower positions on the outer side in the lateral direction of the vehicle out of the pluralit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9463758
    Abstract: Provided is a crash box having improved robustness, wherein an angle of the pair of corner portions is set to 90° or larger and 150° or smaller, an angle of the another pair of corner portions is set to 30° or larger and 90° or smaller, one or more inwardly convex trench portions extending in a longitudinal direction are provided, a cross-sectional peripheral length of the tubular body in the one end side is shorter than a cross-sectional peripheral length of the tubular body in the other end side, an aspect ratio between the longest one and the shortest one of diagonal lines of a polygon changes depending on a position on the axial direction of the tubular body, and overall sides on the cross section in the one end are formed in parallel to the opposite sides on the cross section in the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Tamura, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Masahito Tasaka
  • Patent number: 9346425
    Abstract: The energy-absorption device (5) for a motor vehicle that comprises: a first energy-absorption member (50), in a first plastic material, provided so as to perfectly deform under the effect of an impact of given energy by absorbing a first portion of the energy of said impact; a second energy-absorption member (52), in a second plastic material different from the first plastic material, provided so as to plastically deform under the effect of said impact of given energy by absorbing a second portion of the energy of said impact; the first and second energy-absorption members (50, 52) being conformed so that the energy-absorption device (5) has a total intrusion-resisting force comprised between 75 and 200 kN, at any temperature comprised between ?30° C. and 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Bloc Avant
    Inventors: Abla Steinmetz, Laurent Droz Bartholet, Vincent Gonin, Marie-Pierre Buron
  • Patent number: 9266484
    Abstract: A crush box includes a tubular body having a polygonal section and disposed between an end portion of a bumper beam and a vehicle body in such a posture that an axial direction of the tubular body generally coincides with a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, in which the tubular body has an outer side wall and an inner side wall that is located inward of the outer side wall in a vehicle-width direction, and both the outer side wall and the inner side wall are inclined outward in the vehicle-width direction, in a direction from the vehicle body toward the bumper beam, and in which the tubular body is crushed into a bellows shape to absorb impact energy as a compressive load is applied to the tubular body from the bumper beam in the axial direction of the tubular body, wherein an angle of inclination of the outer side wall is greater than an angle of inclination of the inner side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakanishi, Kazuaki Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 9266486
    Abstract: An energy absorbing member is fixed to a vehicle body. A joint has in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof extends along the front-back direction of the vehicle. Proximal and distal ends of the joint are respectively connected to the member and a bumper beam. The joint causes a collision load from the hamper beam to the vehicle body to act upon the member while collapsing in the longitudinal direction. A distal end has an inclined shape such that a distance from the member deceases gradually from the center toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle. The distal end has a gradual increase region where a width in the height direction of the vehicle increases gradually and a gradual decrease region where the width in the height direction of the vehicle decreases gradually, from the center toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junya Iino, Wataru Kato, Isamu Nagasawa, Satoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9266566
    Abstract: A front body member which transfers collision energy to a front side member, or allows collision energy to be absorbed by the front side member at a time of a vehicle collision, may include an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to a height direction of the vehicle body, in which the upper portion and the lower portion of the front body member further include an upper flange and a lower flange, respectively, which are formed along perimeters of the upper portion and the lower portion to be in surface-to-surface contact with each other, and an empty space is formed in each of the upper portion and the lower portion of the front body member for a target internal space to be formed in the front body member when the upper flange and the lower flange are in surface-to-surface contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9260069
    Abstract: A shock absorbing member may include a cylindrical member that is configured to receive an impact load axially applied and to be axially collapsed, a wood member that is received in the cylindrical member while an axial direction of annual rings thereof is aligned with an axial direction of the cylindrical member, and positioning means for positioning axially both end portions of the wood member relative to axially both end portions of the cylindrical member such that a clearance can be formed between an outer surface of the wood member and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical member over an entire circumference thereof. The wood member and the cylindrical member are configured to receive the impact load in an axial direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Okuda
  • Patent number: 9260135
    Abstract: A deflector member comprises opposing first and second walls and a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls, the sidewalls having a cross-sectional shape between the first and second walls that is at least three-sided. The deflector member is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame. The deflector member is further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri, Yi Tony Qu, Chris Stephen O'Connor, Ahteram Khan
  • Patent number: 9238443
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle energy absorber system, comprises: blow molded crush lobes that are open on one side, wherein the energy absorber comprises fillets having a fillet radius of less than 20 mm and a thickness of less than or equal to 1.5 mm; a bumper beam adjacent the open side; and a fascia, wherein the energy absorber is located between the fascia and the bumper beam. In one embodiment, a method for making a blow molded energy absorber comprises: introducing a molten plastic to a first mold cavity; introducing gas into the plastic to conform the plastic to the interior of the first mold cavity and form a first preform; and separating the first preform along a centerline thereof to form open, first preform portions having first crush lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Somasekhar Venkat Bobba, Dinesh Mana, Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi, Kent Allen, Matthew Douglas Marks
  • Patent number: 9233657
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper structure includes a lateral arrangement of hollow lobes forming an energy absorption apparatus attached to a beam. The lobes are designed to provide a predetermined peak force resistance and a predetermined energy absorption capability. Local stiffening to increase the buckling resistance and energy absorption is provided by increased stiffness regions provided in one or more locations on one or more of the lobes. The local increased stiffness regions can be provided by an increased wall thickness surrounding apertures formed in selected shear walls of the lobes or a laterally outward offset in the shape of the shear walls of the lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash S. Phadatare, Aaron Richard Steinhilb
  • Patent number: 9233715
    Abstract: Embodiments of vehicles including bumper assemblies having spacer members are discussed and disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a side support that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a sub-frame coupled to a body of the vehicle, where the sub-frame is positioned beneath the side support in a vehicle vertical direction, a bumper assembly including a rear face that is coupled to the side support, the bumper assembly including a reinforcement beam that extends in a vehicle lateral direction that is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a spacer member coupled the rear face of bumper assembly, where the spacer member is positioned outboard of the side support in the vehicle lateral direction and where the spacer member extends from the side support toward the sub-frame in the vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naipaul Ramoutar, Behnaz Hajimohsen, Kirankumar Sambatur, Samuel King
  • Patent number: 9228628
    Abstract: An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Kevin Gustafson, John Michael McGuckin, Erika Kristin Low
  • Patent number: 9228385
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a retrofitted door brake. The retrofitted door brake may, in various embodiments, comprise a hub comprising a cylindrical central axle, a plurality of projections extending radially away from an outer circumference of the central axle, and/or a cam comprising a plurality of pins that hold the projections away from a channel wall of a brake housing. The pins may be configured to break away from the cam to release the projections into contact with the channel wall, and the pins may be fitted with a cover, such that the pins are capable of withstanding abrasion and wear. The cover may comprise a cylinder having an axially running aperture, and/or a beveled edge that shaves a layer of the outer surface from one of the plurality of pins as it is fitted over the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: CORNELL IRONWORKS ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: David Lueker
  • Patent number: 9199592
    Abstract: A crash box for connecting a bumper of a vehicle to a frame member of the vehicle is disclosed. The crash box includes a first crash box component made of metal with one end attached to the bumper and a second end attached to the frame member and forming an inner region. The crash box includes a second crash box component made of reinforced polymer. The second crash box component extends within the inner region of the first crash box and defines a length. The second crash box component has a uniform cross section along the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
  • Patent number: 9193320
    Abstract: An impact absorbing member is formed by bending one sheet of a metal plate material and then joining adjacent end parts thereof. The impact absorbing member includes the following integrally-connected portions: a fixing plate, an impact absorbing part having two first side wall plates and two second side wall plates, two flange plates, and two bridge plates. The impact absorbing part overall has an approximate square or rectangular tube shape after being bent. Joining parts are provided at each opposing end parts of the first and second side wall plates. The adjacent end parts of the first and second side wall plates overlap and are joined. The end parts of the two flange plates are also joined to the end parts of the two bridge plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: UACJ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamada, Sunao Tanaka, Koshi Okada, Takuya Fukunaga, Masaki Kumagai
  • Patent number: 9193318
    Abstract: A front end assembly including a stepped deflector assembly. The stepped deflector assembly includes a first step attached to one end of a bumper. The first step includes an inner front leg and an intermediate leg. The second step includes an outer front leg and a rear leg. The intermediate leg and rear leg have ends that are disposed adjacent a frame rail, but that are not attached to the frame rail. In a collision, the first and second inner ends of the first and second step, respectively, are driven laterally into the frame rail to reduce intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed David Barbat, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa, Rahul Arora
  • Patent number: 9174594
    Abstract: A crash box for a vehicle may include a first plate having a middle end formed with a cylindrical first flange protruding in one direction, a second plate having a middle end formed with a cylindrical second flange protruding in another direction, a pipe having each of both ends coupled to the corresponding first and second flanges respectively, and an impact absorbing device configured to absorb an impact while the first flange and the pipe matched with each other through the impact absorbing device may be shear-deformed at a time of crash by pressing an overlapping portion of the first flange and one end of the pipe to deform shapes of a pressed portion of the first flange and the pipe into shapes matched with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hyun Gyung Kim, Phil Jung Jeong, Seung Mok Lee, Dong Eun Cha, Dong Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 9168883
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a frame of a vehicle includes a rail defining a cavity. The cavity extends along an axis for receiving an energy absorbing member of a bumper assembly. A brace is fixed to the rail and includes a side wall extending along the axis in the cavity. The brace includes an end wall extending from the side wall in the cavity transversely to the axis adjacent to the energy absorbing member in the cavity. The rail defines a hole and the brace defines a hole aligned with the hole of the rail for receiving a fastener to engage the energy absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Laike Misikir, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Matthew B. Makowski, Oliver O. Nwankwo, Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9156416
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an energy absorbing component for a vehicle comprising at least one of a crush can, an insert for a cross car beam or a front impact extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Giles D. Bryer, Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Bryan F. Lake, Edward D. Moss
  • Patent number: 9139146
    Abstract: A vehicular impact absorber including: a hollow tubular body having a plurality of flat plate-shaped side walls and having a polygonal section; and a vehicle body-side attachment plate that is fixed integrally with the tubular body via a bracket in a state where the vehicle body-side attachment plate is in contact with one end portion of the tubular body in an axial direction, the vehicular impact absorber being fixed at the vehicle body-side attachment plate to a vehicle body-side member, and the vehicular impact absorber absorbing impact energy as the tubular body is crushed in the axial direction when an impact load is applied to the tubular body through the other end portion of the tubular body in the axial direction, the vehicular impact absorber being configured such that the bracket has a fixed plate portion that has a prescribed length in the axial direction of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9086110
    Abstract: A structural part dissipates energy delivered during an impact that compresses the part along an axis Z, including a web having two opposite surfaces. The part includes: a through-window extending between the opposite surfaces of the web, dividing the web into a first portion and a second portion respectively, arranged in series along the Z axis; and an energy-dissipation device, including a cutting element arranged within the window and able to cut at least one of the portions of the web into strips as a result of a compressive force exerted on the part along the Z axis, and an element for clearing away the strips thus formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: EUROPEAN AERONAUTIC DEFENCE AND SPACE COMPANY EADS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-Mathieu Guimard, Frederick Cavaliere