End Connections Patents (Class 293/154)
  • Patent number: 11548458
    Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle is produced from an extruded hollow profile and has a front side forming an impact side, a rear side in opposition to the front side, end zones configured for connection to the motor vehicle, a central zone extending between the end zones and bent toward the impact side, and top and bottom sides connecting the rear side with the front side. Each of the top and bottom sides has a projecting flange which is separated from the rear side by a separation cut configured to end shy of the end zones so that the flanges are connected with the bumper cross member in the end zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shimizu, Frode Paulsen, Atsushi Hasegawa, Takayuki Fujii, Norikazu Matsuura, Noriaki Ito
  • Patent number: 11247523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremiah T. Hammer, John P. Kim, Mark Clauser
  • Patent number: 10744552
    Abstract: The joining method for members according to the present invention includes: providing an aluminum component including an insertion hole provided with a rib in at least part of an edge part, and a hollow steel pipe; inserting the steel pipe into the insertion hole of the aluminum component; and expanding and deforming the steel pipe to join the steel pipe to the aluminum component by press-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Hashimura, Kenichi Watanabe, Junya Naitou, Yasuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 10300958
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle body structure includes a rear panel arranged in a vehicle width direction in a vehicle body rear portion, a rear cross member connected to a rear surface of the rear panel, extending along the vehicle width direction, and defining a closed cross section between the rear cross member and the rear panel, and a rear bumper beam connected to a rear section of the rear cross member and extending along the vehicle width direction. The rear cross member includes an extending portion extending along the rear panel outward in the vehicle width direction from an outer end of the rear bumper beam in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Hiroki Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 10286955
    Abstract: In a rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle provided with rear side frames, a first deformation promotion portion (recess portions) to promote inward deformation of the rear side frame is provided at each of both-side side face portions of the rear side frame, a second deformation promotion portion (opening portions) to promote outward deformation of the rear side frame is provided at a lower face portion of the rear side frame, and the first deformation promotion portion and the second deformation promotion portion are alternately arranged in an axial direction of the rear side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yoshimura, Ken Yamada
  • Patent number: 10202091
    Abstract: A bumper beam system is provided that includes a bumper beam that is cast from metal and has at least a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Furthermore, a crash box is provided that comprises a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Additionally, a bumper beam system is provided that has a bumper beam and a crash box. The bumper beam includes at least a first bumper beam portion that is comprised of a first bumper beam alloy, and the crash box includes at least a first crash box portion that is comprised of a first crash box alloy. Methods of manufacturing the bumper beam system and crash boxes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Edward K. Steinebach, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Jeremiah John Brady, Richard Lee Winfree
  • Patent number: 9527464
    Abstract: Bumpers and vehicles that include bumpers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a bumper includes a bumper beam assembly, the bumper beam assembly including a beam, the beam including a front side that is oriented to face forward in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a bumper extension portion that is coupled to the beam and positioned at an outboard end of the bumper beam assembly, the bumper extension portion including a front side that is oriented face forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a top side that is oriented transverse to the front side, and a bottom side that is oriented transverse to the front side, and a reinforcement bracket that is coupled to the bumper extension portion, where the reinforcement bracket includes a front side that extends across the front side of the bumper extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Palani Palaniappan, Naipaul Ramoutar, Manikandan Baby Mony
  • Patent number: 9522584
    Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle limits movement of a tire and wheel assembly in a wheel cavity. The vehicle has a wheel well structure that defines the wheel cavity. The energy management system includes a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly. The tether is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly within the wheel cavity under a predetermined load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Robert N. Saje, Jonathan E. Rich, Michael E. Quigley
  • Patent number: 9352713
    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: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Giles D. Bryer, Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Bryan F. Lake
  • Patent number: 9290138
    Abstract: A vehicle front section structure includes a front side member disposed running along a vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle width direction outside of a vehicle front section, and a projection member provided at an outside wall of the front side member so as to project out further to the vehicle width direction outside than the outside wall, a rear end portion of the projection member being positioned further to a vehicle rear side than a vehicle front side end portion of a power unit disposed at a vehicle width direction inside of the front side member in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Muraji, Shota Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9254800
    Abstract: A bumper beam has a U-profile with its top directed toward the vehicle. It has fixedly welded mounting plates (16, 17) in the form of horizontal hat-shaped profiles. The mounting plates are bolted to end plates (19) on the side rails (18) of the vehicle, so that collision stresses are transferred to all four sides (29, 30, 32, 33) of the respective side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Johan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8991903
    Abstract: A front-end assembly including a deflector and a catcher bracket. The V-shaped deflector is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear leg of the deflector has a distal end disposed adjacent to the frame rail. In a collision, the distal end of the rear leg engages the catcher bracket to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Morteza Tanbakuchi
  • Publication number: 20150076847
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for a front part of a vehicle body including a front sidemember that extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a bumper reinforcement, at least a part of which is positioned at the same height as the front sidemember in a vertical direction of the vehicle, and extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle so as to face the front sidemember; and a support portion. The end portion of the bumper reinforcement has an extension portion that extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle up to a position which overlaps a wheel when seen from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least a front surface of the bumper reinforcement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the extension portion have strength higher than that of other portions of the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeo Mori
  • Patent number: 8820804
    Abstract: A vehicle end section structure capable of securing coupling rigidity at a coupling section between bumper reinforcement and a framework member where a hook attachment section is provided. The vehicle front section structure includes bumper reinforcement of B-shaped cross-section formed with a rearwards opening indented portion between a top and bottom pair of closed cross-sections, a crush box disposed at the rear of one length direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement, bolts and weld nuts for joining the bumper reinforcement at the top-bottom closed cross-sections to locations inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction, and a pipe nut that is disposed in an indented portion facing an access hole to enable access to a hook member through the access hole and that is fixed to the crush box inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Shibata, Naoya Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8770636
    Abstract: Providing a bumper absorbing large amount of impact energy with respect to both a light collision and a heavy collision, and preventing the reinforcement beam from bending and protruding backward at a portion where an obstacle collides and from displacing backward in this protruding state. Provided is a bumper for vehicles including a reinforcement beam made of metal and a pair of support members having a hollow cross section, protruding from a vehicle frame, and supporting the reinforcement beam therebetween. A quenched region is provide over a portion including a middle of the reinforcement beam. Unquenched portions are provided on the pair of connecting portions or a pair of adjacent portions inside the pair of connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Shimotsu
  • Patent number: 8733823
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cross member which is arranged transversely to a travel direction and has two attachment zones for connection to two side rails arranged in parallel relationship to the travel direction. The bumper cross member has a center portion extending between the attachment zones and two end zones to close off the bumper cross member to vehicle sides. A deformation element is arranged behind each of the end zones and constructed to support in the event of a head-on collision with slight overlap the end zone which undergoes a buckling as a result of the head-on collision. At least one belt element at least partly surrounds a circumference of the deformation element and is secured to at least one of the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Grottke, Stefan Schmitz, Holger Diersmann
  • Patent number: 8684428
    Abstract: When a retainer unit is fastened to a body, the rotation of a pin member around its longitudinal axis pushes out and widens the body mounting leg portion of the retainer unit, and the retainer unit is drawn into the body. As a result, the elastic flange of the leg is bent, the insertion hole in the body is sealed by the elastic flange of the leg, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented. By drawing the retainer unit into the body, the pin member is also drawn into the body a slight distance (dimension ?). As a result, the elastic flange of the pin member is bent, the pin insertion hole is sealed by the elastic flange of the pin member, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro Sano
  • Publication number: 20140062105
    Abstract: Providing a bumper absorbing large amount of impact energy with respect to both a light collision and a heavy collision, and preventing the reinforcement beam from bending and protruding backward at a portion where an obstacle collides and from displacing backward in this protruding state. Provided is a bumper for vehicles including a reinforcement beam made of metal and a pair of support members having a hollow cross section, protruding from a vehicle frame, and supporting the reinforcement beam therebetween. A quenched region is provide over a portion including a middle of the reinforcement beam. Unquenched portions are provided on the pair of connecting portions or a pair of adjacent portions inside the pair of connecting portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Shimotsu
  • Patent number: 8662566
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a front end frame assembly, a bumper beam, left and right inner extension members, and left and right outer extension members. The front end frame assembly is disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle. The bumper beam is disposed forward of the front end frame assembly. The left and right inner extension members connect the bumper beam with the front end frame assembly. The left and right outer extension members are disposed on respective external sides of the left and right inner extension members and connect the bumper beam with the front end frame assembly. Each outer extension member includes a forward end section for connecting with the bumper beam, a rear end section having connection locations for connecting with the front end frame assembly and a curved section disposed between the forward end section and the rear end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Edwards, Patrick J. Ellison, Walter Thom, Eric M. Heitkamp, William W. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20130328334
    Abstract: A vehicle body has a longitudinal member and a bumper cross-member. Furthermore, the vehicle body has a cantilever, which extends transversely to the longitudinal member along a transverse vehicle axis and is fastened to the longitudinal member in a torque-resistant manner. The cantilever is arranged in such a way that the cantilever protrudes into an intermediate space between a wheel mount and the bumper cross-member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Atiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz HOISS, Herwig KERSTAN, Wilhelm RIEDL
  • Patent number: 8505990
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a corner energy absorber. In one embodiment the corner energy absorber includes a body portion and an arm portion. The body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a front wall that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The corner energy absorber further includes a crush member extending from the front wall of the body portion between the top surface and the bottom surface of the body portion. In another embodiment, at least one of the body portion and the arm portion comprises an attachment feature. The invention also provides for various embodiments of a bumper system comprising a corner energy absorber connected to a bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 8485592
    Abstract: A front connection structure for a vehicle body may include a bumper back beam provided in a front portion of the vehicle body and connected to a side member in a traverse direction of the vehicle body, an apron upper member positioned on a side surface of the vehicle body in parallel to the side member, and a back beam side member mounted on an end portion of the bumper back beam in the traverse direction of the vehicle body and connected to a front end portion of the apron upper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jang Ho Shin, Yun Chang Kim
  • Patent number: 8469415
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement having end portions in a width direction of a vehicle, includes a main wall extending in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction, first and second walls protruding from the main wall in the first direction to extend toward an interior side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, flanges protruding from respective ends of the first and second walls along the first direction, the main wall, the first and second walls, and the flanges being integrally formed with one another, and gradually narrowing portions formed, in the width direction, at end portions of each of the first and second walls, wherein respective protruding lengths of the first and second walls in the longitudinal direction gradually decrease from an intermediate portion of the bumper reinforcement to the end portions of the bumper reinforcement in the width direction to form the gradually narrowing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Ohbayashi
  • Patent number: 8454080
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame with energy-absorbing zones at outboard corners of the vehicle and a bumper beam mounted to the energy-absorbing zones to transfer force to at least one of the energy-absorbing zones during a collision. The bumper beam includes a center section extending generally laterally across the vehicle between the energy-absorbing zones, and left and right load transfer sections attached to outboard ends of the center section. Each load transfer section extends outboard and rearward such that the free end of each load transfer section is disposed outboard of the frame adjacent a rear end of its respective energy-absorbing zone. In a small-overlap collision, the load transfer section on the side of the impact bends rearward as the energy-absorbing zone deforms, and the free end of the load transfer section contacts the frame to transfer crash loads to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Edgar Edward Donabedian, Kevin Gustafson, Kenneth R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8414041
    Abstract: An automobile bumper arrangement includes a crossbeam coupled to side rails of an automobile via crash boxes, wherein the crossbeam has extensions disposed at end sections which are laterally supported on a corresponding crash box. A modular bumper system has a crossbeam, an extension and a crash box coupled to a side rail of an automobile, wherein the crossbeam has a standardized length and a vehicle-specific width of a bumper can be attained by varying the length of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Paare, Dariusz Straznikiewicz, Oliver Müller, Enrico Seidl
  • Patent number: 8403385
    Abstract: An automobile bumper structure reduces damage to a vehicle body in an offset collision by having a bumper member in an offset collision area formed by a separate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Sugimoto, Kodai Taneda
  • Patent number: 8393656
    Abstract: A modular reconfigurable bumper system for an off road vehicle includes a center base mountable to the front of the vehicle. The center base has ends, a top face, and a front face. A pair of first mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the front face of the center base adjacent its ends and a pair of second mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the top face adjacent the ends of the center base. A pair of third mounting locations are located on the ends of the center base. A plurality of optional accessories including end plates, end extenders, an overrider, a prerunner, a stinger, and D-rings are selectively mountable to the center base, all via the first, second, and third mounting locations. The system also includes a rear bumper assembly mountable to the back of the vehicle and having a hinged spare tire carrier and D-rings selectively attachable to the rear bumper via common fourth mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: OMIX-Ada, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Hardy, Patrick W. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20130001964
    Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam having a bumper beam surface extending along a bumper plane X and a crash box including a crash box surface extending along a crash box plane Y. One of the bumper beam and the crash box includes an alignment joint to mate the bumper beam and the crash box and dispose the surfaces in abutting and aligned relationship relative to one another for establishing a linear load path extending linearly along the planes X, Y. A method of assembling a bumper assembly includes the steps of mating the bumper beam and the crash box about the alignment joint and connecting the bumper beam and the crash box together along the alignment joint. The step of connecting the bumper beam and the crash box includes friction stir welding the bumper box and the crash box together along the alignment joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas James Freundl, Jeffery Jay Mellis
  • Patent number: 8336934
    Abstract: A bumper beam assembly for a vehicle may include a bumper beam having a horizontal support plate, front and rear vertical support plates attached to the horizontal support plate, wherein the rear vertical support plate includes an insertion hole, a partition formed along the horizontal support plate between the front and rear vertical support plates, and a stay, an end portion of which may be inserted into the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Hwan Kwon, Inho Choi, Nakseung Jung, Mun Yong Lee, Sang Eon Park
  • Patent number: 8317238
    Abstract: A bumper device for a vehicle, includes a bumper reinforcement extending in a width direction of the vehicle, a connecting member extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to an end portion of the bumper reinforcement, the connecting member including a bottom wall portion that is in contact with the bumper reinforcement, a fitting bore formed in either one of the bottom wall portion and a contact wall portion of the bumper reinforcement, an insertion portion formed at the other one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion and inserted in the fitting bore, and a flange extending from an edge of the insertion portion, wherein the one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion, including the fitting bore is supported by the flange and the other one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion, including the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Ohbayashi, Kyousuke Matsui
  • Patent number: 8276953
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a bumper cross member, which is fixed to a stiff frame of the motor vehicle, a pliable bumper shell, a compressible structure which is formed between an upper area of the shell and the cross member and one support section which supports the lower area of the shell, which, together with a crash box holding the cross member is anchored to the flange plates of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst
  • Patent number: 8172286
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided with at least one front frame having two side members and an impact cross member structure. Two crash boxes are fixed between the respective front end of the side members and the impact cross member structure. Each of the crash boxes includes, but is not limited to a first and a second leg that are jointly fixed to the front end of each side member and in the shape of a V in the direction of the impact cross member structure turn into ends spread from each other The spread ends are fixed on end regions of the impact cross member structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
  • Patent number: 8157066
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an impact absorbing member capable of reinforcing a desired reinforcement object portion. The impact absorbing member includes a long impact absorbing body which absorbs energy at the time of a collision by being deformed itself and a mounting member which is disposed at a reinforcement object portion of the impact absorbing body so that it is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion at the time of the collision and mounted to a mounting object member. When the reinforcement object portion is deformed at the time of the collision, the mounting member is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion. Due to that deformation, the mounting member can reinforce the reinforcement object portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Murayama, Junichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8152211
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided with at least one front frame having two side members and an impact cross member structure. Two crash boxes are fixed between the respective front end of the side members and the impact cross member structure. Each of the crash boxes includes, but is not limited to a first and a second leg that are jointly fixed to the front end of each side member and in the shape of a V merge with ends spread from each other in the direction of the impact cross member structure. The spread ends are fixed on end regions of the impact cross member structure. A connecting structure with honeycomb construction is arranged between the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
  • Patent number: 8100444
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a bumper cross member, which is fixed to a stiff frame of the motor vehicle, a pliable bumper shell, a compressible structure which is formed between an upper area of the shell and the cross member and one support section which supports the lower area of the shell, which, together with a crash box holding the cross member is anchored to the flange plates of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst
  • Patent number: 8087706
    Abstract: A bow-formed bumper beam for a vehicle has a hat profile with a central flange (11), two webs (12, 13), and side flanges (14, 15). The beam has fastening portions (20, 21) at its sides where the side flanges form fastening areas (30-33) for fastening the beam to the vehicle with the central flange facing outwards. In the area between the fastening areas, the side flanges have bent edges (26, 27) and in association with the beginning of the bent edges, they have transverse dents (29). These dents will easily be flattened out when the beam is bent in a collision so that the local tension in these sensitive areas is reduced. Thereby, the risk of cracking is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventors: Lars Karlander, Henrik Kohkoinen
  • Publication number: 20110193370
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided with at least one front frame having two side members and an impact cross member structure. Two crash boxes are fixed between the respective front end of the side members and the impact cross member structure. Each of the crash boxes includes, but is not limited to a first and a second leg that are jointly fixed to the front end of each side member and in the shape of a V merge with ends spread from each other in the direction of the impact cross member structure. The spread ends are fixed on end regions of the impact cross member structure. A connecting structure with honeycomb construction is arranged between the legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw KLIMEK
  • Publication number: 20110193371
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided with at least one front frame having two side members and an impact cross member structure. Two crash boxes are fixed between the respective front end of the side members and the impact cross member structure. Each of the crash boxes includes, but is not limited to a first and a second leg that are jointly fixed to the front end of each side member and in the shape of a V in the direction of the impact cross member structure turn into ends spread from each other The spread ends are fixed on end regions of the impact cross member structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw KLIMEK
  • Patent number: 7980615
    Abstract: A target tubular member with flange, such as a bumper stay, has a flange having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of an axial section and is formed by electromagnetic forming without excessive expansion. The tubular member with flange includes an axial member made of a tubular aluminum alloy extrudate and a flange member joined to an end of the axial member. The axial member has an end flange being integrated at its end and having an area smaller than that of the flange member. The flange member has a hole, and a cylindrical hole flange at the edge of the hole. The axial member fits in the hole of the flange member, the end flange is in intimate contact with the flange member, and the outer periphery of a small-diameter portion of the axial member is in intimate contact with the inner periphery of the hole flange. The hole flange is held between the end flange and a protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 7905366
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy dissipation device (100) for a multi-member vehicle, a rail-mounted vehicle in particular, comprising a first end plate (10), a second end plate (20) and an energy dissipation element (30) in the form of a hollow body extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the energy dissipation device (100) and arranged between the first and the second end plate (10, 20), whereby to prescribe the formation of folds for the energy dissipation element (30) upon activation of the energy dissipation device (100), said energy dissipation element (30) comprises a response trigger in the form of a fold/bulge area (33, 33?) extending peripherally at least partly around the periphery of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Eckart Jaede
  • Patent number: 7854453
    Abstract: A system for detecting objects colliding with an automotive vehicle includes a bumper-reinforcing member disposed behind a front bumper, a supporting member disposed behind the bumper-reinforcing member, forming a small gap therebetween, and a load sensor disposed between the bumper-reinforcing member and the supporting member in an overlapped manner. A load caused by a collision and detected by the load sensor is fed to an electronic controller that determines whether the object colliding with the vehicle is a pedestrian or other objects. Since the load sensor is mounted in a manner overlapping with the bumper-reinforcing member and the supporting member, an increase in a longitudinal length of a bumper structure by installing the load sensor is minimized. The load sensor may include plural detecting plates, each having a strain gage mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20100244473
    Abstract: An automobile bumper structure reduces damage to a vehicle body in an offset collision by having a bumper member in an offset collision area formed by a separate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei SUGIMOTO, Kodai TANEDA
  • Patent number: 7793998
    Abstract: A bumper fixture is interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a bumper and an auto body as to extend the extended-directional end portion of the bumper mounted on the auto body to form a part of a wheel house. The bumper fixture includes a mounting portion mountable to an extended-directional outer end wall of the bumper on one extended-directional end portion of the bumper, and the mounting portion is elastically deformable by a greater than predetermined load. A bumper mounting structure includes the bumper fixture such that an extended directional outer end wall of the bumper is mounted on the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Nifco Inc., Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Matsui, Kenji Ooki, Makoto Aizawa, Yuji Masaoka
  • Publication number: 20100102582
    Abstract: A target tubular member with flange, such as a bumper stay, has a flange having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of an axial section and is formed by electromagnetic forming without excessive expansion. The tubular member with flange includes an axial member made of a tubular aluminum alloy extrudate and a flange member joined to an end of the axial member. The axial member has an end flange being integrated at its end and having an area smaller than that of the flange member. The flange member has a hole, and a cylindrical hole flange at the edge of the hole. The axial member fits in the hole of the flange member, the end flange is in intimate contact with the flange member, and the outer periphery of a small-diameter portion of the axial member is in intimate contact with the inner periphery of the hole flange. The hole flange is held between the end flange and a protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 7658421
    Abstract: A target tubular member with flange, such as a bumper stay, has a flange having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of an axial section and is formed by electromagnetic forming without excessive expansion. The tubular member with flange includes an axial member made of a tubular aluminum alloy extrudate and a flange member joined to an end of the axial member. The axial member has an end flange being integrated at its end and having an area smaller than that of the flange member. The flange member has a hole, and a cylindrical hole flange at the edge of the hole. The axial member fits in the hole of the flange member, the end flange is in intimate contact with the flange member, and the outer periphery of a small-diameter portion of the axial member is in intimate contact with the inner periphery of the hole flange. The hole flange is held between the end flange and a protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 7625021
    Abstract: A bumper cover assembly includes a resin panel, a fastener and a retainer. The panel has an inner surface. The fastener extends outwardly from a vehicle body. The retainer is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the resin panel. The retainer includes a hole for receiving the fastener therethrough, so as to fixedly secure the resin panel to the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Naik, Brian Lindsay, Eric Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 7559589
    Abstract: A bumper system includes a tubular reinforcement beam and a pair of crush towers for mounting the beam to frame rails of a vehicle frame. The illustrated crush towers are formed from top and bottom stamped halves to form a pocket for receiving the ends of the beam, and further to form a crush tower for controlling impact energy communicated to the vehicle frame rails. Still further, the crush towers include an outboard portion forming a structural corner of the bumper system, the structural corner being constructed with crush initiators to provide optimal tuned corner impact characteristics. The combination of the beam 11 and towers 12 forms a bumper system taking advantage of roll forming (or extruding) of a rigid structural beam and a stamped mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventor: Rainer B. Nees
  • Patent number: 7533913
    Abstract: A front structure for a car body that reduces time and cost to repair a car body after a collision by localizing damage in low-speed collisions to a crash box mounted in a space between a front bumper and a side member and making the car body deform always in a predetermined mode in the collisions. A front structure for a car body may include a first connecting bracket supporting the left and right rear of a front bumper, a crash box joined to the rear of the first connecting bracket, a second connecting bracket joined to the rear of the crash box, and a front side member joined to the rear of the second connecting bracket. The crash box includes an inner member and an outer member, which are curved and separated from each other, so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and have a closed cross section. The inner member has a plurality of bead-shaped protrusions that are formed across the inner member and longitudinally spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ki-Soon Bae
  • Patent number: 7469959
    Abstract: A rear vehicle body structure including a left-right pair of first rear frame, a second rear frame arcuate in plan view which is connected to the rear ends of the first rear frames, a rear bumper beam with a front surface of a central portion thereof connected to a rear surface of the second rear frame, a left-right pair of fender beams with one-side end portions thereof connected respectively to both end portions of the rear bumper beam, and a left-right pair of rearmost portion pillars connected to the other end portions of the fender frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Egawa, Shigeto Yasuhara
  • Patent number: RE40736
    Abstract: A bumper beam includes an open front section made from a high-strength material such as ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) material, and further includes a mating back section made of lower-strength material attached to a rear side of the front section along abutting flanges. The front and back sections combine to define different tubular cross sections. The front section can be roll-formed, and the back section can be stamped, thus taking advantage of roll-forming processes' ability to form high-strength materials, while allowing the back section to have a more complicated shape and be stamped. The abutting flanges telescopingly overlap in a fore-aft direction of the vehicle and are welded together at locations that potentially experience shear upon impact, but the flanges of the front section are captured within the flanges of the backs section, thus providing impact strength even if the attachment locations shear off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: David W. Heatherington, Scott C. Glasgow, Bruce W. Lyons