End Connections Patents (Class 293/154)
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Patent number: 12202420Abstract: A bumper attachment retainer including: a support portion configured to support, from a back face of a bumper, an upper face section of the bumper at which an upper face of the bumper is formed; a first upper restricting portion configured to make contact with the upper face section of the bumper, which is disposed at a reference position with the upper face section supported by the support portion, to restrict a position of the bumper in an attachment direction, and to release positional restriction of the bumper in a case in which a motive force in the attachment direction acting on the bumper disposed at the reference position is a predetermined force or greater; and a second upper restricting portion configured to make contact with the upper face section of the bumper disposed at the reference position and to restrict a position of the bumper in a detachment direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventor: Kota Sawano
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Patent number: 12083975Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a bumper beam for a motor vehicle including a center portion free of mobility-specificity and side portions that may be altered according to design and specification of the mobility to secure collision performance so that the bumper back beam of which collision performance is secured and which satisfies various mobilities may be flexibly applied. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the back beam satisfying various mobilities based on a standardized model to secure collision performance so that manufacturing cost is reduced by assembling and producing the back beams with minimum molds.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Young Yoon, Hong Heui Lee
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Patent number: 12084115Abstract: A long formed article made of one steel sheet includes a top sheet portion, a standing wall portion, and a protrusion portion formed in a portion of the top sheet portion by overlapping a portion extending toward an outside from each of both ends of the top sheet portion and a portion extending toward the outside from an upper end of the standing wall portion, in a non-protrusion region, a recessed part is formed in the top sheet portion, and a total value ? of inner surface peripheral lengths of the top sheet portion and the standing wall portion in a cross section of the formed article in a protrusion region and a total value ? of inner surface peripheral lengths of the top sheet portion, the standing wall portion, and the recessed part in the cross section of the formed article in the non-protrusion region satisfy 1.01??/??1.50.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventor: Kenichiro Otsuka
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Patent number: 11548458Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Tomohiro Shimizu, Frode Paulsen, Atsushi Hasegawa, Takayuki Fujii, Norikazu Matsuura, Noriaki Ito
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Patent number: 11247523Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Jeremiah T. Hammer, John P. Kim, Mark Clauser
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Patent number: 10744552Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Toru Hashimura, Kenichi Watanabe, Junya Naitou, Yasuhiro Maeda
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Patent number: 10300958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Hiroki Tanigawa
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Patent number: 10286955Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Yoshimura, Ken Yamada
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Patent number: 10202091Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Edward K. Steinebach, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Jeremiah John Brady, Richard Lee Winfree
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Patent number: 9527464Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Palani Palaniappan, Naipaul Ramoutar, Manikandan Baby Mony
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Patent number: 9522584Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Charles E. Jensen, Robert N. Saje, Jonathan E. Rich, Michael E. Quigley
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Patent number: 9352713Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Giles D. Bryer, Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Bryan F. Lake
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Patent number: 9290138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masao Muraji, Shota Hashimoto
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Patent number: 9254800Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech ABInventor: Johan Nilsson
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Patent number: 8991903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Morteza Tanbakuchi
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Publication number: 20150076847Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takeo Mori
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Patent number: 8820804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keisuke Shibata, Naoya Kosaka
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Patent number: 8770636Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Asteer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shimotsu
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Patent number: 8733823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Grottke, Stefan Schmitz, Holger Diersmann
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Patent number: 8684428Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventor: Takahiro Sano
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Publication number: 20140062105Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Asteer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Shimotsu
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Patent number: 8662566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: David M. Edwards, Patrick J. Ellison, Walter Thom, Eric M. Heitkamp, William W. Brewer
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Publication number: 20130328334Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AtiengesellschaftInventors: Franz HOISS, Herwig KERSTAN, Wilhelm RIEDL
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Patent number: 8505990Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
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Patent number: 8485592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jang Ho Shin, Yun Chang Kim
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Patent number: 8469415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Ohbayashi
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Patent number: 8454080Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yi Qu, Edgar Edward Donabedian, Kevin Gustafson, Kenneth R. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8414041Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Mirko Paare, Dariusz Straznikiewicz, Oliver Müller, Enrico Seidl
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Patent number: 8403385Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Shohei Sugimoto, Kodai Taneda
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Patent number: 8393656Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: OMIX-Ada, Inc.Inventors: David E. Hardy, Patrick W. Bennett
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Publication number: 20130001964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Thomas James Freundl, Jeffery Jay Mellis
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Patent number: 8336934Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong Hwan Kwon, Inho Choi, Nakseung Jung, Mun Yong Lee, Sang Eon Park
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Patent number: 8317238Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Ohbayashi, Kyousuke Matsui
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Patent number: 8276953Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst
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Patent number: 8172286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Stanislaw Klimek
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Patent number: 8157066Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Murayama, Junichiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 8152211Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Stanislaw Klimek
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Patent number: 8100444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst
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Patent number: 8087706Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech ABInventors: Lars Karlander, Henrik Kohkoinen
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Publication number: 20110193370Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Stanislaw KLIMEK
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Publication number: 20110193371Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Stanislaw KLIMEK
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Patent number: 7980615Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
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Patent number: 7905366Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Eckart Jaede
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Patent number: 7854453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
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Publication number: 20100244473Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Shohei SUGIMOTO, Kodai TANEDA
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Patent number: 7793998Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignees: Nifco Inc., Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takeo Matsui, Kenji Ooki, Makoto Aizawa, Yuji Masaoka
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Publication number: 20100102582Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
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Patent number: 7658421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko ShoInventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura, Yoshihaya Imamura, Kazumori Horiguchi
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Patent number: 7625021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Umesh Naik, Brian Lindsay, Eric Yoshinari
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Patent number: 7559589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventor: Rainer B. Nees