Front Patents (Class 296/187.09)
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Patent number: 12221044Abstract: A vehicle front structure comprises a beam member and a plate member. The plate member comprises a vertical face portion, a body portion extending forwardly from the vertical face portion, a front end portion positioned at a front end of the body portion, and a protrusion face portion provided to be forwardly spaced apart from the vertical face portion. The front end portion comprises an upper section located at a higher level than the body portion. The protrusion face portion comprises a protrusion-face-portion upper section located at a higher level than an upper end of the upper section and a protrusion-face-portion lower section located at a lower level than the upper end of the upper section. The protrusion-face-portion lower section is configured to have lower strength against a collision load applied from a vehicle forward side than the protrusion-face-portion upper section.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Masayuki Furutani, Ryo Ando, Reiko Yoshiura
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Patent number: 12134422Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a front side frame extending forward from a dashboard separating a cabin and an engine compartment, an apron reinforcement extending in a front-rear direction, a suspension housing, a braking force booster between this suspension housing and the dashboard, and a coupling member coupled to the front side frame and the apron reinforcement. The coupling member is formed of a material with higher tensile strength than the suspension housing. The coupling member includes a body section fixed to a rear surface of the suspension housing, and a wall section bent from a lower end of this body section and extending rearward.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Akihiro Kawano, Ippei Kuroda
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Patent number: 12122238Abstract: A bulge portion bulging rearward is provided at a dash panel. A reinforcement is fixed to an inner surface of the bulge portion. A rear end wall portion of the bulge portion is positioned at the rear of a center portion of a rear end portion of a cowl panel in a vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Takayuki Kimura, Takehiro Kamei, Isao Toda, Haruo Ohe, Hironobu Hashiguchi, Hiroshi Tanaka, Masaya Hiramatsu, Masanobu Fukushima, Takao Fukuda
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Patent number: 12005959Abstract: A body includes a center tunnel that extends in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, a floor panel that extends from the center tunnel to both sides of the vehicle in a right-left direction, a floor cross member that is provided on an upper face of the floor panel and that extends in the right-left direction of the vehicle, straddling the center tunnel, and a reinforcing member joined to an upper face of the center tunnel and to a front face of the floor cross member.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Kyosuke Kawase, Satoshi Ikeda
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Patent number: 11745804Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure may include a pair of front side members each disposed in a vehicle length direction at both sides of a front vehicle-body, a pair of mounting brackets each engaged with a corresponding front side member among the pair of front side members and disposed to protrude from an internal panel of the corresponding front side member in a width direction of the vehicle to face each other, a cross bar having an upper surface, a front surface, and a rear surface, having a cross-section having an open bottom side and an open lateral end portion, and engaged with the mounting bracket in a vehicle height direction thereof, and an engagement unit of engaging the cross bar to the pair of mounting brackets with a predetermined gap between the pair of front side members and the lateral end portion of the cross bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Eonpyo Kim
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Patent number: 11661110Abstract: A front portion of a vehicle body includes front side frames, a subframe, and a vehicle compartment front structure body. The subframe has a subframe body, a front fastening portion fastened to the front side frame in a front region of the subframe body, and a rear fastening portion fastened and fixed to the vehicle compartment front structure body in a rear region of the subframe body. The rear fastening portion has a first convex portion protruding toward a vehicle rear side. A part of a steering gear box constitutes a second convex portion protruding upward from the subframe body. The front fastening portion has a third convex portion protruding upward from the front region of the subframe body. The vehicle compartment front structure body has a first inclined guide portion, a second inclined guide portion, and a third inclined guide portion having front surfaces to contact the convex portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Anzai
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Patent number: 11648983Abstract: A subframe assembly for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. The subframe assembly includes a crossmember, a straight arm, and a side bracket. The crossmember includes an end bracket disposed at an end thereof. The straight arm is received into and metallurgically bonded to the end bracket of the crossmember. The side bracket includes a base, and a rear bracket arm. The base is metallurgically bonded to a side of the straight arm adjacent to the end of the crossmember. The rear bracket arm extends from an end of the base and defines a hole adapted to receive a screw or pin for connecting a control arm of a wheel suspension to the subframe assembly. The rear bracket arm is at least partially received into and metallurgically bonded to the end bracket of the crossmember.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Johan Eklund
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Patent number: 11608116Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure is provided that allows for lower deceleration for occupants by facilitating breakage of frame members in the event of an oblique collision. Embodiments include a suspension housing formed with a suspension damper supporting portion, an upper arm supporting portion, and a lower arm supporting portion. A first frame connects an upper portion of the suspension housing and an upper portion on a vehicle-width-direction inner side of a dash panel, a second frame connects the upper portion of the suspension housing and an upper portion of a hinge pillar, and a third frame connects a lower portion of the suspension housing and a lower portion on the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the dash panel. In the event of an oblique collision, the first frame and the second frame break inward in vehicle plan view, and the third frame breaks in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Taiki Yotsuyanagi, Ryo Shimoda
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Patent number: 11565643Abstract: A front guard attached to a front portion of a vehicle body of a work vehicle includes a lower frame attached to the vehicle body, and an upper frame that is attached to the lower frame so as to be swingable around a shaft oriented in the vehicle width direction and the posture of which can be changed between a standing posture and a forward leaning posture by swinging with respect to the lower frame. The upper frame has: a left part that is pivotally supported by a left portion of the lower frame and extends upward; a right part that is pivotally supported by a right portion of the lower frame and extends upward; and an upper part that couples an upper portion of the left part and an upper portion of the right part. The upper part is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes downward.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Ryuichi Nadaoka, Takahiro Yonekura, Daniel Underwood
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Patent number: 11529996Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle is provided that allows for lower deceleration (so-called G) for occupants in the event of an oblique collision, which involves the largest load input, while restraining a load in a shear direction from being input to connecting portions of frames. A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle includes a suspension housing formed with a suspension damper supporting portion, an upper arm supporting portion, and a lower arm supporting portion. A plurality of frames connecting the suspension housing and a vehicle cabin structural member are provided, and at least one frame of the plurality of frames is configured to be facilitated to break in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view in the event of an oblique collision.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Shimoda, Taiki Yotsuyanagi
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Patent number: 11312290Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an automotive lamp are provided. The apparatus includes a housing made of plastic having an impact groove formed on a surface of the housing, wherein the impact groove is designed as a function of a depth, a width, a desired force, a cross section, and a profile to cause a designed rupture upon application of an applied force.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.Inventors: Brian Guinn, John Orisich
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Patent number: 11305628Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a fuel cell unit and a power controller unit that are disposed next to each other in a front compartment. Each of the fuel cell unit and the power controller unit includes an upper casing having a lower strength and a lower casing having a strength greater than that of the upper casing. The fuel cell unit and the power controller unit are arranged so that a distance La between the lower casings along an alignment axis is shorter than a distance Lb between the upper casings along the alignment axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiromasa Tanaka
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Patent number: 11279410Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising two longitudinal members (3) and a cradle (9) from where there extend at the front two extensions (11) separated by a gap, each extension (11) extending below one of the longitudinal members (3) and being connected to said longitudinal member (3) by a support element (7), the vehicle (1) being characterized in that it additionally comprises an absorption device (13) arranged in said gap and between said extensions (11).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SAInventors: Richard Zeitouni, Marc Peru, Frédéric Coiffier
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Patent number: 11279409Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure include: side rails that extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction, that have rear end portions connected to a battery; a front side cross member, that is connected to a vehicle front side of both of the side rails and extends in a vehicle transverse direction; and a rear side cross member, extends in the vehicle transverse direction, wherein a front portion of each side rail is positioned further toward a vehicle upper side than a rear portion of the side rail, and an inclined portion, which is inclined toward a vehicle lower side while heading from a vehicle front side toward a vehicle rear side, is provided between the front portion and the rear portion, and wherein a gear box is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the inclined portions, as seen in a vehicle side view.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuki Shimizu
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Patent number: 11273869Abstract: A vehicle subframe attached to a vehicle body includes a first side member and a second side member that extend in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body and are arranged to be opposed to each other in a width direction of the vehicle body, a cross member that is arranged to extend in the width direction and couples the first side member and the second side member to each other, and a coupling member that is arranged to extend in the width direction to be apart from the cross member toward a rear side of the vehicle body and couples the first side member and the second side member to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignees: F-TECH INC., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Kawai, Ryo Ikeda, Koji Imuta, Ryota Ujie
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Patent number: 11260913Abstract: A front pillar structure for a vehicle includes a front pillar including a front pillar lower extending vertically and a front pillar upper extending obliquely from the front pillar lower. A connection member is coupled to a bottom end of the front pillar lower and connects a front side member and a side sill. The front pillar lower has an S-shaped cross section and the connection member has stepwise flanges coupled to the bottom end of the front pillar lower.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CornorationInventors: Deok Hwa Hong, Hee Seouk Chung, Byeong Cheon Lee, Hyun Sik Kim
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Patent number: 11242091Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a pair of side frames, a bumper beam, a pair of sub-frames, and a lower beam. The side frames extend substantially in a front-rear direction. The side frames are provided in a vehicle width direction. The bumper beam couples front end portions of the side frames to each other. The bumper beam extends substantially in the vehicle width direction. The sub-frames are disposed below the respective side frames. The sub-frames extend substantially in the front-rear direction. The sub-frames are provided in the vehicle width direction. The lower beam is disposed below the bumper beam. The lower beam couples end portions of the sub-frames to each other. The lower beam extends substantially in the vehicle width direction. The lower beam extends outwardly in the vehicle width direction beyond first coupling portions between the lower beam and the sub-frames.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Jun Serada, Shoichiro Nakanishi, Yoshio Wada
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Patent number: 11235812Abstract: An automotive frame part that is an A-pillar-lower part, the A-pillar-lower part including: an outer panel having approximately a T-shape in planar view and a cross section intersecting a portion corresponding to a horizontal side and a vertical side of the T-shape is a hat-shaped cross section including a top portion, a side wall portion, and a flange portion; an inner panel being connected to the flange portion and forming a closed cross section with the outer panel; and plastic stiffening members that each have one end connected to an inner surface of the outer panel and another end connected to an inner surface of the inner panel, wherein the shape and the disposition of the stiffening members are set based on an analysis result from a shape optimization analysis method and each of the stiffening members has a columnar shape or a columnar shape with both end parts bulging.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuhiko Higai, Takanobu Saito, Yoshikiyo Tamai
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Patent number: 11220295Abstract: A bodywork structure for a passenger vehicle includes a bodywork shell construction with two longitudinal girders and a flexible crossmember device attached to the two longitudinal girders. The flexible crossmember device has a first flexible crossmember and two energy absorption elements where the two energy absorption elements are respectively fixed to the two longitudinal girders and the first flexible crossmember is connected to the two longitudinal girders via the two energy absorption elements. A support framework is disposed between the two longitudinal girders and has a second flexible crossmember that is at least indirectly connected to the two longitudinal girders and is convexly curved in a direction of the first flexible crossmember. The support framework has a load divider disposed between the first flexible crossmember and the second flexible crossmember in the longitudinal direction of the passenger vehicle and extending in the transverse direction of the passenger vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Michael Carl, Volker Rudlof, Daniel Doerr
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Patent number: 11214311Abstract: There is provided a vehicle structure including: left and right side members; left and right impact absorbing members; and mounting members that have: first tubular portions, which are fastened to the side members and the impact absorbing members for a vehicle by first fastening members that are inserted through interiors of the first tubular portions, second tubular portions, which are fastened to the side members and the impact absorbing members for a vehicle by second fastening members that are inserted through interiors of the second tubular portions, and connecting portions, which connect the first tubular portions and the second tubular portions in the vehicle vertical direction and which include vertical wall portions that are plate-shaped and project out further toward an insertion direction side than insertion direction side end surfaces of the impact absorbing members for a vehicle and face or abut end portions of the reinforcing ribs.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN KEIKINZOKU CO., LTD., AISIN SEIKI BUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhisa Maeda, Kazutaka Mori, Shiho Sugimoto
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Patent number: 11207957Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crash structure for a motor vehicle, the crash structure being, in a starting state, at a minimum spacing of greater than zero from a door hinge of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle, and the crash structure being in contact with at least one contact region which is assigned to the door hinge in a crash state after a partial overlap crash by way of passing into an operative connection with a wheel of the motor vehicle, and forming a deflector surface for the deflection of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller, Joergen Hilmann
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Patent number: 11167520Abstract: A composite core with non-traditional geometries includes multiple elongate tubes arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each tube is made of a composite material. Each tube includes multiple curved sides. Each curved side inwardly curves toward a longitudinal axis passing through a geometric center of the tube to form a valley on an outer surface of the tube. An end of a first curved side connects to an end of a second curved side to form a crest on the outer surface of the tube. At least one crest formed on an outer surface of a first tube in the two-dimensional array contacts at least one valley formed on an outer surface of an adjacent second tube in the two-dimensional array.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Phillip Kendrick, Levi Armstrong, Paul K. Oldroyd, Dave Carlson
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Patent number: 11161550Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes, among other things, a lower main rail of a vehicle, a deflector assembly that is disposed adjacent a forward end portion of the lower main rail, and a positioning bracket of the deflector assembly. The positioning bracket is secured directly to the lower main rail and configured to separate from the lower main rail if a load that exceeds a threshold load is applied to a front of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
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Patent number: 11097779Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes, among other things, a main rail of a vehicle and a truss assembly. The truss assembly includes a forward mounting member directly coupled to the main rail, a rear mounting member, a frame assembly connected to the forward mounting member and the rear mounting member, and an attachment that directly couples the rear mounting member to the main rail. The attachment is configured to shear when a load that exceeds a threshold load is applied to a front of the vehicle. The shearing of the attachment permits the rear mounting member to slide relative to the main rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier, Saeed David Barbat, Rahul Arora
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Patent number: 11097780Abstract: Each rear side member (4) of a vehicle body rear structure includes a first deformable portion (41), a second deformable portion (42), a third deformable portion (43), and a fourth deformable portion (44) in that order from a rear end thereof on an inboard side and an outboard side in an alternating manner and in a mutually spaced apart relationship, and the distances between the adjacent deformable portions are substantially 1:2:1:1 in ratio as measure from the rear end of the rear side member.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Koji Yoshikawa, Yusuke Miura, Ryota Yamane, Tomohiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 11077811Abstract: A front-end structure includes a front-end support and a grille fixed relative to the front-end support. Two brackets are disposed between the front-end support and the grille. The two brackets are spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis. Each of the two brackets has two legs. Each of the legs extends from the front-end support toward the grille. Two bars are spaced from each other and are spaced from the front-end support. The bars are elongated along the cross-vehicle axis from one of the brackets to the other of the brackets.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Shenaq, Sudip Sankar Bhattacharjee, Mustafa Ahmed, Neil Clarke, Richard Lisowski
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Patent number: 11021122Abstract: A vehicle system includes, among other things, a crush-can assembly having an inner member received within an outer member. The inner and outer members both additively fabricated. The outer and inner members configured to be positioned between a bumper beam and a vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M Jaradi
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Patent number: 11008043Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame with a first side member, a front suspension structure and a stop structure. The stop structure is installed to a first side member rearward of the front suspension structure. The stop structure extends outboard from the first side member and includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a main surface. The upper surface and the lower surface are horizontally oriented. The main surface is vertically oriented and includes a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is attached to the first side member. The second section extends outboard from the first section defining a forward-facing stop surface that extends to a distal outboard end of the stop structure. The third section extends rearward from the second section, with the first section, the second section and the third section defining vertically oriented exterior surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazunori Iimi, Takemi Nishikawa, Takao Tani, Hideo Aimoto, Naoki Kamizawa, Joseph Buratto, Perry McConnell, Michael McGory
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Patent number: 10974766Abstract: A side sill outer panel and a side sill inner panel form a closed cross-sectional structure. A front end of a side sill is located at a rear of and spaced apart from a front tire-wheel unit on a front side of a vehicle. The side sill extends rearward. A front end portion of an outer reinforcement is located rearward from front end portions of both the side sill outer panel and the side sill inner panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Sakata, Takeshi Hiratsuka, Koichi Enoki, Kosei Ota
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Patent number: 10974769Abstract: A structural small overlap rigid barrier (SORB) joining bracket for a vehicle having an underbody hold-down assembly, a cowl side assembly, and a body mount assembly configured to connect a vehicle body to a vehicle frame includes a cowl side coupling first portion configured to couple to the cowl side assembly, and an underbody coupling second portion configured to couple to the underbody hold-down assembly and the body mount assembly. The SORB joining bracket couples and maintains structural integrity between the underbody hold-down assembly and the cowl side assembly, and couples with the body mount assembly to increase vehicle load capacity by providing a direct load path into the frame of the vehicle. A frame extension tube assembly creates additional strength and stiffness via stack-up with the SORB joining bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Michael W Gaduski, Chris Sleiman, Rene R Zamarripa, Amandeep S Gill, Scott E Zilincik, Tusher M Phule, Eric E Lund, Martin L Hilderth, Eric A Darin
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Patent number: 10967907Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes an engine cradle and a force receiving structure. The engine cradle has a front corner and an engine mounted to the engine cradle. The force receiving structure has a force receiving surface extending laterally outboard from proximate the front corner of the engine cradle and a force directing section located rearward of the force receiving surface. The force receiving structure is installed to the engine cradle by a vertically oriented first mechanical fastener designed and structured such that during an impact event where an impacting force is applied to the force receiving surface, the force receiving structure pivots about the first mechanical fastener with an outboard portion of the force receiving surface initially moving rearward relative to the engine cradle and the force directing section initially moving laterally inboard contacting the engine and imparting a portion of the impacting force thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Kaoru Kobayashi, Naoya Kodama, Masaya Innami, Tadahiro Kawano, Jason Lyman
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Patent number: 10967906Abstract: An impact structure includes a beam configured to deform in a particular manner. The beam may include a first deformable portion extending from a front end of the beam toward a rear end of the beam. The first deformable portion may be configured to axially crush in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the beam. The beam may also include a second deformable portion extending between the first deformable portion and the rear end. The beam may also include a reinforced section configured to cause the second deformable portion to bend. The first and second deformable portions may be configured such that an axial force acting on the front end in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction causes the first deformable portion to axially crush prior to causing the second deformable portion to bend.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri, Kevin Hothem, Marcos Puerta Terron, Vishveshwar Ramanathan Subramanian, Thomas Andrew Stoddart
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Patent number: 10960928Abstract: The vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a stop structure. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member. The first and second side members have respective front ends with each of the first side member and the second side member extending rearward from the front ends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The stop structure is installed to the first side member at a location rearward of a front suspension structure. The stop structure extends in an outboard direction from the first side member. The stop structure has a top surface, a bottom surface, a forward-facing surface, and a rear surface. The bottom surface has a concaved area that extends from the forward-facing surface to the rear surface. The concaved area is dimensioned to receive a conduit such that the conduit is received and at least partially concealed within the concaved area.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Patrick Grattan
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Patent number: 10960611Abstract: Techniques for providing universal interfaces between parts of a transport structure are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for joining first and second parts of a transport structure includes an additively manufactured body having first and second surfaces. The first surface may connect to a first part such as, for example, a panel. The second surface may include a fitting for mating with a complementary fitting on a second part.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Jon Paul Gunner
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Patent number: 10946903Abstract: The vehicle underbody structure comprises a floor panel, at least one longitudinal beam extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle under said floor panel and at least one transversal beam extending in a transversal direction, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, above the floor panel, the floor panel extending transversally between two sides, the transversal beam comprising a transversal central end extending under a central area of said floor panel and a transversal side end extending at one of the sides of said floor panel, wherein the transversal beam comprising a central portion, extending between the central end and an intermediate part of the transversal beam, and an end portion, extending between the intermediate part and the side end, the resistance to plastic deformation of the central portion being greater than the resistance to plastic deformation of the end portion, and in that the intermediate part of the transversal beam extends upright of the longitudinal beam suType: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: ARCELORMITTALInventor: Ivan Viaux
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Patent number: 10946899Abstract: A vehicle framework structure includes: a framework body portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction in a vehicle end portion in a vehicle width direction, the framework body portion forming a closed section by an inner panel constituting an inner part of the framework body portion in the vehicle width direction and an outer panel constituting an outer part of the framework body portion in the vehicle width direction; and a reinforcing member placed inside the closed section of the framework body portion, the reinforcing member including a body portion inclined from the vehicle front-rear direction and provided over the inner panel and the outer panel, and a flange portion extending from an outer peripheral edge of the body portion and joined to the inner panel and the outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yusuke Hanaoka
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Patent number: 10946822Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ajay Kumar Gupta, Narayana Venugopal, John Charles Caris, Mark Wlotkowski, Charles Ko, Leonard Anthony Shaner
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Patent number: 10894563Abstract: A vehicle framework structure includes: a framework body portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction in a vehicle end portion in a vehicle width direction, the framework body portion forming a closed section by an inner panel constituting an inner part of the framework body portion in the vehicle width direction and an outer panel constituting an outer part of the framework body portion in the vehicle width direction; and a reinforcing member placed inside the closed section of the framework body portion, the reinforcing member including a body portion inclined from the vehicle front-rear direction and provided over the inner panel and the outer panel, and a flange portion extending from an outer peripheral edge of the body portion and joined to the inner panel and the outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yusuke Hanaoka
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Patent number: 10864944Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis. The vehicle frame includes a cross-beam elongated along the cross-vehicle axis between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The cross-beam includes a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yalla Mussa Abushawashi, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Muhsin M. Hamdoon, Benjamin Mansfield
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Patent number: 10850773Abstract: A chassis for a motor vehicle includes a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal member, and a front bumper fastened to the longitudinal member. The front bumper includes a region protruding over the longitudinal member in the lateral direction (y-direction). The chassis includes a support which has a transverse limb and a longitudinal limb. The longitudinal member has an outer face and the support is fastened at the transverse limb to the outer face of the longitudinal member. The transverse limb extends laterally to the outer face. The longitudinal limb adjoins the transverse limb laterally on the outside and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the front bumper.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
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Patent number: 10843733Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a pair of front side frames disposed on a front side of a vehicle to be in parallel with each other along a vehicle front-rear direction; lower members and gussets (load receiving portions) disposed at front ends in the vehicle front-rear direction of the front side frames so as to extend outward in a vehicle width direction; front wheels disposed outward in the vehicle width direction of the front side frames; and right and left side sills extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. Vehicle-width-direction outer end portions of the load receiving portions are positioned outward in the vehicle width direction of vehicle-width-direction inner end portions of the front wheels, and vehicle-width-direction outer end portions of the front wheels are positioned outward in the vehicle width direction of vehicle-width-direction inner end portions of front ends in the vehicle front-rear direction of the side sills.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masayasu Yoshida, Yuya Abe
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Patent number: 10836434Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a rocker outer constituted by a high tensile steel material and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, the rocker outer including a first upper flange portion; a rocker inner constituted by a high tensile steel material and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the rocker inner including a second upper flange portion; a front pillar inner extending in a vehicle up-down direction being sandwiched between the rocker outer and the rocker inner; and a bracket joined to the first upper flange portion with a weld nut being fixed to the bracket. The first upper flange portion and the second upper flange portion are bolted together such that a bolt is inserted, from inside in the vehicle width direction, into respective boles provided in the second upper flange portion, the front pillar inner, and the first upper flange portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuma Otoguro, Jumpei Nishide
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Patent number: 10807646Abstract: A suspension tower is coupled to a front side member at a portion of the front side member located frontward from a front pillar. A frontal vehicle structure includes a coupling member including a front end coupled to the suspension tower and a rear end coupled to the front pillar. The coupling member includes an outer panel and an inner panel that form a closed cross-sectional structure. The outer panel includes a weak portion arranged between a joined portion of the coupling member joined to the suspension tower and a joined portion of the coupling member joined to the front pillar.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Sakata, Kosei Ota, Koichi Enoki
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Patent number: 10807548Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a pair of right and left side frames, a bumper beam, and a load transfer member. The pair of side frames extends in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle. The bumper beam disposed in front of the side frames and extending in a vehicle width direction. The load transfer member is coupled to a side surface of each of the side frames facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and obliquely extends outward in the vehicle width direction, toward the bumper beam. The load transfer member includes a first deformation facilitating portion formed in an edge of the load transfer member facing a rear of the vehicle at a position far from an end of the load transfer member facing inward in the vehicle width direction by a distance equal to or longer than a width of the side frame in a planer view.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshio Wada
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Patent number: 10788187Abstract: An arrangement of a headlight on a vehicle with protection from damage for the event of a crash, wherein the headlight has a housing with which it is attached to a body of the vehicle by at least one molded attachment feature. A sheet metal element is designed such that it forms a sliding surface for the body in the event of a crash and is arranged on the housing of the headlight.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaAInventor: Franz-Georg Willeke
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Patent number: 10780921Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a pair of side rails extending along the length of a vehicle, and outriggers coupled to the side rails, respectively, to protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the corresponding side rails. The outrigger includes a cab mounting bracket joined to the side rail. The cab mounting bracket includes a rear end side that is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction as it goes rearward. The cab mounting bracket further includes, in the middle of the rear end, a bent portion which is bent to have a convex shape toward the front of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Sentaro Tasaka, Masahiro Onoda, Shinya Saito, Shumpei Yamada
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Patent number: 10730370Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes: a door hinge member mounted on a vehicle body; a door inner panel that constitutes a side door of an automobile; a door outer panel that is mounted on an outer side of the door inner panel in a vehicle width direction, and constitutes the side door of the automobile; and a door impact beam that is disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, a first end side of the door impact beam being mounted on the door inner panel through a mounting member, a second end side of the door impact beam being rotatably mounted on the door hinge member.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsunori Mori
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Patent number: 10717471Abstract: A vehicle having a front trunk and a method of controlling a vehicle to access the trunk may include raising a hood from a closed position adjacent body structure to a fully open position with the hood oriented horizontally to provide access to a front trunk, raising a grille with the hood; and pivoting the grille about a hinge affixed to the hood. Front trunk lighting and bins maybe included in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Mark A. Wisneski
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Patent number: 10703418Abstract: Systems and methods are provide for stabilizing the front upper body of an automobile. Some embodiments operate in context of an electric car, or other electric vehicle. For example, the front body of an automobile can include a right front wheelhouse and a left front wheelhouse, coupled with a right front suspension assembly and a left front suspension assembly, respectively. The front body can also include a plenum, which can include a large panel situated behind the vehicle dashboard. A stabilization assembly can include a cross-rail to tie the right and left front wheelhouses together, thereby stabilizing lateral and/or other vibrations across the left and right front suspension assemblies. The stabilization assembly can also include a plenum tie-rail to tie both front wheelhouses to the plenum, which can improve stiffness of the upper plenum and can improve front-impact crash performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Inventor: Wellen Sham
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Patent number: 10696329Abstract: An automotive front side frame including a bent portion having a bent form, in at least a portion, comprises an outer frame including a front outer portion and a rear outer portion disposed further to a rear of a vehicle frame than the front outer portion and formed to have tensile strength higher than tensile strength of the front outer portion; and an inner frame including a front inner portion and a rear inner portion disposed further to the rear of the vehicle frame than the front inner portion and formed to have tensile strength higher than tensile strength of the front inner portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: POSCOInventors: Ji-Woong Ha, Jae-Hyun Kim, Yeon-Sik Kang