Front Patents (Class 296/187.09)
  • Patent number: 8857555
    Abstract: A front wheel suspension on a two-track vehicle having a wheel carrier or pivot bearing guided by an articulated suspension link is provided with an add-on part arranged such that during an impact of the vehicle on an obstacle which penetrates into the space bridged by the suspension link between a wheel and an axle support or vehicle body, the add-on part forms a lever arm on an articulated connection of the suspension link to separate the link by opening or destroying the connection. Separation of the articulated connection allows the vehicle wheel to be displaced laterally away from the vehicle interior. The add-on part may be fastened by a fastening screw of the articulation connection or be an extension of the screw. The add-on part may have a bead or a punch ring which has a destructive effect on the articulated connection during impact-caused displacement of the add-on part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Paintmayer, Bernd Binkowski, Stephan Ertlmaier, Anton Woelfl, Kurt Poetter, Benjamin Jakob, Farshad Boromandi, Franz Hoiss, Ana Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8857896
    Abstract: A structure for dispersing the collision energy of a front pillar during a car crash, may include a front impact absorption member formed in the interior of a front frame of a vehicle and configured to receive a collision energy when a car crashes into on its front side; upper and lower impact absorption members configured to disperse the collision energy of the front impact absorption member to a front pillar and a lower side of the front pillar; and an impact transition member connected to a lower side of the lower impact absorption member and connected to a front end portion of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sungdon Pyun
  • Patent number: 8857902
    Abstract: On each of left and right sides of a vehicle body, a gusset is provided spaced in a rearward direction of a vehicle body from the distal end of a front side frame by a predetermined distance, a tension member extends between and interconnects the distal end of the front side frame and an outer end portion of the gusset so as to prevent the gusset from peeling off the front side frame, and a mounting plate spans between and interconnects the respective front ends of an inner bumper beam extension extending forward from the front end of the front side frame and an outer bumper beam extension extending forward from the front end of an upper member. A bumper beam is joined to the mounting plates on the left and right sides of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohide Sekiguchi, Yoshinori Taguchi, Takanori Konishi
  • Publication number: 20140300135
    Abstract: A structure for a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, includes a front wall delimiting a passenger cabin toward the front, which extends between lateral vehicle pillars of the structure, and a carrier element which extends in transverse direction of the vehicle. The carrier element is supported by a front side of the front wall and at least to some extent overlaps the lateral vehicle pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Sabine ROEHRL, Thomas WEISS, Ferdinand DIRSCHMID
  • Publication number: 20140300136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe (1) designed as a cross member for a vehicle, having two side members (2) and a stiffening structure (3) between the two side members (2), wherein the side members (2) are designed substantially as hollow profile pieces and have at least one predetermined buckling point (18, 19) in the form of a curvature in the longitudinal extension direction of the side members (2). In order to improve this subframe (1) so that it ensures good mechanical properties such as strength, rigidity, acoustics and reinforcement of the body while driving, and absorbs sufficient deformation energy in the event of a crash, and nevertheless can be produced easily and cost-effectively with a low component weight, the side members (2) have at least one bead (16, 17) extending in the longitudinal direction of the side members (2) in the area of the designed buckling point (18, 19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Garnweidner, Ernst Lindtner, Hannes Halbauer, Istvan Soproni, Thomas Vorisek
  • Patent number: 8851520
    Abstract: A front subframe for a vehicle body structure includes left and right longitudinal members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A front cross member extends in a transverse direction of the body so as to extend between front ends of these longitudinal members. A rear cross member extends in the transverse direction of the body so as to extend between rear ends of the left and right longitudinal members. An engagement member as part of the front subframe is provided at each front end of the left and right longitudinal members. The engagement member is adapted to be engaged by an associated object during a narrow offset frontal collision and direct crash forces into the front subframe and vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Corley Goellner, Stephen G. Rosepiler, Naoki Munekata, Grant G. Foreman, Eric M. Heitkamp, Ryan A. Miller, Rajendra Kakarla
  • Publication number: 20140292030
    Abstract: A hood overslam bumper assembly includes an overslam bumper having a cylindrical shape and having a screw thread groove formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, a ring-carrier having a hole formed at the center thereof to have the overslam bumper inserted into an inner side surface thereof and having a screw thread formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the screw thread being coupled to the screw thread groove, and a housing having one side fixed to an insertion hole of a hood inner panel, having a hole formed at the center thereof to have the ring-carrier inserted into an inner side surface thereof, and having an elastic part provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof to fix the ring-carrier inserted into the inner side surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ho LIM
  • Patent number: 8844986
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper apparatus includes a bumper reinforcement member formed to have a hollow cross section and including a vehicle interior portion formed to have an open cross section including an opening, and a crush box supporting the bumper reinforcement member to mount the bumper reinforcement member to a side member of a vehicle body, the crush box including a connecting portion arranged at a vehicle exterior portion, the connecting portion closing the opening of the bumper reinforcement member to restrict the opening from being expanded, and a retaining portion protruding from the connecting portion toward an exterior side of a vehicle to retain the bumper reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Kaneko, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Obayashi, Kyosuke Matsui
  • Patent number: 8840171
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy management system can comprise: a vehicle energy management system comprises: a support structure selected from a bumper beam, a body in white, a body in black, a front-end module, a radiator support beam, a bumper support bracket, a component projecting from the body in white, a component projecting from the body in black, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; a covering; and a coil energy absorber made of plastic. The coil energy absorber has an initial height and is located between the support structure and the covering. The coil energy absorber absorbs energy upon impact such that, after the impact, the coil energy absorber has a final height that is less than or equal to 90% of the initial height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi, Sudhakar Ramamoorthy Marur, Gerhard Zenz, Derek Buckmaster
  • Patent number: 8833838
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a pair of left and right front side frames which are installed at a front of a vehicle body, and extend in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body; and a power unit disposed in a driving force transmission chamber between the left and right front side frames. The left and right front side frames include respective branch frames which extend from the left and right front side frames obliquely forward and outward in a vehicle width direction, rear ends of the branch frames penetrate through respective outer walls of the left and right front side frames, and extend along inner surfaces of the left and right front side frames, and a reinforcing member is integrally connected to each of intersection portions of the branch frames and the front side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8833832
    Abstract: A node is configured for connecting body portions of a vehicle. The node includes a first portion configured for attachment to a first vehicle body portion, and a second portion configured for attachment to a second vehicle body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Duncan Whipps
  • Patent number: 8820804
    Abstract: A vehicle end section structure capable of securing coupling rigidity at a coupling section between bumper reinforcement and a framework member where a hook attachment section is provided. The vehicle front section structure includes bumper reinforcement of B-shaped cross-section formed with a rearwards opening indented portion between a top and bottom pair of closed cross-sections, a crush box disposed at the rear of one length direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement, bolts and weld nuts for joining the bumper reinforcement at the top-bottom closed cross-sections to locations inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction, and a pipe nut that is disposed in an indented portion facing an access hole to enable access to a hook member through the access hole and that is fixed to the crush box inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Shibata, Naoya Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20140239671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a framework member by which the amount of impact absorption can be sufficiently ensured. The framework member is a framework member that is extended in a front and rear direction of a vehicle in a front portion of the vehicle. A plurality of deformation-inducing portions, in which deformations are induced by a load exerted from a front of the vehicle, are formed at points in the framework member along the front and rear direction of the vehicle. The plurality of deformation-inducing portions are alternately formed on an outer side and an inner side of the framework member along the front and rear direction of the vehicle. The closer the deformation-inducting portion is positioned to a rear of the vehicle, the greater a distance between the deformation-inducing portions becomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeo Mori
  • Publication number: 20140232136
    Abstract: A support structure is provided for a motor vehicle that has a front wheel (8). The support structure includes an A pillar (5) having a slide-off surface (40) for the front wheel. The slide-off surface for the front wheel (8) is inclined so that the front wheel (8) slides out along the slide-off surface (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tassilo Gilbert, Philipp Kellner, Michael Junginger, Frank Kunert, Sebastian Steinruecken
  • Publication number: 20140232137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a front-end module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a supporting part (3, 7, 8), wherein said supporting part (3, 7, 8) includes two headlight brackets (5), each of which is attached onto a separate side of the supporting part (3, 7, 8), said headlight bracket (5) comprising a means (53) for attaching the supporting part (3, 7, 8) to an attachment area (4), thus forming an attachment axis (A) about which said headlight bracket (5) can pivot relative to the mounting part (3, 7, 8) in the event of an impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Jean-Nicolas Guyomard, Leonardo Camargo
  • Patent number: 8807597
    Abstract: In a frontal collision energy absorption structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9), an engine mount bracket (27) is attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in a vehicle length direction, and is, in the vehicle length direction, apart from a connection part of the main frame (10) and a suspension tower (101), a connection part of the main frame (10) and a second cross-member (12) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in front thereof, and a connection part of the main frame (10) and a third cross-member (13) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in rear thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Patent number: 8807632
    Abstract: A frontal impact countermeasure assembly for an automotive vehicle, the countermeasure assembly comprising: a front side rail extending in a generally longitudinal direction and having a forward end; a bumper extending generally laterally to the longitudinal direction of the front side rail and having an outboard end; and a pivot link having outer and inner mounting portions, the outer mounting portion being pivotably engaged with the bumper in a region of the outboard end to define a front pivot joint, the inner mounting portion being pivotably engaged with the front side rail to define a rear pivot joint, the rear pivot joint being located rearward and inward relative to the front pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naipaul D. Ramoutar, Taichi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140225396
    Abstract: Structure for lower vehicle body of vehicle front part is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, structure includes suspension frame fastened to connection parts of front side members and floor side members; dash side members extend from fastening parts obliquely rearward and outward in vehicle width direction; outer end parts of dash side members connected to front end parts of side sills; front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels arranged ahead of front end parts of side sills; dash side outer panels, side outer panels, and dash side inner panels connected together by flanges extending in vehicle up-down direction of front end part of each thereof, at positions of front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels, side outer panels formed into an inclined surface inclined obliquely downward toward vehicle rear in side view and inclined obliquely rearward toward outside of vehicle in top view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinei Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8801081
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing injury to a passenger' feet during an offset crash reduces impact energy generated during the offset crash and solve existing problems by eliminating a conventional fourfold welding structure in such a manner that, instead of a conventional reinforced front side rear lower member (member F), a vertical reinforcing member (member Q) of a new structure is fixedly welded to a horizontal reinforcing member (member E), and the bottom of the vertical reinforcing member is spaced apart from a bottom member (member D) to provide an impact absorbing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 8801080
    Abstract: A crash structure for attachment to a front subframe for a motor vehicle is provided. The crash structure includes an attachment area and a stiffening structure that reinforces the crash structure in the attachment area for the front subframe. The stiffening structure connects the crash structure to the front subframe in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Uhlenbruch, Oliver Eichelhard
  • Patent number: 8801082
    Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a center frame which extends along a vertical direction of a vehicle, a top end flange part that bends toward a rear being formed on a top end of the center frame; and a dashboard lower which has a first vertical wall, a bent part that is bent toward the rear being formed on a top edge of the first vertical wall. The top end flange part and the bent part are joined overlapping each other, and a closed cross-section structure part is formed between the center frame and the bent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Naoi
  • Publication number: 20140217777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle front body structure comprising a cross-sectionally closed front side frame installed to extend in a front-rear direction of a vehicle. The front side frame has a depressed section formed in a lower region of a vehicle-width directional inner wall surface portion thereof in such a manner as to be depressed toward a vehicle-width directional outward side. The front side frame is internally provided with a reinforcing member extending over a front-rear directional dimension of the depressed section. An upper portion of the reinforcing member is joined to at least one of a vehicle-width directional intermediate region of an upper wall portion of the front side frame and an area of the upper wall portion located outward side of the intermediate region, and a lateral portion of the reinforcing member is joined to a wall surface portion corresponding to the depressed section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Tanaka, Kenichi Yano, Takayuki Nakamae
  • Publication number: 20140216839
    Abstract: A front-end structure of a motor vehicle includes a transverse member and two crash boxes. In addition a transverse reinforcement member is arranged according to the invention, wherein the transverse reinforcement member is supported via coupling beams on a subframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiletechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Grottke, Stefan Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8789877
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a front side frame; a lower member placed at an outer side of the front side frame in the vehicle width direction; and a gusset placed between the front side frame and the lower member. The front side frame includes a first bending point which absorbs an impact load by being bent by receiving impact load upon a collision of the vehicle. An inner side of the gusset in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer side of the front side frame in the vehicle width direction and extends from a front end of the front side frame to a first bending point. A tapered part which is inclined toward the front side frame as extending backward from the front end of the gusset is formed in an outer side of the gusset in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Ohnaka, Yoshinori Taguchi, Makoto Hisazumi, Naoyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8789874
    Abstract: There is provided a front vehicle body structure. A radiator panel lower is mounted between front ends of side frames, crash boxes at the front ends of the side frames, and a bumper beam between front ends of the crash boxes. The radiator panel lower includes a bracket offset toward the inside in the vehicle width direction from the side frame. Upon an offset front collision, a shock load is absorbed by an axial compression deformation of one of the crash boxes and a drag of the side frames. Upon a full-overlap front collision, the right and left crash boxes are subjected to the axial compression deformation, and the shock load is input to the bracket, thereby bending the side frames. Accordingly, and a sufficient axial compression deformation of the crash boxes is secured, and the shock load is absorbed by the reduction in the drag of the side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jyunya Okamura, Takehisa Tsukada, Kouichi Imamura, Takatomo Watamori, Shinya Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140197661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front-end module for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, including a support frame (1) and at least one flange (2) for coupling the support frame (1) to a chassis of the vehicle, said flange (2) being configured so as to enable the free positioning of the module relative to the chassis within a plane orthogonal to a direction X of movement of the vehicle, as well as the attachment of said module onto said chassis in accordance with said positioning, said flange (2) and said support frame (1) being mutually configured so as to be attached to each other while enabling the movement of one relative to the other in said direction X in the event of impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Lanard, Jean-Nicolas Guyomard, Leonardo Camargo
  • Patent number: 8770653
    Abstract: Bodywork arrangement comprising longitudinal members and cross-members that are connected at node points to other lateral structural elements to form part of a passenger compartment and part of a vehicle front end. Longitudinal members are provided at the lower side of the passenger compartment. Front-end longitudinal members are arranged on the vehicle front end. A front region of the passenger compartment has a floor cross-member, a splashboard cross-member, an armature cross-member and laterally arranged A-column elements. The floor cross-member together with the splashboard cross-member and two lateral structural elements form a lower trapezoidal structure. The splashboard cross-member together with the armature cross-member (9) and two lateral structural elements forms an upper trapezoidal structure. The space between the upper trapezoidal structure and the lower trapezoidal structure defines the foot space of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Jens Buechner, Michael Keimes, Klaus Steputsch, Uwe Wagner
  • Patent number: 8770639
    Abstract: A method of making a beam-box crash management system comprises forming a first shell (100a) from a fist sheet metal blank by a hot forming process. The first shell has a high tensile strength beam portion (102a) and integrally formed there-with a first low yield strength crash box portion (104a)proximate a first end of the beam portion and second low yield strength crash box portion proximate a second end of the beam portion. The first shell also has an open face extending continuously along the beam portion and each of the first and second crash box portions (104a, 106a). A closing element (100b) is formed from a second sheet metal blank, and is fixedly secured adjacent to the open face of the first shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cosma Engineering Europe AG
    Inventors: Michael Blümel, Christian Hengst, Ernst Lindtner
  • Patent number: 8764096
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for vehicle may include a first side member disposed in each of both sides of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second side member coupled to an external surface of the first side member, a fender member having one side coupled to an external side of the second side member, a member flange connected to front ends of the first and second side members respectively, a mounting flange coupled with the member flange, a first crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, a second crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, and a bumper beam having both distal sides, each of which may be coupled to front ends of the first and second crash boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Min Uke Han, Chang Ho Park, Hae Woong Kim, Jun Hyoung Kim, Soo Heung Eom
  • Patent number: 8764103
    Abstract: A front portion structure of a vehicle body includes: a dashboard lower panel extending in a vehicle width direction; an outrigger provided under the dashboard lower panel and extending outwards from the front side frame in the vehicle width direction; and a side sill extending from the outer portion of the outrigger in the vehicle width direction, toward the back of the vehicle; a footrest portion for a passenger, formed to the dashboard lower panel; and a reinforcing plate to reinforce the footrest portion, joined to the dashboard lower panel and covering the footrest portion from the passenger space side. A flange is formed to the reinforcing plate, and is joined to a side face of a side sill inner panel of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Toba
  • Patent number: 8764104
    Abstract: A structure of the front section of a vehicle body is disposed on the front end portion of a front side frame on the same position as the rear surface of a side stay in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and includes a first extending portion extending downward along the rear surface of the side stay. A lower stay is provided with a second extending portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the side stay to a position below the first extending portion. A joining section is formed so as to join the front surface of the first extending portion, the upper surface of the second extending portion, and outside surface of the side stay. The joining section defines an arrangement region for inner and outer shock absorbing members having a lower rigidity than the front side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kihara, Shuji Ichikawa, Tomoya Takeda
  • Patent number: 8763744
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle hood moving device for a vehicle having a hood movably supported at a vehicle body front. The hood moving device includes a first magnet disposed in the hood, a second magnet provided to the inside of an engine room and disposed so as to face the first magnet, a collision detecting sensor to detect that a pedestrian collides with the vehicle, and a collision predicting device to detect whether or not a pedestrian has a danger of colliding with the vehicle. When detection is made with these sensors and predicting device that a pedestrian has collided with the vehicle or has a danger of colliding with the vehicle, the hood is moved as to the vehicle body by magnetic force of the first magnet and second magnet. The second magnet is an electromagnet, and the first magnet is a permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuda, Hiroshi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8757708
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body is provided having a front wall structure and having at least one lateral longitudinal girder, at least regionally situated in front of the front wall structure in the travel direction of the vehicle, and having a reinforcement element, which is connected to the front wall structure and to the longitudinal girder, the longitudinal girder and the reinforcement element, in a connection section lying in front of the front wall structure in the travel direction, being at least partially overlapping viewed in the vehicle transverse direction and being directly connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Publication number: 20140167450
    Abstract: A vehicle body front section structure includes a projecting member that is provided at an outside wall of a front side member further to a vehicle width direction inside than a front wheel and at a location separated in the vehicle body front-rear direction from a front bumper reinforcement, such that the projecting member projects out further towards the vehicle width direction outside than the outside wall. The vehicle body front section structure is further provided with an assistance portion that is formed to the outside wall, and that assists movement of the rear end portion of the projecting member towards the vehicle width direction inside upon input of load to the projecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka SOTOYAMA, Shintaro Kitakata, Kenjiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140167449
    Abstract: A device (1) for absorbing mechanical energy for motor vehicles, wherein the device (1) has a honeycomb-like cavity structure (2) and is arranged between a first body section (3) and a second body section (4). In order that, in the event of a crash, the body sections (3, 4) are not displaced relative to one another, the device (1) can be deformed during the absorption of mechanical energy, wherein the deformation generates a force-fitting connection between the two body sections (3, 4). The device has a centre of rotation (12) about which the device (1) can be deformed in a rotational manner during a deformation, such that a force-fitting connection is generated between the two body sections (3, 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christoph WEZEL
  • Publication number: 20140159423
    Abstract: A device for absorbing frontal collision impact for a vehicle includes side members extending in the length direction of the vehicle and impact-absorbing structures mounted on the side members and protruding outward in the width direction of the vehicle. The device can effectively cope with a frontal small offset collision of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Hoon CHANG
  • Patent number: 8746784
    Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a pair of damper housings, a pair of damper bases, and a dashboard upper. Each of the damper bases includes a damper base upper wall, three damper fixing portions, three dash upper fixing portion, and a ridge line portion extending along the outer circumference of the damper base upper wall. The three damper fixing portions and the three dash upper fixing portions are alternately disposed on an imaginary circle. Sections of the ridge line portion outside each of the dash upper fixing portions and each of the dash upper fixing portion are located outside the imaginary circle, and each of sections of the ridge line portion between the damper fixing portion and the dash upper fixing portion intersects the imaginary circle so that the ridge line portion is formed in a substantially star shape in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hidenari Hanakawa
  • Patent number: 8746781
    Abstract: A reinforcing unit for the vehicle body may include an insert member coupled to a front side member while being inserted in the front side member, and a fender apron lower reinforce member mounted in a fender apron to be coupled to the insert member, so that crash energy transmitted to the fender apron in a front offset crash of the vehicle may be transmitted to the front side member through the reinforcing unit of the vehicle body to be effectively distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ki Bong Park, Joonam Kim
  • Publication number: 20140152051
    Abstract: A structure for the front portion of a vehicle body includes both an under load path member and a front load transmission member. The under load path member is extended toward the rear of the vehicle body from a lower bulk member to a sub-frame. The front load transmission member is provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle body than the under load path member and closer to the rear of the vehicle body than the front end of the bottom of the lower bulk member, and transmits to the under load path member a load which is inputted from in front of the vehicle body. A gap is formed between the front load transmission member and the under load path member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Isao Saitou, Kouji Nagata, Yoshitaka Murakami, Yosuke Shoji, Hidenori Machii
  • Patent number: 8739910
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electric vehicle includes a battery, a first power line, a first connector, a first shock absorbing member, a first rigid member, and a second rigid member. The first rigid member includes a first front connection portion and a rear portion. The second rigid member includes a first rear connection portion and a front portion. The rear portion of the first rigid member is contactable with the front portion of the second rigid member at a contact point when a front-end collision of the electric vehicle occurs. The first connector is disposed within a first triangular region defined by the first front connection portion, the first rear connection portion, and the contact point in a plan view of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goichi Katayama, Yasuaki Hotozuka, Kosuke Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 8733823
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cross member which is arranged transversely to a travel direction and has two attachment zones for connection to two side rails arranged in parallel relationship to the travel direction. The bumper cross member has a center portion extending between the attachment zones and two end zones to close off the bumper cross member to vehicle sides. A deformation element is arranged behind each of the end zones and constructed to support in the event of a head-on collision with slight overlap the end zone which undergoes a buckling as a result of the head-on collision. At least one belt element at least partly surrounds a circumference of the deformation element and is secured to at least one of the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Grottke, Stefan Schmitz, Holger Diersmann
  • Publication number: 20140138986
    Abstract: A front fender panel and an apron upper member are connected via an impact absorbing bracket. The impact absorbing bracket has a first supporting leg portion and a second supporting leg portion that form an angle with one another as seen from a vehicle vertical direction. The first supporting leg portion and the second supporting leg portion are connected, via a connecting portion, further toward a vehicle lower side than a fender panel mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teppei Tsuneyama, Katsuya Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140138985
    Abstract: A bumper rail assembled into a bumper of a vehicle includes a bumper rail, a reinforcing member, and a forming part. A bumper rail is disposed at front. The reinforcing member is disposed at the rear side of the bumper rail and forming a closed section together with the bumper rail. The forming part is integrally formed at an inner side of the bumper rail and is disposed parallel along the longitudinal direction of the bumper rail to increase a stiffness of the bumper rail, the forming part having a pipe shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hee Dae OH
  • Patent number: 8726466
    Abstract: A hood hinge apparatus for a vehicle, in which a cowl-side body connected with an A-pillar has an inclined structure or an angular structure having a larger inclination than a right angle to reduce a step between the A-pillar and the cowl-side body, and engagement bolts are engaged with a horizontal inclined surface and a vertical inclined surface in different directions for coupling between the cowl-side body and the fixed hinge bracket to prevent injury of a passenger due to excessive dipping caused by generation of body bending during a front offset collision, thereby actively responding to safety regulations in case of a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 8727380
    Abstract: In a suspension tower structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9) to which suspension towers (101) are attached, a front leg part (101a) and a rear leg part (101b) branched to be separated from each other in a vehicle length direction are provided in a lower part of the suspension tower (101), and lower parts of the front leg part (101a) and the rear leg part (101b) are attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in the vehicle length direction so as to be separated from each other in the vehicle length direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8720976
    Abstract: A vehicle collision protection apparatus includes a bracket. The bracket includes a deflecting force generating component provided at a rear end of the bracket. The bracket is disposed in a vehicle front space of a vehicle and extends in a front to rear direction of the vehicle and attach a vehicle component to a body of the vehicle. The deflecting force generating component deflects the rear end of the bracket in a width direction of the vehicle and rotates the bracket together with the vehicle component in the width direction when the deflecting force generating component impinges against a portion of the vehicle body as the rear end of the bracket is displaced in a rearward direction of the vehicle due to crushing of a front end of the vehicle during a collision at the front end of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oyama, Junichi Shimada, Mikito Sawaki
  • Patent number: 8720983
    Abstract: A front vehicle body structure includes a front pillar that extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, an upper frame that extends from the front pillar toward a front of a vehicle body, and a front side frame that is disposed laterally interior of the upper frame. The front side frame includes an outer face that faces laterally outward, an inner face that faces laterally inward, and an upper face that connects the inner face to the outer face. The front vehicle body structure also includes a connection member that extends upwardly from the upper face of the front side frame to the upper frame so as to connect the front side frame and the upper frame together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Edwards, Takashi Nakano, Eric M. Heitkamp, Patrick J. Ellison, Brian Christopher Bray
  • Patent number: 8714603
    Abstract: An energy absorber for a vehicle includes a structure with an I-shaped cross-sectional structure, preventing collision energy from causing a buckling phenomenon. Particularly, the wiring for an electric wire connected to a sensor can be realized by making use of extra space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Hyun Gyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140117717
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame rail and an impact beam attached to an axial end of the frame rail. A body panel mount is attached to the frame rail. The body panel mount is axially spaced from the impact beam a distance along a longitudinal axis. A load transferring member includes a first axial end attached to one of the impact beam and the body panel mount, and a second axial end disposed adjacent to and a pre-defined distance from the other of the impact beam and the body panel mount. The load transferring member is disposed outboard of the frame rail. The load transferring member extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis between the impact beam and the body panel mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Magdalena M. Parkila, Eduardo Barjud Bugelli
  • Publication number: 20140110971
    Abstract: A ladder honeycomb hood structure for a motor vehicle for pedestrian protection. The ladder has an inner panel having ten numbers of complete equally sized hexagonal of equal diameter cutout with on side making 10° to the horizontal. A first central ladder cutout formed with a horizontal rib. A second central ladder cutout formed with smaller length of horizontal rib than that of the first ladder above the first central ladder. A third central ladder cutout 4 formed below the first central ladder with horizontal rib, merged with a rear channel, having a bigger length than that of the first central ladder. The hood structure arrangement made in such a way that the hexagonal cutouts equally formed on both sides of the central ladders. A number of unequal size hexagonal cutouts formed in the space between the equal size hexagons the and hood side section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Alok Kumar Ray, Santosh Gurukumar Hiremath, Siddalingappa Jirli, Sasidar Kanigelpual