Floor (i.e., Underframe) Patents (Class 296/193.07)
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Patent number: 11952042Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle may include: a floor panel; a side sill; and a frame member that extends in the front-rear direction on the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the side sill and includes a front-rear extended portion that is in abutment against the side sill on the vehicle-width-direction inner side and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the side sill. The front-rear extended portion may include: a bottom face portion; an inner wall portion; and an inner-side flange that extends to the vehicle-width-direction inner side from a distal end portion of the inner wall portion and is joined to the floor panel. Deformation facilitating facilitators that facilitate deformation of the bottom face portion in the vehicle width direction when a collision load in the vehicle width direction is input may be formed in the bottom face portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Mikado Kawasaki, Hirotaka Natsume, Keisuke Ebisumoto, Akiko Nakamoto, Daisuke Tsuji, Kento Otsuka
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Patent number: 11926077Abstract: A composite sandwich panel comprises a first composite skin, a second composite skin, a hollow cell core between the first composite skin and the second composite skin, and a first over-crush edge region with a first edge. The first edge has a first thickness at least 40% less than a nominal thickness of the composite sandwich panel. The first over-crush edge region has a length of at least 0.25 inches over which a thickness of the composite sandwich panel decreases.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jason Turner, Mitchell Zachary Kotlik, Christopher Robert Schwartz, Michael B. Black
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Patent number: 11925588Abstract: A hybrid passenger vehicle includes a chassis supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, a body coupled to the chassis including at least one door, and a vehicle floor coupled to the chassis. The body defines an interior space configured to be occupied by at least one passenger when operating the vehicle, and the vehicle floor has a front end and a rear end. A rear wall is coupled to the rear end of the vehicle floor such that the rear wall defines a rearmost boundary of the vehicle floor. A rear suspension assembly is coupled to the chassis. The rear wall is arc-shaped, and the rear suspension assembly is located rearward of the rear wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Christopher C. Wegner, Michael Laird
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Patent number: 11884328Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are envisioned. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.Inventor: Robert Willison
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Patent number: 11866907Abstract: A superstructure for mounting upon a ground engaging structure of a working machine includes a cab structure for housing a human operator of the working machine; a chassis structure providing a base for the cab structure; and a frame including a tubular body, the tubular body comprising two legs and a cross member interposed between the legs, wherein the cross member is at a non-zero angle to both legs. The frame is connected to the cab structure proximate an upper extent of the frame and the chassis structure proximate a lower extent the frame so as to support a portion of the cab structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators LimitedInventor: Ian Mark Parry-Jones
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Patent number: 11845496Abstract: A vibration damping structure includes a panel which is a structure and a damping member joined to the panel. The damping member has a plurality of joined portions joined to a mating surface of the panel through respective joined surfaces in the X direction, and a plurality of spacing portions recessed toward the side opposite to the panel in the Z direction between adjacent joined portions. The damping member is formed such that the damping member is higher in damping than the panel and a resonance frequency of the damping member is formed such that it is substantially the same as a primary resonance frequency of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kaito Nakamura, Miho Kurata, Sakayu Terada, Shuhei Narita, Daisuke Yamada, Toshitaka Miyoshi
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Patent number: 11767065Abstract: A vehicle floor assembly having a floor panel and a pair of elongated members disposed along opposing sides of the floor panel. A central tunnel extends longitudinally between the pair of elongated members and has an upper surface elevated vertically from a planar extent of the floor panel. A crossmember beam is coupled to and spans between the pair of longitudinal members. The crossmember beam has a cross-sectional shape extending continuously along a length of the crossmember beam. The crossmember beam includes a curved shape along at least a section of the length of the crossmember beam that positions a lower surface of the crossmember beam above the upper surface of the central tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Tomohisa Honda, Kazutoyo Fujikawa
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Patent number: 11738809Abstract: The vehicle body structure includes a front floor panel, a rear floor panel positioned lower than the front floor panel, and a connection panel extending from a rear portion of the front floor panel to a front portion of the rear floor panel and inclined or curved so as to be positioned downward toward a rear side. At least the front portion of the connection panel is positioned at the front of the front portion of the front seat.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Isao Toda, Takayuki Kimura, Takehiro Kamei, Hiroshi Tanaka, Haruo Ohe, Masaya Hiramatsu, Masanobu Fukushima, Takao Fukuda, Hironobu Hashiguchi, Hiroyuki Baba
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Patent number: 11708112Abstract: A frame system for a vehicle including a high-voltage component that includes a pair of spaced apart primary rails that extend from a front of the vehicle toward a rear of the vehicle and a pair of longitudinally extending sills. An impact support rail extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills. A cross-member extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills, and a laterally extending frame support member extends between the sills at a location between the impact support rails and the cross-members. A pocket is collectively formed between each primary rail, the respective impact support rail, the respective sill, the respective cross-member, and the laterally extending frame support member, and the pocket is configured for receipt and protection of the high-voltage component.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Kedar V Parday, Krishnamurthy Hegde, Saurabh V Joshi, Rebecca L Tanguay, Maximiliano P Larroquette, Dennis J. Hauff, Jr., Michael J Martinez, Richard C Chiarcos
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Patent number: 11691575Abstract: A sandwich-type, composite component having a sprayed backside protective coating is provided. The component includes a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between and bonded to the outer layers and having a plurality of cavities. The protective coating is integrally formed from an elastomeric material. The material is sprayed to form the coating and the coating is bonded to the outer surface by curing. The component may be a vehicle interior component such as a vehicle load floor component.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Scott A. Grajek, Jason T. Murar
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Patent number: 11691676Abstract: A front end structure of a vehicle body may include: a horn; a bumper cover; an inner grille disposed between the horn and the bumper cover, and a megaphone including a megaphone wall defining a megaphone opening extending along a direction along which the horn and the bumper cover are aligned, wherein a first opening end of the megaphone opposes the horn, a second opening end of the megaphone opposes the bumper cover, and the megaphone is integrated with the inner grille.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Tokuyama, Yoshihiro Itoh
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Patent number: 11643144Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an engine cradle and an impact receiving structure. A forward end of the first side portion and a first lateral end of a front portion of the engine cradle are fixedly attached to one another. The first side portion has a rearward section and a forward section, the rearward section being horizontally oriented and the forward section extending upward and forward from the rearward section defining an acute angle therebetween, the acute angle being between 30 and 35 degrees. The impact receiving structure is installed to the first side portion of the engine cradle proximate an intersection between the first side portion and the front member. A lower surface of the impact receiving structure extends downward along the forward section of the first side portion further defining the acute angle of the forward section of the first side portion of the engine cradle.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Daniel Malm, Ryan Corby, Adam Strean
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Patent number: 11634184Abstract: A composite floor is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such floors are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc.Inventors: Mark Bullock, Jon Brock, Jeff Snyder
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Patent number: 11623697Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a pair of left and right front pillars; a front wall portion provided between the pair of left and right front pillars and forming a front end of the vehicle interior; a lower wall portion extending rearward from a lower end of the front wall portion; a tunnel member formed at a middle portion of the lower wall portion in a vehicle width direction and having an upward convex shape; and a reinforcing portion laminated on and fixed to the front wall portion or the front wall portion and the lower wall portion, in which the reinforcing portion is provided so as to be inclined downward from the front pillar toward the tunnel member and forms a thick plate portion in collaboration with the front wall portion or the front wall portion and the lower wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuo Hanafusa, Ryo Kita
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Patent number: 11607955Abstract: A tractor according includes a running vehicle body, a floor provided on the running vehicle body and serving as a floor surface of an operation part in which a driver is located, a floor bracket configured to support the floor, a fuel tank provided below the floor, and a pedal configured to move the running vehicle body forward or backward and having pivot shafts provided on the floor bracket between the floor and the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.Inventor: Eiji Tomioka
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Patent number: 11597447Abstract: A vehicle body may include a floor; a pair of side sills connected to first and second side edges of the floor, respectively; and a cross unit mounted on the floor and extending in a width direction of a vehicle, wherein the cross unit includes a lower crossmember connecting the pair of side sills, an upper crossmember disposed above the lower crossmember, a first reinforcement member disposed between the lower crossmember and the upper crossmember, and a pair of second reinforcement members connected to first and second end portions of the first reinforcement member, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventor: Hyung Tae Kim
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Patent number: 11584445Abstract: A vehicle body rear connection structure includes an extension rear transverse that connects a pillar member disposed in a vertical direction of a vehicle body to a transverse member disposed in a width direction of the vehicle body at a rear of the vehicle body, and of which a seat belt mounting portion is formed, and a reinforcement transverse extension which is mounted on a side of the extension rear transverse, and a lower portion of which is connected to a floor panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Hae Hoon Lee, Sunki Choi, JungHo Lee, Hongsoek Yeon
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Patent number: 11569544Abstract: A battery pack includes a first battery case accommodating a plurality of cells, and a second battery case laminated above the first battery case and accommodating a plurality of cells. The first battery case has a first through-hole on an upper surface. The second battery case has a second through-hole on a bottom surface which communicates with the first through-hole. The battery pack includes a communication port composed of the first through-hole and the second through-hole, a gas discharge valve which is provided only in either the first battery case or the second battery case and opens when internal pressure of the battery pack is higher than a predetermined value, and a temperature sensor provided on a gas flow path connected to the gas discharge valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Okada, Tomofumi Yasuda, Hiroki Itaya
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Patent number: 11541944Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a door opening, and a door that is attached to the vehicle body and that has a door reinforcing member extending straddling the door opening. The vehicle body includes: a rocker extending following a lower end of the door opening; a floor panel extending from an upper face of the rocker to a vehicle inward side; a first reinforcing member fixed to an upper face of the floor panel and extends in a vehicle front-rear direction following an end portion of the floor panel, an outward end portion of the first reinforcing member being disposed above the rocker, and an inward end portion of the first reinforcing member being disposed inward of the rocker; and a second reinforcing member that is fixed to an upper face of the first reinforcing member and that extends in a vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Subaru CorporationInventors: Akihito Sasaki, Ryo Kimura
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Patent number: 11420686Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure of the electric vehicle includes a pair of left and right side sills; a substantially flat front floor panel; a first floor cross member disposed on an upper surface of the front floor panel located below a front part of a front seat; a second floor cross member disposed on an upper surface of the front floor panel 8 located below a rear part of the front seat; a kick-up portion raised from a rear end of the front floor panel 8 toward a vehicle upper side; and a console support bracket that has a front part connected to a vehicle body on a vehicle front side and a rear part connected to the kick-up portion. A lower part of the console support bracket is secured to the first and second floor cross members.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Yamato Matsuda, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Morihide Yamada, Katsuhito Kouno, Toshihiro Takebayashi
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Patent number: 11351890Abstract: A seat crossmember includes a base facing a floor of a vehicle, a first reinforcing portion connected to a first edge of the base, wherein the first reinforcing portion has a first cavity, and a second reinforcing portion integrally connected to a second edge of the base, wherein the second reinforcing portion has a second cavity. The first cavity and the second cavity can be closed cavities. The first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion can protrude upwardly from the base, and the first reinforcing portion, the second reinforcing portion, and the base can define a third cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Hyun Wook Park, Seung Min Jeong
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Patent number: 11292526Abstract: A vehicle-body structure that effectively distributes and transfers a side collision load in the vehicle width direction. A cross member includes a cross member top face facing a floor panel, and a cross member front face and a cross member rear face extending from respective ends in a front-rear direction of the cross member top face to the floor panel. A reinforcement member is at a side sill-side end of the cross member top face of the cross member, and a fragile portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided at a position at a side sill-side end of the cross member and overlapping the reinforcement member. The fragile portion is selected from a cutout, a bead, and a hole. The reinforcement member is a seat mounting bracket, and the fragile portion is on a vehicle-width-direction outer side of a seat mounting surface of the seat mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Keisuke Ebisumoto, Daisuke Tsuji, Akiko Nakamoto, Daisuke Imamura
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Patent number: 11286001Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle, including a first rail extending in the nominal direction of forward vehicle travel, a second rail extending in the nominal direction of forward vehicle travel and a cross member having a main body having a first end and a second end, and being joined inboard of the first end to the first rail and inboard of the second end to the second rail, wherein the first end and second end of the cross member are angled relative to the direction of forward vehicle travel at an obtuse angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Andrew L O'Bannon, Joseph E Rudelic, Thomas F Wentworth, Meenakshi Solaimalai, Janakiram Sholingar, Eric J Stahmer
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Patent number: 11260916Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure includes a floor panel; a side sill; a floor frame extending in a front-rear direction on a vehicle-width-direction inner side of the side sill; a first cross member connecting a front portion of the side sill to the floor frame in a vehicle width direction; and a second cross member connecting the side sill and floor frame in the vehicle width direction on a rear side of the first cross member. The floor panel has a quadrilateral closed region surrounded by the side sill, the floor frame, and the cross members, on a periphery of the closed region, and the closed region has a bead linearly extending in a direction intersecting with a virtual line connecting front and rear portions on vehicle-width-direction outer and inner sides, respectively, of the closed region to each other at an angle of 45 degrees or more in plan view.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Keisuke Ebisumoto, Ippei Kuroda, Syunsuke Mino
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Patent number: 11220296Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for improving lateral crash pushing and distributing crash energy within a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first frame cross member extending laterally between a left hand frame rail and a right hand frame rail of a vehicle, and a second frame cross member, aft of the first frame cross member, extending laterally between the left hand frame rail and the right hand frame rail. The apparatus further comprises an outrigger projecting outward laterally from the first frame cross member and an impact member selected from the left hand frame rail or right hand frame rail; and a connection arm projecting diagonally from a distal end of the outrigger to a connection point on the second frame cross member, beneath the impact member, such that when an impact force travels longitudinally into the outrigger, the impact force is distributed to both the first frame cross member through the outrigger and the second frame cross member through the connection arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Jeremiah T. Hammer, Brian L. Tew, John P. Kim, Mark Clauser
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Patent number: 11192588Abstract: A lower vehicle-body structure of an electric vehicle includes a bending facilitating portion located outward of a bent portion of a kick-up and bends as a breakage starter in a lateral collision, earlier than the bent portion, to reduce the amount of projection from the bending facilitating portion toward an outer side and reduce the likelihood of interference with a battery. Each of left and right side portions in a vehicle width direction of a kick-up is bent downward from a position inward of a rear side frame toward a side sill and connected to the side sill. A bending facilitating portion that facilitates bending under a lateral-collision load is formed outward of a bent portion of the kick-up and an outer side portion of the battery, and either inward of an inner end of the rear side frame or at substantially the same position as the inner end.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Harumitsu Kubota, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Katsuhito Kouno, Ryohei Nakagiri, Toshihiro Takebayashi
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Patent number: 10960933Abstract: A torsion beam type of rear suspension comprising a pair of right-and-left trailing arms and a torsion beam. A floor under cover for airflow straightening is attached to a portion of a vehicle body in front of the rear suspension so as to cover a vehicle-body lower face. A cover-support bracket is laid between a rear portion of a side sill and an inward side, in a vehicle width direction, of an arm pivot of the trail arm. A portion of the floor under cover which is positioned in the vicinity of its rear end is engaged with the cover-support bracket such that a rear end portion of the floor under cover is extended from an inward-side edge of a front portion of a rear wheel house to an inside of the rear wheel house.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Shuhei Nishida, Yoshiatsu Kuga, Masaru Chikita
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Patent number: 10933916Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes a floor tunnel arranged in a center of a vehicle interior in a vehicle width direction from a front end of the vehicle interior to a rear side, the floor tunnel projecting upwardly from a floor surface of the vehicle interior, a tunnel reinforcement that is a reinforcing member covering the floor tunnel, the tunnel reinforcement projecting upwardly from the floor surface of the vehicle interior and extending in a vehicle length direction, and a first floor crossmember extending in the vehicle width direction on the floor surface of the vehicle interior. An opening is formed in each of a pair of side walls of the tunnel reinforcement, the side walls facing each other in the vehicle width direction and the first floor crossmember is arranged so as to go across an inside of the tunnel reinforcement through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Kasai
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Patent number: 10894562Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes a floor tunnel arranged in a center of a vehicle interior in a vehicle width direction from a front end of the vehicle interior to a rear side, the floor tunnel projecting upwardly from a floor surface of the vehicle interior, a tunnel reinforcement that is a reinforcing member covering the floor tunnel, the tunnel reinforcement projecting upwardly from the floor surface of the vehicle interior and extending in a vehicle length direction, and a first floor crossmember extending in the vehicle width direction on the floor surface of the vehicle interior. An opening is formed in each of a pair of side walls of the tunnel reinforcement, the side walls facing each other in the vehicle width direction and the first floor crossmember is arranged so as to go across an inside of the tunnel reinforcement through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Kasai
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Patent number: 10882559Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a support structure (1) for a vehicle, comprising a support (2) which has an upper shell (3) and a lower shell (4), the extension of the support structure in the longitudinal extension of the vehicle being defined by the extension of the two shells (3, 4) in said direction, and comprising attachment points (14, 14.1) for connecting a link (27). A front attachment point and a rear attachment point are provided on each link attachment side (9, 9.1). The two attachment points (14, 14.1) are provided for an attachment insert (10) on each link attachment side (9, 9.1) of the support (2), wherein the attachment insert is connected to the shells (3, 4), is open towards a link (27) to be connected to the attachment points at least in the region of the attachment points (14, 14.1), and is produced as a separate component.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Aydogan Gündogan
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Patent number: 10814745Abstract: A lower vehicle body structure is provided, which includes a vehicle body floor having a bottom surface part, a floor tunnel bulging upwardly from the bottom surface part of the vehicle body floor and extending in vehicle front-and-rear directions, a power transmission mechanism disposed inside the floor tunnel, a mount member supporting the power transmission mechanism from below, and seat rails disposed on the vehicle body floor and slidably supporting seats from below. The mount member and the seat rails are jointly fastened to the vehicle body floor.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hirotaka Natsume, Hidenori Matsuoka, Keisuke Ebisumoto
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Patent number: 10787206Abstract: There is provided a floor undercover including: a flat plate portion that covers a bottom portion of a cabin located at a lower position than a front suspension member; side wall portions that rise in a vehicle upward direction from vehicle width direction outer end portions of the flat plate portion and that extend in a vehicle front and rear direction; and a curved portion that rises from a vehicle front-side edge portion of the flat plate portion toward the front suspension member, that curves from the vehicle width direction to a vehicle rearward direction heading outward in the vehicle width direction, and that is connected to the side wall portions.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koyo Nagano, Ryosuke Fukui
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Patent number: 10737729Abstract: A vehicle that includes seat cross-members arranged opposite each other on both sides of a center tunnel defining a space, a battery device as an energy accumulator for an electric drive motor of the vehicle, the battery device including a battery housing which at least partially fills the space in the center tunnel, and a load path optimization component arranged in the battery housing at the space of the center tunnel, to transmit forces laterally from one seat cross-member to the other seat cross-member.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KGInventors: Manuel Erlacher, Reinhard Hoermann, Franz Planka, Harald Zachnegger
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Patent number: 10597086Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure with improved rigidity of a vehicle body. The vehicle body structure includes a side sill extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and having at least a side sill inner member, a side sill reinforcing member disposed outside in a vehicle width direction of the side sill inner member at a rear portion of the side sill inner member, and a wheel arch member disposed behind the side sill, wherein the side sill reinforcing member includes a first fixing portion fixed to an outer surface of the wheel arch member from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and a second fixing portion fixed to a front surface of the wheel arch member from the front.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Sadayuki Asano
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Patent number: 10538273Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes: a framework member in a gutter shape provided in a vehicle length direction from a front box to a cabin and having a side wall; and a dash lower panel that includes a gutter section having a side wall and fitted into an inside of the framework member and in which the side wall of the gutter section and the side wall of the framework member are joined together.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Shirakami, Kenichiro Otsuka, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
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Patent number: 10486620Abstract: An insulation module for a floor of a motor vehicle includes a panel of a molded and bound fiber material. The panel extends along a longitudinal axis (X). At least one notch is formed in the thickness direction (D) of the panel and extends at an angle between 0° and 30° to the longitudinal axis (X). At least one incision is formed in an outer edge of the panel and extends at an angle between 80° and 100° to the longitudinal axis (X) of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Thilo Schaefer
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Patent number: 10328977Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Deepak Patel, Robert Schwalm, Stephen W. Siu, Greg B. Zinn, Djamal Eddine Midoun
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Patent number: 10315533Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided and includes a base assembly, a seat frame assembly attached to the base assembly, and a seat tilt control mechanism attached to the base assembly and the seat frame assembly. Actuation of the tilt drive assembly adjusts a tilt position of the seat frame assembly with respect to the base assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Inventor: Robert J. Whitaker
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Patent number: 10272954Abstract: To provide a panel whose surface rigidity can be improved appropriately in accordance with a load. Provided is a panel including: a load point to which a load is applied from the outside; and a protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the panel and is formed continuously or discontinuously around the load point. The protrusion intersects, at a plurality of positions, each of a plurality of virtual straight lines extending radially from the load point.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Toru Yonebayashi, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
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Patent number: 10160387Abstract: A compression molded vehicle floor panel includes a main body formed by compression molding and having a first side and an opposed second side, and at least one separately formed measurement locating member at least partially encapsulated in the main body during the compression molding. The measurement locating member defines a cavity having an open end at the first side of the main body. The cavity is configured to receive a locator pin of a measurement fixture to locate the compression molded vehicle floor panel in the measurement fixture for measurement of the compression molded vehicle floor panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Jacob Wright, Eric Clara, Nicholas D Kappler, Jeffrey D Sutherland, Donald L Wilson, Jr., Eric A Marsh, John H Pray, Joseph J Swailes, Kazimiera Borek
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Patent number: 10150514Abstract: A tunnel reinforcing member is attached to a front floor tunnel. Second upper wall and second side walls of the tunnel reinforcing member are connected to a first upper wall and first side walls of the front floor tunnel, respectively, such that spaces are formed between second edge portions of the tunnel reinforcing member and first edge portions of the front floor tunnel. A rear portion of the first upper wall of the front floor tunnel faces a lower wall of a cross member with a kick-up part in between. A rear portion of the second upper wall of the tunnel reinforcing member inclines upwards and rearwards so as to be separated apart from the first upper wall of the front floor tunnel and faces a section reinforcing member fixed to the cross member with the kick-up part in between.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Shohei Kabayama
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Patent number: 10077079Abstract: A flooring product has multiple planar single piece substrate components, each with opposing straight longitudinal and lateral edges. A first lateral edge of a second of the substrate components abuts a first lateral edge of a first of the substrate components to form a common seam. The first and second of the substrate components are adjacent relative to a sequential array of multiple substrate components running parallel to the pair of longitudinal edges. The product has a pair of laminate component affixed to each side of each of the substrate components continuously over the sequential array thereof. The laminate components strengthen the product in relation to bearing a load applied to the second surface thereof and each of the common seams. The flooring product may be cut to lengths for accommodating overall lengths of recreational vehicles, trailers or manufactured housing units and thus reduces manufacturing costs associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: SABALITO LLCInventors: John Peterson, James Lambert
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Patent number: 9873457Abstract: A vehicle skeleton structure including: a tunnel portion that projects upward in a vertical direction at a vehicle width direction central portion of a floor panel, and that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction, the tunnel portion including side wall portions opposing each other in the vehicle width direction, and an upper wall portion that interconnects upper end portions of the side wall portions; a tunnel upper reinforcement member that covers the upper wall portion and the side wall portions of the tunnel portion from an exterior of each and that is joined to the tunnel portion; and a cross member that bridges, along the vehicle width direction, the tunnel portion and a rocker that is disposed at a vehicle width direction outer side of the floor panel, and that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, the cross member being directly or indirectly joined to the tunnel upper reinforcement member.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoichiro Onishi
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Patent number: 9862419Abstract: A protective frame structure includes: a lower frame; an intermediate frame that is interlinked with the lower frame and is situated above the lower frame; and an upper frame that is interlinked with the intermediate frame and is situated abobe the intermediate frame, wherein a mounting space in which a battery module is configured to be mounted is formed between the lower frame and the intermediate frame, an upper space is formed between the intermediate frame and the upper frame, and the intermediate frame is deformed upward when an external load has been applied to the protective frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Aisin Keikinzoku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kosuke Kido, Hiroyuki Hatsumi, Satoshi Kawaguchi, Akihiro Kosaki, Koichi Tanaka, Takenori Kobayashi, Hisashi Tanaka
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Patent number: 9764775Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has a floor panel, rockers, a floor tunnel, and beads. The floor panel forms a floor portion of the vehicle. The pair of rockers are disposed respectively on both outer sides in the vehicle transverse direction of the floor panel, and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The floor tunnel is disposed in a central portion in the vehicle transverse direction of the floor panel, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The beads are formed protruding towards the vehicle upward side on the floor panel between the rockers and the floor tunnel such that ridgelines thereof extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koichi Daigaku
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Patent number: 9649966Abstract: A truck body for a machine is disclosed. The truck body has a bottom wall defining a front end and a rear end, a pair of lateral walls extending from the bottom wall, and a front wall extending between the pair of lateral walls at the front end. The truck body includes a pair of bottom beams pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The truck body further includes a plurality of tubes disposed on the pair of bottom beams. Each of the plurality of tubes is disposed adjacent to each other to at least define the bottom wall and the pair of lateral walls of the truck body.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Huijun Wang, Donald A. Stickel, III, Howard W. Ludewig, Danny L. McCaherty
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Patent number: 9623908Abstract: A tunnel side frame includes a U-shaped portion having a U-shaped cross section opening upward, the U-shaped portion comprising a bottom face portion, an outer face portion, and an inner face portion. A front tunnel member comprises a first face portion which faces to the bottom face portion of the tunnel side frame, a second face portion which faces to the inner face portion of the tunnel side frame, and a third face portion which extends inward from an upper end of the second face portion. The front tunnel member is attached to a vehicle body by attaching the first face portion to the bottom face portion of the U-shaped portion and attaching the third face portion to a floor tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Hirotaka Natsume, Kenji Maruyama, Masanobu Hanazaki
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Patent number: 9592777Abstract: A grommet configured to pass through a vehicle wall and an acoustic mat is provided. The grommet includes first and second sealing segments, a mounting segment, and a pass-through segment. A flange configured to abut the vehicle wall extends from the first sealing segment. The pass-through segment has a NVH flap that is configured to abut the acoustic mat. The grommet has a grommet installation coupling that includes a mounting hole in the flange for receiving a mounting stud that extends from the vehicle wall and an engagement member that engages the mounting stud. The engagement member applies an installation force to the flange, which moves the grommet longitudinally from a first installation position to a second installation position and pushes the NVH flap against the acoustic mat so that the NVH flap is deflected back toward the flange as the grommet moves to the second installation position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Christina H Van Agen, Damon I Blumenstein, Thomas F Wentworth
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Patent number: 9568284Abstract: The present invention provides an energy absorber for a blast barrier system comprising a substantially tubular member extending longitudinally along an axis from a first end portion to a second end portion, each of the first end portion and the second end portion having a substantially similar geometric, profile, wherein the energy absorber collapses under a predetermined load when compressed by a residual blast force. The energy absorber of the present invention may help minimize damage to people and structures by further dissipating force from a blast in a blast barrier system.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Covestro LLCInventors: James M. Lorenzo, Robert A. Pyles
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Patent number: 9550530Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pair of side members, first and second cross members, a center member and a pair of connecting members. The first cross member extends in a widthwise direction and connects the side members each other. The center member is extends from a central portion of the first cross member in the widthwise direction to the front in a front-to-rear direction. The connecting members extend in the front-to-rear direction at a rear side of the first cross member and are connected to the center member at front ends thereof. Rear ends of the connecting members extend outwards in the widthwise direction towards the side members and are connected to the side members. The second cross member extends in the widthwise direction at the rear side of the first cross member and connects the connecting members each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Taichi Kawaguchi