Body Frame Patents (Class 296/203.01)
  • Patent number: 10843744
    Abstract: A user-assemblable vehicle including: a platform module forming a bottom surface of the vehicle, and including a floor part provided with a power driving part and front and rear wheel parts provided on front and rear parts of the floor part, respectively; a front module coupled to a front part of the platform module to form a front part of the vehicle; a rear module coupled to a rear part of the platform module to form a rear part of the vehicle; and a cabin module having a space for accommodating passengers, being coupled to a rear end of the front module at a front end and coupled to a front end of the rear module at a rear end, and supported by the floor part of the platform module at a lower end when the cabin module slides from a side to an opposite side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Ho Hwang, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 10807647
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure may include: two first rear side members respectively provided on opposite sides of a rear floor; a rear sub-frame including a front cross member and a rear cross member spaced apart from each other, where opposite ends of the front cross member and opposite ends of the rear cross member are coupled to two of the first rear side members, respectively; a vehicle body cross member which is spaced rearward from the rear sub-frame, connected to the first rear side members, and fixed to the rear floor; two second rear side members provided between two of the first rear side members, and arranged side by side with each of two of the first rear side members; and two truss members each extending from first connecting portions to second connecting portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seongsu Shin, Mincheol Kim
  • Patent number: 10766543
    Abstract: A joint member for coupling a chassis frame according to the present invention, which couples frames composing a chassis, includes a block-shaped main body and a first insertion groove into which one end portion of a first frame, which is a frame extending in a width direction of the chassis, is inserted and which is formed on one surface of the main body, and the plurality of first insertion grooves are formed in a longitudinal direction of the chassis so that a length of the chassis is changed according to a position at which the first frame is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyun Rok Cha, Myeong Hwan Hwang, Jong Ho Han, Dong Hyun Kim, Gil Woo Choi, Se Hyeon Yang, Gye Seong Lee, Hae Sol Lee
  • Patent number: 10737730
    Abstract: A high-rigidity vehicle body frame includes a front panel frame, a floor frame, a roof frame and two side frames. The floor frame includes a floor front beam, two floor side beams and a floor support member. The side frames includes a side front vertical beam, a side middle vertical beam and a side rear vertical beam. The roof frame includes a roof support member and two roof side beams each of which is fixed to the side front vertical beam, the side middle vertical beam and the side rear vertical beam at a same side, and the roof support member is fixed between the two roof side beams. The front panel frame fixed between the two roof side beams includes an X-shaped front support member which is fixed on the floor front beam. The lateral deformation resistance and the bending deformation resistance of the vehicle body are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qi Zhang, Xiangzheng Liu, Dong Chen, Xiaochun Tu, Furong Geng
  • Patent number: 10737732
    Abstract: A system of a reinforced structural element of a motor vehicle includes a structural element having two panel sheets, as well as a reinforcing element, and an adhesive. The reinforcing element herein in the region of joints of the panel sheets is adhesively bonded to the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Vincent Belpaire, Ardi Shehu
  • Patent number: 10661835
    Abstract: A vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system includes a vehicle chassis with a plurality of elongated tubular members. The tubular members are structured to be configured in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a coup, a convertible, a truck, a transport vehicle, or a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: 500 Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Paolo M. B. Tiramani
  • Patent number: 10654528
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle has a framework reconstructed from a vehicle chassis that is original manufacturing equipment. The vehicle includes an internal support structure comprising a central support section between a forward support section and a rearward support section. The central support section is closer to ground that the forward and rearward support sections. A front wheel assembly near the front of the vehicle extends across and is supported by the forward support section, and a rear wheel assembly near the rear of the vehicle extends across and is supported by the rearward support section. A passenger compartment framework is elevated above the central support structure, and a baggage compartment framework is beneath the passenger compartment framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Edward P Grech
  • Patent number: 10640067
    Abstract: A vehicular impact-absorbing member may include a wood member having a first pair of opposite surfaces perpendicular to an axis direction of annual rings thereof and a second pair of opposite surfaces parallel to the axis direction of the annual rings thereof, a pair of restraint members respectively positioned on the second pair of opposite surfaces of the wood member, and connecting members connecting the pair of restraint members to each other with the wood member sandwiched between the pair of restraint members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihisa Miura, Junichi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 10618570
    Abstract: In a lower vehicle-body structure of an automotive vehicle which comprises a third tunnel reinforcement provided at a lower-face side of a floor tunnel and a first seat-attaching bracket connecting the floor tunnel and a floor panel, the third tunnel reinforcement comprises a front-side contact portion, a middle contact portion, and a rear-side contact portion which respectively contact the floor tunnel, and a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion which respectively protrude in a direction leaving from a lower face of the floor tunnel, which are formed integrally. Further, a flange portion of the first seat-attaching bracket is connected to the front-side contact portion, the middle contact portion, and the rear-side contact portion of the third tunnel reinforcement through the floor tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10604192
    Abstract: A vehicle frame may comprise a plurality of interlocking tab and slot frame members forming a three-dimensional structure. A custom vehicle frame construction may be specified, designed and built based on a purchaser's selection. The three-dimensional structure may comprise a tab and slot panel to which additional tab and slot frame members are attached. The tab and slot frame members may have an attachment device disposed thereon for attachment of a vehicle component selected by the purchaser of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Stephen R. Hall
  • Patent number: 10597091
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle front body structure including a side sill that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction and is located behind a position where a front wheel is disposed and a torque box extending from a front end of the side sill toward an inside in a vehicle width direction. In the vehicle front body structure, the torque box includes an upper surface portion disposed at a substantially same height as an upper surface of the side sill and a lower surface portion disposed at a substantially same height as a lower surface of the side sill. A reinforcing member is provided in an internal space surrounded by the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the torque box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakamura, Keizo Kawasaki, Kazuki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10507871
    Abstract: A vehicle rear portion structure includes a rear pillar, a framework member, a barrier wall and a side panel. The rear pillar extends in the vehicle vertical direction. The framework member is joined to an upper portion of the rear pillar and extends in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. The barrier wall is at the vehicle inner side of the rear pillar, and is joined to the rear pillar and the framework member to be watertight. The barrier wall divides the vehicle inner side from the vehicle outer side thereof. The side panel is provided at the vehicle outer side of the rear pillar, the framework member and the barrier wall. The side panel structures a design surface of a vehicle side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10479413
    Abstract: A sill assembly for a vehicle includes an energy-absorbing region and a force-spreading region. The energy-absorbing region is elongated in a fore-aft direction and includes an inboard subregion and an outboard subregion. The outboard subregion is arranged outboard of and proximate to the inboard subregion. The force-spreading region is elongated in the fore-aft direction and is arranged outboard of and proximate to the energy-absorbing region and spreads force from outboard loading to the energy-absorbing region. Along the fore-aft direction, the force-spreading region has greater inboard compressive strength than the outboard subregion, and the outboard subregion has greater compressive strength than the inboard subregion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew I. Woods, Dustin L. Dequine, Jeffrey M. Riepling
  • Patent number: 10464612
    Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Patent number: 10457330
    Abstract: An electrically powered motor vehicle for transport of goods, of the minivan type, includes a main frame, a front axle assembly and a rear axle assembly. The main frame includes a front frame subassembly, a floor-panel subassembly, a rear frame subassembly, and a top frame subassembly. Each of these frame subassemblies includes a lattice structure including box-section elements made of steel, preferably high-strength steel. Each of the frame subassemblies is prearranged for being preassembled separately and subsequently assembled together with the other subassemblies so as to constitute the main frame. The structure is such as to afford high flexibility of production, and presents at the same time considerable safety characteristics, thanks to a high capacity of absorption of impact energy. The motor vehicle is equipped with a transporting body having a hollow-walled body made of plastic material, filled with foamed plastic material, preferably obtained with the rotational-molding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: Interactive Fully Electrical Vehicles S.R.L., Poli-Model S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pietro Perlo, Pietro Guerrieri
  • Patent number: 10442467
    Abstract: A central part structure for a vehicle includes: a roof side rail formed in a tubular shape; and a first reinforcing member accommodated in the roof side rail at a position where a roof reinforcement and the roof side rail overlap with each other, wherein the first reinforcing member includes a main reinforcement wall portion extending along the roof side rail, and a traverse portion provided so as to cross the roof side rail, the traverse portion being placed at a position where the traverse portion can receive a side collision load applied via an upper part of a center pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sato, Hiroshi Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 10427723
    Abstract: A vehicle body is disclosed. The vehicle body includes a lateral sill panel device made of fiber-reinforced plastic, which is formed as a hollow profile with an external wall element as an impact face, and a floorpan structure including a transverse seat support made of fiber-reinforced plastic, which extends in the Y-direction of the vehicle body substantially to the external wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lennart Keuthage, Robert Loch
  • Patent number: 10408578
    Abstract: An armored cab comprises a top wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall, the cab having a longitudinal axis. The bottom wall comprises a generally centrally disposed downwardly facing smooth concave wall portion extending substantially an entire length of the cab and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cab and forming a power train tunnel of the cab, and a pair of opposite laterally disposed wall portions extending substantially the entire length of the cab and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cab, each of the opposite laterally disposed wall portions extending downwardly and laterally inwardly and terminating in a lowermost portion of the bottom wall on either lateral side of the concave wall portion. The concave wall portion and the opposite laterally disposed wall portions are configured so as to present a substantially reduced surface area of the lowermost portions of the bottom wall in a downwardly facing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LP
    Inventors: Matthew R. Harmon, Thomas Matthew Berning, Sean Emmett Carey, Suresh Devu, Kevin M. Klatte, Marc R. Lappin, Michael D. Reynolds, Jr., Rabih E. Tannous, Robert J. Wittman
  • Patent number: 10322752
    Abstract: A plurality of metallic bulkheads fixed at predetermined intervals inside a side sill includes a partition wall portion partitioning an inner space of the side sill and a bonding flange portion formed to surround an outer periphery of the partition wall portion and bonded to an inner surface of the side sill and has an I-shaped cross-section. The partition wall portion of one bulkhead fixed to an upper curved portion is disposed to be substantially parallel to a radial direction passing through a curved center of the upper curved portion such that the partition wall portion is propped to prevent the upper curved portion from being crushed when a collision load in a front and rear direction is input to a pillar portion of the side sill to prevent the collapse deformation of the pillar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Ayuzawa
  • Patent number: 10308286
    Abstract: A rocker assembly for a vehicle comprising a rocker panel and a side sill that enclose an injection molded reinforcement. The reinforcement includes a plurality of intersecting fins that may be provided in horizontal and vertical planes. An intermediate wall formed by frames within four sided cells that define windows. The rocker assembly may include two different types of reinforcements, one with intersecting fins, or walls, extending laterally and one formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Herbert Yang, Praveenmanickam Renganathan, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, John Michael McGuckin, Shawn Michael Morgans
  • Patent number: 10300959
    Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure includes a rear bulkhead that partitions a vehicle interior and a rear trunk and a damper base that is joined to the rear bulkhead through a wheel house. The damper base is joined to the wheel house, and thus a damper supporting portion is formed in a bag shape. The damper supporting portion is coupled to a rear frame through the rear bulkhead and is coupled to the rear frame through a house rear corner ridge. The house rear corner ridge and the rear bulkhead are formed in an inverted V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihisa Kudoh, Kohei Narita
  • Patent number: 10293859
    Abstract: In a structure which comprises a hinge pillar at a side face portion of a vehicle, a front pillar connected to the hinge pillar, an apron member extending forward from a joint portion of the hinge pillar to the front pillar, and a hinge pillar reinforcement provided at the joint portion of the hinge pillar to the front pillar, a reinforcing member which connects a side face portion and an upper face portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement is provided, and a bead portion which interconnects the upper face portion and the side face portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement in a brace shape is provided and the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kiyoshita, Toshiharu Ikeda, Ken Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10259300
    Abstract: A tailgate support is arranged in a sealing channel between an inner panel of the lid bodyshell and a lateral covering of the rear lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anika Stahl, Marco Schmidt, Andreas Koenig, Steffen Buchwald, Matthias Pfaeffle
  • Patent number: 10239564
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include a front side member formed to extend along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and respectively disposed on both sides along a width direction of the vehicle; a side sill member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and disposed on both sides outside of the front side member along the width direction of the vehicle; and a reinforcing member formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and having one end portion and the other end portion, respectively coupled to the front side member and the side sill member to connect the front side member and the side sill member, increasing a structural strength to effectively respond to a front collision accident and a front small overlap collision accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ildo Kim
  • Patent number: 10183704
    Abstract: A vehicle body has a side sill, which has an upper wall and a lower wall, and a floor plate. The side sill and the floor plate are connected to each other. The side sill has a hollow profile, and the floor plate is designed such as to overlap the upper wall and/or the lower wall of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jyrki Majamaeki
  • Patent number: 10173255
    Abstract: A metal extrusion and nodes based structure is provided. The structure comprises one or more arc members connected by one or more node members, wherein the arc comprises (i) a wing feature which is configured to mate with one or more non-structural components, (ii) an internal passage feature which is configured to be inserted into a connecting feature of the corresponding node member, and (iii) one or more keying features formed from a mating interface with the corresponding node member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Broc William TenHouten, Eahab Nagi El Naga, Richard Winston Hoyle, Kevin Robert Czinger
  • Patent number: 10160493
    Abstract: A vehicle framework structure includes a tunnel, a pair of rockers, a dash cross-member, a front side member rear and a floor reinforcement. The tunnel is disposed at a vehicle width direction central portion of a floor panel of a vehicle. The rockers are disposed at each vehicle width direction outer sides of the floor panel. The dash cross-member connects front portions of the rockers with the tunnel. A front side member is disposed at the vehicle front-and-rear direction front side of the floor panel. The front side member rear is provided under the floor panel at the vehicle front-and-rear direction rear side of the front side member. A vehicle front-and-rear direction front portion of the floor reinforcement is disposed between the dash cross-member and the floor panel, and the floor reinforcement is joined to the floor panel and to the front side member rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hyuga Atsumi, Kenichiro Yoshimoto, Junichi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 10137935
    Abstract: A support for a motor vehicle body-in-white includes a straight longitudinal portion that includes at least one cavity which is delimited by walls of the support and inside of which a reinforcing element is accommodated and is fastened in the longitudinal direction of the support. The reinforcing element is force-locked to the support so as to be fastened in the longitudinal direction of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andre Koch, Stefan Mieslinger
  • Patent number: 10112650
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a main frame part including a side sill extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle frame assembly. The side sill has a C-shaped cross-section with a top and bottom walls, an inboard sidewall interconnecting the top and bottom walls, and an open outboard sidewall. A rear frame part is secured to the main frame part and includes a rear frame member extending in the longitudinal direction. The rear frame member has a U-shaped cross-section with an inboard and outboard sidewalls, a bottom wall interconnecting the inboard and outboard sidewalls, and an open top wall. The inboard sidewall at a rearward end portion of the side sill includes a section bulging away from the open outboard sidewall in a lateral direction of the vehicle frame assembly, and the inboard sidewall of the rear frame member is secured to the bulging section of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil D. Salmons, Robb L. Augustine
  • Patent number: 10112231
    Abstract: A cast part includes a metallic functional region. The functional region extends in a first direction from a first side to a second side of the cast part. The cast part has a surrounding region at least partially surrounding the functional region. The functional region is shaped by a friction-based process. Further disclosed is a piece of equipment, such as an electrical machine which includes a further component and a device for securing the further component against twisting. The device has a connection between the functional region of the cast part and the further component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Handwerker, Jean Pierre Bergmann, René Schürer, Markus Johannes, Maximilian Sünnemann
  • Patent number: 10086873
    Abstract: A motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. That motor vehicle sub-frame includes a front cross member, a rear cross member and first and second side rails connected to the front and rear cross members at each side of the sub-frame. The side rails both include a first component having a first extrusion axis and a second component having a second extrusion axis. The first and second components are joined together so that the two components effectively form an at least partially closed or boxed construction providing enhanced bending and torsion resistances while minimizing component weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, David Anthony Wagner, Gerald J. Heath, Michael M. Azzouz, Tsung-Hsiun Li
  • Patent number: 10011160
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a right pillar, a left pillar, a high voltage equipment-accommodation portion, a high voltage equipment, and a high voltage equipment-protection cover. The right pillar is provided at a right end part. The left pillar is provided at a left end part. The high voltage equipment-accommodation portion is provided between the pillars. The high voltage equipment is provided in the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion and has a front face. The high voltage equipment-protection cover covers the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion to cover the front face. The high voltage equipment-protection cover includes a right extension portion and a left extension portion. Each of the extension portions has a groove portion or a bent portion. Each of the extension portions is bent toward front at the groove portion or the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Mitani, Koichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9969440
    Abstract: A joining structure of vehicle framework members includes: a first vehicle framework member formed by a lightweight metal material having a rectangular closed cross section shape in a sectional view orthogonal to an extension direction of the first vehicle framework member; a second vehicle framework member formed by a lightweight metal material having a hat shape in the sectional view orthogonal to the extension direction, the second vehicle framework member covering the first vehicle framework member; an offset flange portion that is a portion of a flange portion formed at an end portion at the opening side of the second vehicle framework member, and that protrudes to an opposite side of the flange portion from the opening side; and a protrusion portion that protrudes from an end portion of the offset flange portion at the opening side, and that is joined to the first vehicle framework member by heat-welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9889811
    Abstract: A foldable roll-over protection structure is provided for use on a vehicle movable in a generally fore-and-aft direction. The foldable roll-over protection structure includes a frame comprising a base section and an upper section. The base section is connectable to the vehicle. The upper section is swingable relative to the base section between a forward position in which the upper section projects forwardly from the base section, a rearward position in which the upper section projects rearwardly from the base section, and an upright position positioned between the forward and rearward positions. A hinge assembly swingably interconnects the sections of the frame. The hinge assembly is configured to releasably secure the upper section in each of the positions of the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Full Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Schlup, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9878743
    Abstract: A front vehicle body comprises a front frame, an apron reinforcement, and a suspension housing. The suspension housing comprises first and second open cross-sections extending in a vehicle width direction and interconnecting the front frame and the apron reinforcement. The suspension housing includes first joint portions which are joined to an outer face of the front frame and second joint portions which are joined to an inner face of the front frame. The first joint portions and the second joint portions are arranged on an end portion of the suspension housing which is positioned on a front-frame side such that they are alternately aligned in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Maruyama, Hidenori Matsuoka, Shigeaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9868476
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a non-metallic member, metallic disk, and metallic member. The metallic disk is rigidly affixed to the non-metallic member such that a periphery of the disk is encompassed by the non-metallic member while an outer surface of the disk remains exposed. The metallic member is secured to the non-metallic member by a spot weld extending from the metallic member, through the outer surface, and into the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Daniel Pastrick
  • Patent number: 9855972
    Abstract: A vehicle roof support structure including a pair of reinforcing truss members. The roof support structure includes a header, a roof bow, right and left roof rails, and a center roof support. The trusses form triangular reinforcing structures on the driver-side and passenger-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Muhsin M. Hamdoon, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Viktor Kostrominov, Darrin Neil Wagner, Edgar Edward Donabedian
  • Patent number: 9834257
    Abstract: A subframe structure for a front of the vehicle includes a front subframe made of steel and a rear subframe made of a light metal. The front subframe comprises left and right side members extending in approximately parallel with each other and including flange sections, the rear subframe comprises left and right rear side sections including flange sections, and a rear cross section connecting the left and right rear side sections. The left and right rear side sections are stacked on the left and right side members, and the flange section are joined together so as to define left and right closed sections, therebetween, and the left and right side members are further fastened to the left and right rear side sections by bolts extending through the left and right closed sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9838409
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network analyzes data indicative of a behavior of a network using a supervised anomaly detection model. The device determines whether the supervised anomaly detection model detected an anomaly in the network from the analyzed data. The device trains an unsupervised anomaly detection model, based on a determination that no anomalies were detected by the supervised anomaly detection model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabien Flacher, Grégory Mermoud, Jean-Philippe Vasseur, Sukrit Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 9815145
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly has a first frame member defining a first frame member axis and a slot and having a first frame member connection portion adjacent the slot. A second frame member defining a second frame member axis has a projection and a second frame member connection portion adjacent thereto. The projection is received in the slot. The first frame member connection portion is connected to the second frame member connection portion to form a connection region in which the second frame member axis is disposed at a non-zero angle to the first frame member axis in the connection region. The method of assembling the frame includes inserting the projection into the slot, contacting the connection portions to each other to form the connection region with the members being positioned for connection with their axes disposed at a non-zero angle to each other, and connecting the connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Bruno Larocque, Simon Filion, Pascal Jacques, Jean Guillemette, David Brouillette, David Rousseau
  • Patent number: 9764777
    Abstract: A different materials joint structure includes: an iron member; an aluminum member disposed on the iron member and integrally joined with the iron member; and a sealant disposed between the iron member and the aluminum member. The aluminum member includes a lateral edge section projecting outwardly from the iron member and extending downwardly, the lateral edge section and a surface of a lateral end of the iron member define a concave section therebetween, and the sealant protruding outwardly from a position between lateral sections of the iron member and the aluminum member is held in the concave section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9738324
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a support structure for use with a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame to which the support structure is attached. The support structure can include an elongated pillar defining a hollow portion extending therethrough. The elongated pillar can also define at least two rectangular channels approximately rectangular in cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar. The elongated pillar can also define one other channel having a non-parallelogram cross-section extending through the hollow portion along a direction of elongation of the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fabian J. Vigil, Kurtis Ray Horner, Edward Bach, Hirokazu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9630658
    Abstract: A vehicular subframe structure comprises a light alloy member including a left side section and a right side section each extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and a cross section extending in a width direction of the vehicle, and a steel plate member including a left thinned plate section and a right thinned plate section each extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. When the light alloy member is stacked on the steel plate member they are joined together by friction stir welding from a side of the light alloy member, thereby forming a closed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9592856
    Abstract: There are provided a pair of roof rails, a roof panel, a front header, a pair of front pillars, and a pair of center pillars, and a pair of front inclination roof reinforcements provided at a lower face of the roof panel. Each of the front inclination roof reinforcements is configured to extend obliquely from its front portion which is joined to the front header to its rear portion which is positioned on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, relative to the front portion and joined to a portion located in the vicinity of a joint portion of the center pillar and the roof rail. Thereby, the torsional rigidity of a vehicle body can be properly improved, so that the maneuverability/stability of a vehicle can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakamura, Keizo Kawasaki, Kenichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9573625
    Abstract: A structure of a front side member of a vehicle includes a front side member body mounted to a lower right side and a lower left side of the vehicle and extending along a length direction of the vehicle. The front side member includes a variable thickness part formed along the length of the vehicle and having a thickness that varies along the height of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 9540052
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame assembly supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members, and a powertrain assembly. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a body generally surrounding the frame assembly and including a hood, dashboard assembly, and a side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Burt, II, Brent C. Eaton, Michael C. Bohnsack, Andrew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9527530
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle body structure, including: a pair of side members disposed under a vehicle cabin where front seats and a rear seat are disposed on both sides in a vehicle width direction and extending along a vehicle front-rear direction; a front seat cross member provided so as to extend along the vehicle width direction on a lower side of the front seats and coupling together the side members; a rear seat cross member provided so as to extend along the vehicle width direction on a lower side of the rear seat and coupling together the side members on a rear side of the front seat cross member; and coupling members provided so as to extend along the vehicle front-rear direction further on an inner side in the vehicle width direction than the side members and coupling together the front seat cross member and the rear seat cross member, wherein the front seat cross member and the rear seat cross member have a branch structure, with portions thereof on both end sides in the vehicle width direc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taichi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9415810
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a vehicle roof structure which includes a cast node including a pillar portion for receiving a pillar and a roof-rail portion for receiving a roof rail, the roof-rail portion having first and second ends, which may have a closed first cross-section and a closed second cross-section, respectively. The closed first cross-section may be different from the closed second cross-section such that the first and second ends are to receive two individual roof rails of different dimensions. The closed first cross-section may be larger in opening dimension than the closed second cross-section, when the first end is positioned closer to a front of the vehicle than the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Mei Li, Yijung Chen
  • Patent number: 9394005
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for deflecting a vehicle wheel away from a foot well to reduce the chances for intrusion into the foot well during certain collisions, such as foot well intruding impact events. In some embodiments, the system may comprise an expandable structure comprising a rigid material. The expandable structure may be configured to be positioned in a wheel well of a vehicle and may be configured to actuate from a first, contracted configuration to a second, expanded configuration, and to deflect a vehicle wheel away from a foot well of the vehicle during an impact event to reduce the chances of the vehicle wheel entering the foot well during the impact event. The system may further comprise an inflator configured to deliver a fluid to the expandable structure during actuation so as to expand the expandable structure from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Mark L. Enders
  • Patent number: 9321486
    Abstract: An understructure for a motor vehicle includes two side members and multiple cross members fastened to the side members in each case via adapters. The adapters each include two identical shells which are each connected at the face end to a cross member and side member and to one another alongside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske