Front Patents (Class 296/203.02)
-
Patent number: 8186750Abstract: An automobile that includes: a lower crossbar including longitudinal arms connected by links to vehicle side rails located above the arms; a technical front surface defining a plate, the plate including an inner face and an outer face and being adapted to be attached to a structural member of the vehicle; a shield convergent element including two absorption members capable of absorbing by deformation thereof the energy of a shock to the vehicle; each longitudinal arm of the crossbar being attached by a first fastener to the inner surface of the plate; and each absorption member being attached by a second fastener to the outer face of the plate so that the two absorption members are capable of deformation along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle upon a shock; the inner surface including ribs.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Hicham Challal, Mickael Flandin
-
Patent number: 8177291Abstract: A longitudinal beam, which is provided for a chassis of a motor vehicle, has a curved section of a tubular member part horizontal reinforcement element. The reinforcement element is directly associated with the highest body of a lower horizontal limb of the tubular member part and is connected to an upper horizontal limb of the tubular member part. This draws the curved section in a crash of the vehicle a high degree of stability.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Bernd Gosolits, Radu-Mihail Visinescu
-
Patent number: 8167361Abstract: A motor vehicle front face (1) can be fixed rigidly to the front ends (2) of the main longitudinal members (14) of the motor vehicle. The front face (1) includes: at least one cross member (8), at least one lock (76) for fastening the bonnet of the motor vehicle, the or each lock (76) being rigidly fixed to the cross member (8). The cross member (8) is vertically located substantially level with the front ends (2) of the main longitudinal members (4).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Faurecia Bloc AvantInventors: Caroline Riviere, Didier Bierjon
-
Patent number: 8167068Abstract: The motor vehicle front-end panel includes a structure (2) to be fixed to body elements (4, 5) of the vehicle, a cassette (6) and at least one cooling element (8) for cooling the engine which is connected to the cassette (6) and chosen from a radiator or a condenser, the structure (2) including: —an upper transverse crossmember (10), —a U-shaped element (12) fixed beneath the upper crossmember (10) and including a lower transverse beam (22) and two side struts (24) connecting the lower beam (22) to the upper crossmember (10), the U-shaped element (12) and the upper crossmember (10) forming a frame (27) to which the cassette (6) is attached. The cassette (6) is attached to the frame (27) by fitting the frame (27) around the cassette (6).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Faurecia Bloc AvantInventor: Caroline Riviere
-
Patent number: 8162334Abstract: A reinforcement device for a vehicle is formed in a slender shape and comprises a medial region with a hydraulic damper. The damper generates a damping force against deformation in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is defined as a lateral direction of the associated vehicle body. The reinforcement device is removably mounted at both ends to a frame of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiro Kondou, Masahiro Satou
-
Patent number: 8152224Abstract: A structure for transferring energy during an automotive front end impact includes an upper load path structure having a first shotgun rail a second shotgun rail and an upper radiator bar extending therebetween, a lower load path structure having a first side rail a second side rail and a lower support member extending therebetween. During an impact, the upper radiator bar is configured to transfer energy to the first and second shotgun rails, and the lower support member is configured to transfer energy to the first and second side rails during an impact.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Omar Faruque, Ari Garo Caliskan, Michael M Azzouz, Edgar Edward Donabedian, Thierry Guimberteau, David Anthony Wagner
-
Publication number: 20120074734Abstract: When a load caused by a collision is transmitted from the front side of a vehicle, tire cutout portions of front side members are deformed by the load transmitted from the front side of the vehicle. Accordingly, the tire cutout portions of the front side members come into contact with a power unit formed of an engine or the like of the vehicle, switch a transmission path of the load to a direction corresponding to the power unit of the vehicle, and transmit the load to the power unit as a load. The tire cutout portion is formed between two engine mounts. Accordingly, a starting point from which the front side member begins to be deformed is set between the engine mounts that are two supported portions of the power unit, so that the stable bending and deformation of the front side member are controlled. Further, a transmission path of a load toward the power unit is newly formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Yoshida
-
Patent number: 8128160Abstract: A tower bar construction for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The tower bar construction includes a member extending from strut tower to strut tower. This component resists relative movement between strut towers. The construction also includes two continuous sections from each strut tower to an upper panel. These sections resist relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel. The tower bar construction includes a central reinforcing portion welded to an upper panel that resists torsion exerted on the section created by relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Anthony Leanza, Christos Agouridis, Jr., Takashi Nakano
-
Patent number: 8128159Abstract: The present disclosure provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, Russell Long
-
Publication number: 20120043786Abstract: An automobile including a front cross-member, an attachment element arranged at the rear of the cross-member, a bonnet that closes off an engine compartment and including one free edge, and a front bumper mounted in front of the front cross-member and including a central portion that extends as far as the bonnet and includes a tab for attaching to the attachment element. The attachment tab includes a frangible area, located to the front of the attachment area and capable of breaking, and the frangible area is arranged next to an empty space formed in the compartment, with a view to having the central portion of the bumper bend into the empty space when the frangible area breaks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.Inventors: Hicham Challal, Olivier Veuillot
-
Patent number: 8118353Abstract: A front panel mounting structure 1 is formed of a front body 2 including two pins each having a locking portion and a clip member, and a front panel 30 including two fasteners each having an engaging portion and a flange portion. In a mounted state where the front panel 30 occludes an opening 3, the clip member engages with the flange portion while the pins respectively engage with the fasteners. In the mounted state, the locking portions engage with the engaging portions to restrict movement of the front panel 30 downward and in the vehicle-width direction. Moreover, the clip member sandwiches the flange portion in a longitudinal direction to restrict movement of the front panel 30 in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Hirokazu Tomimatsu
-
Patent number: 8118351Abstract: Such a distribution of the ribs 52 makes it possible to determine the behavior of the bumper under impact. In particular, the behavior of the bumper 4 varies depending on the point of impact on said bumper 4 upon collision. The bumper 4 according to the invention makes it possible to satisfy pedestrian impact standards, which are becoming ever more stringent. In particular, in the case of a pedestrian impact, provision must be made for deceleration of the pedestrian's knee, irrespective of the point of impact of the knee.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Faurecia Bloc AvantInventors: Vincent Gonin, Julien Dufee, Laurent Droz-Bartholet
-
Patent number: 8118349Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure having a front side frame including a compressive load bearing frame member extending longitudinally of a vehicle body, and a bending load bearing frame member branched from a longitudinally central portion of the compressive load bearing frame member and curved inwardly toward a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body as extending rearwardly of the vehicle body. The compressive load bearing frame member has a rear end portion curved inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, and reinforcement beads formed on a sidewall of the rear end portion of the compressive load bearing frame member.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Kihara, Shigeto Yasuhara, Shinichi Yoshikawa
-
Patent number: 8109535Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides for a light truck including a frame with opposing longitudinal frame rails running along each side of the vehicle. The frame rails include at least a leading portion with vertical placement lowered and selected to substantially align with a passenger car energy management structure. In this embodiment, the vertical placement of the leading portion of the light truck frame rails is selected to direct impact energy to a passenger car longitudinal energy management structure, improving vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a front longitudinal impact with a passenger car. The present invention also provides embodiments which increase the impact energy absorption capacity of a light truck by providing geometric softening of the frame rails and material softening of the frame rails.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Saeed D Barbat, James C Cheng, Raj Jayachandran, Senthilkumar Mahadevan
-
Patent number: 8104827Abstract: The present invention is a component for providing alignment between at least two external components. The present invention is a bracket member having at least two attachment structures, and at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures, and the at least two attachment structures provide adjustable positioning between the at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures such that the position off the at least two externally visible components can be adjusted relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Michael Crane, Tom Cobb, Thomas M. Pilette
-
Patent number: 8096611Abstract: A vehicle front-part structure comprises a radiator support upper (5) which extends in a vehicle width direction in a vehicle front, a cowl (9) which is coupled to an apron upper member (2) provided on a side in the vehicle width direction and extending in a vehicle lengthwise direction, and which is located to rearward of the vehicle (1) further than the radiator support upper, and a hood framework (21) which constitutes a part of the hood inner panel (17). The hood framework extends in the vehicle lengthwise direction, the hood framework is disposed between the radiator support upper and the cowl such that at least a part of a front end-face (21a) faces the radiator support upper and at least a part of a rear end-face (21b) faces the cowl.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroto Maruyama, Kazuhiro Seki
-
Publication number: 20120007373Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a front end frame assembly extending laterally across the vehicle and disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle, and a bumper beam extending laterally across the vehicle and spaced apart longitudinally forward of the front end frame assembly. A first set of spaced apart inner attachment structures connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. A second set of spaced apart outer attachment structures also connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. The second set of outer attachment structures is spaced apart from and flanks the first set of inner attachment structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Jamison Weirup
-
Patent number: 8079638Abstract: Provided is a front structure of a vehicle 1, and the front structure includes a pair of side members 30, a first cross member 10, a bumper 60, upper protruding-plate portions 41, lower protruding-plate portions 42, and a bracket 70. Each of the side members 30 includes an upper plate 31, a lower plate 32, and a vertical plate 33, the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 arranged to vertically face each other, the vertical plate 33 connecting the upper and lower plates 31 and 32. The first cross member 10 connects front-end portions 35 respectively of the side members 30. Each of the upper protruding-plate portions 41 extends frontwards integrally from the corresponding upper plate 31. Each of the lower protruding-plate portions 42 extends frontwards integrally from the corresponding lower plate 32 so as to face the corresponding upper protruding-plate portion 41.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Noriyuki Miura, Tatsuji Ooeda
-
Patent number: 8070335Abstract: The invention relates to a fixture for a headlight unit, comprising fastening means (105) for attaching the fixture to a support part (102) of a front unit of a motor vehicle, a reception zone (106) for the headlight unit, and first and second spaced-apart elastic means (112, 114) between the fastening means and the reception zone. The reception zone extends between the first and second elastic means which are embodied such that the reception zone for the headlight unit can be translationally moved substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in order to mount the fixture into a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbHInventors: Harald Becher, Pascal Joly-Pottuz
-
Patent number: 8056964Abstract: A front body for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a bumper carrier and a hood lock carrier that are solidly connected to one another. An energy absorber structure that is supported on the bumper carrier on one side and on the whole block carrier on the other side features ribs that extend between the lock carrier and the bumper carrier and are essentially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Joachim Schäfer
-
Publication number: 20110272971Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle body includes left and right front side frames, a dashboard lower panel, and left and right floor frame. The dashboard lower panel has a rear surface with a cross member provided thereon, and a lower part inclined downwardly rearwardly of the vehicle body. Front end of each of the left and right floor frames extends forwardly upwardly along the lower part of the dashboard lower panel and is joined by an adapter to a rear end of a respective one of the left and right front side frames. The adapter is joined to the cross member with the dashboard lower panel sandwiched therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Makoto Kihara, Shigeto Yasuhara
-
Publication number: 20110241385Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle frame with direction-specific deformation. The frame includes a rail with bended hinge(s) configured to deform the frame in a lateral direction in response to a longitudinal impact force and methods of manufacturing the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier, Jamel E. Belwafa, Michael M. Azzouz
-
Patent number: 8029050Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a structural member that is disposed forward of a cabin of a vehicle and that extends in a width direction of a vehicle; a front pillar that extends in a height direction of the vehicle; a pillar brace having a cabin-side end portion in the vehicle width direction that is coupled to the structural member, and an outer-side end portion in the vehicle width direction that is coupled to a cabin-side surface of the front pillar; and reinforcement means for heightening at least a strength of the cabin-side surface and a front surface of the front pillar, the reinforcement means being provided at a height at which the front pillar and the pillar brace are connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Tamakoshi
-
Patent number: 8029046Abstract: Dashboard panel, partitioning between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, includes a reinforcing frame structure or connection member that extends, through the interior space of the dashboard panel, to linearly interconnect a horizontal rear end portion of each of left and right front side frames and a front end portion of a corresponding one of left and right side sills.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Yamada
-
Patent number: 8020924Abstract: Some embodiments comprise an integrated reinforcing crossmember having a carrier with an expansible material adhered to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the carrier. The carrier is comprised of a center section and two end sections, each section comprised of external lateral walls and internal ribs joined by cross walls and horizontal connecting walls. The crossmember is inserted into a cavity of a corresponding structural member, and the expansible material is activated and expands, securing the crossmember in place within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Sika Technology AGInventors: Michael C. Niezur, Taylor S. Robertson
-
Publication number: 20110215616Abstract: A forward structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a drive unit and a radiator arrangement for releasing the heat of the drive unit into the environment. The radiator arrangement encompasses at least two cooling unit, which are spatially separated from one another and which are arranged so as to overlap at least area by area in cross direction of the motor vehicle. An imaginary connecting line between the cooling units crosses at least one component of the drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dino DEMMA, Frank LEOPOLD
-
Patent number: 8007035Abstract: A structure of a vehicle body is provided with an upper radiator support disposed in an upper front area of an engine compartment and an upper member supported by the upper radiator support. The upper member is disposed between the upper radiator support and a front portion of a hood covering the upper portion of the engine compartment. The upper member is provided with a main body portion extending along a lateral direction of a vehicle at an upper portion of the upper radiator support, a leg portion extending downwardly from each lateral end of the main body portion, and a hood lock disposed between the leg portions. Lower ends of the leg portions are coupled to the upper radiator support.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kou Jyo, Koji Yasuda
-
Patent number: 8002335Abstract: A vehicle cowl structure is provided. A cowl part is disposed between a lower end of a front glass of a vehicle and a rear end of a front hood. The cowl part has a two-layer structure which has a metallic cowl panel having a design surface and a resinous cowl cover disposed below the metallic cowl panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Yoshitaka Usuda
-
Patent number: 8002338Abstract: Horizontally elongated member interconnects respective front end portions of a lower frame and a front side frame spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the vehicle body. Impact absorbing section is mounted on a substantially entire front surface of the horizontally elongated member, and a bumper beam is fixedly mounted to the front surface of the impact absorbing section. The impact absorbing section is a cylindrical member having a cross-sectional shape elongated in the width direction and having its outer side wall portion disposed generally on an imaginary extension line of an inner vertical wall portion of the lower frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Yuji Matsuura
-
Patent number: 8002337Abstract: A vehicle frame sub-assembly including a hinge pillar assembly and A-pillar assembly. A high strength hinge pillar reinforcement and A-pillar reinforcement are provided to increase the support in roof crush tests. Collision impact loads are transferred through an upper load path, lower load path, upper intermediate load path, and lower intermediate load path. A back-up rail receives loads from the front rail. The back-up rail transfers loads to the rocker and through a back-up rail extension to the hinge pillar assembly. An upper intermediate load path transfers loads from the upper rail through a fork rail to the hinge pillar assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohamed R Baccouche, Timothy Alan Mouch, Viktor Kostrominov
-
Publication number: 20110198889Abstract: A suspension cross member comprises a middle-portion attaching member which extends upwardly from a suspension cross member body, and a pipe-shaped attaching member which is supported at a support portion provided at an upper portion of the middle-portion attaching member. A side portion, in a vehicle width direction, a front portion and a rear portion, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, of a side face portion of the attaching member are supported at the support portion. A lower portion of the attaching member is supported at the support portion with a specified support rigidity, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which is lower than that of the supporting of the side portion, the front portion or the rear portion of the side face portion of the attaching member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroaki TAKESHITA, Takahiro OTANI, Masanobu FUKUSHIMA
-
Patent number: 7988224Abstract: A cowl cover assembly for a vehicle includes a first fender and a cowl cover having a first lateral end and a second lateral end. A first coupling structure disposed on the first lateral end of the cowl cover. The first coupling structure has a groove that is engageable with the first fender for rigidly connecting the cowl cover to the first fender.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Inventor: Vinod Desai
-
Publication number: 20110148151Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is disclosed, wherein a large engine can be installed even if the entire vehicle body length is kept compact, and an impact load can be efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle body front structure (10), internal and external extension members (41, 42) protruding forward are provided to the front ends of left and right front side frames (11, 12) and the front ends of left and right upper members (13, 14) via a mounting plate (35). In the mounting plate, internal mounting parts (51) and front walls (68) of the internal extension members are inclined farther toward the front of the vehicle body nearer the center of the vehicle width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryota Abe, Kojiro Okabe, Shinichi Yoshikawa
-
Publication number: 20110133518Abstract: A bearing structure arrangement of a motor vehicle body is provided with at least one bearing structure component extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is provided in the interior or dry area of the motor vehicle to form a single-piece connection between the vehicle front wall and a rear frame of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas WANKE, Udo MILDNER, Franz-Josef RINGEL
-
Patent number: 7938427Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer of the type designed to be towed with a towing vehicle having a vehicle hitch assembly includes a trailer body having an elevated front portion, and a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath the front portion. The front portion of the trailer body has a generally convex forward surface. The trailer further includes a trailer chassis supporting the trailer body. The trailer chassis includes a forward portion supporting the front portion of the trailer body. The forward portion of the trailer chassis has a pair of side frame beams that extend along the sides of the trailer chassis. The forward portion of the trailer chassis includes a curved forward edge beam that is joined to the forward ends of the pair of side frame beams. The curved forward edge beam generally matches the curve of the front portion of the trailer body and provides support for the trailer body.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc.Inventor: Barry Wade Ousley
-
Publication number: 20110094819Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a pair of right and left front wheels, at least a pair of right and left rear wheels, a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left first roof supports, a pair of right and left second roof supports, a pair of right and left roof members, a seat, a front panel, a front upper cover, a meter unit and a cover. The vehicle body frame supports the front wheels and the rear wheels. The first roof supports are provided at lateral sides of the vehicle body frame in a transverse direction of the vehicle, respectively. The second roof supports are provided at the lateral sides of the vehicle body frame in the transverse direction of the vehicle, respectively. The right roof member connects an upper portion of the right first roof support and an upper portion of the right second roof support, whereas the left roof member connects an upper portion of the left first roof support and an upper portion of the left second roof support.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Motoyuki HARA, Kouji YAMAMOTO
-
Patent number: 7926867Abstract: A lengthwise extended component contains of a support that possesses flow channels in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The support additionally possesses external surfaces that are offset to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis as well as a lateral external surface. These external surfaces are provided with a layer of a thermally expansible and curable composition. Reinforcing components of this type are suitable for stiffening and/or reinforcing hollow supports, such as the A-, B- or C-pillars, the roof edges or the rocker panels of vehicles, especially passenger cars.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: Henkel AG & Co., KGaA, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Kochert, Jochen Becker, Ralph Dalhaeuser, Andres Stiller, Alexander Straub, Thomas Hogger, Mark Riess, Josef Reindl, Juergen Kempf, Niklas Eberle, Robert Schalausky
-
Patent number: 7909391Abstract: This front-end panel (10) includes an upper transverse cross member (18) to be fixed to body elements (12) and a frame (20). The frame (20) is fixed beneath the cross member (18) and includes a lower transverse beam (50) and two side-struts (52) connecting the lower beam (50) to the cross member (18). Each strut (52) includes a lower portion (54) which is integral with the beam (50), and an upper portion (56) which is integral with the cross-member (18). The upper portion (56) and the lower portion (54) are mobile relative to one another between a disassembled configuration in which the upper portion (56) is arranged at a distance from the lower portion (54), and an assembled configuration in which the upper portion (56) and the lower portion (54) are fitted together.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Faurecia Bloc AvantInventor: Didier Bierjon
-
Patent number: 7900995Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes at least one side sill and at least one outrigger, the at least one side sill being connected to the at least one outrigger, wherein the at least one side sill is made of an extruded material and has a front end portion protruding vehicle frontward from a connecting portion between the at least one side sill and the at least one outrigger. In the vehicle body structure, the front end of the side sill is disposed frontward from a front end of a side sill in a conventional vehicle body structure and the front end of the side sill is formed to be a part for receiving a front wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Sato, Hideyuki Okada
-
Publication number: 20110037292Abstract: An automotive front support beam for use in an automotive front carrier, wherein the automotive front support beam comprises a top piece and a bottom piece, wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are fastened together and enclose a hollow space and wherein the top piece and the bottom piece are molded.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: Faurecia Interior SystemsInventors: Michael Owen, David I. Allott
-
Patent number: 7887123Abstract: A front side frame includes a bend portion which is operative to bend outward when an impact load acts on the front side frame from ahead. The bend portion is provided in a specified location such that the bend portion in a bending state substantially contacts a damper of the suspension from a vehicle front side. Accordingly, a rear end of the front side frame can be prevented properly from moving back when the impact load acts on the front side frame from ahead.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hiromasa Honji, Masaki Ueno, Sakayu Terada, Michinari Watanabe
-
Publication number: 20110025095Abstract: A motor vehicle front end and a method for producing a motor vehicle front end are provided in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The motor vehicle front end has a front wall and the front wall girder, the front wall girder essentially being situated in the direction of a vehicle transverse axis. In addition, the motor vehicle front end has a first front wall girder, the first front wall girder being situated essentially in the direction of a vehicle vertical axis. The first front wall girder is supported on the front wall crossbeam in a first area of the front wall crossbeam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Matthias HALLIK, Oliver SCHÜETZ, Stephan ROSENPLÄNTER, Stefan GLOGER
-
Publication number: 20110025098Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly of a mold (14) and a motor vehicle cross-member (12), the cross-member including a portion for overmolding (20) that is designed to be placed in the mold, a portion that is designed to be situated outside the mold, and at least one reception zone (22, 24) for receiving a wall portion of the mold (26, 28), the reception zone being interposed between said two portions of the cross-member. The wall portion of the mold and the reception zone are essentially complementary in shape and the cross-member presents, in the reception zone, at least one offset (34, 36) relative to a reference surface following the general outline of the cross-member. The invention also provides a motor vehicle front panel that forms an overmolded part made using the above-defined assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUMInventor: Fernando Ballesteros
-
Patent number: 7871123Abstract: An A-pillar joint configuration where the front end frame rail members are welded to the A-pillar eliminates the seals at the interface between the front end frame rail members and the A-pillars. The front flange of the A-pillar is also eliminated in the hydroformed configuration while the hydroformed frame rail members are formed with rearward ends that mate with the shape of A-pillar to positioned flattened ends against the exterior vertical side of the A-pillars for welding thereto. The resulting joint configuration eliminates the openings in the A-pillar for the passage of the front end frame rail members requiring seals to insulate the passenger compartment from engine and road noises.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dragan Stojkovic, Larry J. Dupuis
-
Patent number: 7862108Abstract: A vehicle lower body structure (1) including a vehicle compartment; a windshield pillar (3) that is provided at the side portion the vehicle and that extends in the vehicle-height direction; a rocker (4) that is connected, at the front end portion, to the lower end portion of the windshield pillar (3) and the extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a floor tunnel member (5) that is provided at the lateral center portion of the vehicle and that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a floor cross-member (6) that is connected to the rocker (4) and the floor tunnel member (5) and that extends in the vehicle-width direction; and a floor panel (7) that is connected to the windshield pillar (3), the rocker (4), the floor tunnel member (5), and the floor cross-member (6) and that forms the floor of the vehicle compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Tamakoshi
-
Patent number: 7854473Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a lower dashboard; an upper dashboard frontward extending from an upper end portion of the lower dashboard, both the lower and upper dashboards partially defining an engine compartment; damper housings disposed on a right side and a left side of the engine compartment, with right and left ends of the upper dashboard being joined to the respective damper housings; and a stiffener extending in a vehicle width direction which is fixed to an upper portion of the upper dashboard, wherein the stiffener is integrally formed of: a first transversal element connecting an upper portion of the right damper housing and an upper portion of the left damper housing; a second transversal element extending in the vehicle width direction and positioned rearward relative to the first transversal element; a plurality of longitudinal elements each connecting the first transversal element and the second transversal element.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideyuki Kuroita, Yoshinori Fukushi
-
Patent number: 7850227Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle front structure which can efficiently absorb collision energy regardless of collision modes. In at least one embodiment, a load transmission member arranged on inner side faces of a front corner part of a subframe has a male member attached to a front frame and a female member attached to a side frame. When a local load is fed to the front frame, the male and female members engage with each other, whereby the front frame is restrained from rotating in such a direction as to approach the side frame, while the fed collision load is transmitted to the side frame through the load transmission member. When a collision load is fed onto an axis of the side frame, the male and female members separate from each other to block the load transmission through the load transmission member.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Tamakoshi
-
Patent number: 7850228Abstract: In a vehicle front structure (10), a cross member (52) which is disposed above paired side members (12) includes vehicle width-direction both end portions extending toward a rear side of the vehicle. The cross member (52) is connected with vehicle front-side portions of the paired suspension towers (42) at edges of the extending portions. Therefore, when a vehicle has a frontal collision at high speed, a collision load applied to the cross member (52) can be effectively received by the paired suspension towers (42), and can be transmitted to the paired suspensions. Thus, the cross member (52) can effectively receive the collision load, and can efficiently transmit the collision load to the rear side of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Asai
-
Patent number: 7845716Abstract: A support frame is provided to extend upward and rearward from a portion of a front side frame near a suspension tower substantially straight and connect to an upper portion of a hinge pillar. Accordingly, there can be provided a front structure of an automotive vehicle that can properly restrain a forward deformation of a cabin by transmitting an impact load at a vehicle frontal crash to the hinge pillar efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Shinji Kiyotake, Takayuki Kimura, Masanobu Kobashi, Hidenori Matsuoka, Sakayu Terada
-
Patent number: 7845714Abstract: An assembly support with hybrid structure for front ends of passenger vehicles and light trucks includes an upper cross member (1), a lateral member (2) attached to it from below with a flange plate (3) for connection with the face ends of vehicle longitudinal members and a lower cross member (4) connecting the lower sections (2.1) of these lateral members (2). In order to reinforce the assembly support in the area of the lower cross member (4), the lower cross member (4) consists of a shell body (5) with a flange (5.1) running along its edge and projecting outward, and of a sealing part (6) whose edge area overlaps it. The shell body (5) and the sealing part (6) are made of a stiff material, whereby the flange (5.1) and edge areas (6.1) of the above-mentioned components are surrounded by injected plastic used for the hybrid structure, and are thus bound together with the lateral members (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: HBPO GmbHInventors: Andreas Fischer, Robert Raulf