Under Frame Patents (Class 296/204)
  • Patent number: 9139237
    Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes a cross member having a substantially constant cross section shape. A spacing member is disposed beneath the cross member for securing to a chassis frame. The spacing member is positioned relative to the cross member to define an enclosed cavity between the spacing member and the cross member. The floor structure also includes a first collar affixed within the enclosed cavity. A fastener extends through the spacing member and the cross member, and compresses the first collar when the floor structure is secured to the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Satish Ganti, John Edward Huber, Michael M. Azzouz, Srinath Vijayakumar
  • Patent number: 9102364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cross member assembly, in particular a floor cross member assembly and/or a footwell cross member assembly, on a vehicle body, having a cross member (4) which extends in the vehicle transverse direction and on which at least one longitudinal member (6), to which force may be applied, in particular in a crash situation, and which essentially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, is supported by force in a defined longitudinal member supporting area (13), the cross member assembly having at least one member component (9, 10, 11) which extends away from the cross member (4) diametrically opposed to the longitudinal member (6) to which force may be applied and/or which is connected in a member component connecting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thorben Bösche, Stefan Thiele
  • Patent number: 9085122
    Abstract: Extending portions of a front sub-frame are each formed by stacking two thin plates made of steel, and flange portions of the front sub-frame and flange portions of a rear sub-frame made of aluminum are superimposed on each other, and are friction stir welded, with a seal material applied to the superimposed surfaces. Of the two thin plates, the thin plate joined to the rear sub-frame made of aluminum has, at each end thereof, a bent portion and an extending part. The bent portion is formed by bending. The end of the extending part extends outward farther than the rear sub-frame. The extending part is covered by the seal material. The bent portion is disposed at a farther end of the extending part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9073578
    Abstract: A vehicle underbody structure capable of maintaining coupling between a brace and a floor frame against a load transmitted from the front side through the brace is provided, even without making a mechanical strength of a coupling portion between the brace and the floor frames particularly high. A brace is provided with a front-side coupling member and a rear-side coupling member, and the front-side coupling member and the rear-side coupling member are connected together by a load transmission section that is substantially M-shaped in plan view. The rear-side coupling member is connected to outside load transmission members of the load transmission section further to a left-right direction central side than a coupling portion of the rear-side coupling member to each floor frame. A load transmitted to the rear-side coupling member accordingly attempts to deform the rear-side coupling member about a rear end portion of the outside load transmission members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryosuke Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 9033406
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes: an opening that is formed in the rear surface; a rear panel assembly having a closed cross-sectional shape and being located at the lower edge of the opening and extending in the width direction of the vehicle; left and right rear wheel wells located in front of the rear panel assembly; and left and right gussets for panels, the gussets connecting the left and right rear wheel wells and the rear panel assembly. Each of the rear wheel wells forms a portion of each of the inner walls of the vehicle body side sections, and the rear wheel wells have support sections for supporting rear dampers for the left and right rear suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Tokumoto, Terukazu Ebisawa, Masato Wakai, Masaaki Tatsuwaki, Manabu Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20150108793
    Abstract: A cross member for an automotive chassis structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends along a longitudinal axis, and includes a generally U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second portion extends along the longitudinal axis, and includes a generally inverted U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first portion and the second portion are attached together to define a tubular structure that extends along the longitudinal axis, and defines a hollow interior region. The first portion and the second portion each include and are manufactured from a thermoplastic material reinforced with carbon fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: TEIJIN LIMITED, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Len V. Peschansky, Frank Burger, Joseph M. Madafferi, Yutaka Yagi
  • Patent number: 9010849
    Abstract: A front subframe structure for an automotive vehicle comprises: a pair of right and left side members each provided with an arm support member for supporting a suspension arm is mounted; a cross member disposed between the left and right side members to couple together respective locations in the side members at each of which the arm support member is provided; and an oblique member extending from central portion of the cross member, in each of right and left directions of the vehicle and obliquely rearwardly and outwardly in the vehicle width direction, wherein each of the side members has a rear end joined to a rear portion of a respective one of the oblique members, and wherein the rear portion of the oblique member is provided with a tunnel-lower-frame coupling portion couplable to a tunnel lower frame, and a floor frame attaching portion attachable to a floor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masanobu Kobashi, Manabu Yamamoto, Jun Inoue, Satoshi Obata
  • Patent number: 9010848
    Abstract: A diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcing arrangement on an undercarriage of a motor vehicle. The diagonal strut device (1) has a plurality of struts (2) made from a fibet-reinforced plastic composite material, which extend away from a central joint element (3). Each strut (2) can be connected to the undercarriage via it's end facing away from the central joint element (3). For this, a connecting joint element (4) is arranged on the end of each strut (2) facing away from the central joint element (3). The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are formed from a light metal material. The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are then connected to the struts (2) by an at least firmly bonded cast joint. Further, a method for the production of a diagonal strut device (1), as well as a motor vehicle undercarriage, which uses the diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Denis Andree, Konrad Eipper, Thomas Rudlaff, Asmir Salkic, Mirko Sretenovic
  • Patent number: 9004582
    Abstract: In a floor structure of a vehicle body center section, a floor side member is provided at lower portions of a main floor panel, a vertical wall is formed at a front side of a rear floor panel, a rear seat is installed on the rear floor panel, a rear seat leg extends downward along the vertical wall, a lower end portion of the rear seat leg is mounted to a portion of the rear floor panel, a rear seat leg reinforcement member that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction is disposed on each of upper portions at both left and right sides of the floor panels, a rear end portion of the reinforcement member is connected to the lower end portion of the rear seat leg, and a front end portion of the reinforcement member is connected to the main floor panel and the floor side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Jojiki, Yu Hashiba, Keisuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 8991905
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear floor structure characterized as follows is provided. The front end of a rear floor panel in a vehicle longitudinal direction includes a front wall extending between a pair of side sills. The front wall forms an arc whose central part in a vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor. The front wall lower end is joined to a rear end of a main floor panel. A cross member forms an arc whose central part in the vehicle width direction projects upward from the floor, and extends along the front wall with the central part of the cross member in the vehicle width direction placed on a floor tunnel. The cross member ends, in the vehicle width direction, are joined to the side sills and main floor panel. The cross member central part in the vehicle width direction is joined to the floor tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Shinei Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8985605
    Abstract: A rear shock absorber mounting structure for a vehicle includes a rear shock absorber upper cover which may be mounted on a wheel housing and on which a rear shock absorber may be engaged and supported, an inner dual rail member which may be mounted on an inner surface of the wheel housing, which may be oriented toward a vehicle interior along a width direction of a vehicle, and an outer dual rail member which may be mounted on an outer surface of the wheel housing, which may be oriented toward an outside of the vehicle interior along the width direction of the vehicle, and thereby, the rear shock absorber mounting structure may be configured by a simple structure, and mounting stiffness of the rear shock absorber may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Hoon Cho, Dae Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 8985680
    Abstract: An underbody for a motor vehicle is provided. The underbody has a ladder frame with side members and cross members. The side members and the cross members bound at least one opening, and each comprises an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shells are interconnected into an upper ladder and the lower shells into a lower ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 8985681
    Abstract: A vehicle body floor structure reinforces a floor body by a reinforcing portion, and the floor body includes a side sill, an outrigger, a floor cross member, and a tunnel frame. The reinforcing portion includes a first member that connects a corner portion between the side sill and a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the outrigger to a corner portion between a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the floor cross member and a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the tunnel frame, and a second member that connects a front-end vehicle body skeleton part of a front end of the floor body to a middle portion of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naho Fujii, Junichiro Araki, Satoshi Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8979179
    Abstract: A floor structure of a motor vehicle body having a floor panel is provided. The floor structure comprises a seat connection portion which with respect to a front foot well portion is formed in vehicle vertical direction and a support structure provided below the floor panel with two longitudinal structures running in vehicle longitudinal direction and spaced from one another in vehicle transverse direction. Below the seat connection portion a cross member structure formed in one piece and corresponding to the total area of the seat connection portion is connected to the longitudinal structures located opposite in vehicle transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Karsten Bohle
  • Patent number: 8973983
    Abstract: An underbody guard is mountable under an underbody of a motor vehicle for extensive covering of regions at risk including at least one of an engine, a transmission unit, an axle, a differential, a gas tank, an exhaust system, or sills. The underbody guard including a recess and a dimensionally stable shaped part configured to be inserted into the recess so as to substantially close the recess. The dimensionally stable shaped part is made from materials that do not block radio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Baum
  • Patent number: 8973982
    Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis includes two lateral floor supports and a seat-cushion support part positioned between two lateral raisers fixed on top of the lateral floor supports and assembled with the lateral floor supports. The chassis further includes two seat-cushion support reinforcements each assembled with a lateral floor support and with a lateral raiser, each seat-cushion support reinforcement including: a substantially horizontal plate extending the seat-cushion support part laterally, assembled with the lateral raiser along a substantially vertical mating edge of the plate, and a single support leg extending downwards from the plate, assembled with the lateral floor support, and the assembly end of which is positioned vertically below the plate, some distance from a projection onto the horizontal of the mating edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Tabuteau, Thomas Mauduit, Olivier Bisror
  • Patent number: 8973979
    Abstract: A motor vehicle bodywork has a floor assembly with an upwardly convex and downwardly open longitudinal center tunnel and two side sills parallel thereto. Floor elements are disposed between the longitudinal center tunnel and the side sills. A driver side and a passenger side are each provided with at least one front and one rear seat crossmember, seen in the direction of travel. The seat cross-members extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle and rest on the associated floor elements. It is important that the driver side and/or passenger side seat cross-members are each connected to each other in their upper regions via a plate-like thrust element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ali Oezkan, Klaus Bohnert, Gernot Jenisch
  • Patent number: 8960776
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Ceby Philip
  • Publication number: 20150028626
    Abstract: A catcher bracket disposed between a powertrain and a sub-frame of a vehicle. The catcher bracket defines a load path in a collision that is sufficient to displace the powertrain that directs the force of the impact through the catcher bracket to a sub-frame of the vehicle. The sub-frame is connected to the body structure of the vehicle by fasteners that fracture to decouple the powertrain and sub-frame from the body structure of the vehicle to reduce the collision pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sriram Gopal, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, John Vincent Fazio, Matthew B. Makowski, Djamal Eddine Midoun
  • Publication number: 20150001894
    Abstract: A cross member for a frame of a vehicle. The cross member provides a particularly high stiffness of the frame and has a particularly low weight. A a first support arrangement (18) having 4, 5, 6 or more support legs connects a cross member (10) to a first frame rail (16a) of the frame (12), and a second support arrangement (24) having 4, 5, 6 or more further support legs (26a-d) connect the cross member (10) to a second frame rail (16b) of the frame (12). At least two of the four support legs of the respective first and second support arrangement are bent upwards from the base portion, the other support legs (20b, 20c) being bent downwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Barry Outen, Justin Yee, Maik Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20150001893
    Abstract: A product comprising a rear rail having multiple pre-determined datum features or holes which may be used in determining the length of the wheelbase of a vehicle and a method for making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Robert C. Johnson, Chad Cromwell
  • Publication number: 20140361581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe (10) for a motor vehicle, having a base frame which forms a cavity and which is connected to a vehicle body via a plurality of fastening points, wherein the base frame has at least one force-introduction point (20) for receiving and/or supporting further motor vehicle components. The invention is characterized in that the cavity is locally filled with rigid foam (24) in the vicinity of the force-introduction point (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Peter Leibl
  • Publication number: 20140361582
    Abstract: A motor vehicle axle includes a subframe which has a bushing for linkage to a vehicle body. The bushing defines an axis and includes a bushing body and a face plate which is welded to the bushing body via a weld seam and has a contact surface which is raised in relation to the weld seam, as viewed in a direction of the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Franzke, Ralf Pape, Markus Rowinski
  • Patent number: 8905437
    Abstract: A cross member extends in a vehicle width direction and has opening portions at end portions in the vehicle width direction. The cross member includes a cross member main body, a closing plate, and a cylindrical spacer. The end portion of the cross member main body in the vehicle width direction includes a recessed portion on a side of the cross member main body opposite to a side on which the cross member main body is opened, the recessed portion being recessed toward the inner surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yorozu Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8905466
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes left and right side front frames extending towards the back of the vehicle body while curving from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle to the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. The left and right front side frames branch off from the ends thereof into left and right side sill-side extensions extending to the back towards the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, and left and right tunnel-side extensions extending to the back towards the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. Left and right reinforcing members are provided to the inside of curved parts on the left and right side and extend in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body in the left and right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashige Iseki, Kosaku Tomozawa, Manabu Ishizono, Takeshi Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 8899667
    Abstract: A vehicle rear body part includes a rear side member provided on both sides of a rear floor and a lower part of a back door opening section higher than the rear side member. The rear floor is divided into a main rear floor panel and left and right side rear floor panels with the rear side member placed therebetween. In the rear side member, rear side member upper panels are configured to close an opening in an upper part and joined to flanges on both the left and right sides. Upright sections are provided at rear ends of the rear side member upper panels. The upright sections are joined to a lower part of the opening section. The upper panels, the rear side member, and the floor panels and are joined in three layers in the flanges of the upper panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Okamachi, Tomohiro Tanaka, Kensaku Ito
  • Patent number: 8899664
    Abstract: A crossmember assembly for a vehicle may include an upper panel; a pair of lower panels assembled at a lower side of both end portions of the upper panel to form a first box, a center lower panel, a middle portion of which is assembled to a lower middle portion of the upper panel, and a front side lower arm mounting panel and a rear side lower arm mounting panel that are disposed at a lower front side and a lower rear side of the crossmember assembly, respectively, and mounted to the both end portions of the upper panel to house a lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8894134
    Abstract: A front body of a vehicle is formed by attaching a subframe to left and right front side frames. The subframe is disposed in front of a floor of a cabin and extends to the left and right. An engine contact part facing toward an engine inside the front body is disposed on an upper part the subframe. The subframe has rear fastening parts fastened to the respective front side frames, and rear arm connecting parts with which respective lower arms are engaged. A portion between each of the rear arm connecting parts and the corresponding rear fastening part is deformed to absorb shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kosaku Tomozawa, Yushi Nakao, Takeshi Yoshimoto, Manabu Ishizono
  • Publication number: 20140339857
    Abstract: A trailer frame including an axle section having two spaced longitudinal frame members connected by at least one cross member, the longitudinal frame members each having a first end and a second end; a rear section attachable to the axle section; and a dimple assemble joining the axle section to the rear section, the dimple assembly including a dimple pattern formed on each frame member of the axle assembly, the dimple pattern on the axle assembly defining a first dimple axis, and a dimple pattern formed on one end of the rear section and nestable within the dimple pattern formed on the axle section, the dimple pattern on the rear section defining a second dimple axis offset relative to the first dimple axis to create a camber between the axle section and the rear section when the first dimple is nested within the second dimple pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Publication number: 20140333091
    Abstract: An energy-absorber device is mountable to a component of a vehicle, such as an engine cradle. The energy absorber device includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. The first member has a first pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the first member. The second member has a second pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the second member. The first member is attached to the second member with the side walls of the first member at least partially overlapping the side walls of the second member, with a base of the first member positioned opposite a base of the second member. Aligned pairs of apertures function as deformation initiation features when a predetermined force in a longitudinal direction is applied to the first ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Stockard, Ciprian C. Robu
  • Publication number: 20140332292
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a powered guard group for a machine, the guard group including a frame, a linkage, a door, and an actuator for moving the guard group between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Prabhakar Gopalsamy, Robert A. Jackson, Christopher David Derham, Sarrah Jackson
  • Patent number: 8886379
    Abstract: This device is an ultra-thin vehicle where no more than twenty five percent of its solar array extends beyond the vehicle when it is being driven and the solar array is undeployed. However, this same solar array will cover an area at least twice as large as the vehicle and approximately the same size as a parking space when the array is fully deployed. This solar array is also designed to make it possible to easily orient it towards the sun during the majority of time when it is parked. Hence, solar power can be the primary source of power for a typical driver due to the lowered power needs of this tapered ultra thin vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin David Freeman
  • Patent number: 8875834
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another. The vehicle structure also includes a vehicle body attached to the frame. The vehicle structure also includes a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support a vehicle drivetrain subassembly. The vehicle structure additionally includes a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Liviu Octavian Sirbu, Benjamin W Michajlyszyn
  • Patent number: 8876132
    Abstract: A front sub-assembly for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The front sub-assembly includes a pair of spaced apart, substantially hollow side assemblies. Each of the side assemblies includes an upper side member and a lower side member. The front ends of the side assemblies are joined together by a front cross member that includes a front cross member reinforcing bracket and an internal mass dampener. The rear ends of the side assemblies are joined by an upper cross member and a lower cross member. A plurality of brackets, including body mount brackets, a steering gear bracket, an exhaust mount bracket, and a roll restrictor bracket are also strategically provided. The brackets as well as other components are preferably formed from stamped steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Marchena, Mark Andrew Kessen
  • Publication number: 20140312655
    Abstract: A joint part between a main body part of an automobile subframe and a suspension support member comprises a first joint part in which an upper plate is directly superimposed on and joined to the suspension support member, and a second joint part in which a lower plate is directly superimposed on and joined to the suspension support member, and since the first and second joint parts extend in the vehicle body fore-and-aft direction without overlapping each other, it becomes possible to directly transmit, to both the upper plate and the lower plate, a load that has been inputted from the suspension arm to the suspension support member, thus enhancing the joining strength of the main body part and the suspension support member. The upper plate and the lower plate are joined to the suspension support member from the same side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., F-Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Hayato Takahashi, Norio Tomikuda
  • Publication number: 20140306491
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a frame having a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first and second frame rails are spaced apart by a distance and are substantially parallel to one another. The vehicle structure also includes a vehicle body attached to the frame. The vehicle structure also includes a cradle mounted under the vehicle body to each of the first and second frame rails and configured to support a vehicle drivetrain subassembly. The vehicle structure additionally includes a panel attached to each of the first and second frame rails and the cradle, and configured to stiffen the vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Patent number: 8857853
    Abstract: A modular vehicle chassis frame includes: two longitudinal bar pieces having front and rear end portions and a plurality of engaging portions; two front connecting members; two rear connecting members; two terminal bar pieces, one of which is connected to the front end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the front connecting members, and the other one of which is connected to the rear end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the rear connecting members; and a plurality of crossbar pieces that extend transversely to the longitudinal bar pieces. Each of the crossbar pieces extends through two aligned ones of the engaging portions respectively of the longitudinal bar pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuang-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 8851559
    Abstract: A lid-fastening structure for fastening a lid using a bolt, which is rotatably held in the lid for closing an adjustment opening. An insertion hole for inserting the bolt is formed in the lid. A portion of the circumferential edge of the insertion hole is cut out in a way that allows the bolt to slide, and a backslide-limiting opening for limiting the return of the bolt to the insertion hole is formed so as to be continuous with the circumferential edge. A supporting/fastening hole is formed continuous with the backslide-limiting opening to a smaller radius than is the insertion hole, the supporting/fastening hole being cut out so as to allow the bolt to advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Fukushi, Koji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140252807
    Abstract: A heavy truck frame (18) and a method for manufacturing a heavy truck frame having side-rails (20, 24) with a configuration of a top C-section (30) and a bottom C-section (32) and a vertical insert (34) so as to reduce weight and maintain the stiffness requirements and improve payload. The optimal distances between a top C-section (30) and a bottom C-section (32) can vary according to the part of the frame and vehicle requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Metalsa S.A. de C.V
    Inventors: Noemi Caballero Medina, Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Oscar Adrian Sanchez Leal, Francisco Javier Pacheco Tiscareno
  • Patent number: 8827340
    Abstract: A method for fastening an in particular tub-shaped floor panel to an in particular frame-like vehicle structure is provided. The method includes applying an adhesive to a contact surface of the floor panel and/or of the vehicle structure, and joining the floor panel and the vehicle structure. The method includes expanding and/or activating the adhesive by heating the joint vehicle structure-floor panel composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fabian De Luca, Juergen Hulbert
  • Patent number: 8820821
    Abstract: An operating machine comprises a machine body mounted on a lower propelling body. The machine body comprises an upper frame, and a line member mutually connecting a plurality of devices installed to the upper frame. The upper frame has a bottom plate, a pair of longitudinal plates each provided to stand on the bottom plate and extend in a front-rear direction, while being disposed in spaced-apart relation to each other in a right-left direction, and a transverse plate provided to stand on the bottom plate and extend in the right-left direction, while being joined to each of the longitudinal plates. A specific plate consisting of at least one of the pair of longitudinal plates and the transverse plate has an upper edge on which a pair of protrusions are provided in opposed relation to each other, and the line member is set to pass through between the pair of protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Asuka Ushiroguchi
  • Patent number: 8820823
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 8820819
    Abstract: In a vehicle floor frame structure, side members 2 each include a floor side member 21 and a rear side member 22; the floor side member 21 is disposed on a main floor panel 11; the rear side member 22 is disposed on a rear floor panel 12; a reinforcement 3 is stacked on the floor side member 21 in a vertical direction with the main floor panel 11 interposed therebetween; an upper surface 3a of the reinforcement 3 becomes higher toward the rear of the vehicle body; a front portion 3b and lower portions of side surfaces 3c of the reinforcement 3 are joined to the main floor panel 11; a rear end portion 3d of the reinforcement 3 is joined to the vertical wall 13a in a front portion of the rear floor panel 12; a closed section space S1 enclosed by the main floor panel 11, a front portion 13 of the rear floor panel 12, and the reinforcement 3 is formed in a side view; a lower surface portion 21b of a rear end of the floor side member 21 becomes higher toward the main floor panel 11; and the upper surface 3a of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Tamaki
  • Patent number: 8814248
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body having at least one side member located on the front side in front of a front wall is provided. The motor vehicle body having a first reinforcing element adjoining thereon in longitudinal direction, which, following the contour of a wheel housing panel, protrudes in vehicle transverse direction to the outside and which supports itself on a floor structure via second reinforcing element, which is arranged spaced from a lateral front wall portion adjoining the wheel housing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Publication number: 20140232146
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure of a rear spring seat for a vehicle includes a rear spring seat mounted on a rear side member and outer and inner reinforcing members provided at the outside and inside of the rear spring seat, respectively, wherein a lower portion of the outer reinforcing member is extended to cover an outer lower end of the rear spring seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seung Chan CHOI, Young Eun AHN
  • Patent number: 8807631
    Abstract: A floor module for a motor vehicle includes a floor shell, which can be fastened to a shell of the motor vehicle, and equipment with a plurality of variant-specific constructional units arranged on the floor shell. A method for assembling a floor module involves equipping a respective shell of the motor vehicle with a floor module with corresponding chassis and drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Grevener, Uwe Habisreitinger, Andreas Krevet, Matthias Mueller, Thomas Stark, Konrad Wirth, Michael Zuern
  • Patent number: 8807597
    Abstract: In a frontal collision energy absorption structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9), an engine mount bracket (27) is attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in a vehicle length direction, and is, in the vehicle length direction, apart from a connection part of the main frame (10) and a suspension tower (101), a connection part of the main frame (10) and a second cross-member (12) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in front thereof, and a connection part of the main frame (10) and a third cross-member (13) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in rear thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Patent number: 8801081
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing injury to a passenger' feet during an offset crash reduces impact energy generated during the offset crash and solve existing problems by eliminating a conventional fourfold welding structure in such a manner that, instead of a conventional reinforced front side rear lower member (member F), a vertical reinforcing member (member Q) of a new structure is fixedly welded to a horizontal reinforcing member (member E), and the bottom of the vertical reinforcing member is spaced apart from a bottom member (member D) to provide an impact absorbing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 8801072
    Abstract: A vehicular fastening structure for fastening a cabin 4 and a chassis frame 6 of a vehicle includes: a mounting bracket 18 provided on one of the cabin 4 and the chassis frame 6; a fastened member 27 provided on the other thereof; a fastening member 26 attached fixedly to the fastened member 27; and a shock absorbing member 39 disposed between the mounting bracket 18 and the fastened member 27, wherein the fastened member 27 is provided with a fixed attachment portion to which the fastening member 26 is fixedly attached and a guiding portion for guiding the fastening member 26 to the fixed attachment portion, and a support portion 32L for supporting the fastening member 26 by coming into contact with the fastening member 26 when the vehicle crashes such that the fastening member 26 deforms in accordance with an impact load input into the chassis frame 6 is provided on a base end portion of the guiding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kohtaro Sasage, Kei Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140217782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe for the vehicle chassis of motor vehicles, which subframe has at least one cavity usable as a pressure accumulator and has a cross member (1) which is connected, at the two end faces (27, 28) thereof, to a node element (3, 4). Bearing elements (10 to 12) and/or further frame elements are attached to the node elements (3, 4). The cross member (1) is formed as a continuous rib-reinforced component or extruded part (15) and forms for the pressure accumulator a pressure-resistant cavity which is closed off by the node elements (3, 4) at the end faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Dominik Mohrlock, Thomas Janek, Andreas Goerke, Roland Hudler, Friedrich-Oskar Winter