| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090315365 | ONE-PIECE SHOTGUN WITH IMPACT ENERGY ABSORBER - A one-piece shotgun is configured to absorb impact energy when a front of the vehicle is impacted. The shotgun comprises an upper portion, a mid portion, and a lower portion, the upper portion having an end configured to connect to a hinge pillar; and a Z-trigger formed by two indentations and being located adjacent the upper portion end. The indentations of the Z-trigger are located on an outer side and an inner side of the shotgun to cause substantially lateral bending when sufficient force is applied to the shotgun. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100026047 | Sequential Crash Hinges in Automotive Frame Rails - A lower frame rail member forms a part of an automotive front end structure and incorporates first and second bending hinges to provide sequential and alternating bending of the lower frame rail to manage crash forces in the event of a frontal or offset crash event. The first bending hinge is formed by a structural thinning pocket located on the outboard side of the lower frame rail forwardly of the engine mounting bracket. The second bending hinge is formed by V-necking the inboard side of the lower frame rail rearwardly of the engine mounting bracket. The first bending hinge affects an outboard buckling of the frame rail after the front horn section crushes rearwardly into the lower frame rail to induce an inboard movement thereof, while the second bending hinge affects an inboard buckling of the frame rail to induce an outboard movement thereof rearwardly of the engine mounting bracket. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100237661 | VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE - A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics is provided. The structure includes a roof rail integral to an A-pillar and a support pillar. The structure further includes a cross member. The A-pillar includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The roof rail extends downwardly at a front end of the roof rail and extends downwardly at a rear end of the roof rail. The roof rail is integral to a one piece hollow A-pillar at the front end of the roof rail. The support pillar also includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The support pillar also includes a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker. The upper section of the support pillar is integral to the rear end of the roof rail. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20110101732 | One-Piece Shotgun with Impact Energy Absorber - A one-piece shotgun is configured to absorb impact energy when a front of the vehicle is impacted. The shotgun comprises an upper portion, a mid portion, and a lower portion, the upper portion having an end configured to connect to a hinge pillar; and a Z-trigger formed by two indentations and being located adjacent the upper portion end. The indentations of the Z-trigger are located on an outer side and an inner side of the shotgun to cause substantially lateral bending when sufficient force is applied to the shotgun. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110204663 | EXTRUDED ALUMINUM BUMPER HAVING TRIGGERS - An energy absorbing extruded bumper for a vehicle is disclosed. The extruded bumper is formed from a lightweight metal, preferably aluminum base alloy material. The extruded bumper includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a top wall connecting the outer and inner walls, and a bottom wall connecting the outer and inner walls. Extending between the outer and inner walls are two or more s-curved trigger stiffeners. The trigger stiffeners include an upper s-curved trigger stiffener connecting the outer and inner walls and a lower s-curved trigger stiffener connecting the outer and inner walls. The lower s-curved trigger stiffener is spaced apart from the upper s-curved trigger stiffener. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110221229 | Vehicle Structural Reinforcement System - The present disclosure relates to various vehicle structural reinforcement systems and methods of manufacturing the same. A latching system is included in the vehicle to mechanically link two vehicle structural members under preselected conditions. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110233947 | Zero Stack-Up Telescopically Collapsible Energy Absorbing Rail and Bracket Assembly - An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle that has a bumper and a frame. A receptacle is defined within the frame. A collapsible member is provided between the bumper and a recessed location spaced away from the bumper in the receptacle. The collapsible member may collapse at least partially into the receptacle in the event of a collision. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110241385 | Vehicle Frame with Direction-Specific Deformation - 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. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110285176 | SUB-FRAME FOR MANAGING CRASH ENERGY - A vehicle sub-frame structure including a forward zone, extending substantially in the transverse direction towards the front of the vehicle. The forward zone has a first set of hinges and supports a radiator. A middle zone, including a pair of left and right members, extends substantially longitudinally and carries a second set of hinges. A rear zone includes a beam and is disposed substantially in the transverse direction. Both ends of the beam are attached to the sub-frame structure. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120013144 | Vehicle Structural Reinforcement System - The present disclosure relates to various vehicle structural reinforcement systems and methods of manufacturing the same. A latching system is included in the vehicle to mechanically link two vehicle structural members under preselected conditions. | 01-19-2012 |
