Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110162902 | Support Structure for Inverter System Controller Module - A hybrid-electric vehicle has an engine compartment defined by a transverse rail extending generally parallel to a lateral axis of the vehicle, first and second side rails extending forwardly from the transverse rail, and a hood extending over the engine compartment. A hybrid-electric transmission is located in the engine compartment and an inverter system controller module (ISCM) is supported on an equipment shelf extending between the hybrid electric transmission and the hood. The equipment shelf includes an inclined portion attached to the transverse rail and extending upwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle; a generally horizontal tray projecting forwardly from the inclined portion above the hybrid electric transmission; and a lateral brace extending from a forward end of the tray laterally to the first side rail. The junction between the inclined portion and the tray forms a deformation trigger that absorbs crash loads. | 07-07-2011 |
20110260501 | VEHICLE FRONT-END UPPER LOAD PATH ASSEMBLY - 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. | 10-27-2011 |
20120286537 | FOLDING ARMREST - A vehicle folding armrest assembly having a vehicle door movable within a door frame and having an armrest that is operable between a deployed position and a stowed position. A catch mechanism is movable between an interference position, wherein the catch mechanism supports the armrest in the deployed position against a spring force, and a non-interference position, wherein the catch mechanism is disengaged from the armrest, and the armrest is in the stowed position. An actuator includes a lever that protrudes from the vehicle door. The lever is in abutting contact against the door frame and moves the catch mechanism from the interference position to the non-interference position. | 11-15-2012 |
20130001004 | VEHICLE HOOD STRUCTURE FOR PEDESTRIAN BODY IMPACT PROTECTION - Embodiments of the present invention relate to pedestrian head impact protection. In operation, during a pedestrian impact event with a vehicle, a pedestrian protection deployable hood apparatus configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention causes displacement of the hood at its hinge-carrying portion for enhancing clearance an underside of the hood and a topmost surface of under-hood components. Such embodiments of the present invention contribute to providing for pedestrian head impact protection in a manner that can be implemented with a variety of hood mounting arrangements, that is effective in its results, and that is simple to package in an under-hood environment. | 01-03-2013 |
20130069377 | Bumper Beam with Load Transferring Section - A motor vehicle includes a frame with energy-absorbing zones at outboard corners of the vehicle and a bumper beam mounted to the energy-absorbing zones to transfer force to at least one of the energy-absorbing zones during a collision. The bumper beam includes a center section extending generally laterally across the vehicle between the energy-absorbing zones, and left and right load transfer sections attached to outboard ends of the center section. Each load transfer section extends outboard and rearward such that the free end of each load transfer section is disposed outboard of the frame adjacent a rear end of its respective energy-absorbing zone. In a small-overlap collision, the load transfer section on the side of the impact bends rearward as the energy-absorbing zone deforms, and the free end of the load transfer section contacts the frame to transfer crash loads to the frame. | 03-21-2013 |
20150130224 | LOAD MANAGEMENT DEVICE - A bracket for protecting a flange of a body of a vehicle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a channel defined between the first and second portions. The channel receives the flange. The bracket includes a back side and adhesive disposed on the back side. A front side of the bracket is disposed opposite the back side. A transition surface on the front side slopes inwardly from the first portion to the second portion for deflecting a wheel away from the flange during an offset impact. | 05-14-2015 |
20150266518 | EXPANDABLE ROOF PANEL PERIMETER REINFORCEMENT - A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity. | 09-24-2015 |
20150367893 | EXPANDABLE ROOF PANEL PERIMETER REINFORCEMENT - A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity. | 12-24-2015 |