Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140246880 | Integrated Shotgun Rail Deflector - A shotgun rail, or deflector, is provided as part of a front end structure of a vehicle. The shotgun rail includes a triangular shaped bulkhead having a front surface disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front of a vehicle and a rear surface that is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the rear of the vehicle. A laterally facing surface of the bulkhead is attached to a frame rail. Loads resulting from an impact with a small offset rigid barrier are distributed between longitudinal load paths and lateral load paths through the shotgun rails, frame rails, and sub-frame. | 09-04-2014 |
20140338996 | VEHICLE UNDERBODY STRUCTURE - A vehicle underbody structure includes a pair of longitudinal rails. A tunnel is spaced between the longitudinal rails. A number of nonintrusive support members span between the tunnel and the longitudinal rails. The support members have a hoop shape that surrounds an enclosed area. The hoop shape of the nonintrusive support members is adapted to deform into the enclosed area for preventing a side impact force from damaging the tunnel. | 11-20-2014 |
20150021935 | COLLISION DEFLECTOR ASSEMBLY - A vehicle frame is provided having a frame. The frame includes a main rail and a lateral rail. A bracket is operably coupled to the main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a wedged shape deflecting member. The wedged shape deflecting member has a first end which is operably coupled to the bracket and a second end which is operable between a standard use position and a collision event position. The standard use position is where the second end is spaced a predetermined distance from the main rail. The collision event position is when the second end is in abutting contact with the main rail. During a collision event, the second end moves from the standard use position to the collision event position such that the deflecting member absorbs and deflects energy imparted on the frame. | 01-22-2015 |
20150021936 | SLIDING DEFLECTOR ASSEMBLY - A vehicle frame assembly is provided comprising a main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a deflector assembly which has a front member having an inboard end pivotally coupled to the main rail and an outboard end. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a rear member having an inboard end slidably coupled to the main rail and an outboard end pivotally coupled to the outboard end of the front member. Additionally, a tension member is disposed between the inboard ends of the front member and the rear member. The deflector assembly is operable between a normal use position wherein the tension member is slack and a collision position wherein the tension member is taut. | 01-22-2015 |
20150048636 | ENERGY ABSORBING APPARATUS FOR A BUMPER RAIL - A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body. | 02-19-2015 |
20150061306 | Cable and Outrigger for Minimizing Intrusions in a Small Offset Rigid Barrier Collision - A collision countermeasure apparatus for a small offset rigid barrier test. The collision countermeasure apparatus includes a cable that is attached between an outrigger and a forward end of a frame rail assembly. The cable reduces the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. | 03-05-2015 |
20150102635 | Stepped Dual Tube Deflector - A front end assembly including a stepped deflector assembly. The stepped deflector assembly includes a first step attached to one end of a bumper. The first step includes an inner front leg and an intermediate leg. The second step includes an outer front leg and a rear leg. The intermediate leg and rear leg have ends that are disposed adjacent a frame rail, but that are not attached to the frame rail. In a collision, the first and second inner ends of the first and second step, respectively, are driven laterally into the frame rail to reduce intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. | 04-16-2015 |
20150108776 | Energy Absorbing Apparatus for a Bumper Rail - A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body. | 04-23-2015 |