# US 10,118,646 B2 · Chassis-subframe arrangement for improving crash protection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,646 B2 - Document ID: US10118646B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/407,986 - Filed: 2017-01-17 - Published: 2017-07-20 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-18 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Joergen Hilmann; Martin Salz-Breuer; Bradley Staines; Stephen Anker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118646B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B62D 21/09: Means for mounting load bearing surfaces - B62D 21/10: in which the main member is plate-like - B62D 29/007: {predominantly of special steel or specially treated steel, e.g. stainless steel or locally surface hardened steel} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A chassis-subframe is attached to a vehicle body and is connected via a plurality of fasteners to high load-bearing body parts. The chassis subframe is connected to the load-bearing body parts by the fasteners indirectly via a sacrificial plate. From a specific relative force acting substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the chassis subframe and the sacrificial plate, the fasteners are pulled out of said sacrificial plate, immediately in the case of a displacement movement of the chassis subframe occurring to the rear, viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The fasteners are arranged by the sacrificial plate relative to the load-bearing body parts such that, after being pulled out, the fasteners are able to move freely to the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, without interacting with the, or another of the, load-bearing body parts. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A subframe arrangement for a vehicle comprising: a sacrificial plate that indirectly connects, via a fastener, a subframe and high load-bearing body parts, wherein the fastener is pulled from the sacrificial plate during subframe displacement occurring to a rear along a longitudinal direction due to a force acting in the longitudinal direction between the subframe and the sacrificial plate such that, after being pulled from the sacrificial plate, the fastener moves toward the rear in the longitudinal direction, without interacting with the, or another of the load-bearing body parts, and wherein the fastener is connected to the sacrificial plate at a first fastening position, and the sacrificial plate is connected to the load bearing body parts at a second fastening position, the first fastening position being arranged behind the second fastening position along the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The subframe arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sacrificial plate defines a weakened portion relative to longitudinal forces acting in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The subframe arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the weakened portion of the sacrificial plate defines at least one bore such that the fastener connected to the sacrificial plate are pulled out to the rear away from the sacrificial plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The subframe arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sacrificial plate is produced from a material defining a lower strength than a material of the load-bearing body parts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The subframe arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load-bearing body parts are produced at least partially from a boron steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The subframe arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener is screw bolts screwed to weld nuts welded to the sacrificial plate.