# US 10,246,132 B2 · Torque reaction frame for mitigation of rear impact effects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,132 B2 - Document ID: US10246132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/362,975 - Filed: 2016-11-29 - Published: 2018-05-31 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-29 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Bradley Leier; Anne M. Stibich; Bharath Kumar Baburajan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246132B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames} - B60K 1/00: Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00) - B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle} - B60Y 2306/01: Reducing damages in case of crash, e.g. by improving battery protection - 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) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A device for rear impact mitigation of a vehicle is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device includes a Y-shaped frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area and defining an angle therebetween, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end, wherein the frame is configured to deform at one or more of the first area and the second area upon application of a force from a rear impact event to the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for rear impact mitigation of a vehicle, comprising: a unitary Y-shaped frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area and defining an angle therebetween, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end and separated from the first end by the straight portion; wherein the frame is configured to deform at one or more of the first area and the second area upon application of a force from a rear impact event to the vehicle and the frame is coupled to the vehicle at a single connection point. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first area is configured to deform in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the reaction member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second area is configured to deform in a plane defined by the reaction member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the reaction member includes a bolted connection point. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the bolted connection point is offset from a line defined by the straight portion of the reaction member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the second area is configured to deform upon application of a force such that the device pivots about the bolted connection point. ### Claim 7 An automotive vehicle, comprising: a chassis; a rear drive module having a housing, the housing having a first side and a second side, the first side proximate to a first side of the vehicle and the second side proximate to a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side; and a Y-shaped frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area and defining an angle therebetween, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end; wherein the first leg and the second leg are coupled to the housing and the reaction member is coupled to the chassis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a first mounting member proximate the first side of the housing and a second mounting member proximate the second side of the housing, and the first leg of the frame connects to the first mounting member and the second leg of the frame connects to the second mounting member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second legs of the frame have a first width and the reaction member has a second width greater than the first width. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein the reaction member is coupled to the chassis at a connection point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The automotive vehicle of claim 10, wherein the connection point is a bolted connection between the reaction member and the chassis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The automotive vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first area is configured to deform in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the reaction member and the second area is configured to deform in a plane defined by the reaction member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The automotive vehicle of claim 12 further comprising a storage component, wherein the bolted connection is forward of the storage component such that deformation of the frame prevents a collision between the rear drive module and the storage component. ### Claim 14 A structural component of a vehicle, comprising: a one-piece frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end, wherein the curved portion is separated from the first and second legs by the straight portion; wherein the frame is configured to deform at one or more of the first area and the second area upon application of a force from a rear impact event to the vehicle and the frame is coupled to the vehicle at a single connection point. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The structural component of claim 14, wherein the first area is configured to deform in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the reaction member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The structural component of claim 14, wherein the second area is configured to deform in a plane defined by the reaction member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The structural component of claim 14, wherein the second end of the reaction member includes a bolted connection point. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The structural component of claim 17, wherein the bolted connection point is offset from a line defined by the straight portion of the reaction member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The structural component of claim 18, wherein the second area is configured to deform such that the structural component pivots about the bolted connection point. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The structural component of claim 19, wherein the bolted connection point connects the frame to a body member of the vehicle.