# US 10,308,201 B2 · Vehicle body structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,201 B2 - Document ID: US10308201B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/788,240 - Filed: 2017-10-19 - Published: 2019-04-25 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-19 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Bradley A. Newcomb; Hamid G. Kia; John C. Johnson; Robert N. Saje - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308201B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/34: destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type - B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames} - B62D 25/08: Front or rear portions {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11)} - B62D 29/041: {Understructures} - B60Y 2410/122: Plastic parts manufactured by moulding - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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) - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A vehicle chassis rail includes a tubular structure and an insert, both co-extending along a centerline. The insert is disposed, at least in-part, in the tubular structure, and includes a first wall, a second wall opposed to the first wall, and a corrugated mid-wall spanning laterally between, and attached to, the first and second walls. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle chassis rail comprising: a tubular structure extending along a centerline; and an insert disposed at least in-part in the tubular structure, the insert including a first wall, a second wall opposed to the first wall, and a corrugated mid-wall spanning laterally between and attached to the first and second walls, wherein the insert includes an energy absorbing tail portion attached to the first wall, the second wall, and the mid-wall and projecting axially outward from an end portion of the tubular structure for engagement to a bumper. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are stepped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are in contact with the tubular structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 3, wherein the first and second walls each include a plurality of contact segments in contact with the tubular structure and a plurality of recessed segments spaced radially inward from the tubular structure with respect to the centerline. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of contact segments axially alternate with the plurality of recessed segments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 5, wherein each one of the plurality of contact segments of the first and second walls are adhered to the tubular structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 1, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the mid-wall are formed as one unitary piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 7, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the mid-wall are made of a fiber reinforced composite. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 1, wherein a first surface of the mid-wall and the first and second walls define a first plurality of cups open in a first radial direction, and an opposite second surface of the mid-wall and the first and second walls define a second plurality of cups open in a second radial direction diametrically opposite the first radial direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 9, wherein the first and second plurality of cups alternate axially. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing tail portion includes a first extension attached to the first wall, the second wall, and the mid-wall, and a second extension formed as a separate piece and engaged to the first extension. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 11, wherein the first and second extensions generally have U-shaped cross sections, and the energy absorbing tail portion has a tubular cross section. ### Claim 13 An energy absorbing insert adapted to extend between and attach to a tubular structure of a vehicle chassis rail and a bumper, the energy absorbing insert comprising: an accordion-like portion disposed inside the vehicle chassis rail and extending along a centerline; and a tail portion attached to the accordion-like portion and axially projecting outward from the vehicle chassis rail for attachment to the bumper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The energy absorbing insert set forth in claim 13, wherein the tail portion includes a first extension directly attached to the accordion-like portion and a second extension directly attached to the first extension. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The energy absorbing insert set forth in claim 14, wherein the accordion-like portion and the first extension are made of a composite material and formed as one unitary piece. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The energy absorbing insert set forth in claim 13, wherein the accordion-like portion includes a first wall, a second wall, and a corrugated mid-wall extending between and attached to the first and second walls. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The energy absorbing insert set forth in claim 16, wherein the first and second walls each include a plurality of contact segments adapted to contact the tubular structure, and a plurality of recessed segments spaced radially inward from the contact segments and with respect to the centerline. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The energy absorbing insert set forth in claim 17, wherein the plurality of contact segments axially alternate with the plurality of recessed segments. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle chassis rail set forth in claim 18, wherein a first surface of the mid-wall and the first and second walls define a first plurality of cups open in a first radial direction, and an opposite second surface of the mid-wall and the first and second walls define a second plurality of cups opened in a second radial direction that is diametrically opposite the first radial direction.