# US 11,299,206 B2 · Vehicle structure for a cross-vehicle load path > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,206 B2 - Document ID: US11299206B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/568,559 - Filed: 2019-09-12 - Published: 2021-03-18 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-12 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Andre T. Matsumoto; Zohir Molhem; Terry A. Swartzell; Michael T. Quaggiotto; Mark. T. Dingman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299206B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames} - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B62D 21/03: transverse members providing body support - B62D 21/11: with resilient means for suspension {, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions} - B62D 25/08: Front or rear portions {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11)} - 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 load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points. The load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame including a first frame rail and a second frame rail spaced apart from and parallel to the first frame rail, each of the first and second frame rails extending parallel to a vehicle body axis; a load member aligned in a transverse plane of the vehicle, the load member extending from the first frame rail to the second frame rail and coupled to each of the first and second frame rails at two attachment points, the load member extending perpendicular to each of the first and second frame rails and to the vehicle body axis; wherein the load member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the first frame rail at a first connection surface and at a second connection surface perpendicular to the first connection surface, and the second end coupled to the second frame rail at a third connection surface and at a fourth connection surface perpendicular to the third connection surface; wherein the load member defines a load path between the first and second frame rails, and the load member is positioned forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and wherein the first connection surface is adjacent to and coplanar with an inner surface of the first frame rail and the second connection surface shares an edge with the first connection surface and is coplanar with a top surface of the first frame rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structural arrangement for the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the load member is a steel member with one of an open and closed cross-section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structural arrangement for the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second connection surfaces wrap around an edge of the first frame rail to provide two connection surfaces with the first frame rail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The structural arrangement for the vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second connection surfaces includes at least one opening configured to receive a mechanical fastener. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The structural arrangement for the vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first frame rail includes a first deflector member that extends forward and outward of the first frame rail and the second frame rail includes a second deflector member that extends forward and outward of the second frame rail. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The structural arrangement for the vehicle of claim 5, wherein the first deflector member is formed unitarily with the first frame rail and the second deflector member is formed unitarily with the second frame rail. ### Claim 7 An automotive vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body structure having a vehicle body axis and a vehicle frame arranged along the vehicle body axis, the vehicle body structure defining a passenger compartment and the vehicle frame including a first frame rail and a second frame rail spaced apart from and parallel to the first frame rail, each of the first and second frame rails extending parallel to the vehicle body axis; a load transfer system comprising a load member extending from the first frame rail to the second frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second frame rails and to the vehicle body axis, the load member coupled to the first frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second frame rail at two attachment points; wherein the load member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the first frame rail at a first connection surface and at a second connection surface perpendicular to the first connection surface, and the second end coupled to the second frame rail at a third connection surface and at a fourth connection surface perpendicular to the third connection surface; wherein the load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of the passenger compartment; and wherein the first connection surface is adjacent to and coplanar with an inner surface of the first frame rail and the second connection surface shares an edge with the first connection surface and is coplanar with a top surface of the first frame rail. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein the load member is a steel member with one of an open and closed cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first and second connection surfaces wrap around an edge of the first frame rail to provide two connection surfaces with the first frame rail. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second connection surfaces include at least one opening configured to receive a mechanical fastener. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first frame rail includes a first deflector member that extends forward and outward of the first frame rail and the second frame rail includes a second deflector member that extends forward and outward of the second frame rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The automotive vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first deflector member is formed unitarily with the first frame rail and the second deflector member is formed unitarily with the second frame rail. ### Claim 13 A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle having a vehicle frame including a first frame rail and a second frame rail parallel to the first frame rail, the vehicle frame defining a vehicle body axis, the system comprising: a load member aligned in a transverse plane of the automotive vehicle, the load member extending from the first frame rail to the second frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second frame rails and to the vehicle body axis, the load member coupled to the first frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second frame rail at two attachment points; wherein the load member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the first frame rail at a first connection surface and at a second connection surface perpendicular to the first connection surface, and the second end coupled to the second frame rail at a third connection surface and at a fourth connection surface perpendicular to the third connection surface; wherein the load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle and a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and wherein the first connection surface is adjacent to and coplanar with an inner surface of the first frame rail and the second connection surface shares an edge with the first connection surface and is coplanar with a top surface of the first frame rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The load impact management system of claim 13, wherein the load member is a steel member with one of an open and closed cross-section.