US 11,897,543 B2 · Vehicle chassis shear plate

Abstract

A vehicle includes a battery system arranged in a central region. The battery system includes corners corresponding to corners of an end of the vehicle, and respective chassis components are arranged at each corner. Respective shear brackets are affixed to the vehicle frame to a respective chassis component. The shear brackets are configured to absorb energy from the chassis components during deceleration events. The chassis components may include a knuckle configured to engage with the frame at an interface, to which the shear bracket may be added. Each shear bracket is formed from metal, such as sheet metal, and includes mounting features such as holes or studs to affix to the frame. The shear brackets are configured to limit intrusion of the chassis components into the battery system by absorbing energy. A bolt or fastener affixing a chassis component to the frame is strengthened by the shear bracket.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An assembly comprising:

a first end of a shear bracket affixed at a first location of a frame element;
a second end of the shear bracket affixed to a second location of the frame element through a suspension component, wherein the suspension component couples a wheel to the frame element, wherein the shear bracket is configured to absorb energy from the suspension component associated with a deceleration event to reduce energy transferring to a battery system, and wherein the second location is forward of the first location and of the battery system.

An arrangement of a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a battery system comprising a first end, the first end corresponding to a first corner and a second corner of the vehicle;
a first suspension component corresponding to a first wheel arranged at the first corner of the vehicle, wherein the first suspension component is affixed to a frame at a first joint;
a second suspension component corresponding to a second wheel arranged at the second corner of the vehicle, wherein the second suspension component is affixed to the frame at a second joint;
a first shear bracket affixed to the frame at a first location and a second location forward of the first location and of the battery system, wherein the first joint is arranged at the second location, and wherein the first shear bracket is configured to absorb energy from the first joint to reduce energy transferring to the battery system;
and
a second shear bracket affixed to the frame at a third location and a fourth location forward of the third location, wherein the second joint is arranged at the fourth location, and wherein the second shear bracket is configured to absorb energy from the second joint to reduce energy transferring to the battery system.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/385,065Filed 26 Jul 2021

Published

US 2023/0022199 A126 Jan 2023

Granted

13 Feb 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B62D 21/06
Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted: of X-shaped or fork-shaped construction, i.e. having members which…
B62D 21/15
Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted: having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or…
B60K 1/04
Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units: of the electric storage means for propulsion
B62D 21/11
Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted: with resilient means for suspension , e.g. of wheels or engine;…

Vehicle chassis shear plate

Life of this patent

Vehicle chassis shear plate

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19