# US 12,600,410 B2 · Vehicle subframe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,600,410 B2 - Document ID: US12600410B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/182,671 - Filed: 2023-03-13 - Published: 2024-08-01 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2023-01-27 - Assignees: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Barry Lett; Christophe Sartiaux; Allen Martin Orchard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12600410B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/15: having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body (bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F) - B62D 21/11: with resilient means for suspension {, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions} - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - 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 ## Abstract A system can include a subframe section having a first subframe portion and a second subframe portion. The second subframe portion can couple with the first subframe portion at an angled interface having an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The angled interface can decouple the first subframe portion from the second subframe portion and cause the first subframe portion to move in a direction towards the second subframe portion based on the angle of the angled interface in response to a threshold force applied to the first subframe portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a subframe section having a first subframe portion and a second subframe portion; a shear plate coupled with the first subframe portion, the shear plate to bend in response to movement of the first subframe portion; the second subframe portion coupled with the first subframe portion at an angled interface having an angle relative to a horizontal plane; and the angled interface configured to decouple the first subframe portion from the second subframe portion and cause the first subframe portion to move in a direction towards the second subframe portion based on the angle of the angled interface in response to a threshold force applied to the first subframe portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: the angle of the angled interface is in the range of 10 to 45 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: the first subframe portion to move in response to the threshold force such that at least a portion of the second subframe portion overlaps the first subframe portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: a second portion of the shear plate coupled with the second subframe portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: the angled interface including a discontinuation configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: the angled interface including a through hole of a fastener, and a slot positioned at the through hole that extends along a portion of the angled interface configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising: the threshold force applied parallel to the horizontal plane and angled relative to the angled interface. ### Claim 8 An electric vehicle, comprising: a subframe section having a first subframe portion and a second subframe portion; a shear plate coupled with the first subframe portion, the shear plate to bend in response to movement of the first subframe portion; the second subframe portion coupled with the first subframe portion at an angled interface having an angle relative to a horizontal plane; and the angled interface configured to decouple the first subframe portion from the second subframe portion and cause the first subframe portion to move in a direction towards the second subframe portion based on the angle of the angled interface in response to a threshold force applied to the first subframe portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: the angle of the angled interface is in the range of 10 to 45 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: the first subframe portion to move in response to the threshold force such that at least a portion of the second subframe portion overlaps the first subframe portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: a second portion of the shear plate coupled with the second subframe portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: the angled interface including a discontinuation configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: the angled interface including a through hole of a fastener, and a slot positioned at the through hole that extends along a portion of the angled interface configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The electric vehicle of claim 8, comprising: the threshold force applied parallel to the horizontal plane and angled relative to the angled interface. ### Claim 15 A method, comprising: coupling a first subframe portion of a subframe section with a second subframe portion of the subframe section at an angled interface having an angle relative to a horizontal plane; coupling a shear plate with the first subframe portion, the shear plate to bend in response to movement of the first subframe portion; decoupling the first subframe portion from the second subframe portion at the angled interface in response to a threshold force applied to the first subframe portion; and causing the first subframe portion to move in a direction towards the second subframe portion based on the angle of the angled interface in response to the threshold force applied to the first subframe portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising: the angle of the angled interface is in the range of 10 to 45 degrees. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising: the first subframe portion to move in response to the threshold force such that at least a portion of the second subframe portion overlaps the first subframe portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising: a second portion of the shear plate coupled with the second subframe portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising: the angled interface including a discontinuation configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising: the angled interface including a through hole of a fastener, and a slot positioned at the through hole that extends along a portion of the angled interface configured to cause a portion of the angled interface to deform or break in response to the threshold force.