# US 2017/0282974 A1 · Vehicle subframe assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282974 A1 - Document ID: US20170282974A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/084,597 - Filed: 2016-03-30 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Ryan Craig; Christopher Stephen O'Connor; Akshay Kulkarni - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282974A1 ## CPC - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B60K 5/10: providing for ready detachment of engine - B60K 5/12: Arrangement of engine supports - B60K 5/1216: {characterised by the location of the supports relative to the motor or to each other (B60K5/1225 takes precedence)} - B60K 5/1275: {Plastically deformable supports} - B62D 3/00: Steering gears (power assisted or power driven B62D5/00; steering linkages B62D7/00; for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; gearing in general F16H) - 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) - B60Y 2200/90: Vehicles comprising electric prime movers - B60Y 2200/91: Electric vehicles - 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 vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle comprising: a frame; a subframe fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, the subframe being movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision; a powertrain attached to the subframe; a steering gear coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point; and a bracket attached to the powertrain, extending toward the steering gear, and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear, the bracket being positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the subframe is fastened to the frame at an acute angle and wherein the bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear into the acute angle during the frontal collision. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the bracket and the steering gear are aligned with the subframe attachment point along the collision path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the steering gear is deformable relative to the bracket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a base portion fastened to the powertrain and a contacting surface spaced from the base portion and positioned to contact the steering gear during the frontal collision. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the base portion includes a first leg and a second leg spaced from each other and extending from the powertrain, and a cross member spaced from the powertrain extending from the first leg to the second leg, the first and second legs extending from the powertrain to the cross member, the cross member including the contacting surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the contacting surface and the steering gear are aligned with the subframe attachment point along the collision path. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the bracket is attached only to the powertrain. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the bracket is elongated along the collision path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the bracket is formed of metal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a bolt attaching the subframe to the frame at the subframe attachment point, wherein the bolt is deformable relative to the bracket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a bolt attaching the subframe to the frame at the subframe attachment point, wherein the bolt is deformable relative to the bracket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket and the steering gear are aligned with the subframe attachment point along the collision path. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is elongated along the collision path. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is fastened to the powertrain. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is attached only to the powertrain. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed of metal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed of stamped steel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed of cast aluminum.