Vehicle body end structure

A vehicle body end structure comprising:

• longitudinal frame means for providing lengthwise support on both widthwise sides of an end section a vehicle, the longitudinal frame means having an end portion with a curved part disposed forwardly of a curvature transition point;
• and
• widthwise frame means for providing widthwise support between the end portions of the longitudinal frame means to create a pair of wedge-shaped open spaces between interior facing surfaces of the widthwise frame means and corresponding wall surfaces of the curved parts that faces the interior facing surfaces of the widthwise frame members,
• each of the curved parts being provided with deformation control means for limiting the occurrence of localized stress concentration and enable the curved parts to deform in a stable manner sequentially against the width wise frame means when an end axial load is imparted to the vehicle body end structure.

A vehicle body end structure comprising:

• a pair of first longitudinal frame members configured and arranged to extend in a lengthwise direction on both widthwise sides of a vehicle, each of the first longitudinal frame members having an end portion with a collapsing part;
• and
• a first transverse frame member having interior surfaces connected to the collapsing parts of the end portions of the first longitudinal frame members such that the first transverse frame member extends in the widthwise direction of the vehicle,
• the collapsing parts being configured and arranged relative to the first transverse frame member such that a pair of wedge-shaped open spaces are formed between the interior surfaces of the first transverse frame member and corresponding wall surfaces of the collapsing parts that faces the interior surfaces of the first transverse frame member,
• each of the collapsing parts being provided with a deformation control structure arranged and configured to enable the collapsing parts to deform in a stable manner such that contacting areas between the interior surfaces of the first transverse frame member and the corresponding wall surfaces of the collapsing parts increase as the collapsing parts deform when an end axial load is imparted to the vehicle body end structure.