Vehicle underbody structure for multiple load paths
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsChing-Hung Chuang, Ren-Jye Yang, Rahul Arora, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle an underbody structure includes a bumper, a subframe, and a frame. The frame interconnects the bumper and the subframe. The frame includes first and second symmetrical halves spaced at a distance. The frame is attached to the bumper at front segments of each of the halves, and to the subframe at rear segments of each of the halves. The halves are defined by a plurality of legs formed with the front and rear segments such that the first and second halves define load paths configured to transfer energy throughout the frame.
Claims20
A vehicle underbody structure comprising:
- a bumper;
- a subframe;
- and
- a frame interconnecting the bumper and the subframe at front and rear segments, the frame having a first half separated at a distance from a second half mirrored about a longitudinal axis, the first and second halves defining an area between at least five legs connected to the front and rear segments at first and second apexes of at least two of the five legs.
A vehicle comprising:
- an underbody structure including a bumper, a subframe, and a frame interconnecting the bumper and the subframe, the frame including first and second symmetrical halves spaced at a distance, attached to the bumper at front segments of each of the halves, and attached to the subframe at rear segments of each of the halves, the halves being defined by a plurality of legs formed with the front and rear segments such that the first and second halves define load paths configured to transfer energy throughout the frame.
A frame for a vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of legs joined at a front segment to attach to a bumper and joined at a rear segment to attach to a subframe disposed opposite the front segment, wherein the legs are arranged to form a first half and a second half separated by a support and mirrored across a longitudinal axis, and wherein the legs are configured to form a substantial trapezoidal area between the legs such that the legs define a plurality of load paths across and throughout the front segment, the rear segment and the support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.