Sub-frame method and arrangement for retaining a rear section of a sub-frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10259503-B2
Application number	US-201715727834-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2017
Priority date	May 19, 2015
Publication date	Apr 16, 2019
Grant date	Apr 16, 2019

Abstract

A sub-frame arrangement ( 1 ) in a vehicle and method thereof wherein the sub-frame arrangement comprises a sub-frame ( 2 ), a first body member, and rear attachment means for attaching said sub-frame to the first body member. The sub-frame is a dual part sub-frame comprising a lower sheet section ( 2 b ) formed in a single piece wherein said lower sheet section extends the entire length of said sub-frame. The lower sheet section is further formed with two rear portions ( 21 ) each extending backwards in the travel direction of said vehicle and the rear portions are adapted to host the rear attachment means.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sub-frame arrangement in a vehicle, said sub-frame arrangement comprising:
a sub-frame;
a first body member; and
rear fastening means for attaching said sub-frame to the first body member,
wherein said sub-frame is a dual part sub-frame comprising a top section and a substantially flat lower sheet section,
wherein said lower sheet section is formed in a single piece and extends the entire length of said sub-frame,
wherein said lower sheet section further is formed with two rear portions each extending backwards in the travel direction of said vehicle and adapted to deform during a collision,
wherein said rear portions are adapted to host the rear fastening means,
wherein the rear portions of the lower sheet section are adapted to deform in a direction downwards and backwards in relation to the travel direction of the vehicle during a collision, allowing the sub-frame to be directed under a passenger cell of the vehicle, characterized in that said sub-frame arrangement further comprises a release attachment means adapted to release the sub-frame during said deformation, and
wherein the rear fastening means are adapted to retain the sub-frame during said deformation.

2. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said top section comprises two towers.

3. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the rear portions are adapted to deform and the rear fastening means are adapted to retain an engagement between the rear portion of the sub-frame and the first body member during the entire deformation caused by a collision.

4. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein a first rear portion is adapted to deform differently from a second rear portion in order to allow a shorter deformation distance during a moderate overlap collision than during a full front collision.

5. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein said sub-frame arrangement further comprises a second body member and front fastening means adapted to fasten a front section of said sub-frame to the second body member.

6. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 5 , wherein said lower sheet section has a substantially flat shape formed from a single piece of any one of sheet metal and aluminum.

7. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the rear portions are adapted to deform and the rear fastening means are adapted to retain an engagement between the rear portion of the sub-frame and the first body member during the entire deformation caused by a collision.

8. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a first rear portion is adapted to deform differently from a second rear portion in order to allow a shorter deformation distance during a moderate overlap collision than during a full front collision.

9. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said rear portions is adapted to deform over a second length longer than a first length corresponding to the distance between the release attachment means and the rear fastening means, allowing the rear portion to absorb additional force through limiting the sub-frame movement in the deformation direction.

10. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sub-frame arrangement further comprises a second body member and front fastening means adapted to fasten a front section of said sub-frame to the second body member.

11. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 10 , wherein said front fastening means are adapted to release the sub-frame from engagement with the second body member during deformation caused by a collision.

12. The sub-frame arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said lower sheet section is formed from a single piece of any one of sheet metal and aluminum.

13. A vehicle comprising a sub-frame arrangement, said sub-frame arrangement comprising:
a sub-frame;
a first body member; and
rear fastening means for attaching said sub-frame to the first body member,
wherein said sub-frame is a dual part sub-frame comprising a top section and a substantially flat lower sheet section,
wherein said lower sheet section is formed in a single piece and extends the entire length of said sub-frame,
wherein said lower sheet section further is formed with two rear portions each extending backwards in the travel direction of said vehicle and adapted to deform during a collision,
wherein said rear portions are adapted to host the rear fastening means,
wherein the rear portions of the lower sheet section are adapted to deform in a direction downwards and backwards in relation to the travel direction of the vehicle during a collision, allowing the sub-frame to be directed under a passenger cell of the vehicle, characterized in that said sub-frame arrangement further comprises a release attachment means adapted to release the sub-frame during said deformation, and
wherein the rear fastening means are adapted to retain the sub-frame during said deformation.

Assignees

• Ningbo Geely Automobile Res & Development Co Ltd

Inventors

• Svensson Martin
• Andersson John-Erik
• Karlsson Roger
• Adamsson Dan
• Leander Johan
• Klingberg Johan
• Stoddart Tom

Classifications

• B62D27/065

  using screwthread (connection of crossbeam to A- pillars B62D25/147; mounting load bearing surfaces B62D21/09; securing mudguards B62D25/163; connections for synthetic parts B62D29/048) · CPC title

• B62D21/11

  with resilient means for suspension {, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions} · CPC title

• B62D21/155 Primary

  Sub-frames or underguards · CPC title

• B60G2206/60

  Subframe construction · CPC title